Sniper SWS

[Comrade]

Yes, I know. Ratlings are a better deal, I personally didn't like ratlings in 3rd edition BEFORE I even knew about hobbits or LOTR. Now that I do I still don't like them.

Anyways, on point. Anyone else thinking about using these as anti sniper? Our snipers are cheaper, do the same thing, and they each come with an ablative wound/spotter. stick them right on the edge of the deployment zone and let them rip/rend/snipe/fail.

The only reason I worry about enemy snipers is because I like my commissars. I like my blobs. Blobs + commissar = awesome. Blobs no commissar = might as well have got conscripts.

So cheap snipers --> Kill other snipers --> Commissars live --> Profit.

[majorspeirs]

I personally don't think they are worth the effort. What I recommend is that you use regular sniper models to "count as" ratlings. For similar points you get two more rifles, or you can flesh out the squad properly. Quite a few people do this, and due to the arguably unpleasant nature of the ratling models I sincerely doubt anybody would have a problem with them.

Also I'm not sure whether fighting snipers with snipers will be all that effective, as more often than not they'll have camo cloaks and be hidden in some kind of cover. What you really need are template or barrage weapons. Hellhounds are your best bet, but Griffons can also do a good job, especially if they aren't in area terrain. Same goes for heavier artillery, but that gets expensive. Mortars are probably a good one too, mainly due the the fact the snipers are probably going to be bunched up so they can all get line of sight so you'll get lots of hits.

The precision shots are only going to really be reliable with sniper saturation. Small units like a SWS might only get 1-2 a game, whether a unit of 5-10 might get 1-2 a turn.

Pax has a very nicely executed version of this concept, however I could only find one picture of it (about halfway down the page):
www.commissar.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=picpost&action=display&thread=12134&page=4

Edit:
Just posted this, hoped on another forum, and voila, another sniper/ratling squad:
www.wargamerau.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119628&st=60

[WestRider]

Fighting Snipers with Snipers seems like it's probably just going to devolve into a slapfight, since both Units will likely have good Cover.

HellHounds are probably your best bet without going crazy on cost or handicapping yourself in other areas, but if you can afford to shell out the Points, a Colossus will certainly get the job done, too, and is also good for blasting Long Fangs out of Ruins.

[Comrade]

Hmm... I may have overreacted with snipers.

My army is now running 4 basilisk in 2 squadrons of 2, and 2 of my FA slots are takin by Hydras. And 2 HQs with MoO

Thanks for your help.

[dangerrod]

Jul 21, 2012 17:34:26 GMT -5 Comrade said:

Hmm... I may have overreacted with snipers.

My army is now running 4 basilisk in 2 squadrons of 2, and 2 of my FA slots are takin by Hydras. And 2 HQs with MoO

Thanks for your help.

Not to be too picky, but Hydras are a Heavy Support choice and not Fast Attack.

Unless you mean Hellhound?

[Comrade]

I must be getting rusty..... I dont know why I thought they would be FA.. geeze. Wishful thinking maybe?

[dangerrod]

It would be wishful thinking yes....maybe in the future!

would love to see us actually get a small air to air fighter (non FW) that we could use tho...

Danger Rod

[commisarblur]

Hydras are a good choice but too bad GW isn't making them. Gotta go to forge world or second party retailers for one of those babies.

Now for the subject at hand. Snipers are a good cc choice. Pinnings are always the plus with the added chance of rending on a 6. Major draw back is that they share the common guardsman afflication of a 3 bs and being very squishy.

My adivce, if your willing to spend the extra points, is go with an alley sm scout squad equipped with snipers and cameo. Thier tougher, able to move ahead of the main force, better ballistic skills and come with a handy cover save modifier. Plus you would have the option of five snipers instead of just three out of a total of six guardsmen. Add Torias Telios and you have one of the deadlist harasshing units in any army.

I've done the math. About one hundred thirty seven points you'd have to spend with Talios inculded. Without it averages about eight seven to ninety points. Still just something for you to consider but sniper sws are still a good choice to go if your thinking cc.

[Machine Gun Kelly]

Have you considered using a allied Space Marine 5 men scout squad with sniperrifles/Heavy bolter and Telion as a sgt?

[theyshallnotpass]

What about a command squad with four sniper rifles? Better ballistic skill and cheaper than a platoon.