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So I have picked up the space marine codex to add to my collection and have started building a small force, and this is being built around what type of list I would want to play.

HQ
Chief Librarian Tigurius

Troops
9 Tactical Marines with Combi-grav and Grav Gun with Rhino (186)
10 Tactical Marines with Combi-plas and Plasma Gun with Rhino (200)

Elites
10 Sternguard Veterans, 9 Combi-Melta with Drop Pod (355)

Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship with Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)
Stormtalon Gunship with Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Heavy Support
Stalker with Storm Bolter and 2 Hunter-killer Missiles (100)
3 Cenutrions with Grav-cannons and Grav Amps (250)

Tigurius goes with the 9 man tactical squad, all of these squads combat squad to give more objective control and fire targets.

Sternguards drop in Turn 1, blow up transports, and then use their special issue ammunition to put some serious pain into the enemy.

Centurions start behind cover, move 6" and just wreck anything in their path.

Suggestions to improve this would be grand!

Combi melta's are to expensive on sternguard no. I would drop all but 2-3 on them and rely on the chapter tactics of giving them rerolls the turn they drop.

Also with the stalker I don't know if you need a second stormtalon, I'd prefer a thunderfire cannon to help thin hoards out and potentially snipe troublesome modles.

I agree with Pony. Or maybe drop it down to 2 5-man sternguard squads each in a different drop pod (unless you meant that the Sternguard are combat squading as well). 2-3 combi-melta in each 5-man squad.

For the Centurians I'd take missile launchers and the splitfire/night fire upgrade on the SGT. SUre more expensive but they can put out a LOT of stong firepower and gives you some blast templates to work with if you go against mob army.

I like the Hunter Killer missile on the stalker.

why not take out combi plas in 10 man tac squad for a plasma cannon> sure ull need to find 5 points but will be worth it.

10 combi meltas? overkill. you know what people will do when they see those come in and pop a tank? kill them. those sterngaurd will die by next turn.

so heres an overview of the 2 optoions.....
1: 10 man with combi meltas. come in blow a tank then die.
2: 5 man squad with 5 combi meltas. comes in blows a tank then dies. and save a CRAP load of points.

Well I think there's lots of bad advice here so I'll try to give you some good advice:

Sternguard only need 6 combimeltas these days at 10 points a piece you don't want to over spend. Use Tactical doctrine to ensure you get enough hits save 30 points still kill 2 tanks turn 1.

However solo drop pods are never a good idea. With Tau interceptor is everywhere and that solo pod just becomes a way that you guarantee first blood to your opponent. You should go all pod or no pod. Isolated pods get killed.

Grav guns on non-relentless units are only viable if the unit is static. On your tac squad I would swap over to plasma. It just fits in much better with their role.

Storm talons need to be used in pairs so that's good. Stalker has lots of unnecessary equipment but there are worse ways to spend 25points, but that is the fat in the list that can be cut.

For me Centurions need a 3++ character leading them to tank ap2 shots over wise a single Vindicator shell ruins 250 points. MLs are not a good idea on them unless taken with lascannons and that is an overcosted option unless IF is your chapter tactics.

Largely this looks like a midfield gunline. Perhaps an ADL would help. Sternguard are good but melta ones don't fit here. Get a different delivery system or drop them entirely. I'd get an Eternal Shield toting character for the Cents too with those points.

The reason for the equipment on the stalker was purely because I had 25 points left to spend, and couldn't buy anything on anything else..

Excluding Tau - a 10 man squad of sternguard combat squadding in a drop pod is a very good idea?

With regards to Tau Interceptor, do they only have interceptor on Riptides? What units can have interceptor.

I agree with you on the tac squad with grav weaponry, I forgot that they can only shoot 2 shots at half range, which is 9" which makes it crap.

Taking on-board your advice - I have revised the list (still keeping it at 1500 points)

HQ
Chief Librarian Tigurius
Librarian with Shield Eternal (115)

Troops
5 Man Tactical Squad (Combi-Plasma, Plasma Gun) w/ Rhino (130)
10 Man Tactical Squad (Combi-Plasma, Plasma Gun) w/ Rhino (200)

Elites
10 Sternguard Veterans w/ 6 Combi-Meltas in Drop Pod (325)

Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship w/ Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)
Stormtalon Gunship w/ Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Heavy Support
Stalker (75)
3 Centurions with Grav Cannons and Grav Amps (250)

This is over the points limit.. I am debating taking the stalker out which will leave me with 65 points to spend elsewhere.

