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How do!

So, bought the Codex, and got the Combat Patrol on order. I already have some Vertus Praetors on the shelf so am building a list primarily around this.

Lions of The Emperor

Shield Captain on jet bike with hurricane bolters and fierce conqueror enhancement (+2 melee attacks for every 5 enemy models in 6")

2x Vertus Praetors with hurricane bolters

5x Custodian Guard with spears

5x Custodian Wardens with spears

3x Allarus Custodians with spears

Aaaand that's it. Total's 985 points.

Other models I have available include:

Valerian and Valeya.

Trajann.

A rather battered unit of 5 half built and sadly damaged Custodian Guard with a mix of spears and shields / swords.

Blade Guard Champion.

Wasn't too sure on the equipment for them, so I've gone primarily for number of attacks over strength and damage, simply as I know how atrocious my dice rolls are so I need to make every roll count

I am still debating swapping the Custodian Guards spears out for swords and boards, if only to enable them to roll dice in the shooting phase when they're in engagement range.

The Allarus Custodians... Their S9 D3 axes are mighty tempting, particularly as I'll be facing Nids and Chaos, but again, volume of attacks won out over how hard each attack lands.

Feedback gratefully received, both from those of you who collect and play Custodes, and those of you who face them, as I have done neither!

Cheers!

 kitch102 wrote:

I am still debating swapping the Custodian Guards spears out for swords and boards, if only to enable them to roll dice in the shooting phase when they're in engagement range.

I’d say stick with the spears, as they both have better range than the sword, but even if you use the swords, it’s 2 attacks dealing 2 damage plus 5 attacks dealing 1 damage for a net of 9 damage best case, and the spear is 5 attacks dealing 2 damage (not to mention the sword gun attack only has 4 strength compared to the 7 of the spear melee attack) for a net of 10 damage. The lower strength of the pistol sword attacks compared to just having higher damage means spears are usually better.

Granted, there is some situations where you want swords: the one extra wound from having shield, and if you’re fighting a lot of 1 wound (and probably low toughness) opponents. Lazy example, termagants, T3 and W1. Since 2 damage kills a 1 wound model same as a 1 damage attack and S6 does same as S7 to T3, you want to use swords in that scenario since more attacks is nicer.

I'm going to recommend keeping the Spears at 1k.

Also, see if you can wedge in some Sisters or Imperial Allies, as you need some cheap Battleline to hold backfield objectives, as your bricks of gold will be rushing forward.

Thanks both for your input, it's much appreciated.

My opponents will be sisters, Tyranids, Chaos and Necrons. So it feels pretty split down the middle as to whether sword and board or spears would be most effective in each match up.

Sadly don't have the points (or cash! Or GW stock level!) to add in some Sisters of Silence yet though I definitely see a few squads in my future. Maybe some Imperial Allies if their codex is a worthwhile investment? But in either event, not for this weekend!

On Sunday I will face either sisters or Tyranids (likely the latter at 1000 points). I still think I should stick to spears for the additional ranged attacks that I could churn out, which will also extend my overwatch capabilities, though I remain open to suggestions to the contrary if there's a good argument for it.