Mechanically? They feel a little cheap. That's a lot of power in 30 points.
Thematically? It feels Bolter Porny.
Marines are currently four times as durable as a Guard infantry-twice the wounds, half damage taken against AP0. Obviously they get worse as damage increases and somewhat worse as AP increases, but you need a weapon that's S8, AP-4 (-5 in Cover), and D2 or better to make a Marine equal a Guardsman.
They're also better at shooting, better at close combat, so on and so forth.
With this change, you'd need a weapon that's S8 or better (no change), AP-5 (-6 in Cover) or better, and D3 or better to make the Marine die as quickly as a Guard. And that feels excessive.
A Plasma Gun normally kills GEQ on a 2+ to-wound, and kills MEQ on a 2+ to-wound, 6+ to-save. That makes Marines only a little hardier against a powerful gun, though Plasma toters can fire more safely upon GEQ because they don't need to overcharge. 20% more durable, to be exact. (50% if they get cover and you overcharge against GEQ.)
With your MEQ... Hits the same. Wounds the same. Saves on a 5+ (4+ in cover). Needs two failed saves to kill.
That makes them three to four times as durable to Plasma.
It just feels too much. Or, I guess, what would you do for, say, Plaguebearers? Custodian Guard? Scions? Genestealers?
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