3/5 stars. The rules are sound enough.
Background.
Carrying weapons that even the super human Astartes would find too challenging to haul around, rapier batteries are a solution to battlefield long range support weapons that don't need to be mounted on vehicles (largely due to the vehicle's size and or weight).
Strengths.
Cheap, cheerful, and regularly useful. I genuinely don't know why we don't see more of them on the battlefield (or at least I don't see too many of them - I'm biased though).
The Gravis Heavy Bolter Battery has an impressive 8 shots with suppressive which is can often be overlooked. This is your basic anti-horde infantry device.
The Laser Destroyer is your standard anti-tank option with S=10, extra damage if you stay still, and armour bane. This is probably the best pick of the lot comes with an individually higher star rating of 4/5 from me.
The Graviton Cannon comes with a slew of special rules alongside Graviton: blast, breaching, shock, and pinning. Very versatile overall, but not as specialist as other options.
The Quad Launcher gives you barrage and large pie plates on frag, armour bane and more damage for not moving on shatter, and phosphex for an upgrade cost with armies that have siege breakers which is deadly with 3+ on poisoned as well as panic and breaching. Versatile as well.
Weaknesses.
You target the T=6 carrier at range only (which is a weakness for the opponent); but in close combat, you get the crew targeted. If the crew dies, then the carrier is also removed. Hence they are vulnerable to being charged and wiped out.
Builds.
4 Rapier Crew, 4 Gravis Heavy Bolter Battery (160 points).
They might not sound or look like much, but I assure you that 32 S=5 bolts for this amount of points is significant - as is the suppression caused. World Eaters will hate you. But they already do probably.
2 Rapier Crew, 2 Laser Destroyers (180 points).
More is probably overkill unless you are facing super heavies or similar? But hey, who am I to argue, best to be sure I suppose so take 4 if you want.
2 Rapier Crew, 2 Graviton Cannon (120 points).
Cheap enough to consider. Take more to taste if you are playing at higher points levels.
4 Rapier Crew, 4 Quad Launchers (240 points).
Lots of pie plates everywhere for closely packed enemies. Upgrade to Phospex if you can and feel the need.
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