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Hello!

Not long ago I got an idea to use Tarantulas as sort of charge buffers on chokepoints or flanks against very fast units (bikes, genestealers, orks etc...)
Idea is to deploy them and then place some guardsmen beyond the consolidation move. Enemy unit has no option either to charge the tarantula or go elsewere. Situation where the tarantula is destroyed does not hurt so much (especially if it kills some on overwatch or in an explosion) and it leaves the charging unit vulnerable to punishing close-range return-fire or in safe charge distance, with only a minor loss. What do you think of this strategy? Is it viable?

Why tarantulas?
- Fairly cheap (20ppm + guns), Guard varians can be squdroned
- 2 Heavy bolters / 2 Lascannons
- Fairly durable (roughly as a Sentinel), can explode
- They can shoot into their own close combat range
- Other units can safely shoot at units in close combat with Tarantula
- Is not exactly small and created a good DS denial area too
- Downside is that it only shoots the closest infantry or vehicle unit (depending on loadout) and they are automatically hit in close combat. And they are immobile, of course, but can we towed by Centaurs

I'm all about the Heavy Bolter ones for Marines. It's a good way to fill the FA slot and has little downside to it.

Guard ones are better different datasheet i've run 9 at a few tournaments

I think they are HS slot. At least for the Elysians.

HS -AM
FA- Astartes

Different datasheets

Keep in mind your opponent can move around your Tarantulas in the Pile In step so unless you have enough Tarantulas to completely block that your opponent will still consolidate into your Guardsmen behind the Tarantulas.

Disregard the following, I didn't read the datasheet thoroughly.

See the automated artillery rule

"This unit cannot move for any unit, not can it fight in the Fight phase. Enemy models automatically hit this model in the Fight phase - do not make hit rolls. However, this model can still shoot if there are enemy models within 1" of it, and friendly units can still target enemy units that are within 1" of this model."

That enables enemys do be shot by your entire army even if they are in 1" of the tarantula

Alao guard ones are deployed in up to 3's (why would you use less) and count as seperate units you have to consolidate towards the nearest unit so normally another tarantula so just keep your next line a few " back unless he can dish out 15 T5 W when splitting his attacks across 3 targets he can't get to your infantry and the tarrantula he can get to gives him no protection

Next thing is that if the enemy wants to destroy those guns in shooting phase, which he'll try to do, he'll have to use some stronger weapons (S5+) to destroy them effectively, which will ease some of your other units in the second line.

With the prepared positions stratagem, those things are T5 W5 3+ armor, which is not exactly bad per se.

Also being seperate units once deployed means your opponent has to select which guns are fireing at which the number of times i've had one survivong on 1 or 2 W.

Now you why I love them for Marines, which can really make use of the blocking and still being able to shoot at enemies.

I couldn't even imagine how amazing it is for Guard Gunline.