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We all know about the usually taken option (ml/hf), but what about other layouts? Are there other more unorthodox/ under utilized, or just plain wierd chimera loadouts that people like to use? You can fit a lot of firepower on one, and really kit it out to tackle a lot of targets it seems. I've heard of "bolterboat" chimeras with multilaser, heavy bolter, and stubber for example.

Anything goes. If you think your dozer bladed double heavy flamer with HK missle is a good way to run it, now's your chance to prove it.

Main reason I'm thinking about this is i've been building chimeras lately and noticing just how much stuff you can slap on. I've magnetized just about everything imagineable, so I figued I'd go ahead and ask if anyone brings anything besides the ML/hvy flamer and how it works. Just lookin for other good ways to run it.

MrMoustaffa wrote:Are there other more unorthodox/ under utilized, or just plain wierd chimera loadouts that people like to use?

Not really. Their options are pretty limited.

I personally like the 2x heavy bolter option, especially in the context of a PIS with a heavy bolter in the squad and a heavy stubber (also one of the exactly one place I like the grenade launcher). It's good at what it does, but it's not for 5th ed, which has relegated the utility of this kind of unit far to the rear.

Which is the problem of chimera firepower in general. Whether you take the multilaser, heavy bolter, or heavy flamer (or any combination thereof), the chimera's firepower is mismatched with the current rulebook, and is of decreased utility against the rest of the codex itself, now that we have things like hydras.

Perhaps in the future their firepower will be more useful, but at the moment, it's just 55 points of something that gives AV12 coverage to the much better veterans inside. Their firepower at the moment is little more than nuisance.

Ailaros pretty much hit the nail on the head.

The standard ML/HF option is the standard because it's decently useful in almost any situation. S6 is nothing to sneeze at and although I would probably take an AC if I could, 3 shots makes up for the 50/50 chance to hit.

I could see the appeal of Twin HB with a Heavy Stubber for a pillbox but everyone knows the real appeal of a Chimera is doing drive-bys with meltas/flamers/plasma.

Honestly if I switched up either weapon I know I'd find myself in a situation where I was wishing I had a multilaser for sneaky Rhino popping or a HF for hordes. YMMV.

DoW

I never understood why you'd replace the multi-last with a heavy bolter...the ML is identical except it has a bonus point of strength, why would you swap it for the weaker HB?
Also chimeras en masse can be alright for shooting at things that are lower priorities - scouts, rangers, auxillery troops.

Joey wrote:I never understood why you'd replace the multi-last with a heavy bolter...the ML is identical except it has a bonus point of strength, why would you swap it for the weaker HB?

HB are AP4, Multilasers are AP6. Negating a 4+ armour means you're effectively producing twice as many wounds (assuming T3 and no cover).

It's situational, true, but a multilaser isn't always better.

DoW

Any thoughts to using the autocannon turrets?

Autocannon turrets? What page is that found in the codex? A poster above even outright says you can't take autocannons on the chimera.

I would go with the all round load out which is ML/HF. Heavy bolters have their place but it is a small place. I can't even count how many times the flamer has helped me in situations and I give all my tanks the free option. YMMV

Mine are all modeled with ML/HB, Extra Armor, HK missile, and dozer blades..BUT

I only ever pay and use the regular chimera with ML/HB. I use them as cheap rolling pillboxes so I dont feel the need to spend a whole lot on them. But the models look cooler with all the extras on it.

DogOfWar wrote:

Joey wrote:I never understood why you'd replace the multi-last with a heavy bolter...the ML is identical except it has a bonus point of strength, why would you swap it for the weaker HB?

HB are AP4, Multilasers are AP6. Negating a 4+ armour means you're effectively producing twice as many wounds (assuming T3 and no cover).

It's situational, true, but a multilaser isn't always better.

DoW

It shows how rarely I play against uncovered units with 4+ or 5+ armour saves. Cheers for the reply anyway.

I normally go ML/HF, but I sometimes go for ML/HB, depending on how I'm feeling. I almost always put a HB on my Hellhounds though.

Joey wrote:I never understood why you'd replace the multi-last with a heavy bolter...the ML is identical except it has a bonus point of strength, why would you swap it for the weaker HB?
Also chimeras en masse can be alright for shooting at things that are lower priorities - scouts, rangers, auxillery troops.

I play against a lot of Xenos. HB would be useful for me in those cases, but ML is also nice for that desperate glancing hit on vehicles.

skycapt44 wrote:Autocannon turrets? What page is that found in the codex? A poster above even outright says you can't take autocannons on the chimera.

It's an IA option.

daedalus wrote:
It's an IA option.

And would probably be taken by most if found in the normal codex. The AC is quite a bit better than the ML because of its higher str and the ap 4. But f this happens, then the chimera would need a price bump because t would be leaning towards op.

As for the pill box idea, I sometimes run a ML/HB/HS with either a LC or AC in the back along with PG's. On vets of course. This provides strong Str 7 weaponry that s dangerous to get close to. If parked in terrain it gets a cover save which can force your opponent to get close. Also makes a good objective sitter.

But the ML/HF is the standard for a reason, it works

MrMoustaffa wrote:Are there other more unorthodox/ under utilized, or just plain wierd chimera loadouts that people like to use?

....

Anything goes.

....

skycapt44 wrote:Autocannon turrets? What page is that found in the codex? A poster above even outright says you can't take autocannons on the chimera.

Anyway, How about Autocannon turrets?. The free FW IA1 PDF download has a points value for them, and I'm sure if you asked your opponent nicely enough... You could either use the FW model or convert your own from spare heavy weapons. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts/experience of using them? Any better or worse than Multilaser Chimeras?

