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One of the builds I've been kicking around is for a shooty, infantry based marine army with an ADL. I've got no experience using one so I thought I would appeal to the greater dakka community to see if those of you out there who've had experience using it would be willing to give me some insights.

Questions like:

- how do you deploy it? (strategically I mean)
- what kinds of troops seem most effective behind it?
- has it ever been more of a hindrance than a help?
- which gun do you prefer?
- how do you incorporate it into your overall strategy?
- how effective has it been? Did you find it worth the points?
- how have opponents successfully dealt with it?

I don't really want everyone to answer point-by-point... but I would like your overall impressions and perhaps some specific suggestions so that as I practice with it, I'm using it to best effect.

Thanks,
Gits

Most of the time I deploy. In a Trapezoid. Without the base which provides excellant cover from outflankers , I play guard mech so 99% of the. Time my tanks sit behind and enjoy that juicy cover save. , I typically go with the Quad gun due to its ability to pop dreds, flyers and light armour - the local meta. I would. Say pick we're your army lacks , and troops , stick your devestators ( plasma for the win ). Or artillery - scouts with. Camo cloaks and missle launchers are amazing. With a 2+ cover while going to ground - personally I always enjoy a 205 point investment being guarded well ( Russ, lascannon, plasma sponsons ) especially. When theirs two of them - I have been over run once by a Tyranid mob army which I crushed with ranks of lasguns, chimeras and flame throwers - worth the buy I say certainly

I don't use one, but the people I've seen use it to close in a corner. So they claim a 1' x 1' section.

- what kinds of troops seem most effective behind it?
Troops with poor armor saves that the 4+ cover save really helps or 2+ gone to ground. Really long range weapons here. Ork players put lootas or grots there.

- which gun do you prefer?
the quad gun, 4 twil linked shots > 1 str 9 shot. Always take the quad gun.

- how effective has it been? Did you find it worth the points?
If it saves more than 100 points of models in a game due to cover saves its worth it.

- how have opponents successfully dealt with it?
Barrage weapons laugh at the wall. Other players put a tall solid building right in front of the gun. I shoot the gun first so it can't get free shots on my fliers.

Overall it depends on the army you are going to play against. Then as you have to place the wall before deployment, your opponent can line his troops up on the side with the wall as that's where most of your army will be. You're basically showing your hand before the game even starts, so your opponent can place terrain and deploy his army based on where your wall is.

I assume that the gun and the unit using it have to fire at the same thing?

If the firer has a higher BS than the squad (like a dev sergeant), does he get to use it with the gun?


Interesting comments. Certainly not a "silver bullet"... but it does perhaps have it's uses.

 Gitsplitta wrote:
I assume that the gun and the unit using it have to fire at the same thing?

If the firer has a higher BS than the squad (like a dev sergeant), does he get to use it with the gun?


Interesting comments. Certainly not a "silver bullet"... but it does perhaps have it's uses.

Yes to both. the model in b2b with the gun is considered to be firing the gun at his BS

First I would say not to take it unless you fear fliers. Now then...

- how do you deploy it? (strategically I mean)
Basically to get the most out if it. Enemy is shooty? Make a new cover line. Enemy is assaulty? Use it to slow a flank down.

- what kinds of troops seem most effective behind it?
Anything with lots of bodies works best.

- has it ever been more of a hindrance than a help?
Yes. The points you spend on it can be used in better places. I've also lost count of the amount of times I've stolen my enemies line and gun, even destroying their own fliers with it. good stuff.

- which gun do you prefer?
Quad gun normally, but if you have someone with tank hunters or other fancy rules, the lascannon rocks stuff dead.

- how do you incorporate it into your overall strategy?
Just to shore up a side, maybe a little AA defense.

- how effective has it been? Did you find it worth the points?
It either does nothing, or does little. The main boon is the improved cover save, and the gun can be destroyed by anyone without trouble. Snipers away!

- how have opponents successfully dealt with it?
Stolen it, Killed the gun first turn, ignored it, ect ect.

Good summary... thanks juraigamer!

Juraigamer makes a good point.

Couple of pointers:

-The firer's special rules transfer onto the gun (I use BT termies with tank hunter) Tank Hunter is awesome to make the most out of the gun, I've definitely made my points back just with that.

-"Interceptor" works on ANYTHING coming from reserves, works great on to have those free shots on deep-striking daemons, drop-podding SMs or anything else before they get to shoot

On the negative side:

-You will be tempted to park shooty units behind the line, which makes for a pretty static army

-With the new cover save rules you have to put those special weapons right up to the wall to have clear LOS on your enemies otherwise you're giving them the 4+ cover save too. That means that your special weapon will be up front and one of the first ones to die when you get shot back.

Got it. Thanks phoenix.