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Using Levitas' format.

To quote the codex: “The Predator is the main battle tank of the Space Marines … [it] sacrifices transport capacity for improved frontal armor and heavy turret-mounted armament. The result is a well-armored and mobile tank ...” Let's put that to the test, shall we?

Pros
Respectable front armor.
Variety of popular heavy weapon options.
Cheap, depending on weapon loadout (more later)
Long-range weapons
Thin profile allowing all weapons to bear on a target easily
Very wide arcs of fire to each side
Weapon destroyed damage result can be shrugged off

Cons
Mobility is low thus reducing effective kill power
High cost, depending on weapon loadout (more later)
Rhino-thin side/rear armor (strange wording there)
Vulnerable like most tanks to assault and even small arms fire to the rear
Arc of fire to the sides renders a weapon useless

Overview
The Predator tank is becoming a rare sight on the battlefields of 40K, but not according to the fluff. It's armor is the same as a Vindicator and can be equipped with a variety of heavy weapons, making it a gun platform that can unleash a serious amount of firepower. It fits the modern vision of what a tank is: a moving armored box with a big turret on the top. Add the sponson weapons and it becomes the “schema” of what a tank should be in the 40K universe, and the Space Marines (even Chaos) own it.

Variants?
There are six options available to the Space Marine player. This Tactica will not cover the amenities that can be purchased such as a Hunter-Killer missile or Dozer Blade. As those options are available to every vehicle in one way or another, it is really up to the whims of the player to decide what extras are to be added. Extra stuff is extra points spent, so I'm talking about what you have at base value.

The first two options are the most unpopular: turret only Predators. Conventional wisdom dictates that if you are going to spend points on a Predator, then you have a plan. Thus you may as well spend a few more points for sponson weapons. Pragmatically, the player will actually build the model to maximize it's potential in a game, thus sponsons are used. Also, for the points spent to purchase the base Predator (with Autocannon [AC] turret) different, and better (granted debatable) options are available. For the Lascannon [LC] turret only Predator, a base of 105 points is spent, which costs the same as a base Dreadnought. See Tactica: Dreadnought on why a Dread is clearly a better choice over this variant.

Now to the meaty variants …

Predator Destructor – 85 points
Let's look at some numbers.
1 AC – Str 7, AP 4, two dice
2 Heavy Bolter [HB] (sponson) – Str 5, AP 4, 6 dice

Standing still that's EIGHT dice coming from one unit! There is enough firepower to make a dent against any infantry unit in the game. It's also enough to damage, and potentially destroy, a light vehicle (comparative to a Rhino) simply because you have the odds in your favor due to the amount of dice you have to throw at the target vehicle.

BUT, this is clearly designed to be used against infantry. Tactically speaking, only use this variant against light vehicles when there is no other target present, or a Land Speeder is threatening the tank in some way.

This variant has several features: reasonable survivability from the front armor, effective at killing infantry, efficient due to the firepower, cheap (amazingly cheap), sacrificial. The last part is because it is so cheap, it's loss is not as severe as a Dreadnought or Vindicator being removed from play.

Predator Annihilator – 165 points
1 Twin-Linked LC – Str 9, AP 2, 1 dice (re-rollable)
2 LC (sponson) - Str 9, AP 2, 2 dice

Standing still that's three dice, and one gets a re-roll to-hit. Not too impressive. BUT, that's three Strength NINE shots! A different perspective always makes lemonade. This is a serious amount of firepower from one unit. A Devastator Squad can do the same but cost more and have the intrinsic weaknesses of infantry.

This variant is clearly designed for Anti-Tank [AT] duty. It can be used against heavy infantry, but it's build prioritizes itself against tanks first. Therefore, it's greatest weakness is that it is a priority target from the enemy's AT guns.

The biggest problem for players is that it's high cost restricts its use to AT. The Annihilator is not very flexible outside of this role, so it's hard to justify spending the points for this variant when there are a multitude of options that can be acquired with the points.

Predator Marauder (Battletech reference) – 125 points
1 AC
2 LC (sponson)

Standing still that's four dice. Economically cheaper than the Annihilator with almost the same destructive power. Almost. Having a re-roll in the game means a lot, and putting it with a Lascannon does have a psychological value that cannot be ignored. This is a flexible varient due to it's AT and AI (anti-infantry) possibilities. Against large number infantry, the Destructor is a superior choice both in cost and ability. The Annihilator is simply better for AT. But by saving some points (and 40 is noting to sneeze at), the Marauder becomes a little of both AT and AI leaning on AT.

The advantage with this variant is that is the better mobile tank. In 40K, moving 6” (combat speed) restricts vehicle weapon fire to one weapon. The Marauder allows for tactical flexibility on the move by being able to choose the AC for infantry or light vehicles, OR the LC for tanks and heavy infantry.

Still, a Vindicator (with Seige Shield) costs the same. See Tactica: Vindicators on why it can be a viable option to the Marauder. A Dreadnought, with certain upgrades, makes for a better “all-rounder” due to its close combat capabilities, something any tank is clearly without.

Predator Brigand (my name choice) – 130 points
1 Twin-Linked LC
2 HB (sponson)

Standing still that's seven dice with one getting a re-roll. That precious second chance goes on the Lascannon. Nice.

What was said about the Marauder can be said for the Brigand, but with extremes. You get only one shot with Lascannon, but can re-roll misses. You have a big AI gun, but with way more bullets. Even against light vehicles, the HBs have a chance to cause damage because there many shots. All for just five more points than the Marauder.

