Mortar Vs Heavy Bolter

[Deleted]

So I got curious as to how effective mortars are vs marines. Taking a look at the codex a mortar squad costs the same as a heavy bolter squad and they are both "Anti Infantry" so I thought it would be the best comparison.

So first off, lets look at MEQ kills per turn

Heavy Bolter
3 shots
1.5 hit
1 Wounds
0.333~ fail saves

Mortar (assuming 1 direct hit and 1 partial)
1.5 hits
0.75 wounds
0.25 failed saves

So right off the hop it looks like the bolter's cause more damage. Of course mortars can stay out of LOS and cause pinning for a slight loss in kills/turn.

Now lets assume our marine enemies group their squad tightly for some reason. Our template can now easily cover 4 bases

Mortar (Assuming 2 direct hits and 2 partials)
3 hits
1.5 wounds
0.5 Failed saves

In this situation we are now killing more MEQ's/turn, can cause pinning (about 1/6 of the time) and also can stay out of LOS.

This assumes you are good at guessing range of course ;D


Thoughts?

[Deleted]

Let's look at it across multiple turns, assuming a steadily closing opponent, unobstructed line of fire, ect. Even spread things out so it favors the Heavy Bolter more.
From 48"
Mortar: 7 turns x 0.25 failed saves = 1.75 kills
Heavy Bolter: 5 turns x 0.333 failed saves = 1.66 kills

And remember kiddies, you NEVER guess range any more.

[Deleted]

in my opinion i would use mortars in a mortar support squad rather than putting it in an infantry....that way u have the full efect of 3 mortars on a squad of marines...then id put the heavy bolters on the inf squads which means needing line of site...but hey everyones equpped with a lasgun u know...PLUS who knows....ure calculations have been based on assumption...u could be lucky...its just a roll of the dice after all.

[Deleted]

Mortars are good in command squads as well. At least for me as I use them as a leader ship 10 base to keep my army at leadership 10 requires that they are out of line of sight.

[Deleted]

This is a tricky comparisson to make. Both guns have they're ups and downs.

Mortars- longer range, pinning, no LOS, template, but low strength and ap.

Heavy Bolters- higher strength and ap, 3 shots, but needs LOS and has a shorter range.

They should be used together for the best effect. Statisticly it depends on who you're fighting, but in the end balancing both is better then either on its own.

[Deleted]

It all boils down to the type of gam. If your playing a city fight scenario, then ordnance is always useful becuase they dont require LOS . but if your playing a regulr scenario on a flat battlefield and got ample LOS, then the heavy bolter would be the best weapon to choose. A city within a flat grassland? now thats a tricky one!