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The idea is to have as much air power as possible. This is an army based of heavy fluff of the Calderian 22nd Regiment. They are a heavy infantry based force, that depend on heavy mobility and work closely with Space Marines,
Adeptus Mechanicus, and the Holy Inquisition. They do not use plasma; they do not fight side by side with any psycher or warp beings; and they lack the Armor that other Imperial forces may have, such as the Leman Russ. The regiment
is split up into three different categories, Assault, Battle, and Combat. (Gotta know your A, B, Cs ) This is an Assault version Army. Assault class units are airborne. They are the vanguard that aid in drop pod assaults. Commonly known
as hell boys due to the fact that they fly into the maelstrom of battle, even when orbiting ships are still shelling the objective. Each platoon consists of three Grenadier Veteran squads. They drop in with Vendettas, Valkyries, and sometimes
squads are blessed with drop pods. Sweeping in as rounds and super-heated plasma fizzle by, losing 57% of the transports on drop on average, the squads prepare to exit the craft, gun down local hostiles, and take out key objectives.

Now enough about fluff, here is the army.

HQ: 130 pts

130 pts / Company Command Squad: Camo cloaks, Astropath, Master of Ordinance

Troop: 760 pts

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

160 pts / Veteran Squad: Grenadier, Demolition, Heavy Flamer*, 2 flamers*

(* All flamers can be replaced with three melta, depending on enemy engaged)

Fast Attack: 840

140 pts / 2 Vendetta Gunship with two side mounted Heavy Bolters, and two Twin-linked Lascannons replaced by two Hell Fury Missiles

140 pts / 2 Vendetta Gunship with two side mounted Heavy Bolters

140 pts / 2 Vendetta Gunship with two side mounted Heavy Bolters

Structure Support: 70 pts

70 pts / Aegis Defense Line: With Comms Relay

Total: 2,000


Each platoon of three should have a lord commissar acting as platoon commander, but since one cannot have an entire army in reserve, I must break the veil of imagination and have 2 command squads on the field. The good news is
that the squads that are on the ground drop orbital bombs, even when the squad has gone to ground. With that, because of the two Astropaths, the gunships all arrive on turn one... I think.

They do not all arrive automatically, a 1 always fails. Shave one off and upgrade a valkyrie to a vendetta.

Ah. Thank you Imotekh Stormlord. I must have skipped that in the books. I also do not think it would be wise to make it so I have 5 Vendetta Gunships. If I focus excessively on the Anti Tank of the Assault force, then they will be easy pickings for high infantry armies, such as Tac rush Space marines, orks, tyranids, or even Chaos Demons. The reason why I have two Valkyries is so that I can have four pie templates on the table by turn 2. Well... that is if I do not roll ones that is. But thanks for the note. What if I swapped out a command squad for an aegis defense line?

 Britanica Maximus wrote:
Ah. Thank you Imotekh Stormlord. I must have skipped that in the books. I also do not think it would be wise to make it so I have 5 Vendetta Gunships. If I focus excessively on the Anti Tank of the Assault force, then they will be easy pickings for high infantry armies, such as Tac rush Space marines, orks, tyranids, or even Chaos Demons. The reason why I have two Valkyries is so that I can have four pie templates on the table by turn 2. Well... that is if I do not roll ones that is. But thanks for the note. What if I swapped out a command squad for an aegis defense line?

Well, actually as you have them now the valkyries do not have any blasts. Did you mean to add the missile pod things for 30 pts?

You have plenty of anti-infantry already with your excessive number of flamers. Lascannons should paste PA or TDA models so I would suggest going all out with vendettas as valkyries are godawful compared to them.

In addition, do not remove the command squad, you already have far too little starting on the table. Pretty much ANY army with good barrage/ ignore LOS (Read: Tau and IG) would table you turn one. Drop pod lists could also table you before the planes come, as could heavy shunting GK. I suggest starting a vet squad or two on the table, removing flamers as necessary for more valkyrie-vendetta upgrades.

Are you aware that astropaths are psykers?

Have you thought of getting some of the makeshift barricades to use as an ADL and you can get a comms relay. Alternatively you could model a drop pod bastion for a comms relay.

Your on board presence is extremely light. Additionally the astropaths starting on the board means most games will end turn 1 when the opponent goes all out to kill the CCS.

I see no indication you have added multiple missile pods on the valks. Those are upgrades so they cost pts.

How attached are you to using grenadieer vets? You can do a very similar thing with platoons (PCS and SWS) and it is much more points efficient. It will also give you 40-80 bodies to start on the board.

