Veteran Squads as main troops

[Grim Dog Studios]

Just wondering if this is a viable option?

Are they worth the extra points over regular tactical squads is what I really want to know, for the cost of a 10 man squad with upgrades and transport, it costs roughly the same for a full 20 man tactical squad. I don't game often, and don't have anywhere that close to me to playtest either option!

[Emperor's Furor]

Well you get the bonus veteran skill and you get more options in regards to weapons such as more melee weapons and also access to heavy weapons which basic tactical squads can't have. You could have a veteran squad in a rhino with two melta guns using outflank, the squad will have the same amount of attacks as a normal tactical squad to since they get 2 attacks basic. So yeah I think they are ok, you just have to use them with more subtlety. The downside is if every terminator squad and veteran squad is wiped out by the end of the game the opponent gets double the points.

[Grim Dog Studios]

Well you get the bonus veteran skill and you get more options in regards to weapons such as more melee weapons and also access to heavy weapons which basic tactical squads can't have. You could have a veteran squad in a rhino with two melta guns using outflank, the squad will have the same amount of attacks as a normal tactical squad to since they get 2 attacks basic. So yeah I think they are ok, you just have to use them with more subtlety. The downside is if every terminator squad and veteran squad is wiped out by the end of the game the opponent gets double the points.

 

Two outflanking meltaguns sounds nice!

I guess if all my troop squads are wiped out I won't have to worry that much about double points.

I think I read somewhere once that heavy bolters and the sniper skill is quite good as well.

[Emperor's Furor]

Well you don't get rending with the sniper veteran skill, you only get  precision shot which lets you pick out targets if you roll a 6, you also always wound on a 4+ min, you don't get pinning or rending though as that only applies to weapons with the sniper ability which heavy bolters don't have.

[Russ Brother 92]

I'm intending on having my Iron Hands being purely Veteran Squads of some form, even to the point of having only Terminators, Veteran Tacticals, Destroyers and Heavy Weapons Squads as my foot troops - the only other troops I'll have will be apothecaries, Iron Fathers and Sky Hunters. Else it's vehicles and walkers for me haha

 

One of the benefits is that you can make them fit your play style with the Vet Tactics as WoT mentioned, or in terms of move & fire heavy bolters or missile launchers due to suspensor webs (which benefit from the Siege Breaker's Art of Destruction), or run them with a Vigilator and take the Sniper USR so you get precision shots :D