Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What's better on Sternguard combi plasma or melta?

Depends on the intended role, how do you use them?

Combi-plasma is pretty redundant on a Sternguard squad due to all the special ammo. I find a mix of combi-flamers and combi-meltas works well.

Since I don't have a droppods I have to move them up each turn

Combi-Plasma (thanks to Special Ammo) is only really useful on termis or heavy-armoured MC, both of which the melta can do.

I'd, personally, say melta, but plasma is good in it's own way (more shots, better range)

I would say combi-melta, at the odd chance of encountering a walker or something similar.

For me, melta, since I play Salamanders. I think the meltas are better in the longrun, but haven't tested them extensively. As a side note, I too lacked a Drop Pod for my Sternguard, and found a Librarian Epistolary with Force Dome and Gate of Infinity to be another good way to provide them with greater mobility.

I have been trying 2 different Sternguard Squads. Both are 10 man, the 1st is 2x Plasma Guns and 7x Combi-Plasmas. The 2nd is the same, but with Meltas and Combi-Meltas. Both are mostly Foot list, but I have put them Land Raiders.

I have been finding that the Plasma armed Sternguard has proven to the most useful. The ability to take out most things with the Plasma; especially when within Rapid Fire Range. The two Plasma Guns also let me have some Heavy Guns even after I have used up the Combi-Plasmas.

Melta, but all good combi-sternguard ride in Drop pods.

I know its a wild concept, but you can take both. I run a few combi melta and few combi plasma in the same squad. That way they are prepared for whatever they run into. Use special ammo for most situations, plasma for termies and melta for vehicles.

I've fought against armies with 10 Sternguard, split down the middle with combi-flamers and combi-meltas. The turn they dropped, half melta'd my tank squadron and half torched my Guard blob. I lost two tanks and thirty Guardsmen in one deep strike.

In other words, it depends what you have them face and how you use them. Sternguard with lots of combi-weapons can be devastating.

I would say combi-meltas would be better for more things with less chance of killing yourself

I'm new to 40k, What would you need to roll to kill yourself with a plasma weapon? Is it the same for ALL plasma weapons and troops? Or different in this case because its a combi weapon.

nold wrote:
I'm new to 40k, What would you need to roll to kill yourself with a plasma weapon? Is it the same for ALL plasma weapons and troops? Or different in this case because its a combi weapon.

Just the normal "Gets Hot!" chance of taking a wound when you roll a one to hit (armor saves allowed) The odds of it happening are not as bad as people make it out to be, but it will happen at the worst possible time. Sternguard can, of course, do this to themselves with vengeance rounds without the help of plasma.

Melta adds to the squad the ability to kill tanks, something they don't normally get with their special ammo. I'd just recommend taking 2-ish. I field sternguard for the special ammo, and as general purpose troubleshooters. Some melta is nice for when you need to kill a tank, but that's not why I field them. If you are doing a suicide drop, then full combis is an option, as you are only going to get one shot, so it needs to count.

My preferred way of dealing with 2+ saves is watching them roll ones, not by spamming plasma. Rapid fire the poisoned rounds for the wound on a 2+ and force your opponent to make those armor saves.

I'm a miser with wargear. I follow the "Boys before Toys" philosophy, that more boots on the ground is more effective then a few guys tricked out with whistles and bells. It works for me, but there are a lot of ways to build an army.

I run a 10 man sternguard squad, powerfist on the sarge, one combi-melta, everyone else with bolters. Transport is a bare-bones librarian, power armor, force staff/BP with GoI and Nullzone. They work for me, YMMV.