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I'm considering joining a 40k campaign that starts out with 500 points. It isn't escalation and I'm not fixed on what I want to do, other than I want some sort of Space Marine force. I popped open the Black Templar codex and started thinking about a list that I could use to start with.

93 - Castellan (Storm Bolter, Jump Pack)
96 - 5-man Crusader Squad (Bolters x3, Flamer, Missile Launcher, Frag/Krak/Melta)
96 - 5- man Crusader Squad (Bolters x3, Flamer, Missile Launcher, Frag/Krak/Melta)
130 - 5- man Assault Squad (Bolt Pistol/Chainsword x4, Plasma Pistol, Melta-Bombs)
85 - Land Speeder Tornado (Multi-Melta)

Assuming that my army grows in size as the campaign continues, are there any issues with BT that I need to be aware of?

An alternate list using the Space Marines codex would start out as follows:

125 - Librarian (Jump Pack, Force Dome, Smite)
130 - 5-man Tac Squad w/Razorback
130 - 5-man Tac Squad w/Razorback
115 - 5-man Assault Squad (Plasma Pistol)

This gives me two tanks and better overall mobility at the start for the cost of less tank hunting capability.

Which force/codex do you think would serve better in a campaign with fluxuating points? I don't have enough models to do Space Wolves, Blood Angels, or Dark Angels so I'm not going to generate forces for them.

Comments and opinions are appreciated.

I am assuming you will start with the models then buy more. In which case your second list will more than likely become razorbackspam if you slowly add points to the list. Assault marines are not good, they can not cope with a good melee. You want a bigger range of weapons. Maybe give them both assault cannons then buy a landspeeder, get rid of jump packs.

Your first list of models if added to gradually will produce a shooty list. You are wasting points on the grenades. Plasma guns are better match than the flamers. I have a real soft spot for their assault marines if they have stormshields if not then they are not a great unit. The landspeeder would be cheaper and better as a typhoon, you will want to give lascannons to your squads to balance with the lack of melta, not that one landspeeder can be relied upon.

Regarding the BT list. I don't expect to run into serious armor at 500 points, thus I don't really think Lascannons are necessary. Missile Launchers should be enough for now.

Regarding the second, with the Librarian joining the Assault Squad, they get a slight boost. Still, they're really light on the anti-tank and that may be a problem.