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I've been playing Chaos for a while now and recentley I've had a debate with some frined about the best Specialist Chaos Marines.

I went with Plague Marines as I've fielded them a few times and they seemed to soak up a fair amount of damage before dropping.

So Dakka Dakka what do you think is the best Specialist Marine?

Grey knights

Yeah Yeah, I won't argue that Grey knights could beat the 4 of these marines.
I've had too many bad encounter with the Ordo Malleus.

Grey Knights may win, but they're kind of expensive and not that durable. As far as Cult Marines (which is the traditional moniker applied to Plague/Berzerker/Noise/Thousand Sons) go, I prefer Thousand Sons since they're reasonably durable and can do so much damage, but Berzerkers do have their place if you're facing a close-combat-oriented army; I never liked Plague Marines (difficulty to paint, most likely), and with the new update I predict we may see Noise Marines on terrain-heavy boards in the future.

 Zande4 wrote:
Grey knights

/thread

Of the 4, the Plague Marine is the best with basic equipment.

He has toughness 5 and FnP to take the attacks, plus he's rerolling to wound in close combat. And he has 2 CCWs standard IIRC.

The Noise Marine might win due to his higher inititive, but he has to hit, wound, and then the PM must fail his 3+/5+ save.


Although, at range the Thousand Son will have the advantage due to AP3 bolters. So only the PM has a chance to survive. In melee the invuln save is no benifit.

The Bezerker has a disadvanage at range as he only has his pistol.

In melee he is hitting the enemy on 3s, though this doesn't counter the Plague Marine getting rerolls to wound which is superior.


So overall, I give this to the Plague Marine.

 Grey Templar wrote:
Of the 4, the Plague Marine is the best with basic equipment.

He has toughness 5 and FnP to take the attacks, plus he's rerolling to wound in close combat. And he has 2 CCWs standard IIRC.

The Noise Marine might win due to his higher inititive, but he has to hit, wound, and then the PM must fail his 3+/5+ save.


Although, at range the Thousand Son will have the advantage due to AP3 bolters. So only the PM has a chance to survive. In melee the invuln save is no benifit.

The Bezerker has a disadvanage at range as he only has his pistol.

In melee he is hitting the enemy on 3s, though this doesn't counter the Plague Marine getting rerolls to wound which is superior.


So overall, I give this to the Plague Marine.

It's worth pointing out that Plague Marines are the most expensive of the bunch, followed by Thousand Sons, then Noise Marines and finally Berzerkers who are 20% cheaper than Plague Marines.

Also you'll be very thankful for that 4+ invulnerable against vindicators and power weapons.

With the new focus fire rules and general 5+ cover Thousand Sons are a lot better than last edition.

True, but you get what you pay for with Plague Marines.

I don't consider any of the 4 to be bad. Thousand Sons may not be optimal, but they are good against anything thats laying down lots of AP3 templates. So IG hate them.

In the last codex i used Berzerkers and Plague Marines (one squad of each).

i haven't tried the Plague marines out with the new codex yet but the berzerkers seemt o be just as nasty as they were before - 4 attacks on the charge and 3 attacks if they get charged.

just to note: ALL ther cult marines have Bolter, pistol and CCW listed in their wargear - so they all have essentially 2 attacks base.



EDIT - no they don't, i'm wrong. Berzerkers Have CCW/Boltpistol. Plaguemarines have Boltgun/Bolt Pistol/Plague Knife, Thousand Sons have Boltgun, and Noise marines have Boltgun/Bolt Pistol.

 Marshal Farrow Calahan wrote:
I've been playing Chaos for a while now and recentley I've had a debate with some frined about the best Specialist Chaos Marines.

I went with Plague Marines as I've fielded them a few times and they seemed to soak up a fair amount of damage before dropping.

So Dakka Dakka what do you think is the best Specialist Marine?

All depends on what you intend to use them for. I wouldn't pick plague marines for a hard hitting assault force, nor would I expect Noise Marines to be my rock solid objective holder either. They all have their specific uses and are very good at them. So I have no favorite because it depends on what role I want them to fill. I like them all.

Skriker

Plague marines are the best by a long shot as a general troops choice.

After that, I put noise marines and Thousand sons in 2nd place.

Third sadly is berzerkers, regular CSM do their thing cheaper and better.

plague marines are by far and away the best cult troop

The best general purpose cult troop.