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Hey mates pretty simple question for debate for you all. Currently running a Mechanized IG list using the Death Korps of Krieg Grenadier Assault Brigade, and just had a question on the Chimeras. As I am basically fielding squads of Storm Troopers in Chimeras, I opted to give them the Hull-Mounted Hvy. Flamer to go with the Autocannon Turret. However, some people feel that I should run the Hull-Mounted Hvy. Bolter still for the dakka.

Just got me wondering which Hull-Mounted weapon do you prefer for your Chimeras. Appreciate the feedback mates.

Hi Ironwolf,
Personnally, I keep the HB because, with BS3, more dakka is good.
Plus, if you chimera is assaulted, it is basically dead, and to shoot with the HF, you have to be really close to the ennemy.
The long range of the HB is nice: even if you hit less ennemies in 1 turn than with a HF, during a game you can shoot several times.
However, I havn't used the HF, so I can't compare.

If you get a few vehicles all showing their fronts to the enemy, flamers. Vehicles do not get locked in combat, so if they assault the front, back them up or turn in and hose them down with the flamers.
If you are staying at range or splitting up, HBs.

I usually prefer heavy flamers as I haven't had much luck with the HB's because of the BS3.. only 1.5 shots will hit, and then there's wounding, armor/cover saves, etc. People like to get close and assault my chimeras so I've never had too much problem getting into range to use the HF. You may have to get in close to use the HF, but if you do it's usually at least 5 automatic ignores cover hits in 1 turn, which is about as many as the HB would get throughout the entire game. It's exceptional against non MEQ armies/units.

A lot of it depends on the role of the unit.

Heavy Flamers are what I generally put on chimeras transporting short ranged infantry (where the HF can be used in direct support of the infantry and generally be more mobile) or chimera hulled artillery vehicles (like Manticores, to react to DSing or outflanking units if they must)

I generally put heavy bolters on chimeras that have heavy weapon oriented infantry in them (e.g. platoon infantry) where they probably arent gonna move much and are just gonna sit back and shoot a lot.

For an Assault Brigade, I'd probably go with Heavy Flamers.

Depends on what's inside. If it's a unit that wants to get closer to my enemy then the HF. If not then HB

While a heavy bolter gets to shoot more often than the heavy flamer does, there will be few times where you say "that heavy bolter really saved my bacon" when stacked up with a heavy flamer. I'd rather use heavy flamers for when mobs of enemies get too close or some unit deep strikes in my backfield and I want to torch it while it's still bunched together.

Having run a 12 strong chimera list I can tell you that heavy flamers are better hands down.

Most will argue range but you aren't putting out the fire power down range but they wont do that much damage anyway especially when you have to often move around. So it stops you from standing still and letting your opponent dictate the game. Plus it baits them into foolishly charging a chimera and putting themselves into flame template formations. Burny Guard are highly underrated.

I've used a mix due to how my Chimeras are modeled. I much prefer the HF, however. I'm in the process of converting all my Chimeras to have them, and all my artillery have them.

If your opponent forgets the Chimera has them or just doesn't pay attention, they can be a nasty surprise for them. Combining a Chimera's HF with a full flamer PCS is also pretty damn fun when it works...

I'd change the turret to a Heavy Flamer before the mounted Bolter. That Bolter can just shoot forwards, but sometimes I want the Flamer to hit the same target as the Lasgun Arrays, and for that I need turret capabilities.

Heavy Flamers for me especially if you are planning on moving your Chimeras often. It makes no sense to have another shooting weapon that will need 6's to hit making it even worse then it actually is. If you are planning on usuing them more as stationary firing support units then give them Heavy Bolters.

It is very easy to magnetize those parts. while I seem to prefer the HB, for an assault squad I'd run the HF. I swap armament depending on the units role.

Heavy bolters are my favorite, you won't always be in range for the heavy flamer and the best assault squad (ogryn) can't take a chimera IIRC. Plus, if you bring a inquisition chimera, you can take psybolts to make it S6

Ogryns can take a Chimera or Taurox as a DT.

I generally prefer heavy flamers, they are just far more useful than the heavy bolter, and you have the multi-laser on top if you want some long ranged dakka.

In my guard army I field 3 chimeras. 2, which have melta guns in them, have heavy flamers, and 1, which the company command hide in has a heavy bolter.

