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Alright, I was looking through the BA codex, and have been thinking of adding a Baal pred to my shooty BA list.

Really, all the options have their place, but whats the best BAAl pred combo thats been tested and proven good?

I think that the AC/HB one is going to function a lot like a typical dakka pred, the downside is that its pricy. I see the all Flamer variant being a waste. I think I am going to go with either AC/HF or Flamestorm/HB as they offer some versatility on their range. I'll let you know more when I can get a few test rounds in.

Cheers,
~Volkan

I would think that AC/LC might work now, as it can move to try and get a vehicle's side armor and still fire. Though the flamestorm seems like a good option for MEQ BBQ.

AC/LC isnt an option for the Baal pred.

Ah, I don't have the codex yet but figured if it was an option it could be a good one.

I think flamestorm/HF will be kick ass. Might be overkill, but better to wipe out an entire squad then take out everyone but the melta gunner.

Assault cannon/heavy flamers are what im thinking will be best overall.

My problem with the 3 template Baal is that if it gets immobilized then all its providing is an 8 to 10 in area denial. at that point it would be pretty easy for the enemy to safely ignore it.
I like the Flame storm/Heavy Bolter setup as I can lay down some fire support if nothing is in the immediate kill range or i can zoom up 12 and turn some infantry into charcoal.
I like the Assault Cannon/ Heavy Flamer variant for the same reasons. I can be highly mobile laying into targets with the Assault cannon and if something gets close i move 6 and I can drop 2 templates and the cannon into them.
The Assault Cannon/Heavy Bolter variant will probably perform like a more expensive dakka pred but it does put out more shots. The turret weapon is more reliable because of Twin Linking but its a lower stength.

Just my thoughts.
Cheers,
~Volkan

But that "lower strength" is 4 shot str 6 rending? TL rending. It will perform better than you think. Only 24" range, but very effective.

Did I mention it's a fast vehicle, too?

I didn't say it was bad, I am more concerned about it being about 40 points more than its HS brother.

Cheers,
~Volkan

Well a Baal Predator is more geared for killing hordes w/o losing too much anti-tank (a TL Assault Cannon basically does just as much damage to AV12+ as 2 Lascannons). A Predator will be able to deal with monstrous creatures and light vehicles better than a Baal Predator. However, when they both move 12" they can only fire one gun and a TL Assault Cannon is way better than just one Lascannon or one Autocannon. Now, that still means that you can move 6" with a vanilla Predator and fire all of its weapons!

So, you could maybe not give the Baal Predator any sponson weapons and just strafe the enemy lines with a TL Assault Cannon while moving 12" a turn (I don't think that is worth it, though). Depending on what else is in your army I'm not too happy about letting my Baal Predator run up to enemy lines with any kind of flamers so that a power fist sergeant/tyranid monstrous creature/etc can run up and kill my pred. Plus, even if you did successfully flame a squad more than likely your side armor would be exposed.

So I guess I prefer to take a Baal Predator with TL Assault Cannon and Heavy Bolter Sponsons. It will mow down infantry while still remaining a threat to vehicles. However, I think I would only take a Baal Predator if I didn't need the anti-tank of the vanilla Pred.

Baal = fast attack
Regular pred = Heavy support

Points permitting you may enjoy both

Cheers,
~Volkan

And if you consider the comparison to Ironclad/Venerable dread vs. the ability to field 6 AV13 Fast vehicles - no contest.

Just take 2 Dakka Preds and 2 Dakka Baals (HB/AC). 490pts, but that's 4 Autocannon, 8 TL AC, and 12 HB shots. 4x FA 13, Fast vehicles. If you have a unit getting too close for comfort then just hit the big, red button and get 18" away.

I wrote up a list with
3 las sponson autocannon turret preds and 3 asscannon turret flamer sponson baal preds. With razorback support it could be fairly vicious.

I can share that I have played with a banewolf with hull heavy flamer quite a bit, and in many cases i have chosen to NOT fire the hull heavy flamer because I was laying the template over a unit with 3+ saves and using wound allocation the 3+ save unit could actually take less wounds than they would have had the chem cannon been the only thing I rolled for.

That means that there will likely be times that you have the flamestorm shot right where you want it, but you won't want to shoot the heavy flamers as well due to wound allocation shenanigans. Since i can't really see the need to add heavy bolters to a flametank, I think your most efficient tanks will be..

assault cannon/heavy bolter - light vehicle hunter with very good anti-infantry option

assault cannon/heavy flamer - anti-horde with light vehicle option

flamestorm cannon/no sponsons - pure anti-heavy infantry

The sponsons serve a purpose other than purely offensive. If the Baal Predator receives a "Weapon Destroyed" result then you want it to have something left with which to shoot at the enemy. Furthermore vehicles with fewer weapons are more vulnerable to multiple Damage results, making them more easily destroyed by glancing hits.

So AC Baal with either option or a flamestorm with HB. Sounds good to me.