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This is a question of Equipment Choise.  I'm into the I.G. suicide squad.  I'm build a drop army and it's one or the biggest strenghts the list has.  I want to know if you all think it's worth the 10 points to put a Plasma Pistol on a J.O. or Vet Sarg leading a suicide squad? I think the Vet might be a Good choice for the upgrd, but is the J.O.?  Are these purely a situational use or would it be good for an All Comers list?

Not only is it not worth the 10 points, it makes the squad weaker.  Give your vet a bolter, you save 9 points, and now the vet squad can effectively drop and take out light infantry as well (3 plasma rifles, 1 lasgun, 1 bolter).  Also 1/3 of the time when you can't deepstrike it makes the entire squad capable of shooting up to 24".

I'd say it's a question of how many points you have available, and how many you're willing to throw away on suicide squads.

On BS4 models, the PP is a better buy, but paying 6pts for a vet and than 10 more for a PP is pretty ineffecient. Once or twice is ok, to fill in points, but beyond that you've got enough for another squad.

Something else to consider, Marines with Plasma Pistols make their overheat save 2/3's of the time, Guard make it 1/3. I'm wary of PP's on one-wound J.O.'s as you can wind up with a good portion of the army's leadership self-immolating.

I agree the PP is a waste. You pay the same cost as for a Plasma gun, but you'll only get to fire one shot with it on the turn you Deep Strike. I agree that a Bolter is a much better fit for the points.

What about on dropping platoon squad vet sergeants? Like a platoon of 2 or 3 squads with plasma gun and vet with plasma pistol?

Posted By Dead Horse on 07/23/2007 7:51 PM
What about on dropping platoon squad vet sergeants? Like a platoon of 2 or 3 squads with plasma gun and vet with plasma pistol?

That's even worse as you have to pay the extra six points to get the Vet status just to take the PP and the model still has a BS3.

Plasma pistols are just over-priced.

 

 

I agree that PP are overpriced. The only time I would take one is in a minimum squad of 5 veterans. 3 plasmaguns and 1 plasma pistol with BS of 4 and is still pretty cheap for a squad of shooty death, that is going to die after their drop most likely anyways.

Capt K

I think if you're dropping vet squads or platoon command squads as plasma-heavy suicide units, plasma pistols aren't such a bad option. Better on the vets because of their BS4, though. I don't see them as making sense anywhere else.

Obviously the regular plasma guns are the better buy, but if you have a few points left over, a few plasma pistols give your crisis response units (suicide teams) an extra str 7 ap 2 shot, and that will often come in handy.

I don't bother with the bolter.  I'm dropping the team in to kill something that's a major threat and (probably) fairly tough, so why go with half measures like a bolter?  Plus, they just mess up point costs with non-multiples of 5.

I don't bother with the bolter.  I'm dropping the team in to kill something that's a major threat and (probably) fairly tough, so why go with half measures like a bolter?  Plus, they just mess up point costs with non-multiples of 5.

The reason the bolter is so good, is that it increases your anti light infantry output a reasonable degree (when dropping against things like IG heavy weapon squads or (if there are no other good targets) a standard squad like tau fire warriors.  Also it is only 1 point and it can shoot at 24".  Beyond that it actually helps one reach a even list consisting of an exact amount of points, since rough riders, regimental command squads, and searchlights all imbalance your list from those perfect multiples of 5.

1. Plasma pistols belong on assault marines (if you dont want flamers). Both are good.
2. You may find use for them on DA vet sgts because the veteral upgrade is mandatory.
3. They are standard equipment for a full servo harness.
4. They could be used in a melta/plasma heavy IG vet sqad because again the vet sgt is mandatory.

I cannot see any other place where you would want a plasma pistol, almost regardless of list.

Posted By Orlanth on 07/27/2007 10:43 AM
1. Plasma pistols belong on assault marines (if you dont want flamers). Both are good.
2. You may find use for them on DA vet sgts because the veteral upgrade is mandatory.
3. They are standard equipment for a full servo harness.
4. They could be used in a melta/plasma heavy IG vet sqad because again the vet sgt is mandatory.

I cannot see any other place where you would want a plasma pistol, almost regardless of list.

A friend of mine seems to get really good use out of Plasma Pistols in his SoB army.  Pretty much every model capable of packing one is equipped with one.   It's expensive, sure, but it seems to work for him.

If you have to upgrade the carrier, then the cost of equipping plasma pistols really gets too high. I use both Melta and Plasma Hardened vet drop squads, and since you have the vet sarge for free, and the pp compliments both sets of special weapons, the extra shot or two at BS4 seems worthwhile.

The vet sgt isnt free, cheaper yes at +5pts IIRC and mandatory though.

In SoB, the Veteran Superior isn't strictly mandatory, but it functionally is for the Faith Point, and making the unit Faithful. So PP make a certain amount of sense, especially considering the only "long range" squad option for troops is a storm bolter, so you really can expect to get to use that pistol once.
Still, I am considering a change to either a naked Vet. Superior, or maybe a storm bolter instead of the PP. Though why plasma guns are not an option for troops is beyond me... it isn't as though they don't burn things.