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RRs are ok, but they compete with vendettas, which are arguably the best unit in the codex. Everything RRs do, something else in the guard codex can do*, too, but nothing packs 3 TL lascannons for 130 points besides the vendetta.

*maybe not as good in assault, but things like russes can clear out MEQs, vendettas can hurt MCs, etc

Nothing immobilises like a Vendetta either. Remember 40K uses a weapons tracking arc and vendettas dont have one, so if immobilised it can only shoot that which is directly ahead of it.

Downed-at-low-speed-Vendettas become so messy rulewise we considered them destroyed.

Vendettas are cool, but have their quirks.

Grimaldi wrote:RRs are ok, but they compete with vendettas, which are arguably the best unit in the codex. Everything RRs do, something else in the guard codex can do*, too, but nothing packs 3 TL lascannons for 130 points besides the vendetta.

*maybe not as good in assault, but things like russes can clear out MEQs, vendettas can hurt MCs, etc

Arguable is correct, but IMHO the best unit in the dex is the humble infantry platoon...in the latest dex, no unit has the amount of options, different builds, and flexibility than the infantry platoon. Large blobs which can tarpit an enemy unit and has a chance versus an enemy in an assault? Get a commissar and PWs, and blob the squads and it is Done! Mechanised units packing a lot of special weapons? Equip the PCS with SW and get the SWS to borrow the chimeras from the squads, while the squads are your firebase, and it is DONE! Need a lot of long range anti tank or anti infantry weapons? Get HWS and it is done! Outflank or send waves of stubborn men into the teeth of the enemy? Get alrahem or chenkov and it is DONE!

In fact, the basic platoon can be configured to handle almost anything the 40K universe can throw at them. While veterans are an excellent incisive force, the IG platoon really is the meat and bones of an IG army, and is truly the anvil wherein the heavy "Hammer" units of the IG smash against....

Back on topic...the geist of what the RR can do is in assault, and while yes there are other options that can clear out units in shooting, if you really have played the IG long enough you know that there WILL be shooting phases where all your guns do not finish off the enemy, and the guns become useless once certain units get really deep into your lines and starting chewing them up in assault. With the RR, they are the ONLY ones who have the reach to be an excellent counter close combat unit, with the power weapons to boot. Ogryns are also good, but their assault range is short, and they often take a couple of turns to be able to get into position in order to assault an enemy. In essence, RR give you a decent chance to wipe out an enemy and participate in the ASSAULT phase.