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So I've been thinking about how best to protect my tank heavy list from deep strikers and melee units, particularly things like Terminators, and the units that floated to the top are Terminators and Bullgryns. Mathematically speaking, Bullgryns do seem to have an advantage in survivability, however, Terminators (the assault ones in particular) have sheer numbers of attacks on their side along with rules like shred, allowing them to be better overall melee fighters that can deal out more damage.

What do people think?

Which Bullgryns are we talking about? The Slabshield & Grenadier Gauntlet ones or the Brute Shield & Power Maul ones?
Slabshield Bullgryns are a really solid choice for tank defense because they can also form a mobile defense line against shooting attacks too. They will more tie up units than kill them in the assault, but you don't generally take Slabshields for assault.
Power Maul Bullgryns on the other hand are far less deffensive but a hell of a lot killier against the majority of targets. Neither type have AP but Mauls are still pretty great - particularly if you can get a concussion roll off and then have initiative for the next set of attacks.

So it depends on whether you want to kill or just neutralise units from my perspective. Perhaps a more experienced Guard player will help you more but that's my view.

Conscripts

 koooaei wrote:
Conscripts

This. The best deterrent to deep striking anti-tank units is to fill the entire area of the table with models so there's nowhere to arrive. A conscript blob or three spread out at 2" coherency distance can keep the threat from ever landing. And against close-range units in general the game will probably be over by the time elite units like terminators can successfully charge, get through 50+ wounds worth of conscripts, and finally get back into range to threaten their real target.

Hmm, I see. I shall stick with the infantry blob I have then I suppose. Though I may invest in some Bullgryns or Terminators, because why not/lolz.

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Hmm, I see. I shall stick with the infantry blob I have then I suppose. Though I may invest in some Bullgryns or Terminators, because why not/lolz.

Well there's a pretty distinct answer as to why not... Both are massively over-costed in points and actual cost.

 morganfreeman wrote:

 deltaKshatriya wrote:
Hmm, I see. I shall stick with the infantry blob I have then I suppose. Though I may invest in some Bullgryns or Terminators, because why not/lolz.

Well there's a pretty distinct answer as to why not... Both are massively over-costed in points and actual cost.

No that's fair and understandable. I was only curious to be honest if there was any viable strategy here.

If you have access to the Sanctus reach warzone books, bullgryns.

they have a formation called the Rampart Detachment. It's two 5+ strong bullgryn squads and a platoon command - the big bonuses are fearless (awesome) counter attack (nice) and an extra +1 cover save to obscured units -giving your precious metal boxes a 3+ cover save in the open, or a 2+ if youve taken camo netting on important ones.

Their footprint is so small though, you'll never bubblewrap a decent armored brigade effectively with them.

Yeah, I hate to pull you away from your Terminators/Bullgryns concept, but for the price of a unit of Bullgryns you could get 40 conscripts and a priest to make them fearless (Zealot special rule, if you want to be 100% accurate.) If you wrap the conscripts around the tanks, they will grant the tanks a 5+ cover save.

Guys, I don't want to say you are playing the game wrong, you can play how you like, but I think the Ogryn line and the Bullgryns look really cool they are great models and I think they have a worthy place in any IG army/collection.. if you like the idea of having some bullgryns for defense, go for it, if you don't like the models, then don't, but I wouldn't not-get them, if it was possible and i liked the look, because they may be too many points..

The models are a bit pricey but it isnt much more than say, 3 CSM bikers, who anyone would heartily recommend to chaos players..

The bikers are recommended though because its highly mobile melta and they really are good at what they do.

Ogryns and terminators really are over costed for what they can do, which really is a shame.

At current, conscripts as suggested are the best way to shield your armour from hard.

NightWinds5121 wrote:
Guys, I don't want to say you are playing the game wrong, you can play how you like, but I think the Ogryn line and the Bullgryns look really cool they are great models and I think they have a worthy place in any IG army/collection.. if you like the idea of having some bullgryns for defense, go for it, if you don't like the models, then don't, but I wouldn't not-get them, if it was possible and i liked the look, because they may be too many points..

This too. While Bullgryns are by no means efficient for their price, they are fun units.

From a more competitive/efficient standpoint: Conscripts

Fun/casual setting: Bullgryns

I do intend on getting myself a unit of Bullgryns eventually, though I actually have a more offensively oriented concept for them.

Inquisitor Coteaz with henchmen including 3 plasma/multimelta servitors, 1 psyker and 1 jokaero. Coteaz lets you fire upon any deep strikers when they appear.

If there are no deep striker/outflankers/podders the merry men are still a good fire support unit - while both terminators and versions of Ogryns are lacking in ranged firepower.