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So I'm putting together my first army, and I'm alittle unsure what Icon to give my Chaos Terminator squad. I'm not really building my army to be strong in tournamnets and so, but I'd still like to have alittle chance when playing someone for fun.
Also note that I've hardly played a game, and I'm still unsure about many of the rules.

So anyway, the squad will feature 2 combi meltas, 1 combi flamer, 1 reaper cannon (with icon) and 1 dual lightning claws (possibly champion). My first though was to give them Icon of Tzeentch, since they'll be infront and be my first line of warriors (until I get some tanks atleast), the +1 to invulnerable save seemed like a good choice vs those scary lascannons. Another thought was to give them Icon of Khorne, since well, they'll be the first ones to face my friends orks.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Opinions:
I don't like the Reaper, it's just so expensive for what you get.

The most cliche usage of Terminators is called Termicides.
3-5 members with combi-weapons and 'maybe' a chainfist.

Looking at this squad and keeping the 'flavor' I would highly suggest a chainfist before double lightning claws if you get any special weapon for them.

As for icons: the delivery seems to be deepstriking.
I would say, get IoCG as your first.
Get some games in and see what you need for the squad.

IoT is nice for anti-terminator weapons, but it only makes small arms more desirable...and small arms is the age old way of downing them cost effectively.

IoN is cool vs. small arms, but makes anti-terminator weapons that much better.

IoS is decent vs. I4, but is a situational benefit.
IoK is prob. the most general purpose one after IoCG.
The only problem I see with the offensive icons is that combat is really not a likely thing after DSing.

Hence my suggestion for you to see what you need after using them a bit, maybe some works much better for you or vs. your gaming group.

Personally 3-5 termies with all Combi weapons, chainfist and IoCG if 5 man squad...that's what I would do if I used termies.... I presonally would go for more troops

My problem with IoN and IoT is that both increase the cost of the unit to the tune of another terminator. If you're running a small unit, then the unit is made more durable with the addition of another model/wound. If you're running a big unit... well that's just not a very good way to run chaos terminators, since they can't fit in a Land Raider with more than 5 models.

Basically, I just leave all the icons at home with Chaos Terminators.

Sanctjud
I'll take your advice and play some games with em before I take a Icon. Currently I'm only playing vs orks, so long range anti terminator aint a real issue xP

Willystyle:
I won't leave the terminators, way to cool to leave collecting dust =)

I didn't say I leave the Terminators at home. I definitely use them quite a bit when I play my Chaos army (which is happening less and less as time goes on...)

I said I leave the Icons at home

Yea, none is an option as well.
But with respect to those who want to bling their termy squad and make them an all-comer unit, it's not much more to throw an icon on them.

Termicides=no IoCG.
Anything else, IoCG at the least.
It's basically role oriented.

I've been back and forth on the idea of using 10 man Terminator squads with either IoN or IoT to act as giant tarpit squads. With the size of the bases and their general durability, it seems like it has potential to hold up an entire flank by itself. Sprinkle in a few Fists and not even MCs become much of a concern.

For smaller squads I really think that IoS or IoCG are the best options simply because they're so cheap.

Thanks for all the tips, I was thinking somehing similar to your idée minigun762, using em as a mobile cover.

How do you usually place an icon on a terminator squad? Chop up a force weapon and glue on a icon pole? Feels like kind of a waste thought

If you are looking for mobile cover (*Cough*Rhinos*Cough*) then I would suggest IoCG.

Cover is as good as the IoT boost at range and IoN won't be needed at the ranges slogging termies are at.

Large termy squads are liable to be PBS'ed after some deaths...and not being fearless is a problem for units that are used as screens.

I'm not sold on large terminator squads, they function no where near the way Loyalist Tactical Squads that function well that way.

Nor does the CSM need a walking cover save granting unit. Them walking means no combi-weapon spam scalpel deepstrike...
In addition, one large target makes it easier to focus fire should the enemy need to remove them (aka less overkill and easier target priorities).

Large footslogging squads are NOT flexible.
It's not an easy to use well, you need to plan out their movement and roles turn to turn in advance...etc.
I feel they offer more distractions for the owning player than the opponent...

/shrug, YMMV.

Agreed, 5 man squads function much better. After facing an IG gunline you'll understand the importance of giving your opponent an abundance of targets to fire upon.

IoT is nice but cover is almost always available.
IoN is okay but any concentrated fire will either ignore the extra point of toughness or just swamp you with the volume of shots.
IoS is again okay but situational
IoCG is your best bet its cheap and fills in that horrible non fearless hole

As for special weapons. (4) Combi-meltas, Heavy Flamer & (2) Champions w/ Chainfists is how I usually tool up. If you use lightning claws you are asking to be assaulted by a dread or similar.

Sanctjud wrote:I'm not sold on large terminator squads, they function no where near the way Loyalist Tactical Squads that function well that way. Them walking means no combi-weapon spam scalpel deepstrike...
In addition, one large target makes it easier to focus fire should the enemy need to remove them (aka less overkill and easier target priorities).

Yeah thats pretty much what I thought but its always good to question your current beliefs in light of the meta-game.

Honestly if I used Terminators I'd probably just use squads of 5 for the simple reason that its how you buy them.
A squad similar to Ealiom's seems to be your best bet for an all-purpose unit.

Of course the question is, do you really need another all-purpose unit if you're already running CSMs?

do you really need another all-purpose unit if you're already running CSMs?

Let me quote some things:
"Too Much Is Never Enough."
"If Brute Force Is Not Working, You Are Not Using Enough."

Like I've said, when in doubt, go with troops, reliability is a powerful thing in 40K.
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Though I don't want to crush the wishes to try the 10 man CSM unit.
I've seen others use it to good effect relative to thier goals with the unit.

When I see 10 Termies, I also see 20 CSM unit... then I can't decide which I want to use to annoy the opponent... Obviously a Cult 20 man squad would be more desirable for the annoyance factor cause Sweeping/Lowered LD for morale sucks for non-fearless.

Sanctjud wrote:

When I see 10 Termies, I also see 20 CSM unit... then I can't decide which I want to use to annoy the opponent... Obviously a Cult 20 man squad would be more desirable for the annoyance factor cause Sweeping/Lowered LD for morale sucks for non-fearless.

I'd say thats true for normal CSMs but with Cult, its probably closer to a 1:1 match all things considered.

I think the main advantage of 10 man squads is you're getting the Icon bonus cheaper and this makes IoT and IoN seem like better deals.
Of course the problem is that the bigger the squad gets, the more you want to keep it from running so the more useful IoCG becomes.

As one who has taken Chaos Terminator heavy (20+) lists to GT's and tournaments, and had fair success with them, I encourage you to give them a try. Try this unit:

10 Chaos Terminators, 2 have chainfists, 2 have combi meltas, 2 have combi flamers, 2 have reaper autocannons, 1 has Icon of Tzeentch or Nurgle.

Shoots, walks, fights, a fine unit. Awesome in KP, good for attacking objective fortresses in objective missions. Only real problem is Lash.

Deepstriking is the way to go for choas terminators. You want small squads with no icons and combi-weapons. Use rhinos for mobile cover and if you want a super awesome close combat unit, use Khorne Berserkers.

IoCG and Tzeench are the best if your bringing a big squad though.