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Here is a list I drew up to show that a, you can build a themed competitive list, and b, the Space Marine Codex is more then just Vulkan whist still being fairly competitive.

I have done this more as a lit building exercise. There where a few tenants I went into when building this list.

1. Avoid most of the Space Marine "auto includes", like Thunderhammer Terminators and Land Raiders
2. Utilize models and units that are rarely seen on the table top that are also unique to this codex.
3. Build a list for one of my favorite chapters, the Iron Hands, as a framing device for my theme. More information on them here: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Iron_Hands

So with these concepts in place, here is the list:

-HQ-

Master of the Forge w/ Conversion Beamer = 120

Librarian w/ Null Zone, Vortex of DOOM! = 100

-Elites-

Dreadnought w/ 2 TL Autocannons in Drop Pod w/ Locator Beacon = 170

Dreadnought w/ 2 TL Autocannons in Drop Pod w/ Locator Beacon = 170

-Troops-

10-man Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Misslle Launcher, Sergent w/ Meltabombs in Razorback w/ Las-Plas = 255

10-man Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Misslle Launcher, Sergent w/ Meltabombs in Razorback w/ Las-Plas = 255

-Fast Attack-

2 Land Speeder Typhoons w/ MM = 200

2 Land Speeder Typhoons w/ MM = 200

-Heavy Support-

Thunderfire Cannon = 100

Iron Clad Dreadnought w/ Heavy Flamer, 2 HKM, Frag Launchers in Drop Pod = 215

Iron Clad Dreadnought w/ Heavy Flamer, 2 HKM, Frag Launchers in Drop Pod = 215



OK, I probably wasted a few points here or there but this is the basic strategy of this army.

It brings with it 2 Bolster Defenses, which can be situational, but in any table that has any sort of ruins in it, you should be rather set. You have a Thunderfire Cannon, a Master of the Forge with what is essentially a Missle Launcher at most ranges, and 2 5-man Combat Squads with missile launchers in 3+ cover. The rifleman dreads Drop Pod assault, basically anywhere they please because the range of their guns allows them to be conservative. Depending on mission and match up, you can deploy most of the force on the table, and start firing from the word go. The list (not counting the HKMs on the Iron Clads) puts out a collective 17 anti-tank shots out a turn, or can switch to anti infantry and put out 11 small blasts. The librarian hangs out with one of the combat squaded Tactical Marines, and constantly casts Null Zone, shuts down enemy psykers, or if a tank really needs to die moves forward and contributes a Vortex of Doom with a Meltagun shot. The Iron Clads do the heavy lifting on assault with their "Insta kill most things" attacks, they even have 2 missile launchers shots themselves to throw out, and unlike most dreadnoughts, can laugh at cover protecting you.

Like I said, there are many different good builds with Codex Marines. Maybe I am off base, but what are your thoughts?

I think you need some more troops. But then again im a BT player

I'm kinda confused by this list.. so here are some wuestions

1) why are the rifle dreads drop podding?

2) why do you have a librarian with vortex and not terminator armour

3) how are you going to protect your TAC squads after you alpha strike almost half of your army to the other side of the board?


This list absolutely must have more troop choices.

Lord PoPo wrote:1) why are the rifle dreads drop podding?

Side and rear armor is nice, and they don't HAVE to if they don't want to.

Lord PoPo wrote:3) how are you going to protect your TAC squads after you alpha strike almost half of your army to the other side of the board?

The opponent will most likely be so busy with your Alpha Strike that your troops can do whatever the hell they want. To Illustrate:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/330734.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/329682.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/311802.page

OP:

If you're going for "theme" I'm not sure that the large amounts of Speeders are going to serve you well to that end. Iron Hands are supposed to be slow and implacable, at least according to the Chapter Traits from the last Codex. The multiple Dreads are dead on though.

Also, I think you could do with some Terminators. One of their quirks was that they had Terminators lead squads, so for theme I think you could have them.

TFC, if you know what you're doing, is good. I could see this list doing well, though I echo the above poster in that you should put the Librarian in TDA or give him something like The Avenger instead of Vortex.

You have loc beacons on your pods so why not exchange typhoons for MM HF speeder that would deepstrike right in? I'd keep the riflemen on the board and not in pods. Just seems better because they have 48" range. I'd drop the libby and thunderfire for some more troops too.

