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I was busy building a new list, and had just over 200 points to spare for a CC unit to put into my god-hammer LR.
My immediate no-brainer was TH/SS termies, but then I got to thinking whether they really are the best unit available?

Each one is amazing at something, here is an in-depth look:

ASSAULT TERMINATORS
- build: 5 TH/SS - 225 pts

- pros: best saves (2+/3++), can deep strike, high S attacks
- cons: can't sweeping advance to finish off units, slow

- best against: high initiative MCs (daemon prince etc), T4 ICs, slow deathstars
- weak against: anything mobile (easily avoided), horde assault (ork boyz)


ASSAULT CENTURIONS
- build: 3 or 4, melta optional - (+-) 225 pts

- pros: have decent ranged firepower and better stat lines
- cons: no invul save and slow (also hideously expensive models $)

- best against: vehicles, high toughness slow shooting units (wraithguard, plague marines)
- weak against: AP 2 (all MCs), anything mobile (easily avoided), S10 weapons (vindicators, wraithguard etc)


VANGUARD VETERANS
- build: 5 Vets, 5 SS, 2 PF, 1 LC, all jump packs- 225 pts

- pros: can achieve multiple worthwhile assaults in one game due to multi charge and speed, can deep strike, can sweeping advance
- cons: lack of 2+ save leaves them vulnerable to massed attacks/shots

- best against: low initiative MCs (riptides, wraithknights), charging into cover/long charges
- weak against: high AP shots/attacks (termagaunts, boyz, fire warriors etc)


HONOUR GUARD
- build: 7 honour guard (incl. champion), chapter standard, 2 relic blades - 230 pts

- pros: many attacks, buff surrounding units with standard, not bulky, can sweeping advance
- cons: no invul save, dependent on taking Chapter Master in FOC, only AP3 weapons

- strong against: no invul save armoured targets (marines, necron warriors etc.)
- weak against: plasma, power weapons, terminators


So it seems as though each unit does fill a very slightly different niche within one's arsenal.
Which is best for your army?
What have I over-looked?

Honour Guard, 50/50 split between axes and mauls. For stuff where TH/SS would be better there's Grav.

In the current codex, Honour Guard and nothing else.
Much more bang point for point, can gain ridiculous amount of attacks, easily multi-charge and 2+ of course.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:
Honour Guard, 50/50 split between axes and mauls. For stuff where TH/SS would be better there's Grav.

this. Honor guard are great buys

With the prevalence of Rending/AP 2 in the environment, I went with TH/SS Termies. As to them being the best, that's my vote...though I don't think either of these 'best' are cost effective compared to other ways to deal with the respective situations.

How about Assault Marines without Jump Packs?
It isn't any cheaper, but you can fit the full 10-man squad, or Combat Squad for 2x 5-man for a multi-target assault.
There's little weapon choice, as only 2 + serg can swap out their load-out.
For anti-horde, that's my choice, but I've not run them yet.

Honor guard are just boss for their points. Remember, they are equiped with power weapons, not just powerswords, so take what works best on them which are usually power axes.

On the charge, with the banner, they are getting 5 attacks each which is just disgusting to any unit they encounter.

Yes, they don't have invuls but you really don't need them with good character support to tank the wounds.

Assault marines out of a Raider should be able to handle any non-dedicated CC units, and take out things like IG blobs and Fire Warrior gunlines fairly easily. They are by far the cheapest option, but really require a chaplain to get the most bang for your buck.

However, Honour guard are really the best. 2+ armour that can still SA, ability to have 2x as many in a LR as terminators, can freely mix Swords/Mauls/axes for all target types. The banner is good, but so is the relic one (essentially adding a chaplain), but I'm not sure whether the +1 A from the Chapter Banner is better than the Re-rolls from the Relic one. I don't have time to run the maths at the moment, but my gut feeling is that the more guys you bring, the more re-rolls are going to be valued over extra attacks. Of course, you can just add a Chaplain and take the Chapter banner for the best of both worlds. Expensive but fun and deadly.

I'd avoid Relic Blades on them, they're too expensive and with the choice of power weapon, you're hardly lacking in versatility in the squad.

Regarding the Land Raider itself, I'd personally go with a Crusader for an assault unit, as it has arguably more reliable (if less powerful) shooting potential, can hit the kind of targets the guys inside are going for, and benefits from getting closer, unlike the Godhammer which is better sitting back.

None of the choices above. Real cool people play inquisitors.

