Before anything is said, let it be known that a combibolter is 2 bolters strapped together, NOT a bolter with an underslung special weapon (those are combi-flamers/combi-plasmas/etc). They are also known as twin linked bolters So both in fluff and TT there are stormbolters and combibolters. They are designed for the same idea in mind (two guns in the form of one), but in practice they function completely differently, and are very different on the TT What we know is Stormbolters are better at close range (Assault 2) while combibolters are more accurate (twin linked). In terms of RoF, what would the difference between Assault 2 and Twin-linked be? Basically, which one fires 2 shots at a time, and which one fires one at a time but faster? Personally I believe the storm bolter has a higher RoF while the combibolter fires twice for every trigger pull. Note: This is a discussion for nerdy glasses-wearing sandwich-eating essay-writing math-problem-solving lore geeks, NOT a balance thread. The combibolter and stormbolter do not need to change, they're fine as it is.
Interestingly the way the math works out in tabletop, the Stormbolter is actually better at long range whilst the Combi-bolter is better at short range. The real downside is the inability to assault after firing a combi-bolter, due to it being Rapid Fire and not an Assault weapon, however as they're typically found on vehicles or Terminators, not often in the hands of Marines, this does not have any impact in the majority of cases.
CSM cannot use SB because it is the weapon came out after the heresy. Because They can only use Pre heresy weapons, They strapped two bolters together or any extra attachment such as Plasma, Nade, Melta etc. Right now in game CB=SB. So it really depends on how u use those well.
No, the combibolter is more accurate (twin linked) while the stormbolter hits with more shots (assault 2) The question is, realistically, what's the difference between twin linked and assault 2 because both symbolize 2 guns
I got this. ;D As per TT, breakdown of the stats: Bolter, rapid fire 24" Combi-bolter, TL rapid fire 24" Stormbolter, assault 2 / 24" So 12" and plus the bolter/combi-bolter only fire one shot, and 12" and under they fire 2 shots. Combi-bolter rerolls all hits. The stormbolter fires 2 shots its entire distance. Both the combi-/stormbolter are straight upgrades to the regular bolter. However: -12" and over the stormbolter is better than the combi-bolter. 2 shots is better than 1 shot and reroll. -12" and under the combi-bolter is better. 2 shots with a reroll vs a a normal 2 shots. -If you plan to assault after firing, the stormbolter is better, because you can actually assault after shooting. In terms of transferring this to real-time, compared to the regular bolter: -The stormbolter should have the same rate of fire, but it's accuracy at range should be better (to land the second shot at 12" plus), and it should have better hip-fire (for assault). -The combi-bolter should a higher RoF, but keep the same accuracy (maybe). It needs to put out more shots to hit and have better coverage, making it more likely to hit with those shots. It might need slightly higher recoil to keep it from being too much accurate firepower. Think of the combi-bolter as two literal bolters strapped together (which it is). It's putting more rounds downrange, so higher chance to hit, but also suffers the recoil from that. The stormbolter is a refinement of that concept. It's inner workings are paired and timed so that is has a more staccato firing. It's not really putting more rounds down range, but it's putting them down with a smoother action so you can hit with it easier (both at distance and on the move to assault). This is what makes it a newer weapon that CSM don't have access to, it's functionally more complex to achieve that.
I suppose the difference would be that while the Combi-bolter is more accurate it is also somehow harder to aim or has more recoil thus requiring more focus to hit the target, but hitting more reliably, something along those lines, as the Stormbolter is more suited to firing on the move while the Combi-bolter requires the shooter to stay still and line up their shots. From the 7th Edition Rulebook on general weapon types: Assault Weapons Assault weapons are fired by warriors as they move forwards into combat. They either fire so rapidly or indiscriminately that they don’t have to do much more than point and shoot. For example, a flamer is a weapon that fires a gout of burning fuel, so it’s just as accurate whether the firer is moving or not. This means they are very good for advancing on the foe! Rapid Fire Weapons Rapid Fire weapons are very common and usually come in the form of semi-automatic rifles. Their versatility means they can be fired effectively ‘from the hip’ when a squad is advancing, spraying shots into the enemy whenever they present themselves, or instead, used for aimed single shots against targets at greater distances.
In the name of asymmetric balance, both should absolutely work differently. It let's the weapons both function best at different ranges, further highlighting the combat doctrines of both factions. I'd say this is a correct interpretation.
