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I am mulling over between a Jp Chaplin and a Librarian to lead a 10 man RAS squad (pw/2x melta). I already have one librarian in the list so I am trying to figure out what would work better given they have the same stat lines.

Librarian Advantages
Potentially UR every round of combat
Psychic Hood
Other power of choice (BL, sword, FotD)
Looks good in blue

Chaplin Advantages
UR equivalent on attack, dose not need psychic test to pass
Gives fearless
4+ invulnerable save
Looks scary

The only real advantage of the Chaplain is the 4++, in my opinion. Fearless is probably more of a drawback than a benefit, as it's so easy to get Marines to rally.

The Chaplain's ability to give re-rolls without a test is nice, but is of limited value unless there's something making it hard to pass tests, or a Hood nearby. But, in most of those situations, the Librarian's Hood is hurting the enemy, so it's not as much of an advantage as it seems. You only fail one out of every twelve normal tests.

Doesn't the chaplain also give the squad he's attached to prefered enemy? I don't know BA that well, and my SW equivalent the wolf priest does.

The Chaplain ability Litanies of Blood allows his squad to re-roll misses in a round of combat in which they've charged. If his squad is a Death Company, they also re-roll wounds.

So, it's like Preferred Enemy, but only on a round in which he charges. The Librarian power Unleash Rage gives the Librarian's squad Preferred Enemy, and can be used in any round of combat.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
On a different topic, after thinking about it, I guess Fearless is probably more of a benefit than I've previously given it credit for when you have a Jump Pack. Falling back 3D6 gives you a worringly high probability of going off the table, so it's probably worth taking some No Retreat! wounds to prevent it, especially with 3+ armor and FNP.

That said, how often do you lose badly in combat with a 10 man Assault Squad? You should be able to pick your battles when you can move 12".

Libby all the way. Chaplains are for the death company because of the re-roll to hit and wound. If you want a truly hard hitting squad throw a sang priest in with them.

My DoA army is always led by a Librarian or two (in 2000 pt games) leading a Honor Guard.
Chaplains are also force multiplies but Librarians are much better in this.