1850 Exorcists w/Silas Alberec

[ElectricPaladin]

I've been thinking about who makes the best escorts for Silas Alberec in an Exorcists list. Most people have recommended assault terminators in a land raider... but I've had a different thought. Here it goes:

HQ
• Silas Alberec
• Chaplain w/Meltabombs

Elites
• 10 Tactical Terminators (2 Cyclonic Missile Launchers, 3 Chain Fists)

Troops
• 10 Tactical Marines (Meltagun, Multi-Melta), Sergeant w/Meltabombs, Power Weapon, and Teleport Homer in a Rhino w/Dozer Blade
• 10 Tactical Marines (Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon), Sergeant w/Meltabombs, Power Weapon, and Teleport Homer in a Rhino w/Dozer Blade

Fast Attack
• 10 Assault Marines (2 Flamers), Sergeant w/Power Weapon
• Stormtalon w/Lascannons

Heavy Support
• Land Raider Crusader

Here's the thing.

For only five points more than 5 hammernators, I can get ten assault marines. These guys get just as many attacks. Although it's true that their attacks don't hit as hard, we all know that spamming weak attacks can be effective. The chaplain is a great support HQ for this squad, because he helps make sure those attacks hit. I could theoretically replace him with a librarian for psychic support instead. The flamers protect the unit against being charged if they're left out in the open after winning an assault. They also help the unit winnow out the chaff so Silas can take on enemy elites with his Strength 10 attacks. Most importantly, that's a great big mass of wounds to surround Silas with. Provided I arrange my models correctly, that's ten marines my opponent has to kill before he can get to my expensive HQ.

Also, this means that my land raider counts as a Heavy Support choice, who can claim objectives in some scenarios, and Silas's assault squad counts as a Fast Attack choice, who claim objective sin other scenarios.

Finally, it bothered me to have two squads of terminators. I know there's no reason not to, but it seemed like a lot of points to put into a few bodies. I know that I want to have teleporting tactical terminators to make Silas's teleport homer worth it, and this option lets me give him a (possibly) effective escort without sacrificing boots on the table.

What do you think?

[Aegwymourn]

Well the only thing I will mention is simply the difference in durability. Not only to terminators have that ever important 2+ armour save, but if they are TH/SS terminators that 3++ is invaluable. I find assault marines simply get shot down like any other 3+ save unit. Not to mention since you want to assault with them you end up in rapid fire range fairly often. However, that is only my experience with them. My best advice would be to try a couple of games with each and see how they perform.

[ElectricPaladin]

It occurred to me that I should probably include a little bit a bout Silas's capabilities to help explain this list.

Silas is a captain, with the standard captain loadout of power armor, iron halo, and bolt pistol. He has one point more of strength because he's redonculously huge. He also has a master-crafted thunder hammer called Hellslayer that auto-wounds psykers and daemons and comes with a teleport homer.

Finally, Silas's squad ignores psychic powers on a 4+ rather than a 6+, and his entire army gains Stubborn.