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Just got myself a new predator but not sure on what weapons to take, whether to just give an atuocannon and some heavy bolters or maximise on lascannons. My question is what is the most points efficent weapon loadout for a predator, any insight is welcome.

Autocannon plus heavy bolters is a cheap way to add some good anti-infantry firepower to any marine list. Since marines do anti-tank best with fast attack slots anyways, it means that you don't really need to worry about using your HS slots for a dedicated anti-infantry (but excellent against things like land speeder squadrons) role.

The only configuration I ever use is Autocannon, Las sponsons.

Convnetional wisdom is to specialise Predators as either AC/HB infantry killers, or Lascannon to the max tank hunters. But I say feth conventional wisdom.

I can't understand why the TL Lascannon/HB Sponson configuration isn't more popular. It's got a pretty good chance to get a damage result on a tank, and both those HB's could do some damage to infantry.

It seems better the opposite loadout, where maybe you'll hit something with one of the lascannons, (good luck getting that second shot if your target isn't directly in front of you) and using the autocanon, the "jack of all trades master of none" gun, which is too light for most vehicles, but shoots to slow compared to heavy bolters.

Commander Endova wrote:Convnetional wisdom is to specialise Predators as either AC/HB infantry killers, or Lascannon to the max tank hunters. But I say feth conventional wisdom.

I can't understand why the TL Lascannon/HB Sponson configuration isn't more popular. It's got a pretty good chance to get a damage result on a tank, and both those HB's could do some damage to infantry.

It seems better the opposite loadout, where maybe you'll hit something with one of the lascannons, (good luck getting that second shot if your target isn't directly in front of you) and using the autocanon, the "jack of all trades master of none" gun, which is too light for most vehicles, but shoots to slow compared to heavy bolters.

Because the lascannon turret is too expensive to be efficient.

I hope your gunna magnetize your new Predator, here's a link to a nice tutorial on doing it

http://apnu.runswithscissors.com/convertible-predator-howto.html

Commander Endova wrote:Convnetional wisdom is to specialise Predators as either AC/HB infantry killers, or Lascannon to the max tank hunters. But I say feth conventional wisdom.

I can't understand why the TL Lascannon/HB Sponson configuration isn't more popular. It's got a pretty good chance to get a damage result on a tank, and both those HB's could do some damage to infantry.

It seems better the opposite loadout, where maybe you'll hit something with one of the lascannons, (good luck getting that second shot if your target isn't directly in front of you) and using the autocanon, the "jack of all trades master of none" gun, which is too light for most vehicles, but shoots to slow compared to heavy bolters.

Too expensive, and too contradictory.

Why would you put an anti-infantry weapon on a tank that will be shooting at other tanks most of the game? Spend 75 points, instead of 100, and pick up a TL-Las Razorback.

Sure, the armor is weaker, but at least you can truck guys around and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I like Autocannan/ Lascannon Sponsons myself. Use it for anti tank and MC duties.

Autocannon + HB sponsons for 85 points per model. Three Dakka Predators for the price of a Land Raider. 9 BS4 heavy weapons and 3 AV13 vehicles for 255 points. It's simply the most efficient configuration.

Mount your anti-tank guns on Razorbacks, Land Speeders and Dreadnoughts.

I take 3 preds.
But i refuse to take any with the same layout.

so:

pred 1: TL las turret, las sponsons.
pred 2: autocannon turret, HB sponsons.
pred 3: baal class pred. (tl assault cannon with Hflamer sponsons)


As much as people hate the points cost for the quad-las pred, ive actually had alot of luck with it, and its paid off more than a few times.
not only do i find it looks better, but it actually serves a decent purpose.
The only time i wont take it is when im facing orks, then i take 3 vindi's instead


but yea, either go for anti-infantry, or anti-tank.
A mix of both does not work.

Commander Endova wrote:Convnetional wisdom is to specialise Predators as either AC/HB infantry killers, or Lascannon to the max tank hunters. But I say feth conventional wisdom.

I can't understand why the TL Lascannon/HB Sponson configuration isn't more popular. It's got a pretty good chance to get a damage result on a tank, and both those HB's could do some damage to infantry.

It seems better the opposite loadout, where maybe you'll hit something with one of the lascannons, (good luck getting that second shot if your target isn't directly in front of you) and using the autocanon, the "jack of all trades master of none" gun, which is too light for most vehicles, but shoots to slow compared to heavy bolters.

An autocannon is equal to a twin-linked lascannon against AV 10 and only slightly worse against AV 11, and if you're shooting at something with higher AV than that, you're wasting your heavy bolters. Lascannons on Predators are significantly overcosted, especially when you compare them to IG Vendettas. I would start considering the lascannon turret if it cost around 20 points, but as is it's simply far too overpriced. The las sponsons are probably only slightly overpriced (AC/las can be OK), but the turret is way, way too expensive.


OP, the most points-efficient loadout is the autocannon and HB Predator-- though it isn't truly good against anything, it's versatile enough to be at least somewhat effective against most units.

All lascannon makes it great at anti-tank, and long range anti-tank is becoming more and more important as transports with melta weapons inside is very popular.

