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All,

As the title says, how would you kit out your Sternguard for certain jobs? Tank hunting, Death Star killing, distractions, etc. I'm very new to the unit and don't know if to bring the special and heavy weapons or to just bring Combi-XX. Cheers

Mr. Raynor

I suspect I'm going to run mine the same way I did in the last codex. In a drop pod, with only a c-melta or two incase you need to pop a tank. I might add a heavy flamer or two, as they do well against the same stuff that the special ammo is for.

I never ran a full combi squad. Too expensive for a throw away unit. I prefered a flank drop and snipe off a squad from the edge. Probably run 9 men and a librarian, as we can't fit the full 10+HQ in the pod anymore.

The special ammo is powerful, don't get suckered in by the possible upgrades. What you have is worth using.

So you are saying just kit out a few with Combi-XX (depending on use) and rely on special ammo for the remainder of the time? Does sound cheaper and more effective. Is the special ammo really that good?

Stern guard got better against everything but WS, against which they got worse.

Considering the price increase for combis, I don't see giving every squad member one as cost effective any more. I think melta and flamer combis remain as most useful ones, as they can do things the special ammo can't. Grav is not good on non-relentless models, so I wouldn't take them.

Good question OP. I too have been pondering this question in regards to my Crimson Fists. One of the other armies I play is Tau, and I have been quite impressed with FW ability to shoot 30" and double tap @ 15". Keeping in mind that Sternguard have a similar shooting ability if they choose it, now I'm thinking maybe I should not Drop Pod my Sternguard (as I used to do) and instead use them in more of a line infantry role like gun line FW (but with better BS). Of course I would also have all those other nifty rounds too if need be Any thoughts on this notion?

Sternguard are about double the price of FW, without being twice as survivable, so using the two units in the same way would be a disaster, I think. I don't like using sterns as suicide units, and walking them across the board will result in as bloody a death for them as a bad drop pod scatter (except that they'll still get to shoot once in the case of a bad scatter).

As for how to arm them...I think it's near mandatory to include at least a couple combimeltas. I'm not wild about the other special weapons, though. Plasma and flame don't offer enough of an upgrade over the corresponding special ammo to justify the new, higher, points of combi weapons. Melta is still valuable, since they are much better than krak grenades at nuking tanks. I would never ever take the special ammo away from sterns, though. Without the special ammo, they're just over-priced tac marines that can't even score.

Thanks for all of the replies. I was going to primarily us them to drop in to take out said tank with 1 dedicated melta and two Combi-meltas. I mean the melta gun is still useful as it is a high strength and low ap shot every round and still costs 10pts. Now I'm wondering how useful would it be to kit out say four units of 10 for specific jobs? Like a dedicated Grav-gun, plasma, melta, and flamer squad each with one dedicated special/heavy and two Combi-xx? Is it ok to have 2-3 300pt units in drop pods or am I asking for trouble? I here sternguard do their job right and do it right and then some...

What about Pedro Kantor? What are your thoughts on him?

Mr. Raynor

People seem to talk only about the combi-weapons, which is not the only option here. My friend fancies Termies and this I've been thinking about a small squad with 2 plasma guns (and maybe combi-plasmas) as a foot-slogging anti-TEQ unit to scare them off the objectives. 2+ armor happens to be the only infantry the Sternguard's special ammunition does NOT have answers for.

Also, there are better AT-units. Sternguard is best when kept as anti-infantry

Malik_Raynor wrote:


What about Pedro Kantor? What are your thoughts on him?

Mr. Raynor

He is underwhelming as a champion and since he has to take the Imperial Fist Chapter Tactic it is somewhat of a waste with a Sternguard heavy army. However I do love the fluff and theme of a Sternguard heavy list and the best way I have run my guys is only x5 Combi or Heavy weapons, for example x3 Combi Meltas and x2 Heavy Flamers. Not as pricy as full combi squads and balanced enough to get alot of jobs done. However as mentioned they are best as an anti-infantry approach, combine them with some Devestator Centurions to help out your army

I plan to run them barebones cheap with 1-2 special weapons.

