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I am new to Warhammer and putting together the squads that I purchased. I am doing magnets out of the gate to keep from having to repurchase figures or freeze them and reglue them. But, being new, I am not always sure what to magnetize and what to just take standard.

Looking at the Veteran Vanguards, they are able to go without the Jump Jets. I have two sets of these guys and I already glued the packs to one squad, but I figured I should ask for advice before doing the second squad. Are the VVs worth taking without the packs? Is there a reason I wouldn't just use a Sternguard or Tactical squad? I know the stats are different between the squads, but is there a viable comp for the Veteran Vanguards without the Jump Packs that would make it unnecessary for me to have the packless option available to me?

I magnetized both arms and the packs on my VV.

I’ve not fielded the squad of them with anything but jump packs.

That said, I have used them to fill in for assault marine sarges, command squads, and other such applications on a per-mini basis. Sometimes without packs. So while individual vanguard have taken advantage of the swappable backpacks, the whole squad has not. Depending on how big your army is, it’s nice to have some guys fully magnetized to swap around where needed. How many is a decent question. I probably have more then I need.

If you want a CC unit on foot, you are probably better off with either honor guard or a command squad. But I could see using a VV squad in a LR. You have a lot of flex in what weapons to give them, and can cram a lot of them in the big old box of pain.

Vanguards and Assault Marines are in general poor performers even with the best chapter tactics that suit them (RG). They are over expensive and their upgrades too pricey for what they bring to the table. Infantry based CC isn't so hot either. If you are going for INF based assault there are better ways to get it than either VV or AM as Nevelon stated.

VV special ability is kinda meh, but the main advantage is the ability to include multiple special weapon types and hide them behind standard bodies and a few storm shields. Dropped in the right spot with deep strike they can rip through the back field line. You need to transport them some how via either a Drop pod or Jump Pack. So in my opinion, make them with Jump Packs because other wise you would be using something else.

If you aren't using Jump Packs, why aren't you using Honor Guard?

Thank you for the quick replies. That answers most of my questions regarding these.

One more question: pardon my newbness, but Nevelon mentioned using the figures as a fill in for other squads; what are the rules for that? Can I use a VV as an extra troop in my Sternguard as long as I am able to configure the model with the appropriate weapons and whatnot? If so, I may magnetize a couple of the troops' backpack to swap in for other squads.

As long as the gear is right, most power armored models can be shuffled around without issue. And due to the fact that pretty much all SM kits are 100% compatible with each other, you can mix and match.

For example, I built my honor guard squad mostly out of sternguard bodies, but spliced in parts from the VV box and the command squad box.

As long as you pay the points for it, and it is clear to your opponent what’s what, the sky is really the limit on what and how you build.

Cool, thank you for the info. I will definitely keep that in mind when constructing my figures.

I did realize, however, that I probably don't have to waste my time making my Vanguard Veterans packless; I am running Raven Guard, so I am probably going to wish I could take troops from other squads and slap a jump pack on them, rather than the other way around. 8)

You should have seen Vanguard Vets in their heyday when they were the only units that could charge out of deepstrike.

Those were the glory days.

 MechaEmperor7000 wrote:
You should have seen Vanguard Vets in their heyday when they were the only units that could charge out of deepstrike.

Those were the glory days.

They were still bad because of their price.