4/5 stars. The rules are good.
Background.
Lower ranked officers were often accompanied by their favoured veteran squad, or otherwise those men that they trusted fully. These are the unsung heroes of the legion accompanying their commander to glory.
Strengths.
Nearly identical in many ways to the Praetorian command squad, they have 2 wounds and WS=5, but very critically only have a 3+ save (whereas the Praetorian command squad has a 2+ save).
The upgrades are many and you can build this squad in a multitude of ways. Let's go through the options - most of which will be a copy / paste from the Praetorian options.
I don't like the volkite charger here much - you probably want a different squad for those kind of shenanigans. The disintegration rifles are okay, but note your 3+ save is an issue. The shot gun is fine for Stun on a couple of models, but otherwise leave at home. Thunder hammers, power fists, and power weapons all have their place here but I'd leave most of the rest at home unless swapping out the bolt gun for a chain axe.
Combat shields actively carry the rule of cool and present excellent painting options. They are okay on the tabletop, but the cost does add up faster than you would like.
In terms of pistols, going large on plasma pistols can be fun. The odd hand flamer is a reasonable option too.
Unique here is the option to take a heavy or special weapon per 5 members. Its almost like modern tactical squads! I quite like the plasma gun or melta gun here because I am a traditionalist like that. Heavy flamer and multi-melta are nice as well.
Pairs of lightning claws are much more situational, and possibly even legion dependent.
Bayonets are not worth the points, but have the rule of cool. Chain bayonets are only fractionally better.
Just take the company standard. Sure, it isn't as good as the legion standard, but it is still a solid pick. Augury scanners and nuncio-vox to taste.
Weaknesses.
Too many choices feel over whelming. And the points cost adds up very quickly indeed. But there are many good builds to have and I'm hard pressed to say too many bad words against them other than the 3+ save which is reflected in the 4/5 star rating. I actually favour a 40k chaos space marine style build here.
Builds.
5 Veterans, Power Weapons and Combat Shields, Company Standard (165 points).
Very much has the rule of cool and will be effective. Nuncio vox to taste.
5 Chosen, Thunder Hammers, Company Standard, Nuncio Vox (190 points).
Terminators remain a better choice here.
5 Chosen, Chain Axes, 4 Plasma Pistols, 1 Heavy Flamer, Company Standard (135 points).
Mixed threats. Swap out some bolt guns for shot guns for the Stun effect.
10 Chosen, 2 melta guns, Nuncio Vox, Company Standard, Champion with Thunder Hammer (235 points).
A fleeting vision of 40k chaos space marines of old. Points cost efficient too.
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