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As the title states I was curious as to which was more effective. probably a stupid question but I have limited experience to call upon. Also why do you khorne zerks get extra attacks?

Khorne Berserkers get extra attacks only on the charge or when they're on the receiving end because of the Mark of Khorne giving them the Rage (+2 rather than +1 attack on the charge) and Counter-attack special rules (pass a Ld test when charged to get +1 attack).

Generally Noise Marines are more effective given that they have ranged weapons with the coveted Ignore Cover special rule (particularly with Blastmasters) and can put a good deal of damage output. Given that this edition is largely a shooting-centric one Noise Marines beat out the Khorne Berserkers with them being able to shoot up anyone foolish enough to get within range of them and having similar CC abilities after the first round of combat (since they can buy CCW for an extra attack). Throw in the very good Icon of Excess for more survivability via FNP and Berserkers are kinda left in the dust. Zerkers also require a LR for a viable transport for assault which is expensive and cannot be taken as a DT for them. Zerkers also lack deadly enough weapons options and stats to be seen as a competitive enough dedicated close combat unit which is a shame given their ability to be unlocked as troops.

Not to mention Noise Marines also have initiative 5. They can hit most things before they can strike back, this does make a difference in assaults.

 techsoldaten wrote:
Not to mention Noise Marines also have initiative 5. They can hit most things before they can strike back, this does make a difference in assaults.

Unless you're fighting against plague marines in assault. They may be slow, but they will still out fight any CSM units in melee for the most part.

Don't undervalue WS5 on the berzerkers. It means your opponent only hits on 5+ if feared, or are Tau. Huge, huge, huge difference. It also means you get to hit on 3+ against pretty much any non-HQ unit. Also pretty significant. The extra attacks also help.

Either way you are fearless. Noise Marines are a little more survivable at range and have better gun options, though, so most people believe (myself included) they are the better unit in almost every area.

However, the armies that you actively want to assault against every game, like Tau and Necron? Berzerkers are going to get more done in close combat than Noise Marines will most of the time.

If you can ever get in melee with IG blobs and the such, berzerkers will outperform, hilariously so. It's just hard getting there these days.

Berserkers are hands down the worst cult troop in the CSM dex.
Noise marines can get FNP and plague marines already have it.
Berserks have pistols wich suck in 6th ed, they have 1 more attack on the charge as long as you are not charging tau or multi-charging to make up for the complete lack of fire power but they aren't that great in mellee so the only time you can effectively use them is to hit shooty units like tau or tie things up in multi charge.
Wouldn't it be better to have better fire power the whole game and still be able to punch the shooty bits just as well?
And what happens when plague marines or noise marines charge berskers? the berserkers loose.... so all that firepower you sacrafice doesn't even get you anything.

Any cult troop you get in to mellee with a guard blob is going to win but with bolters or noise guns you can also hurt them before you get a chance to mellee.