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I know many people will want to tell me not to use them, but the models just look so cool. So I think I would like to run 10 in Jump Packs, with a Chaplain. The problem is obviously that they get soo expensive so fast. What are your recommendations with different outfits and tactics with these guys.

Well 10 guys with Packs, 2 axes and 2 P. fists, will run over 300 points with a Chaplain.

So really you have to protect them, even if fearless, because they are so pricey. You can alleviate this by dropping the power weapons and running them vanilla.

Truth be told, with 4 dudes in the squad attacking at I1 because of unweildy, the remainder of the squad had no trouble mopping up most things. In the games I ran them, they most often did not use the power weapons, except for when hunting termies or attacking a tank. But even then, hitting on rear armour, needing 6s to glance... a bucket o dice will get at least 1. Even against things like a Riptide you can more often than not force a few wounds by sheer weight of attacks, and then the I1 heavy hitters come in...

But the power weapons are costly, and if you run them plain you can put those points on other, better anti-tank and AP options. Use the Vets as a CC cleanup crew, and as a strike force. You can easily bog down a threat like an MC or Terminators with Vets and use the sheer momentum to get a few kills, but where they will really shine is as Infantry slayers. Point them at the right target and they will shred through that unit like butter.

Just be careful not to let them get shot up, which should be easy if you stick to cover and they're not the only thing your opponent can shoot.

Alternatively you could skip the Jump Packs, give them all plasma pistols and storm shields, drop them in with a Pod and laugh maniacally. Also doable with Grav pistols...

Or do the unthinkable and swap your CCW for a Grav pistol and have a 10 man Squad of Gunslingers!

If you're going to use them, I'd say run them cheap with a rhino, and use them to control objectives. They're mean enough in close combat to keep away most basic enemy troops, they have high leadership, and you can just sit them on an objective in some cover and use it to threaten troop control.

Against tau or something, they're usually strong enough to just kill a unit if they can get into contact with it (if you aren't charging a blob that can do LOTS of overwatch).

You can also try to go the jump pack build to do the same thing, but I think a rhino will give you more bang for your buck (protects from a turn of shooting, gives you some speed, and can then be used for tank shocks, cover, and hilarity.

Remember: the main problem with vanguard vets is that, like most marines, they just aren't that good in close combat. They'll survive and tarpit, but unless you're using Instant death weapons (i.e. typically TH), you're going to have trouble beating lots of units.

Is it worth considering running them as Asaault Marines? That way you get the cool looking minis but without the point cost?

10 Assault Marines, Sgt with a pair of claws and a couple of flamers thrown in for good measure will set you back 210

I run a unit of 6 vv one with thss two with power lances and four plane. It kills infantry easily apart from terminators, raven guard tactics in fact I have three of them in a list with a cm with a burning blade and jumppack leading them, kills the terminators.

To be honest, Honor guard do powerweapons better and cheaper, and Assault Terminators do powerfists better and cheaper. Also, assault marines are just as survivable and maneuverable, and cheaper. Ergo....Vanguard vets are best left to the blood angels.

I would take Vanguard Veterans over Assault Marines when facing hordes that firepower alone won't reduce fast enough; and when my Fast Attack choices are in high demand.

 Madness! wrote:
To be honest, Honor guard do powerweapons better and cheaper, and Assault Terminators do powerfists better and cheaper. Also, assault marines are just as survivable and maneuverable, and cheaper. Ergo....Vanguard vets are best left to the blood angels.

We dont like em much either.

Go crazy with them:

5 x Grav pistol
5 x Plasma pistol
5 x Storm shield
5 x Melta bombs
5 x Jump pack

335 points

Just played my first game today with 5 of them Gunslinging dual grav pistols and dual plasma pistols, in a drop pod with Draigo tanking wounds for them. They were pretty awesome, if not insanely expensive, lol.

How about
6 vanilla Vets or (Assault guys)
+ Chaplain for zealot to reroll first hit misses
+ Burning blade CM in case your going after AP2 baddies.
Raven guard or white scars for the hammer of wrath buff.
All with jump packs for Hammer of wrath and to ensure no failed charges.
Lots of decent initiative attacks bundled up in a LRC for safe delivery to target.

If running white scars you can hit and run so avoid getting bogged.

I'd say 5x Man Squad with Jump Packs and Maybe a Power Fist.