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Got some standard, non Primaris Space Marines and not sure what heavy weapons are good for regular marines these days. I have access to, or able to get access to, most types. I was thinking 4 Lascannon, 4 Missile Launcher, with maybe 4 Heavy Bolters to mix and match in a Devastator squad. I haven'5t played much of 8th so not sure what actually plays well or is, essentially, a waste of points.

I tend to use Lascannons, Plasma Cannons, or Grav Cannons most of the time. Grav and Plasma are good multi-role weapons, while Lascannons have Strength 9 to wound T8 targets on a 3+. Because Plasma is cheap, multi-role, with decent range, it's my default Devastator loadout these days.

Some people use Missile Launchers for anti vehicle duty, as its a bit cheaper than Las. Heavy Bolters I only find useful because of the Hellfire Stratagem.

Plasma does appear to be the favorite son this expansion. It feels like there's one every time. Flamers, then Melta, then Grav, now Plasma.

Missile Launchers still have their either/or (either Tank or Infantry) flexibility, and now you're starting to pay for it, so combined with the changes from templates to DX shots, plus overcharging Plasma is cheaper and frequently sort of better than the Missle Launcher even on the either/or hybrid choice.

Grav + Amp has even more shots plus the save modifier against heavy armor making it a potential either/or if you prefer more chances to wound on 4/5's instead of fewer chances to wound on 3/4's,

That leaves Melta, Lascannon, and Heavy Bolter which will be pretty niche/job specific. for a homogeneous Dev Squad.

Breton wrote:
Plasma does appear to be the favorite son this expansion. It feels like there's one every time. Flamers, then Melta, then Grav, now Plasma.

While generally true, I don't think it really applies to Plasma Cannons. For their points they just don't do enough for me. You need to overcharge to get any decent damage, and then with the multiple shots your chances of dying are pretty high.

Lascannons or missile launchers work out much better imo, depending on what you want the unit to do.

99% of marines I play against (A good 60+% of my opponents of marines of all flavours and loyalties) all pack Plasma without near exception.

Except the local Salamanders player, he rocks all the flamers and meltas and we love him for his devotion.

it depends in part what your local meta is I imagine, if you see a LOT of tanks (or maybe play in a meta where everyone and his brother runs Knights) , then lascanons for everyone is proably a good idea. a marine heavy meta? Plasma's your friend.

Depends a lot on what else you have in your army and your local meta.

Generally LCs are my go-to. Never seem to have enough AV firepower.

ML/HBs have a place due to the MW wound strats. You should try to have one of each in your list somewhere. They are not horrible otherwise, but I still feel that MLs are charged extra for the frag missile they never use. HBs put out some OKish dakka for the points, but generally you want to use the heavy slot for something with more teeth.

MMs are overpriced. Just take LCs.

GCs seem decent, I just have trouble getting them into lists these days.

PCs are a bit random and can kill you. How fickle are your dice? I don’t trust mine, so tend to shy away from these.

If you want anti armour support then Lascannons all the way, the krak missile looks similar on paper but the extra Str and AP make the Las alot better.

Heavy Bolters are just a bit lacking as a heavy weapon, against alot of targets they are not much improved over a basic bolter especially if you move. Hellfire strat if useful to have as an option.

Missile launcher are good all round weapons if you need the versatility but as usual it is worse at the jobs than specialist guns. Flakk missile strat if useful to have as an option.

Grav cannons need a price drop, they are useful guns especially in a tac squad they just cost too much.

Plasma cannons are ok if you have a source of re-roll 1s to hit nearby but the plethora of units that give out negatives to hit makes them a bit risky.


If not going all Las a devastator load out I like is 2x Lascannon, 1x Missile Launcher, 1x Heavy Bolter as it lets you use both the stratagems and has a little versatility.

 Stux wrote:

Breton wrote:
Plasma does appear to be the favorite son this expansion. It feels like there's one every time. Flamers, then Melta, then Grav, now Plasma.

While generally true, I don't think it really applies to Plasma Cannons. For their points they just don't do enough for me. You need to overcharge to get any decent damage, and then with the multiple shots your chances of dying are pretty high.

Lascannons or missile launchers work out much better imo, depending on what you want the unit to do.

Lascannons are not the multipurpose option ML's and PC's are. On the choice between ML and PC, that one probably comes down to personal taste and local meta. People facing more marines might go more PC for the Armor Pen, people facing more Tshirts and tanks might go for the ML for the higher Strength/Armor Pen.

when i have used my marines I generally just go straight missile launcher with a few bolter devs to soak wounds before they hit the missile launchers. ntoe I play a green tide list and usually am just throwing down 75-100 space marine minis and it does pretty well, hard to get through that much t4 3+ /2+ in cover (scouts 4+/3+)