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I'm entering the planning phase for building a Space Marine army and would like some critiques and recommendations. This list has been compiled from the regular Space Marine Codex, but will likely evolve into the Red Scorpions Chapter once painting begins. Thus far I'm looking at the following:

HQ: 150
Commander w/Terminator armor, Power Sword

ELITES: 490
5x Terminators w/HF - 205
Dreadnought w/HF, MM - 115
5x Sternguard Vets w/combi-melta, Razorback w/HB - 170

TROOPS: 565
10x Marine Tactical SQD w/FL, ML, Rhino - 205
10x Marine Tacitcal SQD w/FL, ML, Rhino - 205
10x Scout SQD w/Sniper Rifles, Teleport Homer - 155

FAST ATTACK: 95
5x Marine Assault SQD w/Chainswords, Bolt pistols

HEAVY SUPPORT: 200
Whirlwind - 85
Vindicator - 115

I see things unfolding pretty simply with this force. The Commander joins the Terminators and Dreadnought, all of which will Deep Strike to take on the most threatening enemy tanks/creatures/elite units early in the game. Deep Striking without Drop Pods poses a certain risk, but I hope to lean on the Scouts' Teleport Homer and mitigate that as much as possible. The Tactical SQDs, Sternguard and Vindicator will attack forward to claim objectives and garner kill points. The Assault SQD will linger in the wings until called upon to help clear an objective or blunt an enemy attack. The Scouts and Whirlwind stay toward the rear to guard home objectives and provide supporting fire.

This list is just a rough draft, but I think it's a good start. I'm sure there are a few key points I'm missing, some points that could be reallocated and possibly some fuzzy math so please comment on whatever you happen to see that could be improved.

Most of what I will tell you is personal preference so keep that in mind, play as you want to play but here are my suggestions

-It has been my experience that vanilla assault marines are not that great or effective.

-Also I feel that for shooty termies assault cannons or cml are far better than flamers.

-And lastly from the advice I have gotten a librarian is generally more useful as a single HQ.

Hope that gives a start before the more experienced dakka vets give advice.
-Fire-

If you want to use a becon, I'd recomend scout bikers, or a more agressive scout squad (infiltrating with shotguns and BP/CCW)

I like assualt squads, but they need help. PW for the sarge mininum, chaplain leading them is very nice.

Drop pod for the dread or a more long range weapon load would help.

Me personally, I would drop the whirlwind and assault sqd. in favor of a thunderfire cannon. I havent found the jump marines that effective and the whirlwind doesnt pack enough punch for me.

I'd put the sternguard in a pod, they arrive on t1, you melta away something. Pods got better in 6th with the 6" deployment zone + auto correction they already had.

Pedro is great if you are going to castle up and helps the sternguard too.

I would avoid dreadnoughts, whirlwind, predators right now. Too many things go through them too fast. Devistators combat squadded can be interesting.

I would consider exploring allies as they are in as part of 6th, splash IG for vendetta and vet squad for example... more damage output and a flyer with lascannons doesn't suck.

I would take a librarian HQ over a cmdr... You can also look at allying with some nasty HQ choices... Eldrad, Nijal... etc.

If you are going down the red scorpion path, then jump in and look at FW... I believe Loth is a master Psyker and FW list for Red Scorpions might be better reference to how you want to build your list. FW put out the allies rules for Red Scorpions recently too... check them out. http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/a/allies.pdf

Cheers,

My opinions:

A dreadnought with a HF / MM without a drop pod is a giant target. I typically take them out the first or second turn with my missiles, depending on how many tanks my opponent has. In your case, I'd probably prioritize the Vindicator first, and then the Dreadnought.

Whirlwinds can be nice if you can hide them somewhere effective. They are a good way to shoot things out of line of sight. However, in the Heavy Support choices, I personally believe Predators, Vindicators, and Devastators (not necessarily in that order) are superior choices at the moment.

Speaking of Vindicators, if you can, try to run them in pairs, to ensure a lucky pen won't shut down your Vindicator for a turn.

Heavy Bolter Razorbacks are 40pts that could be spent elsewhere. Consider giving your Sternguard a Drop Pod and increasing their number.

Assault Squads in the Vanilla Marine codex are underwhelming. They are expensive and, unlike in the Blood Angels codex, are not scoring units.

And, finally, I prefer Librarians to Captains, but, there is a downside or two to Librarians. Unlike Captains, they are I4. They are also only BS4. The only have 2 wounds, and don't come with a base invulnerable save. Their main draw is to give you better rolls on your Deny the Witch! Roll, as well as the ability to use the new (or even Codex) psychic powers to wreck havoc on your opponent.

Null Zone messes up Demons, for example. And they can't even Deny the Witch! it! For Psychic Power tables, I prefer Telepathy. I prefer Telepathy for the abilities like Psychic Shriek, Invisibility, and Hallucination. Another good choice would be Biomancy, using that Enfeeble Malediction on someone assaulting you can make all the difference. The best part, is, for the tables, you get to tailor which type of powers you want (Biomancy, Telepathy, etc.) to which opponent your facing. However, we don't get divination, and since we are the weakest in melee out of all the Marine Codices, it sucks. :(