Would that be the better option than having to cut a space marine and losing my ability to combat squad?

Very light on troops. I'd drop the stalker and a couple of combis to max out the smaller tac squad. Even then you've only got two scoring units which is still not enough for 1500 IMO. Try and squeeze in another tac squad or maybe some snipers?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
You don't need two hq at this level, just take tigurius to buff the cents, drop other Libby. A third troop choice is much more important than a second hq. you need to prioritize.

One tactical squad combat squads - so that is 3 troops choices. The Librarian with shield eternal is because he stands at the front of the centurions with a 3+ invunerable save and eternal warrior meaning my centurions can advance.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And at 1500 points it is very hard to get any more than 3 troops choices without comprising your ability to destroy the enemy with your fast attack and heavy support choices

Jamo wrote:
Very light on troops. I'd drop the stalker and a couple of combis to max out the smaller tac squad. Even then you've only got two scoring units which is still not enough for 1500 IMO. Try and squeeze in another tac squad or maybe some snipers?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
You don't need two hq at this level, just take tigurius to buff the cents, drop other Libby. A third troop choice is much more important than a second hq. you need to prioritize.

I have to disagree with everything said here. You don't want more than 20 tactical marines at 1500 ever. Whilst the Shield HQ is vital for the Centurions.

15 Scoring MEQs is fine at 1500 if your list carries enough threat elsewhere. Heck you can get away with it at 1750.

As for Interceptor for Tau any battlesuit can take it. Riptides will basically always have it as will broadsides. In Enclave lists double plasma crisis are also likely to have it (that's 12 plasma shots from 3 suits).

Whilst Riptides are the big concern with S8 AP2 large blasts, broadsides will kill a 5 man squad easily with 24 twin linked shots...

But even against non-Tau those 10 marines fire once then die are they going to consistently do 325points of damage in 1 turn? You need to give your opponent other threats to deal withat the same time or you allow him to deal with your aArny piece meal.

Okay - so removing the sternguard and drop pod frees up 325 points, and as I was 10 points over that is 315 points to spend. Troops are fine and so is the anti air I believe.

HQ
Chief Librarian Tigurius (Warlord)

Troops
5 Man Tactical Squad with Plasma Gun in Rhino(120)
5 Man Tactical Squad with Combi-Plasma and Plasma Gun in Rhino (130)

Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship w/ Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Heavy Support
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield (135)
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield (135)
Stalker (75)

Iron Hands HQ
Librarian with Shield Eternal (115)

Iron Hands Troops
5 Man Tactical Squad with Plasma Gun and Combi-Plasma with Rhino (130)

Iron Hands Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship with Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Iron Hands Heavy Support
3 Centurions with Grav-cannons and Grav-amps (250)

Total is 1495 Points - Idea is to take full advantage of the It Will Not Die on Characters and Vehicles, hence the storm talon is in here, but I don't know whether it would be better in the primary detachment.

Another idea was to replace one of the vindicators with a 2 TL Autocannon Dreadnought and add the Combi-Plasma back onto one of the tactical squads.

That looks really solid actually. IHs make a great ally.

Thank you for all the help and knowledge helping round this out. It is very much appreciated!!

xStuuy wrote:
Okay - so removing the sternguard and drop pod frees up 325 points, and as I was 10 points over that is 315 points to spend. Troops are fine and so is the anti air I believe.

HQ
Chief Librarian Tigurius (Warlord)

Troops
5 Man Tactical Squad with Plasma Gun in Rhino(120)
5 Man Tactical Squad with Combi-Plasma and Plasma Gun in Rhino (130)

Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship w/ Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Heavy Support
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield (135)
Vindicator w/ Siege Shield (135)
Stalker (75)

Iron Hands HQ
Librarian with Shield Eternal (115)

Iron Hands Troops
5 Man Tactical Squad with Plasma Gun and Combi-Plasma with Rhino (130)

Iron Hands Fast Attack
Stormtalon Gunship with Skyhammer Missile Launcher (125)

Iron Hands Heavy Support
3 Centurions with Grav-cannons and Grav-amps (250)

Total is 1495 Points - Idea is to take full advantage of the It Will Not Die on Characters and Vehicles, hence the storm talon is in here, but I don't know whether it would be better in the primary detachment.

Another idea was to replace one of the vindicators with a 2 TL Autocannon Dreadnought and add the Combi-Plasma back onto one of the tactical squads.

very nice very nice. good luck