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Dakka,

So I run a Heavy Mechanized infantry list (Grenadier Vets+Chimeras) for fluff reasons, but on a more competitive level what do you all think about the Grenadiers doctrine for veterans?

I won't post the points it costs (against Dakka rules, I think?), but it's roughly half the squad's cost for 4+ saves on 10 models. The ability to not get boned by a single flamer seems like a good buy to me, as a ton of weapons are AP5 in my experience. The way I see it, it offers over double the survivability (especially on Gets Hot! rolls). I generally put grenadier vets inside of Chimeras as well, hoping for serious survivability.

Grenadiers, yay or nay?

Nay. In my experience (I too run mech vets) the points are better spent on getting more firepower. For instance I generally run 4-5 vet squads and at 30pts per unit you could be buying another tank.

I run them with carapace, but keep in mind there IS something to be said for going without, after 3 squads, you have paid for another vet squad and started buying special weapons. With four or five, you are looking at basically a free squad going without.

On the other hand, it's 30 point insurance that buys you, in all probability, one extra turn of life in the face of rapid fire bolters, poison attacks, and flamers. Flamers which may just be on standby for when your chimera pops and you are disembarked in a very small clump. The whole squad in one go, or probably a third to half the squad gone...your choice.

It depends on your feelings on the subject, personally I include it on the occasional squad if I have covered all my bases and have any spare points...Which is an incredibly rare thing for my guard lists admittedly.

If I have my Plasma PCS, I'll often give them grenadiers, but if they're flamer monkeys then I've already shipped off the letters and dog tags to their families at home and sung their praises before they get in that Chimera.

I only took carpace armor for one squad because I knew that squad would need the re rolls. They're going to be very close combat oriented ( power fist, shotguns and meltas.) . This squad us also quite expensive, so I want it to be alive to bring back it's points. It's one of three vet squads I have that are airbourne, this one in a Valkyrie leading the pack along with two tank busting vendettas carrying the other squads In close pursuit. Really, it's up to you. If you think the squad in question is going to need a saving grace every now and again because they're in the thick of the fighting and you would like that squad to stay around a bit longer, then sure, why not!


P.S originally, all three squads had carpace armor, but then I decided I wanted hydras, so I dropped all but one grenedier doctrine and ditched my sentinels.

I run a squad with both grenadiers and Demolitions, and the 4+ frequently gives the Vets the oppertunity to survive to kill another vehicle or close enough to toss the demo charge at a squad.

Carapace is decent, if not a bit expensive, with plasma gunners. Does give you an edge when you're rapid firing all those shots.

Yeah I'd only do it with an extra 30 pts and on plasma vets for the inevitable gets hot.