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.

I am playing around with different possible combinations for henchman warbands, below is one I have been considering

4 x Psykers 40pts
(Allows a S6 AP3 Range 36'' Large Blast, Assault)

4 x Warriors Acolyte, each with power armor and stormbolter 68pts

1 Inquisitor with power armor 33 pts

1 Jokaero Weaponsmith 35pts

Here is my thinking, this squad can absorb a lot of damage through wound allocation by giving the warriors and the inquisitor power armor. Giving the warriors stormbolters is good because they are WAY better than laspistols and only cost 3pts each. The Jokaero is good for this squad because almost all of its possible benefits can really help this group out, by either making the storm bolters range 36", or by making them rending. Or by giving everyone a 5++ save, or even giving all of the warriors and the Inquisitor a 2+ save, making them extremely durable making it easier for the psykers to all stay alive longer.

Total cost of the group is 176 pts. I am considering giving the Inquisitor a Hellrifle for 15pts (S6 AP3 Range 36 Heavy 1 Rending) so he isn't just standing around.

Thoughts? I am pretty new to 40k so the advice is appreciated! Feel free to include completely different warband builds that you think would be effective.

The stormbolters (on BS3) and the power armour (on T3) are not worth as much as you think. The best protection for any unit is a vehicle - you can't be touched, and even if it's destroyed, which is much harder than killing a few T3 3+sv models, you get cover saves.

Basically, if you are contemplating a shooty henchmen squad, get them a chimera - with front AV12 and 5 fire points, it is a great pillbox. As far as I know when you fire the psykers, only one model is using a fire point. Some unit configurations that would work well here:

8 Psykers (S10 Ap1)
Inquisitor
3 multimelta servitors
Chimera 190

Inquisitor
3 multimelta servitors
2 jokaero weaponsmiths
Chimera 180

Both of those are pretty shooty squads. If you are not taking Coteaz (so you have to take an inquisitor for the squad) then you should always consider the weapon servitors for a shooty squad. Also, 3 warriors with melta or plasma guns are a good bargain.

Are 8 Psykers really worth it though? After 8 its already AP 1

S10 AP1 Large Blast is very worth it. Prety cheap too for 36" range. Similar points cost to a Vindicator but AP1 (so better against Vehicles) and 36" range makes a huge difference.

Would plasma cannons or heavy bolters make more sense for the servitors considering that they would be able to match the range of the psykers?