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Alright, so I see a lot of space marine squads have their sergeants have bolt pistol and chainsword, and my question is, why? Is it just because some of the cheaper kits automatically have the sergeants have that? Do they do it for just one extra attack in assault? It doesn't seem worth it if you can't use your boltgun. Also, some squads like IG vets always come with a pistol and CCW. What do I do with these guys, do I keep them alive to use them in assault, or do I kill them first so I can have more regular/good weapon attacks? What is the tactic with pistol/ccw sergeants?

Thanks in advance!

Officers don't get rifles.

 Omegus wrote:
Officers don't get rifles.

I know that is true for IG, but space marine sergeants take boltguns and have the option to swap it for a chainsword, so why do people do this?

I am also asking about what tactics to use with them.

Normally it's because that's the model they made at the time, I have all my sarges with bolters

Honestly when I run my bolt pistol chainsword sarge, It's because I think he looks awesome and is the classic space marine.

Most of the time I play with a combi-melta sarge.

It's just too expensive in my opinion to kit out a sergeant for close combat when the squad won't even be fighting close combat most of the time.

For Black Templar, it's because rending and rerolls to hit make even BP/CCW deadly.

 minigun762 wrote:
For Black Templar, it's because rending and rerolls to hit make even BP/CCW deadly.

Wait a minute we get rending now? Do we get any other special rules?

 Cypher-xv wrote:

 minigun762 wrote:
For Black Templar, it's because rending and rerolls to hit make even BP/CCW deadly.

Wait a minute we get rending now? Do we get any other special rules?

Rending and reroll is limited to challenges, but still it gives you a fair chance of killing another squad leader without investing points into a power weapon.

Mostly fluff reasons. Traditionally, the pistol and sword are the marks of someone in charge, NCO or Officer. As for tabletop wise, I guess challenges??? Not sure.

Tactically? There's very little point. Logic dictates that you'll be shooting far more than you'll be striking in CC.

I'd let them die last, because even very few people remember even the basic Tactical Sergeant has the precision shot rule just for being a character.

 Formosa wrote:
Normally it's because that's the model they made at the time, I have all my sarges with bolters

Pretty much this. He makes for a decent hand in a forward objective clearer combat squad with a flamer guy.

I was awesome in 5th edition with blob guard. Each sergeant getting 4 attacks on the charge was nice.

Some sergs do well with their standard weapon, such as a Sternguard bolter.
Others use their better attack score for a deterrent with a CCW.

But, I know my Dire Avengers like having their boss to have a sword, just in case.

 Ryan_A wrote:

 Omegus wrote:
Officers don't get rifles.

I know that is true for IG, but space marine sergeants take boltguns and have the option to swap it for a chainsword, so why do people do this?

I am also asking about what tactics to use with them.

I'm talking about real life, officers have pistols.

BP+CCW isn't a great combo unless it's a powersword/axe/mace, but it does give you an extra melee attack for challenges, and you still get to make a shot (with precision). That said, if it's not a special CCW, I would much rather have two pistols or a combi-weapon.

Plus, you can always have the Sgt toss a grenade.

 Omegus wrote:

 Ryan_A wrote:

 Omegus wrote:
Officers don't get rifles.

I know that is true for IG, but space marine sergeants take boltguns and have the option to swap it for a chainsword, so why do people do this?

I am also asking about what tactics to use with them.

I'm talking about real life, officers have pistols.

BP+CCW isn't a great combo unless it's a powersword/axe/mace, but it does give you an extra melee attack for challenges, and you still get to make a shot (with precision). That said, if it's not a special CCW, I would much rather have two pistols or a combi-weapon.

Plus, you can always have the Sgt toss a grenade.

Field and General Grade officers carry a pistol. Company Grade Officers typically carry a carbine. To the OP I don't think it's really useful to equip a Marine Sergeant with ccws either.

All my Sgt's came from 'starter-sets' and are limited to BP+Chainsword.
I am not giving them any special equipment because they WILL get challenged and they WILL die, so I keep them cheap.

That extra attack does come in handy I find. - not all close combat is beween PW armed specialists. My BP +CS sarg cut up a swooping hawk exarch pretty good in the last game I had. - But he was too tired to make a good consolidation roll to capture the objective!

One of my tac sergeants has bolter + Chaisword. - worst combination game wise. but he looks like a boss!

I have quite a few bolt pistol and chainsword combos on my Marines, but that's only because that is what they came with. Most of my squads are still throwbacks from 3rd edition as well, when you wanted that extra attack a little more.

I can see leaving the standard bolter, or going for a combi-weapon to compliment the rest of the squad, as being a bit more common now.

I do still like the bolt pistol / chainsword combo for reasons better said already by others.