Neo-Volkite pistol or a plasma pistol?

[Helias_Tancred]

For characters. 

 

It's offered on several key marine characters. Which do you prefer and why?

 

 

[ThaneOfTas]

Neo-Volkite looks cooler. 

 

I haven't mathed it out but im willig to bet in most circumstances that the Plasma is probably better, but I still generally go the Neo-Volkite where i can.

[Brother Captain Vakarian]

I agree with @ThaneOfTas. I suspect plasma is probably “better” mathematically due to higher S and AP. Also, for some characters you lose the option to take a power fist if you take a neo-volkite pistol (like Lieutenants). And power fists are generally considered the best melee option for marine characters at the moment. 

 

But I’m all choom gang (and power sword / relic blade gang) all the way. Rule of cool wins here IMO and also the differences are somewhat marginal. 
 

Now when will GW let me take my Captain with sword and storm shield with a neo-volkite pistol… cowards. 

[Tacitus]

I prefer the Plasma.  I think the math isn't close enough - though I haven't actually calculated it out.  One shot about 3-4 of 12 will wound for 2 damage vs 1 shot that will wound closer to 6 times out of 12 for 1 damage - more if you do Hazardous.

[Moonstalker]

I put Volkite on just about anything that can take it cause Volkite is cool.  My gut feeling is the plasma maths out better, though.  There is probably a Toughness/save profile somewhere where the Dev Wounds on the Volkite let it pull ahead, but it can't be very common.

[AutumnEffect]

Depends on if you are willing to gamble on charged shots for the plasma pistol. If you are then go with it because it gives you two solid profiles for soft and hard targets.

 

If you are risk-averse then I'd take the volkite.  The difference between str 5 and 7 is mostly whatever as far as break points are concerned so the trade off is damage 2 and Devastating Wounds vs AP -2 which, for most 2 wound targets is also whatever.

Edited Wednesday at 04:28 PM by AutumnEffect

[Helias_Tancred]

I went with a plasma pistol on the character in question, but I agree with the cool factor of the volkite. I've got several of them now so they'll eventually find their way on a worthy model lol. 

 

 

[Tacitus]

6 hours ago, AutumnEffect said:

Depends on if you are willing to gamble on charged shots for the plasma pistol. If you are then go with it because it gives you two solid profiles for soft and hard targets.

 

If you are risk-averse then I'd take the volkite.  The difference between str 5 and 7 is mostly whatever as far as break points are concerned so the trade off is damage 2 and Devastating Wounds vs AP -2 which, for most 2 wound targets is also whatever.

Well first things first we've all kind of raced past the point that this is one pistol on one sergeant on likely one squad.  If this pistol makes or breaks your plan, you probably need a better plan not a better pistol.

 

Volkite vs MEQ wounds 2/3 of the time (and 1/6 pretty much avoids saves).  1/3 of saves miss.

Plasma wounds 2/3 to 5/6 of the time, and 2/3+ of saves miss.

Plasma (especially if overcharged) gives more woundings that are saved less.

 

And You're understating the breakpoint even at S7 you're now a 2+ vs most Eldar, Guard, Tau Sisters, and other T3 units/armies.  And you have the option to double-up MEQ as well.

[AutumnEffect]

1 hour ago, Tacitus said:

Well first things first we've all kind of raced past the point that this is one pistol on one sergeant on likely one squad.  If this pistol makes or breaks your plan, you probably need a better plan not a better pistol.

 

The OP specified for characters, not sergeants.

No one has said anything at all about any plans being made or broken.

 

The OP just ask what we preferred and why.

 

1 hour ago, Tacitus said:

And You're understating the breakpoint even at S7 you're now a 2+ vs most Eldar, Guard, Tau Sisters, and other T3 units/armies.  And you have the option to double-up MEQ as well.

 

I dont think I'm understating anything. The breakpoint of wounding toughness 3 models on 2's when the entire space marine roster is wounding them minimally on 3+ already is whatever.

 

You are 16% more likely to wound a toughness 3 model now in your Space Marines army. Yippee.

 

I mentioned the importance of the overcharge profile (and consequently the 'doubling up' on MEQ profiles). It was, like, the whole jist of my post.

 

____________________________________________

 

The Volkite is better than standard plasma vs a MEQ unless you are overcharging and risking Hazardous.
Against toughness 3 and 4+ save the difference is 9% between Volkite and Plasma.

 

I can run the numbers for toughness 3 5+ save and/or 3+ save but... I'm pretty sure it'll still be whatever.

Edited Wednesday at 09:44 PM by AutumnEffect

[TheNicronomicon]

I like volkite for melee characters—maybe I’ll miss that extra 6” of range sometimes but against anything trying to hack apart with chainswords Imthe dev wounds are more appealing.

