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I have a question for anyone who is willing to answer. I am starting up a Space Marine Army and am wondering which one would be better to have, a Predator Tank or a Terminator Squad.

Probably the predator. Depends on your list as well, but terminators are sadly not so great.

 n0t_u wrote:
Probably the predator. Depends on your list as well, but terminators are sadly not so great.

Thanks for telling me. I have decided to get a Predator now.

Well, a Terminator squad will serve you better.
No need to buy a Predator.

A predator tank will pack more ranged firepower admitly.

Tri Las, or magnetized extra guns.

No need for a Predator at all.
Today, HS is often replaced by a superheavy (Imperial Knight).

 wuestenfux wrote:
No need for a Predator at all.
Today, HS is often replaced by a superheavy (Imperial Knight).

Term is need a transport tax or less reliable reserve deepstrike...
You need them AND a land raider or flier etc.

Out of two. A pread can operate far more independently.

And it costs less.
Even if it isn't great, it is the best of the two.

A lot depends on your list overall.

In a vacuum, the pred is probably the better pick. Auto/Las or full Las will get you some decent firepower. (magnetize if you can, it’s not hard) One of the issues is fitting it into a list. If you are working with an old style CAD army, it’s just a HS pick, so not hard. But there are not that many formations that use them.

Most forms of terminators are “meh” at best. But in a more casual game they can be fun to play. They are very iconic. They also show up in a lot of formations, making them easier to incorporate into a modern list. They also tend to show up in some of the bundle deals/boxes/starter sets that GW puts out. So you might accidentally/incidentally pick some up in the future. Or be able to grab them from e-bay for a lot less then list price from someone breaking up a box.

If we assume you mean the Terminator Assault Squad, then the Predator Tank - regardless of what you arm it with - is definitely more points-efficient. Even at the highest points cost which - if memory serves - is 140 Points when equipped with the TL Lascannon w/ 2x Lascannon Sponsons - is still cheaper and more points-efficient than the baseline Terminator Assault Squad (which is 175 Points for the minimum 5-man squad w/ no upgrades).

If we assume you mean the Terminator Squad, then I'd still go for the Predator Tank. As aforementioned, the Terminators will need an effective delivery method that isn't Deep Striking. If you Deep Strike them, then you need a target that is just as scary as (if not more scary than) the Terminators (otherwise the Terminators become a waste of points).

I can only assume that the nature of the question implies a relatively low points game (i.e, 750 or less), meaning that regardless of which type of Terminators you're considering taking, the Predator Tank will always be cheaper, more points-efficient, and the better option overall.

 Nevelon wrote:
A lot depends on your list overall.

In a vacuum, the pred is probably the better pick. Auto/Las or full Las will get you some decent firepower. (magnetize if you can, it’s not hard) One of the issues is fitting it into a list. If you are working with an old style CAD army, it’s just a HS pick, so not hard. But there are not that many formations that use them.

Most forms of terminators are “meh” at best. But in a more casual game they can be fun to play. They are very iconic. They also show up in a lot of formations, making them easier to incorporate into a modern list. They also tend to show up in some of the bundle deals/boxes/starter sets that GW puts out. So you might accidentally/incidentally pick some up in the future. Or be able to grab them from e-bay for a lot less then list price from someone breaking up a box.

Good point. Terminators were in the 5th, 6th and 7th ed. starter boxes, there's a high chance they'll be in the 8th too (along with more in Space Hulk, Calth, and the like).

If you're making a purchase, I'd definitely buy the Predator since you'll gradually accumulate Terminators anyway.

Terminators are hot garbage. Pick the Predator.

Sadly too much ap2 around these days for terminators to shine, th/ss suffer from either needing a Land raider or to deep strike which is a whole other bag of issues.

Predator is way easier to get your points back from.

hobojebus wrote:
Sadly too much ap2 around these days for terminators to shine, th/ss suffer from either needing a Land raider or to deep strike which is a whole other bag of issues.

Predator is way easier to get your points back from.

Maybe. But there are games where you will make no damage with a Pred at all.
I would neither take a Pred nor a Termie squad.
There are better options out there in the Marine 40k universe.

I think the autocanon pred's not a bad pick if you have 75 points to throw out.

Vanilla marines pay only 35 ppm for terminators. And their preds can't be fast.

Only good Terminators are TH/SS variants.

But like...the bar's not set high with Terminators lol.

You'll probably get more mileage out of the Predator.

Tell us what you have already.
But the best answer is, More regular marines. More tactical, more devastator or mor anything other then those two, both kinda suck.

grav centurions

 koooaei wrote:
grav centurions

Seconded.

They aren't really comparable things to be honest. Terminators don't fill the same role or cost anywhere near the same points as a Predator tank.

What else do you have in your army so far?