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Topic

I think so. Some will disagree though. Also you don't really need more than one to two Chosen squads.

Competitive, I can't see how so pricey and about as strong as your base CSM, maybe if they had the ability to take Terminator armor, but they just die so quick....

There are a few tricks to running Chosen that I've seen (and tried!)

Keep the units small. Chosen and Plague Marines are the only 2 units in the CSM codex that don't pay a 'sergeant tax' of 10 points. This means you can MSU with chosen better than most CSM units.

Don't overdo it on the special weapons. It's tempting to say 'hey, every model can have a PG! This is great' If every chosen model has a PG, then they suck as they are to expensive. I generally try and keep it limited to 2 special weapons per 5 models. The exception to this is if I wind up with some floating points left at the end of my list building. Sometimes Ill throw 40 points and buy 8 flamers for chosen. Flamers are cheap and can be a very nice advantage as they detur assault and can clear GEQ.

A MoN on Chosen is almost a wash. It makes them tougher vs bolters, but weaker vs PG/MG/Helldrake. I would skip it and run them bare in today's meta.

Maybe in MSU rhino spam, even then Plague Marines do it better.

If you limit yourself to two weapons, you're not better off than Plague Marines.

I'd consider 3 per 5 bodies. I'd also consider melta or flamers and using Rhinos to get close to high value targets.

 labmouse42 wrote:
There are a few tricks to running Chosen that I've seen (and tried!)

Keep the units small. Chosen and Plague Marines are the only 2 units in the CSM codex that don't pay a 'sergeant tax' of 10 points. This means you can MSU with chosen better than most CSM units.

Chosen dont get the +1 attack for their champion, so really only PM dont pay the tax.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 minigun762 wrote:
If you limit yourself to two weapons, you're not better off than Plague Marines.

I'd consider 3 per 5 bodies. I'd also consider melta or flamers and using Rhinos to get close to high value targets.

I think it really depends on how much you are spending for those special weapons. I will take 5 flamers on 6 guys without looking back, because 5 flamers costs 25 points. When it comes to melta guns, I think 3-4 is good on 6-7 guys.

While I agree that Chosen squads can be good at MSU, I favor taking them in an Allied Detachment w Abaddon since the Cult Troops aren't Troops in the Allied FOC. 1 squad of 8 w Abaddon in a Land Raider w the Mark of Khorne and let's say 4 melta guns. That provides a deliverable, decently survivable scoring unit that can (usually) reliably explode a transport and assault the dudes inside of it. Kinda why I like the Mark of Khorne, for the Icon of Wrath (Furious Charge, reroll charge range for Abaddon is a must).

Chosen also come with bolters AND a close combat weapon for no extra points, so you will be getting that extra attack in all combats, pretty nice.

For the other Allied Troops choice you could take a small Chosen squad with a bunch of flamers or plasma guns, keep them in Reserve to come in a cleanse an objective close to your deployment zone. They'll probably end up dying but can be a nice counterpunch unit, and scoring if needed with Abaddon. Rhinos suck and ultimately just mean 1st Blood for your enemy; so if you can go first, and need to get across the board, make sure to go 12" and flat out 6".

If you take a cheap Termicide squad, you can get 2 Land Raiders w Dirge Casters (1 dedicated transport and 1 heavy support) in a Allied Detachment too. So that will run about 1000-1100 points. In an 1850 list you could still be fielding a Lord of Change, Soul Grinder, and 2 small units of whatever troops too w a Herald or 2.

Chosen are 5 points more than CSM; 3 if you factor in the CCW, but then you normally won't "auto-buy" that option with CSM anyways. You also can't take more than 10, but you do get to take extra upgrades.

Honestly, taking 5 Flamers or 5 Combi-Weapons, or 5 of any special weapon AND a Combi-Weapon, is a powerful option. If CSM had Drop Pods it would be a no brainer. You could try to take Dreadclaws (IA: Aeronautica) but they are Fast Attack choices and the Heldrake is so worthwhile... You're looking at 2k point games before Dreadclaws are worthwhile.

Still. Rhinos are durable enough. You get 18" of movement out of them minimally, potentially 30" if you are either lucky or have enough of them or have cover in any way shape or form.


I'd look at using Combi-Weapons over the full on real deal weapons for the most part. 150 points for 5 Flamers and a Rhino or 175 points for 5 Combi-Melta/Plasma and a Rhino isn't that bad.

The real problem is that for 185 points you get a 5 man squad that is statistically as durable as a 10 man squad most of the time that has 2 Plasma and a Rhino.


Chosen are more offensive (more special guns, more close combat attacks, etc) and Plague Marines are more defensive (FNP, T5, Defensive Grenades). So it really depends on how aggressive you want to be really.