http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/69.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net FNP that is available in top lists. While I totally agree that it is not useful with guardians, I think it has a place in other parts of the army. But where?

The best places that I can see for starcannons are:

Falcon
WarWalkers

Both places would allow the player to maximize the AP2 firepower which I think is necessary in the eldar list. While firedragons are swell, some I believe some long range AP2 can be useful.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503359.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503359.page GMT
I also don't think star cannons went anywhere. They are still pretty brutal weapons.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503913.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503913.page GMT
I only run two Guardian squads, so why not EH.

Other than that I have put them on Wraithlords but in 5th I think I would rather Run! and then flame/ assault. Either that or the EML/ BL combo.

Do not forget that in something like 4+ cover a Scatterlaser is better against 3+ anyway. Not to mention Orks, etc, etc. But they are good for shooting down assault marines, and like you said they ignore FNP.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503924.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503924.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503934.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/226261/503934.page GMT bs 3 weapons shooting at T4, 3+ save targets

Scatter laser, no cover = .55 kills
Star cannon, no cover = .83 kills

Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .55 kills (they are using their 3+ save to begin with)
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .41 kills

So while the star cannon is much more effective at killing heavy targets out of cover, it starts to struggle against targets in cover. So if you play against MEQ's in terrain rich fields, the star cannon is significantly less effective than the scatter laser (and it costs more). On the other hand, if you fight them on boards with little to no terrain (the majority of tournament boards that I've seen) then the star cannon might be the better option. All in all, I would recommend either a mix or just sticking with the cheeper and reliable scatter laser.

As a generality, I put a star cannon on my falcons because it is both a good complement to the puls laser and it is on a platform that is higly mobile and can get to where it will be most useful. War walkers lack the mobility to always be shooting at a prime target and its a lot of points and fire power to waste on a non-optimal target. I also like to avoid putting them on my dreadnaughts because those are much better suited to anti tank work (being the only BS4 heavy weapon platform in the army) or hand to hand (in which case, you can more or less skip the heavy weapons).

Oh and in case you fight different opponents here are some more numbers...

T3 or T4, 2+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = .27
Star cannon, no cover = .83
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .27
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .41

T3 or T4, 4+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = .83
Star cannon, no cover =.83
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .83
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .41

T3or T4, 5+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = 1.1
Star cannon, no cover = .83
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .83
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .41

T3 or T4, 6+ save
T3, 4+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = 1.6
Star cannon, no cover = .83
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .83
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .41

T6, 3+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = .33
Star cannon, no cover = .5
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .33
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .25

T6, 2+ Save
Scatter laser, no cover = .16
Star cannon, no cover = .5
Scatter laser, 4+ cover = .16
Star cannon, 4+ cover = .25

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