Is a veteran IG force worthwhile/viable?

[Lovejoy]

I have been curious about IG for a while, and I like the look of them a lot. I may pick 500 points of them up at some stage this year. I know their strengths probably lie in mass fire, mech and horrible long range stuff, but I was wondering if there was any point to the idea of an IG army which fielded mostly elite style units such as veterans, grenadiers, stormtroopers? I think some of the doctrines could allow for something like this, but am not sure if its a waste of time - re-inventing the space marine wheel and all, using IG to do something less well that SM do better anyway, what with their fancy bolt guns and armour. But the look of SM (vanilla at least) don't appeal as much, see?

Hmm. The idea of a mainly elite army is appealing, but IG are probably a poor fit. However, IG are the ones that are giving me the glad eye most.
Any thoughts?

[Primarch]

IG vets in chimeras are certainly do-able at 500 points. They can take enough of the right type of guns (plasma or melta) to pose a threat to almost any target and Chimeras are great in low points games.
In bigger games (1500+) vets remain viable, especially when mounted in valkyries or vendettas. I know Badruck is threatening to do an all Veteran/Valkyrie army using proxies (of course) for the valks.

My usual list has 2 squads of vets in chimeras to run up and melt/plasma stuff, but I tend to take a mix of veterans, penal legion and at least 1 regular platoon to cover all my bases.

I'm not so impressed with storm troopers. Whatever they can do, veterans can usually do almost as well for way less points. Their AP3 lasguns sound nice, but at S3 they aren't that great against marines. For the same cost as a bare-bones storm trooper squad you can get a fully kitted out veteran squad with 3 plasma guns, the same armour, a power fist, a vox AND they can score.

[Lovejoy]

Thanks for the tips, that's very helpful. It sounds as if there are possibilites in that direction, then, discounting the stormtroopers. I may pick up the codex and play with a few ideas. Though I'll get more games under my belt and round the orks out before I buy think about buying anything.

Edit - I caved. Codex on the way from maelstrom!

[Admiral-Badruck]

Vet Guard are a very cool army I am going to take them but I am not sure about the Proxies...I am thinking about getting real VENVALKS... but I am not sure yet I like the idea of seeing Bell Hueys drop Vets right in to jaws of the enemy...

[Colonel Voss]

Rob if you do, then I have your armies theme song right ehre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGLZqDXau98

[Admiral-Badruck]

no that is the song that Drop troop sing.... this is what I am talking about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f1cwycSWq0

those are your tanks Voss

[Colonel Voss]

You want to bring in the Imperial Navy to help you instead of being a true ground pounder. If it was me, I'd prefer to get help from the Imperial Navy's bigger cousins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOcK4Etw ... re=related

That or a few hydras and lascannon based heavy weapons teams.

[Danguinius]

To the OP, perhaps you forgot a word when you wrote the title of this thread: I think you meant to write, "Is a NON-veteran IG force worthwhile/viable?" Everyone uses lots of vets in Chimeras with three meltas (or three plasmas, just so they can duck the accusations of "cheese" by claiming the unit doesn`t have three meltas). 6 units of vets with meltas in Chimeras is a "tournament army" and no fun to play against in casual play/pick up games. I see fewer and fewer NON-vet Troops in the IG armies around where I play.

Danguinius

[Primarch]

To the OP, perhaps you forgot a word when you wrote the title of this thread: I think you meant to write, "Is a NON-veteran IG force worthwhile/viable?" Everyone uses lots of vets in Chimeras with three meltas (or three plasmas, just so they can duck the accusations of "cheese" by claiming the unit doesn`t have three meltas). 6 units of vets with meltas in Chimeras is a "tournament army" and no fun to play against in casual play/pick up games. I see fewer and fewer NON-vet Troops in the IG armies around where I play.

Danguinius

The all Veteran army is very tough and like any army which spams the best units it can get, fairly cheesey. Strange that Badruck (who only likes casual, fun armies of course) would think about it.

My standard IG force is 2 squads of veterans with melta for tankbusting. 1 large platoon of regular troops for sitting on objectives and shooting stuff at a range, and 1 or 2 squads of penal legion as I find that outflanking, stubborn troops (who may or may not have rending or some other cool rule) can be a right pain for the opponent as they tie up heavy support units and the like. If only I could give the penal troops melta guns....

[me_in_japan]

@all - I dont know squat about IG, but for all the youtube clip of the imperial armada made me think that BFG would make an ace movie, it was the helicopters that had the AC/DC goin' on Almost made me wanna play guard for a minute there...

*edit* just watched the chopper clip again. Helicopters, blowing sh*t up, and rock music. Frickin ace stuff enjoy the IG, chief. They do have their good points, I'll concede

*subedit* yon thingy that last helicopter does is quite the maneouvre. I'll bet if you weren't a veteran when you went up in that chopper, you would be when you came down...