Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Ok, so I've got the yellow bug, and have started up imperial fists.

Now I'm trying to determine which army I really want to take to a 1850 tournament - I'm starting from scratch, and I have a ton of rhinos, marines and razorbacks to choose from, as well as terminators, assault terminators, 3 LRC's/LRR's and 3 drop pods.

But I'm still unsure which army to take here. Both are gimmicky but it's my first space marine army after coming from space wolves, and I feel much more constrained in what I can do.

Anyway, list 1 -

Librarian - TDA, SS, Null Zone, Vortex - 140

10x Sternguard, 3 Combi Melta, 1 H Flamer, Sergeant w/fist, rhino - 335

Terminator Assault Squad 1 - 4 TH/SS, 1 LC
Terminator Assault Squad 2 - 4 TH/SS, 1 LC

Land Raider Crusader - 250
Land Raider Redeemer w/multimelta - 250

Tac Squad 1 w/flamer, missile launcher, rhino - 205
Tac Squad 2 w/melta, multi-melta, rhino - 210

Total - 1850.

The idea with this list is to use the land raider as hammers, with sternguard for backup shooting etc along with the multi-melta tac and the flamer rhino acting as a buffer as required. The Combat squad missile launcher stays at home. Aggressive army.

The second list is far more hit or miss - far more aggressive -

Lysander - 200

Sternguard unit 1 w/3 combi meltas, 1 heavy flamer, sergeant w/fist, drop pod - 335
Sternguard unit w/3 combi meltas, 2 heavy flamers, sergeant w/fist, drop pod - 345
Sternguard unit w/3 combi meltas, 2 heavy flamers, sergeant w/fist, drop pod - 345

3 Tac Squads - 2 with MM/Melta, 1 w/flamer, Missile, drop pods - 205/210/210

Total - 1850. 3 scoring units, 3 quite hard shooting units. Not so great in hand to hand, but then again that many sternguard will have to do damage, right? Squads combat squad against high priority vehicles, land as close as they can to them - melta half goes to town, with the heavy flamers roasting anything that gets out. Tac Squads to cap objectives. I was thinking I could always swap out lysander for Kantor, and swap out the 3rd tac squad and use the savings to get 3 land speeder tornadoes for tank hunting.

Anyway, let me know what you think.

Lysander is a must. He's an all a round walking wreaking ball and fluffy to boot with your Fists. Codex Marines are really only good at one thing when to comes to competitive builds anymore and that's TH/SS spam. So I would combine your first list with your second list.

I agree with General_Chaos, Lysander is a monster in a game and if he's accompanied by terminators that unit becomes very dangerous.

C:SM does actually have some really strong units still. Libby with Null zone can change games for just a 100pt HQ, which is amazing. Stern guard too can be just amazing.

So what do you guys reckon? Lysander with the Land Raiders? Or the drop pod army of doom?

You can do both FYI, Personally I'd lean heavy on the Drop Pod of doom.

Total Roster Cost: 1850

HQ: 1 Captain Darnath Lysander, 200 pts

HQ: 1 Librarian, Null and whatever you wish - 100

Elite: Terminator Assault Squad, TH/SS x9 - 360 pts

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 210 pts)
9 Tactical Squad, 152 pts = 9 * 16 (base cost 16) + Meltagun 5 + MM Free
1 Sergeant, 23 pts
1 Drop Pod, 35 pts

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 210 pts)
9 Tactical Squad, 152 pts = 9 * 16 (base cost 16) + Meltagun 5 + MM Free
1 Sergeant, 23 pts
1 Drop Pod, 35 pts

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 320 pts)
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad, 250 pts = 9 * 25 (base cost 25) + Combi-Meltagun x5 25
1 Sergeant, 25 pts
1 Drop Pod, 45 pts = (base cost 35) + Locator Beacon 10

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 310 pts)
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad, 250 pts = 9 * 25 (base cost 25) + Combi-Plasmagun x5 25
1 Sergeant, 25 pts
1 Drop Pod, 35 pts

Fast Attack: Land Speeder Squadron (1#, 70 pts)
1 Land Speeder Squadron, 70 pts = (base cost 50) + Multi-Melta x1, HF

Fast Attack: Land Speeder Squadron (1#, 70 pts)
1 Land Speeder Squadron, 70 pts = (base cost 50) + Multi-Melta x1, HF

Something like that Speeders give you MM for popping stuff or to Template obj sitters. Everything in reserve to start drop Lysander down with the Melta Stern and have fun bolter drilling them. DS his buddies near the pod so he can join them next round. Lib rides with whoever you want enjoy your go anywhere stubborn force. You can also have a 2nd Terminator squad instead of the 2nd Stern squad if you want.