MotF and Relic Sicaran Punishers in 9th

[L30n1d4s]

Leaning into 9th edition here, with vehicles able to move and shoot heavy weapons with no penalty and shooting into combat with non-Blast weapons at -1 BS, I think a big winner might be the Sicaran Punisher....with three Heavy Bolters and the Punisher Rotary Cannon, it puts out 27 x S5 AP-1 shots a turn at 36".

 

Combine three of these vehicles with a Master of the Forge (and the Master of Machines WL Trait) and you have a 81 shots a turn, all at BS2+... if it they moved, then they you are hitting with about 65 shots, if they stay still then they have a special rule that let them re-roll 1s to Hit on the Punisher Rotary Cannon, giving them even more hits (without even needing a nearby Captain aura). If they get charged, then the Master of Machines WL Trait means they can shoot into combat at BS3+, giving you an average of 54 x S5 AP-1 hits on melee units trying to tie them down.

 

Add in Devastator Doctrine for AP-2 on turn 1, appropriate Chapter Tactic (i.e. Imperial Fists are good for ignoring covering and generating extra shots from their Heavy Bolters), and even Unique Doctrine (again, Imperial Fists for Dmg2 shots on the first turn is a solid choice) and you turn these vehicles into veritable "woodchippers" that can take on a whole slew of targets, ranging from light infantry hordes to heavy vehicles and monsters.

Edited July 11, 2020 by L30n1d4s

[Gederas]

You'd also need three non-Relic Elite slots (Servitors likely)

 

Also: In 9th Edition VEHICLE units don't get the -1 for moving and firing heavy weapons. With BS2+ because of that Master of the Forge, you'll be hitting a lot of those shots....

 

In all honesty, that seems like it'd be super mean.

 

....

 

 

Do it :yes:

Edited July 11, 2020 by Gederas

[L30n1d4s]

I'd say combine the three Sicaran Punishers with three DCCW/TL Lascannon Dreads (you get six Elite slots in a baseline Battalion detachment in 9th edition).... the Dreads can advance in front of the Sicarans and provide a legit close combat threat, as well as add their Lascannons into the mix to supplement the massed S5 AP-1 fire power (and the Dreads get to shoot at BS2+ while moving, thanks to no penalties for Heavy Weapons and the nearby Master of the Forge).

 

On top of this, the Dreads are quite reasonable points wise and, in a pinch, you can use the Stratagem to turn one of them into a "quasi-Captain" with a 6" re-roll 1s to Hit bubble for all six vehicles. Pretty ridiculous in casual games, but in competitive games, aim for the throat....

Edited July 11, 2020 by L30n1d4s