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So, I already have a squad of vanguard veteran's with 4 of the 5 equipped with thunder hammer / storm shields and use them to go beast hunting but I've now picked up another box since I like the models.

I was wondering how everyone else equips and then uses them.

Generally a mix of swords and axes, with a few SS tossed in to keep between them and plasma. Jump packs, and an odd melta bomb or two. LC/SS sarge.

Keeps the points down, plenty killy for what I need them for.

Lightning Claws, so you can get some initiative attacks before your hammers strike.

I have a pretty mixed unit of vanguards:
sarge has TH/SS
2 have chainswords (fodder in the front)
3 have a single lightning claw
2 have double lightning claws
1 has a power fist and lightning claw (both specialist weapons)
1 has power axe and power maul

this does make counting points and rolling for different attacks a bit messy

 Colonel17 wrote:
I have a pretty mixed unit of vanguards:
sarge has TH/SS
2 have chainswords (fodder in the front)
3 have a single lightning claw
2 have double lightning claws
1 has a power fist and lightning claw (both specialist weapons)
1 has power axe and power maul

this does make counting points and rolling for different attacks a bit messy

When I built my 10 man squad, I included all sorts of CC options. From a fluff POV, these guys have pretty open access to the armory, and would be able to select their personal preference in weapons. Leading to a diverse squad. Looks cool, feels cool, play like crap. Who’s still alive? Who’s in BtB/combat range? What initiative are we on? Luckily I magnetized, so can swap out to something more sensible.

But if I was making a recommendation for how to gear up VVs, I’d suggest keeping yourself restricted to 2 flavors of weapons, just to keep play smooth. Sarge can have something odd if you want, he’s going to be singled out most of the time anyway.

 Nevelon wrote:
When I built my 10 man squad, I included all sorts of CC options. From a fluff POV, these guys have pretty open access to the armory, and would be able to select their personal preference in weapons. Leading to a diverse squad. Looks cool, feels cool, play like crap. Who’s still alive? Who’s in BtB/combat range? What initiative are we on? Luckily I magnetized, so can swap out to something more sensible.

But if I was making a recommendation for how to gear up VVs, I’d suggest keeping yourself restricted to 2 flavors of weapons, just to keep play smooth. Sarge can have something odd if you want, he’s going to be singled out most of the time anyway.

After using them a few times, i have to agree this was not the most effective way of building the unit. But I had a blast picking out which weapons to give each model, which is a big part of the fun I have with the game. Another big reason why I did this is because I'm a cheap bastard and only bought 1 box of Vanguard Vets. The rest were regular assault marines I already had that got all the leftover bits.

Mix of LCs/power swords to strike at Initiative, hammers/fists to kill really big stuff, spare bodies to avoid dying. Avoid going overboard with upgrades, skip the pistols and storm shields, and you'll keep the unit's performance up without dumping too many points into what remain one-Wound models.

Sgt. w. Plasma Pistol and Powerfist.
1 x Melta gun.
1 x Heavy Bolter.
1 x Plain ole bolter.
1 x Bolter and Breacher shield.

Wait! What? It's all good, I only use them for Space Hulk.

I patterned them like a SWAT team: