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So guard are not exactly a CC army (barring some build twisting) but I'm sure we all agree that the current points cost on weapon options are out of whack. A guard model just can't make use of a specialized CC weapon the way most other armies can. This by itself is perfectly fine, but the points should reflect this.

What seems reasonable?

Personally, since guard are base stat 3 and the cut off point for when a stat becomes "good" ( not great, but good and serviceable) is four, I'd maybe subtract the points cost by a quarter. Though I admit I haven't put too much thought into this.

An Inquisitor can take a Power Sword for 10 points, Power Fist for 15, or a Thunder Hammer for 20.

These costs were carried over form 5th Edition Codex: Grey Knights. In 5th Edition IG had a Priest that could take an Eviscerator for 15 as well(SoB got one for 25 points).

Seeing as how Melee Weapons are limited to IG HQ's and sargents I'd revert prices to what Inquisitors pay for the same weapons.

Even if you homebrew up a platoon that can take Power Weapons I'd still charge them 10 points per model, because it's still AP3 and a large enough squad would massacre even tough units like Space Marines.

It'd probably be best to offer some cheaper alternative ccw. E.g.:

5pts - Officio Chainsword S+1 Ap5

Before challenges came along arming your Sargent with power weapon/fist was pretty commonplace and it usually got it's points back and some. I would say your problem with the current pricing has more to do with the fact you know if you paid it - you wouldn't even get to attack with it. So really, what's it's value? It's value is 0.

 TheSilo wrote:
It'd probably be best to offer some cheaper alternative ccw. E.g.:

5pts - Officio Chainsword S+1 Ap5

S+1 AP5! I'm sorry soldier, but the astartes are going to have to confiscate that holy relic from you! A chainsword with AP, actually capable of cutting through ork t-shirts, if only.

I would say a moderate point reduction would be acceptable for guard though. Maybe 10-12 points for a power sword?

DA codex has a similar point reduction, scouts get a heavy bolter for 8 pts instead of 10, as they're BS 3 instead of 4.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would be one to think that most 'Guard Sergeants would take a power sword for fluff/ style reasons most times, so a point cost reduction would be appropriate just for that.

Otherwise, a 'Guard player pays the same amount of points for a power weapon as a space marine. But that makes no sense because in the hands of a space marine, a power sword could reasonably do damage even if it was just a veteran tactical sergeant. A 'Guard Sergeant doesn't stand as much of a chance getting into combat and actually using the power weapon. It just seems to me that point costs should be written in proportion to what the guy wielding it is gonna do.

I think if there wasn't a challenge system than the points are fine but since we now have to accept them if issued the points are too high. Dropping them by 5pts would be a nice thing since the only time I ever take them now is if they in blob since I would leave one sgt bare to accept challenges while the other sgts would have a chance to use theirs.

For those who are new (-er than myself), or have forgotten about the 5th ed codex, power weapons used to be 10pts, and fists clocked in at 15pts. This was a time when power weapons ignored all armor saves, when sergeants were the last ones standing and always within striking distance, when furious charge also gave an initiative boost, and when there were no challenges, no LoS blocking shenanigans to single out specific models, and no challenges to kill off your sergeants.

At the very minimum, CC weapons for the Guard should be returned to their old costs, and frankly, given all the changes that have been largely detrimental to assault in general, and blobs in particular (without resorting to allies for stupid IC tanking and bs mass invuln saves), a further reduction wouldn't break the game.

But yeah, 10pts power weapons would be a solid start and go from there.

IG sarge with Hatred has the identical damage output as a SM Vanguard vet vs t4, a timy bit lower vs t5 and almost 2 times lower vs t6-7. But you got access to way more killy per point krak nades in platoon to deal with t6+. So, from a tabletop perspective, the cost is fine as your sarges are allready cheaper and have nice fearless meatshield.

What about guardsmen that can't have priests?

They're screwed.

Without hatred you're doing 33% less damage than a vet marine vs stuff that's between ws4 and ws6 - i was counting for this ws range when both are hitting on 4+

That's exactly the reason why pw were 2/3 the cost of marine equivalents in the last codex. But for the new IG/AM the same price is reasonable.