I stand corrected then. So they're moving away from the Space Marine style use of the Melta I assume? Making it slower/bulkier. I assuming it will still be more effective at closer range though.
From what I'd heard last, they're tightening up the fire pattern into a stream rather than the cone from Space Marine; at the time it was discussed, it was mentioned that they plan to implement similar firing mechanics as what they're doing with the lascannon: when you press fire, there's a short space of time where the weapon is building up, you're unable to move and barely able to readjust your aim. The idea is to change it from "energy-shotgun!lel" to a very destructive weapon that must be used in a deliberate fashion. They're particularly refining it for use against vehicles and other heavy armor.
At the moment the Marines can equip a Stalker Bolter which almost works like a Sniper. A scouts with a true sniper rifle might be an Elite/Hero class later on? Would not surprise me if they would add a true Sniper Scout later on.
I'd say that the stalker bolter is more like an battle rifle since it can do semi and burst mode firing. But if the gun attachments/replacements are going to be implented, there is going to be a barrel for the stalker bolter transforming it more to sniper rifle. For example, trading burst mode for more range and more recoil.
Elite. I know it sounds weird but hear out, think specialist and not just Elite. Like how you can buy access to the Ranger in the founder RT. It will make the Scouts better because they are limited, they can have more effective abilities, like infiltrate(invis), moving through cover(faster move speed in cover?) and strong weapons like having a true sniper or shotgun. Because a player cannot always be a specialist, they can be game changing. Being one of only a few people to go invis with a shotgun is pretty game changing, same with a true sniper rilfe that doesn't give away your position and should be able to damage and pin units. Hopefully players will also squad up and infiltrate bases together as a Scout squad. Another reason I wish they would put squad boosts back into the game depending on squad make up, such as increased infiltration length the more Scouts in the squad.
Wouldn't use of Scouts as a class be inclusive of a half decent stealth system being present in the game? From what I've seen so far it's a pretty standard action/shooter and you know your basic scout isn't going to stand up to a Power Armoured Space Marine, Ork Boy, Aspect Warrior very long if at all... Lore question for everyone as well slightly off topic I suppose but still involves the Scouts. Shonedar mentioned that if Scouts were implemented in some way consideration would have to be given to the Space Wolves and the Wolf Scouts. I promptly followed his lexicanum link and had a lesson in Space Wolf lore that's long over due: It was my understanding that the Scouts of a Space Marine chapter mostly existed to train a Neophyte in the art of Space Marine warfare and to let their organs grow and mature, particularly the Black Carapace which is not capable of interfacing with Power Armour immediately. How do the Space Wolves get around this if their scouts are veterans from the Grey Hunters?
The Space Wolves Neophytes get their power armor at the beginning, including the black carapace. With that power they go to the first battlefield as a Blood Claw. Later on, they became Grey Hunter and get their Bolter (instead of a power armor) and fight as a "tactical marine". After that they can choose a lonely life as a Wolf Scout, already experienced and a veteran of many battlefields. They fight alone, but always to help their chapter. It is part of their mentality, they want to be alone and don't have the demand to be with their comrades. they just want to roam the wild lands in their own way. So they go alone and strike from behind On the tabletop, they have the same strengths like the grey hunters, just other equipment. So I think the Vanilla Scouts could be npcs, but they are too weak to fight like the other classes. Don't forget they are neophytes. The Wolf Scout could become a Elite Choice, they are tough and experienced enough to fight effectly.
I would venture to say though that the difference between nillas and wolf scouts is pretty small. It could be handled by just faction selection. If you are a nilla marine your scout will not be as accurate as a wolf scout (shouldn't bother a sniper really since a scope could add far more accuracy then necessary) or have "behind enemy lines" like a wolf scout, but then nilla could cost a bit less or be balanced by other race tweeks (lower plasma cost for DA) Would also seem a bit weird if a Dark Angel player was able to be a Wolf Scout any old time they had the points. I grew up with DA as a preferred enemy, so to see one dressed in the colors of Fenris, growl.
I can understand you very well, but the truth is: the Fallen Captain is already available, but you can't choose the Fallen as a faction... :/ So it seems they make temporary "chapter-swap" happen. But I agree, that the factions should have their own one or two special elite and eero choices and share the typical choices like a librarian, just with their unique apperance and skills. Maybe they can add the vanilla scout class with a weaker profile but a lower respawn time !
There is no reason Scouts would not be a regular unit. There is nothing about Scouts other than weird Scouts like Telion from the Ultramarines, or Cyrus from Dawn of War 2 (who are super vet scouts) that doesnt scream regular unit. They are perfect for their role. In video gaming, you can balance things accordingly as needed. Yes Scouts would have less health, they would not be able to take shots like a space marine, but think about their in game (TT) and elaborate on that. Move through cover (Faster cover movement/Regular speed), Stealth (obvious) Snipers could be given superior damage/accuracy in comparison to Stalkers/Bolters. Technically thats kind of true for infantry given the Sniper special rules. Shottys could easily be implemented for run and gun blasty scouts that need to run around and advance on points So many things perfect about scouts.