Alternatively you may want to think about starting one or two of those vets on the board to hopefully survive turn 1.

Well, actually as you have them now the valkyries do not have any blasts. Did you mean to add the missile pod things for 30 pts?

I see no indication you have added multiple missile pods on the valks. Those are upgrades so they cost pts.

... Did you two forget that Valkyries come with hellstrike missiles? One shot, yes. But that is all I will need to clear the ground for a drop in assault.

Yes Ansacs, this army is fluff oriented and there is not enough room on the valks for two squads. Airborne companies are not meant to be on the ground before they jump also.

On the aegis defense line, I did have the idea (if I ever used one) that it would be a quick set up object. I would use Rhino Transport top hatches and then glue them onto bases, and
have them perceived as a deployable cover piece that would be detachable from a makeshift Space Marine Drop pod. From there I would mount... *sigh* um... should it be a hydra flack
cannon, or a comms. if comms relay then I would be able to grant the company command squad a medic.

The idea of the army is to be elite. you look at the Death Korps of Krieg and they are professionals at artillery and close combat. I want people to see this force, and see it for its mobility,
and capability to take any objective on the field quickly and effectively. This army is cheeper and actually more cost effective than the Elysian Drop Troops. (Trust me, the codex is on my lap)

 Britanica Maximus wrote:

Well, actually as you have them now the valkyries do not have any blasts. Did you mean to add the missile pod things for 30 pts?

I see no indication you have added multiple missile pods on the valks. Those are upgrades so they cost pts.

... Did you two forget that Valkyries come with hellstrike missiles? One shot, yes. But that is all I will need to clear the ground for a drop in assault.

Yes Ansacs, this army is fluff oriented and there is not enough room on the valks for two squads. Airborne companies are not meant to be on the ground before they jump also.

On the aegis defense line, I did have the idea (if I ever used one) that it would be a quick set up object. I would use Rhino Transport top hatches and then glue them onto bases, and
have them perceived as a deployable cover piece that would be detachable from a makeshift Space Marine Drop pod. From there I would mount... *sigh* um... should it be a hydra flack
cannon, or a comms. if comms relay then I would be able to grant the company command squad a medic.

The idea of the army is to be elite. you look at the Death Korps of Krieg and they are professionals at artillery and close combat. I want people to see this force, and see it for its mobility,
and capability to take any objective on the field quickly and effectively. This army is cheeper and actually more cost effective than the Elysian Drop Troops. (Trust me, the codex is on my lap)

If my memory serves me correctly, hellstrike missiles are str 8 AP 3 ordnance no blast.

Am I making a mistake?

No stormlord. you are correct.It would seem that I have mixed up the Hell Fury Missle with the Hellstrike.

Correcting my Armylist now. Check first posting to see the difference.

Now your army isn't legal because you have double FOC for the six Vendettas but only one HQ.

Anyway, you should use the Elysian drop troops list in IA3 if you want to make an air cav list.

 Peregrine wrote:
Now your army isn't legal because you have double FOC for the six Vendettas but only one HQ.

Anyway, you should use the Elysian drop troops list in IA3 if you want to make an air cav list.

Well, then I will have to just merge the six vendettas into squads of 2. Two of them with the twin-linked Lascannon load-out, while the other with the Hell Fury Missiles.

Thank you for pointing that out to me Peregrine. *goes to edit the list again*

One the note of the Elysian drop troops, their Veterans have -1 to BS, and are 10 points more expensive. Why? Because of their deep strike special rule, and because their
heavy weapons teams have BS 4 and WS 4. I prefer having a mobile squad that can assault from the drop. Second turn the vendettas reach havoc while in flight mode. Turn 3
they go to hover mode, drop, and the infantry move out without any counter effects that would prevent them from assaulting that turn. The goal is to make them capable of killing
a single team contesting an objective. The vendettas sweep three targets on the first turn on the board, two more on the second, and the infantry take out 3-6 on the second as
well. on the over all fourth turn of the battle, four of the objectives should be in IG hands.

With Elysian drop troops I could give up my special weapons and my side mounted Heavy Bolters, and replace them with heavy weapons and... well that is pretty much it. So in
the end, coming from the main codex is the right path for an elite drop infantry company.

 Britanica Maximus wrote:
One the note of the Elysian drop troops, their Veterans have -1 to BS, and are 10 points more expensive.

No they don't. Elysian veterans are BS 4 just like all other IG veterans.

