Why the hate for the rocket?

[Symbiosis]

The RPG is at its best when there are other Marines able to assist in a follow up.

Late game the RPG does fall off a bit, AT rockets have a hard time dealing damage to Elite or Ancient xenos (even Ancient Sents are mostly immune to AT rockets). However the core strength of the RPG is its pin-point accuracy at long range and instant stun capabilities on most xeno targets.

Another advantage of the RPG is that, due to the ease and relative cheapness of RPG rockets, the user can afford to fire their rockets on more lower level targets, such as T2 or even T1 xenos. Whereas the Grenadier is heavily encouraged to save their grenades for high value T3 xenos, the Queen or a large clump of xenos. This gives the RPG user more ability to attack a wider range of xenos and yet still have sufficient ammo to contend as a counter to Queen rushes.

I would argue the AT rockets deserve a buff to be more harmful on Xenos, seeing Ancient T1s get up and run off is disheartening but I digress.

The RPG is useful, it is not as raw powerful as the Grenade Launcher but it is still more flexible.

Anti Tank will crit an ancient Spitter.

Explosive with a Flamer (dump the new armor, it's a waste, the m39 is a pea shooter compared to a burst of flame on a downed Xeno) is the best way to kill more Ayys as the RPG Spec.

B18 GL is great versus Praetorians, Boilers, Queens, and Xenos that are frankly bad.

SADAR is useful vs ALL Ayys, so it's individual kill potential is slightly lower.

[misto]

Another advantage of the RPG is that, due to the ease and relative cheapness of RPG rockets, the user can afford to fire their rockets on more lower level targets, such as T2 or even T1 xenos. Whereas the Grenadier is heavily encouraged to save their grenades for high value T3 xenos, the Queen or a large clump of xenos.

rockets cheaper and more plentiful than grenades? that sounds more than a little funny

[Symbiosis]

rockets cheaper and more plentiful than grenades? that sounds more than a little funny

To kill a Queen you need six grenades. There's 24 per box. That means four queens OR one queen and three Praetorians; we'll assume a few bad Xenos try to drag the Queen/Other T3 that was out of place back and we'll be generous giving the B18 three more kills.

So 94 points nets 7 kills. (100-6) 13 points per Xeno kill.

Even if you have a SWARM of Marines by your side at all times and they ALL fire at the downed Xenos, you're still looking at 3 nades or so to keep the beasts down. So 6.5 at best, with a magical team of Marines at your side.

Mix of AP/Explosive rockets - 19 points per box, on average.

Explosive + Flamer = Guaranteed Death for a Mature Praetorian or Boiler, any Elite T2. Usually Ancient T2's.

AP = crit for Ancient T2 > Flamer = Secured Kill on an Ancient T2/Elite T3 Prae or Boiler.

So... 6 rockets = 19 points = 6 Xeno Kills = 3 points per Xeno Kill.

Also.

WP and a Flamer will crit a Mature Crusher.

AP on a Mature Rav after getting Buckshot once or a few AP rifle rounds crits it as well.

You'll never kill any competent Rav with nades - nor a Crusher where the player isn't AFK.

Any more questions?

[Steelpoint]

The M3-T armour is good but I hate the dumb restriction that it can only hold a RPG and not anything else.

I still carry a M41A but its a lot more hassle to juggle around a M41A, RPG and a Satchel.

[Drownie]

The M5 rocket-propelled grenade launcher or RPG is the best Specialist gear in general.
Insta-Stun, variety of missiles to attend your demands, it gives damage on area, the missile flies in a high-velocity giving
to the xenos almost a inability to dodge it, gives a massive damage on T-1, T-2, It is ultra-effecive to T3s if you're on group.
It have very few contrarians as low reload, etc..

[Blade2000Br]

The M3-T armour is good but I hate the dumb restriction that it can only hold a RPG and not anything else.

I still carry a M41A but its a lot more hassle to juggle around a M41A, RPG and a Satchel.

Just a fun little tip: It apparently hold the GL aswell. I made a playtest when all specs were dead and their weapons given to me, and in fact GL goes in that suit aswell.

[biscuitsakimbo]

I'm 100% sure the rocket launcher is actually really good and people are just not using correctly. Being able to pay 20 points for 6 rockets that are gonna get you on average 4-6 kills if you're just competent is super powerful, and on top of that you have the strategic utility of just popping T3s. Demo spec seems really good, can't wait to keep playing it and figure out how to use it well.

[MrJJJ]

Its fairly good, its not as stun-spammy as the GL into keeping Queen or others into eternal rest, i would argue if anything, considering i fought a Ancient Empress with AT rockets, its firepower isin't as bad as some might say. (Although Crushers are a gamble, if you manage to hit them in the back/sides, then you will do quite a bit, but if in front, you fired a M4A3 into them essentially)

Honestly by Comparison, a good GL can take out something alone reasonably, and doesn't need a satchel/backpack to carry nades, since he has his own special belt for it. Support is still always recommended and good, because its always best to take out your enemies with a lot of firepower, just to make sure. Hell its the Queen's Bane if she gets caught by a GL somewhere in the open and stunned, and there is a fuckton of marines around her, who were waiting for this moment of glory.

Good RPG still needs some support, because a M39 only does so much damage against high-value targets, but if he has good people who fire at the downed xeno...RIP that xeno. I managed to take down a elite spitter and a mature prae in one HE rocket, which stunned them and it let about 10 marines, 2 of which were smartgunners, to open up a can of RIP on them.

(Also the AT Rockets seriously do a fuckton of damage)