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Main => General 40k => Topic started by: Inquisitor Subs on June 23, 2008, 10:19:03 AM

Title: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Inquisitor Subs on June 23, 2008, 10:19:03 AM
This has been the debate between me and my friends recently.  What is the point of open topped?  I know on Transports it allows you to fire out, but on say, a Leman Russ, whats the advantage of having that commander poke his head out?  And what are the drawbacks?
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Mr.Zombie Pogo Stick on June 23, 2008, 10:24:55 AM
whats the advantage of having that commander poke his head out?
So he can hit people with his sword!! lol
 
But seriously the good thing is that you can assult as soon as you get out!
And the bad thing is that (I think) your opponent adds 1 to the AP roll when he shoots you (Like a titens destroyer weapon)
 
My 2 pennies.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on June 23, 2008, 11:06:59 AM
being open topped is a vehicle classification.  a leman russ with a commander sticking out the top does not change it to open topped, it just looks cool.

further information on it can be found in the appropriate section of the BGB (at work so cannot give an appropriate page reference, maybe someone can help out with that)
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Teleologica on June 23, 2008, 12:23:56 PM
Vehicle Types, p59
Also Transport Vehicles p62 (Access Points and Embarking & Disembarking)
Infantry Firing from Vehicles p64
Open-Topped Vehicles p68

In short, Pros = All embarked troops can shoot while embarked (no fire point limitations), or can disembark (then FoF if possible) then assault.
Cons = Easier to kill (esp as they tend to be low AP as well, like my soggy cardboard Raiders)
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Banned Solorg on June 23, 2008, 03:45:35 PM
Right, Open Topped are usually really crummy vehicles - shoddy pieces of work.  They are sometimes less points in the game and liable to fall apart as soon as they are shot.  But they are often fast as well, and yes, Orks love 'em because it is possible to jump out and assault on the same turn which can't be done with non-open topped vehicles.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Killeritch on June 23, 2008, 05:10:51 PM
That's a bit generalist. The Basilisk and Griffon are open-topped because the guns are a bit big and anyway if your opponent's shooting them, you've done something wrong (yes of course within 40k lots of people do shoot basilisks but that's because the battle lines are fairly flat, your basilisks really should be 200" or so behind the main line), and obviously orks and dark eldar have open-topped transports, enough said. Ravagers are really just transpost like more guns, what else? Land speeders, sentinels and salamanders, they're reconnaisance so want the extra field of vision (ok, so technically land speeders aren't open topped but you know what I mean), and I guess that's about it. If there are any more, they probably are just crummily built.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Mr.Tanks on June 23, 2008, 05:33:06 PM
Why open topped? So da boyz can get krumpin' quicker!

If a vehicle is open topped it means that units can assault the same turn the dis-embark, it also means that the entire squad can shoot at anything, anywhere (within LOS and range restrictions).

It also makes sense fluff-wise that a fast vehicle is open topped, think of the weight saved without having armour plating on top.

And finally, a Leman Russ model with a guy sticking his head out of the top hatch doesn't make it open topped, it just looks cooler.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: archondav on June 24, 2008, 07:21:11 AM
Here is an interesting thought though. The Ravager is an open topped tank (non-transport). Is there any other vehicle in the game that is open topped that is not a vehicle? Maybe the Piranha?
It seems like all the advantages of being open topped involve transporting troops. In that case, the Ravager really only gains all the disadvantages of being open topped since it doesn't transport any troops.
It might be interesting if in the upcoming codex, GW allowed the Ravager the ability to transport a small compliment of troops ala the Falcon, however that might make it a little overpowered.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: TagniK'ZuR on June 24, 2008, 07:39:50 AM
Here is an interesting thought though. The Ravager is an open topped tank (non-transport). Is there any other vehicle in the game that is open topped that is not a vehicle?

I don't really know of any open-topped vehicles that aren't vehicles  ???

If you meant 'transports' on they other hand. . .
Sentinels
Hellhounds IIRC
Basilisk
Griffon
Warbuggies?
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Cpt. Pain on June 24, 2008, 08:54:05 AM
hellhounds aren't open topped, I think they used to be....
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Imperial Dragon on June 24, 2008, 09:13:19 AM
Hellhounds are not open topped.  In fact the only OT armor we have* is the Bassie and the Sentinal, both of which can be enclosed.  But not really worth the points IMO.


*Not counting Forge World
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: TagniK'ZuR on June 24, 2008, 09:16:59 AM
Hmm, I though they counted as being ope-topped because of their fuel tanks or something, it has been quite a while since I've read the IG codex, so I'll gladly accept that I got it wrong
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Grand Master Lomandalis on June 24, 2008, 10:07:08 AM
the hellhound used to be open topped cause of the gas tanks, but that isnt the case any more.
also, note that the land speeder is not open topped because the crew is in power armour (fluff)

also a lot of vehicles are open topped to explain their design.  primarily in the fact that they are easily damaged and a shot can pass through armour and hit some sensitive area of equipment and disable the vehicle more easily than if it were closed.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Outside_Enemy on June 25, 2008, 11:30:07 AM
Mechanically, the 'open-topped' status also serves to add gradation to vehicle rules.  It can be used to represent tanks which are a bit my vulnerable than they would otherwise appear (like the hellhound used to be), or to represent assault vehicles (transports). 

I think it's a pretty decent mechanic, and serves the purpose rather well.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Mr.Tanks on June 25, 2008, 06:01:44 PM
I think Hellhounds add +1 when rolling for damage, or maybe it's all vehicle destoryed, wrecked or annihalted results count as annihalated, not sure though, it's been a while since I used a Hellhound.
Title: Re: Point of Open Topped?
Post by: Cpt. Pain on June 25, 2008, 06:06:04 PM
Nah, they don't. Incidently, the rule you just paraphrased IS open-topped used to be...

Hellhounds are now just bog-standard tanks, with a big flamethrower.