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Hey guys, I picked up some used models that were like a hybrid of Vanguard Veterans and Sanguinary Guard today. Since their armament doesn't fit SG I figure I'll use them as VV. One question though, is the way it's currently kitted out much use? The squad is:

-Power axe and plasma pistol
-Dual lightning claws x2
-Storm shield and thunder hammer
-Bolt pistol and power fist

I was thinking of at least switching the bolt pistol for a SS to complement the fist. Thoughts?

I would not (and personally never) bother with a plasma pistol. Its 15 points for a single shot that can kill you. Can it work? Hell yeah it can, but is it worth 15 points? Not even close.

With the points you gain from slicing that off you can afford to upgrade that axe to a power fist and then assuming you cut the thunder hammer and move it to a power fist you freed up 20 points total to 1. Replace the axe with a power fist and arm both power fist wielders with lightning claws to give them +1 attack as well as options in combat.

Those are my ideas on what I would do to it currently without entirely changing it.

Pistols are worth 5 points at best.

Another shield can be very helpful both in combat, and getting there as long as you keep them in front. One thing I would also consider is swapping the plasma pistol to grav. That way if you are charging something like a MC, you can use the concussion on the pistol to drop the initiative of the critter so it goes simo with your heavy hitters and after your claws. It is not somethinges I have table tested yet, but am looking forward to trying when I can.

Looks like you're going to end up with a bunch of dead VVs. Only 1 storm shield and all of them kitted out with expensive weapons makes them an easy target and a pretty big points sink.

I wouldn't run them like that personally.

VVs still have the problem of needing enough gear to work, but not so much that they are a point sink.

As stated above, plasma pistols are overpriced. I’d replace it with either a BP or a SS.
2xLC is not a terrible choice. Good for shredding MEQ.
TH/SS is very pricy on a 1W model. It can be nice to have a hidden fist in the unit, and this serves. But I’d rather keep the SS guys cheaper, as they are the primary bullet catchers.
BP/fist is your low cost hidden fist guy.

Without seeing the models or knowing your hobby skills, it’s hard to make suggestions on how to modify the squad. But here is what I would do, assuming plastic models and ample bits:

Replace the plasma pistol with a SS
Replace the TH with a power axe

This gives you 2 guys with axe/shield, 2 2xLC, and a hidden powerfist. The LC guys for MEQ, the axe guys for TEQ, and the fist as needed. Only need two arms swaps to do it.

Personally, I’d have just gone with a sword/pistol instead of claws to shave points, but the claws are nice, and if you already have them modeled, that’s OK. I kitted my VV sarge with a claw/shield, so he can hit on initiative in challenges and gets a 3++. It might also be better to run claw/shield for the bullet catchers, and run the axes with pistols just to get more attacks. I might also toss a few melta bombs in there.

I think some good general rules are:
Some, but not all SS to keep the plasma off. 2-3 in a 5 man squad, scaled up for larger squads.
A mix of AP2 and AP3 weapons. For the most part, their job is to blender things that look like troops, not tanks or monsters.
Try to keep only two types of weapons, with a possible exception of the sarge. While it is temping from a modeling POV to break out all the odd stuff in the armory on these guys, it can bog down play on the tabletop.