SM, PG & WL Command Upgrades

[Royals]

Which command upgrades should be taken with Sword Masters, Phoenix Guard, and White Lions?

[Teledor]

Usually with WLs and PGs I take full command with both. PGs usually hold my Banner of Sorcery and need the additional help in Combat Res. WLs benefit from the extra attack the Champ gives and the Standard can be equipped with all sorts of useful banners - I prefer Banner of Discipline since my WLs are often outside BSB range or I'm running a coven sans-BSB.

SMs come down to preference and what you want your swordies to do. Sometimes I've used character assassination squads with 5 including a Champ to carry Talisman of Loec. Typically however I run 14 full command to carry the banner of balance since I frequently face a lot of shooting or DEs. The immune to psych helps them stick around as they get targeted by shooting. Otherwise a musician only or musician and bladelord is another popular choice.

[Hortennse]

I usually leave musicians at home, even though they are fairly cheap so I can understand why others don't. Banners are mandatory, because you should always take some sort of magic banner if you can. Also the Champions are good ideas, because of the various useful items they can hold so a character doesnt have to. I try to take (in order of importance)

1. Skeinsliver
2. Talisman of Loec (if Swordmaster)
3. Amulet of Light (especially on Phoenix Guard)
4. Charmed shield
5. Gem of Courage (Goes great with charmed shield for swordmasters and Phoenix Guard both)

[HERO]

I never full command Sword Masters, since I like to take them small.

Everything else gets Full Command.

[Wicksi]

It really depends on what I want from the unit but basicly if I dont want a specifik magic banner PG's are the onlyone who gets a banner (unless its a unit of say 10) Swordmasters and Lions only recieve banners when they are about to get a magic banner.

Champions I usually only include if they will bunker a character or if I need someone to carry skeinsliver or Talisman of Loec or other item. but generally I leave the champs at home at 12pts you might just go the extra 3 and get another modell in the unit.

Musicians I use them quite frequently on all 3 units for the swift reform (units of 6-12 usually dont get one tho).

[SpellArcher]

PG I'd say full command because they need to be a fair size to fight properly anyway.

Lions in small units probably don't need standards because of Stubborn but Gleaming Pennant and Eternal Flame make them tempting. Champ is useful to challenge out characters and musician for Swift Reforms. Bigger I'd go full command as you probably want to use the magic item slots on such a solid unit.

Small Swordmasters probably best no command to remain disposable IMHO. Size 10 maybe champ or std for the magic item slot and musician is a decent buy. Size 14 up I'd kit them fully, this is a fighting unit. Chalk up another vote for Standard of Balance. Such a unit can take on hordes and win. I really like Amulet of Light here too, as SM's are pretty much the most kill-dependent unit we have.