http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/69.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5699226.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5699226.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700365.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700365.page GMT i am no expert or anything but since you seem to have few answers i figured i might as well chime in.
So, flamestorm looks incredibly deadly on paper and if you get a well placed shot it might be very efficient. the thing is that your baal will be really high in target priority so to make good use of it , it must have synergy with your list( a few vindicators help with that as they will be even more threathening).
The assault canon variant doesnt require you to build your list around so much or to get your tank in melta range to be effective, i think it also make a better use of HB sponson because it is easier to point both at the same target( since it is a fast vehicule you even get to fire one at full BS even when moving 12")

flamestorm
PROS
- destroy meq easily
-very efficient against troops in buildings
-deny cover
CONS
-high priority target for armies vulnerable against it (not necessarily bad but you need something to support it or take advantage of the distraction)
-require to be near melta/CC range
-no snapshots

Assault can.
PROS

- efficient at longer range
-more efficient against vehicules and MC
-longer range,better synergy with sponson
-can snapshot and can even fire at flyers in a pinch

CONS
- doesnt deny cover
- is much less distracting for your opponent

So it really depends on what list you are running and what you are trying to achieve with your baal.I think that at higher levels of play the AC/HB is more used but i am not really sure as i am a casual player.I also mostly played against baals rather than with them...I am sure tough that what i wrote will attract the attention of a more experienced player who will be able to confirm/deny my post.

Also sorry for the formatting not really my forte
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700400.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700400.page GMT TL AC. I usually got 1-2 shots with the flamestorm if I was lucky. At that close flamer template range, if anything survives or is near by chance you are toast next turn. Plus getting that close really exposes the side and rear armor. Which, ya know, sucks. However I always like to magnetize kits like that so you can swap just for a change. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700626.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700626.page GMT
Personal experience always always beats what people say on forums, everyone has different metas and play units differently. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700648.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5700648.page GMT However with certainty I can tell you that the assault cannon will perform more consistently but the flamestorm will work
big when it does work. Its a question of whether you want consistent performance or go for the big plays.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5702202.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5702202.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5702223.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5702223.page GMT BA player, doesn't own a Baal but for 6th edition I can see it being useful. Scouts allows it to outflank, Fast allows it to move another 6inches. and the Flame cannon ignores cover +AP3.

Perfect for todays armies who hides behind Aegis Defence line hoping for a 2+ cover save.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708616.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708616.page GMT
You can get 4 TL S6 rending and 6 S5 shots with a Assault cannon and heavy Bolter Sponsons.

That is 10 shots a turn, and the tank can stay well out of assault range.

The Flamestorm usually gets one, perhaps 2 shots off and then the tank is wrecked.

If the Flamestorm had torrent, then maybe it would be a different situation, but as is the Assault Cannon is the way to go.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708649.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708649.page GMT
As said, its high on the target list, and that's because while you need to get in their face to shoot, it will decimate whatever it is you shoot at, and with the baal being a fast tank, closing the gap is simple enough.

Sure, the assault cannon will get more shots, but it wont do as much, nor will it attract the same attention.

And the only reason you bring tanks from the firstplace, is to get attention off the rest of the army.

Tough I am looking at it from a Tau player perspective, so my point of view is a bit different.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708829.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/531406/5708829.page GMT