The Scourged

[Daemon Prince Marbas]

Can anyone tell me what units would be best for running a Scourged army?

[Marshal Loss]

As in competitive, or thematically?

 

In terms of their rules, you're really encouraged to go MSU with singular heavy weapons in small squads. The Scourged are also going to be heavily hit by the 9th edition overwatch changes.

[Gallus Herodicus]

I had fun playing the Scourged in 8th edition.  Sadly, it's true that they will suffer a bit in 9th but I just love their background so much so I'll keep playing as them.

Comptetively:  As the previous poster advises, MSUs are useful as you can take 5 man squads of CSM with a heavy weapon to get those handy re-rolls.  Obliterators are also incredibly useful.  Don't forget that you still get the re-rolls in CC so don't automatically assume you need to run a ranged force.

Thematically:  I based my army around Possessed using the Daemonkin Ritualists specialist detachment (found in the same Vigilus book as the Scoruged's rules) as the Scourged's backgrounds makes them ideal candidates to let daemons inhabit their bodies (and minds!).  If you go down this route, a Master of Possession is a must and Obliterators, who gain a lot from the Scoruged's traits anyway, also benefit from the MoP.  The specialist detachment also benefits Dark Apostles directly and he, in turn, makes Cultists useful if you want to use them instead of CSM (though they won't benefit from any traits).  I think that Cultists fit well thematically with the renegade chapters as they may have converted other Imperials, such as Guard regiments, when they defected.  As the Scourged are Tzeentch followers, you really need at least one psyker so a MoP or a Sorceror is a must-take.  

If GW retire the trait rules for the Vigilus renegades, I'll probably use Alpha Legion rules as their trait could imply some sort of prescience.