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Hey everyone,

I'm mid-way through assembling my GSC army, and I've been struggling to think of the best way to equip my Neophytes. I have two boxes unassembled, and the Overkill box completely assembled.

My current plan is to have two units in the Neophyte Cavaclade, and another in the Doting Throng.

The Cavaclade ones will be outflanking in Chimeras with a Heavy Flamer, to take out any cover-hugging infantry and to force the opponent to bunch up in the centre of the board. Also outflanking with them will be a Leman Russ with Exterminator Autocannon, Multi-Melta sponsons and a Lascannon, to pop transports/heavy armour.

I'm unsure, therefore, as they will be moving quite a lot, whether Mining Lasers/Seismic Cannons are particularly worth their points in these squads. Also, which special weapon do I give them? Flamers seem like a good choice due to the low BS of the troops. But Webbers and Grenade Launchers look cool - are they any use?

The ones in the Doting Throng will definitely be running Seismic Cannons, but again, I am unsure as to which special weapon has the best synergy with this.

While I do love the look of the Mining Lasers, if they are constantly snap-firing, I'm not entirely sure how useful they will be, or if they will ever make their points back.

For what it's worth - my army has a lot of flamers in it already - Clearance Incinerators in a Demo Claw, some hand flamers on Acolytes and two cult ambushing Scout Sentinels with Heavy Flamers. Popping transports outside of Assault may be an issue for me, so I do want to include some more dakka, I just can't think of the best way to include it.

I run my cavalcade with 2x flamers and obviously lasguns to use the array, never bring heavies because they'll always be moving.

All other neophyte squads I either run Shotguns+melee gear (not because they're good but because they're fun) or autoguns+GLs+seismics for cult ambushing and shooting.

They don't need to have lasguns to use the array - it is a part of the vehicle! I do think flamers are probably the best for the cavalcade though. Unfortunately I only have enough for one squad - would you say grenade launcher or webber for the other squad? I'll give the flamer squad shotguns, and the GL and Seismic Cannon squad autoguns. I'm not sold on melee neophytes, they don't really do enough for me!

Thanka for the help! Annoyingly I have two mining Lasers that won't see use for a while!

Imo the Seismic/GL setup is good for your Doting Throng unit, it's the most high Str fire they can put out.

As for the Cavalcade, I would be inclined to suggest dual Flamers for each Squad since you'll be getting up close, but as you mention you don't have the models for it. Personally I feel Webbers aren't really worth it - I really dislike small blasts as adequately spaced models make it very unlikely you'll get more than a single hit, so I'd be more inclined to do a second set of GLs. Another option to consider if you have any Guard or can get any is an Autocannon team - sure they'll be snapfiring when you move, but it's only 10 points and you can have a Flamer/GL in the squad firing out of the top hatch still.

Also, don't be too concerned about the Mining Lasers, you can use them if you summon more neophytes!

I would usually agree regarding small blasts, but the low BS means that the GL also will likely get no hits half the time. Though it is more likely to do something if it does hit. Hmm, I'll probably go for dual GL just because the model is cooler!

I completely forgot about summoning! Mining Lasers could work wonders there! Thanks for the suggestions!

For heavy choices, I like the Heavy Stubber with Flamer squads, as even on the move the 3 shots have a chance of doing some damage, and they keep the squad nice and cheap. (More dice = more 6's.)

For similar reasons, always take Siesmic Cannons over Mining Lasers on squads that will be moving a lot. The single shot of the Mining Laser doesn't mesh well with Snap Shots, where the multiple shots of the Seismic Cannon work a lot better.

For static gun-line squads, you are better off with the Guard-style weapons, as both the Seismic Cannon and Mining Laser are rather short ranged for Heavy Weapons, and will really only come into play if your opponent is closing with you. Autocannons, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, etc. all offer you a better chance to "reach out and touch someone" with a backfield squad.

