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Which would be a better all purpose choice for a mechanized Templar army, assuming FOC slots weren't a concern?

Totally different roles - the Rifleman is for anti-light-armor and killing troops with 4+ armor, the Stalker is dedicated AA

You say you're doing mechanized BT, so here's an alternative: take a Stalker and then an extra Razorback with TL Assault cannons. Just a few more points than a Rifleman, with similar amounts of ground firepower, and much more AA firepower. This seems like a better all-purpose option than the Rifleman if you are not cramped on FOC slots. Obviously the Razorback has less range and durability than a Dreadnought, so you have to decide if that's worth it or not.

Honestly, I think the Rifleman is a pretty poor option as an "AA in a pinch" unit. On average, you aren't even stripping one HP off a flier (less if they jink). Against ground targets, they're sort of... not as "generally useful" as people make them out to be. They're quite bad against AV13 and MEQ.

The real question-what is the rest of the army?

There is no good answer to that question in a void.

 BoomWolf wrote:
The real question-what is the rest of the army?

There is no good answer to that question in a void.

LRCs, Talons and Vindicator.
I have some AA already but it would be nice to have those Talons focus on ground targets to get BS5.

Both add AV12 armor to the table and both have a reasonable max range.

With the Dread, my Talons are dedicated AA. With Stalkers I have options. Both could work I think.

More Stormtalons and Vindicators!

...but if you don't want to be spamming those units, and you have two or more Stormtalons, then a Rifleman has it's place. The Rifleman can help cover up the side armor of your Vindicators, and can move and shoot 6" along with them.

It may seem painful not to take advantage of your Stormtalon's strafing run rules, but they're really quite good at AA (and not every game has a flyer that you have to shoot down).

If you are looking for a dual role fire support unit, get a Mortis Contemptor with TL lascannon or Kheres assault cannon. Much better use of your points on a tougher chassis. Yeah its a bit more points but it will serve you well.

If by rifleman you mean the forewrold mortis dread (not the contemptor), then I would say go for it.

The biggest advantage it has over the stalker is that it has interceptor, and is also viable vs ground targets.

Hadn't considered the Forgeworld options. Interesting.

The other option I thought of was a pair of Typhoons. Most expensive option to be sure but I get a lot of shooting from a pair of them.

The rifleman is good mid-range strength fire that needs to snap at flyers.
The stalker is good mid-range strength fire that needs to snap at ground.

It’s worth noting that skyfire doesn’t need to snap at skimmers. Which are actually fairly common.

A lot depends on how many flyers you expect to see. The stalker does not cost a lot of points, so even in target poor environments it can still contribute as a rolling wall, snapping at targets of opportunity. The dread is almost always going to have targets to shoot at, but costs a chunk more, and is just as tough as the tank.

While both fit with a mech list mechanically, I have trouble visualizing the walking coffins keeping up with an armored column. So from an army theme POV, the stalker wins hands down.

 minigun762 wrote:
Hadn't considered the Forgeworld options. Interesting.

Yeah, it's only a 5 point premium over a regular rifleman, and it has the same helical targeting array as the contemptor mortis. What's especially nice is that you don't need a special model for it, just the autocannons.

Yeah that is true. Plus it lacks the big negative that other skyfire platforms have. if you move it, it shoots normally. If you hold still you have the option of shooting skyfire at something(unless they changed this and I didn't catch it.)

Since my biggest concert is probably Wave Serpents, I'm thinking the Stalker gives me the same firepower for the smallest point investment.
And with Dark Eldar coming out soon, it's safe to assume we'll see even more skimmers.

Col. Dash wrote:
Yeah that is true. Plus it lacks the big negative that other skyfire platforms have. if you move it, it shoots normally. If you hold still you have the option of shooting skyfire at something(unless they changed this and I didn't catch it.)

Not optional, If you don't move you are in sky fire mode. If you move you are not in skyfire mode. It is on forgeworld's list of things to address in the next FAQ round.

The stalker. It's cheaper and going down to BS2 for 8 shots doesn't hurt if they have to snap fire at ground targets anyways.

 schadenfreude wrote:
The stalker. It's cheaper and going down to BS2 for 8 shots doesn't hurt if they have to snap fire at ground targets anyways.

I though the snap fire rule overruled the servo rule.
So if they aren't skyfire targets, It's always BS1. Could still shoot two things at BS1 though.

2 Riflemen can somewhat reliably down atleast 1 flyer per game, more often kill one and damage another.

1 Rifleman I don´t think will be doing much.

 minigun762 wrote:

 schadenfreude wrote:
The stalker. It's cheaper and going down to BS2 for 8 shots doesn't hurt if they have to snap fire at ground targets anyways.

I though the snap fire rule overruled the servo rule.
So if they aren't skyfire targets, It's always BS1. Could still shoot two things at BS1 though.

What he means is that going down to BS2 is not a penalty, as you are snap shooting anyway.
So you take 8 snap shots rather than 4 when aiming at the ground, or if you got shaken or something and you gotta snap-shoot anyway. (and if something lowered your BS to 3 or less, its still a good choice)