What next for Vanilla Marine force? (2500+ pts)

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**SickSix**

I got some unexpected cash for my birthday and am not quite sure on the best way to augment my force. So I will go over what I have and let DAKKA feedback help me decide.

HQ:

SM Captain (magnetized)

Libby in terminator armor (on order)

Techmarine/MotF (on order)

Chaplain in power armor (old metal IF chaplain)

ELITES:

15x Terminators, can field 10x assault and 5x dakka, or 10x dakka and 5x assault (10 magnetized)

20x Legion of the Damned (was thinking of using as counts-as Sternguard occasionally)

Ironclad dread

3x Dreadnoughts (variety of weapons)

TROOPS:

30x Tactical Marines with bolters + 4 or 5 sergeants

12x Marines with heavy weapons. 4 ML, 2 LC, 2 PC, 1 MM, 3 HB

5x scouts with bolters and heavy bolter

FAST ATTACK:

10x Assault Marines

1x Land Speeder with heavy bolter, can fit a H-flamer or Multi-melta as well

ARMOR:

4x Rhino chassis. Can deploy all as Razorbacks and can fit two as Predators (heavy magnetisation)

1x Land raider Redeemer/Crusader

Now, before you throw out suggestions; I do plan to purchase one droppod for the Ironclad, also know that I do not care for bikes and not a huge fan of a lot of Fast Attack in general.

So some purchase plans I have been mulling over are (~100 USD budget)

1. Normal Landraider and Drop pod.

2. Drop pod, scouts w/ sniper rifles, and one land speeder.

So what does DAKKA think?

**CaptainGarro**

Do you have Rifleman dread arms? If not, buy some from forge world, or buy aegis defence lines to convert them. I would also vote for a normal LR.

**SickSix**

CaptainGarro wrote:Do you have Rifleman dread arms? If not, buy some from forge world, or buy aegis defence lines to convert them. I would also vote for a normal LR.

I have bitspudlo.com flak cannons in the mail to me now. Hoping they arrive soon.

So one vote for normal LR. Thanks for the response.

**wtwlf123**

I would get another Land Raider Crusader. They're so much better than all the other LRs. Especially when transporting TH/SS Termies, which is what you'd be using them for.

I would get more than one drop pod. Single pods are easy to play around.

I'd get another land speeder, and have options to kit them both MM/HF.

Get some Predators. They're the best heavy support option in the codex.

And make sure you have autocannon arms for the dreads.

**CrazyMez**

Perhaps another LR..

I know you dont like The fast attack choices. But Assault marines are cool.

Or as you good at magnetisation, Why not try setting it up so you can use different SM codex's? You could go vanilla one battle, then go DA next time... Then BA. The main troops have the same options... So just get a few Codex specific units?

**SickSix**

Ok, guys, not to be harsh, but I already stated I can field two predators, I have 10 assault marines, and I have rifleman arms in the mail. I also stated I am working with roughly $100. I can't afford a LR AND more than one drop pod, plus a speeder.

Yes I am pretty good at using magnets. But I really have no interest in the other SM cosexes, except I don't know much at all about BT and DA. But I am playing Silver Skulls, they are a 'codex chapter'. (UM successors)

**wtwlf123**

I'd get the LR and the Speeder first (because that's what you need the most), and save the multi-pod order for next time.

**SickSix**

wtwlf123 wrote:I'd get the LR and the Speeder first (because that's what you need the most), and save the multi-pod order for next time.

Ok, thank you. So two votes for another LR and one for a speeder.

I admit I would like a new speeder as I don't have the assault cannon or missle pods for my old one.

**wtwlf123**

I don't think you need those upgrades, personally. Magnetizing them so they can go from Typhoons to MM/HF speeders would be cool though, and since you're good at that sort of thing, I say go for it.

**Rurouni Benshin**

If I were to prioritize your purchases, I'd go in the following order:

1. Drop Pod(s)
2. Land Speeder
3. Land Raider

If you can, I'd try to get 3 Drop Pods, and have them fit in the list with your Dreadnoughts or Tactical Squads. Having more Drop Pods allows you to play around with your Tactics more, whereas if you only 1, it can be for only 1 unit. You also want to try to have an odd number available to you, so that you can take advantage of the Drop Pod rules and having most of them come down on Turn 1.

Land Speeders are great pickups as well. The most economical loadout I've used for them is the MM/HF combination. Being that you've gotten the hang of magnetizing, this shouldn't be too difficult for you.

Lastly, if I you were to get a Land Raider, I'd avoid getting another Crusader if you already have one. If not, then having 1 Crusader and 1 Redeemer would definitely be helpful. My personal favorite is the Redeemer. Very rarely do I ever feel the need to use more than 5 Terminators in any game, and I like the Flamestorm Cannons a lot.

Good luck!

**wtwlf123**

I think Single LR lists are pretty bad. I wouldn't ever take only one in a single list. They're too easy for good opponents to deal with when it's your only high-armor target in your entire army.

**SickSix**

Awesome RB, thanks! I actually just crunched the numbers with the FLGS discount and adding in tax, I could actually get 1 LR, 1 Drop Pod, and 1 speeder!

I would not get another LR crusader box. I would get a normal LR so I could magnetize then I could run a Redeemer and Crusader and still have the option of running Lascannons.

I just don't know if I can blow it all on 3 drop pods though. For one they are big, and they just aren't that fun to look at or play with haha.

So should I get one of each?

**wtwlf123**

1 drop pod won't do you much good until you get the other two. Single-pod lists are pretty bad, unless it's a really low points level. Otherwise, a LR and a speeder are perfect choices.

**SickSix**

wtwlf123 wrote:I think Single LR lists are pretty bad. I wouldn't ever take only one in a single list. They're too easy for good opponents to deal with when it's your only high-armor target in your entire army.

You have a point but I would always give it a moving shield of rhinos/razors/preds. But two on the table sure would look purty!

Automatically Appended Next Post:

wtwlf123 wrote:1 drop pod won't do you much good until you get the other two. Single-pod lists are pretty bad, unless it's a really low points level. Otherwise, a LR and a speeder are perfect choices.

Ok, so now my question is - Is an Ironclad useless without without a drop pod?

**SickSix**

Ok, so I got one landraider and one drop pod. FLGS has one more drop pod on the shelves. I held off on that or the scouts with snipers they had on the shelves.

Is it really that necessary to have 3 pods? Can I get away with two? I understand with only two you get one, then one. So the units could get picked off. Is that why everyone says 3 or nothing?

Well next week I'll scrounge up some more cash and could either get two more pods, or a pod and a speeder. Or scouts and a pod or speeder and scouts.

**SickSix**

Ok, so update. I got another speeder (2 total now). And am going to get another Razorback. That way I can field 3x APCs and 2x Predators at the same time.

I am going for AV saturation. In 2500pts, I am looking to field:
1- LRC
1- Ironclad
1- Dread
3- Razors
2- LS
2- Predators