How many?
Some units just work better in numbers greater than one. This is very true of the Predator, but it really depends on what variant you use. One-third of the choices above don't do enough for the points spent, another third performs it's design remarkably well for the points spent (with wildly divergent and extreme cost/ability ratios), and the last third are better than the first, but not good as the second while costing the same as better units. Still, an army with two or three of any variant is at least an impressive sight, and that is in your favor, for what its worth.

By taking two, you start to give your army options to do what you need it to do. The Predator is a cheap tank no matter what variant is used, and having two means your opponent will have to make some tough choices. It's Rhino-like hide is decent protection but it's not the best so don't count on it's 13 Front Armor to save you.

Three Predators is an amazing sight, but one only a lucky person will witness because either they will never do it themselves or are on the receiving end of the formation. The great drawback to three is it removes the options for any other Heavy Support unit.

Deployment
Predators are long-range units. To quote the Codex: “[It is] equally capable of holding ground or spearheading armored assaults ...” This is a half-true statement. Move this tank only if you need to. Having said that, deploy in the open and to the back. Pick a unit it can kill and start blasting away on the first turn. If you go second, put it in cover. Then move it on the first turn with the expectation to have it hold ground. Don't forget - you have 1 shot if you only move 6" so make it count.

Levitas said it best: “deploy wisely, looking for ways to protect its vulnerable sides and rear. Have troops close in order to deter any deep striking assault troops. Look to fire on your first turn, as your opponent will fire something at it in his. The [Predator] needs to dig in a lil, it needs something to cover its weak spots.”

Targets
As I wrote earlier, if you are using a Predator, then you have a plan. This is before you even set eyes on the table. Choose a variant with the target in mind. After that, bring it and use it. The Predator allows for such simple thinking. Unlike the Vindicator, it's weapons do not have a variable to deal with other than - does it it hit? does it glance/penetrate or wound? Just like infantry. Unlike the Dreadnought, it has many more weapons to bear on a target, but can't fight in close combat.

The Fear Factor
Only two of six variants could seriously have a “Fear Factor”, the Destructor and Annihilator, as these variants have the greatest effectiveness against infantry and tanks, respectively. Thus, your opponent will make an effort to rid him/herself of these Rhino -with-guns. AV13 is impressive for its size, but not tough enough to be indestructible against the odds. Don't think you have a monster machine. You don't. But don't pamper it like a weak kitty either.

Effects on your units
The only detriment you could place upon the Predator is to put your units in front of it. Giving the enemy a cover save is bad tactics, and the Predator's saving grace is the long-range firepower available to it. Let it use these guns without hindrance.

As with any tank, don’t hug it with infantry, as it will take damage eventually. Good dice rolls from you opponent can make a large explosion more costly than they need to be. You already lost a cheap tank, don't loose more men by virtue of location.

The Predator is truly “Heavy Support”. Its purpose is to support your army, not lead it. Where it can be a leader is in dealing DEATH!

Sergeant Chronus
Ah, the great debater. For 70 points its sensible to put him in a tank that will survive. Although a Predator has this capability, Chronus' cost unbalances the equations when put in a Predator. If his Servo Arm actually worked like a Techmarine's then it would be another story. Still, his ability to provide a BS 5 and ignore Stunned or Shaken results is serious enough to consider for the tough, yet fragile, Predator tank.

It is my opinion that Chronus is better served in another vehicle.

Conclusion
The Predator tank is the only vehicle in the Space Marine arsenal that allows for a variety of battlefield roles. As such, its use demands more forethought. But it's application in combat is more simple than the other Heavy Support choices.

The current state of 40K rules keeps the Predator from the front line and it can't stand alone. There are no magical tactics that can be conjured to treat the tank differently than any other unit. It's a simple machine, with simple weapons, and is therefore, simple to use.

Very nice! Well written, and a few parts that did make me smile "dont pamper it like a weak kitty"

Certainly made me consider using one, I have overlooked them in the past - but no more!

Top stuff Race.

Preds are the heavy weapon choice of my World Eaters. Always have 3 of them in my list.

Race did a good job here. Well done.

Finaly! I was wondering when someone would tackle the Pred Tactica!
Very nice, very clear, very well written and really accurate!

I personally only own one Pred, being the 'Brigand' variant (love the name, I'll adopt that in the future!), and it's earned three 'battle honors' for those random yet utterly brilliant kills (11guardsmen killed from 1 shot?!)

Keep up the good work Race!

CR

Like I mentioned in my earlier post, I used 3 predators in my WE list. Since beginning my RG, i have tried going different way with my playstyle. But It seems like old habit die hard. I am so used to playing Predator and have recently bought 2 Predators for my Raven Guard.

My favourite setup is the Marauder @ 120pts. It is the cheapest we have to pay for 2 Lasscannons and you have 2 S7 shots by default. Not to mention it was 10 pts cheaper than what CSM have to pay for the same weapon load. Hell yeah anytime Taking 2 Marauder means you spent merely 240 pts for dedicated anti-tank, leaving you around 1510 points (in a 1750pts game) to spent on all other element in your list.

Of course we all know Attack Bikes is the better tank hunters in all cases. But one of the reason for me to choose Predator is the fact that it is a Heavy Support choice. Leaving the Fast Attack slot empty for me to field my 20 man Assault Squads.

Played 5 games with them and very satisfied with the performance. 3 wins, 1 draw (just 1 inch away from a win), and 1 lost. Not bad eh