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Should I run all storm shields and hammers or mix it up?

Storm shields and hammers is a massive NO. It's a very 7th edition loadout. Why?

Because in 8th, YOU get to choose who you allocate wounds to. So you don't want your best tanking/defensive tool (a storm shield) to also be your best offensive tool (a thunder hammer). You end up never using the 3+ invuln because if it fails, you lose a hammervet!

A better combination might be 50% with [Storm Shield and Chainsword] and 50% with [Plasma Pistol and Thunder Hammer].

That way it's really obvious who dies first and who gets to live to dish out the pain.

If you are going to run the TH/SS combo, the old 5th ed wombo combo of terminators in a LR is back in action.

 Silentz wrote:
Storm shields and hammers is a massive NO. It's a very 7th edition loadout. Why?

Because in 8th, YOU get to choose who you allocate wounds to. So you don't want your best tanking/defensive tool (a storm shield) to also be your best offensive tool (a thunder hammer). You end up never using the 3+ invuln because if it fails, you lose a hammervet!

A better combination might be 50% with [Storm Shield and Chainsword] and 50% with [Plasma Pistol and Thunder Hammer].

That way it's really obvious who dies first and who gets to live to dish out the pain.

Quoted for emphatic agreement.

If you're trying to keep things cheapish you could skip the plasma pistols, but otherwise, agreed. (And the pistols can provide some much-needed punch from time to time - game I played last weekend, Eldar vs Space Wolves, Ulrik the Slayer slew my Wraithlord mostly thanks to the three extra wounds caused by the plasma pistol over the course of the game.)

I like mixing in lightning claws.They can really help clear out the chaff.

I would give them all storm sheilds - hammer to the sargent - all have plasma pistols. Everyone else has a power maul or axe. They are best with white scars tactics because they can fallback and shoot and assault.

 Xenomancers wrote:
I would give them all storm sheilds - hammer to the sargent - all have plasma pistols. Everyone else has a power maul or axe. They are best with white scars tactics because they can fallback and shoot and assault.

Couldn't they do that with jet packs anyways? Freeing up your CTs for something like Raven Guard, which will make them even tankier until they're essentially in assault?

They can't assault, just shoot. I like to mix up my vanguards,and then kill off what I don't need vs the specific opponent. No hope of getting to guard tanks? Away go the hammers.

Martel732 wrote:
They can't assault, just shoot. I like to mix up my vanguards,and then kill off what I don't need vs the specific opponent. No hope of getting to guard tanks? Away go the hammers.

Ah thanks, White Scars indeed then. And FWIW Thunder Hammers are fantastic against my IG army. I am very very afraid of them.

Not so much. Lightning claws kill way more dudes. The hammers only matter if I make it to the tanks. Which I won't. Because IG.

Martel732 wrote:
Not so much. Lightning claws kill way more dudes. The hammers only matter if I make it to the tanks. Which I won't. Because IG.

He plays 3 super heavies - I think you could get some guys there if you have invo saves.

Then against him, I take the lightning claw dudes as casualties. Kinda nifty, but I still probably fall short. Depsite what Melissia thinks, I really do know what I'm doing. The math just isn't working out for me so far in most matchups.

Fun fact: Tyranids can generate a LOT of mortal wounds.

Problem with invul saves on 1 wound is sooner or later youll fail one to a lasgun shot.

Yeah it's unfluffy for my superheavy tank regiment to have any meaningful infantry support that's integral to its structure. In team games, I agree with you - when you put the Guard regiments together (i.g. Infantry and Superheavy) is when they truly shine. (And, crunchwise, I agree it's OP!)

I usually use basic infantry squads modeled as dismounted spare tank crews to fill out a Battalion Detachment, which means 30 guys - enough replacement personnel to re-crew all three vehicles if they are damaged and need recovery. I also usually include a Company XO and support elements (Company Commander, Pimaris Psyker, Techpriest, and Lord Commissar (company commissar in the fluff)) in a Chimera, and that's my 2k list.

So my 2k list is 7 drops, 3 superheavies, 3 unupgraded infantry squads, and a chimera of support elements. 9 Command Points.

I bet a vanguard veteran spam list would do rather well, truth be told, if they bring any anti-tank stabby bits.

Also, though I'd do it in a tournament, I'm loathe to 'screen' the superheavies with the troops on the tabletop. The sheer ridiculousness of using the replacement tank crews as meatshields for the tanks just ruins my fluff-immersion.