What does the mathhammer on Eradicators say?

[Helias_Tancred]

Hey all. Subject line says it all. Build them with 3 melta rifles, or 2 melta rifles and one multi-melta per 3?

 

I've actually got two boxes and I was looking to build them as one 6 man squad fyi.

 

Thoughts? Analysis? Ridicule? 

 

 

[Tacitus]

4 hours ago, Helias_Tancred said:

Hey all. Subject line says it all. Build them with 3 melta rifles, or 2 melta rifles and one multi-melta per 3?

 

I've actually got two boxes and I was looking to build them as one 6 man squad fyi.

 

Thoughts? Analysis? Ridicule? 

 

 

In the current system upgrading to the Multi-Melta costs you nothing.   Total Obliteration doesn't refer to the MM either, so again no cost. They have the same range, and keywords, so it comes down to 1 x 2/3 hit vs 2 x 1/2 hits.  The MM is just a flat upgrade.  In this system.

[Helias_Tancred]

The multi-melta is BS 4+ not 3+, BUT 2 shots versus 1 with the melta rifle. 

 

My question was is it better to have one less shot but 3 shots hitting on 3+, versus 2 shots hitting on 3+, and 2 on 4+? ... of course if they don't move they each go down 1 because of [Heavy].

 

 

[Helias_Tancred]

1 hour ago, Tacitus said:

In the current system upgrading to the Multi-Melta costs you nothing.   Total Obliteration doesn't refer to the MM either, so again no cost. They have the same range, and keywords, so it comes down to 1 x 2/3 hit vs 2 x 1/2 hits.  The MM is just a flat upgrade.  In this system.

 

So you're saying even with the BS of 4+ it's worth it to take the multi-melta instead of another melta rifle?

Edited March 9 by Helias_Tancred

[Karhedron]

3 hours ago, Helias_Tancred said:

So you're saying even with the BS of 4+ it's worth it to take the multi-melta instead of another melta rifle?

 

That is correct. Taking Total Obliteration into account, a Melta rifle will score an average of 0.89 hits and a maximum of 1. A Multi Melta will score an average of 1.5 hits and a maximum of 2.

[AutumnEffect]

I've run the numbers before and can confirm that even with the slight fall in BS, the Multi-Melta is the superior choice than taking a third Melta Rifle.

 

6 Eradicators No Multi Melta:
vs Leman Russ (While Melta is active)
10.14 (13.58)

while Heavy is active vs Leman Russ. (While Melta is active)
10.95 wounds (14.85)
 

6 Eradicators With Multi Melta:

vs. Leman Russ (While Melta is Active)
10.62 (16.69)

Heavy is active vs Leman Russ. (While Melta is Active)
12.06 (18.95)

The difference is largest when you get within Melta range and the additional shot from the Multi-Melta compounds with the extra damage from being at half range.
Otherwise it's pretty negligible.

Edited March 9 by AutumnEffect

[Tacitus]

17 hours ago, Helias_Tancred said:

The multi-melta is BS 4+ not 3+, BUT 2 shots versus 1 with the melta rifle. 

 

My question was is it better to have one less shot but 3 shots hitting on 3+, versus 2 shots hitting on 3+, and 2 on 4+? ... of course if they don't move they each go down 1 because of [Heavy].

 

 

That was taken into account.  The Melta Rifle has 1 attack that hits 2/3 (3+) of the time.  The Multi-Melta has 2 Attacks that hit 1/2 (4+) of the time.  2 halves of an apple is bigger than a single 2/3 of one.

[Orange Knight]

Once we account for re-rolls, which is part of the rules of the unit, the Multi-Melta becomes even more compelling. You'll be hitting 75% of the time so the extra shots are a categorical upgrade.

 

As long as the upgrade costs no points, it's almost mandatory to get the most from the unit.