I am already very happy with my Honor Guard list, so I really only see making minor tweaks to bring them into 6th Edition. It was already a solid list with a lot of flexibility, so it made the transition pretty well in its current form. Yes, all the units lost AP2 Force Weapons, but that isn't a deal breaker. My current list is:
Draigo
Paladins (5) with DH x2, Halberd x2, Pyscannon x2, and Banner
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
Venerable Pysfleman
Pysfleman Dread
Stormraven with TLMM and TLPC and SL
Dread Calgar with Teleporter
The main units that had some changes include:
Draigo/Paladins
At first I was overly concerned about Draigo/Pallies getting nerfed, but those fears turned out to be unfounded. Considering how I normally use them, I think they actually got buffed in most regards. Draigo makes them Fearless now, they can still use wound-allocation shenanigans, Draigo can tank AP2 CC attacks, and they all get Precision Strikes. These guys got hit hardest by the AP2 nerf because they could cut down most opponents at I6 and I5, so they didn't really care about I4 PWs. However, they can still handle most opponents without breaking a sweat. They just have to avoid other Terminator units (especially Meganobs and TH/SS Termies) unless they want mutually-assured destruction. Draigo can tank a lot of PF wounds, but I am also debating on adding a Warding Stave to really soak even more.
Strike Squads
Solid scoring unit with a little Dakka to help out. Their Pysbacks are a little squishier, but are still twin-linked to help with snapshots. I also have to watch the Strike Squads' positioning now that Rapid Fire can shoot to 24" on the move. I also like the idea of moving and snapshotting Flyers with the Pyscannon's heavy profile. Overall, no major changes.
Dread Calgar
Overall, DKs got several major boosts from 6th Edition. They directly benefit from the PW nerf and retain their AP2. Also, because of the changes to DCCW, they always strike at S10 and get Hammer of Wrath attacks. They might suffer from the new Plasma-heavy meta, but that is no different than getting meltaed to death. What really makes them better is the fact that they are now characters, and they can challenge enemy characters. This allows them to snipe enemy PFs or characters or force them not to fight. I see no need to make any changes here.
Venerable Dreads
In my opinion, the Venerable upgrade is no longer worth the points because of Hull Points. Three glances and he's dead anyway. Regular Pysflemen are still pretty amazing because of S8 and being twin-linked. Also, they become scoring in one of the scenarios as heavies, which is a nice bonus.
Stormraven
This is another unit that saw major changes with the rules update. Now that it is a Flyer, it must start in reserve and units cannot charge the turn they enter from reserve. This means the Pallies are not entering the fight until at least Turn 3, which is unacceptable. At first I considered dropping the Stormraven entirely, but that would leave the list woefully lacking in anti-Flyer capabilities. Unlike Vanilla SMs, my Honor Guard army doesn't keep many backfield units that would benefit from an Aegis line or could man a Quad gun. So instead, I decided to tool out the Stormraven to be an actual Gunship. I took 50 of the 60 points that I gained from dropping the Venerable upgrade to add Hurricane Bolters, switch the Plasma Cannon to an Assault Cannon, and buy Pysbolts. It makes it super expensive, but also allows it to dish out a TLMM (or possibly HB or TML), up to 12 TL S5 shots, and 4 TL S7 shots. That allows it to nuke just about any infantry unit and any AV11 or less vehicle, including other Flyers. Draigo and the Pallies will start dismounted to help the SR to come in on a 2+ and help knock out any Quad-guns or Hydras that could cause problems. The leftover 10 points simply MCs the Pally Pyscannons giving the following list:
Final List:
Draigo
Paladins (5) with DH x2, Halberd x2, MC Pyscannon x2, and Banner
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
GKSS (5) with Pyscannon and Pysback with SL
Pysfleman Dread
Pysfleman Dread
Stormraven with TLMM, TLAC, Hurricane Bolters, Pysbolts, and SL
Dread Calgar with Teleporter
I think it is definately slower than in 5th Edition because of the Stormraven change, but it can still lay down some hurt. I hate to put that many points into the Stormraven, but I really couldn't find another way to spend the 60 points. I think this list would actually do alright with allies mixed in to provide cheaper anti-air or some more bodies, but that is a subject for another post.
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