the main problem i find with assault marines is that for a dedicated assault unit, they simply aren't very good at it! (one of the smurf's main crutches actually...)
while they are fast, they're simply little better in an actual assault than a tactical marine. (they get an extra attack...) other loyalist chapters such as the space wolves, BA's & templars do the job much better as they have vet skills and/or special rules such as the emp's champ vows.
add to this that every other army's specialist assault troops are better than an assault marine!
- banshees get power toys & the mask.
- harlequins have rending & high 'I'
- possessed are stronger, faster & can gain rending
- 'zerker's & orks get chainaxes/choppas on top of skills like furious charge or PotW.
- 'stealers have insane 'I' and rending, plus lots of tasty bio-morphs & 'fleet'.
- wyches get a handy invulnerable save and wych weapons on top of high 'I'.
so really, the 'codex' assault marines are left lacking...
now granted, they're good for throwing into an enemy's 'basic' troops like guardians (just watch out for an enchanced warlock!) imperial guardsmen and such, but against anything remotely heavily armoured, they simply can't cause enough damage in general...
now, having a small unit to hold back and either pick on an isolated/under-strength enemy unit is handy, as it a mobile flamer or 2! and as pointed out above, they can be very usefull for taking/contesting an objective late in the game...
still though, i've found that scouts or veterans are much better actual 'assault' troops as they're either dirt cheap or else can take lots of specialist gear like power toys and vet skills!
cheers!
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"Who are you to question my methods?! A 'Puritan' is simply a coward who hides behind a veil of pretended faith and denounces his loyal brother as a traitor out of simple jealousy!"
- Inquisitor Odion   |