Commissars vs Priests

[Deleted]

I have one doctrine left for my army and i'm not sure whether to go with priests or commissars. I want my command squads to be good at giving a close combat counter-attacks.

A priest with an eviscerator sounds fun, but commissars with powerfists are also promising, especially since they give the Ld bonus.

Any thoughts?

[acolyte]

priest are better CC, the give you re-rolls on the charge
commis are better leadership. if you think they'll hold without go with priests.

[fatuous]

Well the good news for u my friend is that is a choice you don't have to make. Commissars can be taken by all so do not require a doctrine point to take (unless u want independent ones) so you can take priests and commissars and see if they work for you .

Commissars are better fighters, give leadership buff's and have the amusingly annoying habit of killing off your officers so you need a good sense of humour if you are using them, because at some point, even with rerolls your HSO will fail a Ld test and be executed . But I think they are worth it for the non targetable power fist they can add (esp with his nice WS), and the over all leadership buff he can provide (see the rulesboyz thread for full details).

Priests are not as good as commissars stat-wise, but have their own interesting special rules (the re-rolls on assaulting is excellent), eviserators (think double handed power fist, so not as many potential attacks as a commissar altho this will change in 5th ed), and the only person that can take a rosarius, so can be a good wound sink, as odds are good they will survive for a while if you give them one.

Out of the 2 options, I personnally take commissars, solely because I won't us a doctrine point to take 1 (or 2) guys, it is just too much, where as everyone can take commissars as standard. If you want maximum CC killing potential for your CS, u need to add as many advisors as possible, both for dishing out attacks and for absorbing wounds.

[ssgtdude (M.I.A)]

If you are going to use Conscripts I would definately go with the independent commissar. That single unit is a tar pit against any unit. I have no problem swamping the toughest creatures with them and having the commissar forcing them to give it their all (even if they can't hurt the enemy).

The tactic allows me to concentrate on other areas of the field while some MC, or other line breaking unit is tied up for the duration of the battle. No to mention that the lasgun fire being double tapped has been known to take out Termies is a nice thing as well.

[Mabus]

I like priests because of their uniqe look and the character and feel they give to an army. Still, Commisars are better. The Ld bonus is a big plus and they ave access to officer weapons.