 

THAT said, if I have a genuinely hard choice with a pistol I try to give the character/sergeant a holstered weapon instead. Quantum pistol!

[Tacitus]

7 hours ago, AutumnEffect said:

 

The OP specified for characters, not sergeants.

No one has said anything at all about any plans being made or broken.

 

The OP just ask what we preferred and why.

 

Sergeants somewhat are characters.  They literally are in Horus Heresy, they have been here and there in 40K.  And as far as I know BGV Sergeants are the only ones who actually have a choice between Plasma and Volkite pistols.  Technically the Captain and Lieutenant Datasheets suggest options, but realistically its a different model kit, not really an "option". 

[Orange Knight]

I think when it comes to characters it's perfectly fine to go for whatever looks the coolest.

 

We're talking about a single pistol shot, and whilst it can have an impact it rarely decides anything in the game.

 

The plasma is probably the more predictable option, but the Volkite and Heavy Bolt pistols look great. I'd go with personal taste on this one. I feel the Neo Volkite is the most exotic looking option.

 

On the Captain, the master crafted bolter is probably the best option, and you can have that weapon alongside a power fist/sword last time I checked...

Edited Thursday at 06:32 AM by Orange Knight

[Karhedron]

I go for Volkite as I like being able to go for 2 Damage without risking Hazardous. Also the chance to occasionally spike Devastating Wounds.

 

Having said that, I actually prefer the MC Bolter. 2 Shots to 24" with AP-1 and 2 Damage is not too shabby into most infantry. S4 is a downer but with vehicle toughness and number of wounds being what they are in 10th, a lucky pistol shot is unlikely to make a difference. For anything T9+, even Overcharged Plasma is going to be wounding on 5s. The bolter wounds on 6s but gets twice the shots and twice the range. I got lucky in my last game and chipped 4 wounds off a Hammerhead (it was my OOM target so I was getting +1 to Wound).

[Sir Clausel]

I honestly just go for the bolt pistol. Simply because the one shot rarely makes a difference but it saves on time. Some times like my assault intercessors with jump packs i give them plasma pistol together with the captain. Then there is enough guys to make it worth it for me.

I really dislike units with so many different weapons for no apparent reason that are slightly different. Slows the game down so much.

[Helias_Tancred]

12 hours ago, Orange Knight said:

I think when it comes to characters it's perfectly fine to go for whatever looks the coolest.

 

We're talking about a single pistol shot, and whilst it can have an impact it rarely decides anything in the game.

 

The plasma is probably the more predictable option, but the Volkite and Heavy Bolt pistols look great. I'd go with personal taste on this one. I feel the Neo Volkite is the most exotic looking option.

 

On the Captain, the master crafted bolter is probably the best option, and you can have that weapon alongside a power fist/sword last time I checked...

 

I dealt with that quandary when I built my Master Lazarus model into a DA 3rd company master. I ended up modeling him with power fist and plasma pistol, but I really had to decide between the master crafted bolt rifle that is included in that kit and a plasma pistol. I see times when playing the game that I will want him with the master crafted bolt rifle (with company vets), and other times with a plasma pistol (with melee units such as Inner Circle Companions or Bladeguard Vets).

 

Edit: I also planned to use my Dark Angels Company Master in Kill Team games, so that was a factor in modeling him with power fist and plasma pistol.

 

Edited Thursday at 07:16 PM by Helias_Tancred

[Helias_Tancred]

8 hours ago, Karhedron said:

I go for Volkite as I like being able to go for 2 Damage without risking Hazardous. Also the chance to occasionally spike Devastating Wounds.

 

Having said that, I actually prefer the MC Bolter. 2 Shots to 24" with AP-1 and 2 Damage is not too shabby into most infantry. S4 is a downer but with vehicle toughness and number of wounds being what they are in 10th, a lucky pistol shot is unlikely to make a difference. For anything T9+, even Overcharged Plasma is going to be wounding on 5s. The bolter wounds on 6s but gets twice the shots and twice the range. I got lucky in my last game and chipped 4 wounds off a Hammerhead (it was my OOM target so I was getting +1 to Wound).

 

This sort of talk makes me want to buy another Master Lazarus kit and build a second version of my company master with power fist and master crafted bolt rifle lol. I did that with my Black Templars lol; I had one marshal with sword and plasma pistol, and a second made identical but with power fist and plasma pistol. I'm a lore & details nut. And well I like painting that specific model too!

[Helias_Tancred]

On 3/5/2025 at 4:11 PM, AutumnEffect said:

 

The OP specified for characters, not sergeants.

