Tactical Squad tactics?

[rogalofterra]

Kind of a specific question, but does anyone have any tactical advice on using several squads of Tactical Marines effectively in tandem? That is to say, how do you build and use a group of Tactical Squads if the rest of the army is designed to operate as an independent element (and thus generally can't support the Tactical Squads element), or in lists that include few supporting units.

And how do I make those accursed heavy weapons worthwhile in Tactical Squads used for aggression and movement?! I miss Chaos Marine squads with 2 Meltaguns...but I'm sure their loyalist counterparts have tactical offset. Right?

[realitycheque]

10 men, heavy and special weapon, powerfist and combi weapon, razorback - job done. I'll spend about 250 points in total on each Tactical Squad.

I usually run one with meltagun, missile launcher, and combi-melta. The ML stays home with the boys on an objective, while the other half rock forward in the Razorback with a HQ for company. Blow smoke first turn, second turn melta, third turn everyone out, melta and powerfist whatever is left. Against a horde I'll sit back and batter them with sheer weight of fire, another time the razorback helps :)

The other I'll do similar things with but have a plasma cannon (if I don't have my 4xPC Devs, Lascannon if I do) and I replace the melta weapons with flamers if against horde. Running two alongside lets me be clever with the smoke launchers and I can pop a transport then flame the contents.

Always take a powerfist, always take 10 men, always buy a Razorback, always get the weapons for the job - basically don't skimp the points.

[rogalofterra]

Good advice on my second question! Doesn't solve the lesser heavy weapon problem though, because I Rhino-[bolter]-rush, seldom break up my Tactical Squads, and use power swords religiously due to fluff reasons! *Chuckle* Maybe there just ISN'T a way to use heavy weapons effectively when your army plays that aggressively! Perhaps I'll want to invest in some Plasma Pistols to help compensate...

Actually, Razorbacks might (unfortunately, since I only own one of the buggers) be the answer to my first question too, since the problem with using Tactical Squads to support one another is the inevitable waste of bolter fire any time you want to fire a heavy weapon at something solid.

[Left of West]

One thing I've seriously considered for Tac squads in the new codex is forgoing the heavy and special weapons entirely. Five marines including a Sargeant with a Power Fist and a Combi-Melta costs 130 points (I think).

Add a Razorback with a Twin-Linked assault cannon (definitely the best all-round weapon for the chassis) and you get a pretty respectable 205 unit.

It has the mobility and durability of a Rhino, the firepower of that twin-linked assault cannon, it scores, the marines inside can assault weaker units (guard, tau, or even remnants of tougher squads) and expect to win, and the combi-melta provides a significant measure of last-ditch utility--and its about the cost of a regular tooled up tac squad.

Essentially, you're trading those extra guys and the heavy and special weapons for an effective bunker which can tool around and fire off a much better heavy weapon while doing it.

[RobinD]

hiya guys,

"Always take a powerfist, always take 10 men, always buy a Razorback, always get the weapons for the job - basically don't skimp the points."

I thought a Razorback only holds 6 in 5th ed?

Can a 10 man marine squad break into two units, with one boarding a Razorback?

Cheers!
~R

[realitycheque]

I thought a Razorback only holds 6 in 5th ed?

Can a 10 man marine squad break into two units, with one boarding a Razorback?
Yes, 5 man combat squads can go in transports - and with the RB you've got space for a IC in there with them.

[Bonus Prize]

5 man combat squads can go in transports

yes, but once you have 2 5 man squads, and a RB, that is 3 kill points for the opponent! and easy ones at that too!!!

[realitycheque]

yes, but once you have 2 5 man squads, and a RB, that is 3 kill points for the opponent! and easy ones at that too!!!
Well yes, but in annihilation matches you just don't split the squad and have them stand next to the RB, gatting everything in sight.