While this unit doesn't have it's own codex entry proper, I feel it should be talked about as with any other unit given the resurgence in firewarriors and Ethereals brought on by 6th edition.
These guys are pretty simple, firewarriors that are +2 points a pop for +1 BS, unlocked as a bodyguard unit by an ethereal. That sound pretty good. Let's compare them to Firewarriors.
10 Honour guard and 12 Firewarriors both cost the same. 10 Honour guard score and average of 6.66/13.33 hits, depending on rapid fire or not. 12 Firewarriors score 6/12 hits, depending on rapid fire. +1 for honour guard.
12 Firewarriors are more durable than honour guard, having more bodies availiable.
+1 for Firewarriors.
Honour guard can use Quad-guns and Icarus Lascannons and such at BS4.
+1 for Honour Guard.
Honour Guard are a MASSIVE fire magnet.
+1 for Firewarriors.
Firewarriors are troops, and by extension, are both scoring and filling mandatory requirements (not to mention they're 1+)
+1 for Firewarriors.
Firewarriors don't need an accompanying HQ to be taken.
+1 for Firewarriors.
Firewarriors are better at MSU, given their relative inexpensiveness.
+1 for Firewarriors.
Firewarriors: 5
Honour Guard: 2
I would say Firewarriors are generally a bit better than honour guard, especially since more bodies with less balistic skill is noticeably better at snap shots.
I would advise only taking honour guard if you intend to use a quad gun, need a target for some Patient Hunter tactics, or if you want to take a very large, very strong squad..
People have in the past made a lot of cheap BS 4 firewarriors for Honour guard.
ReplyDeleteBut really they aren't even cheap. Think about it, you pay 50 points up front for the Ethereal then get your 12 points per firewarrior. A minimum squad comes in at 110 points and only scores 4/8 hits when shooting.
For 110 points I can get 11 firewarriors who score 5.5/11 hits when shooting.
Or for an alternative I buy 6 firewarriros and a tetra which I can use to boost the Firewarriors (and everything else) to BS 4 or 5 as necessary.
DeleteWell my analysis assumes you are already getting the ethereal, and is more focused on whether or not it is worth it to make use of the available honour guard. Even accounting for that, however, I still only really think it is worth it for Quad gun use.
ReplyDeleteThe Ethereal is a big assumption. 6th edition has improved them in a number of ways, but it's still a questionable investment in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteWell people are going on about how helpful preferred enemy is now, and are all excited about getting their Ethereal killed, but that is not why I am thinking of using them now. In fact it has nothing to do with preferred enemy OR the honour guard, I was thinking of throwing him in with a SDT for that crucial 2+ save and the ability to LOS! wounds off himself. This combined with the fact that SDT generally have a pretty good view of the field means I'll likely be able to choose whether or not to re-roll my morale checks all game, which is almost a force multiplier in a way.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the SDT, the spotter from such is an Infantry Model, Has BS4 and a non-damaging weapon anyway. I'd say he's a decent candidate for manning the quad gun. Especially as that aegis defense line will make for the 2+cover save.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely.
ReplyDelete