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Pretty much self explanatory. I know I've left out specific codex traits. That was on purpose because otherwise they're the only answers I'd get.
So which do you choose? Please refrain from choosing "other" it's there for things like Escalation and I dunno if Stronghold Assault has a warlord table or anything like that...
Or for specific codex traits if you've got a really good reason. Really good.

Varies. Since I play Space Marines, taking a warlord trait from Codex: Space Marines list is like giving yourself a handicap - so I prefer taking it from the big rulebook.

Now comes the tricky part; it truly depends on some factors that makes my decisions from Strategic, Command or Personal:

- I'll most probably pick Strategic when there's tons of ruins and other broken terrain around, and I've got reserves (gonna try getting that +1 to reserve rolls!).

- Command is most probably my latest constant favourite since the new Space Marine Codex, which gave a nice buff to HQ's. Any 12" bubble around the Warlord can become a game changer. I'll pick this when I've invested upon the command section in my list, like geared a Chapter Master into melee, accompanied by an Honour Guard.

- My least favourite pick is the Personal traits, since their benefits are too situational to make them work. The only goodie that you can try to gamble is the Legendary Fighter trait (+1 Victory Point for each Character slain by Warlord).

Yeah Legendary Fighter's a massive win when you've got a tooled up Khorne biker lord

None.

I play only with friends, and at some point we decided to ignore this thing.

It breaks the narrative. It is OK if you are playing a campaign, keeping the same trait game after game for a given HQ. But it makes no sense when applied to a casual game, with your favorite HQ changing his skills every game.

 da001 wrote:
None.

I play only with friends, and at some point we decided to ignore this thing.

It breaks the narrative. It is OK if you are playing a campaign, keeping the same trait game after game for a given HQ. But it makes no sense when applied to a casual game, with your favorite HQ changing his skills every game.

Why not agree to have a specific trait that you use in games? Eg. You're Khorne biker lord has Legendary Fighter for all his games hey at least it's narrative...

Strategic is my default choice. Not that it matters. The random
choice is usually totally irrelevant for half the games. But at least
you can get something useful unlike the two other Traits that
are useless 9 times out of 10...

Well...Ralai ahs his own fixed trait that nobody else has

Always try to roll a 2 on strategic. Night fighting when all your units have night fighting is like having a free turn.

I always go strategic when I'm not using codex traits (basically only for CSMs, 6th Ed codex wise) or using an army without them.

Command generally, the chances are that effects in a 12" radius will at least benefit something. Personal has some great ones (Legendary fighter and Immovable Object) but some really terrible ones that aren't worth risking wasting. Strategic mostly give bonuses to reserves, and that's something I'd rather build a strategy around than find out at the start of the game.

 Paradigm wrote:
Strategic mostly give bonuses to reserves, and that's something I'd rather build a strategy around than find out at the start of the game.

Fair point

Anyone who plays with named characters tends to end up with that character's Warlord Trait (assuming they have a 6e codex).

I use Tyhpus a lot, and he gets the CSM warlord trait that gives him the Fear USR. Damn near useless, what with all the ATSKNF, Fearless and Mob Rule units I face...

Playing Tyranids(and usually the Swarmlord) I like to use Personal Traits. My secondary is usually Strategic. Most of the Command traits are useless for that army. With Dark Eldar, almost always Strategic.

I used to play Salamanders, and went all Personal all the time. Since the new codex dropped, I am instead stuck with a near-worthless Warlord trait with no roll.

Still, when playing a generic commander, or with my Dark Eldar, I tend towards Command. (Deep Striking Sliscus with Dust of a Thousand Worlds is S-O-O-O) brutal.)

My group frequently uses the house rule where if you're rolling in the main book you make one roll and pick the table.

Roll a six sided dice in a gentlemanly manner and then select one ability from any of the three trees.

Was that proper enough for you dakkabot? Capital letters and $#!^?

Codex specific Chaos Marines, I like how it is less likely I will get something less suited for my play style.