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Outriders are expensive, but fairly well armed.

they can't move and shoot anyway, so what is the point in their having fast cav? they can't use it but for the feigned flight rule.

wouldn't the barding just make them that little bit more survivable for all of 2 points?

I suppose by that reckoning, I might as well slap shields on all my State troops, but here it's only going to be ten or twenty points.

Also, Outriders or Pistoliers?

I think pistoliers can make better use of their fast cav rule but are a little weaker as fighters.

Finally, numbers on either squad: I wouldn't say more than 5~10

They're there to harry an enemy flank, and put pressure on the charge, make it weaker or drive an enemy off. I plan on having a 3-20 man handgun regiments with 6 10-man detachments of handgunners, and arty to suit.


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Also, Helstorm rocket V Helblaster Volley gun

Well the question I have for you mate is this: would you rather have a unit that can move and fire, or a unit that can sit still and fire because thats the big difference between them. Also, I would say nay to barding because isnt it pretty expensive to give them barding? If you want a unit that can harry an enimies flank and disrupt his forces, go with pistoliers.

2 pts per model isn't that bad.
I'd only be running them in fives.

I prefer Pistoliers but that is just personal taste. I think they are better because they can move 16" and still shoot.

Hellstrom is leagues ahead of the Hellblaster. Hellblaster is too unreliable and has to hit on BS 3

im not a empire player but i play against them alot. Pistoliers are just awesome!! i see them o the table and i think oh crap.
outriders are abit meh in my opinion but thats just me.

I agree on hellblaster. It's a shame they aren't better, but they're so likely to blow up that it isn't funny in my opinion.

It's a mistake to think outriders compete against pistoliers. While they're both mounted units with firearms, and made from the same sprue, their roles in the game are very different.

Pistoliers are a nuisance unit, their job is to move about up close with the enemy, and try to break up their formation as they advance. Any casualties they inflict is a nice bonus.

The primary job of outriders is to stand still and deliver Str 4 AP rounds directly into the enemy. In this role they should be compared against handgunners, and given the two units deliver almost exactly the same number of shots per point at the same accuracy, it seems up to personal preference whether the greater fragility of the outriders is outweighed by their smaller footprint and ability to move withing range before turn 1.



Really, the helstrom is an upgunned mortar. While mortars are wonderful, they do struggle against tougher and more heavily armed units. If you need to be able threaten really hard enemy units like Chaos Warriors at range, then a helstrom is the perfect solution. It costs a fair whack of points, but I find when firing at the big units you see nowadays the weapon's greater inaccuracy barely counts against it.

Meanwhile, the hellblaster is, as of its current rules, a bit underwhelming. I can accept the unreliability of the weapon as it is, but given that and it's current price, you simply pay too much for too few hits. If there was a way to cheaply upgrade to BS 4, or a price drop it'd be much more reasonable. It isn't completely terrible, but I don't think I've ever seen one in a really strong list.

That's a really indepth appraisal. Thankyou.