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Ok I quickly searched the forums and can't find a definitive answer. (sorry if its been answered somewhere and I missed it)
If I take drop pods as a dedicated transport option, do I have to deploy the squad inside them?

I'm thinking about dropping a deathwind drop pod empty (maybe with locator beacons) a la the old fluff.

Would the squad that chose them have to come on as reserves (on the first turn? or later?)

Or have I got this wrong and the squad must be inside the pod?

Yes you can drop an empty pod.

Check page 94 under Reserves, 4 paragraph starting with Similarly....

Cool thanks General Hobbs

- So the unit that took it can deploy normally at the start?

That would be ace

Yes it can, its a good way to get some firepower deep into enemy lines for a measly few points, sure its a KP, but its still somewhat effective.

I'd only do it if i also took Deathwind launchers with the pod.

but remeber it can't fire when it deepstrikes

Tri wrote:but remeber it can't fire when it deepstrikes

On what basis, most units can fire when they deepstrike and I'm not seeing any exception to this for drop pods?

Drunkspleen wrote:

Tri wrote:but remeber it can't fire when it deepstrikes

On what basis, most units can fire when they deepstrike and I'm not seeing any exception to this for drop pods?

Page 95 of the main rule book, Vehicles that Deep Strike count as moving at Cruising Speed.

I don't have the SM dex yet, but doesn't the Drop Pod entry state that a squad buying a Drop Pod must enter play via Deep Strike?

asugradinwa wrote:

Drunkspleen wrote:

Tri wrote:but remeber it can't fire when it deepstrikes

On what basis, most units can fire when they deepstrike and I'm not seeing any exception to this for drop pods?

Page 95 of the main rule book, Vehicles that Deep Strike count as moving at Cruising Speed.

exactly ... GW could let it shoot by ether giving it Power of the Machine Spirt (which would be nice fluff wise ... no crew to shake or stun) or by making it a fast vehical (which it is ... it joins the game from orbit for god sake) ... but they didn't so it just sits there a turn.

i'm almost postive (without the rule book to hand) that it comes with smoke launchers so just pop them and if you've model the smoke (don't laugh) due to TLOS it blocks LOS and/ or give the units a cover save.

No smoke launchers on drop pods I'm afraid. Not even an option for upgrade

InquisitorFabius wrote:Yes it can, its a good way to get some firepower deep into enemy lines for a measly few points, sure its a KP, but its still somewhat effective.

Sadly true... by ambiguous wording... a dedicated transport can be issued to a troop choice to deploy via space but the imperium in it's wisdom allows you to walk onto the battlefield.



Captain Wimpious: "Sir, we get space sick and the landings, well they are bumpy."

Master Waistus: "I know brother, we will send our drop pods into the enemy lines. That ruse should allow us to deploy your company via thunderhawks."

Librarian Realistous: "Master, aren't our drop pods rare and something to be saved as needed?"

Master Waistus: " You question my orders? We shall expend them and I contemplate a strange reading of the Codex Astartes that we can exploit... Issue them Rhinos as well!"

Realistous: " Two transports for one squad?!?!?"

Waistus: "If Robert had only more poorly written his instructions, I would issue THREE transport vehicles for one squad AND I would make the men walk anyways!"

Amusing, DAaddict, but bear in mind there is plenty of fluff about Marines sending empty pods down, either to distract the enemy or to make it far less likely the correct pods would be shot down.

fluff wise drop pods can't be shot down

to get back to the main question:
dedicated transports have to be deployed together dont they (german rulebook 5th ed, page 67 bottom right)?
so if the pod can only be deployed via deep strike the troops riding in it will have to enter game riding the pod if they can't deepstrike themselves like terminators do.
that's what i think.

sieek wrote:to get back to the main question:
dedicated transports have to be deployed together dont they (german rulebook 5th ed, page 67 bottom right)?
so if the pod can only be deployed via deep strike the troops riding in it will have to enter game riding the pod if they can't deepstrike themselves like terminators do.
that's what i think.

The English version says that the dedicated transport can only carry the squad it was purchased with when it is deployed, I don't know if there's a difference in wording with the German edition. That's been taken to mean that if it is carrying a unit, then that unit has to be the one it was purchased with. But since it is allowable (according to various FAQ's) to purchase a dedicated transport for a unit too big to be carried initially, you aren't required to deploy inside the transport, or anywhere near it.