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I'm interested in kicking off a 40K campaign with a BFG battle (Planetary Assault) between my doughty defending Salamanders Space Marines, and the insidious forces of Chaos. It's going to be 1500pt battle. I'm completely not used to Space Marines in BFG, as I tend to play Tau, and sometimes Orks. That said, here's my list:

Commander
Master of the fleet
2 Re-rolls
--
100

Battleship
Space Marine Battlebarge
--
425

Cruisers
4 Space Marine Strike Cruisers (not squadroned)
--
435

Escort Squadron 1
3 Gladius Frigates
--
120

Escort Squadron 2
4 Cobra Rapid Strike Vessels
--
140

Escort Squadron 3
3 Firestorm Rapid Strike Vessels
--
135

TOTALS
Command: 100
Capital Ships: 860
Escorts: 640
GRAND TOTAL: 1500

It's likely going up against the Black Crusade list from Armada or the regular Chaos list, not sure what fleet my opponents going to use as his basis to assault the planet. What should I change to be more effective at protecting Orbis from the treacherous curs?

Hmmm, Planetary Assault/Exterminatus is always a difficult game for the defender. I noticed that you don't have any defenses listed there; you might want to think of bringing some to give you some (relatively) cheap firepower. Mines and fire ships seem to be the best for that purpose. The various brands of orbital defense guns seem to get wiped out too easily from what I've seen.

As for your fleet, I can think of the following suggestions:

1. Squadron your strike cruisers, in pairs at a minimum! Their firepower is too poor on an individual basis to reliably damage the cruisers you will likely be facing.

2. Drop the Firestorms. These are a bit too expensive IMO, and since you are going to be facing 5+ armor, weapons batteries and torps are going to be more effective for the points.

Firestorms are okay.

I rather exchange the Cobra's for the more durable Hunters.

Talk to your opponent if draft2010 is allowed for Marines.

Otherwise ... Marines defending... You are in for a difficult battle.