Are Gravpistols better than Plasmapistols?

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**Sir Arun**

I understand plasmapistols wound pretty much any infantry on a 2+ and always are AP2, so that's their charm.

But the ever present overheat risk and the fact that even they start to struggle against T7 and T8 proves that they arent the be-all end-all of compact weaponry.

The Gravpistol on the other hand is interesting.

First off, the Gets Hot risk is off the table so thats good. It costs the same amount of points and performs worse against light infantry - but these usually get dealt with the boltpistols of the rest of your squad, right?

The Gravpistol wounds enemy terminators and most enemy MCs (T6, 3+) with the same ease as the plasmapistol, but where it really shines, is T7 and T8 enemies - it'll put wounds on them on a 2+ or 3+ depending on their save, while the pp wounds them worse (4+, 5+ respectively).

Thoughts?

**ectoplastic**

Don't forget that they are also concussive, which can help vs high init MCs and other multi-wound, well armored foes.

**some bloke**

they're also better for dealing with heavier vehicles, with a flat 6 required no matter what.

**Big Blind Bill**

Personally I would take neither, as I feel they are not worth 15 points.

Between the two I prefer the grav pistol, as it doesn't get hot.

However I would just buy a combi weapon instead if I wanted some extra firepower.

**Alienoid**

Ive found that using the Grav pistol is better for SM armies or low saves and plasma is better for the others, but IMO if you are going against armies with higher saves than there are better options (heavy bolter, flamer, missles... etc)

**col_impact**

Grav weapons break with the normal flow of things by totally sidestepping high toughness, punishing 2+ and glancing and immobilizing on 6s. Me likey grav!

**throwoff**

If you have to have pistols then I would always take a grav over a plasma, just for the loss of the chance of killing yourself.

Personally though I would never bother on assault marines and the like and for a tactical sgt a combi weapon is the best choice.

**Kangodo**

Sadly yes.
And Plasma already made units with a 2+ not worth its points.

**skolirvarden**

Yeah, I prefer grav. The high Str of plas is nice, but I think it's best to keep plas to plas guns and cannons (and I'm still not convinced plas guns are better than grav...), but between the two pistols, grav all the way. Same range, no gets hot, and tends to synergise well because, as you pointed out, it stops working well just as the rest of your squad gets deadly. Plus, concussive is actually handy to have every once in a while.

I've got a gunslinger in my command squad running with a grav and a bolt pistol-it's a decent combo.

**Jimsolo**

The Gets Hot issue is a negligible risk as far as I've seen.

I'd go plasma. Grav is far too unreliable for me.

**Sir Arun**

Combi-weapon is only good in combo with a powerfist. If your sarge has a power weapon, you dont want to lose 1 attack so pistol is worth considering even if its 5 extra points and you likely wont get more than 1 shot off per game.

If you squad has 1 special, giving your sarge a pistol almost doubles your low AP firepower, so they're worth considering. E.g. a bunch of Vanguard Vets charging a Wraithknight (bad idea, I know), but taking 1 extra wound off it on the charge thanks to the pistol? Yes please.

**ionusx**

varies on codex to codex and the unit in question, grey hunters can take two plasma pistols and mixed with plasma guns you can o0utput a lot of s7 ap2 gunfire from a single squad if your willing to invest the points.

dark angel veterans can also take unlimited numbers of them so if your willing to invest the points you can get lots of plasma pistols in play on lots of bodies and while its expensive it can be quite effective when you have 5+ guys with them.

**Lobokai**

For sargs? Neither. Melta bombs and save points

**Kersplakastani**

What would be the best option for gunslinging grav pistols? Would it be better to mix one with something else or just use two?

**Feasible**

Sir Arun wrote:
Combi-weapon is only good in combo with a powerfist. If your sarge has a power weapon, you dont want to lose 1 attack so pistol is worth considering even if its 5 extra points and you likely wont get more than 1 shot off per game.

I use Combi Meltas on many Tac Sergeants and I find the ability to pop a tank very worth the cost.