My idea of a properly kitted out offensive blob...
PIS - 120pts
Commissar, 2x
PW, Melta gun, Melta bomb
PIS - 75pts
Melta gun,
PW, Melta bomb
From that point on you add on PIS till your happy or points allow. For a defensive blob, give each PIS a
AC to be able to shoot down range. The melta guns then turn into a defensive weapon that is useful against things like Terminators, Drop pod Dreads, and other power armor fun stuff. Plasma is tempted, but to expensive for a
BS 3 trooper to really be effective.
1. I've heard people say grenadiers is not worth it. Would another doctrine be better? Or would I be better off investing that 60 points elsewhere?
It can be, but I feel it is the weakest of the Doctrines. You have to look at it that a base cover save is +4 for sitting half your guys in the woods. Cover saves don't care about the
AP value of the attack, but do not help against template weapons like flamers. Sentries for camping Vets and Demolitions for attackers. Grenadiers is more of a fluff choice.
2. How are the special weapon loadouts? I've used a lot of plasma and I don't know how good an idea that is. I'd like to fit more flamers, but sticking them in the powerblob seems sub-par and I don't know if I want to mitigate my tank-hunting punch on the mounted vets. Are the heavy flamers on the chimeras enough?
Yes, hull heavy flamers on the Chimeras are enough if your doing all mech, but your doing hybred, so you may need more. Also, HHFs should be put on attacking Chimeras. If your camping them, leave the
HBs on. As Bark said, do not mix special weapon load-outs.
3. I'm really ambivalent about the sentinels. I like the idea of outflanking autocannons, but is one squad worth it? I might pick up a hellhound instead. If I do run them, is it better to concentrate their firepower by running them as a squadron, or spread out their threat by running 3 singles?
I think neither the Sentinels or the Hell Hound are worth it. A Vehicle (Sentinels) that is worried about bolters is not something that inspires confidence. The Hound is limited in combat and the general rule is run at least two vehicles of a type or run none. Stuff like a manticore is an exception.
4. Should I be buying any gear for my commanders/sergeants/commissars? All of the options seem lackluster.
It isn't the gear that is lack luster, it is the stats of the troops the weapons are going on. In blobs, yes, it is /very/ important because they are not
ICs, so can not be singled out in close combat. Every lasgun turns into a wound for a blob, and Stubborn from the Commissar means they are not going anywhere. In a lone 5 man squad or a 10 man squad, no, they are totally worthless in
CC. I do on occasion buy a bolter, bolt pistol, or a plasma pistol depending on points left over or if I want to give a unit a
Str 7 shot.
5. Should I run any other Russ variants? Nothing else seems quite as awesome as the ordnance cannons.
LRBTs are anti-infantry vehicles except for one, the Vanquisher. The Vanq though is really only good against vehicles though. You also have to ask yourself if a Vendetta (for less points) does a better job as a
AT vehicle.
Demolishers are pretty good for assault lists where troops or Chimeras can support them. Executioners are fine for anti marine lists wehre the troops are not in vehicles. The base
LRBT is fine for alittle more well rounded vehicle or if you just want to have some
AV 14 on the board. The Exterminator and the Punisher are just to limited or have other vehicles (hydra) that do the same job better to be of real use (kinda like the Vanq and the Vendetta).
- 2000 Points
- 2000 Points
Orks, 
Eldar, 
Lamentors, 
Pre-Heresy EC, 
CSM EC, and