Melta Bombs on Blob Sergeants

[Cap'n Tightpants]

So I was fiddling around with my list for an upcoming campaign and found myself with 15pts. left over. Umming and ahhing as to where to spend it, I remembered that in a previous game it would have helped mightily if my powerfist guys were S8 instead of S6.

With a blob of three squads, a flash of inspiration came to me and I decided to give my three sergeants Melta Bombs. Ok, they only get the one attack, but if a 'fex or wraithlord is chewing away at my grunts which can't hope to hurt it, 3 S8 AP1 attacks will surely do some damage. It also makes my blob (armed with heavy bolters and flamers for overwatching and wrecking infantry) effective against tanks, even if it is only in CC. You pay 15pts. for three melta bombs, which is the same for a power fist on a platoon commander - having three sergenats with them means you essentially have 3 wounds and 3 attacks at S8 AP1, instead of the 1 wound, 2 S6 AP2 attacks of the fist.

Has anyone cottoned upon this before? Does anyone think I'm wasting my time/points?

[vladimir]

I used melta bombs on my sergeants in 5ed and I would use them on 6ed if I have the spare points. They won't be used on every game, but when there is a situation where you miss them, you wish you had spent those 15 points on them.

[WestRider]

They're a pretty good buy. Especially for Platoons that are either going to be Tarpitting or actively advancing to Assault.

[stridermac1]

Melta bombs are effective.
I would think krak grenades would be a better buy, my commissar end up shooting all my sergeants so they dont break.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Melta bombs are effective.
I would think krak grenades would be a better buy, my commissar end up shooting all my sergeants so they dont break.

I'm not running a commissar on my blob. I plan for them to have a Primaris Psyker in there and to be used pretty offensively (nobody likes 80-odd las shots at 12") so LD9 should be alright (also I don't want my Primaris having his head chopped off). I have had awful situations where they legged it off the board first turn, but you takes your chances. Most people actually ignore it first turn because they can't do enough damage at long range, and would rather take a pop at my vets.

I suppose the 1pt. a model for Krak gives you more lower strength attacks. But I like to have the S8 AP1 in there instead, as I've got plenty of <S8 shooting in my list.

[badgersplatter]

Last game I had a dreadnaught march into my 40 man blob. Had nothing that could scratch it. Voluntarily ran so I could shoot at the thing instead, it caught the unit with the D6 + Initiative roll and wiped them out. 4th game in a row now that the blob has been wiped out in one go by something.

Melta bombs: Lesson learned!

[Wraelis]

Melta bombs would be nice there, but let's not forget the merits of a tarpit unit. They could keep a beast like that thing tied up for quite some time!

[badgersplatter]

Didn't need to - as soon as they were "out of the way" I blew it into a million pieces

[vegna]

yes but if a tarpit can drag those monsters in to the ozzing depths never to be seen again...that makes it all the better!

[Cap'n Tightpants]

yes but if a tarpit can drag those monsters in to the ozzing depths never to be seen again...that makes it all the better!

I plan to have an eviscerator priest in there too. That tarpit should be able to crack almost anything.