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I usually hit around 3-4 but I'm wondering whether I'm positioning them wrong or is this realistically the best you can get?

Usually the same as you, but anything up to 6 or so.

3-4 sounds about right for an average. More against Orks, less against Custodes. Flamers on bikes and torrent ones like the Hellhound can usually do a bit better.

4-5, generally.

If a big unit is clustered inside cover, you caaaannn get more. And if someone actively spreads out you can get less. It would kind of depend on your main opponents. If you're playing against hordeish armies, expect to get higher numbers. If you're playing against more elite troops, you'll typically get less as there are less models in the unit to hit.

It's tough to get more than 3 hits on a 5-man unit, but easy to get 6 or more hits against a 30 strong Ork Mob.

It’s highly variable. 3-4 sounds decent for “average” numbers. But you can often get higher spikes, where 6-7 is normal.

One trick is when you are disembarking is to place the flamer first. Make sure he gets the optimal spot. Then fan out with the rest of the squad.

The other thing is target selection. Often units bunch up when they are hugging cover, or just disembarked themselves. If you can burn them while they are still packed, you can sometimes get whole squads.

Getting that flank shot where you shoot down the row, as opposed to through the squad will also help boost your numbers. Squads behind walls are often deployed this way.

If you generally play against footsloggers, you'll get less cause they spread out. If you play vs those with vehicles, yo ucan get more cause they're bunched up.

d3 just before I get wiped in melee

5 is my average. If I get less I'm disappointed with myself for bad positioning.

I find when I'm hit, 4 is often the minimum, with 5 being average, and 6 meaning I screwed the pooch. Most I think I ever got hit for was 48, but it was a deep striking squad with Deathwatch Frag Cannons hitting a tight cluster in my first game against them. So each of them got 6 under the template twice. Thankfully, it was Genestealer Cult, so who cares if I lost 6 guys?