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For 25 points less than a naked LRBT you can take a Basilisk. Basically you're trading AV14/12 for +1S and the ability to fire indirectly the first few turns but I'm mostly interested in the idea of using 3 of them as cheap assault guns to blast enemy tanks or infantry while not being point sink.

Or am I wasting my time when LRBT exist?

Well, I'm not sure basilisks can fire while moving. At least not indirectly. And aren't they open-topped?

What do you mean by assault gun anyway?

An assault gun is a mobile heavy weapon platform(generally Direct fire). A Medusa is a great example of an assault gun, as is the Vindicator.

OT: The open topped AV12 is why you do not often see it used as such.

When your enemy can kill your tank with a S6 weapon, and your tank could sit clear across the Battlefield indiscriminately lobbing shells; there is little reason to close with said enemy. That said as soon as my opponents manage to get within 36" I generally do start using my Bassie as an assault gun.

Naked LRBTs would survive a lot longer.

why not take thunderers

Nothing wrong with bassies. Planning to use them as assault guns straight away is a mistake though. Take advantage of their real role as self-propelled artillery and lob some shells at the enemy from hiding.
When the enemy is too close for indirect fire is when you move them out and start using them as assault guns instead.

I prefer the battle-tank for its multi-role usage with H.bolter sponsons and extra armour. With the lumbering behemoth rule its a bastion of firepower. The basilisk has its role but on most tables (Which are too small) don't allow its merits to shine over the BT. For 25 points you're getting a more survivable unit and a move and shoot option which allows for a more agressive play style if you wish. I find artillery best used to wipe area's clean such as objectives prior to moving in units of my own. No other unit in the 'dex can perform it quite as well unless its a horde enemy and you take a manticore but thats situational. The problem I find is that it's rare I let an opponant get a foothold in such an area to begin with. The battle tank just suits my style better.

Personally i'd pick a collosus over the basilisk since it still kills MEQ's easily and also ignores cover. It won't take out vehicles but that's why I have my manticore.

If you want an assault gun, run the medusa (even Higher S and better AP), or just pony up for a Demolisher.

An earthshaker isn't a bad anti-tank gun, but it's not great, and the platform is pretty fragile.

Yeah, the whole reason I do not even run a Medusa is that Bassies make for poor assault guns(as a chassis, not necessarily as a weapon).

Hydras are better.

Demolishers and battle tanks make for some of the best tanks in the IG arsenal.

Do you want a marginally better gun that shoots once or twice? Or do you want a Battle Cannon that lives throughout the entire game?

Thats about what I thought. To be clear though I was considering using the Basilisks as artillery as its intended for turns 1-2 but with a 36" dead zone I knew that people would close within that fairly quickly so instead of trying to keep pulling back and hiding them I was hoping to play aggressively with them and push them into the fight.

Sounds like I'd be better off with naked LRBT though and playing them aggressive from turn 1.

Stella Cadente wrote:why not take thunderers

why on earth MODS did I get a warning for poor grammer and spelling for this?, I'm sorry your just dumb, take your warning as I said via PM and shove it, if this gets warnings I'm suprised this forum still exists, people must have to put up with poo from you lot far too often if that warrants warnings.

It actually used to make a lot more sense back in the day when you could save 25 points by not taking the indirect fire option. 100 pts. for an assault gun was a pretty good deal.

Now that IF is a mandatory upgrade...

I tend to use mine to kill vehicles on turns 1-2 while the rest of my anti-tank may be out of range, then have them start blasting units off objectives, as even with a cover save, 4+ with no FNP allowed can whitle down units quick.

I personally like the medusa with enclosed crew compartment they are dangerous. But I usually take demolishers for competition

interesting idea, but I would just rather pay 25 more points for a naked LRBT.

The only artillery I use like that are Manticores and Medusas, personally.