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While looking over all the weapons and rules, I couldn't help but get stuck on the Heavy Bolter. I feel that it should be pinning as well as the sniper rifles. The idea of having a machine gun pin someone makes sense. However, that's not the case. At first I thought that it may be too excessive, but that can be mitigated by having the squad take the test for any unsaved wound at the end of the shooting phase. I also feel that snipers should have the same rule as the assassins (hampering LoS to a 6+ or a 4+ for IC) as well as pinning.

Thoughts?

P.S This isn't exclusive for SM. I just don't know the equivalent for other factions

I wouldn't mind it, it would certainly make heavy bolters more usefull. But where do we stop? Should auto and assault cannons get it as well?
If this happens I would still be happy of course: predators with assault cannons and heavy bolters pinning squads of tau then sending my daemons in to finish them, no longer needing to fear overwatch.

yeah they need a little something to make it worth considering. Personally I think they should also throw in them becoming Salvo 2/3 to make them a more common upgrade choice for tac squads but that's just me.

Look, I know this is a completely futile effort and also pointless, but hi.

If you have a heavy bolter with pinning, and it not only kills an enemy model but pins the unit, what happens? Well, they probably have another unit with a bunch of s6 ap3 ignores cover or something that is more important or powerful than the unit you pinned and it kills your army.

OK, now say you are building your models and you care a fair amount about looks and background but you also want a strong army. You have the choice between a heavy bolter with pinning, a grav cannon with grav amp, or a multi laser (on like a sentinel). You don't choose the heavy bolter.

I know you "just thought it would fit the fluff better" and "it should be a little more powerful, not game-breaking." If you think it is a good idea for your own use, then just do it, talk to your opponents, not all of the internet. If you are suggesting that other people do it, then think about the stuff above first, re: how pointless it is to take a gun that kills infantry.

That's the beauty of this place. It gives me a community of people who can share a perspective that is not just tied to my local meta. I like the idea and want to share it with the community because someone may get this idea and incorporate it into their local meta and enjoy the game even more. I can alsoget the opioptions of veterans that can improve this further. Like I like the salvo idea. It's great.