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So which is going to be the weapon of choice on Necron Immortals, Gauss Blasters or Tesla Carbines? Both cost the same and have the same Strength. Blasters are rapid fire, have AP 4 and of course have the 'Gauss' special rule. Carbines are Assault 1, AP - and the 'Tesla' special rule. The advantages/disadvantages seem to cancel each other out and right now I seem to favor the Tesla Carbines just because I like their looks better Any opinions or hard mathematical facts?

I think it's really going to evolve into what your current Meta is like. So far, I prefer the Carbines. I'm going to give Blasters a try a little down the Road.

I think if you do use Blasters, you need someone with Relentless for it to be used to it's fullest effect.

I think it will be the Gauss Blaster for me, why? Is it because I already have metal Immortals and don't want to re-model them? No (...ok, well, yes ...), it's because for the foot sloggers, the Tesla doesn't bring as much to the table as it does on the vehicles. The problem is that it only get's one shot and has the same STR (5) as the Gauss Blaster. It's only substantial advantage is that its assault which let's you maneuver and still fire. However, the gauss retains short range maneuver and shoot with it's rapid fire capability and has the same STR with the added bonus that you glance vehicles on a 6. Couple that with the ability to double tap at mid-range with stationary or short range when moving and it's got volume of fire that the Tesla doesn't match even with it's bonus hits.

Let's compare 6 guys shooting with each weapon ( 6 because the quick math is easy).

Tesla: 6 shots at BS4 = 4 hits, one of which is odds to be a 6 so you get a total of 6 hits (4 base + 2 Tesla bonus).
Gauss: 12 shots at BS4 = 8 hits, two of which are odds to be a 6 so you would glance 2 vehicles that are armor 11 or higher.

The only time Tesla get's better is if you're doing something like walking on the board - so if I knew coming into it that this would be a dawn of war for example or some other situation where I can't sit and dish out the fire, I'd consider taking Tesla as I could maintain 13-24" ranged shooting and still maneuver....but seriously, that's what the destroyers and tomb blades are for...

I dunno, I don't think it's that simple. How often are you going to be able to just sit and fire at someone from 24" away? Not too often, especially not when they're outside of a transport. Staying in rapid-fire range in risky business, too, since the Immortals are not built to stand toe-to-toe in CC. I'm in favor of the Tesla Carbines, personally, since I'd prefer to be able to move and still shoot 24". AP- isn't too big of a detriment compared to AP4, really, unless you're fighting a lot of Craftworld Eldar, I suppose.

Gauss is better with Scarabs (it has an AP), especially if you have one of the characters that grants Relentless with the Immortals. That said, Tesla is a more all-comers choice in general since it gives you better maneuver capabilities. I would use the Carbines on any unit that doesn't have a character to grant Relentless, and the Blasters on any unit that does.

Hmmm, I expected this topic would have generated a little more discussion. So it seems like unless I'm using them in an anti-tank role then neither has a distinct advantage over the other.

Well if you're not using them as anti-tank then teslas have the distinct advantage of allowing you immortals to move and still fire 24". However gauss will do more damage if you put them in rapid fire range of something. It's just a question of what you want them to do. Personally I go with tesla so I'm not being limited in movement and range.

My thoughts...

If your meta tends to be vehicle heavy, you'll probably want Gauss for the auto-glance on 6s.

However, if your meta is more infantry heavy, then you might want to go for Tesla, to get more hits.

Or, for your 2 troop choices you could simply take 1 Immortal w/ Gauss, 1 Immortal w/ Tesla. Then you have the best of both worlds!

Tesla weapons are TERRIBLE against vehicles. AP - wrecks your ability to hurt them.

The Grog wrote:Tesla weapons are TERRIBLE against vehicles. AP - wrecks your ability to hurt them.

I think it is already established teslas are for anti infantry

I've been toying the idea of 3-4 immortal squads, some with tesla and some with gauss blasters. Gauss squads may also be attached with crypteks for anti assault stuff and those tasty voltaic/eldritch lances since they need to get up close. Although that may be making them a bit pricey

Mobility is important enough in 40k that I would default to Tesla. If you have an Immortal squad that you know will be running with a Phaeron, though, take Gauss.

Telsa seems better for footslog, you get better threat range with 24" Assault
Gauss is better in transport as you ll be able to get into rapid fire range better.
If you are running a Phaeron (Relentless), Traveler(Counter Attack) or Nemesor dude (whole lot of abilties) though Gauss Blaster improves quite a lot.
Though i'd think have Warriors with Gauss is good enough, Immortal with Tesla is really nasty.

I think like most things in this book, you have to work in "combination" with other things.

I know im gonna run a couple 12+ Warriors units. That covers my anti tank and rapid fire weapons. Relentless or a Veil helps. I prefer relentless and would try to stay 20-22" away.

Running Immortals, chances are im gonna foot it. So shooting at range, on the move is good. Further more, this is a great 10 man unit to mix into a scarab unit. Moving that first turn or 2 to get scarabs in charge threat range, while providing the scarabs with cover, (3+ invul for swarms)

So Carbines is my way, infantry cover fire, walking and screening, and 24" bubble with a chance to generate a few extra hits. Its a great unit to hold objectives and have a good "threat of fire " range.

My impression is that Gauss blasters are the better way to go. Rapid fire is always inconvenient to manage, but I just don't see the immortals doing enough with the teslas to matter much. The mobility is cool and all, but I just don't see them putting out enough firepower to ever make their points back with only assault 1 weapons, even with tesla. Consider also how they match up to other race's troops that are packing 24" range assault small arms. Do you really want your immortals facing off in a mid-range shootout again psybolt grey knights, or even sonic blaster noise marines (like anybody plays NM anymore...)

