Starting Mechanized Imperial Guard

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**cowmonaut**

So I play Space Wolves on foot. This was a conscience choice as I used to play them mechanized in 3rd edition and wanted something totally different when I got back in the hobby and rebuilt my army. Still loving the puppies and expanding my collection there but want to have a second army that plays completely differently. I'd like a more ranged army and to mechanize. Was going to go Tau but one of my friends is going to start that up shortly (whenever the Codex drops) so I dont want to now.

The FAQ updates may have helped me tip over to this decision but it truly is something I've been bouncing around on for a while. To start the collection off I'd need a 1500 point army and the ability to expand to 1750, 1850, and 2000 point games sometime down the road. Here's what I'm thinking of starting out with:

Spoiler:

1475/1500 points total. I feel its lacking ranged anti-tank and that some how squeaking in two Vendettas is the best way to deal with that. Not sure where to get the 260 points though without losing Heavy Support choices I rather like the idea of. Not sure if the ranged anti-tank is as important at 1500 points as it would be at 1750. But its an easy update to 1750, just add the two Vendettas.

And I like the 4 Meltaguns in the PCS. I know most people say to use Flamers but if a Meltagun is good enough for an Infantry Squad why not increase the odds I'll actually blow up a tank with a Guardsmen aimed Meltagun?

I'm also open to changing the HQ. Really just taking it because I have to, but a Master of the Fleet seems like it would be nice to have (one regular opponent is Blood Angels and he loves to deep strike his Jump Infantry, even if he isn't doing Decent of Angels lists).

Advice and criticism would be welcome, I've really not actually played as Guard before. I just really would enjoy having a tank based army and do not want to do so with Space Marines of any flavor.

**Byte**

Go flamer on the chims.

I like this list.

**Nungunz**

A different approach at a mech list so not as predictable as most. I like it.

Only suggestions I have is take Multilaser / Heavy Flamer on all the Chimeras. I'd also ditch the griffons and split up the Leman Russes. With the left over points a hellhound would be another good addition.

**cowmonaut**

Someone's a bit of a pyro eh? lol

Glad the list isn't terribad. I see the point about the heavy flamers. If I'm moving and shooting I'll want to use the higher strength multi-laser anyways, and a heavy flamer would just be better all around against horde. Burn the heretic and all that.

I always liked Griffons for some reason so I may be difficult and keep them anyways. I can see the value in splitting up as many vehicle squadrons as you can though, and I always liked tanks that are in Fast Attack slots. From the suggestion, I'm guessing ranged anti-tank won't be a problem since I'm fully mech'd up. Will mull it over.

Related question: Are Valkaryies/Vendettas okay to take solo if you have so much other armor or do they still tend to get heavily targeted by people?

**Nungunz**

cowmonaut wrote:Someone's a bit of a pyro eh? lol

Well wounding marines on a 2+ is nice even if they still get the 3+ save. But against things like scarab swarms, the hellhound is just golden. Vulnerable to Templates + ID is awesome....you can easily kill 10-12 bases with just one shot. Plus you can do that while moving cruising speed so they enemy hits on a 6+ in CC....and side armor 12 beats the 10 on a chimera/griffon. Lots of power and good defenses at a reasonable cost. Hell you can throw on a multi-melta have the chance to bust vehicles as well.

Glad the list isn't terribad. I see the point about the heavy flamers. If I'm moving and shooting I'll want to use the higher strength multi-laser anyways, and a heavy flamer would just be better all around against horde. Burn the heretic and all that.

Ja. ML / HF has such a nice duality it's great.

I always liked Griffons for some reason so I may be difficult and keep them anyways. I can see the value in splitting up as many vehicle squadrons as you can though, and I always liked tanks that are in Fast Attack slots. From the suggestion, I'm guessing ranged anti-tank won't be a problem since I'm fully mech'd up. Will mull it over.

They're cheap and decent in a hybrid or a foot list......but if you're packing 7 chimeras with heavy flamers and two russes do you really, honestly need the extra anti-horde. Only reason I suggest the hellhound is that it has good defenses and S6 is very nice to deal with swarms, ID T3, and is harder to kill than the griffons.....plus it can stay on the move with the rest of the army.

I might even suggest an Exterminator over the two Hydras.....yes you lose shots, but you gain manueverability, the ability to protect the weak side-armor of the chimeras with and AV 14 brick, and a bit of survivability. It's not needed though, just a thought.

Related question: Are Valkaryies/Vendettas okay to take solo if you have so much other armor or do they still tend to get heavily targeted by people?

Valkyries maybe....but you don't need it, you have enough templates. Vendettas not really as mech lists don't have much long-range fire support and a single one presents a very lucrative target. Might be able to pull it off in some games, but it's too risky for my tastes.