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Hi guys, I'm in a dilemma right now between fielding my dread either with:

TL-Lascannon + Missile Launcher

or

Plasma Cannon + Missile Launcher


Back in the old Black Templar codex, I used to use the former to go tank hunting with my dread (the old BT Venerable dread didn't have BS 5, but got the tank hunter USR - this used to be +1 on armor pen roll in 5th ed, in 6th ed it got ridiculously powerful). In the new codex, I have lost tank hunter, but given the +1 on the BS it more or less evens out the loss of +1 on armor pen that had been the case for the last 4 years.

Now in the new SM codex, I can field the Dread with a Plasmacannon instead - it is FIFTEEN points cheaper than the TL-Lascannon, which is a huge difference, and not only gives my Dread more than double its former anti-horde firepower (2 blasts instead of one, with the plasma cannon blast wounding most everything on 2+ and denying armor saves), it also makes the Dread dangerous against MEQ/TEQ, which it wasn't before. At the same time, it doesnt completely lose anti-MC or all tank-hunting ability, as it still has the ML's S8 krak missile, and the Plasmacannon is also AP2, but 2 strength values lower than the TL-Lascannon.

Now about scatter...

A SM Lascannon doesn't hit 33.33% of the time, a TL-Lascannon doesnt hit 11.1% of the time (a Venerable Dread's TL-Las wont hit 2.77% of the time)

A SM Plasmacannon doesn't direct-hit 66.66% of the time, and out of these 66.66%, a roll of upto a double two on the dice (i.e. 4) can still be considered a direct hit. I think when it comes to hurting tanks, I can afford a 2" scatter in all directions at best, so rolls of upto a double three on the scatter dice is tolerable. Only rolling higher than that (7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12) will get the scatter completely off the vehicle. If I made the Dread Venerable, I can afford an additional inch of scatter, so die rolls of 7 can be ignored. This makes for 58.33% of the scatter to still be viable as it will scatter upto 2" so in total:

A Venerable SM Plasmacannon doesn't hit tanks 27.77% of the time, which is slightly better than the miss ratio of a single, non-venerable SM Lascannon's hit ratio, except at -2 Strength.


What should I take?

And what do you think of the

Multi-melta + Missile Launcher + Drop Pod

or

Multi-Melta + DCCW + Heavy Flamer + Drop Pod

variants? Both cost the same amount of points and are 10 points or 25 points costlier than the TL-Las or PC dread, respectively. An MM will - if it hits - make short work of a tank, and the drop pod will almost guarantee it lands in melta range, and on turn 1 itself. The ML will provide the krak missile if the tank still isnt destroyed, or the dread can assault it next turn after firing the MM again in the other option. In both bases, the Dread retains anti-infantry capability with either the frag blast or the HF, and against MCs and MEQ/TEQ it has the ML + MM + dccw, although it is less effective to MEQ/TEQ than the Plasma Cannon.

Normal dreads are pretty terribad. For drop pods, ironclads are much better, as they can`t be wrecked by krak grenades, they have weapons made for being dropped in, and they are tougher to kill by shooting.

Normal SM dreads are not really competitive at all, but if you really want to use them, make them firebases and make them as cheap as possible. I really can`t get excited by any weapon combo, as they are all so sub-par in firepower for pts. S8 weapons are still very valuable and the dread can deliver two, so that may be a decent way to run them. Look at it like a different typhoons speeder - bonus is that it uses an elite slot instead of a valuable fast attack slot and it is more survivable. It is however much slower and gives less firepower.

I agree about ironclads. If you can try to convert one because they are just much more survivable. I have 2 dropping in and they have cleared out my opponents backfield more than once.

If you really want to do a suicide pod, idrather save the points and stick to a normal dread.

For the LC PC comparison, i think it comes down to your local meta and overall list. If you have dedicated AT in your army, a PC isnt too bad. Against an opponent thats vUlnerable to LCs (mech), he will be bringing something to take care of that (artillery, drop pods). An AV 12 lascannon dread will just die really fast. Against lists that arent worried about LCs (horde) one s9 shot each turn is just a waste. On both counts a PC will be less of a fire magnet, while also have potential for more dmg on horde lists.

TL-Lascannon + Missile Launcher and keep them back field.

The PC is less than stellar. Most good players will spread out enough to where you will be hitting 1-2 models per turn with it. At that point your just as well off sporting the LC which can be a bigger threat to vehicles.

ive had great success with back field TL Lascannon and missile pod, I still like the quad autocannon beasts though as a favorite.