Running Scourges with Dark Lances ~ Good or Bad?

So I plan to run scourges with Dark lances. The reasoning is that I like the longer range they have compared to the other weapons and I like how versatile they are. Being able to tackle tanks, monstrous creatures, terminators, and (on average) 1 wound to a flyer in desperate times is nice. What say you peoples?

Well - Unless you have a very specific plan, pretty bad.  

Heavy weapons on a (non-relentless) unit which needs to move often to stay alive means they'll be firing those weapons with 1/4 the effectiveness because they have to snap-shot.  The alternative is to find some nice roost like a building's ramparts and fire down from a static position turn after turn.  The problem with this is that dark lances simply aren't that long range, and many things will be able to pick the scourges off, or simply knock down the building without ever falling into dark lance range (auto cannons, missile launchers, las cannons, battle cannons, etc).

As for the targets dark lances can threaten?  Blasters can also threaten that same list, and although at a shorter range they do so cheaper and while on the move.  Plus they are assault so you don't have to stand there and wait to kill that last guy in the squad, just charge in and finish him off.

Personally I take haywire in larger games where I might face a lot or heavier vehicles, and blasters in smaller games where I need my scourges to cover multiple roles.

Lord_Alino wrote:

So I plan to run scourges with Dark lances. The reasoning is that I like the longer range they have compared to the other weapons and I like how versatile they are. Being able to tackle tanks, monstrous creatures, terminators, and (on average) 1 wound to a flyer in desperate times is nice. What say you peoples?

I don't understand why you'd use Scourges for this.

Why not use Ravagers - which can actually move and still shoot its Dark Lances at full BS?

Also, your math vs fliers is demonstrably incorrect. You have 4 shots, which will hit 1/6 times. So, you haven't even rolled to penetrate the flier and you're already averaging less than 1 hull point.

If you really want that kind of weapon, I'd suggest Blasters. Same profile, but can actually make use of their 12" move.

Alternatively, have you considered Corsairs? Balestrike Bands can also take Dark Lances, and (since they have no official models) you can probably just proxy them with Scourges.

Here's the rundown:
- 5 Scourges w/ 4 Dark Lances - 160pts
If they move at all, they have to snapshot their weapons.
- 5 Balestrikes w/ Jet Packs, 5 Dark Lances and Felarch - 155pts
Can move 6", fire at full BS and then move 2d6" in the assault phase.

So, the balestrikes are more mobile and cheaper, in addition to also having a sergeant and an additional dark lance.

I say not worth it at all.
Having as unit like that with up to four Lances would be good, but one way or another you're choosing each turn which if the Scourge's gear is going to be worthless. If you want to fire the Lances, their wings are uselsss and a drain on points. If you want them mobile, the Lances will only ever snap shoot and be a drain on resources.
My feeling in it is never take Heavy weapons of Scourge.

Also, if you figure you won't move them, why not take Trueborn instead - are you specifically looking for infantry with lances in the Fast slot for some reason?

Bad.

They're about the same price-per-lance as a lance Ravager - while being less mobile and, I'd argue, less survivable. We just don't have any units that are good at pretending to be Devastators.

MHaruspex wrote:

They're about the same price-per-lance as a lance Ravager - while being less mobile and, I'd argue, less survivable. We just don't have any units that are good at pretending to be Devastators.

We also don't have Grav - the main reason to take Devastators.

Apropos of nothing, but what on earth is your avatar?

T'would appear to be the Norse goddess Hel dancing with a soldier in a gas mask.