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I've been tinkering with a few lists and they are all very similar. I know most people's first reaction is the lack of troops. I agree to some extent that it is relatively low, but I've been combat squading and walking 5 on board edge and the other 5 (with Melta/Combi-Melta) in pods. I've had pretty good success with it.

HQ (1/2)
Vulkan He’stan – 190
- Master-crafted Bolt Pistol
- Heavy Flamer
5 Command Squad – 230
+ Apothecary
+ Master-crafted Meltagun/Storm Shield
+ Master-crafted Meltagun/Storm Shield
+ Master-crafted Meltagun/Storm Shield
+ Master-crafted Meltagun/Storm Shield
+ Drop Pod

Elites (2/3)
10 Sternguard Veteran Squad – 355
+ Master-crafted Boltgun (Sergeant)
+ Master-crafted Combi-Melta (x9)
+ Drop Pod
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad – 263
+ Master-crafted Boltgun (Sergeant)
+ Heavy Flamer
+ Heavy Flamer
+ Drop Pod

Troops (2/6)
10 Tactical Squad – 190
+ Master-crafted Combi-Flamer (Sergeant)
+ Flamer
+ Drop Pod
10 Tactical Squad – 190
+ Master-crafted Combi-Flamer (Sergeant)
+ Flamer
+ Drop Pod

Fast Attack (2/3)
3 Bike Squad – 103
+ Master-crafted Combi-Grav (Sergeant)
+ Grav-gun
+ Grav-gun
3 Bike Squad – 103
+ Master-crafted Combi-Grav (Sergeant)
+ Grav-gun
+ Grav-gun

Heavy Support (3/3)
Stalker – 75
Stalker – 75
Stalker – 75

Total: 1849/1850

The list seems pretty solid. I actually really like the Melta-Command Squad as that seems to be a tough unit to crack. I don't think you really need that many Combi-M in that Sternguard squad. I would drop a few and round out that second squad. Other than that...good list.

Unfortunately, in order to make that flamer sternguard I have to make it 9 + Vulcan, which means no Combat Squad and can't really add Combi in there except more Combi-Flamers. On the other hand, I can combat squad the Melta Stern and make them 5 and 4 meltas on each. Therefore, cracking 2 vehicles almost guaranteed (if in Melta range).

Thanks. I don't really know where to throw the 50 pts from that melta squad anywhere else without changing the list formation. 4 Meltas usually kill something, so I figured with 9 I can combat squad and pop 2 things on Turn1.

Thanks for advice Always welcomed here.

Take out the stalkers add a drop pod with assult marines and flamers

Disagree, 3 stalkers will murder any air units before they come on.

So, I've been slow building a Sally force for some time in preparation for a RTT layer this year. I've been playing with lists extensively trying to find an optimized path for them and they have many similarities to yours.

The Vulcan in command or flame stern is one I haven't gotten an answer to yet. Just as viable as the quad melt would be quad flame, which allows him a ride with purpose and your other stern to 8x melt as well with combat. I'm not certain which is better, but I lean towards flame command.

Spending so much on shields makes me feel obligated to have a followup melee Hq. Lose a few or gain a beat stick I'd suggest.

The lists I drew never have AA. Again, I don't know if this is wise, but it seems to me a Sally drop is 100% about turn one kidney punching. You need to maximize the punch, else following turns wont much matter as you've put expensive tactical at his door step. I dig the bikes though, haven't considered that.

I've played a Vulkan drop-pod list for most of 6th edition now, and there's one change in the new codex I like: Each character gets a free Master Crafted weapon.

I like to take advantage of this by equipping the sgt. in tac squads with a combi-plasma (probably won't burn himself and gets an extra shot over meltas). Or, you can think about other generic hero characters like a Chapter Master or Captain to go with the command squad/sternguard squads to tank wounds out of the pod.

Something to throw out there - Have you tried Vlukan, a Captain (maybe in term armor with master crafted p.fist or something?) and 2 command squad pods (instead of sternguard maybe) like you have laid out? That could be pretty durable to pop 2 vehicles/bastion on turn 1, all with 3++, allowing safe entry for the troops next turn?

Something else to think about, if you take a grav bike squad, you can put a beefy chapter master on a bike with them and give him a storm shield, art. armor, p. fist, (master crafted) combi-grav and you would have 12 grav shots, 6 of which are re-rolling misses... not a bad thing to back up your podding-in troops (and they'd be scoring troops!). This also helps against mobile monstrous creatures which tend to give these lists trouble.

On another note, I like to put Vulkan with 5 sternguard: 2 heavy flamers, 2 combi-flamers, combi-plasma sgt. to come in turn 2 and just cut a path through exposed infantry. He synergizes well with the other flamers in that unit and also won't give up warlord turn 1 like he can sometimes do.

I also like multi-meltas on the tac squads because not only is it some good anti-air (last resort), but can reach out to 24" if you need to try to kill one or two models on an objective while sitting on one yourself at the end of the game (forcing an AP hit on a squad of 5 guys who ran on late-game can be critical in forcing that one more wound to case a morale check).

Anyway, glad to see someone else playing Salamanders in pods still, it's a fun army!