Why do tac flamers take so much time to acquire?

[Interdiction]

I was checking the codex and it said that the flamers have an upgrade time of 25 seconds compared to a plasma gun's or missile launcher's 15 seconds, why is this when say, a GM squad's flamers are only 15 seconds?

[Codex]

It used to be lower (in line with the other upgrades I believe?) but then because tacs can upgrade past flamers it was a really braindead, cheap, and quick upgrade to go for when SM is on the frontfoot against gens. Every time I win a fight=> upgrade flamer=> go gens.

Basically think of it as a way they nerfed early game SM gen bashing opportunities.

[Interdiction]

Well, is it still worth getting? I never see anybody use it, then again not many people use Cloak of Shadows and that wargear is just win.

[Crewfinity]

if you're in a position where you have enough time to burn a couple gens then it's probably paid for itself already. the flamer itself is also very good at damaging light infantry so its not a bad idea vs Ig/orks/eldar/nids

[Codex]

I buy it almost every single game, it's good against blobby infantry anyway.

[Dark Riku]

It used to be lower (in line with the other upgrades I believe?) but then because tacs can upgrade past flamers it was a really braindead, cheap, and quick upgrade to go for when SM is on the frontfoot against gens. Every time I win a fight=> upgrade flamer=> go gens.

Basically think of it as a way they nerfed early game SM gen bashing opportunities.

Beat me to it Nevertheless, you can still try and get your flamers ready if you're on top of your micro by buying flamers in advance and cancelling them if things didn't work out as you planed.

Well, is it still worth getting?

Yes it is, Can be a very good genbash tool. Great versus infantry or even versus melee infantry when combined with crowd control. (shotguns/heavy bolter)

Why do I feel like I'm just repeating Codex? :/

[Interdiction]

Sounds dangerous to pesky banshees when coupled with shotgun scouts then. Thanks, I'll definitely get them more now.

[Dark Riku]

Sounds dangerous to pesky banshees when coupled with shotgun scouts then. Thanks, I'll definitely get them more now.

It CAN work Depends on the matchups, unit compositiosn and upgrades though.
Don't just get them more now because of this, get them when you think they will actually be worth their while.

[egewithin]

I sometimes go for flamer even I know I won't bash power. Exeption for SM, CSM and GK, I mean HI armor races, I generally go flamer. It hurts real good. It makes your Tacs the primary target however, but you can counter that too. Specially, Purification Vials ===> Flamers burns the rest. Or, Purification Rites ===> counter for melee units and prevent them from tiying up Tacs, also a come back heal. Can be followed with Shotguns.

[Asmon]

Actually flame damage is better vs HI than piercing. It's only the range of the weapon that limits its effectiveness.

[saltychipmunk]

Yeah, which is why sometimes you will see ig players packing a few flamers in t1 vs sm.

Flamers are an opportunity weapon.

they arent good enough to out right buy for dealing with infantry. But if you happen to see a vulnerable gen farm and can take it out. then the flamer certainly does not hurt your game either.

[Interdiction]

Sounds dangerous to pesky banshees when coupled with shotgun scouts then. Thanks, I'll definitely get them more now.

It CAN work Depends on the matchups, unit compositions and upgrades though.
Don't just get them more now because of this, get them when you think they will actually be worth their while.

I will admit I usually wait until t2 for plasma guns and sergeants, what with the popularity of the power armor races. I assumed flamers weren't generally worth using against them, glad to know otherwise!

[Codex]

Why do I feel like I'm just repeating Codex? :/

Because you are simply Belgian Codex.