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Just wondering. I know they are uber expensive whichever way you look at it but just for fun lists i'd like to try them out. Whats the most optimal config for them with jumppacks? May use them for a raven guard army with Shrike.

I tend to run them out of rhinos or LRs when I decide to field them at all. Vanguard are a hilarity "KILLIT ON THE CHARGE!" squad you equip with a couple of power weapons/thunderhammer, add cheap chaplain. Aim at large infantry unit (Looking at you orks!) Release. Watch large infantry unit get converted into smaller, less useful meat and swept. Giggle. BA does this better, but BA does most any non-special character list better.

In a shrike list? I wouldn't run them WITH shrike, like a bodyguard. Get some much cheaper standard assault marines to absorb bullets for the good captain, and keep the vanguard someplace else to present another threat for the opponent to want to shoot at. Give them enough gear to take on what you plan to send them at (If it's "Jetpacks, and I want to threaten everything!" this'll get expensive. I would run no more than a couple power weapons, relic blades or fists/hammers. Stormshields are entirely up to you, but keep in mind that each one you add starts knocking attacks down and the price up at a terrifying rate. As said this is a do-or-die unit, not something that is efficient at a slug trading match like TH/SS. Whatever you do, continually check the price of this unit versus equal points value in regular ASM. You may be shocked unless you keep things plain.)

I'd give a storm shield to one with a lightning claw to help absorb plasma. A powerfist to crack anything hard and maybe a power weapon.

If i wanted to configure them as anti elite (power weapons) or anti infantry which would be better in terms of synergy with the rest of the army? In other words whatever i configure them for most of or the rest of my army will do the other role.

If you venguards it is to give the edge in at least one round of cc. Some things need to be took down in cc.
So build your usual list of a blend of antiinfantry and antitank.
That is equip them well with jump packs and send them against the trygon so he can't charge your landraider for example.

They are so expensive at doing this role however, maybe a command squad with stormshields would be a better unit or assault termies.

give them all plasma pistols and power weapons. volley of plasma shots+I4 power weapons= dead hammernators

If you want to use them in Vanilla, IMO you want to build three drop pods into the list as well, and give two of those pods Homing Beacons so if either or both are still alive you can safely use Heroic Intervention without scattering.

Not sure you can use Heroic intervention in DP ... at least you can't in BA 'dex.

If you plan to use HI don't bother with guns, as you can't shoot them while using HI. So best bet is either 2 squads with PW +PF or 3 with just PF i think they worth the same.

Or go for one uber (TH/SS, 2LC/SS, 2 PW/BP) but these guys will die as fast any other 3+ marine to small fire arms.

Save the points. They are not as good a buy as Assault Termies!

BloodTzar wrote:Not sure you can use Heroic intervention in DP ... at least you can't in BA 'dex.

he is referring to using the pod locator beacons to deep strike in with jp vets


as for the set ups i use it really depends on what i want them to do. if im just looking to tie things up till i can get my other units over to support then id go with a unit of 5 with 2x storm shields, power fist, and one lightning claw on 2 guys. this can also deal with small units fairly well. but if im looking to get in a decent amount of attacks to take down some of the bigger stuff i still keep it cheap and it works for me, but i usually go with an 8 man unit with a power fist and a few power weapons.

im not too big on loading out a large unit with all the toys possible. i find doing so makes them a fire magnet and somewhat ineffective for the point cost. ditching 500 pts into a unit when you can do just as good with out all the toys normally isnt good

lliadon wrote:

BloodTzar wrote:Not sure you can use Heroic intervention in DP ... at least you can't in BA 'dex.

he is referring to using the pod locator beacons to deep strike in with jp vets

Exactly. Vanguard are substantially overpriced if you aren't using Heroic Intervention, their really cool unique rule. But with 2d6" scatter it's almost insanely risky and low-percentage for success. If you use Homing Beacons on a Drop Pod or two which land on the table turn 1 and give you a chance of a no-scatter Heroic Intervention, THEN you might have a viable combo. It's still a lot of points, but at least it's not suicidal.