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As the title says, are IG ratling snipers worth using? How many do you need for them to be effective if they are? If no, why? I get the impression that they would be more cost efficient than special weapon squads with sniper rifles due to the higher BS and stealth but I'm curious as to what people's experience has been in using them.

Depends on the target. They're not awful, but really can't pull their weight against fearless targets.Sniper rifles are not what they used to be.

If you can get them access to relentless with a biomancy psyker they become a real pain for the enemy to deal with. Jump out of cover, fire a volley, then run back where you can't be seen.

If you luck out with a level 2 and roll endurance first take divination to steal prescience for twin linked goodness on them as well.

I mean they are very situational in my experience. I've never used them myself but I've seen my buddys use them to decent effect. I mean they don't eat up many points so even if they don't pull their weight it's not like you wasted serious points. It's kind of a crap shoot with ratlings. On one hand I've recently seen them take out a unit of necron wraiths which saved the flank they were on. On the other hand they're only BS3 snipers so I wouldn't expect too much. I would suggest against using them in competitive games, but they can be crazy rewarding from time to time in friendly games.

Also, in my opinion I don't think they merit psyker support if there are other units to be buffed. I admit I've got a soft spot for them for nostalgic reasons, but speaking honestly your points are probably better spent elsewhere.

Ratlings are BS4, not 3.

Are they troops? They'd be cheap OS at the very least...

They can be decent against small high T units like Wraiths and monstrous creatures. I use them occasionally when I have an extra handful of points, they make decent objective campers. You also run the risk of first blood if you aren't cagey with them, but they are never a terribly attractive target unless a tactical objective calls for their destruction. Probably not competetive but fine in casual or narrative games.

It's a 30 point unit with stealth and infiltrate that's super easy to hide out of Los.

Sit them on an objective and never shoot. Easy enough. What else was competing for space in the guard elite slot?

I know this isn't saying much but they are best Elite choice in the Guard codex. The are very cheap and a pain to deal with because of stealth and their tiny profile. Their sniper rifles can even kill something on occasion.

My favorite memory of them was my first game against 6th Ed. Eldar. They (10 Ratlings) shot at a Wraithknight and removed most of its wounds on Turn 1. Then, when it tried to charge them, they killed it on overwatch. Best Ratling kill ever and sadly not possible anymore.

Not worth the points sink. Those points are better spent elsewhere than the hope of some lucking shots. My regular opponents do not even both wasting shots at them and just assault them if they are near an objective.

My two cents,

CB

Do they still have +1 cover save.

Ignore is about but if your short on it. Well emplaced they could be a right pain to dig out.

Best use I've seen was someone using them to it flank and grab an objective