For static gun-line squads, you are better off with the Guard-style weapons, as both the Seismic Cannon and Mining Laser are rather short ranged for Heavy Weapons, and will really only come into play if your opponent is closing with you.

Normally I would agree, but since you have the ability to place each unit more or less wherever you want it on a 3+, the range is quite a lot less important than usual. I'm a fan of both the mining laser and seismic cannon for shooty units. If you're going to be moving around a lot, I wouldn't bother with heavy weapons at all. Grab some flamers, and go to town. Buying extra bodies will help more than snap-firing heavy weapons.

MilkmanAl wrote:

For static gun-line squads, you are better off with the Guard-style weapons, as both the Seismic Cannon and Mining Laser are rather short ranged for Heavy Weapons, and will really only come into play if your opponent is closing with you.

Normally I would agree, but since you have the ability to place each unit more or less wherever you want it on a 3+, the range is quite a lot less important than usual. I'm a fan of both the mining laser and seismic cannon for shooty units. If you're going to be moving around a lot, I wouldn't bother with heavy weapons at all. Grab some flamers, and go to town. Buying extra bodies will help more than snap-firing heavy weapons.

I wouldn't call units you plan to Cult Ambush with a "static gun-line". I was more referring to units you wanted to start on the table.

I never upgrade them with anything. They are there because I am required to take them. Now dont get me wrong when I view them as a tax because I do like them. They are point efficient and a good unit. However I prefer to go all in on melee swarms of dudes.

However they are my #1 go to for summoning because its pretty easy to get them into position and anything other than a 1 or 2 does not require movement so they can come on from anywhere and fire away. Their variable loadout is awesome for summoning because you can tailor them to what you need them for.

I use them purely as meatshields if I am paying points for them.

 Tibs Ironblood wrote:
However they are my #1 go to for summoning because its pretty easy to get them into position and anything other than a 1 or 2 does not require movement so they can come on from anywhere and fire away. Their variable loadout is awesome for summoning because you can tailor them to what you need them for.

This is indeed one of the Genestealer Cult's main strengths, and also one of the best ideas for drumming up sales that GW has had in a while. Nothing is better than having enough models kitted out with the various special, heavy and close combat weapons to be able to drop in exactly the unit you need to deal with your current opponent and their many threats.

Facing a Green Tide of Orks and Grots? Acolytes with Hand Flamers and Demolition Charges are the order of the day.

Knights stomping your objective holders? Slam into them with Seismic Cannons from multiple angles and/or Heavy Rock Saws.

Hammernators need to die now? A nice unit or two of Claw Metamorphs with Hand Flamers will put lots of Hits and plenty of Wounds on them, some of which will Rend and cut the save from 2+ to 3+. Enough Wounds will always result in some 1's and 2's. Or a nice brood of 8 Purestrains all with Scything Talons can do similar work. So many Attacks on the charge.

And so on and so forth.

I like the idea of 2 Special/2 Heavy in a 10man. I also assume that when I roll a 3 or higher on the Ambush, I "set-up" models 3"-9" away and not move them. I mentioned this before, but RAW, I'm allowed to shoot my Heavy weapons at full BS the turn they "set-up". They are not moving (RAW, again - this is how my gaming group reads it as well).

If that isn't the case, I'm a fan of the double Flamers. This allows me to shoot & run, or shoot & charge (on a 5+ CA roll). Why this is so important to me is because I run a CAD of GSC and this the best way to steal objectives late game. Flamers don't require me to roll to hit and give me more 'shots' or more potential for more hits than a RF weapon and/or pistol.

My cavalcades are 2 x Flamers or 2 x Grenade Launchers in a double flamer Chimera.

My Doting Throng are 2 x 2 Mining Lasers (for mid line set up, objective sitting), 1 x Autocannon (same reason) or 1 x 2 Seismic Cannon (ambush shenanigans mainly).

To be fair, Neophytes are dirt cheap. Literally any set up is viable.

I do have plans specifically to make a few 2 x Webber squads to deal with Eldar though.