DCA + Priest + Inquisitor + Rad grenades + Hammer hand + Land raider = WIN!

 Redcruisair wrote:
None of the choices above. Real cool people play inquisitors.

DCA + Priest + Inquisitor + Rad grenades + Hammer hand + Land raider = WIN!

And what are you going to do when those AP3 attacks bounce off 2+ armour saves?

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Redcruisair wrote:
None of the choices above. Real cool people play inquisitors.

DCA + Priest + Inquisitor + Rad grenades + Hammer hand + Land raider = WIN!

And what are you going to do when those AP3 attacks bounce off 2+ armour saves?

Not much if those attacks also re-roll hits and wounds. Combines with Rad grenades, they're going to be wounding quite a bit, and with four attacks on the charge at I6 per DCA, 10 of them and 2 priests will lay just about anything low, especially since you can re-roll those invuln saves.

I think this is a trick question. Because while the LR will get you to CC, your opponent still feeds you whatever unit they like. I'm not certain that it matters what you put in the LR.

Best for all situations? TH/SS guys.

Aside from that, it's a toss up between 3 centurions with chaplin, 9 honor guard with chaplin.

In reality it comes down to what your list needs.

Why are we putting Jump Pack units in a Land Raider? All you get is the Hammer of Wrath hits, and that's about it. Personally, I stick a squad of 10 tactical marines with a flamer and a combi-flamer inside a Redeemer, charge it up the edge of the board, flame and rapid fire a unit to death (using the LR as cover from other units), get back in and repeat the process :3

 McNinja wrote:

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Redcruisair wrote:
None of the choices above. Real cool people play inquisitors.

DCA + Priest + Inquisitor + Rad grenades + Hammer hand + Land raider = WIN!

And what are you going to do when those AP3 attacks bounce off 2+ armour saves?

Not much if those attacks also re-roll hits and wounds. Combines with Rad grenades, they're going to be wounding quite a bit, and with four attacks on the charge at I6 per DCA, 10 of them and 2 priests will lay just about anything low, especially since you can re-roll those invuln saves.

Also a priest equipped with a PM can make some hilarious kills with his smash attacks. Bring along an InQ with rad grenades and enjoy the distraught look on the Tau player’s face, as you proceed to instant kill his much beloved riptide.

Except that the priest is only St8 in that situation.

The best CC unit would be to ally in GK's w/Coteaz, Techmarine w/Grenades, 8 DCA w/Maul & Axe, 3 Crusader w/Maul, and Banisher, and a Crusader.

Outside of that I'd be looking at a CC Chapter Master w/10 Honorguard. Those HG would be armed w/Banner, 4 Axes, 4 Mauls, 2 Relic Blades.

 Hulksmash wrote:
Except that the priest is only St8 in that situation.

The best CC unit would be to ally in GK's w/Coteaz, Techmarine w/Grenades, 8 DCA w/Maul & Axe, 3 Crusader w/Maul, and Banisher, and a Crusader.

Outside of that I'd be looking at a CC Chapter Master w/10 Honorguard. Those HG would be armed w/Banner, 4 Axes, 4 Mauls, 2 Relic Blades.

No Thunder Hammer for the champion?

 Hulksmash wrote:
Except that the priest is only St8 in that situation.

Nope he is strength 10. The power mace is 2+ to strength and the smash attack rule doubles his strength to a 10 and makes his attacks AP2.

Edit: Ah I see, I see. The smash rule doubles the priest's strenght and the PM only adds to the strength of his attacks. Silly me, I was so excited about this idea, that i totally forgot my math.
Though I still think my idea is sound enough. S 5 (hammerhand S 6) and AP 2 is fine against monstrous creatures with -1 to toughness. No instant death without a Eviscerator though.

 Redcruisair wrote:

 Hulksmash wrote:
Except that the priest is only St8 in that situation.

Nope he is strength 10. The power mace is 2+ to strength and the smash attack rule doubles his strength to a 10 and makes his attacks AP2.

PEMDAS.

Priest can still ID the Riptide. Two rad grenade inquisitors charging separately drop it to T4.

@Mcninja

I don't really see the use honestly. You can wound up to T8 with every dude in the squad and it's likely the CH I run with them would be toting a fist/hammer so to me it's not really needed.

Assault Terminators. I usually go with a 3/2 mix of hammers and claws.

TH/SS /w lvl 1 inquis in Term armor


I actually think assault marines are the best buy in terms of CC power in this edition. Just more mobile bang for your buck. Not of out a landraider though