Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Using the Ultramarines Chapter Tactic, I'm thinking about using a Command Squad for my TH/Shield Eternal/AA Captain. I'd like any advice for how to arm them and use them in game. I'm not going to mount them on bikes, nor Drop Pod them in. I have units for that, and I never liked marine bikers. Their main battlefield goal will be to accompany my Captain and provide fire support or extra CC ability. So, what seems to be the best idea?

Off the top of my head id say apothecary, plasma guns and a power weapon or two. Since the captain is hitting at init 1 I would stay away from unwieldy stuff like axes and fists because you're gonna want some wounds in at init 4.

Can they all take jump packs like the captain?

They cannot take jump packs. On foot, i dont actually know. If you wanna make them super assaulty, give them all lightning claws/storm shields and an apothecary. Its not competitive but it catches people off guard and minces marines like no ones business. Pretty durable too. Stick those in a raider and have fun.

Most people dismiss foot slogging command squads and suggest bikes.

Mine is a foot slogging team built pretty much as the box shows with a champion, apoth, standard bearer with a powerfist, vet with a flamer and vet with a grav pistol and chainsword.

It's totally useless and costs a fortune in points.

If I did it again it would be 4 vets with plasma, an apoth with a grav pistol and a captain in a drop pod.

Well, if you aren't going to put them on Bikes or in a Pod, the only remotely competent option is a Land Raider, preferably a LRC. They will be hard to get your points out of them without a pod or Bikes.

If you want to be as effective as possible I would go 4 plasma guns. The best option would be magnetizing.

I've run command squads of all forms and I think plasmas have the best value.

Also most people play that the apothecary doesn't get special weapons.
But my medic almost never saves any of his comrades, so I don't run them as much anymore.

Best of luck

Thanks for the comments! Despite effectiveness, I will not put them on bikes. I have not mounted them as my Captain is on foot. Their goal is to support him, not as a solo kill squad. Which is the same reason I won't put them in a Drop Pod, I don't want to give a free Slay the Warlord out for a drop pod Captain.
So plasma shooting seems the best with an Apoth. What melee builds work? Are storm shields worth it? Are melee/shooting combos viable? Also, how would a Razorback suffice, hiding behind a LRC do? It is cheaper, but less durable.

 Sgt_Smudge wrote:
Thanks for the comments! Despite effectiveness, I will not put them on bikes. I have not mounted them as my Captain is on foot. Their goal is to support him, not as a solo kill squad. Which is the same reason I won't put them in a Drop Pod, I don't want to give a free Slay the Warlord out for a drop pod Captain.
So plasma shooting seems the best with an Apoth. What melee builds work? Are storm shields worth it? Are melee/shooting combos viable? Also, how would a Razorback suffice, hiding behind a LRC do? It is cheaper, but less durable.

Ok, its extremely hard to do anything without a Pod or Bikes. Plasma is good HOWEVER, you'll never get into range unless you use the options I stated. Melee weapons really aren't worth it as any dedicated melee unit will rip command squads apart. Storm shields are not worth it. The only viable Command Squad build is ranged. A Razorback in all honestly probably would not survive. Any vehicle or AT that can get to the side of the Razorback will rip it apart.

So a semi-effective Command Squad would be:
Apoth
4x Veterans with plasma guns
Land Raider Crusader

Sounds cheap and cheerful, but if storm shields were put on them, would melee be viable? Even if not for melee, are storm shields really that bad? Is the Company Standard viable at all?

They really don't become worth their points with Shields or Power Weapons. As you already have a Chapter Master with them, they'll rip up anything they touch.