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I'd like to ask fellow Dakkanaughts for a piece of advice regarding unit choice. Here's my primary TAC list:



The missing points are currently filled by a Chaos Vindicator with Siege Shield and Havoc Launcher. However, I wanted to try something else instead, namely, either a Chaos Terminator Sorcerer (not set on upgrades yet) or a Tri-Las Predator.

Assuming that this is supposed to be a TAC list in a semi-competitive setting (we like to win, but no netlists here), which one of those you think would synergise better with the rest of the army?

I'd say the Tri-las for the additional ranged oomph.

 welshhoppo wrote:
I'd say the Tri-las for the additional ranged oomph.

Depending on the upgrades, the Sorc could significantly buff Noise Marines, the Lord and his retinue and/or himself. I Imagine that a Termi Sorc with Iron Arm and let's say, LC, could put a dent in a vehicle or MC.

On the other hand, just 1 Predator is rather exposed, and it's been merely "annoying" to my opponents in most of my recent games. However, together with a buddy it would be able to kill a Carnifex per turn assuming average dice rolls. Now that's something I'd like to have in my army.

I'm also leaning toward the tank, but I'll wait for more opinions before I make the decision.

I say tank because if you are going to take any armor, you need to take a lot of armor to give your opponents more than one thing to fire their anti-tank weapons at. Ive found myself running a strictly all armor or no armor runs these days, and in a take all comers with 4 rhino chasis out there your opponent will have to prioritize their targets instead of saturating the one

 generalchaos34 wrote:
I say tank because if you are going to take any armor, you need to take a lot of armor to give your opponents more than one thing to fire their anti-tank weapons at. Ive found myself running a strictly all armor or no armor runs these days, and in a take all comers with 4 rhino chasis out there your opponent will have to prioritize their targets instead of saturating the one

That's a valid point, thanks!

You asked which one synergizes better, not which one will give you more bang for your buck. Therefore i'm going to have to go with the Sorc as I've never seen a list that would synergize quite so well with symphony of pain as yours.

It's funny how often Symphony of Pain comes up, but never actually gets into use =/

I've tried this in many builds, but in all honestly the Sorc Lord just doesn't do it for me. Marching up the board or letting things come towards you, your Noise Marines are going to make short work of them anyways.

A Tri-Las-Pred on the other hand can do jobs the Sorc and Noise Marines combined, cannot deal with. Armor by nature usually means Infantry that isn't specialized in dealing with it (Melta) probably won't touch it (Unless you're that stupid Eldar nonsense with their basic troops / Necron nonsense)

I think Symphany could get more use if MoS sorc opened noise marines as troops. As is, wanting to use that power dictates 2 HQ units and at least 1 troop (probably more). Its very weird how they pidgeon holed the army that way.

I'm actually a huge fan of the Autocannon pred with Lascannon sponsons. Upgrade it with a Havoc launcher and Warpflame Gargoyles, and you'd be surprised at how much dakka this thing can put out.

Edit: should also add, that all that only comes up to 132 points, so still cheaper then tri-las, and in many ways, more dangerous.

 greg0985 wrote:
I'm actually a huge fan of the Autocannon pred with Lascannon sponsons. Upgrade it with a Havoc launcher and Warpflame Gargoyles, and you'd be surprised at how much dakka this thing can put out.

Edit: should also add, that all that only comes up to 132 points, so still cheaper then tri-las, and in many ways, more dangerous.

I've read about that configuration here and there, and I imagine it's significantly more versatile than Tri-Las. However, I intend my Predator(s) to do the big game hunting: vehicles and MCs. Havoc Launchers are good anti-infantry and Autocannons are pretty versatile weapons, but they won't do much against a Land Raider or a Carnifex. Still, it doesn't stop me from trying out both variants, the Predator I have already is fully magnetised.

Then again, I'm likely a bit biased here, since my best friend/nemesis runs an annoying amount of TMCs, and currently I struggle to keep them at bay, not to mention killing them.

If you're specifically preparing for TMC spam, then the tri-las.

Otherwise, I personally recommend the Sorc.
125pts nets you Sorc w/Termie armour, MoS, +1 Psyker level.
But if you can be talked out of the termie armour you can use those 25pts to jump to Psyker 3. Don't forget that MCs have Smash, rendering termie armour useless, and since the Sorc is I5 with an Instant Death weapon you want the extra Warp Charge to be able to activate it. Hide him in with some of your Noise Marines and go for Symphony of Pain & telepathy or biomancy. So many different possible winning combinations to be had.

My best friend recommends keeping the Vindicator. But if you do keep the vindi, DROP THE HAVOC LAUNCHER!!! It's a blast weapon and the Demolisher cannon is ordnance, meaning you can never fire both at once. Get a combi-bolter instead, saves you 7 points to go buy something nice with.

Otherwise liking the list!

 Laughingcarp wrote:
If you're specifically preparing for TMC spam, then the tri-las.

Otherwise, I personally recommend the Sorc.
125pts nets you Sorc w/Termie armour, MoS, +1 Psyker level.
But if you can be talked out of the termie armour you can use those 25pts to jump to Psyker 3. Don't forget that MCs have Smash, rendering termie armour useless, and since the Sorc is I5 with an Instant Death weapon you want the extra Warp Charge to be able to activate it. Hide him in with some of your Noise Marines and go for Symphony of Pain & telepathy or biomancy. So many different possible winning combinations to be had.

My best friend recommends keeping the Vindicator. But if you do keep the vindi, DROP THE HAVOC LAUNCHER!!! It's a blast weapon and the Demolisher cannon is ordnance, meaning you can never fire both at once. Get a combi-bolter instead, saves you 7 points to go buy something nice with.

Otherwise liking the list!

I agree, the Sorcerer has a lot of potential. The main reason for Terminator Armour is that I love Terminators, and the other one is that 2+/5++ gives him good survivability (not so much agaist MCs, though, as you've mentioned).

The Vindicator's Havoc Launcher deserves explanation: my friends do hilarious things to avoid the Demolisher Cannon, and the HL is there to enable my Vindicator to shoot them anyway thanks to its 48" range. If they get in range of the main cannon, though, well...

Glad you like the list

 greg0985 wrote:
I'm actually a huge fan of the Autocannon pred with Lascannon sponsons. Upgrade it with a Havoc launcher and Warpflame Gargoyles, and you'd be surprised at how much dakka this thing can put out.

Edit: should also add, that all that only comes up to 132 points, so still cheaper then tri-las, and in many ways, more dangerous.

I don't get it. What could you be wanting to shoot with S9, S7, S5 and soulblaze? I can't see trying to go after both heavy and light targets with a pred. Im gonna want to pick one to save the points.

I think the Tri-las would be the better option. You don't have a great way to deal with lots of armor. Say a battlewagon spam, which is one of the prime Ork tactics.

Thanks a lot for the insight and suggestions. Terminator Sorc has a few nifty tricks up his sleeve, but my army really needs that additional firepower. As such, the Tri-Las Predator wins!

I've just bought an SM Predator kit from the local equivalent to eBay for £16 total. I'm gonna add extra weapons and spiked rams leftover Chaos bits from my previous kits and here it goes