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Assault SEEMS like the better option in most cases, so long as you can get within 24". The only difference is Strength and Number of Shots, so, a little math...

Everything is done assuming a 3+ BS.

T3
Assault-1.11 Wounds
Heavy-.56 Wounds

T4
Assault-.89 Wounds
Heavy-.56 Wounds

T5
Assault-.89 Wounds
Heavy-.44 Wounds

T6
Assault-.67 Wounds
Heavy-.44 Wounds

T7
Assault-.44 Wounds
Heavy-.44 Wounds

T8
Assault-.44 Wounds
Heavy-.33 Wounds

So they're equal at T7, and Assault is better at all other times. Maybe it'll change on the overcharge?

T3
Assault-2.22
Heavy-1.11

T4
Assault-1.78 Wounds
Heavy-1.11 Wounds

T5
Assault-1.78 Wounds
Heavy-.89 Wounds

T6
Assault-1.78 Wounds
Heavy-.89 Wounds

T7
Assault-1.33 Wounds
Heavy-.89 Wounds

T8
Assault-89 Wounds
Heavy-.89 Wounds

Nope. Changes the meeting point to T8, but otherwise, Assault is always better.

In addition, Assault Plasma has a higher damage potential, since it has two shots.

Why isn't the standard rapid fire option on the table? At 165 points, 30 inch range and double the shots; they seem to be where it's at for Hellblasters imo.

Widied wrote:
Why isn't the standard rapid fire option on the table? At 30 inches and double the shots; they seem to be where it's at for Hellblasters imo.

Double shots in 15" only. That's a little too close for my liking.

Rapid fire are definitely the best all round option. The range difference of 6" compared to the Heavy version is irrelevant when you consider they can move 6" and fire without penalty whereas the heavy version get penalised for movement and do not get to double-tap at short range.

The Assault version is OK if you really want a faster moving squad but they are only better than the Rapid Fire version in the 15-24" bracket. Outside that narrow band, RF is downright better.

Also the difference between S7 and S8 when overcharging is significant. You wound MEQs on a 2+ instead of a 3+. You also wound most common tanks on a 3+ instead of a 4+ and tough tanks like the LR on a 4+ instead of a 5+. The RF version get +1 to wound when overcharging against a lot of the most common targets they are likely to be wanting to shoot at.

Lastly, RF is the cheapest option, makes it a no-brainer really. You should go for RF unless you have a specific role for the squad which requires high mobility in which case the Assault version is passable. I don't really see the point of the Heavy version. If you want static firepower, just get a Devastator squad.

OP I agree completely with your analysis of the math between Assault and Heavy Variants. I only see one reason to ever take the Heavy, and it is a fluff/rule of cool reason. You either like how they look better or you want to run zero non-Primaris models so you are using them in place of Lascannons. Range is all they have.

As to the Rapid Fire option I find them objectively the best. They outperform the Assault in a few places: If not supercharged they outperform only against T7. If supercharged they outperform against T4 and T8 as well. I would argue that those toughness values are the most common ones we care about shooting these kinds of guns at. I see two reasons to take the Assault over the Rapid Fire. First, you aren't planning on Super-charging so you are going to actually advance and fire. Second, you plan on playing around the 15.1-24" range that the Assault is actually more effective. The first I would argue needs to have a Repulsor involved, or Raven Guard for the ability to Strike from the Shadows. The second I find is a lot harder to do if your opponent knows you are doing it.

I normally take the RF version and mine have done very well for me.

I take 10 Rapid Fire ones in a single squad in almost all my lists.