[That_Guy]

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This one deals with Storm Troopers.

This is a versatile Imperial Guard squad, and is somewhat "elite"

They have several roles that they can fulfill.

1. Tank Busters- They deep strike behind enemy lines. Armed with melta guns and melta bombs, they can take out a tank with success. With their carapace armor, they might just survive to take out more than one.

2. Distraction- Infiltrating these guys in an out of the way board edge is a good way to make enemy assault units go after them instead of your more vunerable lines.

3. Capturer- Riding in a chimera, they can take or contest table quarters. Their carapace armor and LD ensure that they'll be there for awhile.

4. Heavy infantry- Standing with the rest of the line, their fire power and accuracy will destroy lighter infantry and give some units doubt as to whether they should advance into their fire.

5. Tie up- With their carapace armor, they can hold up an enemy squad a turn or two before being wiped out. A power weapon equipped veteran sergeant ensures they take some down with them.

6. Counter Assault- Armed with flamers and a power weapon, they can strike back at exposed units that penetrate your lines.
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Weapons Summary

How to equip your shiney unit of storm troops? Well it depends on their roles. Refer to the numbers above so you know what I'm talking about.

1. Well you have 2 transport options. One, the chimera. This baby lets you cruise around and snipe the tanks. Unfortunately, you have to get pretty close to do that. And how many times are opposing armies going to let you get a chimera to them?

The best option is Deep striking them. Give 2 melta guns and a veteran sergeant with melta bombs. You have 2 BS4 shots that'll most likely hit, the melta bombs are just in case you fail (which invariablly happens from time to time) Other than that, leave'm bare bones. The only other thing I'd recommend is a power weapon for the sarge in case they get assaulted.

2. Obviously you'll need to take the infiltrate skill for this. Then you'll want to give'm the longest ranged weapons you can so they can take potshots at the enemy. Since they can't take heavy weapons, that leaves grenade launchers and plasma guns.. I personally prefer the plasma guns as they pack much more punch. Other than that, give your veteran sergeant a storm bolter for more long range shooting.

3. Give the squad the chimera. Equip said chimera with enough weapon options to provide covering fire once the squad is dropped off. The weapon outfit for this one is difficult. It really depends on your foe. A generally good investment is plasma guns or flamers. Though plasma guns will help take out enemies advancing on thier position. This is a quite viable alternative to the armored fist squad.

4. A veteran sarge with power weapon and a storm bolter, with 2 plasma gun wielding buddies to help lay down the hurt. Don't discount taking a chimera as it could add even more fire power to your lines, and possibly ferry the squad around if need be.

5. You'll want longevity for this squad, so a power weapon is pretty much a must. Give the squad close range assault weapons so they can shoot as they go into combat. Flamers are recommended as they're autohits and will invariabley cover more models. Though the duel melta gun option has a chance of killing two marines which are the most common opponents. Again, personal choice.

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Storm Trooper Squad Pros

-Can be outfitted towards most battlefield tasks
-Hellguns tear up lighter infantry such as eldar, orks, and opposing guardsmen
- Increased accuracy means more kills, so more expensive weapons are worth it
-Carapace armor means they stick around longer
-Veteran Sarge can take a power weapon
-Are often under estimated which means they probably won't get fired upon
-Can get up to 6 squads

Storm Trooper Squad Cons
-Tend to draw fire when your opponent knows who they are
-Weapons are just as worthless as lasguns against things like marines
-Require a doctrine point
-Tend to expensive when fully kitted out
-Cannot take heavy weapons
-Veterans can fulfill the same roles better (minus carapace amor, but you can take a doctrine for that if you want)
-Just as everybit as worthless as regular guardsmen in close combat

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The Bottom Line

Veterans are a better choice all round than storm troops, though they're a bit more fragile. If you want armored troops and don't feel like spending a doctrine on carapace armor for your vets, than Stormies are the way to go. Another option is to take them as grenaders and use them as regular troops choices.