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My brother in law is getting into the hobby. He took over my unbuilt CSM battleforce. I had planned on converting the regular marines to plague marines and am wondering what is the best equip for them. My plan was to run a unit of 7 and a unit of 8 or 7 (as I have 15). The original plan was Champ had PF and 2 meltas in each. I can see how Plasma Guns might be nice maybe 1 plasma 1 melta as they would get a FnP save against Gets Hot and gain an extra shot with rapid fire and range, Plasma can still be used to dispatch armor though not as easily as melta guns. I know some will argue against PF but he will mostly be playing against me and my kan wall so it gives him some way of dealing with the kans in close combat.

Use as many as you can, and the tactics you think would fit.

Hargus56 wrote:My brother in law is getting into the hobby. He took over my unbuilt CSM battleforce. I had planned on converting the regular marines to plague marines and am wondering what is the best equip for them. My plan was to run a unit of 7 and a unit of 8 or 7 (as I have 15). The original plan was Champ had PF and 2 meltas in each. I can see how Plasma Guns might be nice maybe 1 plasma 1 melta as they would get a FnP save against Gets Hot and gain an extra shot with rapid fire and range, Plasma can still be used to dispatch armor though not as easily as melta guns. I know some will argue against PF but he will mostly be playing against me and my kan wall so it gives him some way of dealing with the kans in close combat.

You are correct. 1 and 1 should do good, powerfists are always good.

Friend ran them with a fist and 2xPlasma, they worked fine with his playstyle as obj sitters

I run some squads 2 plas, some 2 melta. Only put the fist in the melta squad. Plas ones sit on objectives in your zone, melta ones are more aggressive. If you have rhinos, whack the plague marines in them, the mobility really helps as they can fire after moving, and they're fairly short range.

Use the plague marines short range and defensively. That's how they should work, and they do it beautifully.

The squad the camps out gets plasma guns. The squads that go forth and kill, get melta guns. Fists all around.

Great info guys. He's on a budget and only has the cash for 1 rhino at the moment giving him a total of 2. 1 rhino for his berzerkers and 1 for a unit of plague marines, so based on the battleforce makeup and your input he should make a unit of 8 with 2 meltas and a PF champ and stick them in the rhino, then maybe have the 7 man PM squad with 2 plasma guns and maybe a PF (depending on his opponent) and have them enter in reserve to cap a home objective.

easy. 7 plague-o's, 1 rhino, 2x special weapons of your choice. Fist if you feel you'll need it. It's never failed me and has smited many a nob/SM captain/MC/enemy vehicle, so I rate it.

On down the line you may want a double flamer squad to take care of swarm armies should the need arise.

I have made good experiences with 5 plague marines with plasma guns in a rhino (in 1000 point games). You have 2 plasma shots out of the rhino, a sturdy troops unit to hold objectives and if the rhino gets destroyed they will still soak some fire or dish out some damage.

I used to run 7 PM's with 2 special weapons and a champ with fist in a Rhino. The problem is that the unit is incredibly expensive and while they can win a war of attrition versus many other troop choices, they fold to dedicated close combat units and special weapons. When the unit itself is running at 260 ish points, it's just not effective enough.

Take 5 with 2 specials in a Rhino with a combi weapon. Cheaper, less valuable, still delivers the special weapon punch, still sits on objectives.

I use to run death guard. I still have 45 plauge marines.

I always run 7 man squads. 2x melta squads have a champ with PF, my plasma squads usually dont. plasma is good for sitting on objectives while melta are good for getting into someones face. its unwise to mix 1 plas and 1 melta because the squad does not know what they're doing essentially. are they termy killers or tank hunters? if they're trying to kill MC's marines or terminators than 2 plasma will be a lot better. if your going for instant death vs MEQ or tank hunting then melta are awesome. the PF ensures the MC will take some wounds. the plasma sounds be able to damage a carnifex before it smashes into you.

Abyssel wrote:

I always run 7 man squads. 2x melta squads have a champ with PF, my plasma squads usually dont. plasma is good for sitting on objectives while melta are good for getting into someones face.

A good point thar. Plasma squads do tend to be further back, I often don't give my plasma squads a champ for this reason. Melta squads though are hunting vehicles. If I don't blow said vehicle, at least I can try to finish it with the fist.

I will rarely take my PM's out of their metal boxes. you can fire your two weapons out of the top hatch, gives them extra defense and protection from shooting and if somes going to charge me go for it, PM's usually go last anyways and they dont get the extra attack from charging from blight grenades.