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Hi

I'm putting together a White Scars army (approx 4-6 5 man bike squads with grav guns) and have a conundrum about putting in a command squad. I can't decide which would be more effective, I've seen 2 common recommendations:

a) Apothecary, 4 Storm Shields + Power Weapons
b) Apothecary, all Combi-gravs

I typically build and paint my armies before putting them on the table (I'm not a fan of unpainted plastic, but its just personal preference), so it's difficult for me to test the functionality of each build beforehand.

I can't decide if hit and run will effectively mean I *never* want to be in combat, OR will there be situations where I would appreciate a good melee death-star ?

I will have Khan and an uber-ChapterMaster in the army as well.

Any recommendations welcome!

Thanks

Phil

The shooty command squad is probably more effective - it's the new go-to unit in the Space Marine list.

But the close combat unit is definitely more fun

mix it up. 3 vets grav guns/w storm sheilds and powerfists,
apothecary, and 1 vet with power sword/pistol

Go with a shooty squad and an butt kicking character. Split the character off and do the shooting with the squad that's left behind.

-Matt

what he said:

Chapter master, bike, Thunderhammer, shield Eternal
Command squad, bikes, 4 Gravs , Apo

I've found the best way to run them is 2 Storm Shields for those times when AP3 no cover says '**** you', 4 Grav Guns (why settle for Combi-Grav), and a single Power Weapon, just incase; for me it's a Fist as the dude has a Storm Shield and Khan is in the unit.

I think all out combat wastes the shooting potential and also wastes Hit and Run as you are much more likely to wipe squads.

Something to bear in mind - being in combat with Bikes CAN be to your advantage. You can fire at full effect on the way in using Relentless, take advantage of Hammer of Wrath, and that +1T bonus comes in handy in combat too. Plus it's a good way to prevent retaliation fire.
The usual drawback - losing power from not charging and getting mired down, possibly counter-charged - is negated by having Hit and Run. So don't overlook close combat entirely...!

 Super Ready wrote:
Something to bear in mind - being in combat with Bikes CAN be to your advantage. You can fire at full effect on the way in using Relentless, take advantage of Hammer of Wrath, and that +1T bonus comes in handy in combat too. Plus it's a good way to prevent retaliation fire.
The usual drawback - losing power from not charging and getting mired down, possibly counter-charged - is negated by having Hit and Run. So don't overlook close combat entirely...!

It's not going to prevent retaliation fire though if you tool every guy up with a Power Weapon and proceed to wipe the enemy squad out in one turn. In 40k it is usually better to go through the enemy in two rounds of combat rather than one, so the all-out combat build is out IMO.

I have been toying with the idea of apoth+4x power lance+SS unit. Just for the cool factor. I do however agree that the apoth+4x grav gun is the way to go.

My advice; build what looks cool. Otherwise with the next shift in the metagame those models will sit on the shelf. I have a feeling when the IG and Orks book come out everybody is going to regret all the time and money they spent on spamming grav-guns.

 Crimson Devil wrote:
have a feeling when the IG and Orks book come out everybody is going to regret all the time and money they spent on spamming grav-guns.

And Nids too!
Brace yourselves...6th edition hordes are coming!

UnadoptedPuppy wrote:

 Crimson Devil wrote:
have a feeling when the IG and Orks book come out everybody is going to regret all the time and money they spent on spamming grav-guns.

And Nids too!
Brace yourselves...6th edition hordes are coming!

Magnets....

 dracpanzer wrote:


Magnets....

How do they work?

Mini War Gamers White Scar Battle report. Maybe this will give you some ideas...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PicDb--56QA

 Godless-Mimicry wrote:
It's not going to prevent retaliation fire though if you tool every guy up with a Power Weapon and proceed to wipe the enemy squad out in one turn. In 40k it is usually better to go through the enemy in two rounds of combat rather than one, so the all-out combat build is out IMO.

Oh yes, absolutely. I should have specified, I'm firmly in the camp of "build 'em shooty". I just wanted to assuage the notion that built that way, combat would be useless.

Combat for sure. The rest of your bikes can be shooty, only your command squad can be loaded with power weapons and storm shields.

 Xenocidal Maniac wrote:

 dracpanzer wrote:


Magnets....

How do they work?

LOL. But seriously, magnetizing the guns on the bike would be a very smart move.