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I've built 2 squads of 5 Deathwing Terminators. For every 5 I can equip a heavy weapon. The first squad has an Assault Cannon. For the second, should I do another Assault Cannon or go with a Flamer? I also have a Plasma Cannon to choose from, but the Gets Hot rule seems to really burn me (pun intended).

Since the Deathwing can Deathwing Assault (deep striking automatically on turn 1 or 2) special rule and Vengeful Strike (twin-linked weapons for deep strike turn), I figured a flamer could do mega damage if they deep strike close to the enemy. Not having the Assault Cannon, however, limits the range of the squad.

Any thoughts or experience from other DA players out there?

Magnets! That way you keep your options open. The PC is unique to the DAs and pretty efficient on a Termie (can move/shoot/assault thanks to relentless) and the Gets Hot is mitigated by the 2+ armor. Beyond that, my go-to heavies are CML and assault cannon, I usually try to fit 1 HF that deep strikes precisely with Belial.

Either CML or assault cannon. Plasma cannon is a waste.

HF can be good, but tbh I'd put it on a squad with TH/SS and also give the guy a chain fist.

It all depends on how you are using your terminators and what other parts of the army are there. You could always use them as knights couldn't you?

 Big Blind Bill wrote:
Either CML or assault cannon. Plasma cannon is a waste.

HF can be good, but tbh I'd put it on a squad with TH/SS and also give the guy a chain fist.

It all depends on how you are using your terminators and what other parts of the army are there. You could always use them as knights couldn't you?

Why would PC be a waste? That's an AP2 Small Blast isn't it? I've personally found that my tactical squads can deliver more anti-meq wounds with PC's than my AC Terminator (split-firing) does against MEQ's. AP2 is really nasty. Am I missing something?

Won't try to dispute CML as it is a 48" beast.

Because you are paying a 220 point premium to get the heavy weapon. If you just want a plasma cannon then get a tactical squad. 90 points will get you exactly the same kind of firepower.

What tactical squads cannot get is a double firing missile launcher or an assault cannon. Terminators already have a low amount of firepower, I wouldn't voluntarily reduce it.

These points aside, a single small blast weapon is not all that dangerous. Good spacing will mean it should only hit 1-2 models, at best.

Deathwing armies also rely on their heavy weapons to take down light/medium vehicles from afar. Both the assault cannon and CML are capable of this, but the plasma cannon is a bit lacking. It also gets no overwatch and cannot hit flying targets.

I agree with Bill entirely, CML is full of win, AC is good, HF is better on hammernators and PC is not worth taking on termies.

Thank you all for your input. After reading up on the CML, I think the answer to the original question is neither. I say that not to take away from the other options, but after thinking about it, I need a vehicle destroyer.

Cheers

Assault cannons aren't bad either. The two weapons jump between 1st and 2nd best depending on the armour:

AV10 - Assault cannon (does 0.222 more glancing hits than a CML per turn)
AV11 - CML (0.222 more penetrating hits, 0.222 less glancing hits, and 3.6% better chance at getting an explode result)
AV12 - CML (0.222 more glancing hits, same chance to destroy).
AV13 - Assault cannon (more penetrating, less glancing, 1.2% greater chance to explode)
AV14 - Assault cannon (CML cannot penerate, AC has a 2.5% chance to destroy)

So, after looking at the numbers, they are both pretty close, the the CML better at taking out light-medium vehicles, and the AC better at the very light and heavy targets.

The CML does have better range however, and is more of a threat to MEQ targets, also has a storm bolter to shoot. The assault cannon is better when it comes to 4+ save units, and TEQ.

Pick the option that best matches your meta.

 Big Blind Bill wrote:
Assault cannons aren't bad either. The two weapons jump between 1st and 2nd best depending on the armour:

AV10 - Assault cannon (does 0.222 more glancing hits than a CML per turn)
AV11 - CML (0.222 more penetrating hits, 0.222 less glancing hits, and 3.6% better chance at getting an explode result)
AV12 - CML (0.222 more glancing hits, same chance to destroy).
AV13 - Assault cannon (more penetrating, less glancing, 1.2% greater chance to explode)
AV14 - Assault cannon (CML cannot penerate, AC has a 2.5% chance to destroy)

So, after looking at the numbers, they are both pretty close, the the CML better at taking out light-medium vehicles, and the AC better at the very light and heavy targets.

The CML does have better range however, and is more of a threat to MEQ targets, also has a storm bolter to shoot. The assault cannon is better when it comes to 4+ save units, and TEQ.

Pick the option that best matches your meta.

How do you figure an assault cannon (S 6) can pen anything with AV 13 or 14? At most is can glance AV 12.... rending doesn't work on vehicles does it?

Rending most certainly works against vehicles. Please see the rulebook for further information!

Oh.... ok, I found it.... my bad

dsmith10 wrote:
Oh.... ok, I found it.... my bad

It does work on vehicles. They did change it in an FAQ though, so the rending hits are no longer AP2.