[Tincture]

Hi guys,

As a complete newb, I'm wondering: assuming a fairly "take all comers vanilla list", is there a best choice of weapon for my Wave Serpents and my Guardian support weapon platforms?

[Yriel of Iyanden]

Hi Tincture,

The generic answer would be to mix it up and keep it balanced. Generally I like to save my one-shot anti-tank on things will have have a better chance of landing a single hit (like wraithlords and wave serpents) and save the multishot weapons for guardian weapons platforms and Vypers. This isn't always the best practice however because it really does depend on the rest of your list and roles assigned to units on that list.

[thetrojansheep]

One of each doesn't hurt anything. Wave Serpent's best with a Bright Lance methinks, the to hit roll's your biggest problem with those things. Guardians I like to give a Star Cannon, because, 1 to 2 shots will hit on average, and when they hit, they hurt. For Vypers (if you plan to get some), I love to deck em out with double Shurieken Cannons to gun out the back of vehicles and consure any kind of infantry. As Of now, Scatter lasers are kind of useless, even against nids. Shurieken Cannons are your friends.

[GedofParagon]

Originally Posted by Tincture

Hi guys,

As a complete newb, I'm wondering: assuming a fairly "take all comers vanilla list", is there a best choice of weapon for my Wave Serpents and my Guardian support weapon platforms?

Tincture,

It's all about capitalizing on the effectiveness of the "vehicle" that gets it there. Guardian Defenders generate a HUGE amount of anti-infantry flak, and they have to deal with a BS of 3. It only makes since to pair them with an infantry-melting multi-shot heavy weapon like a Scatterlaser or a Starcannon. The reason I don't specifically mention the shuriken cannon is range. The other two mentioned can reach out and touch someone at a distance of 36" making your squad a pain in the @$$ from turn 1 despite the reletive short range of the Shuriken Catapult. For the Cost, the Scatterlaser grants you a lot of shots that can also be used for light-medium vehicle busting, which can be important early on when that chee er... savvy Tau player suprises you with three squadrons of Pirhanas.
Single Shot weapons like brightlances and Eldar Missile Launchers are better fielded on a Wave Serpent (Twin Linked) or a Wraithlord (BS4) allowing for superior accuracy. The Brightlance is generally a good way to go on the Wave Serpent as it gives the Eldar's typically dangerous asasult and anti-infantry units the anti-vehicle punch that they may be lacking. (This is especially helpfull to Howling Banshees and Dire Avengers). Nothing says loving like a "lowly" troop transport blowing the enemy's 250+ point Land Raider to peices on turn 1!

I hope that helps,
Ged of Paragon

[TheJrade]

Now, we are all assuming that when you said "Guardian Support Platforms" (which are artillery models) that you actaully meant Heavy Weapons Platforms (which are attached to Guardian squads.

I agree totally that your Wave Serpents should have Bright Lances for tank-busting. Mine have served me well whenever I fielded them. And I also agree with being aware of the ShuriCannon's rather short range. HOWEVER, now that you can put said platforms inside said Wave Serpent and carry them around, the significance of said range is substantially diminished. My kingdom for the ability to give Dire Avengers a platform...

[Tincture]

Yep, I meant heavy weapon platforms attached to guardian squads. I built my Wave Serpent last night with bright lances on the top turret.