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I've just picked up 2x FW Drop pods and 1 x FW Dread Drop pod for next to nothing. Problem is, how do I use them? I'm concerned about deploying them and then not being able to assault till the next round as they will no doubt attract alot of fire.

Any advice or tactics in how to use these valuable assets!

When I use Drop Pods, I usually put meltacide squads or a Melta Dread in them. When you do drop them near yur enemy's shiney land raider, try to also drop them infront of heavy weapon teams and the like. Drop Pods are great for blocking LOS to the rest of your army.

Oh yeah, also expect to not see those units make it through the game. Drop Pods have a nasty habit of putting troops into a fight without much fire support.

Good that you've have an odd number; you all ways want an odd number. This means turn one two pods will always be dropping.

If you have a unit that would be better always starting on the board then give them the drop pod that will come in after turn one (thunder fire cannons for example): then deploy him as normal. The empty pod (when it does arrive) is good for contesting an objective you don't think you'll be able to reach.

Don't forget you can combat squad when you exit a pod. If the unit (stern guard) have multiple meltas you can often take out two high value vehicles. Multiple flamers works the same way Vs hordes but normally i would advise against being in the pod in such games.

yes, lots of meltaguns near whatever is scariest. Just kill what you have to.

I read that you pick a point in the opponents flank (preferably) and overwhelm the enemy up close and personal. Buts that a full pod list.

With three, I suggest a ven dread with MM and HF on the DCCW and two squads of sternguard (points permitting) and land them where you need the enemies line to break. It'll distract them for a turn or so letting you set up the rest of your army. Maybe have an assault squad or two hang around so if the sternguard get assaulted they can get in and help out.

I am thinking of smashing in a 10 Man Sternguard Unit (Combat Squad them!) and Combi-Melta's and Combi-Flamers. THese boys should do!

Plus an Ironclad Dreadnought for the AR13 and the Melta + DCCW. I think an Assault squad -jump packs for the other Drop pod + Chaplain.
The rest of my army will be in a Gunline e.g. RB's + TACs + DEVS + Scout snipers and Dreadnought. With 2 LS ready to charge down either flank! & LSS with a CC Scout squad in reserve. Time to fight out some battles and experiment with some tactics.

Sternguard and Ironclads are always a good choice. When running 3 pods, as you should, I would take 1 Ironclad, 1 10 man Sternguard squad, and 1 Tactical Squad. Drop the Ironclad and Sternguard turn 1 and take out some high priority targets in objective missions or, in KP missions, take out a few "soft" targets to ratchet up the KP count in your favor. Save the Tac in a pod for objective grabbing later on.

The best way to use Drop Pods is to perform a pin move. Check out this article I wrote on pinning strategies for more ideas. Capture and Control: 40k Strategy: Pinning, the path to victory. Part 1 lists.

A funny use for pods is delivering deepstriking librarians in termie armor with vortex of doom. The librarian doesn't actually deploy in the pod. The pods original occupants don't really matter for this trick. The pod takes a beacon... Librarian teleports in using beacon, nails something with a nasty S10 AP1 blast.

If you have the upgraded librarian, you can use gate of infinity to jump from beacon to beacon in a multi pod list. Its quite funny when you pull it off.

The only problem with the tactic is that it tends to only work once against a particular opponent, then they start just killing pods first.

Thanks guys, 1st turn my Drop Pods arrived, 5xMan Sternguard + Librarian and the Ironclad. In turn 2 that started by rapid firing Dragonfire rounds into Orks in fortified cover whilst my Ironclad charged into 2 Killa Kans and a Deff Dread. My 3rd POD dropped on the objective and my Tactical Squad leapt on the objective. Turn 3 and my sternguard move 6" inches and "Slagged" the Deff Dread with 3 x Combi-Meltas as the Ironclad "Smashed" Apart the 2nd killer can.

Burna boys torched my Sternguard!! But the tactical squad cut them down and their Trukk rammed the Ironclad (big mistake!) Awesome advice guys.

notabot187 wrote:A funny use for pods is delivering deepstriking librarians in termie armor with vortex of doom. The librarian doesn't actually deploy in the pod. The pods original occupants don't really matter for this trick. The pod takes a beacon... Librarian teleports in using beacon, nails something with a nasty S10 AP1 blast.

If you have the upgraded librarian, you can use gate of infinity to jump from beacon to beacon in a multi pod list. Its quite funny when you pull it off.

The only problem with the tactic is that it tends to only work once against a particular opponent, then they start just killing pods first.

O that sounds nasty.

you sir have just made my day

Only problem is it's not too clear if locator beacons work with GoI....

GoI uses the Deep Strike rules.

LBs helps with Deep Strike.

therefor, LBs help with GoI