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...and why?

I'm looking for some input from Dakka regarding the pros and cons of Drop podding vs. Mechanized marine forces. If it matters I'll be running SW's. Thanks in advance for your time.

My vote goes for mech.

Greater Mobility, accurate placement where you want on the board with out assistance from other squads. 40pt Razor Backs with Twin-Linked Heavy Bolters! You can't beat that.

SW's can run pods pretty effectively, as they have the hard core assault choices to really get in the face of the enemy. Pod lists do tend to rely on dreadnoughts, however.

Both seem equally viable and competitive.

But they are played differently:
A drop podding force is static as soon as the unit arrive at the battle field, while a mech force with Rhinos, Razorbacks, and Land Raiders is more mobile.

But, a rhino can't put a combi-melta and meltagun within 6 inches of an enemy landraider on turn 1.

Both have pros and cons. I think Rhinos give you more flexibility. Droppods are a higher risk, but can have a bigger reward too.

Also consider that you can run both in an army. With drop pods arriving on Turn 1, having a few units in pods is a viable strategy.

I got my butt handed to me last weekend by a space wolves force that had 2 drop pods, a land raider crusader, and a demolisher.

The poded squads took out both of my redeemers very quickly.

But, a rhino can't put a combi-melta and meltagun within 6 inches of an enemy landraider on turn 1.

However, the drop podders are then exposed possibly to the whole enemy army.

asugradinwa wrote:I got my butt handed to me last weekend by a space wolves force that had 2 drop pods, a land raider crusader, and a demolisher.

The poded squads took out both of my redeemers very quickly.

You should have deployed in such a manner that his drop pods could not get that close.

G

G is right.
Take two Rhinos and deploy the Redeemers at a corner with the Rhinos in front and at one side. This should help to keep the Redeemers intact.

dietrich wrote:Droppods are a higher risk, but can have a bigger reward too.

wuestenfux wrote:However, the drop podders are then exposed possibly to the whole enemy army.

It's a risk and reward balance. A unit in a rhino can't meltagun a landraider on turn 1, but they also don't have to worry about being rapid-fired by 100 lasguns.

Only way to prevent it would have been to deploy in reserve, but the game is about risk vs reward and I decided to take a risk.

He actually shot through a razorback to get one of the redeemers, and the other had smoke, I failed both my 4+ saves and he hit 5's & 6's in his damage chart rolls. Luck of the dice....

Next time deploy the razorbacks a greater distance from the landraider and make sure their is not enough room for the drop pod to land in-between them. That should help.

In the past I have deployed infantry spread out around my tanks so that there is no way that the enemy can deep strike anything within 12" of my armor. It will force the opponent to bring in their deep striking reserves in a less than optimal position, thereby negating the advantage of deep striking.

G

IMO tactical squads don't have enough firepower or durability to make drop-podding them worthwhile.

If you go plasma heavy it can work.

G

I use two drop pods in my SM army and they've worked well for me in objective based games - letting me score or contest extremely quickly. My cousin runs two rhinos, and they essentially allow him to do the same thing while hiding his guys until that rhino is obliterated in turn 2. :-P

I like my drop pods, but then again, I REALLY like the sternguard inside. I guess it's all about how you want to run the space marines.

Green Blow Fly wrote:If you go plasma heavy it can work.

G

But only if your opponent is playing an army that is vulnerable to plasma... maybe a drop list where you put a combi-weapon on every sergeant might be OK. You could mix in some flamers and combi-flamers to give you a wider variety of firepower.

Space Wolf Grey Hunters can drop down with a plasma gun, two plasma pistols and a combi plasma.

G

And that can tear up non-mechanized marines pretty well, and maybe pop a rhino, but against orks or guard that's not doing much.

willydstyle wrote:IMO tactical squads don't have enough firepower or durability to make drop-podding them worthwhile.

If you plan to take Tacticals in Drop Pods, I suggest to add a few Dreads in Drop Pods, too.
Drop the Dreads in front of the enemy front ranks such he will have to deal with them, and let the Tacticals land defensely upon objectives.

willydstyle wrote:And that can tear up non-mechanized marines pretty well, and maybe pop a rhino, but against orks or guard that's not doing much.

It can still hurt orks but obviously drop pods in general aren't going to do any wonders versus horde unless you go template heavy possibly. I'm not a big fan of drop pods. Rhinos are a lot more tactical. I'm not worried about guard seeing that army is not popular around here.

G

But Guard will be wildly popular from May 2nd-onward.

We'll just have to wait and see. The rumors sound good but on the other hand we know that GW hypes every army prior to it's release for a new codex.

G

valkyries.

Drop Rapid fire first turn and tau reckon there guns are good.......

why take 1 or the other?
mix it up a bit and take both.

we all know drop podding units can cause havoc.
and mech do good aswell, and come in handy for objective snagging.

elite units in pods and troop mech should work well together.

The only thing I would consider podding are dreadnaughts... One melta shot and the dread is gone.

G