Houseguard Rifles vs. Stormfall Archers

[rjfletcher82]

So I'm beginning to assemble an army under Rahn, and I've been looking through his tier lists. I have no problem with the Houseguard Units, but the Archers are also mentioned.

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to the Rifles vs. Archers?
I know that there's a difference between bullets and arrows, and I'm guessing range is affected, but does anyone have a recommendation?

I'm trying to build an "against all comers" kind of list with Rahn, and if I decide to really work with Retribution, I'll build a strike-force army with Kaelyssa.

[Gremlingsp]

I'd rather take archers myself. The amount of knockdown prevalent in Rhans force can help mitigate their low RAT. add-on that they can do a good chunk of damage per shot is nice. I also like that their a smaller points investment. 5 points for 4 instead the full unit of rifleman. I think stormfalls have more utility as well. Their aoes help vs stealth and they can set shield walls on fire. I know rifleman have their uses but I prefer a unit of stormfalls just about any day.

[newsun]

Well it depends on the rest of your list and what role you are adding them to the list for.

[Panzeh]

Houseguard rifles are fairly similar to a lot of other CRA shooters at its point level which are usually somewhat underwhelming. I will say an 8-point max unit of houseguard rifles is probably more effective than an 8-point Hydra. However, they have no AOE protection, their only real protection is being able to hide behind halberdiers.

Stormfalls do something that invictors and mage hunters don't already do: provide AOEs en masse, and they can even do some nice spot damage with their brutal damage shot.

[rjfletcher82]

that's exactly what i needed to know. thanks!

[seraphius]

Houseguard rifles are fairly similar to a lot of other CRA shooters at its point level which are usually somewhat underwhelming. I will say an 8-point max unit of houseguard rifles is probably more effective than an 8-point Hydra. However, they have no AOE protection, their only real protection is being able to hide behind halberdiers.

Stormfalls do something that invictors and mage hunters don't already do: provide AOEs en masse, and they can even do some nice spot damage with their brutal damage shot.

9 point hydra mate but other than that you got it right

[Indy]

9 point hydra mate but other than that you got it right

You're just making the Hydra sound even worse! (Spoiler: It is.)

Anyways, another important thing to consider is that the Archers do NOT have arcing fire... This isn't too big of an issue, normally, but it does limit your options if you aren't screening them with Halberdiers.

And really, since you mentioned running Rahn, the real answer is Moar Battle Mages.