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.

Hello everyone, new player here in need of some advice.
After cleaning up some weird and or illegal things in my list I noticed that I had 10 points left over, and I had a tactical squad that originally didn't have a heavy weapon of any kind.
Would giving a heavy bolter to that squad be a waste? I like heavy bolters and I'm also using Imperial Fists chapter tactics so I think its a good idea but as mentioned before, I'm new so...

if you plan on splitting the squad up for one to roam and one to sit on objectives keep the Heavy Bolter, other wise its snap shots when you move and while three shots is nice

Kavik_Whitescar wrote:
if you plan on splitting the squad up for one to roam and one to sit on objectives keep the Heavy Bolter, other wise its snap shots when you move and while three shots is nice

I apologize if I'm misunderstanding something but your sentence seems to have been cut off?

He probably meant to finish with "and while three snap shots is nice, a regular bolter is more reliable and cheaper" or something similar.

I love heavy bolters; they're gorgeous weapons, the idea is awesome, and their stats are pretty solid.
But I've yet to actually play one since my Chaos Marines can't combat squad so I'd be snap-firing all game long.

With Imp Fists chapter tactics though I think it is definitely worth trying since you'll get the occasional re-roll, which is awesome.
After all, theory hammer only goes so far; if you don't test it out yourself how will you know if you like how it works or not? What have you got to lose, asides from 10pts in a (theoretically friendly) game?

sorry, I don't know what happened to my post there XD

I did mean exactly what carp said ^

I don't see it paying for itself like a normal Dev would and you could just get something small for another squad to help out later ya know? HB can be nice but im not a fan of heavy weapons in tac squads unless you plan on them just sitting on an objective.

 Laughingcarp wrote:
He probably meant to finish with "and while three snap shots is nice, a regular bolter is more reliable and cheaper" or something similar.

I love heavy bolters; they're gorgeous weapons, the idea is awesome, and their stats are pretty solid.
But I've yet to actually play one since my Chaos Marines can't combat squad so I'd be snap-firing all game long.

With Imp Fists chapter tactics though I think it is definitely worth trying since you'll get the occasional re-roll, which is awesome.
After all, theory hammer only goes so far; if you don't test it out yourself how will you know if you like how it works or not? What have you got to lose, asides from 10pts in a (theoretically friendly) game?

I don't expect to win my first games in any case...so...you're right I have nothing to lose! And even if I decide to change things...at least I'll have a (poorly painted) heavy bolter model that I like.

Thanks for all of the help!

I play IF tactics and tried a heavy Bolter in my Tacticals that I then combat squadded and left the heavy bolter and 4 Bolter boys on an objective while a combi weapon Sgt and assault weapon went forwards in a rhino.

I found it basically didn't work, for hordes a missile launcher splatting frag missiles hit harder, for armour it does nothing, a Lascannon or ML are better and for good armour saves a plasma cannon works.

Sure you get the re-roll 1's but heavy Bolters really don't do enough, the only time I find use for them is in scout squads with the poison bolts or in an all heavy bolter Dev squad when you are coming up against a horde army.

I almost always leave a lascannon when I split the tactical squad.

How about with the Sentinels of Tara CT with the Re-Rolls at 1/2 Range?