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Hey everyone,

So I'm just getting to putting together my x2 dark vengeance starter stuff and I was curious as to what is the generally recommended loadouts for space marine tactical squads and terminator squads. Ideally, for now, I would like both to be "generalist" units that don't specialize in either melee or ranged ect. I also plan on switching between Dark Angels and the normal Codex Space Marines, so avoiding DA specific loadouts would also be nice (IE: no plasma cannon on terminators!)

your thoughts would be appreciated!

I've been having very good luck with a Terminator squad using an Assault Cannon and two Chainfists. Typically six models because I have Terminator Captains but don't do that. I have fluff reasons for the Captains. Going after vehicles or very low model count squads has been doing me pretty well, or even just getting the opponent's backfield and being annoying. Don't expect them to make back their points, but have them do a job. You can still win without Terminators earning back 235pts on their own.

The most generalist squad is a Sergeant with CombiPlasma, a Plasma Gun and a Heavy Bolter in a Rhino with Storm Bolter. That's really as standard as you can get and can engage Infantry of nearly all kinds and light armor. Some snap shots while moving from the Heavy, good shots when he's not. But, you really want your squads to have their roles set in stone. Matching weapons on the Sergeant and Special, Flamers for Infantry, Grav for heavy Infantry, Melta in a Drop Pod for anti tank. Specialize them when you can and you'll see more individual return.

The DV boxes don't really come with options... As you're asking how to vary the builds I assume you have some access to a few pieces for conversions (or at least are willing to buy a couple of extra boxes for bits).


As such, have you considered converting your second sergeant in to a regular power fist trooper?

This would allow you to take your terminators as one squad of ten with two assault cannons. You could then combat squad them into two units; one with two assault cannons for slightly more ranged engagement and one slightly more melee orientated.

Obviously to do this you would need to get your hands on a spare power fist!


Regarding the power armoured marines you might be a little stuck with the plasma cannons on account of them not fitting codex tactical squads. Have you considered using them to run a squad of devestators instead?

If you do decide to go the devastator route you could buy a devastator box and make a signum sergeant, a lascannon or multimelta (for using the signum on) and a plasma cannon. Your left over marines/heavy bits could then be used as heavy weapons for your tactical squads.

Ultramarine POV, YMMV:

I like my tac terminators in a 5 man squad, assault cannon, one chain fist. A second chainfist would not be out of place if you have extra points, but frankly one should be enough. It’s been a long time since I’ve fielded a squad larger then 5 men. If I was rebuilding my collection, I’d focus more on having swap options for the 5 guys, rather then a full 10 man squad. If you are playing with locator beacons, the HF can be nice for a precision drop and burn. I’m not a fan of the CML as it doesn’t synergize well with the squad’s stormbolters, but it is not a bad weapon per se.

The two tactical squads that get the most play from me are ML/F and MM/M c-melta sarge. The first due to both flexibility and tradition, the second as a backup tank buster squad. I’ve been known to field a PC/P squad in larger games.

I don't like giving Tac squads heavy weapons. They need to be capping objectives and that means moving around.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
I don't like giving Tac squads heavy weapons. They need to be capping objectives and that means moving around.

Depends how you deploy them. If you are stepping out of a drop pod, that might be the only turn of the game you move. After that, you have a nice forward deployed heavy. Also, as an Ultra, I’ve got two doctrines that mitigate snapfireing heavies, so it helps for that one turn.

YMMV.

With combat squads: are you allowed to take a ten man terminator unit and then combat squad them into two five mans with BOTH heavy weapons on the one combat squad? Cause for some reason I thought that you had to keep the "normal" composition of only one heavy.

This kinda sounds awesome for deepstriking termies. Suddenly show up with x2 cyclones or assualt cannons and ruin someones day! (although it also sounds like you are going to draw the firepower of the entire opposing army too...)

I believe Bikes are the only units that force Combat Squads a certain way, and that again only restricts numbers, not loadouts. You can put whatever five models you like together. It's an option, not a good one but I'll get to that, to have two Cyclones with your main army and Deep Strike in a 'Close Combat Squad' with the Sergeant and nothing but Storm Bolters. Toss in a couple Chainfists too, why not? But even not counting Chainfists you've now spent 450pts on what? Four Missile Launchers and a declawed Terminator squad. I don't know about you, but it would be MUCH easier for me to bring two Land Speeder Cyclones and do that. With more mobility, less points and all in all more use.

Ideally, if it were more like Deathwing where ANY Terminator could get Lightning Claws or TH/SS, and that squad could have Combat Squads, because Deathwing don't for some reason... Kinda bummed about that. But, if they COULD, then that would be the way to do it. Combat Squad two Heavies and the Sergeant goes with the Assault variants.

leerm02 wrote:
With combat squads: are you allowed to take a ten man terminator unit and then combat squad them into two five mans with BOTH heavy weapons on the one combat squad? Cause for some reason I thought that you had to keep the "normal" composition of only one heavy.

Look at your army book. Is there any rule there that dictates how you split up your combat squads?