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Hi guys, I'll keep this reasonably short.

I've recently noticed that heavy flamers were assault 1, instead of the heavy 1 I expected them to be, and that up to two Sternguard can replace their bolter and fancy ammunition with one.

Normally, I'd probably see this as a waste, because you're paying extra points to lose the variety of shots that Sternguard are provided with. However, the fact that I'm also including Vulkan He'stan in my army means that the Heavy Flamer's wounds suddenly become rerollable.

I'm not sure, but does this justify the points cost? Is it then worth taking on my Sternguard? I've been thinking about a full squad of 10 podding in on Turn 2 wherever I can spot a weakness in the enemy's army, and just unleashing hell on 'em, but I don't know if the TL Heavy Flamer's more useful than a sternguard bolter in that regard.

I also faced this dillema when putting my crimson fists together. I opted to take the special ammo, as opposed to the flamers. although, He'stan does offer some very appetising options. If using the sterngaurd as a close to medium range unit, I would recommend gearing up with the flamers.

Well sternguard is not kitted out for close combat, so a heavy flamer would be a waste of there strenghts, and you sound like you want something to attack the enemys weaknesses, i would suggest vanguard for that.

Might I suggest a pair of combi-flamers as an alternative...still cheap and you keep all your special ammo types.

I prefer the special ammunition of the Sternguard Veterans instead of heavy flamers.
Combi-meltas would be a different story.

I personally would take a combi-melta as well, as it's also twin-linked (with Vulkan) and gets epic ammo as well.

What would you be zorching with the heavy flamer that a full turn of shooting from Sternguard ammo wouldn't kill anyways?

Orks maybe?

I'd vote for the combi flamers as well, the special ammo just offers too many options to let go IMO.

Of course if you could drop pod in a Suicide squad of 5 combi meltas and 2 heavy flamers. Then combat squad them so you have the 5 combi meltas take out the heavy armor with 5 twin linked melta shots and have the heavy flamers and special ammo rounds kill any troops that are near.

There goes a heavy support and a troop choice. Just try to make sure what you are killing costs more then the 300+ points you are spending.