No one has said anything at all about any plans being made or broken.

 

The OP just ask what we preferred and why.

 

 

I dont think I'm understating anything. The breakpoint of wounding toughness 3 models on 2's when the entire space marine roster is wounding them minimally on 3+ already is whatever.

 

You are 16% more likely to wound a toughness 3 model now in your Space Marines army. Yippee.

 

I mentioned the importance of the overcharge profile (and consequently the 'doubling up' on MEQ profiles). It was, like, the whole jist of my post.

 

____________________________________________

 

The Volkite is better than standard plasma vs a MEQ unless you are overcharging and risking Hazardous.
Against toughness 3 and 4+ save the difference is 9% between Volkite and Plasma.

 

I can run the numbers for toughness 3 5+ save and/or 3+ save but... I'm pretty sure it'll still be whatever.

 

Thank you very much for that data, and also for pointing out my considerations as the OP. Yeah it was a dilemma just for characters that I was having! I ended up going with the plasma pistol because its for Dark Angels, lol, but I do want to put my neo-volkite pistol bit on a future character!

 

 

Edited Friday at 05:04 PM by Helias_Tancred

[Tacitus]

8 hours ago, Helias_Tancred said:

 

Thank you very much for that data, and also for pointing out my considerations as the OP. Yeah it was a dilemma just for characters that I was having! I ended up going with the plasma pistol because its for Dadk Angels, lol, but I do want to put my neo-volkite pistol bit on a future character!

 

 

To me it also sort of falls into the "what color do I paint the Dreanaughts" thing.  Paint them white because all Dreads are Deathwing now, or paint them Green as some surely should be in Company billets?  The Dark Angels are often referred to as some version of the Masters of Dark Age Technology.  The problem being that's usually shows up - when it shows up - as Non-Hazardous Plasma because Volkite is a new "old" technology.  I'm not sure if GW will retcon DA into Volkite, or just keep them Plasma.  Will Volkite get associated more with another chapter like Ravenwing or something?  BA already have melta pistols, Wolves have Frost, DA has plasma, Imp Fists have Bolt-anything, So Ravenwing, Salamaders, UM, Iron Fists etc. ?

[Karhedron]

Salamanders are associated with Flamer weapons.

 

Beyond that though, one of the things I like about 10th edition is the decoupling of rules from paint schemes. I always used to run my Space Wolves as a mechanised force back in 5th edition so it is fun to be able to use the Firestorm Detachment rules while still bringing Ragnar and my Grey Hunters along. Same applies to Dark Angels, you can paint "elite" units like Dreads and Sternguard in Deathwing Bone or DA green entirely as you like. 

 

If in doubt, remember the first rule of modelling! 

#1 They are your models so paint them how you want. 

[Tacitus]

1 hour ago, Karhedron said:

Salamanders are associated with Flamer weapons.

 

Beyond that though, one of the things I like about 10th edition is the decoupling of rules from paint schemes. I always used to run my Space Wolves as a mechanised force back in 5th edition so it is fun to be able to use the Firestorm Detachment rules while still bringing Ragnar and my Grey Hunters along. Same applies to Dark Angels, you can paint "elite" units like Dreads and Sternguard in Deathwing Bone or DA green entirely as you like. 

 

If in doubt, remember the first rule of modelling! 

#1 They are your models so paint them how you want. 

Salamanders are/were Flamers, Melta, Thunderhammers and Master Crafting.   30K Blood Angels have a Volkite Serpenta Pistoleros squad so maybe, but realistically I'd expect a different chapter to get the Volkite Affinity.   Maybe Salamanders as All Things Hot, but even then probably something else.  Had it been "a thing" way back when I suspect it would have potentially been DA thematic if not DA only like the Melta Pistols were BA specific. 

[Helias_Tancred]

10 hours ago, Karhedron said:

Salamanders are associated with Flamer weapons.

 

Beyond that though, one of the things I like about 10th edition is the decoupling of rules from paint schemes. I always used to run my Space Wolves as a mechanised force back in 5th edition so it is fun to be able to use the Firestorm Detachment rules while still bringing Ragnar and my Grey Hunters along. Same applies to Dark Angels, you can paint "elite" units like Dreads and Sternguard in Deathwing Bone or DA green entirely as you like. 

 

If in doubt, remember the first rule of modelling! 

#1 They are your models so paint them how you want. 

 

I always liked that Dark Angels had the "Company Veterans" unit as a unique part of their battle companies. I'm still building models like a madman, but I've been considering painting my Bladeguard Veterans, and Sternguard as company veterans rather than Deathwing. I still like to keep that as an all terminator armored force. My company heroes definitely fall under company veterans status and I built them with hooded heads, etc.