Heavy Weapon Squad + Fire Support Squad

Sorry to disagree, fellas, but I think Shadowcat is totally in the clear with this thread. There is a very distinct question in here as he's looking to go all infantry. Of the two "redundant" threads, one's about modelling and the other quickly degenerated into that nonsense about MEq killing and how useless statistics are in statistical wargames (in addition to the usual nonsense about sharpshooters).

This question, on the other hand, asks for thoughts on heavy weapon deployment without the usual options (Basilisk, LR, other tank-like goodies).

My personal opinion is that pure infantry succeeds by putting an obscene number of wounds on the table. However, against certain enemies, this will present real problems as the most point efficient wounds you can buy are conscripts and line squads. This means you'll be unable to concentrate heavy fire and will waste shots every turn one way or the other. The best way around this is to group like weapons (meaning HB/GL in line squads and AT squads of LC/ML) so you don't waste shots. Unfortunately, this means your heavy weapons are expensive and vulnerable, which is counter to all-infantry goals. One compromise configuration at lower points (>1500) is maxxed lascannon vet squads and maxxed grenadier troop choices (2x PG) and plasmagun line squads (with or without a heavy weapon). The LC vet squads have good wound coverage and BS while every line squad has a versatile weapon that can whack up to AV 13.

Knape97 said:

Tell you what. Answer his questions, or don't post in his thread.

Leave the moderating to the Mods, thats what we hire em for after all.

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Right, I've been told. I just felt this question (or at least questions with similar answers) had been answered in detail in previous posts. I felt like I would be saying more or less the same thing for the third time in a week.

ShadowcatX said:

I know these squads are capable of laying down an impressive amount of fire, but with the high cost and low person count are these squads actually effective?

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To answer your question ShadowcatX, I think these units are one of the best in the guard. It's true that with a low model redudnancy they can be very vulnerable to attack, however - in an infantry army, as long as you have a good balance between support heavy weapons and infantry heavy weapons, you should be fine.

If you are woried about them being wiped out, I think a good rule of thumb in an infantry army is to always have the same number of HWs mounted in your support squads as you do in your lines, that way they do not present as much of a target, and you can afford their loss.

Personaly I field a grenadiers list, in which case they can be an extremley useful unit, as Grenadiers tend to be a little slim in the HW depatment. I pack them with cameleoline and sharpshooters and use the low model count of the army to keep them in cover.

Hope this helps-