Warhammer 40K: Adeptus Mechanicus Finally Fixed Lascannons
The Adeptus Mechanicus have finally made the iconic Lascannon worth taking once again. Check out the simple fix that needs to apply to all lascanons.
We’ve covered the topic of Lascannons before. How “swingy” they can be. And why folks have opted for other options and forgotten about them. Well, now Games Workshop has finally take some steps to correct this weapon. And (maybe appropriately) the test subject is the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Okay – let’s break this down. The Range is the same, and we are looking at a Twin-Lascannon (hence the 2 shots). But the new version is Assault 2 vs Heavy 2. Again – this is a Cognis Lascannon, too. But, to me, the BIGGEST improvement is the damage stat. D3+3! That’s huge. It addresses the “Lascannon Problem” that was summed up in previous article:
The Lascannon Problem
Lascannons on infantry are just too expensive and their damage is just too random. That D6 damage could be 4, 5, or 6 – but it could also be 1, 2 or 3. That is very worrying for players who are focused on getting the most consistent and reliable damage output possible. Stalker Bolt Rifles, comparatively, are just too consistent vs Lascannons for “only” 5 more points.
I’m not calling for the Stalker Bolt Rifles to get a points increase. I’m calling for Lascannons to get some freaking HELP! We’ve seen rules where the damage from weapons has a floor – like 1s or 2s counting as 3. Why don’t Lascannons have that? Or what about making them 2D3 damage? Or what about making have their own modifier on their damage stat so they are 3+D3 damage?
Now, this still doesn’t address the issue for Space Marines – but it does take a step in the right direction for the Adeptus Mechanicus. Let’s be real – 9th edition has become one of the most lethal version of the game in the shooting phase and the Ad Mech are getting a ton of ways to keep up. This damage change is a vast improvement especially when you couple it with the change to Assault. I think Ad Mech are sitting on top of a fantastic new version of an iconic weapon. Now let’s hope that this change rolls out to the rest of the Grimdark armies (maybe not the change to assault, but at least the damage change).
What do you think? Is this a step in the right direction or should GW leave it for the Adeptus Mechanicus only?
