IG Mortars?

[Shas'o Brightsword]

I was looking at possible army builds for my IG and i have been reading alot about the pacific war and they used mortars during every assault that they could have them in. I just love the idea of mortar men out of sight just launching these bombs into the air raining death while they cant be touched. Think its just awesome mental image and we all have those in the game. What i was wondering was are they worth the points are the effective and how many if any should u buy?

Also how do u play them put them in the back alone to rain death unsupported so they could fall prey to enemy deep-striking or leave a squad there to guard? Lots of different ways to play. Please any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.

[e2055261]

IMO mortars are one of the most cost effective units in the codex. They're so cheap and are great against horde armies. I only use three but they're a real thorn in my opponents ork army - he targets them which is fine by me. You'll be surprised how many hits you roll with the scatter dice. I'm not sure how they'd fair against MEQ armies but if you score enough hits with them some will die...

I leave them at the back as range and LoS aren't an issue for them. Target something you'll hit even if it scatters. Start with three (in a heavy weapon platoon) and see how you go. I think three is ideal. You don't want to take up too much space in your deployment nor do want them to attract too much attention from your opponent.

[Shas'o Brightsword]

Hmm that makes sense. one question would u leave men behind to guard them if they are attacked or do u just leave them as potential to distract some of the enemy? and if they die just mark them off?

[e2055261]

They don't really deserve protection since they're so damn cheap. Treat it like a bonus when they kill something and you'll not be disappointed.

[Shas'o Brightsword]

sounds good thanks man

[ColShaw]

I love my mortars. Combined with a Griffon or two, some Mortar Heavy Weapon Squads can be tremendously valuable.

One of their main uses, in my experience, is that if you don't have any indirect fire with Guard, your opponents will bunch up behind cover and out of LOS. This discourages them, as you can now smack the bunched-up guys with hot shrapnel death.

Don't worry too much about guarding them. They're cheap, and a good disruption unit rather than one vital to your plans. Just plonk them behind some cover and let them do their thing.

I'd always use them in Heavy Weapon Squads instead of Infantry Squads, as you get much more Mortar for your points, and the extra bodies really aren't that useful.

[Bunnahabhain]

Mortars are the best heavy weapon squad. Cheap, can hide out of LOS and throw out useful firepower.

As single weapons in squads, not so good, unless you have a static squad you wish to hide, like a orders and morale CCS...


Any reason this is in battle reports?

[Reflex]

mortars are quite nice. Its story time.

3x Mortar rounds, 2 hit one scattered. 5 dead terminators.
3x Mortar rounds, scatter, scatter, scatter, missed the marines i was trying to hit, but weapon destroyed a vindicator.
3x Mortar rounds after that vindcator, 9 dead marines.
3x Mortar rounds, 3 hits, 5 dead scouts.

that was the luckiest game id ever used mortars in. usually they perform average and make their points back, but this game was just fantastic. 3 mortars did more damage to my opponents marine army then anything else in my list. for 60 points, they did about 600-700 points worth of damage.

[Complicity]

Mortars are great against all opponents. They are cheap enough that you only need to kill off a couple of space marines to earn their points back, they are great hidden objective grabbers (all the more useful since heavy weapon teams are T3 W2 "single models" so if they are hidden and low priority they are less likely to be instant killed by plasma or something). A few people have mentioned that they are less good in infantry squads. However, I would disagree, since they are such a CHEAP upgrade that adds a lot of range to the squad, still has lasguns and provides good synergy with the anti-infantry firepower of the rest of the squad. If I could afford to base up a mortar for every squad, I probably would (although it is tempting to cheat and just have a guardsman in each squad carrying a mortar...).

Also pinning is a useful asset to have.

[cKerensky]

For platoon line infantry squads, I'd always give them an autocannon.

Heavy weapon teams, on the other hand, are right at home for mortars.

[Shas'o Brightsword]

yeah i give my line squads auto cannons but really want 3mortars so make a squad they sound great! and haha i didnt know i put this here sorry about that. It was late when i posted

[TeDasCuen]

mortars are quite nice. Its story time.

3x Mortar rounds, 2 hit one scattered. 5 dead terminators.
3x Mortar rounds, scatter, scatter, scatter, missed the marines i was trying to hit, but weapon destroyed a vindicator.
3x Mortar rounds after that vindcator, 9 dead marines.
3x Mortar rounds, 3 hits, 5 dead scouts.

that was the luckiest game id ever used mortars in. usually they perform average and make their points back, but this game was just fantastic. 3 mortars did more damage to my opponents marine army then anything else in my list. for 60 points, they did about 600-700 points worth of damage.

Hi!

A question. How did you made a "weapon destroyed" to a "Vindicator" if Vindicator Side Armour is 11 and the mortar has S4?

[cKerensky]

Fired directly into rear armour, I would imagine...
...*shrug*

[Xyrex]

"battle reports" section. Where is the battle report? The Warseer inquisition is coming for you, I suggest you hurry.

[Dark Primus]

I've got five-six Heavy Mortar Teams I hope that is enough. Never used them because I have never played with IG before. My army ain't big enough.