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Was watching a buddy of mine play against vanilla Marines last night. The SM player had 1 troop on the field and 6 drop pods in reserved, of which he brought all of them in on turn 1 (rolling 3+ on all 6).

I was busy with my own game so didn't get involved; however, this just didn't seem right to me which is why I'm asking.

1. Are drop pods like Fliers in that they don't count towards the up to 50% of your units may be kept in reserve?

2. Can drop pods come in from reserve and deep strike in on turn 1?

They don't count towards the 50% but have there own rules.

and can DS on turn 1 however, only half can come in turn one automatically.

the rest as normal on turn 2

Edit for corrections.

Edit2: look up Drop pod assault, otherwise known as STEEL REHN

SM drop pods have a special rule allowing HALF of them to automatically show up on turn 1. The other half has to follow the normal reserve rolls rule (so from turn 2 onward).
Having to be kept in reserve they don't count in the 50%.

 B0B MaRlEy wrote:
SM drop pods have a special rule allowing HALF of them to automatically show up on turn 1. The other half has to follow the normal reserve rolls rule (so from turn 2 onward).
Having to be kept in reserve they don't count in the 50%.

Technically it is all DPs, but...not relevant in the topic on hand.

 B0B MaRlEy wrote:
SM drop pods have a special rule allowing HALF of them to automatically show up on turn 1. The other half has to follow the normal reserve rolls rule (so from turn 2 onward).
Having to be kept in reserve they don't count in the 50%.

Ok so to make sure I understand. In the original scenario, technically the SM player made a favorable mistake in deploying all 6 instead of just 3 drop pods on his first turn. The deployed 3 would also come on automatically as well; no need to roll.

Correct?

Also, is this for drop pods in general or only pods with TAC squads in them (i.e. dreadnaughts housed in drop pods can drop like this as well)?

If he had only 6 drop pods, then he can only bring in 3 on turn 1. Automatically, no need to roll.

The remaining are in reserve and are rolled for as other reserves.

This is any drop pod, whether it contains tactical squads, dreadnoughts, thunderfire cannons, sternguard squads, or is empty.

Unholyllama wrote:
1. Are drop pods like Fliers in that they don't count towards the up to 50% of your units may be kept in reserve?

Yes, Drop Pods have to start the game in reserve, so don't count towards your 50% limit.

2. Can drop pods come in from reserve and deep strike in on turn 1?

Half of the pods come in on turn one. The remainder follow the normal Reserves rules.

Nope, If there were 6 drop pods in his army, he'd have 3 on turn 1 (automatically) and the 3 others are regular reserves (3+ for turn 2, ....). He (marine player) picks which 3 deep strike (no matter the contents). on turn 1, and the last 3 would come later.