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I always used to play even the most CC capable armies with a primary focus on range (Save nids). In the new rules it looks like sargeants across human armies are obligated to have a pistol and CCW. I have a marine army and an IG army that I'm currently focusing on, and because I like to have more small squads rather than a few large ones, each sergeant is now one less long range gun available, not to mention that in the IG a vox or medi-pack is already up to 2 more guys without a rifle (a big problem for my scions).

Does anyone know why GW insists on sargeants having pistol and CCW, and would you prefer just having one more guy with longer range?

in every army I have where the option to replace the pistol with a rifle comes up I take it. My IG sergents for example all have bolt guns for exactly that reason

Huh, I completely missed that! I always thought in the 40k universe a normal man using a short ranger weapon and a sword was asinine.

Oddnerd wrote:
I always used to play even the most CC capable armies with a primary focus on range (Save nids). In the new rules it looks like sargeants across human armies are obligated to have a pistol and CCW. I have a marine army and an IG army that I'm currently focusing on, and because I like to have more small squads rather than a few large ones, each sergeant is now one less long range gun available, not to mention that in the IG a vox or medi-pack is already up to 2 more guys without a rifle (a big problem for my scions).

Does anyone know why GW insists on sargeants having pistol and CCW, and would you prefer just having one more guy with longer range?

I might be wrong but don't the vox-caster, medic and standard bearer all retain their standard weapon? After all, the rules say that those models may carry said equipment while explicitly stating that heavy and special weapons replace the model's weapon.

The sergeants using a pistol and sword are a hold over from WW1 and prior where the Sword was a symbol of rank, and the pistol a one handed form of self protection.

The sergeant was supposed to be directing his troops, picking out targets and shouting orders. The foot soldiers were supposed to shoot. It would be a waste to give the sergeant and lieutenant rifles because they wouldn't have time to shoot them while directing their own troops and observing the enemy.

The pistol, and the submachine gun, were favored for officers because they could be used one handed and were superior in close range where the officer would have to defend himself over a larger, slower rifle.

Of course none of this really shows in the tabletop rules, but since we are somewhat patterned after WW1, that is why you see all the command units with options for CCW and pistol.

Note the Tau leaders usually have a carbine.

For IG, I don't mind it so much, except for scions. It's really annoying that my tempestors can't take rifles when I'm trying to field five man fire teams, especially with the 6" range on the hotshot pistol.

Oddnerd wrote:


Does anyone know why GW insists on sargeants having pistol and CCW,

https://www.google.com/search?q=spontoon&rct=j

and would you prefer just having one more guy with longer range?

mm.

In a squad you have seven las-guys left over after heavy and special weapons.

So your average round of shooting is about 4% weaker.

I fail to see the problem.

It is "sergeants."


Line officers aren't supposed to be distracted by loading-aiming-firing. How it goes brah.