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.

Hey mates. Simple debate question for you in regards to the new Space Marine Codex and the updated Intceptors. With these guys, do you prefer fielding yours with the Assault Bolters for the extra dakka and the reliable 3x shots per Bolter? Or do you spend the points and risk the D3 shots from the Ppasma Exterminators for extra hitting power .

I'm of the opinion plasma makes them too expensive and too high a priority target. it results in them being a super expensive suicide unit. but some people have luck with that and being 3 wounds now makes inceptors of any type a lot ahrder to knock out quickly. you have to dedicate substantial firepower to a unit

I've only used the bolters but I'd probably say I'd feel safer with the bolters, especially with their extra wounds now. I say this as really if you aren't overcharging plasma, I feel you're often doing it wrong. Many a dead man has lamented my love of getting hot.

If you're going to run the plasma I'd only do it with a captain to re roll them ones.

As a DA player, Plasma Inceptors are our lifeline.
The bolter option might show up here and there, now that's even cheaper

I play Ultramarines so rerolls are easy hand out so plasma is no biggie at all

 Vector Strike wrote:
As a DA player, Plasma Inceptors are our lifeline.
The bolter option might show up here and there, now that's even cheaper

Agreed. Plasma Inceptors with Weapons from the Dark Age do incredible work. They are a scalpel that can easily get more than their points back exactly when you need it.

I'd be pretty tempted to run either or both.

It's a shame the Target priority Warlord Trait only affects Phobos now. A +1 to hit from a deepstriking Lieutenant was perfect for Plasma Inceptors.
As it is right now, you need non Primaris Captains to make them viable (Jump pack, Terminator, Bike). You hate stunties? There is no way.

My son has only every used the Plasma Inceptors (unit of 5) dropping in with a Jump Capt. They are the hammer of his Salamanders army. Now that his 5-man unit is 20pts cheaper, I don't see him changing that anytime soon, although having AP-2 on the Bolters with the Tactical Doctrine does make them more appealing.

Does anyone have the math for the Bolters vs Plasma with the Tactical Doctrine is active? Going from AP-1 to AP-2 seems much more useful than going from Ap-3 to AP-4

-

 Galef wrote:
My son has only every used the Plasma Inceptors (unit of 5) dropping in with a Jump Capt. They are the hammer of his Salamanders army. Now that his 5-man unit is 20pts cheaper, I don't see him changing that anytime soon, although having AP-2 on the Bolters with the Tactical Doctrine does make them more appealing.

Does anyone have the math for the Bolters vs Plasma with the Tactical Doctrine is active? Going from AP-1 to AP-2 seems much more useful than going from Ap-3 to AP-4

-

Unless I missed something (always a possibility) the price cut on Inceptors was restricted to the Bolter variant, not the Plasma loadout.

Assault Plasma went from 17ppm to 15ppm. That's a 4ppm cut since each Inceptor has to carry 2 of them. So a unit of 3 drops 12pts. Not much, but still

Nevermind, I was looking at the Assault Plasma Incinerator, not the Plasma Exterminator, which sadly did not change.
I'll have to revisit my son's list then.

-

I'm very happy with the Assault bolters. The 1/2 range heavy bolter going to AP-2 in the Tactical Doctrine is pretty key.

I've used the plasma inceptors regularly and I deep strike them in with a captain they are good but use them correctly or they will be destroyed quickly.

Depends on what you want to use them for I'd say. If you want a not-too-expensive harassment unit that takes some firepower to remove, go for the bolters. If you want a glass hammer that can instantly remove your opponents' Precious from the board and are willing and able to pay the exorbitant price, go for plasma + Jump Captain.

Personally I'm toying with the idea of a 6-man Assault Bolter squad for my White Scars. On the turn they come in they have 36 AP-2 shots, on every turn thereafter they have 36 AP-1 shots AND 19 AP-1 D2 melee attacks.

Different role for each weapon and shouldn't really be compared.

Assault bolters are quite cost effective but the Plasmas hit super hard and can potentially destroy most units in a single volley.

Both attract attention. Comes down to what your list needs.

 Ishagu wrote:
Different role for each weapon and shouldn't really be compared.

Assault bolters are quite cost effective but the Plasmas hit super hard and can potentially destroy most units in a single volley.

Both attract attention. Comes down to what your list needs.

Agreed. As much as I like the idea of the Assault bolter, my son's salamander list needs more punch and the Plasma gets that done.

-