I will be bringing anti tank in other places and would rather keep them cheaper and get more bodies on the table.

With Tau being a major problem having Heavy flamers in the units will really help with their ability to clear out hordes. With the sternguard running dedicated anti infantry I plan to dedicate the rest of the list to hard hitting tank/monster hunter guns.

Also heavy flamers are great for overwatch as well on the off chance they get charged.

If the squad is for defensive/objective denial purposes, I believe that HF can make all the difference.

However, in a moving squad which my Sternguard often is, that is a waste of both points and shots.

Are you aware that Heavy Flamers are Assault weapons, and can be fired on the move? Or are you just referring to it being short-ranged? Because I can still see it being useful as long as you're not taking any Heavy weapons that would stop you getting closer. HF works well with combi-flamers and the special ammunition as is.

So from what I'm getting from everyone....kit out your Sternguard unit to its objective and most of the time ALSO bring a Heavy Flamer. Here are some examples below and I'm sure there are other combos that could be ulitized.

Anti-Tank:
8-10 Strong, 1 Melta Gun, 2 Combi-Melta, & Heavy Flamer - Best CT is Salamander

Anti-Infantry:
10 Strong, 2 Heavy Flamers, & XX Combi-Flamer or Barebone - Best CT is Salamander

Anti-TEQ:
8-10 Strong, 1-2 Grav-Gun & 2 Combi-Gavs - Any CT

 Super Ready wrote:
Are you aware that Heavy Flamers are Assault weapons, and can be fired on the move? Or are you just referring to it being short-ranged? Because I can still see it being useful as long as you're not taking any Heavy weapons that would stop you getting closer. HF works well with combi-flamers and the special ammunition as is.

It's an Assault weapon? Wow, I feel slowed now.
With that being said, it seems like a valid option. However, it's short range is still a problem and I'd rather have a plasmagun with them.

What about keeping them stock to make full use of the special ammo?

In one of the examples I left them bare bone....with that said, would it be playable to footslog bare bone Sternguard using the different ammo as you run along?

I was thinking with only a few combi-meltas, but they are a lot more expensive now. Maybe barebones is the way to go?

As stated, they are great bare bones but have nothing for heavy armor troop/vehicle. One or two combi-meltas is a good opportunity weapon (I have always shot off at least one every game) and at least a heavy flamer for that first out of the drop pod blast (you tried to get real close to say, some Lootas right?).

I tend to bring a TH or PF (replacing the pistol not the gun) for the sgt since all these guys have a base 2 attacks they can do melee in a pinch (not ideal but it is there, 24 attacks on the assault).

On the assault with Sternguard....would you at all cost try and keep them out of combat? Also, in some other forums....there are big debates about which CT to run Sternguard with (Manly Drop Pod armies).

Ultramarines and Salamanders are leading the way right now...what are your thoughts?

Ill run them full squad with 2x Heavy Flamers in a Drop Pod to capitalize on the Salamander CT -- MAYBE a combi-melta or 2 if I take Vulkan.

I run two squads of 6 with 2 melta, 2 melta combis, a combi flamer, and a plasma pistol in drop pods. Considering builing up a third with plasma guns and pistol in a DP.

We have cheap assault squads now with twin special weapons for flamer work.

My justification on the combi flamer is several times now I have podded near a unit with an MC and been in range with everything on the MC plus been able to BBQ the "bubblewrap" squad around it.

Malik_Raynor wrote:
On the assault with Sternguard....would you at all cost try and keep them out of combat? Also, in some other forums....there are big debates about which CT to run Sternguard with (Manly Drop Pod armies).

Ultramarines and Salamanders are leading the way right now...what are your thoughts?

