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So I'm pretty sure I'm going to do a drop podding Salamanders army (yeah yeah, flavor of the month, whatever, I planned on it long before the new codex came out). I know the core of the army:

Vulkan - 1XX

Dreadnought, multimelta, heavy flamer, Drop Pod - 140
Dreadnought, multimelta, heavy flamer, Drop Pod - 140

Tac Squad, multimelta, flamer, powerfist, Drop Pod - 230
Tac Squad, multimelta, flamer, powerfist, Drop Pod - 230
Tac Squad, multimelta, flamer, powerfist, Drop Pod - 230

This comes to 1160, leaving me 340 points to spend to get to 1500. There's a couple options I'm considering, but I can't decide between them:

Ironclad Dreadnought, meltagun, heavy flamer, Drop Pod - 180
Land Speeder, multimelta, heavy flamer - 70
Deathwind Launchers on all three Dreadnought drop pods - +60
Three Locator Beacons - +30

Edit: also a possibility: Ironclad, meltagun, heavy flamer, Drop Pod - 180
2x Land Speeder, multimelta, heavy flamer - 70, 70
2 Locator Beacons (one on a tac squads' pod, one on the Ironclad pod) - +20

OR

10 Sternguard, 6 combi-meltas, powerfist, Drop Pod - 340

OR

10 Assault Squad, remove jump packs and take Drop Pod, 2 flamers, thunder hammer - 240
Land Speeder, multimelta, heavy flamer - 70
3 Locator Beacons or 1 Locator Beacon, 1 Deathwind launcher - +30

I suppose I could also swap the Speeder and some upgrades to take a character, like a Librarian or Chaplain, but I hesitate to spend that much on HQ in this point-value game. Anyway, your thoughts?

I think the core is pretty solid. I'm not a fan of the single speeder in 5th. It seems like an easy KP for your opponent. You may want to consider adding combi-flamers to your tactical squad sergeants.

looks solid. i'd take the ironclad option for the upgrade.
i'm not a big fan of powerfists in 5th ed, imo meltabombs are more cost-effective.
if you are willing to defile the pure-pod thing, a land raider would do you good, too.

I'd take the Sternguard with as many combi-melta you can get.

sternguard if i was you.

Take the Sternguard for the added flexibility they give the army. I'd take 8 or 9 odd Sternguard however many enable the upgrades, upgrade the powerfist's across the board to Thunder hammers (they are mastercrafted with vulkan so make sure to abuse it and it's in character too over the fists) and spend any excess points on more combi-melta's for the Sternguard.

Auretious Taak.

Auretious, I'd love to upgrade the Fists to THammers. Unfortunately, neither Sternguard nor tactical squads have that option.

I could always take off the fist from the Sternguard and give them another 4 combimeltas, and then meltabombs on the champ. Or, just 2 more combimeltas, downgrade the fist to a power weapon, and take meltabombs. I'll figure it out.

I like powerfists in general over power weapons, as I find it difficult at times to roll that 4 to wound most other MEQs, and monstrous creatures always have something to fear.

What about Terminators as an option, to add to the list for part of that 340? I regret that they can't take drop pods, but I could see a 230 point unit of termies being a good investment, perhaps. Probably still not as shooty-killy as the sternguard, but more combat-able.

1 squad of 8 TH terminators gives you more crunch than the the single dreadnought. Plus I believe you have free homer beacons on every drop pod. So they can pop in off of any one of those with no scatter.

death wind launchers are always useful.

and i agree with DAaddict about the terminators

Out of those options, I would go with the Sternguard and more combi-meltas. Combined with your dropping dreads (which I love in this list ) and Vulcan's master-crafting, MEQ and/or vehicles will be toast.

I know the points are hard to find at 1500, but when you expand this list, Vulcan, Cassius and 7 assault termies w/ hammers in a LRC will excel in a Sallie list.

A Land Raider Redeemer would fit the Salamander fluff really nice. Thunder Hammers where ever possible will take advantage of Vulcan's Chapter Tactics all the more. As said already Thunder Hammer Terminators will also rock face.

Gah, why can't there be more Elite slots! I want terminators, sternguard, and dreads! Guess the next upgrade would have to be a master of the forge.

tzeentchling wrote:Gah, why can't there be more Elite slots! I want terminators, sternguard, and dreads! Guess the next upgrade would have to be a master of the forge.

good idea. don't forget mandatory beam 'n' bike.

tzeentchling wrote:Gah, why can't there be more Elite slots! I want terminators, sternguard, and dreads! Guess the next upgrade would have to be a master of the forge.

A large Assault Termie squad is a shock and awe unit. I played such a unit at the dark side, recently. Its amazing.