Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I'll take my chances here...

What is the best composition for a tactical squad charged with holding mid-field/enemy deployment zone objectives? This is particularly for a drop-pod vanilla rules army. I was thinking something like this:

9 marines
-meltagun
sergeant
-combi-melta
-powerfist
drop pod


Critiques?

Well really, the best are these:

5 scouts, cloaks, m.launcher or h.bolter. 100 points of objective camping goodness.

5 marines, Lazorback. 160 points. Mobile, firepower, scoring.

10 man, L.Cannon, Flamer, Razorback. 220 points. Combat squad (stupid FAQ limits this) for an objective camper and a mobile element.

In a pod? I like melta, combi-melta, m.melta. The fist is a good idea in this configuration, too, but not totally needed.

Nothing wrong with that setup given the requirement that you stated (middle of board, focused on holding objectives)

You added short range-anti vehicle weapons to the unit. That's a good use for them IMHO.
A MM weapon at 24" has a better chance of destroying AV 12 (~13.15%) than a LC does (~10.92%)....AP 1 FTW.
So dropping them in the center of the board gives a 24" range of influence for the unit, either via bolters or melta weapons. In 12", their effect becomes much greater.

If anything, I might change the meltagun for a plasma gun to keep all their weapons at 24" range. Given the new meta, the plamsa gun might work better. It also has more synergy with bolters, with good anti-infantry use. Also, the PG can take 2 STR 7 shots, which has a good effect on AV 10. Basically, you swap out some anti-tank for more flexibility.

It isn't bad, but you are missing a Heavy Weapon. In this case, since you plan to be mid-field, and likely to be close by enemy vehicles, a Multi-Melta would probably suit you very well.

As far as the load out for the rest of the squad, you can't go wrong with any of the Special weapon options. For an All-Comer's list, I'd use a Meltagun though. A Power Fist will leave you prepared for anything that comes your way, and a Combi-Melta is just added Anti Vehicle.

All in all, not a bad load out.

Here's +1 for Plasma, Multimelta, Powerfist

I'd add a MM like the others of said, and consider it good.

Thanks for all of the prompt replies everyone! What I'm getting out of all of your advice is a build like this:

9 Marines
-Plasma Gun
-Multi-Melta
Sergeant
-Combi-Melta
-Powerfist
Drop pod

Considering the responses I think this has more than enough anti-tank with the MM, and CM to drop the original meltagun for a plasma gun for some more 24" goodness as mentioned.

Power fists are a waste of time in my opinion, Tactical squads aren't good at assaulting (compared to specialist units) so IMO it's a waste of points. Melta stuffs a good choice though!

the MM is free, so why not?

I agree with Waricck to a point, usually fists are wasted but since you are dropping mid field, you may find yourself using it quite a bit.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/339114.page

The powerfist topic was discussed ad nauseam last week.

Reecius wrote:the MM is free, so why not?

I agree with Waricck to a point, usually fists are wasted but since you are dropping mid field, you may find yourself using it quite a bit.

I decided to take a fist, as you suggested, because this will be a midfield unit that will be in the thick of it. I am starting to second guess it, though. If this tac squad gets assaulted, will a Pfist really be of that much help? A "real" assault unit with chew through it pretty quickly fist or not...

EDIT: nevermind, just got labmouse's post

My top 3 favorite scoring unit compositions are as follows:

10x Tactical Marines, Missile, Melta,Combi-melta, Rhino (Powerfist if spare points are available)

5x Scouts, Snipers, Missile, Telion

5x Scouts, BP/CCW, Sarge has shotgun/powerfist, in a Land Speeder storm


Automatically Appended Next Post:

snake wrote:

Reecius wrote:the MM is free, so why not?

I agree with Waricck to a point, usually fists are wasted but since you are dropping mid field, you may find yourself using it quite a bit.

I decided to take a fist, as you suggested, because this will be a midfield unit that will be in the thick of it. I am starting to second guess it, though. If this tac squad gets assaulted, will a Pfist really be of that much help? A "real" assault unit with chew through it pretty quickly fist or not...

EDIT: nevermind, just got labmouse's post

If you can spare the points when your list is finished, then all means go for it. Its not really necessary though. You need dedicated counter-assault units to reliably protect tactical squads.

5x Scouts, BP/CCW, Sarge has shotgun/powerfist, in a Land Speeder storm

That's the only one I have not tried, yet. I want to give it a go as with scouts it could be super useful.

Reecius wrote:

5x Scouts, BP/CCW, Sarge has shotgun/powerfist, in a Land Speeder storm

That's the only one I have not tried, yet. I want to give it a go as with scouts it could be super useful.

Scout move 24", move 12", disembark 2" assault 6" for a 44" inch assault range. Great for first turn assaults. Can be reserved and outflank if you are going second.