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I've finally decided to expand my collection into another army and was really liking the idea of guard (outside of painting 200 models). I really want to see what's it's like fielding blobs, but don't think I can tolerate playing as a filthy xenos race, so they seem perfect.

What are people's current feelings toward guard? Are they at least mediocre on the table? Are they fun to play as or against? I mainly want a fun army (fun outside of painting 200 models), but being able to hold my own wouldn't hurt. Is there any cheese or otherwise annoying traits to them (no, I won't ally in Azzy and give 50 guardsman a 4++. Well, maybe not that often).

Is there anything I should specifically aim for buying? Is one theme a bit more enjoyable than another? What's your favorite guard unit?

If you really don't look forward to the painting of 200 guardsmen, you could attempt at running the Mech Vet lists instead? Less dudes, better shots and better weaponry, plus chimeras! Guard are my only army so far, and I mainly run the Mech Vet lists (And Bullgryns cause I still love 'em) but I think I know some stuff that may help you at least.
I will admit, we're not the best, we're squishy T3 dudes with only a 4+ being our best (Excluding the Techpriest), some of our stuff is said to be considered overpriced, or our elite options are lacking, but it ca depend on your meta as well for you. They're a fun army I'll admit, seeing your guys, just like the lore, try and best against armies where they REALLY don't stand a chance. Though there's only very few options to cheese it, such as the blob squad with a 4++ but also there's just fielding so many wyverns (they pump out A LOT of damage!).
Mech Vets can be great I'll admit, as they have access to carapace, so regular marines can't just shoot you to death, and your BS is better! Also the case is that with being in a chimera, the dudes inside are safe from psychic mainly, whilst blobs could be very exposed to that. Chimeras, for the same cost as a regular guard squad with an autocannon and a vox, comes with 6 S5+ shots already, 5 points extra is a heavy stubber, and I'd consider it more durable than a 10 man squad plus leadership doesn't bother it!

On what you should bring (and coincidentally what I love) is perhaps an Eradicator tank, or any of the more reasonable tank versions (Exterminators, Punishers, etc), as the Eradicator, with HB sponsors, and a heavy stubber, is 5 points cheaper than a regular LRBT, and is certainly more threatening (Been the most consistent unit in majority of my games). Also, weapon destroy results are likely less worrying now! Definitely consider a psyker also, the bonuses to Deny The Witch and some decent abilities are always handy for 75 points!

I don't know about Competitive environments but the Guard is perfectly capable of fighting in a Casual environment.

If you don't want to do 200 dudes, that's fine too - my 2k list has only 100 guys in it with some vehicles in support.

What attracts you the most about the guard?
The fact they're human or the toys they can bring?

 Otto Weston wrote:
What attracts you the most about the guard?
The fact they're human or the toys they can bring?

A big part of it is really the desire to have a huge board presence, I love my DA but I'm always absolutely outnumbered. The tanks are definitely an added bonus, but I honestly just like the whole idea of winning through overwhelming numbers and sending guardsmen into the meat grinder.