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I really like idea of this unit as a keystone for an Iron Hands demi company.

Command Squad on bikes (260 points)
-apothecary
-melta bombs x4
-storm shield x4
-grav guns x4

The question is about the Captain who would go with the above Command Squad. Do you give him a melee weapon for challenges or do you give him a grav-gun so you have that many more shots coming from this unit? It seems if he's got a melee weapon and pistol he won't be doing much (besides looking awesome) most of the time. Thoughts?

Here is the Captain's loadout:
-Artificer armor
-storm shield
-bike

What do you recommend for Captain's weapons?

A Thunder Hammer for sure. Upgrade him to Chapter Master too, get rid of the Storm Shield and get the Shield Eternal instead.

^ What he said. That's basically every IH army's auto-include.
If you want to save a few points, drop the Meltabombs.

My bad, I actually read the IH as IF. If you are playing Iron Hands, you definitely should use the Raukaan supplement (it is totally legal, don't worry) and get the Gorgon's Chain instead. That way you don't lose a weapon slot and can get a Lightning Claw if you have the points. The Chain is ridiculously good too, way better than the regular Shield Eternal.

Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:
Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

Why would you want to NOT be in close combat with this character? There is barely anything in the whole game that can stand toe to toe (apart from GCs or Knights) with this build. Read through this page, it should answer your questions.

 Lammikkovalas wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:
Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

Why would you want to NOT be in close combat with this character? There is barely anything in the whole game that can stand toe to toe (apart from GCs or Knights) with this build. Read through this page, it should answer your questions.

But then is there any value in having the 4 vets with relentless grav-guns?

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:

 Lammikkovalas wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:
Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

Why would you want to NOT be in close combat with this character? There is barely anything in the whole game that can stand toe to toe (apart from GCs or Knights) with this build. Read through this page, it should answer your questions.

But then is there any value in having the 4 vets with relentless grav-guns?

Oh yes definitely. But I'd actually run them as White Scars instead. The loss of the +1FNP is negated by the +1 to jink rolls + you get hit and run+ you get access to a 20pt relic that grants ignores cover to the entire unit.

Reading the link.

I see you would just break him off the shooty command squad to engage enemies that get too close. Wouldn't Thunderwolf Cavalry be a problem with S10 attack negating the FNP?

I like being competitive, but I'd hate for people to not want to play against me either.

 DoomShakaLaka wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:

 Lammikkovalas wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:
Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

Why would you want to NOT be in close combat with this character? There is barely anything in the whole game that can stand toe to toe (apart from GCs or Knights) with this build. Read through this page, it should answer your questions.

But then is there any value in having the 4 vets with relentless grav-guns?

Oh yes definitely. But I'd actually run them as White Scars instead. The loss of the +1FNP is negated by the +1 to jink rolls + you get hit and run+ you get access to a 20pt relic that grants ignores cover to the entire unit.

I completely disagree. White Scars might have better Bikers as a whole, but the Command Squad is a different story. 4+++ is too good, and people are going to be looking to ignore cover against them anyway.

Plus with the OP wanting a beatstick character, they can have their Chapter Master end up with a 3+++.

 DoomShakaLaka wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:

 Lammikkovalas wrote:

MeanAss_Demasoni wrote:
Thanks guys.

As for tactics. What is your reasoning for the weapon choices? With the thunderhammer, he will mostly not be using it as the squad will be avoiding close combat. Would it be more of a deterrent from being charged by the enemy?

Why would you want to NOT be in close combat with this character? There is barely anything in the whole game that can stand toe to toe (apart from GCs or Knights) with this build. Read through this page, it should answer your questions.

But then is there any value in having the 4 vets with relentless grav-guns?

Oh yes definitely. But I'd actually run them as White Scars instead. The loss of the +1FNP is negated by the +1 to jink rolls + you get hit and run+ you get access to a 20pt relic that grants ignores cover to the entire unit.

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

I do like the White Scars Mongolian Horse Archers on bikes style. But I will stick with Iron Hands for the fluff.

As far as tactics with this unit, how do you like to engage the enemy?