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Have a pair of Spartans to build, pondering suggestions on the loadouts

side cannons will be the laser arrays, the kit comes with them, easily built, job done

its the rest, specifically the rest that needs modelling.

Tempted by the twin linked Las Cannons in the hull mount, fits perfectly with the primary weapons, however since this is Death Guard the twin heavy flamer option is interesting for the Alchem flamers. Q: does the template touch the weapon when firing or the vehicle hull? (rule book is in a box currently), if its the weapon the things are basically useless. Don't see the point in the heavy bolters, the army elsewhere has more anti-infantry ability than it needs to the point these won't add much but open to suggestions, I mean they can technically plink wounds on dreadnoughts etc but not sure they are good unless shaving points.. in which case "why a Spartan?"

the combi-flamer as the same question as above regarding the template. and the same issue, these will be getting up close but ideally not that close. the multi-melta option is not cheap but then neither is the chassis and at least it has similar target profiles to the main cannons and sticks a "go away" sign in the ground

thoughts?

There's not really any point in taking anything but the Heavy Bolters IMO. The extra Lascannons aren't increasing the firepower significantly and if you're close enough to use the Heavy Flamers the Spartan is either in the enemy lines where your units are charging or the enemy has reached your lines in which case that would have been a turn or two of at least some firepower from the Heavy Bolters.

Also there's the point of well, points.

I assume you run them with the shield upgrade. Is it then wise to slap ever more points on top of them?

The rhino MM works because it's a dirtcheap throw away unit that doesn't take a slot nor is it something you miss after delivering marines whilst having the chance to make double to tripple it's points back when it meets a predator or scorpious.
Spartans otoh... ehh.

There's an argument on the smaler proteus but even there the question remains, doubly so because you got machinespirit aswell.

Edit: What do you plan on putting in the things?

Not Online!!! wrote:
Also there's the point of well, points.

I assume you run them with the shield upgrade. Is it then wise to slap ever more points on top of them?

The rhino MM works because it's a dirtcheap throw away unit that doesn't take a slot nor is it something you miss after delivering marines whilst having the chance to make double to tripple it's points back when it meets a predator or scorpious.
Spartans otoh... ehh.

There's an argument on the smaler proteus but even there the question remains, doubly so because you got machinespirit aswell.

Edit: What do you plan on putting in the things?

actual payload is likely to vary, likely a squad of Cataphratii just to give them a bit of turn one movement, the idea is then to back off a bit with fire support. the shield is being considered, but doesn't need a model change so can be with/without (given there will be a pair of these likely without as the 100 points gets another line unit).

the point on the heavy bolters being free and useful works, the laser cannons though seem worth while on the the hull - going from in effect four T/L las cannons to five seems useful as more chance to one shot things - though for the pair going from eight to ten is perhaps less useful, just seems for the cost of the thing anyway its worth making it better.

That said a bunch of heavy bolter shots will always find a target somewhere

thanks both though, you have me thinking, may even leave those mounts empty for now and just try the thing in the baseline configuration and see how it goes.

Primary enemy is (currently) Iron Hands with a fondness for plasma and melta weapons, and a lovely Kratos with the melta cannon turret, the main role of the Spartans is basically heavy laser platforms for both anti-armour work and to draw anti armour fire away from terminators etc trying to get close (will have the XIV terminators eventually too, for now just the basic ones)

Spartans are always a priority target. You might get a turn of shooting off with those extras Lascannons before the tank gets deleted in turn. The main role of a Spartan is a bigger and slightly tougher version of a Land Raider. The weapons aren't the important part of the unit, the transport capacity is.

 Gert wrote:
Spartans are always a priority target. You might get a turn of shooting off with those extras Lascannons before the tank gets deleted in turn. The main role of a Spartan is a bigger and slightly tougher version of a Land Raider. The weapons aren't the important part of the unit, the transport capacity is.

This, the spartan is the "deathstardelivery"tm vehicle that buys a big unit of nasty a turn or 2 of survival and speed.

Most competent marine lists, even if not competitve i know, run squads of melta, hammer or worse Lascannon HSS, which in turn have more than enough firepower to ruin your landraiders day, regardless of size.

In small games about 1000-1500 a landraider is a decently sturdy option, but above that the mentioned HSS lascannon squad or other mean things like militia Rapier laser destroyers etc show up.

 Gert wrote:
Spartans are always a priority target. You might get a turn of shooting off with those extras Lascannons before the tank gets deleted in turn. The main role of a Spartan is a bigger and slightly tougher version of a Land Raider. The weapons aren't the important part of the unit, the transport capacity is.

so far locally the only thing that could delete one in a turn is basically another one, we don't yet have games large enough for too much S10+ equipment, do agree on the transport capacity being the key, and given what you pay for it its use it or "duh". if the thing lasts until its second round of firing I'm happy, the first its taking is fire other things are not.

Also the idea is a pair (probably at 2k5 or 3k) with the goal of it not having the "there is one, its important, kill it" thing. Not expecting any armoured vehicle to actually last though.

I do get the point and why you think the las cannon are a waste though, will give them a run as heavy bolters though, you have me thinking now a cheapish terminator unit (as in bodies but a mix of power axes in there for cost reasons - say five like that, a pair of chain fist, maybe a pair of power fist and a sword on the boss for the look of it) then have the Spartan, also as a cheapish version not to cry over when it dies but hopefully the make the sacrifice worth it.

so far the star performers (in one game mind with XIV) have been the 20 man tactical squads, who once the "oh look, dreadnought.. oh dear" issue is resolved (my own pair of dreadnoughts are ready to roll) will do the actual work, the heavier stuff is borderline distraction though hopefully able to deliver a hard to shift unit.

will all need practicing.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
oh yes, I also have a laser cannon HSS, which ruined the day of a Kratos last time out, and even had a figure left at the end of the game so the value of those evil swine is well understood

Honestly, having played HH for almost a decade at this point, two Spartans at 3k is excessive. I barely use my one and that's only partially because it's a piece of garbage brick of resin that weighs as much as my cat.
But I don't play Death Guard so your experiences will be different to mine.

 Gert wrote:
Honestly, having played HH for almost a decade at this point, two Spartans at 3k is excessive. I barely use my one and that's only partially because it's a piece of garbage brick of resin that weighs as much as my cat.
But I don't play Death Guard so your experiences will be different to mine.

well as XIV they have full fire rate when moving which is nice, if I didn't already have the models I doubt I'd actually buy any, I much prefer infantry, I also strongly suspect the same points of foot sloggers would be a lot more useful generally

you have me wondering now if a cat with a few decals and a bad temper would do well as a knight of some sort

i mean if it is a rusty spotted cat probably not very. Otoh you'd be the owner of possibly the cutest cat ever.

The role of cats in the Heresy is greatly underappreciated…

Why did I bring up the cat...

 Gert wrote:
Why did I bring up the cat...