Gauss blasters have much greater versatility and damage potential. They are harder/riskier to use, but I'll take a difficult unit with the chance of getting something done over a easy to use unit that will never make itself worthwhile. Take the gauss, and give em a cryptek or lord with one of the many assault deterrents. If you want to fill the 24" assault role, use vehicles, large warrior squads+phaeron, destroyers, or tomb blades. Other units do it better, but nobody else is packing that many str5 gauss shots for so cheap and with a 3+ armor save.

Tesla weapons average one hit per die rolled. 3/6 chance of normal hit, 1/6 chance of 3 hits, 2/6 chance of a miss. They are deadly accurate.

I would say that Gauss is only better if you are relentless, shooting 4+ targets, in an Ark, or rapid firing targets that won't/can't simply assault you next turn.

If anything, I think that Blasters are better on Tomb Blades than Immortals since they come with relentless and mobility. But I also think Blades really need that 3+, and without it Immortals are a better choice.

The Grog wrote:Tesla weapons average one hit per die rolled. 3/6 chance of normal hit, 1/6 chance of 3 hits, 2/6 chance of a miss. They are deadly accurate.

I would say that Gauss is only better if you are relentless, shooting 4+ targets, in an Ark, or rapid firing targets that won't/can't simply assault you next turn.

If anything, I think that Blasters are better on Tomb Blades than Immortals since they come with relentless and mobility. But I also think Blades really need that 3+, and without it Immortals are a better choice.

That, and most would take beamers with the Blades I would think. What is it? S6 AP5 Blast/Large Blast?

Just blast, but that's 30 points. 40 with 3+.

I have to say it looks like Necrons have no issue dealing with armour. Sweep attacks, Tachyon arrows, Crypteks with Harbinger of Destruction, Triarch Stalkers and of course Scarab Swarms should bring plenty of anti-tank capability to the table. Anti-infantry is where the problem lies so for me it's Tesla all the way.

The Grog wrote:Just blast, but that's 30 points. 40 with 3+.

Still, thats a lot of S6 hits from just 3 guys there.

In would have to go with tesla, the rapid fire rule just kills it for me on gauss. Necrons do not do well when they are in RF range, and with ap4 you aren't going to kill enough Meqs for RF to help enough unless there is way larger imbalance in units (meaning your opponent is an idiot and only pushed with 1-2 unit). Being able to maintain range longer is the big bonus on tesla. The extra hits generated is very nice too, and the chance to roll more 6s than just the straight 1 per six is pretty good (remember its 1/6 per dice, not every 6 dice you get you can count on a 6, there is a difference). There is a 1/4 chance on each of your hits that it gains 2 additional hits is probably better way of looking at it for comparison purposes. Sometimes you hit more than average, sometimes more of your hits are 6s than probably should (of course the reverse is true too). The upside of when you get lucky is just too good to ignore, especially when comparing how many more rounds of shooting you are taking even during the times you need to move (and 40k is a game of maneuver)

I think Gauss would be good at holding objectives objectives actually.
They dont have to move, so they get their shots at 24". And if the enemy gets too close they could just double tap em'.
A 15 man squad of immortals firing some 30 S5 shots is nothing to sneeze at.

CthuluIsSpy wrote:I think Gauss would be good at holding objectives objectives actually.
They dont have to move, so they get their shots at 24". And if the enemy gets too close they could just double tap em'.
A 15 man squad of immortals firing some 30 S5 shots is nothing to sneeze at.

Why should I ever take a squad fof 15 Immortals.
I second Notabot, tesla seems to be the way to go.

Immortals Max out at 10 per squad, and cannot ride in ghost arks. Either take phaeron & gauss, or use Tesla.

Here is the Mathhammer I came up with... I'm expecting you guys to check it. Thanks!

o Gauss Shooting Results
MEQ Expect .15 kills per shot
GEQ Expect .37 kills per shot
Against armor, Expect to hit 2/3, Can penetrate AV10 on a 6, glance on 5, Everything glances on a 6 AV11+

o Tesla Shooting Results
MEQ Expect .22 kills per shot
GEQ Expect .57 kills per shot
Against armor, Expect to hit 2/3, Can Penetrate AV10 on a 6, Can’t Penetrate or Glance AV 12+

To OP, tesla.

I think it is quite simple:
Tesla on standard Immortals, otherwise take Warriors for Gauss unless the Immortals have a Pharon, in which case they should also have Gauss to take advantage of relentless.

Also consider some combinations. The Veil of Darkness Cryptek is a natural leader for Immortals, whether or not they have a Night Scythe, they probably want to get out and shoot ASAP. It's the strongest anti-infantry Cryptek, and it lets the Immortals move around without a vehicle. Tesla is preferred when deep striking and assaulting, obviously.

Tesla also is a natural fit for Pyrrhian Eternals. Necrons lack countercharge units, and the Eternals at least sort of fit the bill.

Tesla all the way. it forces saves like no other weapon.

Anti-tank is covered in other places in spades.


Tesla can still take out transports so its not totally useless against vehicles either.

I have built 2 squads of ten one squad has gauss and the other tesla just to give myself the option of either that and really depending on whom I am fighting. Heavy infantry types e.g. orks or tyranids I love my tesla and annihilation barges. I primarly use my gauss immortals in games where I can deep strike them from a monolith to obtain and hold and objective, I also have plenty of warriors for that as well. I really think when building an army like the Necrons you have to have multiple builds to be effective.

Im for tesla carbines, I think if your going to use the blasters you would be best off dropping them from a transport and rapid firing or using a phaeron to make them relentless.

I do feel however that even should you take a 10 man squad with the phaeron its not a big enough unit to justify an upgraded Overlord.

I think the Overlord would be better off making a unit of 20 warriors relentless.