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I want a new project after my Eldar, and I came to the conclusion that 1) I really like Imperial Fists and 2) I really like Tempestus Scions. So I've tried my hand at combining the two in a fun list that might go to a tournament or two but not expect to get further than the top half at best. That said, I would love some advice I'm this. As I said, I love Scions, so they have to be there in one form or another. I also have started a Deathwatch counts-as Sternguard squad, so I want at least five of them as well. Now, the list:

Sentinels of Terra supplement

HAMMER OF TERRA
Librarian: The Bones of Osrak; Psyker (Mastery Level 2); boltgun 115
Master of the Forge 90

10 Tactical Marines 140
• Rhino 35
10 Tactical Marines 140
• Rhino 35

5 Sternguard Veterans: flamer 125
• Rhino 35
3 Devastator Centurions: 3× twin-linked lascannon; 3× missile launcher; Centurion Sergeant (omniscope) 290

5 Devastator Marines: 4× lascannon 150

STRIKE FORCE CAELUS
Militarum Tempestus Command Squad: 4× plasma gun; + 1 Tempestor Prime 145

4 Militarum Tempestus Scions: 2× plasma gun; + 1 Tempestor 90
4 Militarum Tempestus Scions: 2× plasma gun; + 1 Tempestor 90

1 500 points

I like it, looks fun.

What is the MotF bringing to the list though? Personally I would recycle him for another lv1 libby and give some combiweapons to the TAC serg's.

I also think the best delivery system for sternguard is a DP - puts them right in the heart of the action and gets them rapid firing special ammo turn one. Drop the HF too, maximize bolter fire. Put a libby with them as well and roll on pyromancy or telepathy (depending on opponent) for some close range killy powers.

Thanks! The MotF was an early fluffy Warlord choice. He was going to have a Conversion Beamer but I couldn't afford it in the end. I don't know why I still have him in there!

I actually had the Sternguard in a Drop Pod at first, but I was a bit uncomfortable with them being a suicide unit going in unsupported until the Scions get there in turn 2 at the earliest. Do you think the Sternguard + the ML1 libby dropping in alone would make back their points?

Mymearan wrote:
Do you think the Sternguard + the ML1 libby dropping in alone would make back their points?

They definitely can, as long as your target prioritization and placement is right. If the sternguard are naked, target infantry/command/characters and use the special ammo accordingly (normally hellfire, but not always). If you want them to take on something bigger, give them a few combi-meltas OR combi-plasmas (not both!). They are great for alpha striking, and stand a good chance of getting you first blood.

If you want them to survive longer, either give the Libby Term. Armour & SS or a relic to help tank hits away from the sternguard. Alternatively, leave the Libby out of the squad and take the full 10 sternguard and combat squad them, forcing your opponent to split his fire between them. Also, try to get the DP down near an objective as it is an AV12 ObSec unit which is quite hard to budge.

The Sentinals of Terra don't really have any durability-enhancing relics, unfortunately.

You've got no shortage of long-range tank-killing - between the devastators and centurion devastators, all with tank hunter antitank weapons, you should be able to kill a leman russ battle tank from straight through the glacis plate armour every turn without too much ado.

The Tempestus Scions give you good rapid-fire marine killing, but I'll warn you that whilst they may drop in and fry a unit or two, they have very little staying power. 5-man scions sections are basically suicide units, especially when carrying Gets Hot weapons.

One turn of rapid fire, especially with Autonomous Fire Sanctioned! can gut an enemy, so you should be okay. The tactical marines should be bailing out of their rhinos at that point, anyway.

Sternguard in a drop pod are very much a suicide unit - although massed combi weapons are expensive. You could trade out the master of the forge for a full set of combiflamers or combimeltas, which should allow you to wreck at least one person's day with confidence.