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Simple question, how would you use a rhino with BA in 1250 points?

Below is my current 1000 pts, looking to expand to 1250 with Librarian, Rhino and a squad of idk what.

Termie cpt
5 termies
5 scouts
Stormraven with..
Cassor
5 DC marines

A rhino is best used as a transport for a shooting unit or as cover. Either a Sternguard or Tactical squad would be my choice. If you have the points and parts to make it a razorback, then it could be used as a light tank. Either way be careful, they give up first blood a lot.

I basically plan on giving up first blood every game. It doesn't bother me.

Sternguard. You can field more special weapons on them, and the BA Rhino is perfectly suited to carting them around.

It is possible in the right circumstances to use the rhino effectively for an assault squad. Turbo boost the first turn, disembark turn 2 and then turbo boost it in front of the assault squad to provide LoS blocking cover, move it out of the way turn 3 and charge. This is of course assuming that you are playing against a gunline army that won't move away or counter charge, and your opponent has more important targets to shoot at than a rhino. The only advantage it holds over a drop pod apart from the cover aspect is that it doesn't make loads of units sit in reserve if you take multiples. The drop pod on the other hand allows T1 shots, T2 charge (usually), and the ability to guarantee making the other side of the board.

I like the sternguard idea. How are they usually equipped?

I roll with 9X sternguard 4X combi-melta, Mephiston w/divination.

If you're looking for a relatively cheap unit to chuck in a rhino a 5man ASM squad with double plas is pretty effective. Just remember you can only move 6" if you want to fire at full BS.

For a more expensive unit Sternguard are definitely a solid choice, especially with a Divination Mephiston in tow. I usually run 6-8 Sternguard, 3 combi plas and a power fist on the sgt, more because I use the old Sternie models and the sgt has a power fist, it's an awesome model though. And the ap2 has come in handy if I get assaulted by any 2++ units since Mephy is only ap3.

D

Dumb question but do I get an armor save if my plasmagun gets hot? I am a Tyranid player first, BA second (my friends always use my BA army while I swarm with the Nids) so I am used to all my weapons being assault weapons and not always 100% on what heavy, salvo, ordnance, etc mean. So I am usually uncertain when/how to use a melta vs. plasma or other weapons such as assault cannon vs. plasma vs. lascannon.


Idk if I can squeeze enough points out of my other squads to fit Meph... will have to run the numbers.

Definitely thinking Rhino w/ 5 sternguard and Librarian/Meph (if I have the points).

Yes, gets hot is a regular hit that allows armor and FNP.

Martel732 wrote:
Yes, gets hot is a regular hit that allows armor and FNP.

Invulnerable as well, correct?

The armour save will usually be better than the invul. You can only take one of them.

 ColonelFazackerley wrote:
The armour save will usually be better than the invul. You can only take one of them.

This is where I always got confused with GH. I always thought the Wound was calculated at the Str7 AP2. So that is why I was wondering if the Invulnerable Save kicked in. But the more I read It, it looks like it is just an AP- wound, so a Captain in Artificer Armor gets his 2+.

How about a plasma cannon on the sternguard? I see they have some very interesting heavy weapons options.

You don't need heavy weapons when you have Bolters that can wound on 2+. Don't waste the points. Only things like melta or Flamers are worth it, changing or drastically increasing the targets that can be damaged.

Isn't the AP2 from the plasma useful though? With 24" range as well.

Feldon wrote:
Isn't the AP2 from the plasma useful though? With 24" range as well.

Yes it is very good. With the Fast Rhinos you can easily run up the flanks and get to the side and rear armors.

So in my rhino I'm thinking..

5x sternguard
3 combi-melta
1 combi-flamer

Librarian
Combi-melta
Force weapon
ML2

Still very unfamiliar with BA tactics and choices, but I would like to keep up with the army as I grow my nemesis Tyranids.

Feldon wrote:
So in my rhino I'm thinking..

5x sternguard
3 combi-melta
1 combi-flamer

Librarian
Combi-melta
Force weapon
ML2

Still very unfamiliar with BA tactics and choices, but I would like to keep up with the army as I grow my nemesis Tyranids.

Too much melta?

"There's no such thing as too much melta"
- me, right now.

Yeah, the squad looks fine.
I would consider putting the last combi-melta on a Vet instead of the Librarian. Costs the same and you don't lose the extra attack with Force weapon.

I think that having another Rhino or maybe a Predator should be your next move.
Otherwise every single AT weapon will focus on that Rhino, meaning that you won't survive too long.

 soomemafia wrote:
"There's no such thing as too much melta"
- me, right now.

Yeah, the squad looks fine.
I would consider putting the last combi-melta on a Vet instead of the Librarian. Costs the same and you don't lose the extra attack with Force weapon.

I think that having another Rhino or maybe a Predator should be your next move.
Otherwise every single AT weapon will focus on that Rhino, meaning that you won't survive too long.

I'm unfamiliar with Force weapons, how does it lose an extra attack by giving the Lib a multi-melta?

On a different note, what role exactly do plasma guns fill if they aren't preferred to melta?

Thinking I might attach a Sanguinary Priest to the Sternguard along with the Librarian - epic squad.

Nothing to do with Force, you just wouldn't have the extra attack for having two CCW's if you replace your pistol with a combi.

Couple of plasma gun, a combi-plasma (or grav) on the serg., in a 5 men ASM.
I think it is the more efficient point per point combination.