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So I'm working on my army list for a game next weekend. And originally I came across and liked the idea of 10 Sternguard in a pod that combat squads and shoots two key targets. But then I read another page that suggested using Legion of the Damned and now that has me thinking. Which would you suggest and why? Here's what to take into account:

- Vulkan leading the army

So do I choose which of these two:

- 10x Sternguard with 6x combi-melta, 2x Heavy Flamer, 2x Master Crafted Combi-melta in a pod.

- OR -

2 Squads of:

- 5x Legionnaires with melta, Master Crafted Combi Melta, Multi-Melta. Ignore cover saves, 3++, improved deep strike, slow and purposeful.

You're paying premium for the Legions protective stats, which is sacrificing your offensive damage if you go the Legion route.

If the job is to remove that enemy model as quick as possible with less regard for your safety, I'd choose the sternguard.

If you want significantly less damage output but want to have some survivability and mess about in your opponent's back line, Legion.

Ok, so let's take a look at what I expect. The event will be for GW's summer, Tank Shock. I expect lots of big guns and big models. And all missions will be determined randomly, so I do expect objectives to be an issue. I expect a lot of jinking too from eldar players and others.

I would go sternguard. The Legion will have a tougher time gunning down the bigger models, but if your sternguard come down, pop all their combis and flamers, they have a decent chance of A. Wounding it significantly or B. Blowing it up.

Legion of the damned are a really underrated space marine unit. Ignore cover is a real clutch rule, they deep strike reliably and whilst I would not count on it, they stand a much better chance then sternguard at doing something useful after the initial drop.

In the role of anti tank, the sternguard effectively are paying for their special ammo which they won't get a chance to use.

Finally, whilst the sternguard can combat squad, they will likely end up facing the same side of a vehicle, in the case of say a knight, the LOTD can land a squad on separate facings, or go after two vehicles at opposite sides of the board.

Tons of good points on both sides. So the sternguard carry more firepower, and a slightly safer deep strike, but the Legion is harder to kill and more mobile, being two separate squads.

Proxy them if you can, best way to learn and all that. I have used sternguard (naked without combi weapons) & LOTD with a similar setup to yours, except a combi grav instead of combi melta, the LOTD get the job done I find. Only pity is, they don't really fit into any of the marine formations.