Joey wrote:

DogOfWar wrote:

Joey wrote:I never understood why you'd replace the multi-last with a heavy bolter...the ML is identical except it has a bonus point of strength, why would you swap it for the weaker HB?

HB are AP4, Multilasers are AP6. Negating a 4+ armour means you're effectively producing twice as many wounds (assuming T3 and no cover).

It's situational, true, but a multilaser isn't always better.

DoW

It shows how rarely I play against uncovered units with 4+ or 5+ armour saves. Cheers for the reply anyway.

No worries. To be fair, if his T3, 4+/5+ models are out in the open he's probably doing something wrong!

DoW

In my list, I run two Autocannon chimeras, one Multilaser, one Heavy Flamer, and one Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter for my Armored Fist platoon.

The Autocannon and Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter Chimeras have bolters in the hull, while the other two have heavy flamers.

I also buy the Autocannon ones the Ace Gunners Crew Skill, and the rest have Skilled Driver. It works out pretty well.

daedalus wrote:I play against a lot of Xenos. HB would be useful for me in those cases

This. There isn't a whole lot of Sv4+ in the imperial ranks, but there is outside. Back in 4th ed, the mini bolter boat chimera wiped that tyranid warrior squad off the table, and broke synapse for the grubbin's around them. Changes to cover in 5th ed and changes to the tyranid codex have made this situation much less likely.

In 5th ed, much more often than not, the only defining characteristics seems to be how many shots of how high of a strength you can get off. It wouldn't surprise me if 6th ed did something to make you take at least a passing glance at what the Ap of a weapon is. Time will tell, I suppose.

Ailaros wrote:

daedalus wrote:I play against a lot of Xenos. HB would be useful for me in those cases

This. There isn't a whole lot of Sv4+ in the imperial ranks, but there is outside. Back in 4th ed, the mini bolter boat chimera wiped that tyranid warrior squad off the table, and broke synapse for the grubbin's around them. Changes to cover in 5th ed and changes to the tyranid codex have made this situation much less likely.

In 5th ed, much more often than not, the only defining characteristics seems to be how many shots of how high of a strength you can get off. It wouldn't surprise me if 6th ed did something to make you take at least a passing glance at what the Ap of a weapon is. Time will tell, I suppose.

Indeed - the Annihilation Barge's gun is arguably better than the Exterminator's, despite being AP - to the Exterminator's AP4

That's probably why people assume the Punisher is for taking out light infantry - because it's AP -. With universal cover it's 3+ vs 4+ as a save, you're better off trading in 2+ to wound for 3+ to wound since you get so many extra shots for it.

It iseasy to look at a single chimera and say what is a lone ml going to do? The answer is not much. However, if you are bringing eight (or more), as most mech list do, this answer changes considerably. I mean, thats 24 str 6 shots. Not too bad for something that is

just 55 points of something that gives AV12 coverage to the much better veterans inside.

Once you add on another heavy weapon things only get better.

So what loadout is best? As usual, the answer is that it depends. There is a reason why the hf is a popular hull weapon. It throws some much needed cover ignoring templates to complement the usual melta and plasma. Still, I am also a fan of ml/hb. Using the example above of eight chimeras, thats 24 str 6 shots, and 24 str 5 shots. That is alot of mid strength fire being thrown down the table, and all on an av12 chassis that ALSO is a transport.

I like ACs quite a bit, and would take them on chimeras, but when something is not in the codex, opponents get annoyed. Also, AFAIK tournaments and leagues only allow codex variants, so no point to get accustomed to playing "illegal" lists. That being said, it really should have been in the codex.

Among the current choices, I don't mind the multilaser - it can pen rhinos and DE vehicles and gets 3 shots. What is not to like? Switching to HB does not make sense under the current rules. Waiting to get somebody with 4+/5+ armor outside cover, so the AP would matter is a fool's errand IMO and IME, especially when playing IG. There are usually plenty of lasguns looking to shoot exactly such basic troopers.

HF or HB on the hull is a big argument with people on both sides. I prefer HB for the chance to glance/pen light vehicles, especially as in 5th we have to shoot everything at the same target.

HK is too expensive IMO, but may make sense in very particular situations. Generally I do not bother with it, because it limits mobility as well as is a one shot weapon at BS3.

Heavy stubber has been taken only in some very specific lists. I usually take it on the camo chimera that sits in cover and sports a vet squad with Harker and an autocannon HWT. Otherwise, I just save the points.

Regarding the chimera being just a pillbox for 55 pts, I must disagree. That pillbox is quite underpriced for its capabilities and weapons, which is one of the reasons that makes the meltavet killer spam possible.

I use the AC chimera, with hull hvy bolter. I also have maxed out ML chimera before with extra armor, HK missile, and hvy stubber and dozer blade. I can't recommend the total point dump build for every chimera fielded, but it can make a particular chimera stand out. Odd thing is, the max point chimera performed well for me in the 4th Ed combat patrols.

I generally run the ML/HF configuration as it always seemed the most useful to me. I've play against marines most of the time which has always left me a little unimpressed with the damage a chimera can do.

However I had my first game against orks in ages and the ML/HF really did well, popping trucks and ripping apart boyz.

I've bought a couple of second hand chimeras which have ML/HB, i've not used them yet so can't really say how well they do.

Personally, there are too many MEQ players at my club for me to worry too much about the setup, i've stuck with the setup because it what i built when I started playing and when I started playing 75% of my games were against orks/nids.