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i am starting to build myself a space marine force and thinking of 2 different lists.

list 1.

pedro (XXX)

5 sternguard
2 plasma guns
1 combi plasma
2 combi flamers
2 combi melta
meltabombs
drop pod with locator beacon
(220)

tac squad
plasma gun
multi melta
sgt with
combi flamer
melta bombs
power weapon
drop pod with locator beacon
(255)


tac squad
plasma gun
multi melta
sgt with
combi flamer
melta bombs
power weapon
drop pod with locator beacon
(255)


stormtalon
TW lascannon
(XXX)

stormtalon
TW lascannon
(XXX)

vindicator
dozer blade
storm bolter
(130)


vindicator
dozer blade
storm bolter
(130)




other list is


Librarian (XXX)


Terminator Squad (230pts)

Assault Cannon, Terminator Sergeant
* Terminator
Power Fist
* Terminator
Power Fist
* Terminator
Power Fist
* Terminator
Power Fist


Scout Squad (90pts)

* 4x Scout
4x Camo Cloaks, 4x Sniper Rifle
* Scout Sergeant
Bolt Pistol, Camo Cloak, Sniper Rifle


Tactical Squad (255pts)

Multi-Melta, Plasma Gun, 9x Space Marine
* Drop Pod
Locator Beacon, Storm Bolter
* Space Marine Sergeant
Combi-Flamer, Melta Bombs, Power Weapon

Tactical Squad (255pts)

Multi-Melta, Plasma Gun, 9x Space Marine
* Drop Pod
Locator Beacon, Storm Bolter
* Space Marine Sergeant
Combi-Flamer, Melta Bombs, Power Weapon

Predator (120pts)
Autocannon, Lascannons


Predator (120pts)
Autocannon, Lascannons


both lists are around 40 or so points short of 1500. my question is what list would be a better list in general to start Space Marines with and what minor tweaks should be made to it?

To be honest, I'd go with parts of each.

One squad of sternguard is not enough to justify Kantor. But I'm a big fan of librarians with Gate of Infinity blipping one squad around.

I'd trim the wargear on the sterns, a larger squad will serve you better then a tricked out one.

locator beacons are a bit pricy, I'd drop them. You tac squads are also all over the place, pick a role and gear for it. Also you are spending a lot on wargear.

You are not set up well for a drop pod army. I think all the pods are going to do is get you defeated piecemeal. I'd go with rhinos instead.

Stormtalons are good, but I'd go with one of the missile options, rather then the LCs.

I like the auto/las preds over the vindis. dozer blades are not worth the points IMHO if you keep them.

A sample list (should be close on points, don't have my codex on me) Basically the first list with the HQ and tanks from the second, minus the pods. Extra point can go into gear.

Librarian GoI, Null

10 sternguard, 2 c-meltas, fist on sarge

10 tac, MM/M rhino
10 tac HB/F rhino

Stormtalon, typhoon
Stormtalon, typhoon

Auto/las pred
Auto/las pred

If you have your heart set on a drop pod list, you need to land hard on the first turn. Take 3 pods, and swap one of the tanks for a dread. First turn drop the sternguard and the dread and blow a flank off of your opponent. The third pod with a tac sqad can either drop to support, or on an objective somewhere else on the board.

With Kantor
Get a couple of units of sternguard in drop pods and then scouts.
Then stormtalons and vindicators would be my choice.

I recommend squads of 10 sternguard in drop pods, as they can combat squad. Try plenty of combimeltas, as this kills mech and their ammo kills everything else.

I would give melta and combimelta to drop pod tactical squads, landing and taking out mech is usually the best option. Later turns plasma guns may be better for the second pod.

Try the librarian with termy armour and SS, to give him an inv. save.

I like both ideas of the lists. Librarian and Kantor are cool HQs.