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The current internet wisdom is that in order for an army to be competitive it needs vehicles for mobility and massed firepower. It helps to have dedicated cc unit but you can buffer and tarpit if necessary. To this end we see SW, GK, IG, Eldar and now Necrons doing well. Footslogging lists like Deathwing tend to suffer. Ork hordes and Nids occasionally do well but are not consistently good. I don't buy into it. I think there are lists out there that are thematic and competittive without transports. Your opponent will packing a lot of useless firepower if we can get it right. With the advent of 6ed looming I'm sure lists that are not mech heavy will just get better. Here is my feable attempt at a thematic list with some nasty surprises ...

Five Tech Iron Hands

Master of the Forge @ 205 Pts
 Conversion Beamer;
2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Techmarine @ 135 Pts
 2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Techmarine @ 135 Pts
2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Venerable Dreadnought @ 205 Pts
Twin-linked Lascannon (x1); Missile Launcher (x1)

10 Tactical Squad @ 200 Pts
Plasmagun (x1); Lascannon (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta

10 Tactical Squad @ 200 Pts
Plasmagun (x1); Lascannon (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta

10 Tactical Squad @ 180 Pts - remove for 1500
Missile Launcher (x1); Flamer (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta

5 Scout Squad @ 85 Pts - remove for 1500
Sniper Rifle (x4); Missile Launcher (x1)

Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
Techmarine Gunner

Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
Techmarine Gunner

Venerable Dreadnought @ 205 Pts
Twin-linked Lascannon (x1); Missile Launcher (x1)

Total Roster Cost: 1750

KPs - 11 - 14 (assume combat squads)
Models - 35
Scoring - 4 -7 squads (assume combat squads)

6 Plasma Cannons
4 Missile Launcher
4 Lascannons
4 Sniper Rifles
3 Combi-meltas
2 Plasmaguns
2 Flamers
2 Thunderfire Cannon
1 Conversion Beamer

My hope is that the thunderfires will be left alone for awhile with other more pressing targets. I'll move my guys up into cover and buffer cc attaclk with my combat squads. I don't mind sacridicing a half tac squad here and there if it leaves my enemy exposed.

----

5th Edition has put a huge focus on transports.
Maybe drop one dreadnought too and give your tactical marines a rhino each.
That way you move forward shooting that big lascannon & can support the advance while your rhinos zoom forward and pop smoke.

Well, i could stay with theme and add a few transports ...


Master of the Forge @ 205 Pts
 Conversion Beamer;
2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Techmarine @ 135 Pts
 2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Techmarine @ 135 Pts
2 Servitor Unit - Plasma Cannon (x2)

Dreadnought @ 140 Pts
Twin-linked Lascannon (x1); Missile Launcher (x1)

10 Tactical Squad @ 250 Pts
Flamer (x1); Plasmacannon (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta
Razorback - Twin-linked Lascannon (x1)

10 Tactical Squad @ 250 Pts
Flamer (x1); Plasmacannon (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta
Razorback - Twin-linked Lascannon (x1)

10 Tactical Squad @ 250 Pts - remove for 1500
Flamer (x1); Plasmacannon (x1)
Sgt - Combi-melta
Razorback - Twin-linked Lascannon (x1)

5 Scout Squad @ 85 Pts
Sniper Rifle (x4); Missile Launcher (x1)

Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
Techmarine Gunner

Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
Techmarine Gunner

Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
Techmarine Gunner

I would not be losing any firepower ... in fact I would gain a bit with three extra twin-linked lascannons, an extra techmarine and a thunderfire. Also makes it easier to field at 1500.

I like the second list a little better personally. I think that it has an awesome point and click quality to it.

Who said deathwing struggles? Orks and 'nids in the same breath?

You can make a better foot slogging gunline using black templars.
Else Grey Knights can foot slog.
Loganwing is a better footslogging gunline.
Infantry based imperial guard, especially after the latest FAQ, makes a better footslogging gunline.
I thought there was an Elder footslogging gunline?