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Ultramarine Gladius strike force.

As part of my army I use Sternguard. Question, should I bother with combis or go with straight bolters with kraken? I am rebuilding my army, big project.... Have been stripped a few times but still looking great, but this is their last go. So I want to kit them out right, currently rolling Heavy Flamer and Serg with PW and grav pistol...

You could always go 50/50

Sternguard in a drop pod loaded up with combi meltas is a popular choice. Just depends what you want to do with them really.

What I will say is that I prefer combis to just buying them straight special weapons. That way you can still use the special ammo, even though you only get one shot with the other weapon.

I would like combi plasmas. Which aligning well with the special ammo bolters, and made them good "regular" MC and medium infantry Hunters. For Alpha strike anti Tank, the melta Command Squad and MM Dreadnought is better choice.

I like mine 10 man 2xHF in a pod, basic sarge.

Combi spam alpha strike is another good choice, with melta being the best of the options.

You can combine the two and go for a ten man squad, 2xHF and 4-5 combis. Combat squad out of the pod and roast and/ melt.

Nothing for the sarge. At best give him a lightning claw to go with his bolter. Keep the bolter though (or combi, if you need to pack more in the squad) The only reason to go with anything more is a fist, for chapter theme reasons (IF, CF) or if you have the old metal sarge and want to field him. I guess the “I like the model” is a valid excuse for any combo of gear really, but just go into it knowing it’s the thematic choice over a practical one.

I might see if the vanguard are recruiting for your sarge. His combo fits in a little bit better over there.

Both of my squads are 10-man squads with 50/50 Combi-Weapons (one Grav, one Melta) in a Drop Pod. Since I play Crimson Fists, I have much more incentive to use Bolters since I would otherwise be giving up rerolls. I tend to combat squad them when they come down (combis in one squad, plain bolters in the other). Ultramarines can get away with replacing two models with a special weapon.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
Both of my squads are 10-man squads with 50/50 Combi-Weapons (one Grav, one Melta) in a Drop Pod. Since I play Crimson Fists, I have much more incentive to use Bolters since I would otherwise be giving up rerolls. I tend to combat squad them when they come down (combis in one squad, plain bolters in the other). Ultramarines can get away with replacing two models with a special weapon.

I still thing the only thing worth swapping out the special ammo for is a HF. The ammo is just that good. And after popping the combis, you end up paying a lot for paired specials. If you just want to spam special weapons, look into a command squad.

 Nevelon wrote:

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
Both of my squads are 10-man squads with 50/50 Combi-Weapons (one Grav, one Melta) in a Drop Pod. Since I play Crimson Fists, I have much more incentive to use Bolters since I would otherwise be giving up rerolls. I tend to combat squad them when they come down (combis in one squad, plain bolters in the other). Ultramarines can get away with replacing two models with a special weapon.

I still thing the only thing worth swapping out the special ammo for is a HF. The ammo is just that good. And after popping the combis, you end up paying a lot for paired specials. If you just want to spam special weapons, look into a command squad.

True. HF are good, but their purpose somewhat overlaps with SA. The Ignores Cover ammo does much the same thing as a Heavy Flamer, whereas SA can't duplicate a Meltagun, and they cost the same number of points.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
True. HF are good, but their purpose somewhat overlaps with SA. The Ignores Cover ammo does much the same thing as a Heavy Flamer, whereas SA can't duplicate a Meltagun, and they cost the same number of points.

Two melta shots is not reliable enough at popping a tank for me to want to waste the sternguard’s time trying. There are plenty of things that need special ammo fired into them. HFs work well against basically everything that the special ammo does, better in some cases, and bring a lot to the table overall.

Grav/plas guns are expensive, and don’t bring quite as much versatility. No reason to take normal flamers when heavies are an option.

The only reason to take full melta guns is if you think you are going to live long enough to get two shots off. For example, if you think 4 melta shots is adequate for popping a tank, and are fielding a 6 man squad. 4 combis, 2 meltaguns. Click off half the combis first turn (and push those guys out front to die first) and hope you live long enough to try for a second tank the following turn. Not a gamble I’m willing to make, but I can understand where it’s coming from.

My issue with Heavy Flamers is the lack of range after delivery.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
My issue with Heavy Flamers is the lack of range after delivery.

It’s a valid point. Generally when podding in, there should be something nearby, even after the first round. If going against a high mobility list, they might scatter away like roaches, but in that case, you’ve claimed dominance over a few square feet of table, to tactical win!

Generally sternguard want to be in rapid fire range anyway. So the fact that the HFs cap out at a hard 8”, rather then a soft 12” doesn’t bother me that much.

Instead of taking Sternguard I would rather take Deathwatch Vets. I think they are the same points but have access to better gear and rules.

You are paying for the special ammo so combi-weapons are the way to go.

If you are willing to spend the points: half and half may be the way to go with flamer / melta so you can decide if a vehicle or an infantry blob most needs to die when you drop-pod in. You can always go for a target of opportunity later with the other half of the combi-weapons (flamers are good for being charged too!).

If you are certain you want to dedicate them to killing troops then the two heavy flamers and flamer combi-weapons are a great way to go: makes things like Orks think twice before charging in.

Good advice is to keep the bolter for the Sgt and use the Power Fist or Lightening Claw for the close combat weapon (pistol gives no real benefit).

 ultimentra wrote:
Instead of taking Sternguard I would rather take Deathwatch Vets. I think they are the same points but have access to better gear and rules.

Don't have the models and with the CAD I don't think it fits for the GSF. Or, can I???