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So had a little thought based on a thread in 40k Tactics section which discusses using VV as Tau counter.

This brought up the common consensus that they are too expensive per model. So I thought, that this being their biggest issue, I could fix it.

So I thought, how can I fix points cost. The immediate and most obvious, make them cheaper. But below 20ppm, with reference to the price of Assault Marines, they are far too cheap for the same price with an extra attack, Ld and a free power weapon on the sarge.



However; their main cost comes from upgrades. So obviously, make then cheaper! But why these models get stuff cheaper than EVERYONE else including Chapter Masters?

Then I noticed the pricing of weapons that Terminator Captains/CM and VV Sarges get from exchanging their power weapons. Everything is 15pts cheaper, the cost of upgrading a chainsword to power weapon. So then I started thinking- VV are the Chapter's elite CC guys. The fluff even states they get first pick of the weapons, and that power weapons are commonplace.

So here is my proposal.


Bump the base cost of Vanguard from 20 to 25ppm. This would keep the cost the same at 125 for a squad of 5, and increase the price of a full squad of ten by 25pts, from 225 to 250. This would also mean they cost the same as Sternguard.

The wargear list would be restructured into two sections. One for exchange the pistol, with regular prices for this. The second would read "Any model may also exchange his power weapon for:" and list the exact same wargear but at a 15pt discount, thus matching the current prices the VV Sgt, who comes with a PW stock, pays for THs, PFs and LCs (the latter being free).

Finally there would be an option that reads "The Sergeant may instead replace his Power Weapon with a Relic Blade....15pts."


Jump Packs would remain at 10ppm. However, with my proposal, VV will become 10ppm (+5ppm base and gain PW which normally cost 15ppm).

As a little mathematically proof

A current VV with Jump Pack, Storm Shield and Power Fist costs 70(!) points.
My version would cost 60pts. Still quite costly but less so.

Another example. A VV with Power Weapon and Jump Pack would cost 45ppm.
Mine would come stock with PW for 25pts and get JP for 10, for a total of a mere 35pts.



Does giving them all a Power Weapon standard for +5ppm base cost sound a viable fix?

I'd take them as is for wargear, just give them jump packs for free. Option to drop them for a vehicle. If pointing them up to 25 pts base like sternguard is required, that'd be fine. Cheaper wargear doesn't help much when you still have to get to 350 points to field ten of them with packs.

If you consider that sternguard can get combis for 5 points and cheep heavies/specials, it's not unreasonable to have low cost upgrades.

I would prefer to see them base BP/chainsword. At the very least, this would not invalidate current minis. But lowering the cost of upgrades (ala sternguard) would make it very easy to run a fully tricked out squad without breaking the bank for points.

 dracpanzer wrote:
I'd take them as is for wargear, just give them jump packs for free. Option to drop them for a vehicle. If pointing them up to 25 pts base like sternguard is required, that'd be fine. Cheaper wargear doesn't help much when you still have to get to 350 points to field ten of them with packs.

This. Possibly discounted wargear as well.

Oh, and give vanilla Vanguard Veterans a DoA-esque rule; they're way too unreliable with full scatter.

We rolled all the veterans into one entry, so they can either be Sternguard or Vanguard. If you really want to spend points you can even have Sternguard with jump packs. Up to two veteran abilities, such as Counterattack or Preferred Enemy can be purchased as well. Makes for a pricey but versatile unit that when used with care it's pretty worthwhile!