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Probably because I joined the forum lately I didn't see much discussion about this here in Dakka but as I've been wondering around other 40k forums too and what I discovered that many SM-origin army owners (SM, BA and SW) love the extensive existence of Vindicators in their lists, some valued them much more capable than Devastator Team, (in my case, Long Fangs) and some even argued that vindicator is the best cost-efficient HS unit available in the arsenal and they would always go with three vindicators vs. any forms of army in the WH40k world and demolish everything to victory.

I never played SM army myself (just started a SW army two months ago, still in assembly) and the opponents I have played against in China seldom field it and when they do vindicator only appears in single-vehicle unit and to me it's not that significant in the field really. I never encounter multi-Vindicators users before.

Three vindicators = guarantee of destruction of any enemy? What do you think?

No, not guaranteed destruction, but certainly a good choice.

1 Vindicator is not so hot, you need at least two of them to get the best use from them, IMO. Every list is different, and I am sure there are lists with a single Vindicator that perform well, but as a rule of thumb, two or three of them is far superior to 1.

For its points the vindie is a great tank, but Long Fangs are spectacular, too.

In a normal SM list, not having the option for uber cheap LF's, Vindies can fill a great role as moth tank killer and infantry hunter.

Yeah, normally you want to have more than 1 vindicator, because or else almost any damaged result affects their shooting.

I've played quite alot with 3x vindicator. I would say that the sight of them is the best thing. The second best is the fear-factor. The bad part is what they kill... pretty much nothing They are fragile, they are short ranged = one shot wonders

Vindicators always tend to be blown up turn 1 by lascannons,

So i keep my 3 in reserve until threatening CC units walk up nice and close, roll them onto the board and then BOOM.

Huge burning crater where they stood

(edited for spelling)

Where are you deploying them at in the open?
They are best ran as target saturtion. Having your opponent ignore them is bad. That means they are focused on your troop transports instead. Personally i run them DP and keep them in cover until turn 2. Yeah i know you run marines not chaos but just letting you know what i do with them. IG is what i have the most issue running against.

Illumini wrote:I've played quite alot with 3x vindicator. I would say that the sight of them is the best thing. The second best is the fear-factor. The bad part is what they kill... pretty much nothing They are fragile, they are short ranged = one shot wonders

qft

Um... So generally it works as suicide tank killer, mob-control, fear spam, target saturtion... (Why I got the feeling that this list gonna end up somewhere really dark... )

Thanks guys!

I wouldn't bother with Vindicators in any list except for Blood Angels, specifically because they are Fast and the elite/fast force org slots are replete with alternative AV13.

In non-BA Marine Lists, the Vindicator tends to be the only high AV vehicle on the table. There might be a Land Raider as well, but in general there's not much else for AT weapons to shoot at.

Deployment scenarios means it's almost always got at least one turn where it can't shoot. Sometimes two. Losing what can be 2/5 of your shooting sucks.

And side armor 11 means it's typically easy to get flanking shots, unless you use rhinos to form a big wedge. Which can work, but it's also limiting.

BA can put 3 Vindies and 3 Baal Preds on the table for 900 points, and the ability to scoot around 12" while flinging pie is invaluable for a short range siege gun. It's easier to position yourself against side armor shots with more mobility and more vehicles at your disposal, and fleeing from CC doesn't nullify the offensive potential.