The cheap heavy bolter one is decent as an anti-infantry tank but the humble bolter is good enough.

The autocannon does almost as well against Rhinos as the twin-linked lascannon, and the 45 points you save allow you to bolster other elements of your list if need be. I agree that long range anti-tank is important, but paying 45 points to upgrade an already-strong weapon to a slightly better version is not worthwhile.

Lord Bingo wrote:Just got myself a new predator but not sure on what weapons to take, whether to just give an atuocannon and some heavy bolters or maximise on lascannons. My question is what is the most points efficent weapon loadout for a predator, any insight is welcome.

Considering that mechanized is the new meta-game standard, using a loadout that excels at killing transports makes the most sense. Point for point, the best buy is the Combi-Predator (Autocannon/Lascannons). 4 high S shots @ 48" gives you a good chance of busting a Rhino or stunning a heavier tank each turn. Plus you can normally hide back in cover and blast away with your AV13 facing the targets.

I have to say, I don't like the combi-Pred. In my experience, Autocannons need to be massed to do any real damage. The TL Lascannon is mathmatically better against every target except MEQs or GEQs in cover. Personally, I think that is worth the extra 35 points (or however much less you damn loyalists pay). I swear by my Predator (seriously). It has yet to fail in nuetralizing every target, every turn.

The reason why AC/HB predators are so good is because they're so cheap for what you get. 6 S5 shots and 2 S7 shots for 85 points. A predator with lascannon turret and sponsons will run you 185.

Ask yourself, are they twice as useful as the cheap version? No? Then how do you justify them being twice as expensive?

Lascannons stink for tankbusting in the current ruleset because not having AP1 makes them too unreliable. Stick with speeders and attack bikes for your anti-tank.

grankobot wrote:The reason why AC/HB predators are so good is because they're so cheap for what you get. 6 S5 shots and 2 S7 shots for 85 points. A predator with lascannon turret and sponsons will run you 185.

Ask yourself, are they twice as useful as the cheap version? No? Then how do you justify them being twice as expensive?

Lascannons stink for tankbusting in the current ruleset because not having AP1 makes them too unreliable. Stick with speeders and attack bikes for your anti-tank.

Well, your points are off there. The Chaos Predator (the most expensive one) runs at 165 points. As for not having AP1, the Laspredator will get a good two Penetrating hits on a turn. That's a 75% chance to get alteast one immobilized or worse, and you can start the pounding from turn 1. Then again I've always been a disciple of Nurgle: sit still, hit them hard and laugh at their answer.

EDIT: As for the price, the Predator Destructor (?) it is cheaper because there is so much anti-infantry everywhere else in the army. The LasPred costs twice as much because the anti-tank is less avaliable. Every man in the army is genetically designed to kill other men, but you need special tools to bring down a beast of metal.

A loyalist triple Las Pred clocks in at 165 as well. So its just shy of double the cost of the AC/HB variant.

I've been running a pair of 85 pt preds in my Marine list and I generally lose 1 every game. But in return they are almost always worth it in the form of distraction or productivity. I'd say find heavy AT elsewhere in your list and use the predators for light transports or infantry.

I also find I like the AC/HB variety because if I am shooting at a tank and the HBs can't hurt it I don't feel guilty about moving 6 before I fire to either get a better shot, reduce the chance of getting hit by assaulters, or just to get a better position overall.

Cheers,
~Volkan

DarkHound wrote:I have to say, I don't like the combi-Pred. In my experience, Autocannons need to be massed to do any real damage. The TL Lascannon is mathmatically better against every target except MEQs or GEQs in cover. Personally, I think that is worth the extra 35 points (or however much less you damn loyalists pay). I swear by my Predator (seriously). It has yet to fail in nuetralizing every target, every turn.

While useful, I find predators always struggle to earn their points back. They are not particularly mobile and have a wide open av 11 side armor. I prefer typhoon landspeeders to dakka preds, so I really only take an anti-armor predator. The tri-las pred worked, but never really earned its points back consistently. I found the downgrade from TL las to autocannon to be worth the 35 points you save. The AC/LC predator is the right price for the right amount of anti-tank IMO.

I must admit that my Predator rarely makes its points back itself. Transports are simply too small game; 4 Rhinos over the course of a game is only 140 points. However, its only a part of my three part act. Part one, the Predator cracks the shell. Part two, the Noise Marines maim the cargo. Finally, part three, the Bikers finish off the cargo. Does it makes its points back? No, but it has just played a critical role in killing or stranding four enemy scoring units. If that doesn't win the game, I don't know what would.

My mistake, a "how many lascannons can I strap to this biatch" predator is 165 (60 + 45 + 60). Just under twice the price. Still, I don't feel it's worth the cost.

As for autocannons only being useful en masse, loyalist marines are one of the 2 armies that do that well. Rifleman dreads, dakka predators

You should never buy the lascannon turret because youre trading in a free autocannon for a lascannon that wont do much better. The heavy bolters sponsons are nice against hordes, but not in an allcomers list. The Lascannon sponsons are the best buy.


Never buy any other upgrades like extra armour.

when i run my three predators i do two auto cannons / hvy bolter and one all Las cannons, works great...