6 man Eradicators with HBs

[L30n1d4s]

I am quite interested in trying out Eradicators with Heavy Bolters (provided they can eventually be taken in squads of 3-6, which I expect will happen).

 

Led by an Apothecary Biologist, the whole squad has Sustained/Lethal, if they move less than 3", they hit on 2+s, and their weapons have Blast (1) vs anything that is not a monster or vehicle.

 

Combine this with Oath for rerolls to fish for Critical Hits and +1 to Wound and I think they are going to be a threat against a wide variety of units, from hordes to medium vehicles. If you can add Crits on 5+s (say from Anvil Siege Force, etc.), then they become even more powerful.

Edited June 7 by L30n1d4s

[jaxom]

Heavy bolters have been weird to me since 8th edition. I fell like they went from a near guarantee of 2-3 dead Not-Marines to being worse against their traditional targets and optimal(?) at knocking out a few guys from MSU MEQ squads that don't deserve heavier weapons. I really like the new Eradicator loadout for making getting rid of MSU MEQ even better, but then I don't see the benefit of blast except against Crusader Squads.

 

I do agree that the new Eradicators with an Apothecary Biologist are a serious ranged threat to T7-T9 monsters and vehicles, especially a squad of 6. That kind of leads back to the squad ability being wasted.

 

I think I'm just grumpy that I feel the D2 feels wasted against Ork Boyz, which should be the optimal target for these guys.

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

6 hours ago, jaxom said:

Heavy bolters have been weird to me since 8th edition. I fell like they went from a near guarantee of 2-3 dead Not-Marines to being worse against their traditional targets and optimal(?) at knocking out a few guys from MSU MEQ squads that don't deserve heavier weapons. I really like the new Eradicator loadout for making getting rid of MSU MEQ even better, but then I don't see the benefit of blast except against Crusader Squads.

 

I do agree that the new Eradicators with an Apothecary Biologist are a serious ranged threat to T7-T9 monsters and vehicles, especially a squad of 6. That kind of leads back to the squad ability being wasted.

 

I think I'm just grumpy that I feel the D2 feels wasted against Ork Boyz, which should be the optimal target for these guys.

I agree HB have been in a weird spot for a while, especially before autocannons got their little buff.

but idk how to fix it based on the current system.

Maybe A4 S5 AP0 D2? Trade AP for an extra attack? Much better hoard clearance, slightly worse against well armored target.

[jaxom]

Personally, after thinking about it a bit, I’d want S6 AP1 2D. Lean into the HB as something used against Crusade-era Orks/Nobz while the rotor cannon was for dealing with GEQ.