So the blurry datasheet card for them shows as follows
12" move, T4, 3+ Save, 2 Wounds, 6+ ldr, 1OC
Heavy bolt pistol at 18" 1 attack hits on 3s with 4 1 1 profile with new close quarters keyword replacing pistol seems to be identical in effect
Then a Mastercrafted Power Sword with (maybe) 3 attacks (kinda blurry hard to see) hitting on 3+ with a 5 2 2 profile and no keywords.
1st: seems to be no special version for the 2 handed relic blade one of them is wielding. Kinda disappointing.
2: No alternate pistol options or melee options or shield option as far as we can tell. So here's hoping they get the sternguard treatment and get more options with the full release. It's honestly tiring having to put up with constantly inferior versions of models being purposefully put out in every box release followed by the "actually here's the definitive edition" multiparty kit with power fists, new ranged options, hammers shields etc.. at a later date. They did the same with Terminator Captain from leviathan where his solo box release has three different combo weapon options and more melee weapons etc.. The sternguard have so much more stuff than their leviathan counterparts it's astounding. And there's plenty of other examples.
So my question is as things sit how valuable are these? I kinda wonder if JPI aren't just better tbh despite these looking way cooler (the doubters saying they weren't fancy enough sure got proven wrong those poses are gorgeous)
My army already has a 6 man Victrix with Cato and Calgar, Ventris with company heroes, Titus with wardens, 10 man sternguard, 5 man scout, a stormraven and a redemptor and brutalis to be carried by the bird and was planning to slot these vanguard vets for high mobility scoring and a bit of extra anti tank with the inferno pistols and a Techmarine in to buff my vehicles and act as a scoring unit once the vehicles go kablooey.
But seeing their datasheet I kinda prefer the old ones. I have enough 5 2 2 or similar weapon profiles and I wonder if the 5 2 2 with lethals would do anything of value to higher end Custodes (allarus wardens characters etc..) or Vehicles (especially if I can't spare the points for a 10 man and adding oath to a 5 man of these when I have sternguard amd Victrix and twin multi meltas seems a mistake)
So what's the consensus here? What do you think the chances of better load outs being available in the separate release?