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So I'm dropping a 9 man squad into the thick of battle being lead by a Captain and with a flamer for support. This squads goal is simple; find a target, engage in either range or assualt, then move to a new target doing as much damage to the front lines before they die(I have other units to support this one but lets pretend they are unavailable). What heavy weapon choice will complement this squad the best to get more dakka/kills?

~tldr~ what heavy weapon is best for an all around assualtyish tactical marine squad?
Heavy flamer-heavy bolter-meltagun-plasmacannon

Scratch the Cap, bump it to ten

Non as a 9man vanilla tactical cant take a flamer and a heavy weapon

Fuuuuuuuu..
..

can't take a heavy flamers either. Advice would be to NOT take a heavy so you can still assault.

If you do plan on assaulting and close range fire fights, forget a heavy weapon, might as well got with another bolter; I'd say go with a flamer or a meltagun (both assault weapons). You can always get the sarge with a combi, but again, better go with a chainsword/bolt pistol for a more assault Sgt or go with a vet Sergeant.

On the subject of heavy weapons for tacticals, I forget: can you shoot a heavy flamer after moving? I thought there had been something that allowed them to versus other Heavy weapons, but can't remember.

If so, a 10 man with flamer, heavy flamer, and a sarge with combi-flamer might be a nice anti-infantry drop.

 Homeskillet wrote:
On the subject of heavy weapons for tacticals, I forget: can you shoot a heavy flamer after moving? I thought there had been something that allowed them to versus other Heavy weapons, but can't remember.

If so, a 10 man with flamer, heavy flamer, and a sarge with combi-flamer might be a nice anti-infantry drop.

HFs, despite the “heavy” in their name, are assault weapons.

But Tactical squads can’t take them.

Ah cool, thanks.

what chapter tactics are you using?

i ask because IF i can see maybe using the heavy Bolter, otherwise id say forget about a heavy weapon on a DP Tac squad, that unit needs to be able to move every turn, having it stay static so the Heavy Weapon can shoot is a waste, just have the unit rock and roll with a special weapon and maybe a corresponding combi weapon on the sarge.

Just a point to make, that someone can correct if I am wrong in my understanding, the SM Codex reads that a marine in the tactical squad can take a weapon from the special or heavy weapons list, it doesn't say it replaces his boltgun. So, he chooses which one to shoot each turn.

hokieseas wrote:
Just a point to make, that someone can correct if I am wrong in my understanding, the SM Codex reads that a marine in the tactical squad can take a weapon from the special or heavy weapons list, it doesn't say it replaces his boltgun. So, he chooses which one to shoot each turn.

Read the special/heavy weapons list. Does it require trading something?

There are different ways to use Tactical Squads....

Melta Bunker - 10x Man Tac w/ Multi Melta, Meltagun, Combi Melta & Transport.

Anti Horde - 10x Man Tac w/ Flamer, Heavy Bolter & Transport. Comat Squaded for efficiency.

Plasma - 10x Man Tac w/ Plasmagun, Combi Plasma & Transport

Or at least those are the ones I use the most.

I only see Tac marines on the other side of the table, but I'd suggest Heavy Bolter, and Flamer...it's a classic, and it solves a multitude of problems. For starters it makes for a stout defence. And it clears out defenders like a champ.

rigeld2 wrote:

hokieseas wrote:
Just a point to make, that someone can correct if I am wrong in my understanding, the SM Codex reads that a marine in the tactical squad can take a weapon from the special or heavy weapons list, it doesn't say it replaces his boltgun. So, he chooses which one to shoot each turn.

Read the special/heavy weapons list. Does it require trading something?

Bingo! Thanks. Kind of different from other codexes to put it there and not with the unit entry.

On my mobile tactical squads I usually only run a Special Weapon and take another Bolter Marine over a heavy wep. You will be moving every turn so the points for a heavy would be better spent on Sergeant upgrades.

If you insist on taking a heavy weapon, you'd probably be best served by a HB.

Moving away from the thread topic, but staying in the spirit of what you are trying to do, have you considered assault marines? You can get two flamers in a 5 man squad, a CC toy on the sarge, and there is plenty of space left in the pod for a HQ. Sure, you only have bolt pistols, rather then full bolters, but you also get a little more CC potential. And the paired flamers will cause some damage on the turn you drop.

If you want a squad that can shoot and assault I would consider the following.

10 man tac squad with combi flamer/flamer and melta bombs. Between the Krack grenades and the melta bomb you should kill any tank you charge and the combi flamer/flamer will really help with hordes.

If you want a traditional heavy weapon special weapon combo, that is a jack of all trades, I would run a Melta gun with a missile launcher.

If you cut the assault part out:

Devestator squad can pack a bunch of goodies with a sergeant who could handle an assault.

Sternguard can be awesome for lots of things!

Simple answer: Stop trying to make a Tac squad assaulty. They just can't do it. They are simply objective holders. They are there to put down decent fire power as the enemy approaches. If you want something to assault with find an assault unit, If you want something to shoot pick that. If you want a jack of all trades, play GK. C:SM just doesn't quite have a jack of all trades unit. Your best bet would maybe be Sternguard. At least with that unit you have awesome fire capabilities and 2 attacks base. plop them in a dp you can still attach you captain in there, maybe give him the ToT (Teeth of Terra), this way he gets rampage and will be able to charge into a unit with a handful of AP3 attacks. Though remember anything that drops in and tears is threatening will be focused down quickly. Maybe shooty terminators could do the job you want. At least they have decent volume of shooting, decent survivability, and a decent chance in melee. Also consider LotD. They have a 3++, relentless and ignore cover. Hell, throw a PG/PC in there and laugh.

TL: DR Tac Marines can't do what you want them to.

Recently I've found a lot of mileage out of Plasma cannons + flamers/melta-guns (depending). Combat squadding.

Just remember: tac squads aren't that strong up close. They excel just out of combat range, and aren't even that strong there. Tac squads' main power is sitting on an objective after getting there (assuming it's not out in the open).

Assault marines are better at close combat (and they can get rhinos and two flamers cheap).