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I'm a little confused on what could be an HQ choice.
1. If I take a space marines command squad, does that count as an HQ choice?
and if it doesn't count as an hq choice, then what is this squad generally used for?
2. Can just a company champion be an hq choice?
3. I don't see any datasheets for the space marines commander in the 7th codex? Is a commander the same thing as a captain upgraded to 'chapter master'?
4. It doesn't say I can assign hq units dedicated transport, but if I add them to a squad that can take that transport, can I then take them in the drop pod?
5. what were people's favourite hq choices?

thanks

HQ is a type of slot in the force org chart and anything designated as an "HQ Choice" typically can fill one of these slots. In the 7th Codex look in the upper left corner of the datasheet - the ones with a skull in a circle are HQ choices - captains, chaplains, librarians, a whole bunch of special characters, etc.

Hope that helps!

1) The command squad is not a HQ choice, it's an Elite - traditionally they accompany HQ characters (Captains, Chaplains etc.) but are not forced to do so. Due to the wide range of options available, they can be used in many roles (melee nuts, drop-pod-melta-unit, etc.).
2) A Company Champion cannot be a HQ choice, but you can choose to make him your Warlord if you so desire.
3) A SM Commander is just a general term for either a Captain or Chapter Master.
4) Provided there is enough room for the character, and they are the right unit type (i.e. Infantry but not Jump or Jet) yes, independant characters can join units when they are deployed in reserve, and when they are deployed in transports.
5) Oo, tough one. When playing SM I usually take a Librarian to buff units over a front-line character. That's partly because he's one of my better-painted models, and partly because I'm used to using Eldar Farseers.

Librarians are good if you know know you'll be needing psychic screech or some other primaris power.

TBH screech'a ability to basically 1 shot certain tough units 1/3rd the time makes it amazing. It'll delete a carnifex or ground a flyrant. It's ability to just chew through low LD units is insane.

The other HQ choices are... meh to say the least unless you've an exact plan on what they will do. Chapter master smash fether is always useful if you know how to use him, but honestly I wouldn't expect most to make their points back without plans and support unless your running a libby.

 Blacksteel wrote:
HQ is a type of slot in the force org chart and anything designated as an "HQ Choice" typically can fill one of these slots. In the 7th Codex look in the upper left corner of the datasheet - the ones with a skull in a circle are HQ choices - captains, chaplains, librarians, a whole bunch of special characters, etc.

Hope that helps!

ahhh, thanks for that. makes sense now.

note this all goes out the window in a few weeks with the new edition.

that said i prefer a chapter master and command squad on bikes get the apothecary and boom T5, fast, durable and fnp but if you do not have the models or the points a plain jane librarian is always a good decision

so the downsides of taking a warlord over an actual hq unit are probably that you'd lose out on command points in the next ed. right?

would you rather toss a Chaplain in a drop pod with Vanguard vets or a Captain that was fairly kitted out? my concerns are that this unit is my most costly in my potential list and even with storm shields can i reasonably expect to make 290 points back with this one unit before they die? how survivable were storm shields in last ed?

i'm just trying to get a basic idea so i go into next edition with something to stand on at least


Automatically Appended Next Post:
and side random question: do scouts have to be in the land speeder storm to fire it's heavy bolster/flamer?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
also: what points amount do people most commonly have games at? 1850?

in a drop pod it depends, you will take lsoses coming in as everything will want to kill them btu that may be a tough nut to crack and jus the speedbump you need to keep other units safe.

on the land speeder storm it shoots without the scouts just fine, the pilot does that work

points depends ont eh area, in mine 1250 is the most common size btu many prefer 1850 for the commonality with tournaments which are often 1850

*add* as for warlord you always have the warlord, it is just the hq you choose to be

Well that doesnt mean that a Chapter Master or Commander wont give any CPs in the next Edition. Would be a nice idea to make them more unique. They could also bring additional stratagems.

hm, alright i'll ask around. might be worth magnetizing my vanguard veterans then if people play at different points levels.

I've always been partial to a chapter master type who can lead your hardest-hitting squad as a line breaker, but depending on your play style a librarian can be a good choice, especially with the more auxiliary role characters seem to be directed toward in 8th

As of the current rules:

Chaplains are great force multipliers. but just OK as beatsticks.
Captains (CMs as well) don’t do much for the squad, but can dish out the pain.

I think assault marines need the chaplain to be effective, but VV can stand on their own. Not that the vets don’t enjoy the buff.

If you can magnetize, vanguard are a squad that benifits from it a lot. I did mine both arms and backpack. Bit of work, but very flexible now.

Generally speaking Space marines have the following options for HQs

Librarians
Captains
Chaplins
<Named captains>
Chapter masters

Think of HQs like heros, you will need at least one, and with the coming of 8th me thinks its going to be like AoS where you are going to need a hand full of them, to lead the army.

In the 7th Ed Codex you can take Captains, Terminator Captains, Chapter Masters, Librarians, Chaplains and any special character as your mandatory HQ choice. Maybe Techmarines too but that's pretty much it.


8th Edition is about to drop though so its possible some of these choices may change and there are new uber-Marines being added as options, so hold off on buying anything new just for a mandatory HQ choice. That said, the traditional Space Marine Captain is always a going to be a solid TAC choice.