Better Way to Use Assault Marines?

[TheMac]

I like the Space Marines Assault Marines, especially with the hammer upgrade that allows them to jump and attack. The issue I'm having is that they die so quickly compared to the tactical marines. I usually have one of the tanks that carries the infantry and two assault marine divisions in the tank. Then when I encounter an enemy I drive the tank to within two hexes (range of the tank's guns) and unload the assault marines who immediately come under overwatch fire, or they receive overwatch fire as soon as they jump within one hex to attack. They also tend to get surrounded and focused quite quickly.

I think there's a place for them, it's just that I'm not quite sure how to use them or even if I should. thanks.

[runningtargetzombiebait]

I tend to skip the assault marines as I used heroes or mechs for close combat roles. There is a tech that increases the assault marines invulnerable percentage. If you're going to use them in the APC, I'd recommend driving it to point blank range so it eats the overwatch attacks and then pop them out alongside the enemy. Have them in cover whenever possible as they have the advantage there.

The hammer upgrade is good if you're trying to finish off an enemy but I often save my jump-pack for retreating badly injured units--you can even jump right back into an APC, tower, or base!

[TheMac]

Originally posted by runningtargetzombiebait:

I tend to skip the assault marines as I used heroes or mechs for close combat roles. There is a tech that increases the assault marines invulnerable percentage. If you're going to use them in the APC, I'd recommend driving it to point blank range so it eats the overwatch attacks and then pop them out alongside the enemy. Have them in cover whenever possible as they have the advantage there.

The hammer upgrade is good if you're trying to finish off an enemy but I often save my jump-pack for retreating badly injured units--you can even jump right back into an APC, tower, or base!

Ahh. Very good points! Thanks!

[Kornstalx]

I'll go Assault Marines if my map start is heavily forested for a couple of reasons:

1) Mobility, and the ability to get away fast if needed.
2) AMs with their melee will devastate defenders in wooded tiles much faster than TM.

If you ever start playing Orks you'll realize how powerful a strong melee high-model unit can be in cover. AM is a niche unit that fits that role, especially if you plan on skipping Dreadnaughts.

Also if you plan on rushing your neighbor, a few AMs and TMs waiting outside their base perimeter is nuts the moment you unlock Meltas. TMs move in the front, AMs jump the back hexes, all of them throw Meltas on the city center the same round.

[TheMac]

Originally posted by Kornstalx:

I'll go Assault Marines if my map start is heavily forested for a couple of reasons:

1) Mobility, and the ability to get away fast if needed.
2) AMs with their melee will devastate defenders in wooded tiles much faster than TM.

If you ever start playing Orks you'll realize how powerful a strong melee high-model unit can be in cover. AM is a niche unit that fits that role, especially if you plan on skipping Dreadnaughts.

Also if you plan on rushing your neighbor, a few AMs and TMs waiting outside their base perimeter is nuts the moment you unlock Meltas. TMs move in the front, AMs jump the back hexes, all of them throw Meltas on the city center the same round.

Great advice. I'm just now getting to the point where I'm starting to notice the ground I'm fighting in. It was hard enough to grasp line of sight and tile elevation. I did start to notice that I could close in on an enemy without getting hit with overwatch as long as I stayed in the trees or forest tile. There's a lot to this game.

Yes, I used my first melta bomb yesterday night and I was amazed at how powerful it is. My tactical marines were doing 3.2 HP to a unit and one melta bomb from the same unit showed 16 HP. Quite a difference. :) Thanks for the info!