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I have recently fallen in love with this extremely cheap upgrade. Statistically speaking, it will make up its point costs against pretty much any unit that it is likely to face (units with 2+ saves and/or toughness 6 are excluded), and, for the more evil players among us, it can be used as a psychological weapon forcing the opponent to second guess movement and placement.

The psychological aspect of course works best against noobs, as veterans will most likely cut their losses and keep moving forward all the same. But I still think that these little beauties are very underrated.

so what're your experiences?

My experience lines up with what you're saying. It's very easy to feth with noobs by telling them you've got it set up. Veterand players of both horde and MEQ armies laugh it off. IG or 'Nid players will plow a blob squad or 'guant squad through it as quickly as possible to clear the way for other, mor important things. CSM, SW, and SM players don't make a big deal out of it, knowing they can shrug off most of the damage. The only armies I've ever seen give two feths are Tau, Eldar and Orks. Tau risk some damage to Firewarrior squads. I've never closely examined Eldar stats, so I don;t know what to say. I'm surprised the few Ork players I've gone against. I'd figure they'd not care much, having all those boyz, but they usually tend to really consider where i might have put the mines.

Don't forget, you set them up before choosing sides, so you could very well get that nice piece of terrain with the bombs in them .

I'm gonna say it's a fun item, but not something to write home about.

Sanctjud wrote:Don't forget, you set them up before choosing sides, so you could very well get that nice piece of terrain with the bombs in them .

I'm gonna say it's a fun item, but not something to write home about.

I believe this is only true under the INAT FAQ. Cluster mines are deployed "at the start of the game, after terrain is placed." The start of the game occurs after everything is already set up.

It's all relative:

Ok, YMMV, depending on if you set up the mines before or after 'everything is already set up.'
Even in ideal situations, it's pretty meh.

A vindi would be the prime example of "psychological" weapon...I wouldn't say cluster mines are even close.

The mines will almost always earn their points back if the enemy triggers them with infantry, but aren't incredibly impressive, and are very underwhelming against vehicles or mechanized troops. The main question is whether those points will be better spent elsewhere. I think cluster mines are ultimately a worthy upgrade, but only if you have points remaining. I'd take them over melta bombs on Sergeants, for example.

First turn Melta Bomb + Tank Action not your cup of tea . Seems like Scout Biker's highlight ability.

A power fist is generally better for that duty, and also lets you kill enemy backfield squads if you decide to outflank. However, I was referring primarily to melta bombs on Tactical Sergeants, which are sort of the ultimate "points filler" upgrade.

Ohh ok. Gotcha.
Agreed. Though great when something tank shocks them . But few and far between when it matters...assuming AT weapons are doing their thing.

Actually there's a simple solution if you get the terrain piece on your side of the terrain:

Deploy your sniper scouts there. Especially if said terrain piece is 3" or less from an objective.

Shrike78 wrote:Actually there's a simple solution if you get the terrain piece on your side of the terrain:

Deploy your sniper scouts there. Especially if said terrain piece is 3" or less from an objective.

? Wouldn't that blow up your snipers?

privateer4hire wrote:
? Wouldn't that blow up your snipers?

Only if they move. On the plus side if they get assaulted the assaulting squad will take the hits. On the down side if they run for some reason (or get lashed) its going to hurt.

Cheers,
~Volkan