Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I'm finally getting around to building up my IG that I started a year ago and I'm debating the use of a pair of Medusa's in my 1,000 point IG force (will be used at Adepticon). My IG list is partial mech, with a CCS with Meltas in Chimera, a PBS, a Vet Squad with Meltas in a Chimera, and a Platoon with Autocannons and Plasmaguns.

I really like the Medusa: S10, AP2, large blast; seems like a versatile piece of artillery. I'm not convinced on the bastion breacher shells, don't know if I like the trade off of a smaller blast for increased tank busting (given the rest of my list).

What have been your experiences with the Medusa? Does it really need BBS? Do you get better mileage with something like the Colossus?

Thanks for the help!

The Medusa is great. Give it enclosed crew compartment, and it essentially becomes a Demolisher - just AV12 instead of 14, but with longer range and is a good bit cheaper.

I'm not a fan of BBS, I just use a Manticore for tank-busting and that has always worked okay.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261111.pageGMMstudios posted his thoughts on guard in this thread, and he is a fan of the medusa. i agree with him on the camo netting, i think its a must- then again i don't play guard i play chaos but i can tell ya i don't like 36" range 10/2 pie plates flying at aaanything in my army

-edit- closed compartment is the goods too

Medusas are the shizznit. Don't leave home without them.

A pair are going to eat a good chunk of your 1000 points, and adding Enclosed Crew Compartment and Camo Netting are just going to make them more expensive. You really want the Alpha Strike here so instead of spending the 60+ points on all the add ons you can spend 15 more points and get a Hydra. IMHO adding more shots is a better strategy than thinking defensively for this type of army. It's all about fire volume.

I like Hydras, but I think with Nob Bikes, LR's, Plague Marines, etc out there that I'll get better mileage with the Medusas.

Now to scrounge up points for the armored crew compartment...

Yeah Hydras definitely suffer vs. PMs and Nobs.

Medusa is awesome, you just have to build the model

FW is sweet sweet candy.

I'm not seeing how a medusa is better than a manticore.

For tank-busting, they're the same (unless you take BBS) except that the manticore can hit anything on the table without moving and can deny the target a cover save by firing indirectly.

Against anything with a 4+ or worse save (including nob bikers) the manticore is better again because of long range and potentially being able to deny cover with the indirect shot.

The manticore is already closed-top and can be completely hidden behind terrain or other vehicles and still shoot, so doesn't need camo netting.

Really the only situation where a medusa is better is against targets with a 3+ or better armor save within 36" (42 with a move)--unless those models are in cover in which case the medusa is only marginally better than a manticore (12-25%).

And, since a medusa has to have line of sight--and especially if you're using camo netting which requires you to hide behind something, thus partially blocking your own LoS--you will often be granting your target cover saves by virtue of your positioning.

Or if you actually get to shoot more than 4 times or if you want to do a squadron. But otherwise it seems to me like a manticore is better all around.

Manticore minimum range of 36 - more expensive - limited to four shots. Medusas are better vs all comers. Manticores are good and have their place though.

That's minimum range of 36 on indirect shots. You can still make direct shots inside that radius.

Yeah, but the medusa is not indirect, an AV12, open topped direct shot platform isn't all that great, IMHO. I have read about people suing them to great effect, but if I were on the other side of the table, that would be my first target as it is easy to kill. 36" range means pretty much everything will be in range to hit it, too.

I would prefer to have the colossus, a bassie or the manticore, myself.

But if you're firing indirectly you are back to the 36" min range with the Manticore. I'd love to have both but with Adepticon team rules and the 1,000 point limit I'm not sure if it is the best option/possible.

What I'm loving about the medusa is the ability to threaten anything from Monoliths to Nob Bikers.

Ozy - some people really like the bastion breacher. Its IMO the best anti tank in the game. But I personally prefer the all around abilities of the bigger blast. It takes care of most targets without needing to specialize.

The Medusa is a great choice for an IG army,
but nonetheless, the 5th Edition IG excels at their Heavy Support choices.

-Leman Russ Executioner (No.1 MEQ killer)
-Leman Russ Demolisher (kills either Heavy Infantry or Vehicles reliably)
-Medusa (another S10 AP2 5" or S10 AP1 2d6pen 3")
-Manticore (d3 S10 pieplates rock^^)
-Hydra (transport killer)

it's hard to chose between them, they all have their advantages / disadvantages

But back 2 topic =)
I like fielding the medusa, since my main enemies are Tau, Eldar, Necs, SM

Just think about a LR loaded up with TH/SS Termies.
The Medusa with BBS that hits needs to roll a 5 with 2d6 for a penetrating hit and then has a 50% chance to destroy the Land Raider.

Against any vehicle with AV12 and less you score a penetrating hit almost every hit, and it's your only AP1 long range AT weapon.
In times of 5th Ed. where Vehicles are much more durable against glancing hits +1 on the dmg table is a huge bonus.
I don't mind that with BBS the medusa loses the pieplate because you don't want to shoot at infantry anyway.

Well, read this thread (if you have not already) there is a good argument for using the medusa in cover.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261111.page

I will have to give it another look. I am a bit old school I guess, I like to have my artillery out of LOS.