Best way to use the chainsword?

[[TNC] Thai Lizard]

The chainsword can lock onto a target and do some nice damage, but you're static while sawing through them, and considering that you have crazy mobility otherwise by being able to sprint and shoot at full speed, what's a good way to use the chainsword? Save ammo? Killing something before reloading? Certain enemies that it works better on?

[DarkFire]

I typically use it to dispatch lower tier enemies (cultists, lesser plague toads, blue horrors) when I want to save a bit of ammo, especially specialist bolter ammo. The exception to this are nurglings because it seems to have occasional trouble locking on to them as they jump around. It's also useful to finish off higher tier enemies who's health has already been reduced with other weapons. Lastly, the lock-on works while jumping so the chainsword can also be used as a movement skill.

[Luli]

I know it may sound like a stupid answer, but I use it often because it is simply fun! Always loved it!

[Savior8801 (P-L)]

You are not rooted in place while sawing, actually. You're nowhere near as zippy, but you can still relocate enough to dodge a few bullets coming your way. It's also a movement tech, letting you lunge a surprising distance in the air, sort of like the infamous meathook. Lastly, it's a good way to freely overkill and gib certain enemies you don't want dying "cleanly" like champions or pink horrors.

Originally posted by Luli:

I know it may sound like a stupid answer, but I use it often because it is simply fun! Always loved it!

This is the best answer however. If everything made rational sense, it wouldn't be 40k.

[Luli]

Oh, yes, I forgot about the overkill thing. The chainsword is perfect if you don't want the champions to transform or the pink horrors to spawn blue ones.

[Desert-Mammoth]

Originally posted by Luli:

Oh, yes, I forgot about the overkill thing. The chainsword is perfect if you don't want the champions to transform or the pink horrors to spawn blue ones.

This. This is the only reason to use the sword.

Also Spider man manoeuvres when you've got a pair of champions trying to sandwich you and there's a helpful autogun cultist on the ledge above.

[StronkiTonki]

It's really fun to use. I mostly use it on weaker lonely enemies, especially if I want to get into that direction quickly. The way it locks on and makes you fly toward your target is amazing.

Other moments I do use it on stronger, weakened enemies to finish them off, provided there's not too many enemies around them.

I do feel like it's a missed opportunity to not reward the player in some way by providing extra resources like health or ammo, or giving a few seconds of rate of fire buff or something for finishing off enemies with the chainsword. It would have provided great incentive to use it actively.

[F4T4L]

You can lock champions by using the chainsword for 1 tick of damage, jumping back and firing your weapon, and then chainsawing again. Makes it so champions don't do any damage to you.

[Savior8801 (P-L)]

Originally posted by Squeakers:

I use it when enemies are low, regardless what tier they are.

Must dispense that Emperor's mercy!

[HidesHisFace]

You are a Sternguard, brother, your specialty is ranged combat, but chainsword is a reliable companion still.

But in all seriousness - this is never going to be your main weapon or super significant part of your arsenal.
Against most weaker enemies, it is safer to use ranged weapons.
It seems to be slowing the enemy animations, so it is handy if the aspiring champion is close by - and it gibs the target, so it prevents them from raising back up. And similarly it prevents the pink horrors from splitting.

[Lordwar]

I'm going to say quick dash in and out, to throw some grenades or to leap throu bigger enemies.

[Nachtmahr]

It's a good weapon for everything that has around 20-30% health left, except the big bosses of course, and to get rid of cannon fodder to save some ammo

[killtastic201]

great for slowing down time, helps you in a pinch if you need to reorient yourself and get better decision making.

[Suomipoika11]

Widdle Aspiring Champions to low health + Spam Chainsaw as finisher = No foul chaos god can resurrect a heretic body sawed to minced meat.

[BeatsOfRage]

I like to bind the chainsword to mousewheen down AND the thumb button. I love to just swipe down quickly to start the attack (no slowdown) and rolling the wheel down to continue sawing feels good. If i really need the slowdown i can still use thumb, but the more i play this way the less i care for the slowdown effect.

[Spud Crowley]

i have used the chainsword against the champion multiple times where it respawned in my face.