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Curiously this makes a Plasma Cannon better against units of single-wound models, rather than units consisting of a multiple-wound model (or small units composed of multiple wound models).

Unless the multiple wound model/unit is majority T3 or less, right?

I think the blast marker makes up for the shots there. It's not hard to get at least two models under the marker.

I think the concern of the original post here is about PC + 5 more points vs. HB... So in that sense, PC is definitely worthwhile... No need to jump in more discussion like "how about a lascannon or a missile launcher"...

If all you're trying to do is be better than the heavy bolter, than giving your space marines a corn dog would almost qualify.

straight up, the The PC is better than the HB +5pts. Still often inferior to ML or LC, but better than the HB, even at a higher cost.

I run Plasma Spam

On one of my 2,500 point [Non-Tournament, For-Fun] Marine List I have
-Plasma Pistols: x4
-Plasma Guns: x5
Combi-Plasma: x1
-Plasma Cannons: x11

Everything I fight just melts away, MEQs, Orks, Nids.

One Plasma Cannon may not worth it, but 11 are murder, the only things I end up with problems with are AV-14 units, but if I know I will be facing 2-3 Land Raiders I will use a different list.

Building lists when you know what you won't be facing isn't exactly difficult. No offense, but posting stuff that works in friendly games isn't the most useful info.

Polonius wrote:Building lists when you know what you won't be facing isn't exactly difficult. No offense, but posting stuff that works in friendly games isn't the most useful info.

The point was Plasma Cannons Work expecialy in the FNP world we all live in now.

But my point was that while Plasma is good against the targets its' good against, you have to factor in the fact that most people build lists to face all comers.

I have 4 missile launchers in a dev squad. I am aware of the pain they can put out. But I like to try and keep my tacs cheap. Thanks for the input Dakka. You have shown you can have a serious discussion without mod intervention.

Something to point out, despite the fact that it's marginal, is the risk of Gets Hot! There's a ~5.6% chance of the Plasma Cannoneer will be removed as a casualty instead of firing the weapon. That -1W at 0.056 should be factored into the potential damage a Plasma Cannon should cause.

Nurglitch wrote:Something to point out, despite the fact that it's marginal, is the risk of Gets Hot! There's a ~5.6% chance of the Plasma Cannoneer will be removed as a casualty instead of firing the weapon. That -1W at 0.056 should be factored into the potential damage a Plasma Cannon should cause.

Wrong thread. Mea culpa. Please ignore.

Your are excused. Carry on.

Luckily, rapid firing plasma gunners can still get off a barrage of shots even if they roll several 1s. Kinda snazzy improvement over plasma cannons. I had never used bulk PGs before so it was a nice realization.

I'm too used to obliterators firing 3 plasma cannons and having 2 models stand there doing nothing due to my poor luck.
With PGs, half the squad can die and still take a few terminators out in the process.

I've been considering putting missile launchers in dev squads and my las/plasma cannons in combat squad tacs as they work out cheaper that way.
i won't get the saturation of fire but nice to split fire to scare guys to keep in cover?

Happygrunt wrote:I have 4 missile launchers in a dev squad. I am aware of the pain they can put out. But I like to try and keep my tacs cheap. Thanks for the input Dakka. You have shown you can have a serious discussion without mod intervention.

vorpalhit wrote:I've been considering putting missile launchers in dev squads and my las/plasma cannons in combat squad tacs as they work out cheaper that way.
i won't get the saturation of fire but nice to split fire to scare guys to keep in cover?

Okay, if this post bounds to be off-topic...
Missile launchers! Missile launchers!! Missile launchers!!!
No Heavy-category devices could have such cost-effective performance like missile launchers.
You could argue for lascannon...
But pts-effeciancy is the God Emperor!!!!!

The humble plasma cannon; my answer to that horde of plague marines...or blood angels...or pretty much anything.