Let's address this point. Are the
IG...err
AM tanks point efficient? The short answer is no.
Let's take a look at the classic
LRBT with
HB sponsons and a
HB hull. For a long time, this was the staple of the
IG army.
This clocks in at 170 points for a heavily armored, slowing moving tank that is weak to assault with weak to moderate firepower.
The Guns
The battle cannon rolls to deviate 2/3 of the time. Out of those, it's going to deviate an average of 4". This might still hit some targets, but it means grouping is hard.
A smart opponent will also space his models so you will only hit 3-4 on a good shot, and perhaps even less when deviating. Let's say that 1/3 of the time no targets are hit, 1/3 of the time 4 targets are hit, and 1/3 of the time 3 targets are hit, for a total of 7/3 hits per round of shooting. Of those 5/6 will be wounded, resulting in 35/18 (just under 2) dead enemies per turn. With cover or
FNP this number drops, but let's look at best case for right now.
The
HB's will hit 1/6 of the time. Against
MEQ they wound 2/3 of the time, with 1/3 failed saves. This means we can expect the following results.
(Number of Shots) * (To Hit) * (To Wound) * (Failed Saves)
9 * 1/6 * 2/3 * 1/3 = .3 dead
MEQ per turn.
9 * 1/6 * 5/6 = 1
GEQ per turn.
In summary, the massive firepower of the
LRBT equals ~2.3 dead
MEQ per turn or ~3
GEQ per turn.
I normally try to avoid using 'earn their points back' but in this case it's a good measuring stick. Given a 14 point
MEQ, in just over 5 turns of firing the
LRBT will earn its points back in
MEQ. It will never catch up to
GEQ.
Comparison
Let's compare the
LRBT firepower to a ravager. At 110 points, it has 3 disintegrator cannons.
9 * 2/3 * 2/3 * 1 = 4 dead
MEQ per turn.
At the same rate, the ravager will "Earn it's points back" in less than two turns.
To add the nail in this coffin, the Ravager is not exactly the 'most dakka unit in the game'. Scat bikes are even better.
The Armor
Next lets look at the toughness of the
LRBT.
AV 14 in the front and 13 on the sides is not bad. The biggest weakness
IMHO is the AV10 rear. The
LRBT fears marines stuffing krak grenades up it's ass, and that's the least of it's worries. Swooping hawks, knights, D weapons can overwhelm the
LRBT.
As has been mentioned, they can also be glanced to death. This means that
STR 7+ weapons can start racking up the glances on the side -- and
STR 7 is not that uncommon.
'Emperor's Fist Armored Company'
This formation dramatically improves upon the
LRBT. It increases the firepower by providing BS4, a significant boost.
It increases the durability by forcing your opponent to roll two dice when rolling damage effects.
This helps to make the
LRBT more competitive. The increase of
BS is more effective on the punisher gatling gun -- given that a 1" smaller deviation is not that great of an effect. To take a look our firepower ratio, we have this...punisher.
29 * 2/3 * 2/3 * 1/3 = 4 dead
MEQ per turn, earning it's points back in 2.6 turns! While still not on the level of the ravager, it's a heck of a lot better.
These are much better numbers -- but they are still not the best unit in the game by a long shot.
Why use the LRBT?
The biggest advantage I can see about the
LRBT is the fact that there are thousands upon thousands in existence. You can find them on ebay, on craigslist, or dakka swap shot for cheap. In a game where 'He who spends the most $$$ wins', you can play for cheap.
LRBTs are also cool. Fielding 6
LRBT and 5 chimeras full of vets is just cool.
