Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

How often do you see space marine armies that don't use special characters in your local gaming groups?

When I first cracked open the book, "Combat Tactics" seemed like an amazing ability, yet I constantly see armies fielding Pedro, Shrike, or especially Vulkan. I know that several of the special characters grant really great abilities, but surely some folks are building armies based on controlling when they fall back?

What about special characters that don't change that ability? Marneus Calgar, Tigurius, Sicarius or Cassius? Has anyone seen them in otherwise "vanilla" armies?

Im thinking of a dual libarian gate spam or 6 dred MotF spam

it depends on whats in your army.

if your sternguard heavy, pedro is a good idea. if you have lots of flamers/meltas then vulkan is good. if you want to have a possible turn 1 charge with 10 CC terminators then take shrike.

its all about synergy. if you have an army that a special character imporves greatly then there is no reason not to take them.