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Would Bolters be a good idea? I was thinking of taking two in a squad of 5, in order to give them some range. They'll be in a storm raven, and even when they get into assault, they usually kill what they assault then have nothing in range at all to shoot at. So, I was thinking of throwing Bolters in the squad to give em a bit of range. What do you guys think?

Depends what you equipped them with CC wise I suppose. I run 5 with a chaplain all with jump packs in a storm raven, generally with 2xPW and 1xPF. Having them with jump packs AND in the flyer makes them a bit dear but it's usually worth it the for extra flexibility in subsequent turns. I feel putting bolters on them might cause problems with shooting stuff up too much and putting it out of charge range, and they really need to get that first assault right to start making their points back. Maxing out your attacks for PW's as well is a worhtwhile factor for the use of pistols also.

What job do you want them to do in your list, shoot or assault?

Taking a couple of bolters in a 5-man squad wont really make too much of a difference. I think it's important to go all out, one way or another. Either all bolters, or all BP/CS. At a unit as small as 5, I'd opt for the close combat option, as they're gonna need all the attacks they can get.

I think it's a more complex question than that, SoloFalcon. Relentless makes things far more interesting.

I'd say it's a question of, "do you expect them to be in single, big protracted combats, or several smaller ones."

In a single combat round, the extra utility in the bolters firing before the charge isn't MASSIVELY different than the extra attack (S4 V S5). Then you have the slight benefit of extra overwatch too if someone is insane...

However, if you're going to be stuck in a big ruck that keeps on getting added to, the extra attack ends up being worth more and more, compared to the 'wasted' bolters.

They're gonna be close combat assault, but they never have range with shooting. I run them cheap, five with a power weapon. Maybe later i would run 10 with a PW/TH as well, but they run around with a Death Comp. Dread, and Gabriel Seth. I figured that it's one extra attack versus 24inch range. The bolters don't affect too much, because with relentless, they can still charge after shooting. It's also two more shots during Overwatch, and it gives them range when out of charge range. They also get two attacks on the charge due to the awesome new Rage. The bolt pistol/Chainsword gives me one more attack, but still only has 12 inches of range. It's basically +1 attacks versus 2 more shots/24 inch range.

But that's true, even if they're running with Seth. Those extra attacks from the CCW and BP could help. A lot. Plus, I already have quite a decent amount of shooting (Storm Raven, 2 Baal Preds, 2 Plasma guns in each assault squad). I think two bolters wouldn't be missed.

The "complex" question seemed to resolve itself...

Run them all assault. No one is going to miss the bolters.

I drop my DC out of a drop pod. Usually 8-10 DC with bolters and either 2 power weapons or one fist, sometimes a plasma pistol.
They have done awesome. Shot up DE light skimmers from the rear. Killed a 5 man th/SS termie squad (helps when 2 die to bolter fire). I think their utility is far greater with bolters. I do have some with BP/CC but I just feel like I will miss the bolter volleys.

Bolters because you still get a charge bonus of +2 and bolters help in overwatch if you get assualted

I went with a mix of bolters and bolt pistols, giving bolters to the guys with the Thunder Hammers. Since they're already losing that 2nd attack, might as well get another shot first.

You guys spend WAY TOO many points on your death co. I find they are affective with bolters and a single fist and half the time I wonder if I really need the fist or of I could spend those points elsewhere.

I do tend to Death Star the hell out of my Death Company. 8 or 9 with jump packs, Lemartes, a few Thunder Hammers, and power swords or axes for everyone else. It's overkill sometimes, but the entire army is such a novelty that I don't actually expect it to be good.

How much is that runnin you? I find BA can get expensive really fast. I preferr to go with more units and less toys. I run 8 DC in the drop pod with bolters and one fist (death wind launcher on the pod) I believe it's about 250 points. Last game them dropped in turn 1 killed a landspeeder, then over the next 3 turns killed a 5 man TH/SS DW squad and then ran into a ruin to grab the line breaker point. Well worth it for their price.

I tend to spend 400 to 500 points on a Death Company unit that inhales fire for two turns, then demolishers whatever it touches for the rest of the game.

See I find I get 70-85% of the mileage you are talking about but for half the price. That gives me more points to spend elsewhere.

My standard DC is 5 marines, 4 power swords, 1 power fist, all with bolt pistols, all with jump packs, and Lemartes (or a regular chaplain). With Lemartes it's 410 for all that. Put them in an assault vehicle and they will chew some stuff up, especially with the HoW from the jump packs. I've run them before with bolters and wasn't necessarily impressed with the results. I really like them having that extra attack from the pistols. Just try them for a couple of games and see how they work. You can always go back.

I have built quite a collection of DC, so far 7 with BP CCW JP 3 with bolters PF JP, 17 with BP CCW 3 with BP PF (need to change the BP's to bolters) one with TH and 10 with bolters. I havent really used them much as will be running the 10 JP's tomorrow as I have just finished them