Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys I need some help picking what I should buy next. I don't know what would be the most effective unit to get to help round out my army. Here is a list of what I have:

A bunch of HQs
3 tac squads
2 rhinos
2 razorbacks
1 drop pod
3 tactical terminator squads
2 dreadnoughts
5 man sternguard squad
12 SM bikes
2 storm talons
1 thunderfire cannon
1 LRC/LRR
1 devastator squad

My first suggestion isn't even an entire box, just a single sprue: Terminator thunder hammers and storm shields.
I can't see you getting efficient use out of three squads of Tac Termies, so I'd suggest removing the arms from one unit, loading them up for CC and sticking them in the LR.

Other than that, what chapter tactics do you use? Do you have a particular direction you wanted the army to go in? Have you already got a biker-captain?

I agree with TH/SS Terminators. Other than that, more Drop Pods, 5 more Sternguards, and a Command Squad with specialist weapons (on bikes if you want).

Going up to 3 pods would let you make some nice hybrid drop lists. One works fine as a disruption drop

I like my assault terminators in a 3:2 ratio with TH/SS and 2xLCs, but as others have said, you could use a squad to put in the LR.

What kind of dreads are those? If one is not an ironclad, they can be fun. Especially if you have no plans to get more pods; they drop solo well.

5 more sternguard to bump the squad to full is also a good idea. While you can use them for suicide melta drops, I prefer a full squad of 10 for the special ammo (and a c-melta, HF or two)

You have no scouts, assault marines, land speeders, or non-LR tanks.

A 5 man scout squad in a LSS is a fast, objective secured unit. While I’ve not personally played a maelstrom mission yet, this is something they need. 5 snipers on your home objective in the classic missions lets the rest of your force advance without leaving something important behind. Plus they give you a change to paint something besides power armor

Assault marines (and CC in general) get a bum rap. Does not mean they are useless. They make for a decent bully unit in the backfield. They are mostly overshadowed by bikes, but can be fun to use. Plus they are an iconic part of the SM force, and the omission of them in your collection leaped out at me.

Land speeders can be outfitted in a variety of roles. And with magnets or a little poster tac, you can get a lot of milage out of a single kit. I’ve been enjoying a pair of TML/HB speeders lately, but you can also use them as a fast melta platform, HF infantry roasters, or some combination of the above.

You have a LR, and some transports, but no other tanks. There is a middle ground. Vindicators and Predators are both solid tanks. The Whirlwind and AA tanks are also good for their role, and cost peanuts in the list, but eat HS slots.

Thanks guys. To answer some of the questions I plan on using Iron Hands chapter tactics. I don't think I have enough bikes right now to use White Scars. I have so many tactical terminators because I was originally going to play Dark Angels back in 5th when I started collecting. I will definitely grab some TH/SS. I do already have a biker captain. He is modeled with a sword. I really like to paint and build SM vehicle models so that is the direction I am going. I actually do have 10 scouts that I forgot to list (5 snipers and 5 I haven't built yet). The dreadnoughts are AOBR dreads but I bought an assault cannon bit for one of them. I do really love the assault marine models. Do you suggest a 5 or 10 man unit? I also love the land speeder models but I am torn between those and attack bikes. I really want to get a Predator but I have heard you need to bring at least 2. I have a budget of $150 right now from selling some old models and buying 2 predators would eat that up pretty quickly.

I get some good use out of a 5 man assault marine squad, power sword on a vet sarge, and two flamers in the squad. Good escort for a jump pack chaplain, but work fine as-is. I’ve fielded them both with and without jump packs. Other people advocate a full 10 man squad. You can always add more later.

Honestly, I think attack bikes are a bit stronger for most CTs these days then speeders. On the flip side, Iron Hands is the one CT where vehicles actually get something. Speeders work well in vehicle heavy lists IMHO. Depending on what your bikes are equipped with, adding some attack bikes there might work. It’s really a coin toss.

You don’t need to field two preds to make them work, but you do need to field a reasonable number of armored targets. A single tank is going to eat fire and die, but if you have enough armor saturation, something will live to get the job done. If they want to shoot at the pred, your rhinos can advance unmolested, or your dreads live to charge into CC, or shots don’t aim skyward to try to down your talons. Spamming is not always about taking the same unit three times, but about overwhelming your opponent’s ability to deal with something.

It’s not like your collection has any glaring flaws. You can build a large variety of solid TAC lists at a decent point value with what you have. So what to add depends a lot on what makes your heart sing.

Thanks a lot for your advice. I think I will get a Predator and some assault marines to start!