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I've been currently building out a squad of 5 Chosen, 4 with Plasma Guns & Chainswords for elite unit/ character hunting and 1 with a Combi-Flamer & Chainswords to guard against charges. I was thinking of extending it out to 8-9 chosen. (I don't want to go a full 10 so I have room for a Lord for rerolls or a Sorcerer for warptime in the Rhino with them.) Would I be better off adding 1-2 Power Weapons into the squad if I stretch it out so it has something high damaging they can defend themselves with, or would I be better off continuing as I have and mainly focus on Plasma Guns to keep everything focus. Sidenote: Man it's hard to find plasma bits.

I'm aware it's not absolutely the most competitive option in the codex, but I'd still like to semi optimize that particular squad.

I probably wouldn't. If anything, give the champions a power axe. Chosen only have 2 attacks (3 w/ chainsword), so it doesn't really seem worth 4-5 points to give them some AP for their 2 attacks. Keep the free attack and give them champion some AP.

I don't have the book in front of me, at work, right now to double check. Currently I was planning on giving the Combi Flamer to my Champion. Combi Flamer and Power Axe is a possible loadout, correct? Modding those mono pose models from the random melee models has been a pain but really rewarding. It is a bit random how they all had right handed weapons and left handed pistols, basically the opposite of almost every multipose chaos kit.

Oh I imagine it's rough working with those starter kit Chosen. I hate GW's easy to build minis.

Very least, I think they're coming out gorgeous. The one holding the bolter was a bit ridiculous though. I had to cut a right hand off a pistol grip, cut a left hand out of a CSM bolter, clean cut those sections out of Plasma gun so they could line up right, and make sure it wasn't super noticeable. The main thing was using pistol hands in place of bolter grips across the board for the plasma gun. Most of them are holding it one handed, but they look like they're either carrying them at their side or snap firing to the side. I put them up on Modeling & Painting, but I'm waiting to finish the 5 to start basing. Or you can see them in my Gallery. If you want to take a peak Granted, this is going off topic.

How many would you say would be the optimal number to run? Should I stay at 5 for cost or do I need a bit more saturation to make the idea worth the time.

The optimal number of Chosen to run is either 5 Berzerkers or 5 Noise Marines.

But in all seriousness, I've also thought about how I would run some Chosen in an "optimal" loadout (the customization options and potential for an "honor guard" are some big draws for me). Your Legion trait will define how many you want to run, but the best is probably 5 man MSU units. The idea I've been tinkering with to avoid the issue of awkward poses is a halberd with a gun on the end, similar to the Custodies spears. Since I'm World Eaters I was thinking Chain Axe ends.

Nah. Go for 6 squad dudes with Combi-Bolters and Chainswords. Basically a Command Squad at a larger size at the expense of not tanking wounds for your Lord. It's a pretty good deal.

I know someone mentioned Chainaxes earlier though. If they're cheap enough I don't see why not. They obviously can't be more than a Power Sword and that's at 4 points.

Not sure if you're hellbent on Chosen, but a squad of 5 Havoks with Plasma is something like 20-30 points cheaper iirc.

I haven't run Chosen in a long time; currently I'm not real sure there's a good reason to do so as for Khorne Berzerkers are way better, for Tzeentch I'd just go Possessed to get the +1++ from the psychic power, for Nurgle Plague Marines are better. But maybe for Slaaneshi ones, shoot twice with combi-weapons? And cast Delightful Agonies on them? That sounds pretty decent actually.

I like the idea of a huge unit of Chosen if one were to run them. Perhaps in a Spartan or Kharybdis. 17 or 18, with a Lord and/or Dark Apostle, and Exalted Champion.

The only reason I run Chosen anymore is for objective campers. Give them all combi-bolters, or plasma and chainswords for all of them. They'll be a solid defense against most threats that try to secure your backline objectives.

Yea. The real problem with Chosen is how fast you are spending points on T4, 3+ 1 wound models. And the fact that Chaos has so many specialist units, its hard to find something chosen can do that another group cannot do better.

As a pure Plasma delivery I rate chosen below Raptors and Havocs. Havocs are cheaper and can still take 4 Plasma Guns + a Combi Plasma Champ. Raptors can take 2 Plasma Guns and a Combi Plasma Champ, and have their own delivery system into rapid fire range via Deep Strike. As a dakka squad armed with max combi bolters and chain swords, you end up being outclassed by Noise Marines. Sonic Blasters ignore cover and a higher volume of shots outside of 12 inches. And Noise Marines shoot when they die giving them a it more utility. Noise Marines have 2 attacks as well, so Chosen only outpace them by one in terms of attacks. As a Close Combat Squad, Chosen are outclassed by Possessed for durability and damage, and by Khorne Berserkers for raw damage.

But they do look really cool, I mean figure out what load out you like best, and pretend that the other option that outclasses them doesn't exist

 akaean wrote:
Yea. The real problem with Chosen is how fast you are spending points on T4, 3+ 1 wound models. And the fact that Chaos has so many specialist units, its hard to find something chosen can do that another group cannot do better.

As a pure Plasma delivery I rate chosen below Raptors and Havocs. Havocs are cheaper and can still take 4 Plasma Guns + a Combi Plasma Champ. Raptors can take 2 Plasma Guns and a Combi Plasma Champ, and have their own delivery system into rapid fire range via Deep Strike. As a dakka squad armed with max combi bolters and chain swords, you end up being outclassed by Noise Marines. Sonic Blasters ignore cover and a higher volume of shots outside of 12 inches. And Noise Marines shoot when they die giving them a it more utility. Noise Marines have 2 attacks as well, so Chosen only outpace them by one in terms of attacks. As a Close Combat Squad, Chosen are outclassed by Possessed for durability and damage, and by Khorne Berserkers for raw damage.

But they do look really cool, I mean figure out what load out you like best, and pretend that the other option that outclasses them doesn't exist

On that point, they're really good for teaching new players. Good in melee, good in ranged, and low model count. But also not ridiculous like Custodes, so you dont gain a false impression.