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Hey mates. With the new Marine Codex all set to come out and with all the confirmations courtesy of BOLS, while I do like the idea of a Terminator list, I have always wanted to try out a Chapter Master with a unit of Vanguard Vets as not only would it be cool fluff-wise, there are also some awesome conversions I could do with the new kits. That being said, I do have some questions in regards to this idea:

* Can it be competitive? Not looking to run a a super tournament style list, but I do like my lists to be both fun but able to hold there own and win games.

* Which Chapter Tactic would be a good fit? Right now Raven Guard is a tempting choice, but the Black Templars or the Fire Hawks would also be solid choices.

* Would it be best to stick him and his unit in a Stormraven, Deep Strike, or footslog.

* Anyone tried this out and what did you find effective or what tactics worked for you.

* Any Formations that stand out? 1st Company one comes to mind but if any others stand out let me know.

Appreciate the help mates.

I actually run my Chapter Master with a jump pack. His current (pre new codex) load-out is:

Jump Pack, Shield Eternal, Thunderhammer, Stormbolter, Iron Hands Tactics and Artificer armour.

Super-killy, and has never died yet (2+,3++,6+FNP,5+IWND will do that). I will say this to you, DO NOT ever, ever ever, run him in Vanguard Vets. That's far too many points in one unit begging for S10 pieplates.

I've found footslogging is best (No DS mishaps) and the jump pack allows him to quickly re-deploy over terrain (where a bike would not) as needed.

With my type of load-out the only thing to fear is Abaddon himself, and even then he'll likely win most of the time.

Running him with Assault Squads works very well too. Give them flamers and a melta bomb and you have a unit that can handle pretty much anything short of getting pie-plated.

Never considered the Iron Hands Chapter Tactic, but I can see its effectiveness for sure. That being said, do you run him with Assault Marines all the time? And from what have you seen of the New Codex, how will you run your list?

I tend to run him in a unit of assault marines most of the time to help break tar-pits quickly (30 attacks on the charge from the marines alone is always helpful), but I will take him out of the unit to solo bigger threats that would just eat Assault Marines (Hive Tyrants, Draigo, Deathwing Knights).

Based on what i've seen of the new codex, my list won't change at all. Bar the Stormwing Formation finally being able to use chapter tactics, freeing up my FA slots for Landspeeders.
The new formations seem to favour the static Space Marine type of play, which is the complete opposite of what I run; Drop Pod Dreadnaughts, Landspeeders, fliers and Jump Pack marines.

Edit: Oh I nearly forgot. The one thing that will change in my list is how many Whirlwinds I take thanks to the Armory-detachement-thing. 3 Whirlwinds + a Techmarine, with Iron Hands Chapter tactics and a servo harness? 2+ to repair, ignoring Shaken and Stunned results and IWND? IMMORTAL MISSILE BATTERY OF DOOOOOOOM!!! You will eat ALL of the pie-plates!

From what I have seen, Drop Pods with an Assault Squad seems like the most practical way to go, but if there are other options or opinions I would be glad to hear them. Not sure about Whirlwind but I do think that some vehicles could prove to be effective with this list.

Now that Vanguard only pay 5 points for Power Weapons/Claws, they are a lot more efficient. Think of them as Honour Guard that trade the 2+ for a Jump Pack and use them in the same way; Assassin units or horde-mulchers.

Sell the jump pack for the bike? I kid. :p

 Paradigm wrote:
Now that Vanguard only pay 5 points for Power Weapons/Claws, they are a lot more efficient. Think of them as Honour Guard that trade the 2+ for a Jump Pack and use them in the same way; Assassin units or horde-mulchers.

Did hear that they have access to more weaponry for a lot cheaper points, which is awesome 8 my opinion. However did the unit itself get cheaper or did they remain the same. And since you am still new to this would appreciate more tactical feedback, particularly on how you run him, what's the rest of your army made up of, Chapter Tactics, etc.