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Been planning some Sternguard conversions for my Kantor army for a while, and I want to take (certainly create) two full squads by kit-bashing different MK power suits together.

The sticking point is the combi-weapons. Combi-meltas and flamers, obviously. How many should I take? I know many are of the opinion that you should give them all combi-weapons, but even then, what ratio of melta-to-flamer combi-weapons should I take? I'm currently leaning towards 5 of each in a 10 man squad.

What about Heavy Flamers?

I need to know things like this before I start modelling.

 GoldenKaos wrote:
. Combi-meltas and flamers, obviously.

I'd say combi-flamers aren't even that great. Plasma is better, or full melta imo. You already get rounds which ignore cover, but no str:7 ap:2 rounds for dealing with terminators or other such tough units. Sternguard are expensive too, flaming a few orks or guard won't help them make their points back. However taking out an entire TEQ squad and a tank, or taking out 2 tanks, or even smooshing a tervigon is definitely worth it.

Best sternguard I've seen is drop pod, 10 melta, combat squad, waste two of my tanks on turn one. It's annoying as hell, but it's a great tactic.

The amount of times I've seen sternguard waste horde armies with combi-flamers from a drop pod makes me want to respectfully disagree with that. And even power armour can only do so much against several flame templates.

I think half and half is probably a good mix.

Related thoughts:
1. Remember that they changed Combat Squads so that it has to be declared during deployment nowadays, rather than when the pod arrives.
2. I would strongly consider including a second podding unit in the army, or at least a unit with an empty pod, in case your opponent sets up a defensive formation and you have no really good targets for the Sternguard on turn 1.
3. A potentially amazing combo with sternguard is a Librarian with Biomancy on the ground. IBiomancy's good in general, but two of its best powers (Endurance and Enfeeble) combine especially well with Sternguard. Giving expensive guys with multiple attacks and rapid fire weapons FNP & Relentless is obviously good, and with Enfeeble you can make a unit of Scarabs or Dark Eldar Razorwings T2, and instead death them with your flamers. Or even make marines T3 and do a bunch more wounds.