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I'm new to CSM and there is a lot of hype behind these plague marines, i'm just wondering as to why there is so much appeal?

I realize this question is very vague but I suppose I leave it open to any and all awesome answers!

Thanks in advance, TheMunk

They are more durable than the Rhino that carries them, aren't too shabby in close combat and can take 2 Meltaguns in any size squad. Of course, this is all predicated on the fact that they're relatively cheap.

I use to play pure DeathGuard and would stomp people.

PM's are cheaper for what you get.

Can have 2 special weapons in a squad of any size.

T 5 makes people rage in CC.

Defensive grenades kill the charge bonus.

They all have FNP.

Cons: T4(5) means insta death vs str 8. FNP can be ignored. I 3

My Advice:
Run them in units of 7. max effeciency for points. 10 is to large.
Champ with a fist is situational, but it never hurts to take one. Only time i leave the champ is on a 2 plasma squad.

Always specialize. 2 meltas, 2 plasmas, or 2 flamers. mixing just muddles them. Plasma PM's are awesome objective holders. Melta are good tank/MC hunters. Flamers are good for hordes and assaulting.

STAY IN YOUR METAHL BAWKSES.
You can shoot your 2 special weapons while they try and open your can. if they explode it, then you light up their faces with rapid fire. Let them assault you for I1. if they just wreck it, still just light up their faces. Don't fret the charge, unless you would deny them FC.

I always kept 2 Daemon Princes with MoN, wings, and warptime. if the PM's are running into an issue, the DP's will help mop up.

Quick addition: plasma weapons are particularly useful on Plague Marines due to FNP when those things get hot.

Thanks for the advice! Maybe I will try and run some PM's next week! The zerkers can take a break for awhile

I personally like 5 with 2 melta. 7 is pricey and 5 can do the job

GW Errata'd a second fire point on to our Rhinos.

EDIT: Hah, nevermind.

Rhinos still have 2 FP's.

7 is pricey yes, but you run 5, when 2 go down to inevitable shooting then only the special guys stand. 2 is somewhat easy to pop, 4, not so much. I use those 4 for wound allocation.

Not too mention 7 is their sacred number
Back then it really used to mean something, but it still couldnt hurt even if its just for good luck, which 7 still seems to be a lucky number so either way you look at it thats a good way to go!
Oh and GW packages them that way too lol... they always think ahead right? (noise marines got screwed there..)

I always throw a fist in the unit tho as they already have low Init, their special weapons are all short ranged so its likely they'll end up in CC, and its the one moment you dont take a fist, that you'll need it

The problem with plasma is not that they "get hot" it is that they are only S7, no melta rule and they are not AP1.

Plague marines are a better verson of grey hunters with a wolf guard combi melta. Yeah you heard me!

All about this squad for holding the win. Their tougness, feel no pain, and Plasma Guns makes them useful. You can buy regualr marines and paint them green/brown. OR you can use some green stuff and put a mount with three wholes on their pads, one of the easiest conversion and paint job in the game.

And very common, so easy to find "bargans" when buying them used.

Real question, Slow and Purposeful vs Rhino? Answer: Where is the objective?

Also, how many squads are useful, and how many until it gets fluffy???

My pick is 2 meltas. The squad must be 5 to 7, preferably 7. Any more than that and it gets too pricy. Each squad should have a rhino, but a plague champ and a fist are a waste of points, IMO. The point of the PM is to melt somebody, then receive the charge. They generally survive due to T5, FNP, defensive grenades, and fearless (!!). Then your counter-attack units come in and help waste the attacker. I like zerkers AND daemon princes.

I have been salivating over a MeltaMania list built by spamming this PM construct, but painting that many models takes time.

Well I vs Tau and Orc teams who use cover to their vantage constantly on their tanks, so getting the fists in there to crack some tanks is much easier then chancing the zillion cover saves. I used to think Meltabombs were stupid until I ran into that orc that provides cover to every unit within 6"... he rides him in a def roller'd Battlewagon constantly too...