I personally like the Sniper rifle upgrade... it forces the opponent to think twice while moving his units, and they're expecially good when you're facing high-T creatures (hit on 4, wound on 4), and they have good range (36") which is good for a static platoon.

BUT

Most competitive players don't like them really a lot.

I suggest you to try and play the sniper rifles, and see how they perform!

 

The sniper rifle is pretty weak all in all. Roll some dice and see what you think of the odds. I don't know how many squads you're taking but 2-3 rifles is unlikely to do much damage. You might get lucky and pick out a melta gun or something but it's pretty unlikely and look our sir reduces the odds of picking out sergeants and other characters even more.

I'd take some grenade launchers or even flamers to discourage assaults.

 

4 snipers at BS3 place a wound (before armor/cover) so yeah, it's quite a weak weapon per se. (4 GL krak mode put 1.666 wounds, before armor and cover)
The main advantage of snipers over GL is that you get to fire at least one time more against closing-in targets.

Its main strength is the fact that you force your opponent into more thinking: hide models, careful movement (which slow down the whole unit)...
Anyway you shouldn't place the aimed shot on sergeants, but on special/heavy weapons.

 

It depends on what you face. Personally I find the grenade launcher far more versatile. If you need or want to move you can still fire. It is strong enough to take down transports and it can also combat hordes. The platoon command with 4 grenade launchers can lay down a lot of fire so that'd be quite a safe bet. Plus if you throw in heavy weapons you can stick missile launchers in the squads. Adds a little anti tank for those squads zooming to your objective in transports and also the frag missiles can add to a grenade launcher barrage.

If you want sniper rifles take ratlings or have them on a company command the BS4 really adds a lot as you need the hits to get the wounds.

A

 

Its main strength is the fact that you force your opponent into more thinking: hide models, careful movement

I've never seen sniper rifles have this kind of effect on an enemy. Demolishers yes, but snipers no.

It's a moot point if the platoon is small; nothing you bring will have a big effect anyway. One thing you might do is use sniper rifles in the PCS exclusively. The idea here is that the infantry blow up the enemy transport (maybe with CCS orders to help) and the PCS can then try to pin them. If the infantry have the snipers then they'll generally be wasted against armor.

 

You'll get more use out of gernade launchers and a flamer or 2. Sniper rifles belong to Ratling (Sniper) Squads.

 

Or vets, who have the same BS.
Is it just me or does anyone else think that a sniper should be a seperate unit that hits on 2 and wounds on 2. Think real world snipers, one shot one kill.

 

Intrepid is right just stick the snipers in the ccs not the pcs same price for the guns but better bs.

A

 

I'd go with the grenade launchers they can pop light armor and give your opponent a lot of wounds if using the frag rounds. Also you can move them around if need be and still be able to fire.

 

Alright, grenade launchers it is. And if I decide to use sniper rifles it will be on the PCS. For now I'm taking a minimum sized squad to start with. I'll test out snipers on the PCS (proxying my space marine scouts with sniper rifles most likely) but I'm thinking an auto canon and a couple grenade launchers is probably best for that squad as well. I want to run a vendetta so I may also have the PCS ride it with 4 flamers and hope they don't scatter to bad.

 

If you use flamers on guard make sure it's bs3 guard as you don't want to lose the bs4. Pcs is a good idea as you said looks like you're going for a good setup. Could you post a full list including all allies?

A

 

stoopid double post.....

 

I am still trying to get to grips with 6th so apologies if I get this allied bit wrong...

How about a veteran squad with 3 x sniper rifles and an autocannon?

BS4?

 

I didn't want the vet squad because I wanted more bodies.

I just posted the army list in the space marine army list sub forum. I thought it would be more appropriate there than in this thread.

http://www.librarium-online.com/for...arine-army-lists/225118-1500-space-wolf-drop-pod-wth-ig-allies.html#post1958579

additional opinions are welcome here or there.

 

If you want something to hold a position that's small, but would discourage most things I would say take GL's and back them up with AC's once you're there. I, personally, take squads with 3 GL's, a VC (of course) and just about fill up all my Platoon choices (excluding Convicts, they suck) But, if you're going for allies, then just take your min size Plat, and give everyone possible a GL.

 

Actually I'm starting to revaluate conscripts with chenkov and send in the next wave. Yes, they're pricey, and yes, they're poor in combat and they flee every other turn, but they shoot 24" (with ork BS, but still plenty of shoots) and with unending numbers you are guaranteed to hold one or two home objectives all game long while soaking huge amounts of fire!

 

Well, if you team them up with a Priest, they become good.

Edit: good in melee.

 

I'd leave the Sniper Rifles to Ratling Squads they are cheap and have a high BS. When on any other squad it feels like its making the squad stay in one place just so the Sniper Rifles get to shoot. Sometimes they can be useful on the Company Command Squad and Platoon Command Squad but still. I'd go with the Grenade Launchers they are cheap and have a higher strength.

 

If you needed more reason to choose GLs over Sniper, the GL can wound 3T on a 2+ and 4T on a 3+. Sniper can wound on a 4+ for both. IMO, the only use for snipers is if you're facing MCs a lot.

 

This thread has been beaten to death.