Chimera and the 5th edition

[Deleted]

G'day all

just wondering what u thought of the new rules and the chimera (sorry if this has been posted already). i use to use the chimera as a sort of mobile HW platform, multi-laser, heavy bolter, and extra Armour, combine that with a squad with plasma gun's and u got your self something that can move 6inch, and fire 7 shots into a squad (great for surprising marines).

But now we lose 1/3 of our fire power in the new rules (heavy bolter no longer a defensive weapon). this combined with the high cost is ridiculous. before we had an average hitting unit with the possibility of doing some serious damage, but now we have an overpriced hunk of junk that (with bs 3) cant hit the marines standing in front of it. so now to use it properly we have to have it as a stationary fire base, rather then a mobile fire base (that's even less mobility for the guard)

and to make things worse the rumors that them marines get there rhino down to 35 points in the new codex is ridicules. if u guys could offer some advice on improving this tank (i have to take at least 2 in my army they just look so wonderful)

[Colonel Scipio]

That's some damn good points there, my chimera rarely get a chance to fire, I have a battery of three basilisks in most armies and so tend to paste entrenched positions with them so my assaulting chimerae have an easy job of the assault phase.

35pts is a bit silly, that's about the cost of three marines whereas the chimera is about 12 guardsmen. I would hold out hope of the chimera dropping cost in our new codex (whenever that may be) as the chimera remains one of the most potent standard vehicles: relativley tough front armour, powerful main weapon and large transport capability. To make them more powerful, a good idea is to budge them right up against the edge of a forest and advance along it. On your other side, stick a leman russ or demolisher to physicaly block its side armour. Most opponents will out of habit target the leman russ which can (hopefully) take it, as well as dish it out, leaving your chimera free to advance slowly firing its multi laser and then safely disgorging troops.

Other than that, the guard upgrades are fairly useless as regards to hardening up your tanks... I can only suggest the obvious extra armour.

Don't let the rules define your tactics: because the guard don't have 'mobile' units doesn't mean you can't play a mobile game; with the new fleet rule guardsmen can cover ground impressivley quickly and overwhelm a foe expecting a shootout.

Final word: the chimera is an excellent tank to base an army on. Sure it costs a bomb, but its cheaper than a Leman Russ, puts out more fire and I can tell you, facing an army (like mine) with the HVs and all command squads in Chimerae is a daunting prospect indeed. And taking at least 2 is a great idea... they look wonderful.

[telecustom]

I guess it is time to remove all my Hulll Heavy Bolters and put Heavy Flamers in it's place.

[Deleted]

It definatley took an offensive hit in 5th, but defensively, its better. Also, if you look carefully in the codex, you can save yourself 5 points by NOT taking a hullmounted weapon. ditch it entirely if you want, but I feel that having it as a backup is still worthwhile. Its still a very viable transport in 5th, but must be played differently now.

[newcomer]

my chimera rocks, even though it never makes up its points (for some reason people think is deadlier than a leman russ ) but it works well as a bullet maget as it draws away fire, especialy in the last battle, when it attracted 3 lascannon shots, 2 plasma cannons, and a multi-melta shot

[Deleted]

thanks for the reply guys

using the Leman Russ to shield the chimera, is a great way of advancing the chimera, but has its downsides, not only are u exposing the side Armour, that is significantly weaker then the front, but its an expensive way of doing it. plus the chimeras feild of fire is reduced significantly.

using a heavy flamer, has anyone tried that, (i haven't because i like the model more with a heavy bolter). have u guys had much luck with it

[zumbaz]

Ya'll forgetting the heavy stubber! at Str.. it counts as a defensive weapon! But yeah its the cost of 2 guardsmen but still those three shots might give you that edge you needed.

[Deleted]

I love the chimmey! Havent finished mine yet, but I think Armoured Fist squads are going to be alot more useful in 5th edition.

[Commissar]

The Chimera is sex on tracks...

[Deleted]

it is, its one of the best looking tanks the guard got. that's why i have to take it. don't like the idea of heavy flamers it just dosen't seem right for the chimera.

[GuardsmanPatch]

I'm on the other side of the coin - I prefer the hull weapon to be a heavy flamer. To my mind, the Armoured Fist is a "Strike force" unit, and having it rumble around (or through) woods to hit that unit that's creeping up on you, disgorging your troops, heavy flaming them, heavy stubbing them, and then the squad starts shooting... priceless. Not sure about the TLOS of the litle hull mounted lasguns though...

[Mabus]

If enemy infantry is in flame template range of your Chimera, your Transport is dead in my eyes.

The Chimera in my opinion works best as a Pill box. Give it a Multilaser/Twin linked Heavy bolter turret/ Autocannon, HUll mounted Heavy Bolter, a Heavy stubber and extra armour and you have a lot of fire power.

I had quite a memorable game once against a friend where on one of his flanks he deployed a shed load of SM bikes and some Landspeeders. Within two turns, two of my Chimera had killed everything on his flank!

[missinglink]

It's all in how you use it. The flamer works well if you can get covered move to within a decent assault range of covered troops...i.e. urban or heavy terrain. I have used one to rush the flanks of urban fights using buildings and other tanks to keep the Chimera alive to get in the flank of my opponent, pop out of cover close, use ML and flamer on troops in/around cover and drop my squad to mop up. In open fields, the flamer comes into play less, but the times I get into range with opponents (especially hordes or dug in) it has been worth it. And as I understand the new rules, you may as well take it. Taking the hull mount HB is just hoping that you'll only lose your main weapon to an attack so you have a spare. Too many times the first good hit is the last.


-Link