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I have 5 drop pods that I would like to use at some point in a game

I was thinking of a list using the drop pods. I usually play iron hands because that's what most of my army is painted as.

I have 176 points left and probably need some tips from people who have played against or played similar lists of things to try to do, squad makeup and general playing tips. Most of the armies I play against are going to be very motivated to beat me. I play against a lot of Eldar, black Templar, orks and occasionally vs some Necron or tyranid or IG armies.

179 4 bikes 1 attack bike with Multimelta, 2 Grav guns,and combi Grav
225 10 Tact marines, drop pod combiplasma, plasmagun, lascannon, may combat squad
205 10 Tact marines drop pod, combi melta, meltagun, multimelta
250 chapter master, auspex, artificer armor, bike, shield eternal, power fist
100 thunder fire cannon
251 8 sternguard drop pod 4 combi melta, meltagun
185 5 sternguard drop pod 5 combi weapons
90 5 assault marines with two flamers and drop pod

Should I change the load up on the sternguard? What combi weapon should I take, or just stick with meltas do. A

I haven't got a whole lot of looks, buti really could use some,advice

Not a bad looking list.

One thing you lack is anything to deal with flyers. Adding a talon/raven would be a good call. To free up points you could strip some of the guns off of the sternguard, or downgrade the CM to a captain.

I like sternguard light on combis. Other people load them up. YMMV. You could consolidate the sternguard into one pod. To keep a mixed role (for CSing) I’d go with 2 HFs and 3-4 c-meltas. Depending on how lucky you feel. If you want to use the special ammo, you need to have as many shots as possible. 5 man squads are not going to do a whole lot.

If you want to fit in that 5th pod, consider a 5 man assault squad (swapping out the jump packs). Vet sarge w/ a power weapon, and 2 flamers if my preferred load. It’s not that many points and can put the hurt on light troops.

That is an excellent idea, I was trying to figure out a anti horde unit, cause I'm actually most afraid of knights and tons of bodies more than any of the flyers people bring.

I updated the list

What combi weapons should I put on the second sternguard unit, or should I stick with combi meltas?

Melta is generally a safe bet. Depends a lot on what you feel is likely to show up across the table. Plasma has a place as well, especially if you think you are going to see a lot of MCs.

Dropping the chapter master to a captain would reduce the beatstick he has made.

I think you lack power weapons.

If you drop 2 combimeltas and auspex on the Chapter master, you have 200 points, and can get a squad of terminators. They can deepstrike into combat, matching your otherwise deep striking army.

Another option is to get a 5 man unit of Honor Guard in drop pod, with 2+ and power weapon mix of ap2 and ap3, they are basically a steal.

A third possibility is of course, to get something anti-air. You can have the following pick for less than 176 pts.

Scout Squad w/sniper rifles to sit home objective
Stalker OR hunter

The scouts can also take a skyfire missile launcher for 25 pts, but at bs 3, this is so so.

If you make room for 200 pts; you can have a
Whirlwind launcher
5 Scouts w/sniper rifles to sit home objective
Stalker (or Hunter w/storm bolter).

I'm still not sure what to do with Eldar or Eldar/DE with this list. I think I can take out some wraithknights, but if they reserve,everything or get let me go first, I'm not sure how to handle that, much less the wave serpents x3 or so with shields holofields

Hoestly eldar shouldnt be a concern for steel rain lists. If you end up going first just send down the less melta based pods and wait for their serpents to show up if they reserved them. Also if you are playing mael and you go first you should be able to snag some early points. Eldar usually have a hard time with MSU steel rain lists because of this high risk of melta to their serpents. If you are really concerned about it give the TFC a drop pod and bring it empty just to drop on a lone objective or use as decoy.