Company Veterans Loadout

[Pendent]

Let me preface this by saying I do realize there has been some discussion in the past on this topic but I feel like it's worth bringing up again following the last few codex releases. I'm hoping to spur a bit of discussion about what loadout has been working for you all in 40k's current meta.

 

I think I'd seen most people agree on Storm Bolters and Chainswords butI'm currently really liking the idea of taking storm bolters and power axes. The bolters are just hyper efficient, especially when you can drop directly into rapid fire range. Once you close into assault having S5 is sort of a sweet spot for non "unwieldy" weapons and that AP-2 is good against everything from guardsmen up. I haven't actually sat down and done the math but when I sort of eyeball it the actual damage output against GEQ is basically the same between the chainsword and the axe but the axe becomes significantly more effective against most tougher targets.

 

 

Has anyone been having much success with their veterans? I'm looking at deepstriking two squads with my loadout alongside Dante, a Sanguinary Guard Squad, an Inceptor squad and a using a stormraven for support as my armies primary hammer and I have to say, I really like how it sounds. The vets would be new purchases so I'm hoping to get a feel for how well they work in practice.

 

 

[Karhedron]

Personally I like to equip Vets with options that are not available elsewhere. For me, that means spamming special weapons. Being able to drop melta or plasma within 12" of a target is a great ability and probably the best use of their abilities. Most other Chapters can't do that without an expensive Drop Pod.

 

Other units can do Chainsword spam if you wish although I agree that SB/CS is cheap for a lot of attacks.

 

You are right that Power Axes are a good choice. S5 is a bit of sweet spot when you consider it provides +1 to wound against common T4/5 infantry and still carries a decent AP-2. It also still wounds T8 on a 5+ (useful now that Wraithlords are going back up to T8 and might be seen more frequently).

[9x19 Parabellum]

I'm in love with the idea of JP company vets with Special Weapons.  That is a serious mobile firing platform.

 

But I'm petrified of building these models until we get our codex, as I just have a nagging suspicion they are going to go away.

 

IF they do make it into the final codex, I'm thinking sanguinary guard models, sans the angel wings and sans death masks, and then magnetize weapon arms to taste with plasma, melta, etc.  Yes, thank you, lovely. Can't wait to work on that unit.

[Karhedron]

But I'm petrified of building these models until we get our codex, as I just have a nagging suspicion they are going to go away.

I think it is unlikely. Our Company Vets are the same as Codex ones (who are still in the latest SM codex IIRC) but just with the option to take Jump Packs.

 

Even if they do, you can still use the Index option.

[Panzer]

Well GW could decide to finally make Blood Angels a bit more special compared to codex marines. The fact that almost every Blood Angel got wiped is the perfect opportunity to do something like that to be honest.

[Pendent]

I mean, even if they got removed from the codex wouldn't we be able to keep using the datasheet from the Index?
 

My own thought on us being almost wiped out is that the remaining standard marines will almost entirely be veterans so I don't think it would make fluff sense to remove an option like that. Tough to say which way they'll go though.

[9x19 Parabellum]

I mean, even if they got removed from the codex wouldn't we be able to keep using the datasheet from the Index?

 

I know I probably shouldn't, but I'd still feel beardy taking Index datasheets while having an updated Codex to draw from.  It just feels....apocryphal.

[Pendent]

I'd be really surprised if they were changed at all in the codex, really. They were completely untouched between the index and the vanilla codex.

I really like the idea of picking up a Sanguinary Guard box and modeling them without wings. I feel like the chainswords would look cooler but I really feel like the axes make the entire unit much more effective so I'm a bit torn.

[Panzer]

I'm with you on that. Unless it's something really important to my armies theme (bikes for example) I'd try to avoid using Index Datasheets in a Codex army as well.

[durdle-durdle]

I’ve been using jump units of 5 with 3 stormbolters and 2 special weapons. One guy gets an axe, everyone else gets chainswords. Really solid unit shooting and in charging. Typically they come in and drop in a building, rapid fire. Next turn, jump out 12 inches, rapid fire a target and charge a second one. They pretty much always make their points back. Sometimes I spring for a 5 special weapon squad, but most the time I think that’s overkill. Instead I use 3 squads to secure a whole flank, and they usually do great for me.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

Where I play IG is packing vultures and earth shakers so I have no problem using codex and index. Plus company are so old a school and pre-Ward I absolutely love them.

[brother_b]

Well these guys seem like an interesting option. I have an unbuilt assault marines squad. I really like the assault marines for special weapons caddies, but may consider using them, along with the BA sprue and tactical squads to make some Veterans. I'll see what I can come up with, but was considering Vanguard or Sternguard. Veterans also have that sweet rule to take a would for characters. That would have helped in my last gae.

[Karhedron]

Yes, the bodyguard rule is very nice. It works best if they are accompanying a character who has a better save than they do (Dante is a perfect candidate for this). It means that any hits against the character have to get through his improved save and only if that is failed do you pass them off on the Veterans. If they are accompanying Dante, it is like the whole squad has a 2+/4++. Of course your opponent may well catch on to this quickly and simply target the Veterans and ignore the character but that then leaves your character free to hit things.