I find the results surprising. I would have figured mix to score higher.

I've always preferred the heavy bolter, it helps make each Chimera into its' own little Dakka bus.

I'm honestly shocked that the Heavy Bolter is doing so well, seeing that it has a pitiful damage output.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
I'm honestly shocked that the Heavy Bolter is doing so well, seeing that it has a pitiful damage output.

Well the Heavy Flamer has to actually survive long enough to get in range to do anything

Personally, my Chimeras have never gotten close enough to use a Heavy Flamer. Perhaps its just bad luck or something. But the HB has been fired more due to its range on my Chimeras.

That and when I got my hands on the IA book, my chimeras only run an Auto cannon. Its been a deciding factor is several battles now, the simple fact that Auto Cannon rounds were flying into the targets as opposed to a Multi Laser or HB or HF.

But a AC + HB Chimera is what I tend to run 99% of the time (even if the tank isn't modeled with a HB, I run out of those quickly)

Heavy bolters because a minor chance to damage is better than no chance at all.

I usually just stick with a heavy bolter for the hull weapon.

 CrownAxe wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
I'm honestly shocked that the Heavy Bolter is doing so well, seeing that it has a pitiful damage output.

Well the Heavy Flamer has to actually survive long enough to get in range to do anything

Well you're rushing them with the Veterans anyway. If it gets stranded, an average of 1.5 S5 AP4 hits won't contribute. The potential for damage is just that much better with the a Heavy Flamer.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:

 CrownAxe wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
I'm honestly shocked that the Heavy Bolter is doing so well, seeing that it has a pitiful damage output.

Well the Heavy Flamer has to actually survive long enough to get in range to do anything

Well you're rushing them with the Veterans anyway. If it gets stranded, an average of 1.5 S5 AP4 hits won't contribute. The potential for damage is just that much better with the a Heavy Flamer.

Yeah but the chimera is dead before it gets within template range. Heavy Flamer may have a better damage but that doesn't matter if you never fire it

At least with the Heavy Bolter you can snap fire it while you zoom forward. That barely does anything yes, but anything is better then nothing.

 Engine of War wrote:
Personally, my Chimeras have never gotten close enough to use a Heavy Flamer. Perhaps its just bad luck or something. But the HB has been fired more due to its range on my Chimeras.

That and when I got my hands on the IA book, my chimeras only run an Auto cannon. Its been a deciding factor is several battles now, the simple fact that Auto Cannon rounds were flying into the targets as opposed to a Multi Laser or HB or HF.

But a AC + HB Chimera is what I tend to run 99% of the time (even if the tank isn't modeled with a HB, I run out of those quickly)

I too am planning on fielding Storm Chimeras from the DKOK Grenadier Assault Brigade list, and their Chimeras come with Autocannon Turrets base, which is pretty awesome. Reason I opted for the Hvy. Flamer atm is that since Grenadiers (basically Storm Troopers/Militarum Tempestus Scions) are armed with Hot-Shot Lasguns and Meltaguns, then they have to be 12 to 18 inches away to do anything at all. And by that point I should be able to utilize the Heavy Flamers then. Already have tested it out and it has worked well for me so far. When I have tried out the Hull-Mounted Hvy. Bolter, it has never done anything amazing other then pick off the occasional infantry unit, but nothing to get me excited about. And it makes sense in my case as my Army needs to get close in order to be effective, and while it isn't the smartest idea since I am IG, my army has done surprising well for the most part. Plus the Hvy. Flamer gives me a horde control weapon.

Heavy flamer has a better damage output if you can get it in range.... There's a lot more things that can hurt a Chimera in CC than at range so I've found it's to try not to get to close to enemy infantry with the Chimera unless its transporting an assault/ close range squad.

Bolters can't hurt a chimera at range but a tac squad in CC will krak it to death.

Depends what the chimera is for. Melta vets, I go with HF, because I want to be close for the melta USR. Backline, i'll go with HB (Especially if im playing Inquisition for the Psybolt goodness, S6 AP4 is no autocannon, but its close enough).

Although, I prefer the Autocannon turret chimeras can take from FW. But if I could put autocannons on everything, I would. My SM would have autocannons instead of arms and legs