I am definitely using Ultramarines until I'm somehow convinced not to. Even though they only reroll 1's on the turn you use Tactical, that's still enough to nearly guarantee success on the turn you blow your combi-weapons or to keep you safe from any Gets Hot shots they take. Salamanders is good, but it doesn't really help with the way I intend to use my sterns.

 gmaleron wrote:

Malik_Raynor wrote:


What about Pedro Kantor? What are your thoughts on him?

Mr. Raynor

He is underwhelming as a champion and since he has to take the Imperial Fist Chapter Tactic it is somewhat of a waste with a Sternguard heavy army. However I do love the fluff and theme of a Sternguard heavy list and the best way I have run my guys is only x5 Combi or Heavy weapons, for example x3 Combi Meltas and x2 Heavy Flamers. Not as pricy as full combi squads and balanced enough to get alot of jobs done. However as mentioned they are best as an anti-infantry approach, combine them with some Devestator Centurions to help out your army

how is he a waste on a sternguard heavy army? he makes them scoring! Though I am personally considering sticking him with a honour guard to give them that +1 attack and stuff.

As for sternguard, they're solid enough barebones, 2 heavy flamers could be pretty nice.

 centuryslayer wrote:

 gmaleron wrote:

Malik_Raynor wrote:


What about Pedro Kantor? What are your thoughts on him?

Mr. Raynor

He is underwhelming as a champion and since he has to take the Imperial Fist Chapter Tactic it is somewhat of a waste with a Sternguard heavy army. However I do love the fluff and theme of a Sternguard heavy list and the best way I have run my guys is only x5 Combi or Heavy weapons, for example x3 Combi Meltas and x2 Heavy Flamers. Not as pricy as full combi squads and balanced enough to get alot of jobs done. However as mentioned they are best as an anti-infantry approach, combine them with some Devestator Centurions to help out your army

how is he a waste on a sternguard heavy army? he makes them scoring! Though I am personally considering sticking him with a honour guard to give them that +1 attack and stuff.

As for sternguard, they're solid enough barebones, 2 heavy flamers could be pretty nice.

Pedro himself is not a waste for sternguard, but the IF CT is, since they will rarely want to forego their special ammo.

10 rapid firing sterns v MEQ: (obviously, lots of rounding here. The numbers are close enough, so lets not nit pick soemthing that's not really relevent)
Using IF CT: 18 hits, 9 wounds, 3 dead marines
Using Poison ammo: 13 hits, 11 wounds, 4 dead marines
Using AP3 ammo: 13 hits, 7 wounds, 7 dead marines (plus maybe losing a guy to Gets Hot)

Either way, IF CT doesn't help stern, where as the Ultramarine CT can let them nearly wipe out a full 10 man marine squad in one turn of shooting and makes them fairly safe from Gets Hot wounds.

Ive been testing them out using the Salamander CT and the best load out i have come up with is 2 HF and either a combi melta/grav on the sgts.

These guys are infantry hunters and actually do alot of damage to MC's.
The ability to twin link the HF is awsome paired with the Sgts master crafted combi along with speacial weapons give the SG alot infantry punch

I drop 3 units of 10 in pods in my opponents lap

keep them stock.

instead get another pod for dropping 5 tacticals instead with MG and combi-MG. Done, cheaper and more efficent, and puts you clos to being 3 pods, which is an ideal number anyways.

I'm pretty sure I've made my mind up with the Ultramarines CT. They have they best HQ choices and I can load up with Telion on my sniper.

I'd mostly keep them stock, but use up to 3 combi-meltas for some anti-tank, and up to 2 HF if you have points for either option.

If you're playing Salamanders, I'd use a mix of combi-melta/flamer and HF on pretty much every model, because they get SO much better when you can TL the combi-shots.

Largo39 wrote:
keep them stock.

instead get another pod for dropping 5 tacticals instead with MG and combi-MG. Done, cheaper and more efficent, and puts you clos to being 3 pods, which is an ideal number anyways.

I like this idea.
Bring a melta bomb just in case.