Sternguard in Mech BA Armies

[syypher]

I've been told by quite a few members here as well as my gameshop to try out Sternguard Veterans in my Mech BA list. (Listed below) Now the list changes every once in a while losing the Furioso and PFs for a more CC squad or more RB's etc. Generally the list runs 3-4 RB's with TL AsC, 1-3 Heavy Las Preds or 1-3 Heavy Dual TL AC Dreds and a Libby.

 

Now my question is for those of you who have used Sternguard Veterans before, preferably in a Mech BA list. How do they work with the rest of the list? (Synergy) What is their purpose? (Suicide combi-meltas? Anti-infantry?) Do they fit in a Mech BA list? How and Why? What is the optimum load out? What wargear is best with them in an ALL MECH BA army? (Not hybrid) How many do you run? Do you find it best to put them on foot or in a Rhino? Razorback? Drop Pod?

 

 

If anyone can enlighten me with answers to those questions or any other insight if you have used them before that would be awesome. Thanks~

 

 

 

Librarian 1 (Shield of Sang + Something)

 

Assault Squad 5

Meltagun

Transport: Razorback 1

HK Missle

TL Assault Cannon

 

Assault Squad 5

Meltagun

Sgt: Power Fist

Transport: Razorback 1

TL Assault Cannon

 

Assault Squad 5

Meltagun

Sgt: Power Fist

Transport: Razorback 1

TL Assault Cannon

 

Baal Predator 1

Heavy Bolter

 

Baal Predator 1

Heavy Bolter

 

Predator 1

Las Sponsoons

 

Predator 1

Las Sponsoons

 

Furioso Dreadnought 1

Blood Talons

Transport: Drop Pod 1

 

Heavy Dreadnought 1

TL AC

TL AC

[cptphoenixck]

well they fit better than Vanguard do in a mech army :( !

Personally speaking Sternguard are always usefull, one or two combi weapons at most. Ten in a rhino work really well, they're a (relatively) cheap and solid improvement over regular tactical marines. Feel the rapid fire!!! ^_^

PS They're also pretty fluffy for a mech force.

PPS I forgot to answer most of your questions..... keep them cheap and use them to chew enemy elite infintary up. In your mech force they'd fufill the all important use of CQ fire power.

[tahrikmili]

For 5 pts a piece not giving them as many combi-bolters as you can is criminal.. I take 5 with Combi-Plasmas in a LasPlas Razorback, Joined by a Priest with Combi-Melta (Brother Priest Justin Case)

[Zeller]

Typically in a mech list I run 10-man tacticals. This means no space in the rhinos for the commander. So, either the commander is a reclusiarch with DC in a rhino or a libby with sternguard in either a razorback or rhino. I can only hope that your sternguard perform far better than mine if you choose to use them.

[cptphoenixck]

For 5 pts a piece not giving them as many combi-bolters as you can is criminal.. I take 5 with Combi-Plasmas in a LasPlas Razorback, Joined by a Priest with Combi-Melta (Brother Priest Justin Case)

Really? I've always found the plasma combi weapons the least points effective since they already have ap3 vengance rounds. I think the loadout all depends on what you use them for Tahrik obviously uses them to take out stuff like termies. Personally i find them more effective as uber tactical squads, their special rounds make them a true all-comers (cept tank) unit. Using their massed firepower on tough or PA units works like a charm, you can easily wipe out 1 ten man tactical squad per turn rapid firing!

[Aeterni]

For Mech BA, I prefer to go redundancy. Mass RAS in RB's. Sternguard is just too much of a point sink.

[Gv0zD]

I'm not sure if Mass RAS are good for mech BA...

Regarding list mentioned in OP, I think there are enough RAS. With all the firepower this list has, all RAS have to do is to counter attack anyone who gets in close proximity. In this case I think that Sternguard would fit in pretty well. However, I'm not sure if not giving them combi-weapons is bad. As cptphoenixck said their special ammo is good by itself. But if you do want to take combi-bolters, I think plasmas would be better (range, rapid fire etc).

As for the quantity, I'd take 10 SV (in total, there may be 2x5-man squads) and put them into razors. As the main punch of your army seems to come from tanks, the SV would come with the tanks and shoot out anything that gets too close (PF Sarges, DC, Termies - stuff like this).

Just my 2 cents

[bulley]

Depends on the point level.

 

At higher points, you could lose out by taking the more expensive options and still get plenty on the table. Opting for say sternguard w/ a rhino + combi meltas for top hatch is do-able. Its expensive, that comes in at about 185+ depending on what else you give (thats just x2 combi melta's, and x5 sternguard and a rhino) - which is now 20 points over a scoring assault squad w/ MG and a AC or lasplas razorback. And which will do more? The rhino cant move 12" and top hatch, the razor can move 12 and pump out either x4 twin linked str6 rending shots or x1 s9 shot, and still have a scoring unit inside.

 

In mech I'd personally not put a shooty unit inside a tank, unless it was just a melta delivery system - in which case I'd be more inclined by x3 jump pack techmarines w/ combi's. I'd go for a razor w/ Honor Guard loaded w/ SS's and LC's for a mini hammer - which is just a bit more expensive than a sternguard unit, but also gives that FNP around (which isnt all that useful in a mech army) and can tie up / road block quite a lot of stuff.

[JamesI]

I used SG for a while and liked them. A nice unit (mainly stopped using them to play a more jump focused style).

 

I used several guys with combi-plasma, sergeant with lightning claw and combi-melta in a razorback (I'd recommend using an assault cannon razorback)