Honor gaurd

[Strassa]

I think they look sweet and I want to run them just because of that fact, but i do want to know how they do on the table advice please.

[Architech]

Expensive points wise...but each model has a pretty good stats and a power weapon. No where near as versatile or useful as a command squad...esp since they get ranged options and feel no pain

[Strassa]

really dumb they look soooooo cool

[edmundblack]

If you like them, use them. They're still good in their own way, but they are expensive in points. But who better to join your Chapter Master in battle?

[daddy4count]

If you use a Chapter Master then take them... it's a great way to keep him alive and they make a very tough assault unit. Artificer armor and relic blades, Oh my!

[Architech]

Yeah...if you take a master over a captain...then toss in some relic blades and you have yourself an elite assault unit

[SourImplant]

Or you could take Marneus Calgar and three Honour Guard Squads for a very small, very elite army of artificier armored ass beaters.

[daddy4count]

Question regarding that settup, Sour... would they all be considered one unit? Wouldn't Calgar technically be attached to all three? And if so, could they all ride together in a LR (or LRC if Calgar is in Antilochus armor) ?

Or would they be split up as in the GW article? And if they're split up... how do you attach Calgar to subsequent honor guard squads after the first one dies?

[SourImplant]

Each Honour Guard Squad counts as a separate HQ unit that takes up no force organization slots.

If Calgar is attached to one squad and that squad dies (without killing Calgar), he would simply need to move to within 2" of another squad in the Movement phase to attach to the new squad.

[daddy4count]

Gotcha... makes sense, but seems contrary to the purpose and usual procedures for a bodyguard unit...

thanks!

[Architech]

the idea being that the UM are so UBER that they have a lot of honor guard...and they send them all into battle if needed...not simply as bodyguards, but also as an elite 'destroyer' unit

[SourImplant]

I think they actually used to be a true bodyguard unit in past editions, but they've really gotten away from the whole retinue mechanic in 5th. Although someone who played back in 3rd edition could probably say yea or nay to that.

[edmundblack]

They have indeed. Retinues were cool, Witch Hunters were the last to wave bye bye to those, and GKs before them. As much as I'd like one still, I can see that it'd be too much for the game to handle, and in a way there's one in the form of Mordrak. A "hidden" I7, str4/5/6+ WS6 powerhouse of death would be annoying to face, so by dropping Retinues, GK HQs have become better for it, as has Calgar.

[Saint]

@Strassa

Back to the original question.

I think for the number of points that Honor Guard cost, it is a tragedy they don't have any sort of invulnerable save. Whenever I put these guys in my army, they join the chapter master and then that squad gets joined by a Librarian with Force Dome. Only times i have used HG were against DA and, I cut my way through bikes and terminators alike.

[Architech]

force dome is an incredibly useful addition to this mix

[kevin]

artificer armor can be really nice but just think of how often your termies die. if you are running them make sure you have a vehicle for them to move them close before dumping them on the unlucky squad that receives them. you'll need to keep in mind that lots of people run ap 2 weapons just for taking out death start units. also those who run imperial gaurd and orcs will have a massive amount of dice you need to dodge, a 2+ save wont keep you alive as much as we would like it too in cases like that. like others have said, it may be best just to use them to protect your HQ.

[computertrucker]

Hmm force dome GREAT IDEA!

So my question is this. How do you get the Honour guard? I bought the marneus Calgar box set (resin) and got those but I GW doesnt sell them in blisters anymore.

[daddy4count]

ebay

speaking of which... I have a spare HG with chapter banner that needs to go out for bidding soon

[SourImplant]

Convert them from other Space Marine models. The Dark Angels Veterans box works well, or you could go with one of the Grey Knights kits.

[Eryx_UK]

Honour guard are just too expensive for what they are, plus they really should have a small Inv save. I have used them in games of 1750+ points and they do tend to work well but for their points you could have something better in your army.