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Howdy everyone! I was curious to know if there is a purpose to giving storm vermin shields since they already come with halberds. The rulebook says that since a halberd is a "special weapon" that they will use that until for some reason they can't. Does this mean that I cannot walk up the fields with shields and then switch to halberds?

That's pretty much what happens. You'll get the +1 to your armor against shooting, but in combat you'll get no bonus in combat since your can't use the shield with the halberd.

Wait. What rule supercedes the one where the unit must use its special weapons for being able to use the shields. I thought they could NOT use their shields in any case until they lose their halberds

Page 75
"Requires Two Hands"

it says you can't use a shield or an additional hand weapon in close combat but you can use it against shooting attacks or magic.

Exactly right.

In close combat, Storm Vermin set aside their shields and use their halberds, full stop. The shields are there specifically for use against ranged attacks, and ranged attacks only.

The question then becomes, are you expecting your Storm Vermin (or other troop option that comes with 'use both hands' weapons and the option to take a shield) to take enough ranged attacks for it to be worth buying shields to protect them?

Comes down to point cost per model. If pcpm >10 take the shield if it´s below 10 take no shield and go for the extra model instead.
I can afford enough orkz do lose "a couple" on the march but take HE or WoC for example and you wont lose a single model of your elitist troops to a stupid arrow/bullet.

Terribly sorry to revive something apparently dead....
but.

Am i to take it then that a regiment of chaos warriors, can take shields and additional hand weapons, but cannot choose to use their shield in combat rather than the extra weapon?

That would be correct. An additional hand weapon is one of the "special" types of hand weapon, and must be used.

So that means a 4+ save from shooting and a 5+ in combat, as well as +1 str.
One of my regular opponents must not have realized that as he always uses them with a 5+, i'll have to inform him.

3+ shooting, 4+ combat.

Chaos Armor gives a 4+ save.

Grey Templar wrote:3+ shooting, 4+ combat.

Chaos Armor gives a 4+ save.

I was speaking of storm vermin. They only have normal heavy armor.

Tethlis the Slayer wrote:

Grey Templar wrote:3+ shooting, 4+ combat.

Chaos Armor gives a 4+ save.

I was speaking of storm vermin. They only have normal heavy armor.

Speaking for stromvermin, then yes, a 4+ against shooting, and a 5+ in combat

Grey is also right when speaking for chaos.

Yup grey is right yay for 4+ armor
But yes the shields are used against shooting and then its halberds all the way.