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Transports in 8th Edition -- Some Thoughts

2/23/2018

6 Comments

 
Hello all.  Today, I want to bring up somewhat of a controversial idea that is starting to sink in about my thoughts of 8th Edition.  And that is mechanization and how it impacts our lists.  In general, there are a lot of benefits to mechanization.  Mobility and adaptability comes to mind.  In the case of transports, you gain the protection of their wounds before you have to put the boots on the ground.  Not to mention, they are often pretty tough to take out quickly.  However, there is a distinct con to vehicles in this new edition for Space Marines -- high points cost.

For a lot of the choices in our codex, this is mitigated by being very effective at what they do.  An example is the Predator.  It puts out a ton of firepower for the price.  The same with Ven Dreadnoughts.  They validate their points by being great sources of survivable fire support.  So they aren't really my problem.  Its the transports.  Do you think transports pull their weight?

So lets look at the rhino.  What do we get for those 72 points?  You get a transport capability of 10.  The ability to bumber car assault.  You also get some line of sight blocking from them, but that is about it.  Not really worth the points, when we are so strapped for points elsewhere.  What about Razorbacks?  At least with these, we get some guns with it.  But even the most basic version is 87 points and you're looking at twin heavy bolters.  If you go for more powerful weaponry, you pay a premium.  Is it worth it?  I don't think it necessarily is.  In my list building, I've almost started to consider transports a tax that isn't needed in lists.  Just think about it:  I lose a bit of mobility, but I gain a ton of points that might be more beneficial to my army.  More bodies, more firepower, additional weaponry.  A ton of things.  What do you think?  Are transports obsolete?
6 Comments
Marshal Hortensius
2/27/2018 03:48:22 pm

I wouldn't use the word "obsolete" but you're definitely right about their "cost". I'm considering different mobile/flanking options like Reivers, Terminators or StormTalon Gunships. Much more bang for your buck, and you can still get them where you need them to be quickly on the other side of the board.

However if I intend to field foot-assault squads they are still the best answer. I pretty much only do that against orks right now.

Reply
Marshal Laeroth (Admin)
2/27/2018 07:26:40 pm

So you still feel the transports are useful in your lists? How do you validate their points? I am not sure that I can continue to do that, even though mechanization does perform reasonably well. Unless there is a dramatic point shift in a FAQ/Errata, I think most lists are going to see less and less of them. They just eat up so many points.

Reply
Marshal Hortensius
2/28/2018 09:08:16 am

It depends on the opponent and my loadout. If I am fighting an opponent where I need a gunline then no they are not worth it, but if I am fighting an opponent I intend to melee a lot (Orks/Tau) then they help me time my charges/assaults and cover ground.

More and more I am finding that I need a gunline army as I don't have enough troops to field a proper horde Templar force.

Unload troops from Rhino. Troops and Rhino open fire on target. Charge intended target with Rhino. Then assault the target that is locked up with Rhino with the crusader squad that just unloaded with no overwatch to soak up.

Brother Antoninus
2/28/2018 08:59:47 am

While I can't speak to points as I only play PL, I will say that I never take rhinos. It's so much more efficient from a PL standpoint to take RBs with twin AC, but points value wise the disparity is much greater I'll admit. I've found in my games that I never use them as transports. It's too clunky to move, then unload the following turn. I always use them as screeners and throwaway assault units. In this capacity, I find they are really pretty useful, while the foot troops hit up objectives and other units like assault terminators do their thing. But is an effective razorback worth the points? maybe not. Probably better to throw in a Predator or dread for the cost.

Reply
Dark_Jober
3/8/2018 08:01:32 am

I'm also following this topic in Bolter&Chainsword, and it is a shame that vehicles are lost so much potencial.

Reply
Trignama link
6/19/2018 02:02:53 pm

Hey! Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm kind of getting back into things and I'm so glad I have found this topic. I'm currently feeling the same way when it comes to transports. I personally run my rhinos with the extra storm bolter and have 3 of them in a current list with 29 cc crusaders and grimaldus spread among them.

Supporting in are 3 x twin assault cannon razorbacks with the storm bolter upgrades and loaded with 5 man dual plasma/plasma cannon support squads.

The line is backed up by 3 autocannon / heavy bolter predators (surprisingly effective with killshot) and then a commander for re-roll buffs.

I'm finding that the guns my opponents are putting on the field are absolutely shredding my light transports now-a-days. Most games, I just can't seem to get enough crusaders up the board to actually do any meaningful damage, while the 5 mans just don't stand up to fire like they used to for objective camping.

I'm thinking the real problem is I just don't have enough units on the board anymore, and anti-tank weapons are too plentiful and cheap to rely on transports to get you up the board anymore.

I like to play assault lists though, so I'm at a loss. With the changes to deepstriking, footslogging crusaders pretty much died as we can't use a DS screen on turn one to cover their advance anymore.....

Have you found any work arounds to this?

Reply



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