(The unit entry in IA8 had a cut and paste typo which was FAQed and then fixed in IA3.)

Turn 3 they go to hover mode, drop, and the infantry move out without any counter effects that would prevent them from assaulting that turn.

You need to go review the 6th edition rules on assaulting out of vehicles. It doesn't work like 5th anymore, the vehicle not moving before you disembark no longer allows you to assault. The only way to assault out of a vehicle in 6th is to have the assault vehicle rule (including open-topped vehicles), and Valkyries/Vendettas do not have it.

REDACTED - do NOT link to pirated material on Dakka. Ever. --Janthkin

 Britanica Maximus wrote:
Now wait a minute. how does a IA3 (an older version of the imperial armor books) have a FAQ about IA8 (an older version in the Imperial Armor books).

Because IA3 second edition was just published. The fluff is the same as the old book, but it has entirely new and updated 6th edition rules.

besides, here is the link to their codex
http://www.piracyisbad.com/dontbeapirate
It is on page 18.

First of all, linking to pirated copies of GW books is against forum rules, so don't do it.

Second, that's IA8. Which, as I said, has a typo in the veteran entry that was fixed by FAQ soon after the book was published. The current Elysian rules are now in IA3, where veterans have BS 4 just like every other IG veteran squad.

The only armys that I can think of that can wipe them out in one turn are A: Eldar (dark Eldar included) and Tau. Because tau are evil.

Or anyone, really. You're talking about 60 T3/4+ infantry models, that's not exactly hard to kill once they disembark from their transports.

alright. I am sorry. I will not link again.

But the vets are still 80 pts a pop. not sure if I want to spend an additional 10 points per squad just to make the Valkyrie dedicated transports.

yes it is easy to kill 60 IG, but not after three orbital bombbardments, 28 twin linked lascannon shots, four hellfury missiles, twelve heavy bolter rounds, and 18 melta (or 6 heavy flamer and 12 flamer) shots. fighting thirteen targets is difficult. The reason why Tau can do it, is because they are a shooty army. The reason why Eldar can do it, is because I am mimicking a similar Dark Eldar army that my friend does.

Also, if you think it is poor, how would you improve it? If it is by using the Elysian Codex, how so? Please, details.

 Britanica Maximus wrote:
Also, if you think it is poor, how would you improve it? If it is by using the Elysian Codex, how so? Please, details.

1) Elysians have "combat drop", a rule that lets you deep strike half your Valkyries (no Vendettas) on turn 1. This removes the problem where you have only a single 6-man squad of guardsmen on the table and an extremely high risk of losing the game automatically before any of your reserves arrive.

2) Remove demolitions and carapace armor. The 360 points you save will buy you a pair of Avengers, which will add much more firepower.

3) Add a Vulture or two with punisher cannons. Again, more firepower. Pay for it by scaling back the troops to 3-4 units, your flyers do most of the killing while the infantry disembark late to claim objectives. You have the option to disembark early and melta something, but you will very rarely want six squads doing it.

I run a similar list with my IG as well (when being forced to not play it out of IA3) and having played this army extensiviley since 6th came out there are a few things about your list that caught my eye, also this is advice towards IF you want to stay with the standard IG Codex:

-First off, two few men on the board to start the game. Even with the Aegis Defense Line and camo cloaks certain armies (like Tau, Drop Pod, IG ect) will wipe out those guys in a heartbeat meaning you lose the game turn 1. What I like to do is take two squads of my Veterans and run them as my "pathfinders" soldiers who jumped in either the previous night or even days to scout and recon the area and call in the cavalry.

-Second, your Veterans Loadout is to pricy. If you really want the demo charge (yes they are good) keep demolitions but drop the Grenadiers Doctrine, this is an alpha strike list and chances are if you dont do enough damage when you come in you will die anyways. Heavy Flamers are overpriced (yes they are amazing and I love them) but for 20pts. a weapon they are not worth it.

Personally with my Vets I run plasma spam as it is the best universal weapon (for infantry and light to medium armor) we have and have had lots of success with them, especially since the new Eldar book as both Wraithguard and Wraithknights have become very popular. I also take the demolition charge doctine once in a while depending if I have the points to spare.

-I would not recommend replacing the Twin Linked Lascannons for the Hell Fury missiles on your Vendetta. The Vendetta is there to help you with any Mech, MC or Armor heavy lists, that and they are excellent anti-air options. I am also not to big a fan of the squadrons of Flyers but you are going for an air cav theme then take a squadron of x2 Valks with Rocket Pods.

