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I've been seeing more Lascannons in Infantry Squads in the lists on Dakka Dakka. After looking into it, people say that, in general, they're better than Autocannons. I decided to do the math, and here are my results:



couple of clarifications;
-This is to see how much bang for buck you get. For their cost, Lascannons are 30 points (20 + 2 guardsmen), and Autocannons are 20 (10 + 2 Guardsmen). Also, T5 had the same results as T4, so it did not need to be calculated.

-Arrows mark where a Lascannon is better.

-For the curious, (T7, 3+) results in 0.80 Percentage per Points for Autocannons, and 0.93 Percentage per Points for Lascannons.

-I have equal number of lascannons and autocannon models, so I'm not as biased as you would think; I was trying to figure out what would be better for my squads.


My conclusions:
-For exploding things (except AV 10 Open-Topped), or damaging AV 13+, Lascannons are better. The deciding factor for explosions is the +1 to damage results, otherwise Autocannons would be better except against AV 13+

-For damaging AV 12 or less, Autocannons are better. Volume beats punch in this case. They're also slightly better at exploding AV 10 Open-Topped.

-It can be concluded that you'll probably wreck a vehicle before you explode it, so I would count on wrecks before I count on explosions.

-Against anything with a 3+ Save or worse, it seems Autocannons are better, but this assumes cover; without cover, Lascannons are better at wounding T6, 3+ Sv. However, with a 4+ cover save, Lascannons are barely better at wounding T4, 2+. These results were the most surprising.

-The threshold where a Lascannon is worse at wounding anything over an Autocannon is a 3+ cover/invul, so Storm Shields render Lascannons worse than Autocannons (good to know if you know your meta uses them a lot).

-Overall, you should take Lascannons to counter AV 13, AV 14, and T6. Other targets are better dealt with Autocannons.

I'm just wondering, is anyone using this, or is it garbage/already known?

< Taken by the void dragon. >

 Che-Vito wrote:

 Shadelkan wrote:
I'm just wondering, is anyone using this, or is it garbage/already known?

Already known. 40+ page threads have been full of RAEG on the subject.
It's still good practice to run through the math yourself. Sometimes you find interesting things!
(On a whim, I ran IG GL versus Sniper Rifles. Found that of the two subpar options, Snipers aren't last!)

Ah, alright, good to know.

I'll have to look into it with the GL and Sniper thing, you've peaked my interest.

The takeaway for me is that unless I know for certain what I will be facing, a mixed loadout approach is best for TAC.

Your math is a little offset by "carrier cost".

A lascannon/autocannon doesn't cost 25/15 points to get into an infantry squad.

A lascannon/autocannon requires a 50 point infantry squad, in order to be put into it at 20/10 points.

So your point costs should be autocannon/lascannon 60/70 respectively.

 TheCaptain wrote:
Your math is a little offset by "carrier cost".

A lascannon/autocannon doesn't cost 25/15 points to get into an infantry squad.

A lascannon/autocannon requires a 50 point infantry squad, in order to be put into it at 20/10 points.

So your point costs should be autocannon/lascannon 60/70 respectively.

I just checked with those numbers, and the same places an autocannon is better/worse still apply, albeit the margin is lessened.

However, I wanted to do that, but then had to factor in costs of special weapons and other equipment. After all, if I take an autocannon, the squad can have a plasma gun for the same cost as a squad with just a lascannon. It can be done, but the focus is more the upgrade's worth; what can it and it alone do?

EDIT: You did make me notice I had the wrong picture. My conclusions derive from the 20/30 calculations, and I had 15/25 up. Must've forgot to update it as I was finishing the post.