If you give the Librarian Terminator Armor, Vortex of Doom becomes much more useful, but then he won't fit into a razorback, I'd say change powers.

I understand the flexibility of the pods on the rifleman, you basically choose whether, two long range dreads come in first, or two CC dreads, just remember that you can also put the pods down without the rifleman in them, so you can put the two rifleman on the board, and DS the two ironclads, saving the empty pods for contesting later.

However, I would lose two of the speeders and get a full Tac Squad in a rhino, (squeeze the extra points from somewhere) This will be a very resilient large troop choice that you currently lack.

Nice List!

if you wanna drop the dreads have them use multi meltas maybe get rid of the thunderfire for another dread.

I think you are in grave need of another troop choice, even if it is 5 scouts with cloaks(4sniper and a ml)......... you will struggle in objective based missions because of the lack of troops and they would also combo well with the "bolster defenses" granting them a 2+ cover save...

I say drop both squads of speeders, the libby and the thunderfire cannon and get another troop choice and something that packs a punch in HTH, other than another Iornclad...

What about scouts in a land speeder storm for more troops? A heavy flamer on the storm and then PF and Combi-melta on the Sargent

If you are going first they would add to your alpha strike capability with a 24" scout move, 12" move, 2" disembark and a 6" charge. Then you auto hit the tank you ran into, flame whatever comes out of it.

I would recommend taking 2 "empty" pods to max out on the alpha strike, so you drop 2 speeders, 2 dreads and scout in their face turn one, and then pour fire into them from the two riflemen dreads and the razors.

I have to disagree with some of the above posts, absolutely do not drop the thunderfire cannon. I played at the uk Throne of Skulls tourney last month and with the exception of Vulkan, i think the thunderfire probably killed about the same amount of models as the rest of my army put together.
Plus, its themed, a techmarine manning a big gun!

I do agree that you shouldn't pod the autoDreads, i don't see the point in poding dreads unless their Ironclad (which might be an idea for you as i think it would suit the fluff). and the Librarian having Vortex without termie armour and storm shield is only really gonna kill himself

Consider Taking Gates of infinity on your Libby in Term Armor with a squad of standard terms with a Cyclone ML. This way you could constantly hop around the feild dropping tanks. Plus Draw anti tank fire off your speeders and dreads. In all likelihood it will be a squad you lose but could kill 2-3 tanks a game with Vortex and 2 S8 a turn.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
ofc you'd have to upgrade to epistolary to be used to full effectiveness.

That's first of all not a very good idea and secondly not really fitting an Iron Hands theme.

It's a little expensive but str 10 ap1 blast are kinda hard to come by in this game - I frequently use vortex of doom. Also I thought you said Terminators would fit the theme and if you are gonna use vortex - term armor is a must so you might as well take full benifit from it and Deep Strike with terms. Don't do it right in front of a plasma cannon and I promise youll be okay.

It looks like a good army but a purely personal observations.

1. Avoid most of the Space Marine "auto includes", like Thunderhammer Terminators and Land Raiders
2. Utilize models and units that are rarely seen on the table top that are also unique to this codex.

Dreadnought w/ 2 TL Autocannons in Drop Pod w/ Locator Beacon = 170

Dreadnought w/ 2 TL Autocannons in Drop Pod w/ Locator Beacon = 170

-Troops-

10-man Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Misslle Launcher, Sergent w/ Meltabombs in Razorback w/ Las-Plas = 255

10-man Tactical Squad w/ Meltagun, Misslle Launcher, Sergent w/ Meltabombs in Razorback w/ Las-Plas = 255

Im not sure how these fit into your original idea, one sees them utilised an aweful lot. I'd go so far as to say the tac squads are exactly what the standard marine build would be.

3. Build a list for one of my favorite chapters, the Iron Hands, as a framing device for my theme.

From a fluff/theme point of view its unlikely that 4 Dreads would be fielded at a time, they are called upon only in the direst situations iirc from fluff sources so having 4 of them in one army might be a little OTT.
Agree with a previous poster in that the IH tend to adopt a dogged, steady advance style of warfare. Im not overly familiar with the IH codex, have you choices of vindacators perhaps? Roll these forward with tac squads in support on foot, accompanied by dreads using cover where possible for saves. The speeders dont seem to fit in at all with the theme.

I agree the list is relatively competitive (perhaps more troops choices in a 5 obj game) but balancing themes and competitiveness is never easy.