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Hey,

I'm planning an imperial guard airborne army & I'm not sure whether to give my vet squads shotguns or leave them with lasguns. I have no experience with imperial guard so does anyone have any advice?

Will you be assaulting? What special weapons are they taking, what doctrine and what about the sergeant? For the most part it will probably be no, keep the lasguns, but squads that will get into cc will want shotguns. These units probably also have meltaguns.

I've been far more impressed with shotguns. The extra range on the lasguns tends not to matter since the veterans are usually racing for point blank range to make the most of their three meltaguns.

Shotguns.

If a vet squad moves 12" and then shoots, they are getting 2 shots at 12" (for a total of 24") with both shotguns and lasguns, both of which are better than lasguns only single-tapping to 24" while sitting still.

If lasguns and shotguns put out the same number of shots at the same strength at the same Ap, then the shotgun wins, because it comes with the added benefit of being an assault weapon. Even if you basically never assault, having the option to makes the shotgun superior over the lasgun, as all other things are basically equal.

They're taking 3 melta guns per squad. I haven't decided on what doctrine to give them yet.

Yeah, shotguns. I'd recommend carapace and demolitions for doctrine, but you probably already figured that one out.

Shotguns for Melta vets. For Plasma vets, lasguns make sense, if you are firing the PG's you wont be assaulting anyways. I find PG's, lasguns and an autocannon a good firebase. Especially if put in cover with forward sentires or in a chimera.

As for doctrines, imo they are too expensive. 30 points for a demo charge (demolitions) is the only one worth while in most lists. But again, it seems overpriced. Forward sentries is good, but you might as well run Harker at that point for the additional usr's and 'Payback'. Carapace is kind of a waste, AP4 is way too easy to get ahold of and used in a lot of armies.

As for the SGT, I cannot see a point in giving them a ton of upgrades. Maybe a shotgun, but thats about it.

Yeah, I have to agree from experience - shotguns are the way to go for melta vets, but I'd have to say avoid doctrines unless you have a good reason, I think the points can be better spent elsewhere.

Shotguns for melta or flamer "aggressive" vets, lasguns with plasma or sniper "firebase" vets.

cheers for the help guys