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I can think of 3 armies that can field troop choices with 2+ Plasma guns in them, Chaos, Space Puppies and IG. In all cases the PG matches up perfectly with the type and range of the other weapons (Bolters or Lasguns).

My question is, in a world of Melta and Missile spamming, do these squads still have a reason to be on the board?

Personally, I think absolutely they do. The ability to provide lots of high S low AP shots is critical against MCs and units that rely heavily on FnP for their durability and lets face it, nothing you are shooting a Bolter or Lasgun at is going to want to eat Plasma either. The other element is the longer range, most PG rapid fire squads can get 1 shot @ 24" and another 2 @ 12", which is 3x the amount of firepower that that same squad could put out if they had been using Meltaguns.

I don't think there's any question that plasma is good, the problem comes from its cost. In most cases, plasma is 5-10 points more. You start putting that on 10+ guys, and that's a substantial chunk of points. Is plasma awesome? Yes. Is it cost effective? That is the question.

But with Plasma weaponry, I find that it is more versatile than a las gun/bolt gun, and even melta in some circumstances

example being- Plasma will turn anything from a guardsmen to a terminator into a gorey paste in a shot, and I've bagged many light vehicals/walkers with its str 7.

When I weigh this option against melta, the longer range helps, plus the ability to crack off two shots is very satisfying. the 5-10 points extra I pay is well worth the output that shiny sun maker in the soldiers hands.

For IG its a non-question. When you can take up to 4 plasma guns with a plasma pistol for the commander in a 5 man squad and give them carapace (4+) armor for somewhere around 165pts to dish out 9 bs4 plasma shots you're taking down that terminator squad or daemon prince.

^^

Same thing with a SM command squad. Five guys, four Plasma guns, 3+, and FNP all in a razorback spells death for alot of things. All for 205 points with transport.

SM can also go with a minimum bike squad with two plasma guns and a combi-plasma for 120 points. Not quite the same firepower but relentless and 12 inch movement means they can be where you need them to be.

For MCs and low-armor vehicles which are also skimmers, plasma is the way to go.

Sort of a niche role (which is why you don't see them spammed like you used to), but it's still a role.

what IG squad can have 4 plasmas and a plas pistol???

CCS(Co. command sqd.) or PCS(Platoon command sqd.)

the CCS has BS4 while the PCS is BS3, except for the officer.

Grey Hunters.
10 men.
1 plasma gun for 10 points and the other is free.
decent in assault or recieving charges.
160 points.

tau suits! 3 suits 3 regular or TL plasma rifles! go tau. plus no chance of overheat btw. yes we take a hit to strength but still! no chance of death

Plasma flavoured Plague-O's


Because as cool as they are, Plasma flavoured Khorne Flakes are just too short ranged :(

Go Eldar Starcannons?!? Or not... (grumbles to self about overpriced starcannons)

Adamus Kane wrote:tau suits! 3 suits 3 regular or TL plasma rifles! go tau. plus no chance of overheat btw. yes we take a hit to strength but still! no chance of death

You know, one of my favorite combinations with Tau is using a commander with 2 bodyguard, give them all TL plasma and fusion blaster, with multi tracker and target lock for several low AP shots. It works wonders against almost everything.

So what I'm hearing is that they have a role, but not to the same level of "spam" as Meltaguns or Flamers.

Inq storm troopers can be 2x plasma.

Considering how much melta and flamers that sisters can get, its pretty worth while if you are playing a immo spam list.

Daemon hunters need their Inq storm troopers to hold melta, because they can't really get any good plasma.

As already said Grey hunters do plasma spam the Best(well, cheapest anyways); especially because you can add a third in the form of a combi-plasma with the Wolf guard.

Never take a plasma Pistol(even the extra one on grey hunters); 15 points for a weapon you will only get to shoot once(and has a 1/6th chance to blow up in your hand) is a waste(especially since you can get 2 shots off at the same range with a Combiplasma for 5-10 points cheaper; and most of the time the same units can buy it). Sure you get the benefit of it being a pistol(and thus a second CCW), but if that is what you are going for just keep the bolt pistol that was free.

Plague marines and Company/Platoon Command squads are among the most survivable plasma Spam options(due to feel no pain), although the Command squads have to add an expensive model in order to make them more survivable, and they are still less survivable than Plagues.

I still see lots of Marines/MEQs in my local Meta; so you better believe I load up on Plasma weapons in nearly every list. I generally mix my lists into 3 set roles: dedicated Tank hunters(2-3 units), Dedicated Anti-Infantry(2-3 units), and Tactical specialists(3-4 units, this is where the plasma generally fits in). Tactical Specialists are where my All-around weapons such as Plasma, Auto cannons, Assault Cannons, Missile Launchers, power fists, and Thunder hammers go. Dedicated anti-infantry get High rate of Fire weapons, and/or multiple attacks: heavy bolters, storm bolters, Flamers of all sorts, and Power weapons go here. the Assault cannon Overlaps here as well as the plasma Cannon and missile Launchers. Tank hunters Get Lascannons, Melta of all sorts, and Assault Cannons, Missile Launchers, power fists, and Thunder hammers overlap here as well. You may notice Assault cannons fit in all 3 catagories; but i am sure we all knew that already.

For Chaos, of course the Combi-Plasmas on Terminators are brutal. Only 5 points per model. Very effective vs a MC or HQ. Plague Marines can take a couple too and not have to worry too much about Gets Hot! because of the normal sv + Feel no Pain.

Yeah; i only wish loyalist termies were half as flexible as Chaos termies(luckily I play Space wolves, the best of both worlds; except for that whole lack of deepstrike... but then it is also 215 points for 5 WG termies with 4 Combiwhatevers and an assaultcannon/Cyclone vs the Chaos 175 for 5 Combi plas termies, or 195 for 4 and a reaper).

Blood Angels Honour Guard can do the 4 plasma gun thing and get deepstrike with Descent of Angels, which is pretty damn nasty.

My favourite is still the IG plasma taxi 26" threat double tap (run chimera forward 12" jump out 2" give order (if target is MC) and double tap (Twin linked if order was issued). Yes your likely to lose that unit next turn but hopefully whatever you were targetting is paste.

Can't believe no one mentioned plasma spam on Command squad.

For 245 points, you get 4 Plasma totting dudes, on bikes, with a medic just in they get hot =)

add in 20 more points and you have a flamer party in there too!

Yuber wrote:Can't believe no one mentioned plasma spam on Command squad.

For 245 points, you get 4 Plasma totting dudes, on bikes, with a medic just in they get hot =)

add in 20 more points and you have a flamer party in there too!

Command bike squads are pretty expensive, but man they can be good.

notabot187 wrote:

Yuber wrote:Can't believe no one mentioned plasma spam on Command squad.

For 245 points, you get 4 Plasma totting dudes, on bikes, with a medic just in they get hot =)

add in 20 more points and you have a flamer party in there too!

Command bike squads are pretty expensive, but man they can be good.

Yeah they are. The trick is to not get shot by plasma weapons yourself =P