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This isn't a list intended for tournament play, it's more for learning the game properly. I want to make sure it doesn't suck and I won't be losing all the time though. With both these lists I've got a little flexibility to use different minis to suit occasions.

Librarian, auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 5 additional marines, 3 combimelta, drop pod 295
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

OR

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 2 combimelta, drop pod 175
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

I think for learning the game both these lists are fine - fun, flexible and will give you experience of all the phases and the more common unit types. Only question I would ask is why Iron Hands? If you just like the way they look or the fluff behind them that's fine, but if you were picking them for the general durability buff then I might reconsider the CT if I were you.

Generally though, I would say you lists are ok - the 10 man sternguard unit is a bit expensive at 1000 pts (almost a third of your force!) Also TAC squads are generally best maxed out to 10 men, as you can combat squad them (a big advantage in missions - two obsec units for the price of one, plus you only give up the kill point VP if both squads are destroyed).

If you are going to stick with Iron Hands you might also want to pick some more vehicles to take advantage of IWND - the dreads are a good start, maybe a Predator as well? Also upgrade the Libby to lv2 if you have the points.

Also scouts - at 55 pts well worth the investment, infiltrating obsec units, always good for camping on mid table objectives.

I'm for Iron Hands because of the aesthetics and fluff. Sounds lie the 1st one is too many eggs in one basket, which I expected. So I guess I should build on the 2nd one?
Are the Sternguard even worth taking at all? For 155 base with transport, I could get another Dread and more for that...

Librarian, auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 2 combimelta, drop pod 175
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, las sponsons 115
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Librarian, auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 2 combimelta, drop pod 175
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, las sponsons 115
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, heavy bolter sponsons 95
Scout squad with cloaks 65
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Tactical squad, plasma gun, meltabomb, 5 additional marines drop pod 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, meltabomb, 5 additional marines drop pod 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, heavy bolter sponsons 95
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

When it comes to the Sternguard, you'll need more than 2 melta shots to guarantee they do their job on the turn they arrive, so I'd load up that squad with at least 4 or 5. I'm a fan of overkill, because only once something is dead, is it no longer a threat... plus they're fun to use and learn with.

The librarian is good with the auspex to help the sternguard.

As for the Tac Squads, I'd use rhinos when learning because the versatility of the transport allows for so many tactical choices, and it can move to secure you an objective; you can learn to block LOS with them, combat squad inside them and dump out one 5-man squad on each side of it, tank shock, flat out to get an objective, etc. They are a really great tool. I like the plasma gun on the tac squads because it provides a nice long-distance shot that works while moving or remaining stationary.

I'd lose the Dreadnought... they're too lack-luster for a learning game. Or, you could pick up an Ironclad with dual heavy flamers to try and roast some infantry after your sternguard break open a transport... that could be fun.

Scouts are really great in a land speeder storm (again with the transport thing) and it has so many tools available... I'd take that or just take some on-foot with bolters and outflank them late-game.

The Stormtalon is great - keep that.

The idea is to use the dread(s) to pop a big nasty target on turn 1 and try make their points back. I want to take them cus I don't really like Ironclads and they fit in thematically. The sternguard really only have the combis to take out smaller threats like popping open transports.

So far my favorite list is:

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, drop pod 155
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

I could drop 5 tacticals for some scouts?

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, drop pod 155
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Scout squad, camo cloaks, bolters, melta bomb, 70
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Or just drop the sternguard and go for 2 predators?

Librarian auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Tactical squad, plasma gun, meltabomb, 5 additional marines drop pod 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, meltabomb, 5 additional marines rhino 195
Predator, tri las 140
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125
OR
Librarian auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Scout squad, bolters 55
Predator, heavy bolter sponsons 95
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125


General brainstorming:

Librarian, auspex and meltabomb 75
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, drop pod 155
Tactical squad, meltabomb plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Scout squad, 55
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Librarian, auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 4 combimelta drop pod 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, plasma cannon 5 additional marines rhino 205
Tactical squad, plasma gun, plasma cannon 5 additional marines rhino 205
Scout squad, 55
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125
10 spare

Librarian, auspex 70
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, 4 combimelta drop pod 195
Tactical squad, plasma gun, plasma cannon 5 additional marines rhino 205
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

Wah! Dude, too many list! It might help your decision making to write out the roles you want these guys to play next to them.

 trephines wrote:
The idea is to use the dread(s) to pop a big nasty target on turn 1 and try make their points back. I want to take them cus I don't really like Ironclads and they fit in thematically. The sternguard really only have the combis to take out smaller threats like popping open transports.

With its one MM shot on arrival, the dread is not that likely to be popping anything, and he is expensive for what he offers. It is probably more cost effective to have your sternguard going for the alpha strike kill with combimeltas, as you have more chances to hit/pen and you will get more use out of them if they survive.

Another alternative to Sternguard is a Command Squad with MM/PG set up - you trade out the special ammo for special weapons at the same cost, and for a few more points can be made very durable with SS for one or two. You could also take a LotD unit with meltapod set up, around the cost of a dread but infinitely more versatile.

How about;

Libby, auspex, 70 (with Sternguard - Psychic buffs)

Scouts, (Obsec/Fire Support/Outflanking) 55
TAC, PG, PC, Rhino 205 (Obsec/Fire Support) 205
TAC, MG, MM, Rhino 195 (Obsec/Fire Support) 195

Sterguard, 4x Combiplasma, DP (MEQ/Light AT Alpha Strike) 195
LotD, MM, MG, Combimelta (AT Beta Strike) 155
Storm Talon, Skyhammer 125 (AA /Ground Support)

TOTAL 1000 pts

Only issue I would have with this list is that it doesn't really max the Iron Hands CT, but I think it is more effective that just filling the list with Dreads and Preds and will probably do better all round.

I want to stick to the Iron Hands theme and keep the focus on vehicles really.

LLibrarian, 65
Sternguard squad, drop pod 155
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, rhino 120
Whirlwind 65
Predator, tri las 140
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

In that case I think this list is probably fine - not sure whether Preds are a slightly better return on Dreads for the points (more fire power but no deep strike or extra scoring unit in DP), you might want to see if you can squeeze a tech marine in there for the extra blessing buff. Either that or go with MotF for your HQ choice.

Also, if the Troops are only for Obec, you might be better off going for less TACs and more scouts - they can infiltrate pretty much where you want them first turn so no need for transport, and can just sit and shoot, allowing more points for vehicles.

Librarian, 65
Sternguard x5, drop pod 155
Scouts, ML 70
Scouts, ML 70
Scouts, ML 70
Dread, MM, TL AC, DP 150
Whirlwind 65
Predator, las sponson 115
Predator, las sponson 115
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125

1000 pts

A nice trick is to spam LR / Stor Raven with a Tech marine inside, making them very durable indeed, but at 1000pts its very difficult to do.

I've already got the tacticals, a rhino and librarian, so I won't be dropping them.

I'm pretty set on this list, does it have any major shortcomings. The dreadnought could possibly be dropped, but I'd want to replace it with at least another anti-tank vehicle.

Librarian, 65
Dreadnought, multi melta and drop pod 135
Sternguard squad, drop pod 155
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines drop pod 190
Tactical squad, plasma gun, 5 additional marines rhino 190
Predator, tri las 140
Stormtalon, skyhammer missile launcher & assault cannon 125