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So I've been trying to decide how to kit out my sternguard. I've seen arguments for multiple layouts, etc., and would just love to get some input before I finish assembling/converting mine.

I'm thinking 5-8 combis + 2 HF, but I haven't had a chance to use them in battle (as they're unfinished).

Anyone have any advice? Or would care to share their sternguard loadouts/tactics?

i personally never take flamers, only c-meltas. delivery system is always drop pod, this pretty much insures you destroy what you land on.

I have had good luck with a 5 man squad with 2 meltas and 3 combi meltas. Put them in a Razorback with TL Assault Cannons and do drive by's on anything that gets in your way.

My drop/jumper BA list uses Sternguards. I use eight in a drop pod with Corbulo and a libby. This is perhaps a BA special set up, since BA libbies have shield of sanguinius they can cast on the the opposing player's turn. Do, however, also support them with a fragnought in a pod. Both pods have locator beacons to bring in deep striking terminators or perhaps other units in pods. In this way, I am not suiciding them. They are too expensive to suicide. After 2-3 turns of special ammo fire, they are well worth the points.

For vanilla, I'd be tempted to combat squad a ten man squad into 2 squads and melta 2 different targets.

These are all pretty cool, and make me wonder:

So I'm kinda debating (after checking the info on combat squadding) If it would be potent to break the Sternguard into combat squads, start them in a rhino, and give 5 combi-meltas (one squad), 2 HFs, and the other 3 left pretty bare (second squad).

The idea would be to run up and disembark the combi-melta troops for more basic troop killing, and trying to exploit the two fire points on the rhino to use the heavy flamers whilst mobile.

I'd stick with drop pods. If you don't go first, and have no LOS blocking terrain for that rhino, its gonna get popped by most lists.

I like using them as Heldrake munchies.

Ohh... wait...

Drop pod with an even mix of combi-weapons: flamers and meltas. Option to exit two different directions to kill troops AND a vehicle. Gives the option in turn two to jump into supporting melee or shoot more if needed.

I eliminate the need for flamers by sending a fragnought with them.

I tend to go heavy combi-meltas, out of a drop pod. I've also had great success with a Librarian using Gate of Infinity and Force Shield.

10 man, minimal combis (one c-melta, might add a second when I pick up some parts to model one). Librarian with gate/null. Port around unloading special ammo into things. Drop pods are nice to have, they make sure you get the first round of shots in. This load is not a suicide drop, so watch where you land.

Other nice options are the 10 man with half c-melta, half other (c-plasma, or c-flamer/heavy flamer) in a pod. Drop, split, kill. Then die. Hope you make your points back.

The 5 man faux-dev squad works if you've got the spare elite slot. Here you take advantage of the low price on LCs and PCs. You don't get the BS5 signum, but do get a vet statline and special ammo on the extra bodies. Bonus perk of scoring in pedro lists.

Big squads are better. Bolter fire, even with special ammo, needs weight of fire to work. 5 guys just don't cut it.

The only heavy I'd take for normal use would be a heavy flamer. The special ammo is just too nice to give up. The HF has a lot of synergy with what the squad will be doing most of the time, so it's worth it.

Combis are cheep, but not free. I take sternguard for the special ammo, and a librarian to make sure they will have a good target to shoot it into. Don't overspend on combis if you aren't going to use them. The rest of your list could probably use the 50 points. I take a c-melta like I take a melta bomb, just in case.

They die just as easy as tac marines. While your basic PA marine is a little tougher then they get credit for, sternguard tend to be at the pointy end of the fight. You need to neutralize any nearby threats, generally by shooting the tar out of them. They draw fire, so do what you can to limit it. Try to keep only your target in LOS, to restrict return fire.

10man squad in a Drop Pod.

Combat Squad them with x5 C-Melta and x5 C-Flamers or just x10 C-Melta.

Watch two units get completely destroyed...and if you placed your Stern in a good situation...you can maybe even avoid a good bit of return fire from those units' friends.