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Would it work? Instead of on 6's only, do something like what Eldar snipers have, where a 5+ roll for a 2+ to hit shot would be a Rending hit?

What about changing the sniper rifle so that it was X+1 (wounding on 3+), with AP 6, along with the AP on a 5+ when rolling to hit? It would make sniper rifles much more effective, and would justify their use as a terror weapon capable of killing individuals from range and indiscriminately. It would definitely mean that monstrous creature-heavy armies would bet torn apart by an IG army packing 12+ sniper rifles for a light infantry doctrine.

Good idea, bad idea?

CK

So you suggest that a Sniper Rifle should be given the ability to take out a Land Raider? I think not... works well the way it is, not need to change it in my opinion.

Yeah, make the Imperium and Eldar even stronger, they're so underpowered...

Posted By djones520 on 10/09/2006 4:32 AM
So you suggest that a Sniper Rifle should be given the ability to take out a Land Raider? I think not... works well the way it is, not need to change it in my opinion.

With a strength of X+1, it technically does not have a number you can attach to the D6 armor penetration roll, making it completely useless against anything with an armor value. Maybe it could target the driver/gunner of an open-topped vehicle...

The point is, this would make it effective as a troop killer, but would also remove it's armor-killing power (it used to roll 2D6 to penetrate armor, with no strength added to the total).

Keep in mind that the Imperium and Eldar aren't the only ones with sniper rifles. The Orks have versions of them, and rail rifles could count as firing a special round when used as a sniper rifle.

Bleah. Rending in general is an okay idea, but I'm not entirely swayed by it. Last time this subject came up, most people like the idea of giving them the Heavy Close Combat Weapon ability to represent their targetting the chinks in TMCs chitin, the eye lenses of MEQs, etc.

IMHO, they should just get rid of Sniper Rifles entirely, replacing them with race-specific weapons. Specialized Sniper squads would get BS5 so no need for their special rule. Having SOME makes of Sniper Rifle be rending makes a degree of sense - let's use the generic term "Long Rifle" for all of these different makes. So, for instance, you could maybe get a Plasma Longrifle in the place of a squad heavy weapon in a unit of Marine Scouts. (36"S7 AP2 Heavy 1 Gets Hot! Pinning) I guess I could see - moot as it is with the new Codex out - Eldar getting Mono-Filament Long Rifles. (36" S3 AP- Heavy 1 Rending Pinning - it's conceivable that a Tank could pop if one little razor-sharp spring uncoiled inside its crew compartment, or slashed a fuel line, etc. - best justification for Corpman's rules IMHO) There could be the "typical" Needle Long Rifle - old stats without automatic 2+ to hit - for general issue in most Imperial Forces. Tau all ready get Rail Rifles. It could be conceivable that some artificers would be able to fit a miniaturized Krak grenade into the breech of a more accurate weapon - 36" S6 AP4 Pinning. Maybe some Rangers might carry a Brightrifle (say 36" S7 AP3 Pinning Lance) Pretty much, just give Snipers access to longer ranged Pinning versions of existing weapons that become more accurate due to the Sniper's superior BS. (for Orks, you'd pretty much be stuck with Huntaz - I guess a Lawng Shoota would be 30" S5 AP5 Pinning - if you take a big shoota as the Orky 40th millenium equivalent of a .50 cal MG, one'd assume that they'd put the same round in their more "accurate sniping weapons")

There's no reason why there shouldn't be some kind of anti-tank rifle available, as they fit 40ks pattern of anachronistic pastiche, but I think that there should be slightly different sniping abilities between the races.

Agreed. Maybe that merits a Proposed Rules entry for a sniper team.

CK

Aww man I thought all these discussions about sniper rifles and that ended a while ago. I haven?t been keeping tally but it seems that this discussion about making sniper rifles better has come up quite a bit over the years on this forum. And the conclusion basically is that sniper rifles are fine the way they are. But, in ?real life? snipers strength is not their bullets it?s their ability to scout ahead of the main force and call in orders for strategic mortar/artillery fire. Then when necessary provide infantry support. But not ultimate killers like in movies or video games. Sniper teams would be good in 40k if they had some type of option like the Inquisitorial Orbital Strike.

But that?s just my 2 cents?

I think the issue is that the units are not tailored to the perception of a sniper.

Rifle-give it longer range. Otherwise leave as is or tweak to effect vehicles

Unit: (standard based on human IG, could vary somewhat by list)

Infiltrate

2 man teams (with one rifle)

Ability to pick out IC's, MC's, and auto pass for choosing units outside of closest target

cameoline + 1 (I forget the term but get +1 cover save in addition to the cameloine +1 save) ( xenos equivalent)

due to their capabilities they are subject to a rule similar to the Tau stealthsuit  (must use nightfight rules against them for range/LOS and sentry purposes).

Lower LD in general (they don't stand and fight but displace if there is danger).