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I imagine I wasn't the only person disappointed to find that scatter lasers in the latest Eldar codex no longer grants Twin Linked to other weapons, especially since this was a major factor in choosing how to equip many models. For example, I built a Wraithlord with Scatter Laser + Bright Lance, as the laser made the Bright Lance more reliable, but gave me the flexibility of extra anti-infantry firepower if my enemy didn't have a lot of MC/vehicle targets vs taking two Bright Lances.

Without twin-linked though… I know the scatter laser has more range and one shot extra over a Shuriken Cannon, but I find it hard to justify as I find the pseudo-Rending more useful more of the time, and the extra range rarely makes that much of a difference. And to be honest it's just kind of boring in its current form.

So… I'm trying to think of how I'd modify the weapon to make it more distinct again. Personally I'm thinking:

Scatter Laser, Range 36", S5, AP6, Heavy 4, Laser Lock
Laser Lock: When a model with multiple weapons fires, it must roll to-Hit for all weapons with this rule first, counting the number of successful hits. For each hit, the model receives a +1 bonus to Ballistic Skill for all other weapons it fires in the same phase, this bonus may be applied during Overwatch.


I figure that dropping the Strength by one point helps to offset the return of the Laser Lock rule, it also further distinguishes the Scatter Laser from the Shuriken Cannon.

I've also tweaked the Laser Lock rule to reflect the number of hits, because the old style of gaining Twin Linked made the roll largely superficial as it was very unlikely you'd miss four times at BS4.
As with the previous Laser Lock rule this one also applies to Overwatch, but as before you're only going to get one hit 2/3rds of the time, but when you do it's a +1 to-Hit on your other weapons so is actually slightly better.


Thoughts? Anyone have other preferences for how this weapon should function?

I am ok with this I think because it nerfs Scat Bikes more than anything.

Scatterlasers @ str5? Yes
Bringing back Laser lock? ....Nah. 40K (and Eldar specifically) already has too many special rules

And as a side note, Haravikk, you are the only person I have heard that seems to prefer the Shuricannon. I love them too, which is why I run units with 2:1 Shuricannon/Scatter, but from a competitive stand-point Scatter lasers are currently better. Making then Str5 would make the Scatter laser & Shuricannon even choices again.

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S5 and laser lock are fine. There's no point in trying to limit special rules at this point.

Does this come with a points hike? If so... Okay, maybe.

Does this come for 10 points? Hell no.

Honestly I just say make them 15 points across all platforms. The ease of access and ludicrous range is...ludicrous.

More appropriately, 20 pts or 25 pts when you compare to assault cannon. 10-15 pts is a pre-hull point cost for the scatterlaser.

I read the title and was all set to see a ridiculous boost to scatter lasers. XD Lowering their strength to 5 in general is an interesting idea. It makes them a much more interesting choice next to shuriken cannons. More range, less strength, more shots, no bladestorm. That alone is a change worth considering.

I'm not sure how I feel about adding on your version of laser lock though. For one thing, I feel that the nerf to the weapon's strength actually does a lot to balance it out. Adding a bonus onto it sort of undoes some of that.

For another thing, your proposed rule is a bit of a pain to resolve on some platforms. Imagine a unit of 3 war walkers, each with a scatter laser and a bright lance. You'd have to roll each individual walker's scatter laser separately to see what kind of BS bonus each bright lance would get. Which is a little extra annoying when you consider that a single hit ups you to BS5 meaning you'll only actually need to know your total BS bonus if you happen to roll a 1 with that bright lance and need to resolve a BS6+ reroll.

Crap, I just noticed I typo'd in the rule; the Laser Lock is supposed to be +1 to BS not +1 to-Hit, so one Laser Lock hit means a 2+ for other weapons, 2 means 2+/6+, 3 is 2+/5+ and 4 is 2+/4+, so you still get re-rolls as long as you score two or more hits, but they're high BS re-rolls so even with the full four hits they're not quite as good as Twin-Linked for normal shots, but better when firing Overwatch (though as I say, you'll still only get the +1 bonus 2/3rds of the time).

On the issue of points I tend to agree, but I think that's more of a per-unit issue rather than an issue of the weapon's rules. For example, swapping twin Shuriken Cannons for twin Scatter Lasers on a Wave Serpent is 5 points, which I think would be fair for this new Laser Lock rule, given that you still need to pay another 10 points to pair it with a Shuriken Cannon (though it will at least boost the Serpent Shield as-is).

I'd say on Wraithlords and Vypers as well the Scatter Lasers are probably about right.

The only real issue seems to be GW going mental when it comes to Jetbikes, which really needs to be solved with a nerf to Jetbikes themselves, though dropping the Strength by 1 hopefully helps in that regard, as it means Shuriken Cannons are by far the better choice vs. Marines (2+ to Wound with a chance for AP2 for only one fewer shot per model).

That's an awful rule as you'll have to roll every model separately prolonging the game even more. And +bs? For overwatch too? Seriously?

Yeah, Laser lock was a failed 6th ed codex experiment. Out of the grand scheme of Eldar rule, Laser lock will end up being a foot note as it only existed for 2 yrs out of almost 3 decades that Eldar have existed.
Let Laser lock die. Eldar are not Tau. We don't need Marker lights.
Just make Scatter lasers str5 and they will be even with Shuricannons

IM just gonna say it, this rule is not a good one.

Its much to convoluted, and would take up so much time to deal with.

IMO Scatter lasers are fine, you should be taking them on relentless units any way and platforms that make them a threat, ie bikes, wraiths ect ect. Thats why right now scatter lasers are one of the best weapons in the game simply because of the platforms they can be put on.

 koooaei wrote:
That's an awful rule as you'll have to roll every model separately prolonging the game even more. And +bs? For overwatch too? Seriously?

How many models do you have with Scatter Lasers? If you're talking about Jetbikes then they can't have a secondary weapon so there's no need to roll separately (the bonus to other weapons is per model, not per unit), so you can roll them all at once just like you normally would. Otherwise it's what… tanks, Wraithlords and Vypers, and only if actually taking the Scatter Laser in the first place. So in other words, it's a slightly better weapon for models with secondary weapons, and a bit worse for models without since Laser Lock doesn't apply.

Also, what's your objection to it being +BS and/or affecting Overwatch? When firing Overwatch you're talking about 4 roll's to-Hit needing 6's, so 2/3rd's of the time you'll only get to hit on 5's with your other weapons, if you have something that can take two Scatter Lasers you will likely manage +1 and maybe +2 but that's not many models that can actually benefit from this.

For the rest of the time you're looking at:
1 hit = 2+ to-Hit to with other weapons
2 hits = 2+ to-Hit with other weapons with a 6+ re-roll.
3 hits = 2+/5+
4 hits = 2+/4+

With a second Scatter Laser (which is only really Wraithknights btw, as anything else that can take two won't benefit from Laser Lock anyway):
5 hits = 2+/3+
6+ hits = 2+/2+

I've played games using the rule and it hasn't slowed them down at all, as I'd roll Scatter Lasers separately anyway.