Storm shield vanguard vets

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**Danielle Rae**

So it occurred to me that it may now be a good idea to just give everyone in your vanguard vet squads storm shields. 19 points/model for deepstriking guys with 3++ saves seems good to me, especially if combined with sniper-scouts to kill psykers before you bring them in.

**Bharring**

Why everyone? Give many of them a 3++. As they're 1W model, you can pick whether to take the wounds on a 3++ or a 3+ depending on the source. And the ones you lose to a failed 3+ cost slightly less.

**Creeping Dementia**

You could give all of them SS, but you really don't need to. Just half SS, half BPs, and you've saved some points for other upgrades. Tank the high AP shots on the SS dudes, lasguns and bolter shots on the other ones.

**Slayer-Fan123**

1 for every three dudes is enough.

**Galef**

So what is the best loadout for a unit that has to have some Lightning claws and Hammers (for cool factor)?
My sons will be building units of 5 and they want them to look good, but also be useful in casual games.

I was thinking VV Sgt with SS/TH (or relic blade)
2 VVs w/ LCs
2 VVs w/ SS/TH

The problem is that if they need to use the 3++, they might lose the Hammers.
It is worth losing the extra LC attack to have 2 VVs with LC/SS?
And then the TH VV could be freed up to take Plasma pistols instead of the shield.

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**Slayer-Fan123**

Focus is ultimately better for Vanguard as you can, well, specialize them. I gave my recommendation of 1 Storm Shield for every 3 dudes (so two Storm Shields in a 6 man group), and let them just keep the Chainswords.

I don't think the extra attack with the Claw would've made a difference overall. Pick up the SS.

**Galef**

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Focus is ultimately better for Vanguard as you can, well, specialize them. I gave my recommendation of 1 Storm Shield for every 3 dudes (so two Storm Shields in a 6 man group), and let them just keep the Chainswords.

I don't think the extra attack with the Claw would've made a difference overall. Pick up the SS.

So if they want 1 unit of 5 each, you'd only suggest 2 SS for each unit?
That works out well for use since 4 total is how many a single box comes with (and how the bits would be sold on eBay)

So how does this loadout sound?
Sgt with 2 LCs
2 with LC/SS
2 with TH/Plasma pistol

Or do they make each model unique?
1 TH/SS
1 LC/SS
1 Dual Plasma pistol
1 TH/Plasma pistol
Sgt dual LCs

But I suspect mixing them up like this will break their focus quite a bit

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**Azuza001**

I agree with slayerfan123, but i do it 1 for every 3, but rounded up so a squad of 5 gets 2 storm shields. Everyone gets chainswords and chainswords, forget bolt pistols. Chainsword vanguard vets loaded like that in groups of 5 will make a beserker envious.

**Galef**

But Chainswords don't do anything against heavier threats. I know it keeps them cheap, but that is less of a concern over having them be a worthwhile unit to drop in and impact the game.

What about this build?

Sgt with dual LCs
2 with TH/plasma pistol
2 with SS/Chainsword

Keeps the SS models cheap and if they die, the unit doesn't lose a valuable melee weapon. I put the dual LCs on the Sgt to give the unit 4 total reroll wounds attacks at Ap-2.

I am finding this very hard to balance between cool factor and usability. Dual pistols or dual chainswords would be very appealing to my boys aesthetically, but they need consistency of weapons.
Each model having a unique loadout seems like a nightmare for wound allocation (who dies first when you like all of them?)

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**Slayer-Fan123**

I'm more okay with that loadout as you're taking advantage of the inherent 3/4 attacks of the Sergeant.

**Azuza001**

Its also about their job. If your using yours to hunt big bugs or tanks then thunder hammers on some and ss/cs combo for ablative wounds makes sense. I use mine as chaff clearers and tie-up units so i go with weight of dice.

**Slayer-Fan123**

It might even be best to do 3 TH and then 2 SS/LC if you REALLY need that Lightning Claw. Otherwise you could have the Lightning Claw as a Counts-As Chainsword, but you'd be pushing the envelope on that one.