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So, Here I am with an inherited IG army. Pretty much mechanized (missing 2 for command platoon), and Steel Legion minis no less.

HQ:
Command Platoon (pretty much every squad option for the command squad itself)
2 Antitank Squads: 3xLascannon
1 Fire Support Squad: 3x HB
Sentinel Squadron (3)
Troops: (x3)
Command Squad w/ HB, Grenade Launcher, Chimera (ML, HB, SB)
2 Squads: Grenade Launcher,Missile Launcher, Chimera (as above)
Heavy:
3x Leman Russ
Fast Attack:
3 Sentinel Squadrons (3x lascannon - Also Steel Legion)

Here's my trouble:
Where to go? Its got thick medium-weight firepower - positively infested with heavy weapons of all flavors, but I'm paper thin once they get under my guns. Where should I go from here? Inquisitors w/retinues? Butt-ugly ratling snipers?

I'm at a loss, so all suggestions are welcome...except not to play till the new codex!

I'd say put some bodies out there. You've got all the "bang bang" you need now you just need to put some bodies in between them and the enemy guns. maybe a couple of flamers would be a good idea too.

-I don't agree that you need more troops; three platoons is probably enough for a mechanized army, especially since you're using expensive Steel Legion models.

-I would equip your platoon command squads with 4x assault weapons.

-I'm not sure why you're using so many grenade launchers. They're the worst IG assault weapon, you're better off with plasma rifles. And if you're willing to whip up some conversions, melta guns (and flamers) are very useful in mechanized lists, where Chimeras can compensate for short range.

-I'm also scratching my head as to why you would upgrade Chimeras with Storm Bolters when you can upgrade to a Heavy Stubber for only two more points.

Grenade Launcher aren't IMO that bad.
My Command HQ and both my Platoon HQs all have 3. Cheap and flexible range 24 Assault weapon.

Dave47 wrote:
-I'm also scratching my head as to why you would upgrade Chimeras with Storm Bolters

Beats me. I inherited it. Buggers are hard mounted to the things.

As for the GL proliferation, it looks like that was what was in the squad boxes.

Seeing as they don't make Steel Legion flamer models, you may as well stick with what you got.

I'd actually stick more lascannons in somehow.

my HQ command squad costs 300 pts and is a godly countercharge unit. kit up ur HQ command squad for CC and add a good character like Ibram Gaunt

Oldgrue wrote:

Dave47 wrote:
-I'm also scratching my head as to why you would upgrade Chimeras with Storm Bolters

Beats me. I inherited it. Buggers are hard mounted to the things.

As for the GL proliferation, it looks like that was what was in the squad boxes.

I understand that you are, to some extent, stuck with the models you have. And the unknowns surrounding the new codex make advice hard to give. But to the extent that you want to be competitive under the current codex, you're going to want to pick up a some plasma gunners and try to get your hands on some Heavy Stubbers for those tanks. I think you'll find that upgrading your GLs and SBs is the best 36 points you can spend.

To the extent that you're in this for the long haul, rumors of 5 point GLs and 15 point plasmas means it's less necessary to pick up plasma miniatures. And we don't yet know if the price difference between a SB and HS is changing. But unless the new Codex does something totally unexpected, you're going to want to start working on conversions that will allow you to field at least a few melta gunners. Grenade Launchers may soon be cheaper, but they're not going to ever replace the need for an AP 1 gun with an extra dice of Armor Penetration.

The current state of rumors make almost any other unit hard to recommend. AP 3 Hellguns and T5 Ogryns sound great, but the devil is in the details. Or, in this case, the point cost. If you're not so concerned about being super-competitive, I would look over the leaked data sheet and pick up anything that sounds cool, provided you like the current models.

My first tau army had everything glued on. I spent several days/weeks with an exacto knife cutting guns off models.

Check out K&J Magnetics. Google for them. I've magnetized my Tau and orks both so that depending on my army list I can sub in different weapons.