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I might have a hook-up for some discount Valkyries and have been thinking for awhile about building an IG all Air Cavalry list around them. My idea is to essentially make a Dark Eldar style raider spam list, but only with Vendettas and troops loaded with melta and flamers. I love attack helicopters, so I would model all the Valkyries to be Soviet-style Hind helicopters and use some of the Pig Iron Russian-style heads for the guardsmen. I can get the shotguns in bulk elsewhere, so that should not be a problem.

I've not played IG before, so any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

HQ
Company Command Squad: 190
Company Commander with PF, MB
Veterans (4): Medi-Pack, Hvy Flamer, Flamer x2
Astropath
Officer of the Fleet

Primaris Psyker 70

ELITE
Stormtroopers (5): Meltagun x2, Plasma Pistol 115
Stormtroopers (5): Meltagun x2, Plasma Pistol 115
Guardsman Marbo 65

TROOPS
Veteran Squad (10): Meltagun x 3, Shotguns x7, Demolitions 130
Veteran Squad (10): Meltagun x 3, Shotguns x7, Demolitions 130
Veteran Squad (10): Meltagun x 3, Shotguns x7, Demolitions 130
Veteran Squad (10): Meltagun x 3, Shotguns x7, Demolitions 130
Veteran Squad (10): Flamer x2, Heavy Flamer, Shotguns x 7, Powerfist 115
Veteran Squad (10): Flamer x2, Heavy Flamer, Shotguns x 7, Powerfist 115

FAST ATTACK
Vendetta gunship (3) 390
Vendetta gunship (3) 390
Vendetta gunship (3) 390

2475

Haven't fully settled on wargear, options, etc., so feedback appreciated.

Basic idea, everything (except Marbo) in a Vendetta. Each squadron has 2 melta units, 1 flamer unit (HQ and Elites go together). Depending on deployment of enemy, I have the choice of 24" scout moving pre-turn 1 to either get into the enemy's grill and deploy my meltas, scout moving my entire army to shift to a flank, reserving/outflanking my entire army (with +1 to reserves and re-roll for side) and then assaulting any given side. With 3 tl lascannons apiece (27 in the army), should be able to reliably pick off threats from a distance, especially in squadrons, and selectively send in a wave of melta/flamer/shotgun vets to finish off what needs finishing off. I switched to shotguns so that I could still basically rapid-fire and assault, if needed. With the Astropath and Officer of the Fleet, I should be able to gain the advantage in any reserves battle.

Marbo is just there to, well, be Marbo and have his one turn of glory for 65 pts. The psyker is there to give his squadron the Nightshroud ability (Leadership test to shoot at squadron), essentially protecting up to three whole units. When on foot, his 2d6 S6 lightning attack ain't bad either.

Army has 6 scoring units of reasonable size and ability (10 models, BS4, decent guns) and access to fast transports to get to where they need to be. Limited kill point vulnerability, with only 14 in 2500 points. Army scales down well, at least in terms of models, losing basically one unit and one Vendetta per 250 points, so I can drop down to 2K, 1750, etc.

Any feedback? Any serious weaknesses aside from being an AV12, no close combat force made up of short-ranged weapons (aside from lascannons), LOL? Thanks!

I have to say, I don't think this army will work. Your units are all well-equipped (although I'd arm the CCS with plasma instead of flamers) but 2500 is too high a points level to use all vendettas at. Deploying in only 3 units at the start of the game will cripple you. I wouldn't try this kind of army past 1500 points. My advice, if you really have to buy, paint and field this many planes, do it in apocalypse where the squadron rules won't restrict you.

A 1500 point guard army should be able to do 3x2 vendettas full of veterans and one CCS though, try that instead.

Don't think this will work, you need more anti-infantry. get some chimeras. why so many meltas?

Make one Squadron Valkyries for Anti- Personnel Goodness: Multiple Rocket Pods and Heavy Bolters.

Next, give the Storm Troopers 2x Plasma, they already have the carapace to help out with the Gets Hot! rolls and you have the Plasma Pistol as well.

So much melta is just nonsense in my opinion; however that's just me.

Medi-Pack on the Command Squad is a waste of points as you shouldn't have to be making any saves for them anyway.

Overall...I think the idea is good but as has been mentioned previously, this Army suffers under Squadron Rules horrificly so I don't foresee you being too happy with the outcome. Those changes may help and you could have a chance if you get first turn; otherwise, you're a one trick pony that only has 2 legs to stand on...

Thank you for your advice, all. I realize the list will be a glass cannon, but that's more of a challenge than a deterrent.

But please don't work on the assumption that I'm going to just line up my Vendettas to let the enemy shoot at them. If I don't get first turn, nothing starts on the board. When I enter from outflank/deepstrike, I can enter, move 12" and shoot all lascannons as well as disembark the melta units so that they can shoot anything within 2+12" range, giving them a 26" range kill range from a given short table edge, while the lascannons have 60" range (move + gun).

If the enemy starts in reserves as well to counter, I get a plus +1 (plus optional re-roll for side), they get -1 (plus optional forced re-roll for side), so I should be able to dictate the battle, especially with my speed and range. Any vehicle squadrons I face (such as other IG batteries) can take 6-7 lascannon hits, probably against side armor if I enter from side.

My point is that with the options they have, they should dictate the battle and I should get the first chance to wipe out a good chunk of what can knock me out of the sky. Will it always work? Of course not, but that's the challenge of the game.

Thanks again for the advice.