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I really want to use vanguard veterans in my army since I just love the pose of the models.



Here is a proposed list.





Vanguard Veterans (290)
1x Lightning Claw + BP
2x Power Fist + BP
1x Plasma Pistol and Relic Blade, Meltabombs
1x Plasma Pistol + Chainsword
Jump Packs



How would you guys improve on this?

Thanks

IMO, you can't really plan out the unit in a vacuum. The kit can be affected by what else you are bringing to the table. Also, they are 175 points to be of any use before you get into upgrades (other than Jump Packs). That said:

Vanguard Veteran Squad - 250 points
1 Space Marine Sergeant w/ Power Armour, Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Frag and Krak Grenades, Jump Pack
2 Veterans w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Chainsword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Sword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Axe, Jump Pack

That is the most I'd spend on them. In fact, I'd probably drop the Power Sword and have 3 with Chainswords so that the unit only costs 235 points. The only reason to take Vanguard Veterans is to use Heroic Intervention, so the Jump Packs are obligatory. Since they are a rescue unit, I'd kit out the Sergeant for Challenges. A 3++ will see him survive most things and 2-3 S6 AP3 hits in close combat at Initiative 4 is nothing to balk at. If you really want him to have AP: 2 then save yourself some more points and give him a Power Fist instead of the Relic Blade.

A Power Axe on the remaining Veterans is enough to mess up anything in close combat. I wouldn't spring for Power Fists or Thunder Hammers.

Also, remember that you can't take advantage of Hammer of Wrath when you use Heroic Intervention. Honestly, that makes them less awesome to me. I'd rather have Bikes or a large unit of Assault Marines already on the table coming to my rescue. 235 points gets you a 10 man Assault Squad with a TH/SS wielding Sergeant (no other upgrades). Much scarier in my opinion.

But to each their own. I would say just use the fancier armor to represent Assault Marines but if you are wanting to use special weapons...

If you want to use heroic intervention, you need locator beacons on the table. That says scout bikers and drop pods

I'd build the list around 3 pods. Sternguard, MM/DCCW(HF) dread, tactical squad. Beacons on two of them.

Small scout bike squad, some AGLs, beacon. c-melta or fist on the sarge.

2 scout squads. One snipers, one aggressive.

ADL with Com relay.

Stormraven and/or talon.

HQ of your choosing.

That should be about 1,500 by my off the cuff I've been drinking math.

On a lonely stretch of planet, elements from the 10th company have set up a forward observation outpost. Snipers man the comm, while two other squads run patrols, on on foot, on on bikes. Enemy contact! Send reinforcements! First wave of pods lands, their job is to crack open tanks. Soon after, the Vanguard Vets arrive, pinpointed on the static beacons of the pods or the mobile one on the scout bikes. CC carnage ensues. Flyers show up to keep the skies clean. Tac squad drops late to claim objectives.

VVs are best used in small groups, with a power weapon or two and melta bombs. Kit the Sergeant out to last a while, but remember, it's still a one wound model. on average, he'll fail one in every three saves he's asked to make, so don't expect him to do amazing things or tank squads, even with a Stormshield.

Honestly, if you want to use VV, I'd suggest playing Blood Angels, since theirs only scatter 1d6". Much safer.

Its ironic that i am using ba models for my vv - check my sig.

Thanks guys for all the advice. My idea was to bring them in the later turns so that I can clear up any mess.

Vivster wrote:
Its ironic that i am using ba models for my vv - check my sig.

Thanks guys for all the advice. My idea was to bring them in the later turns so that I can clear up any mess.

One thing to remember about reserves: You are playing at a handicap until they show up. If you have a lot of points off the table, the battle might be decided already by the time they show up. VV, being expensive, make this an issue.

cowmonaut wrote:

Vanguard Veteran Squad - 250 points
1 Space Marine Sergeant w/ Power Armour, Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Frag and Krak Grenades, Jump Pack
2 Veterans w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Chainsword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Sword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Axe, Jump Pack

Isn't that 235 points instead of 250? Or am i just adding them up wrong.

5 marines, 5x jump packs, sarg relic blade, stormshield, 2x power weapon

Anyone?

Don't know off the top of my head, I can't think of any reason to ever use Vanguard, honestly. They are hideously expensive for T4 models with 3+ save. They can't even be given a priest. Rubbish.

If you like the sculpt, run them as ASM, ie a unit that doesn't suck.

Vivster wrote:

cowmonaut wrote:

Vanguard Veteran Squad - 250 points
1 Space Marine Sergeant w/ Power Armour, Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Frag and Krak Grenades, Jump Pack
2 Veterans w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Chainsword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Sword, Jump Pack
1 Veteran w/ Power Armour, Bolt Pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Power Axe, Jump Pack

Isn't that 235 points instead of 250? Or am i just adding them up wrong.

5 marines, 5x jump packs, sarg relic blade, stormshield, 2x power weapon

My math agrees with yours: 235. I think this might be a better equipment setup then the one you suggested in the first post. VV are a balancing act of giving them the tools to deal with what's on the table, without over-buying and sending the price through the roof. My gut instinct tells me the point number is in the low 200s, but that's just intuition and theory. YMMV.