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What weapon does it make the most sense for a sgt of a devastator squad to have? Regular bolt rifle for the range? Power weapon for slicing through any infantry that gets too close? PF for any tanks his squad doesnt manage to blow up? Chainsword just because?

Storm Bolter for the range and extra shot, or just a bolter since he will be using his signum to grant a heavy BS5

Shame DA vets cant take either of those options yet :(

I never give my devistator srg anything but a bolter becuase if you devistators are in CC you have done something wrong lol

This is likely true. Though against Blood Angels and the like that are both fast and great at cc it could help as there isn't a lot I'd be able to do to stop them from getting there if they put enough troops up.

A Devastator squad is a long range, heavy weapons squad...as mentioned above, if they're in CC, you're a 'tard.

im a tard for fluff? This is in the fluff section for a reason. Thanks for the flame, now I know who to ignore.

Luco wrote:im a tard for fluff? This is in the fluff section for a reason. Thanks for the flame, now I know who to ignore.

Someone call the wahmbulance.

What weapon does it make the most sense for a sgt of a devastator squad to have? Regular bolt rifle for the range? Power weapon for slicing through any infantry that gets too close? PF for any tanks his squad doesnt manage to blow up? Chainsword just because?

Sounds like a "how should I build my army" question to me. Next time clarify and I won't have to make you cry.

I understand your conundrum. If a devastator squad is in melee, then everything has gone to gak and its all a matter of fluff anyhow.

So, I would say it depends on your army. If you play an army focused on ranged combat or extreme discipline, I would say stick with the bolter. (Examples include the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists.)

If on the other hand, you are playing a more zealous, frothy at the mouth kind of army, like Space Wolves or Crimson Fists, I would suggest an appropriate melee weapon. Use the psychology of the chapter for assistance in your decision. Remember, weapons like hammers, axes, and powerfists tend to be more brutal, brawling weapons, suitable for someone with no subtlety, who prefers to solve their problems with rage and passion. Swords and polearms are weapons which require more finesse to wield, and reflect a more disciplined mindset.

I give my devastator sgt his normal bolter because its free and he shouldn't be in cc anyways.

If we are talking fluff, he should have his bolter, a chainsword (like a good sgt) and as well as a knife because who goes into battle without a knife? Oh yeah, codex space marines.

For me personally i usually arm my sergeant with a powerfist, in a full squad (10 guys just to be clear), for the same principles as carrying a condom. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, and as for the cc thing, not every battle plan will unfold exactly as you have planned it. I am a veteran space marine player, and quite competent on the battlefield, and every once in awhile some brutal unit would manage to break the lines and assault the poor devastators. So basically out of experience, they have a full squad and a powerfist. Thats just my personal opinion and I hope I dont offend or insult anyones judgement, to each his own. Good luck!

Nice input, thanks. I will definitely keep the advice in mind.

One of the things that changed since I started this is that I didn't know my two dev vets and now I know one of them. I'm curious as to why Dev vets take melee weapons or shorter ranged weapons though. After all if they became the vet by being in the squad why would they give up their big gun for a sword to wave around and point at things but not usually use?

Because the melee weapon is a kind of status symbol. We have used it for a long time, even into the modern age of firearms, officers in the military are frequently gifted with swords.

It inspires your men more to see you gesturing with a blade than with a giant gun.

In addition, those who are focused on their own big guns are busy with targeting, maintenance, checking power levels, and all the other minutia that goes along with toting a heavy bolter or a plasma cannon into combat. The officer in the squad needs to be free to survey the battle, making adjustments to the squads orders as need be. Hence why he carries a simpler weapon, or set of weapons.

^ That is a good point.