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So I'm in the process of putting together some Chaos Marines to go alongside my Daemons, and I'm using the Black Legion supplement with either Ahriman or Huron to confer infiltrate/outflank on some or all of them.

(Yes, I'm aware Chosen are expensive and not the most competitive choice, etc, etc, we can assume I know this and put it to one side, thanks.)

So, while planning it out, I'd just mentally assigned a matching combi weapon on the Champion for whatever special weapons the squad was carrying (so combi-flamer with the Flamer unit etc)

But a thought occurred, is there any mileage in equipping a combi weapon with an alternate role, as a just in case/last ditch/unforeseen circumstances option?

So, equip a Melta squad with a combi flamer (particularly like this idea because of Wall Of Death potential) or a combi-Melta with a flamer squad. I remain undecided what, if anything, would suit a Plasma squad.

Thoughts?

I think either matching, of you're taking 2-3 of the same Special, and none if you're taking more. 3+ of any special weapon will handle whatever role you want them to fill, and one Combi-weapon in a different role is too little.

The only "contrast" combi I think makes since is the flamer in the Melta squad. You know you are likely to be charged so having that d3 hits of overwatch might just save your bacon after popping a transport. Same for Plasma, especially cannons, no snapshots their so having something to make up for that is a good idea.

Its generally worth using the same weapon. I think the only one worth adding that doesnt match is an emergency melta that can crack armour that a plasma/flamer unit cant crack.
Maybe you can have one differing weapon and a combi of the main weapon (i.e. 3xA 1xB 1xCombiA).

I use chaos and daemon allies and find i prefer to pack all melta.

I don't think D3 flamer hits is ever really worth 5 points, or a chance at firing a melta shot or 2 plasma shots.

IMO, mix Melta and Plasma to get a mix of shot volume and AT goodness if you want. With my vets, I've run 2x Plasma, 1x Melta with a great degree of success. Plasma is pretty good for firing out of the top most of the time, but that 10 point melta gun shot is a huge threat that people worry about whether or not the threat is justified.

Plasma should really only go with plasma. Its main benefits are 24" range, which doesn't go well with melta and flamer, and rapid fire, which again goes against the assault-oriented nature of the other 2.

Meltas and flamers can go together pretty well though, with the emphasis on melta. A flamer can roast the contents of an open-topped vehicle before you explode it, defend against a counter-attack, and anything packing such close-range weapons always runs the risk of multiple possible threat types like dreadnoughts, hordes, etc by their nature.

I'd vote no if given the choice. I prefer my squads to be uniform in their roles.

3 melta shots on a tank is much more effective than 2 and a flamer. Just remember why you gave the squad meltas in the first place and let them do their job to the best of their ability.

This might be a bit off, but I'd rather avoid combies as a whole if I don't really need them.
They are just very expensive for a single shot.

 BoomWolf wrote:
This might be a bit off, but I'd rather avoid combies as a whole if I don't really need them.
They are just very expensive for a single shot.

I used to think like this. I used the logic of "a melta gun has unlimited shots and costs 10 points. Why should I pay 10 points for only 1 shot!?"

But then I learned. You have to consider the cost of getting another meltagun on the table, how many more models minimum do you need, how do I get another squad in range, and do you need any more points to get said gun into range by using a transport?

The only combi weapons I use are combi-grav on bikes, and combi-melta - pretty much everywhere. Sometimes they can disappoint, but when they work they often get the job done cheaper and faster than other option available.

Take a SW drop pod GH squad. adding a further melta shot really increases their chances of getting their objective done.

I'm not convinced about combi plasma though, and think quite negatively of combi flamers.

I look at combi weapons on my marine squads as insurance of sorts. I like to run a 10 man havok squad with 2x las and 2x plasma as the anchor for my line, and if points allow, extra ccw. In the games I've used them, the only thing that they've been "concerned" about, pre game, is getting swamped by a horde of cheapies, like gaunts. Having a combi flamer is a great way to add killing power and survivability. Same thing with my melta havoks. Adding a combi melta to 4 meltas is likely not nessissary, but adding a combi flamer, adds a bit more punch to my assault unit. Also, free hits before assaulting or getting assaulted are free hits. Plasmas ALWAYS get a combi plasma as nothing else synergizes well and driving up to something important and dropping 10 plasma shots into it is always better than just 8. For my support squads, like auto cannon havoks or heavy bolter havoks, I've found that combi meltas are invaluable. I almost never fire them, but that's because drop podding dreads just stay away completely.

To be honest i only use combi-meltas. Either in a 2 melta marine squad as insurance or whenever i dont have the full 10 marines. As just 1 melta is risky on a crutial turn.

The only way I can see chosen being worth their points is if you're using them as assault gods, kitted out with force weapons and meltas. A template would help if you're ever going to assault a fortification or burn a squad after popping a transport. I'd honestly skip the combi altogether. Why bring a combi weapon when you can have the REAL weapon that you need? I say two flamers, two meltas, and then whatever your champion has should murder just about anything. Templates for hordes and meltas for anything heavy or armor. After you soften them up charge in and wipe them out. I run my raptors this way, with the champion having a pair of lightning claws. Works really well. The only bad thing with chosen is the lack of infiltrate in this dex. If you're running them with Huron that heavy flamer does a remarkable job, as well.

Oh yeah taking a combi is not worth it over a special weapon. I only ever take them on a champion.

My buddy played SM and whenever he brings a drop-pod melta unit he tends to either
A) run it 10-man, use two meltas and a combi-plas (his reasoning is 2xS7 beats 1xS8 for a one-ditch shot)
B) combat-squad and add melta on the sarge for the drop.

Both of those work well for him.

For CSM, though, we haven't got the option for combat squadding or drop pods so we have to look at it a little differently.

It would definitely be helpful if you specified exactly which builds/which models you're looking at adding combi-weapons to.

As mentioned, with Chosen units it's hardly necessary since they can ALL take fancy weapons.

With Raptors, though, I always strive to bring combi-melta since 3 shots guarantees a safety net of heat-death in case your dice fail.

DSing terminators? Also definitely bring the combi fun.