-Now if you are wanting to make your list a little more surviveable you could even take some Leman Russ tanks. Before you say "thats not airborne or air assault" take a look at this bad boy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M551_Sheridan. This tank was dropped out of a plane right into combat which fits an air assault theme quite nicely. I personally have x2 "Raptor Dop Tanks" as I like to call them and run them as Leman Russ Exterminators or Eradicators. I do a sick conversion with a Chimera Chasis and a model kit from "Chapterhouse" which makes them look amazing.

With the fluff of the Skytalon (found in IA3 or IA8) its easy to imagine them being dropped off onto the battlefield to fight. Also from a "Gameplay Tactica" point of view it will make your guys much more surviveable so you dont lose turn one as you have x2 armor 14 vehicles on the table that can shred infantry.

Here is an example of what I do, I took this 1650pt. list to a tournament of 16 people and got 4th place,losing a close game to the guy who won the whole thing with the new Eldar:

HQ:

-Company Command Squad
*w/ x4 Plasma Guns, Astropath & Officer of the Fleet

ELITE:

-Marbo

TROOPS: 575pts.

- (x5) Veteran Squads
*w/ x3 Plasma Guns (* x3 of them in Vendettas*)

FAST ATTACK:

- (x3) Vendetta Gunships (*Veteran Squad Here*)
*w/ Door Gunners

HEAVY SUPPORT:

-(x2) "Raptor Drop Tanks" (*Leman Russ Eradicator*)
*w/ Hull Heavy Bolter

-Aegis Defense Line
*w/ Quad Gun

TOTAL ARMY: 1650 POINTS

Hope this helps man, if you have any questions feel free to ask. Am more then happy to assist a fellow Airborne (or) Air Assault Commander! Peregrine did a great job describing the IA3 but if you have more questions about that as well am more then happy to help.

 gmaleron wrote:
NEVER replace the Twin Linked Lascannons for the Hell Fury missiles on your Vendetta, if you want to do that take a Valkyrie as it is 30pts. cheaper without door gunners.

You're confused here. Hellstrike missiles are the no-blast ordnance missiles the Valkyrie gets by default. They suck. Hellfury missiles are the large blast flamer missiles the Vendetta can take. Rocket pods are the anti-infantry blast weapons the Valkyrie can take for 30 points. So if you have a Valkyrie that's doing similar anti-infantry shooting it's going to cost the same price as a Vendetta, except the Vendetta gets to ignore cover and still has a TL LC instead of a single multilaser. Really the only reason to take Valkyries is if they're dedicated transports.

 Peregrine wrote:

 gmaleron wrote:
NEVER replace the Twin Linked Lascannons for the Hell Fury missiles on your Vendetta, if you want to do that take a Valkyrie as it is 30pts. cheaper without door gunners.

You're confused here. Hellstrike missiles are the no-blast ordnance missiles the Valkyrie gets by default. They suck. Hellfury missiles are the large blast flamer missiles the Vendetta can take. Rocket pods are the anti-infantry blast weapons the Valkyrie can take for 30 points. So if you have a Valkyrie that's doing similar anti-infantry shooting it's going to cost the same price as a Vendetta, except the Vendetta gets to ignore cover and still has a TL LC instead of a single multilaser. Really the only reason to take Valkyries is if they're dedicated transports.

Got the missiles mixed up what with them both beginning with Hell and all above post has been edited!

I see what you are saying Gmaleron, but I cannot break fluff. This is a heavily fluff based army. To drop them to flack, would to make them like any other IG, and I would go with the Elysian Drop companies. Instead, I am going with a heavy infantry list. Also the flamers are only for when I fight orks and such. the AP 4 will work marvels on nobs or even Tau fire warriors. But if I fight an army like space marines or eldar or necrons, I can swap out the heavy flamer and two flamers for three melta. The idea of this army is to hit hard and hit fast (very much like the Elysian drop troops), but with heavy fluff, and obvious setbacks. This is to make the games challenging and fun. I am an excessively competitively person, and if I do not put a handicap on myself, I end up being like the Dark Eldar player at the pace I play at. No one ever plays against him, and he only comes to tournaments to get first place every time. It is just not fun playing with a person who is kicking your ass every game. Make a few rules, and set yourself some limits, and people actually play with you. That is why I gave up Space Marines. No one would play against me if I fielded stern guard or honor guard with land raider Spartans or redeemers.