Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

For the first time since 6th came out, i'm actually looking at various armies and making lists (for no particular reason other than out of interest, and because the new Chaos Codex isn't out yet). And am currently looking at the BA options. After seeing an all reserve list in the Army List section on here, i've started looking at Drop Pod options in a little more detail.

And am looking at the troop options, are Tactical Squads the better option in a Deep Striking list?
For a 10 man, double melta squad with no Sergeant upgrades both squads come to 210 points with their drop pods.
Of course one of the Tactical meltas is a Multi-Melta, so only snap-fire on the turn they come down and have to sit still to fire off a full BS shot the next round.
But, they have boltguns. I think in a drop pod list, the inclusion of Boltguns over BP/CCW could be very useful. it means if you have an infantry target to shoot at, your getting 18 shots, rather than 10.

But on the downside, the next turn, assault marines get an extra assault attack. So they charge in and do more damage in assault.
So whats better, the extra bolter shots on turn one, or the extra charge attacks on turn two? Or even a mix? (although for a mix, i'd rather have Death Company as the assaulty option).

And as a side question, whats the best Marine army for a full reserve drop podding list? (Or Drop Pods and stormravens)

I think this is a dilemma a lot of us BA players have right now, Tactical vs Assault. Being able to move and rapid fire can help keep up with a mobile army. I just wish our Tac squad could take a 2nd special non-heavy weapon. The heavy weapon ruins it for me.

I personally think a Grey Hunter heavy list is best for pods. They take the best of Tac and Assault marines (aside from jump packs) combined in one unit. Plus dirt cheap special weapons and counter attack.

Yeah Space Wolves probably are the best, grey hunters are cheap and do more than Assault Marines or Tacitcals. Plus combi weapon Wolf Guard are cheap.

I´m pondering pretty much the same thing myself at the moment. IMO, BA assault marines are looking like one of the best troops options for pods for two reasons:
1: You get a discount on the pod (more discount the fewer men in the unit. For a full unit, you are starting to pay more for the pod)
2: High special weapon density. You get 1 per 5 and the sergeant can take 2x pistol to compliment the special weapon.

So, if you take:
5 assault marines, special weapon, 2x pistol, pod, it will cost from 125-145pts. Not bad at all for either 3 templates, 3 meltashots or 4 plasma shots. Tacticals can´t really keep up with that level of firepower.

The main problem is buying and building those damned pods, which is a valid reason for wanting to go for larger squads with less special weapons. (seriously, who designed that kit, it takes soooo long to build the damned things) I think they work out well in full squads as well, but you loose the first advantage.

Hmm, that's a pretty good idea, I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to make a point efficient list that takes advantage of the 35 point cost reduction for RASs to get a pod.

Space wolf GHs do the full pod list better by dint of counter-attack and the fact that they're just cheaper than tactical or assault marines (you can do 10 GH, 2 melta a banner and a pod for 205 points).

So the point now becomes how to take advantage of BA rules to make the RASs worthwhile. Priests come to mind since they grant FC and more importantly FNP which lets you get stuck in the turn you land.

I'd support these squads with 10x DC rocking bolters in a pod, and some Furiosos+DC Dreds also in pods.

The problem with a pod army, I think, is the complete lack of skyfire....

I'm trying to build a podding BA army myself, but am planning on including 2 stormravens into the mix as well to bring down enemy fliers / armor. They would be great at carrying furiosos into battle, so they don't risk getting melta'd out of the pod.

I feel vanilla marines have the advantage for drop pods. If you ever try to write a list for BA or SW it is tricky to get a balanced list.

Controversially I have to say tactical marines in drop pods are just slightly more playable than assault marines in drop pods for BA. They hit hard when they land, bolters are reasonable and they make more sense when they combat squad, assault marines just do not make that much sense as a combat squad once foot slogging.
Death company, sternguard, dreads and importantly honour guard are key as well.

Assault marines could make a niche in a list, by playing some shenanigans. Mainly finding a pod for a priest to travel or maybe some combat squad goodness, but these can be addressed in other ways.

 More Dakka wrote:
Hmm, that's a pretty good idea, I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to make a point efficient list that takes advantage of the 35 point cost reduction for RASs to get a pod.

Space wolf GHs do the full pod list better by dint of counter-attack and the fact that they're just cheaper than tactical or assault marines (you can do 10 GH, 2 melta a banner and a pod for 205 points).

So the point now becomes how to take advantage of BA rules to make the RASs worthwhile. Priests come to mind since they grant FC and more importantly FNP which lets you get stuck in the turn you land.

I'd support these squads with 10x DC rocking bolters in a pod, and some Furiosos+DC Dreds also in pods.

Not sure GH's are that much better. Compare 2x10 hunters with meltas, banner and pod VS. 3x5 Assault marines with special weapon, dual pistols and pods, which is pretty much the same cost. (410 vs 375-435)
1: Bodies - 20 vs 15
2: Units - 2(+2) vs 3(+3)
3: Special weapons - 4 vs 9
4: SR - counter-attack vs red thirst
5: Ld - 8 vs 9
6: Gear - bolters and banner vs neither

It is pretty even IMO.

I think Grey Hunters are much better overall than Assault Marines. I'll take counter attack over Red Thirst any day (1/6 chance, once a game). And the addition of the bolter while retaining a CCW and bolt pistol just puts them over the top.

The addition of a Sanguinary Priest is a different story but it is no longer a unit-to-unit comparison.

225 for an assault with 2 PG and 1 PP on the Sgt plus a drop pod
225 for a tac with 1 PC amd 1 PC in drop pod

So the choice is really do you want mobility or not. Now if you combat squad, you aren't going to have the staying power but then you get one 5-man mobile and 1 5-man fire support.

Now pure it is not going to work too well but perhaps...

1 8 Sternguard in DP 235
Honor Guard with PG in DP 210
5 Assaults in DP 975 All 9 w PP and PC
6 Sanguinary Priests 300
1 HQ up to 130 pts


Now this gives you a lot of upclose and personnal with the 8 sternguard providing mobile firesupport. All the plasma gives some range and some anti-tank. While every squad is getting FNP. If you want more firepower, drop the sanguinary priests for 5 assault marines with plasma which leaves you with 135 points to either combi-weapon up your sternguard or add a 2nd HQ. Now if you want, you could mix and match the assaults with some tacs to give you a little more ranged firepower (after they drop pod in...).