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Hey Dakka

I'm abit of a newbie to the 7th ed rules of 40k, and was wondering how preferred enemy effects blast weapons?

I'm putting together an IG Steel Host and am working out which tanks to run. The formation gives a '12 bubble of PE around a tank commander.

I've already taken 2 Exterminators with Lascannons and Multi Meltas, which slightly benefits less since the autocannon is already twin linked. These I figured could cover a good chunk of my required anti-tank.

I've thought about running Pask, but realised that the formation rule somewhat negates his usefulness.

Any input would be appreciated!

Command:
Pask, Punisher, MMS, LC 240
-Exterminator, MMS, LC 160

Armoured company:
Tank Commander, Vanquisher, multi meltas, lascannon 195
-Exterminator, MMS, LC 160
Battle Tank 150
Battle Tank 150
Battle Tank 150
Techpriest 40

Artillery company:
CCS, chimera 125
Basilsk 125
Manticore 170
Wyvern 65

The recent FAQ has some relevant bits:

1) Preferred enemy does not do anything for blast weapons including Plasma Cannons.

2) You cannot include a named character in a formation unless it is specifically noted - so no Pask in this formation.

I prefer the Emperor's Fist Formation from Mont'ka. The 12" bubble is BS 4 instead of PE. Plus you get a bonus against damage with the Enginseer.

The enginseer is only really a tax if you ignore that it can repair vehicles or use Power of the Machine Spirit.

Mixing Exterminators with LC and MM is going to be inefficient. The reality is that multi-task tanks don't work as well, since there's no split fire ability on them.

Well thanks for the heads up! Bit disappointing since I was going to run Executioners for the gets hot rerolls, and Pask.

Since the autocannons suit lighter anti tank, I'm not worried much by no split fire. Figured they'd work alright against wave serpents, ect.

I'm starting to lean towards the Emperor's Fist considering what the draft FAQ says then...

Eisenfresser wrote:
The recent FAQ has some relevant bits:

1) Preferred enemy does not do anything for blast weapons including Plasma Cannons.

2) You cannot include a named character in a formation unless it is specifically noted - so no Pask in this formation.

I prefer the Emperor's Fist Formation from Mont'ka. The 12" bubble is BS 4 instead of PE. Plus you get a bonus against damage with the Enginseer.

The enginseer is only really a tax if you ignore that it can repair vehicles or use Power of the Machine Spirit.

Mixing Exterminators with LC and MM is going to be inefficient. The reality is that multi-task tanks don't work as well, since there's no split fire ability on them.

From what I'm aware preferred enemy still allows you to reroll to wound rolls of one. If your blast hits something and you roll a one it allows you to reroll your 1's to wound. So it does help to wounds. Just not rerolling to hit with blasts and doesn't help with plasma rerolling to hits.

That's what I gathered, which does rather reduce the effectiveness of the Steel Host formation...

Eisenfresser wrote:
The recent FAQ has some relevant bits:

1) Preferred enemy does not do anything for blast weapons including Plasma Cannons.

2) You cannot include a named character in a formation unless it is specifically noted - so no Pask in this formation.

I prefer the Emperor's Fist Formation from Mont'ka. The 12" bubble is BS 4 instead of PE. Plus you get a bonus against damage with the Enginseer.

The enginseer is only really a tax if you ignore that it can repair vehicles or use Power of the Machine Spirit.

Mixing Exterminators with LC and MM is going to be inefficient. The reality is that multi-task tanks don't work as well, since there's no split fire ability on them.

The added benefit of machine spirit is also it can help mitigate the fact ordinance makes all your weapons snap fire as well.

AOE preferred enemy is a Big Deal when you kit out with blast weapons as it means you're essentially rerolling 2+ wounds in some 75% of situations.

AOE Bs4 is a Big Deal when you have more punisher gattling cannons than is strictly decent in public.

As someone very firmly in the former camp I'd say get ALL the demolishers, and ram them into people. Plasma Eradicators are a reasonable 2nd choice, and if you can net a diviner from somewhere, 15 PE twin linked plasma templates from the Executioner (which, thanks to twin linked *DO* reroll gets hot) is something that can seriously threaten nearly anything in the game. Even more bonus points if you bring along an SM conclave and score the 'ignores cover, ignores line of sight' power.

 tankboy145 wrote:
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From what I'm aware preferred enemy still allows you to reroll to wound rolls of one. If your blast hits something and you roll a one it allows you to reroll your 1's to wound. So it does help to wounds. Just not rerolling to hit with blasts and doesn't help with plasma rerolling to hits.

Right, forgot that.