Auto or Stalker Bolt rifles

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**KingGarland**

I will soon be getting a Intercessor squad that can be equiped with all three varieties of the bolt rifle and I'm not sure which version to make them as. I will have two units of the regular version so want to do one of the others. Auto is cheaper and is assault 2, but is only 24" and no ap.
Stalker is more expensive and is heavy 1 but has the highest range at 36" and a -2 ap. Thoughts?

**Tibs Ironblood**

Personally I think both are bad. They might be worth it if they were free side grades, but when you have to pay points for them I just do not see the value at all. However if you really want to do one of them I would say it depends on what you want this squad to do. Are you looking for a more aggressive and mobile unit? Then go ahead and use the assault variant. If you are looking for a more sit back and camp a far flung objective then get the stalker. They perform completely opposite duties.

**Vector Strike**

Stalker to backfield camping units, Auto to those advancing up

**Primark G**

I just use the standard bolt rifle. If the stalker was S5 I’d definitely consider it.

**Slayer-Fan123**

For what it's worth, the Stalker now males them 20 points, or what their previous incarnation was with the regular Rifle. Just something to think about.

Assault one hasn't a purpose though. Reivers make better use of that.

**Desubot**

Personally prefer the standard bolt rifle as by t2 you should be in RF range anyway.

the stalker on the other hand could be interesting on backfield objective holders.

the assault one gets that freebee shot t1 but otherwise i feel that the ability to run and gun is sort of wasted at the maximum distance. its only really nice if you need to run to an objective while also shooting.

**frightnight**

Stalker might see some use if you run Dark Angels since they reroll 1s when standing still. Camp a group of them on a backfield objective to hold it while pumping shots out to support forward elements.

Still, I'd rather have the base rifles.

**DraxiusII**

I'll echo what others have said - the standard bolt rifle is probably the best option in most cases. If you have a small squad that's going to sit on a home objective all game, the stalker bolt rifle has its merits. I don't see myself using the auto bolt rifle - the normal bolt rifle is better except for that narrow 16" - 24" range. If it was a sidegrade I might consider it, but for the extra cost its not worth it.

**Racerguy180**

Vector Strike wrote:
Stalker to backfield camping units, Auto to those advancing up

pretty much what I do.

I run the squad w autos up the field and hold the stalkers back to exploit their extended range.

**Xenomancers**

The stalker should be str 5 and or do multiple damage. 1 shot str 4 for 20 points it's pidally pathetic -2 AP is nice but just not enough volume of fire to mater at str 4.

The assault bolter isn't bad. Losing the -1 AP really hurts though - it's basically the best thing about intercessors is the ability to engage any unit reasonable effectively - with -0 AP you really cant shoot at 3+ in cover or 2+ saves - you are just wasting your shots. The ability to advance and shoot isn't terrible though - if you are running a melle focuses army it might work to take the auto bolters.

**Voss**

Autos don't seem to have a place. Maybe if you could somehow force enemies to stay at 12-24 inches (so they're out of opponents' rapid fire range), but given that you can't, the standard bolt rifle is better if you close in.

I can see stalkers in min squads camping the back, but... not many.

Even on reivers, I don't see much merit in the auto/combine. Might as well get close and go for applying shock, morale and extra attacks.

**BrianDavion**

Autos could have a place on a HIGHLY mobile foot unit that you want to be constantly advancing.

**Slayer-Fan123**

BrianDavion wrote:
Autos could have a place on a HIGHLY mobile foot unit that you want to be constantly advancing.

Reivers kinda do that better though.

**Voss**

BrianDavion wrote:
Autos could have a place on a HIGHLY mobile foot unit that you want to be constantly advancing.

Inceptors already have better guns, and are the only ones that qualify as highly mobile.

Autos are flatly inferior for most of their range band, and not that much better for the remaining 9".

**Hoodwink**

Also Aggressors can move and advance without penalty to their bolters.