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Having never really used them before, I've decided to give land speeders a go for my Ravenwing. I assumed I knew the obvious load out for them and the best way to run them, but it seems I was mistaken.

I thought the assault cannon was an obvious choice, whilst leaving the fitted weapon as the standard heavy bolter. But I hear most people disagree and the typhoon missile launcher is the favourite? Is this the case? If so, why is it favoured so much over the assault cannon?

Depends on terrain, your opponent, and what's in the rest of your army.

I think a lot of players prefer the Typhoon's long range sniping from the relative safety of cover, compared to in-your-face assault cannon fire from a speeder more likely to die quickly.

I'd have thought assault cannon could be decent in Ravenwing, as you're likely to have numerous units in your opponent's face anyway - a shot at your speeder at last means one less shot at your bikes.

A lot of players magnetise the second weapon just to make changes easy.

One of these three:
HB/HB
ML/HB
MM/MM or MM/HF

My knowledge is a bit outdated, as I am just getting back into things from a long break (5th ed). I am looking forward to getting some speeders again. I used to run them HF/AC and deep strike them for a nasty payload into a weak flank, or a unit on an objective. Not sure how popular or effective this tactic is in 7th though.

I'll be honest most combos are relatively good on a landspeeder, however one weapon I do not suggest taking has to be the heavy flamer since the instant you get forced to jink it's useless.

When it comes to the speeders it's really dependent on your local Meta. Mine tends to see quite a bit of MC's and Tanks Galore so I like the HB/ML combo with them sitting in the back field in terrain for popping off two krack shots and if it's an MC/GMC the HB might do something. However think about the Legacy of Glory for Drop Pods and Landspeeders its 20pts for a no scatter Deep Strike and squadding it can let you bring in a nasty surprise on some people like say 3 MM/MM Landspeeders right behind your opponents GMC/Titan/ pain in the ass unit. Or honestly with that tactic and Tau I do HF/HF purely if I get the chance to torch a Markerlight unit off the board.

Most people will say that specialised units are superior; either double Heavy Flamers for Horde-Hunting or double Multi-Meltas for Tank-Trouncing. Personally, however, I've had quite a bit of success with a mixed build; Heavy Flamer and Multi-Melta. Three of these can Deep Strike using a Locator Beacon and smoke a tank as soon as they arrive, or arrive just in time to immolate a load of Orks that are bearing down on my Sternguard. I can never quite be sure what they'll be dropping into, so the versatility is quite helpful.

That said, last time I used them I rolled three 1s to hit with their Meltas and then they were Punishered to death later that turn, so perhaps the three extra shots would have been better.

Recently I've definitely been feeling that I've missed the opportunity to take some Assault Cannons on them. I'm a big fan of the twirly death-dakka and Tornados look much cooler with them. The rest of my army lacks both Melta and Templates, though, so it's probably best to keep them as they are.

Incidentally, I'm not a big fan of Typhoons. Not enough impact for my liking.

So yeah; MM/HF or HB/AC, for my money.

Double MM or HF are quite good in Blood Angel detachs with less scatter. For DA I'd stick with Typhoons

The TML/HB gets to stay at range. That’s a pretty big deal for an AV10 skimmer. You can be brought down with bolter fire and/or marine fists. So staying away is safe. The range and mobility also helps get flank shots into side armor. This can be nice vs. things like knights. Do they want to point their ion shield at the LCs in your backfield or the speeders on the side? Now MM speeders can make the same threat, but need to commit to their suicide run to do so. The TML is low risk/low reward, but can maintain it all game. The close in speeders are high risk, but often explode once the make their attack run. Sometimes the threat of MM speeders hanging out of LOS will impact the battle more then them actually shooting. While they exist, they project a 24” bubble of dangerous terrain for enemy vehicles. They might not instantly explode for entering it, but it is a chance.

There really aren’t that many bad choices though. The points have been ironed out over the last few editions, so at this point I think they all have their pros/cons and are viable. There is the old argument about specialization vs. flexibility. I can see some advantages of almost every combo. Don’t think I’d ever fly a TML/HF speeder, and that’s the worst combo I can think of. But even saying that, there are times it would work.

Mine are MM/AC speeders - I use them for outflanking and destroying enemy backfield vehicles for the most part. The assault cannon is barely any worse against heavy armour than a multi melta due to rending, plus means it is flexible to engage infantry against lists with no vehicles

I have two HB/AsC and one HB/TML. They serve me pretty well.

Two Typhoons roaming the backfield with HB/ML never disappoint me. With Ravenwing they stay alive quite well and just pump shots out at long range all game. Think of it as 6 decent heavy weapons on a super mobile platform for 150 points. I've also had excellent results on an AC/MM speeder as part of a Ravenwing Attack Squadron. Scouting MM's are almost too good to pass up... But in general, I prefer the range and versatility of the Typhoon.

That Fire Support rule the RW squadrons get is insanely good.

I have three HB/TML speeders and one MM/AC speeder. Both have their uses. I would run the Typhoons with my Darkshroud in the Support Squadron formation. Overwatching for bikers, at BS2 (when not jinking) with S8 AP3 weapons, is just too good! S8 means you can double out a lot of melee attackers (like Flesh Hounds).

TML/HB all day