New Space Marines Codex was released, and there are heaps and heaps of options. As soon as they came out, I couldn't help myself to get the new Centurions, Sternguards and Vanguard Veterans as I thought the models were pretty awesome (yeah, even Centurions, afters seeing them in GW, I realized they were cooler than what I thought).
My idea for the Vanguard Veterans Squad was to play them aggresively, with jump packs and a pair of lightning claws to run towards the enemy lines and slay anything in close combat. The idea of 4 ap3 attacks re rolling to wound on charge was quite attractive (extra HoW attack if you charge with your jump pack), but while I was preparing my list a big issue came to me: in the codex says "15 points for A lightning claw", and that wouldn't make sense to me. I basically assumed that it would be a pair of them, not just one...but Crazy comfirmed my disappointment.
I started to do some numbers:
Vanguard model+2 Lightning Claws +Jump Pack=52 points
Really? 3+ save, no ++ save...and 52 points per model? That's way way way too expensive compared with other Close combat units in the game...like seriously, out of proportion...and, on top of that, they don't even have Heroic Intervention anymore! So, my question is, are they even worth playing them?
Well, I was furious about it, but I decided to give them a try. I made a squad of 10 with the following configuration:
- 3 with Power Maul and Storm Shield
- 7 with Power Maul and bolt pistols
Also saying that I included my HQ Chapter Master on a Jump pack with them.
I have to say that they really shined in that game. They went through a unit of Wraith Blades, Jetbikes and ended up killing a Wraith Knight that had 3 wouds left.
The only way I see worth to get a lightning claw is with a Storm Shield, as you don't get the extra attack anyway, but you get a lovely 3++ that can absorb lots of damage...but still, very expensive.
If you're a tournament competitive player, don't even thing about them. Way to expensive and you can get better options, like 10 Sternguards for 240 points.
But, if like me, you're a player that plays for fun and likes trying new things and don't spam units, give them a try, because they literally fly through the field and engage in combat really quick.
Still, I think GW fucked up very well with the Lightning Claws...