Basic Units

Characters:

Support:

Battlefield Roles - by Unit
Infantry
Infantry are the backbone of any army. Always have a unit or two of basic troops. It's the only way to maintain flexibility and avoid the dreaded choruses of "cheese". Don't forget that Infantry can also get into H2H. Their numbers allow them to take casualties from heavy weapons and still have enough left to cause damage when they get into combat.
Generally, build the toughest unit you can, bolstered with H2H characters and a standard bearer.
Mission: Get into H2H as quickly as possible. Let other units provide covering fire and try to avoid getting bogged down by screening forces.

Assault
Set up on the flanks ready to charge into combat or flank attack in support of your Main Unit. These units often have a psychological impact on your opponent who will often direct an unhealthy amount of Heavy Weapons fire in their direction. However, this will free up your Main Unit, so take the initiative!

Airborne
Can move very quickly and with an element of surprise. They can also target any unit on the table by flying into contact. This ability will often annoy your opponent into setting squads on overwatch that might have moved elsewhere. Bombing missions to drop grenades while soaring behind cover is another good option.
Mission: Fly High immediately and drop down on Vehicles or Heavy Weapons. After dealing with these, attack other units from behind, if such target are not present, charge units already engaged in H2H from behind or from side, increasing Combat resolution.

Scouts
Lightly armoured advanced troops with infiltration capabilities. Deploy them as close to their Target as possible using terrain, vehicles or other troops as cover, but outside charge distance of any nearby enemy units.
Mission: Target Heavy Weapons crew or characters that could seriously hinder your Assault units. After they've completed this task, start harassing any suitable nearby targets, or provide flank or rear support.

Heavy
Don't forget that their role is to kill from a distance. Many of these units are move or fire, so don't move them. Setup or move into position and stay there. The aim is to maximise firepower. These units often have low leadership, so deploy them near your General.
Mission: Pick a suitable target amongst the advancing units.

Fast Attack
These units usually have a high point value which limits unit size and leaves them vulnerable to a concentrated enemy fire. Move quickly and attack your targets.
Mission: Target supporting units, do not attack your opponents Main Unit alone. Once target have been eliminated, combine forces against the Main Unit from the flank or rear.

Characters:
Decide on the role of your leaders then create your own from the Hero lists. Though they lack the "leadership" ability of your General, they are usually more cost effective than the pre-made GW characters.

General
Some gamers choose their General for their H2H fighting skills. Don't forget that generals usually have the ability to bolster units within 12", so you might not always want them charging about, engaging in H2H. Use other H2H skilled characters to lead such attacks.

Standard
Give your standard bearer a standard or icon that bolsters the leadership of surrounding troops. These are often available as wargear in your army list. The aim is to toughen up you basic units, preferably to make them unbreakable. If you have options on who can carry standards, pick the toughest individual - you don't want them dying on you!
If your General is an H2H fiend who likes nothing better than charging about the battlefield playing the bully, then you'll need the standard bearer for your weaker units because you can't rely on your General being their when needed.

Medical
Useful if your General has a habit of getting hurt, especially if you are campaigning.

Technical
Often required in order to actually place vehicles on the battlefield. Most useful at repairing vehicles only when campaigning.

Assassin
Send them in to take out units you want to avoid fighting any other way.
Mission: Kill.

Psyker
Psychics powers and Magic are a powerful tools. Take what you need to carry out your plan.

Allies
If your army list is weak in certain areas, consider taking Allies to counteract this weakness. Make sure they fit the needs of your Battleplan though.

Support:
Consider your overall strategy and battleplan before you choose any vehicles.

Artillery
Usually template or multiple shot weapons which can kill a number of your opponents each shooting phase.
Mission: Attack the nearest enemy unit and then turn on anything else nearby.

Vehicles
Vehicles usually have crews that are weak H2H fighters. Bear this in mind and try to avoid
H2H combat.

Mustering the Troops
Make up Unit Cards or Reference Sheets, similar to those that come in the boxed games, for each unit in your army including wargear, skills and other items carried. Once the fighting starts, it's easy to forget the details of each unit.

Efficiency
Efficiency is a factor of how many Victory Points a unit can achieve against its own points value. Determine the Efficiency of all your units and record this information on your Unit Cards for future reference. It will be a big help during planning if you can also determine the efficiency of your opponent's units.

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