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Just bought the new dex. Whilst we have lost quite a lot, our gains outweigh our losses at first glance imo.
But that's not what this thread is about. I want to look at how amazing BA seem to be as a pod force now.
Here's my thoughts on why BA are so effective as a pod army now:

-Podded Furioso's were always a strong choice. Yes we've lost the old magna grapples, but the price of a frag/hf is now 5pts cheaper. Better alpha strike than any other meq dread aside from the flamestorm dread from IA:2.
-Assault Marines are 15pts cheaper for the squad now. Can take 2 spec weapons for every 5 men, and the sarge can take a combi or 2 spec pistols. With the access of free pods that means for a mere 115 flashlights, you can grab a squad with 2 meltas, a combi-melta and pod. For 10 flashlights more these could all be plasma.
-Tac squads can take heavy flamers. A 10man tac squad could give a great alpha strike with a hf, a flamer and a combi-flamer in a pod for just the cost of two thunderfire cannons. Then having a solid presence in the opponents deployment zone (see below for the extra advantages this squad has over vanilla tacs aside from the HF).
-Command squads do not need unlocking, have a free Narthecium and a champion, so you could grab a command squad with 3 melta, fnp and pod for just 165 flashlights.

Also pods get you close to the enemy, BA having +1s and +1I (with formation) on the charge really benefits pod tactics. You could take sternguard for example for an ultimate all rounder unit, get them a way to get endurance (allied Loth or Tigurius), throw in mephiston and a pf on the sarge for combat and you have a unit with devestating shooting, good durability and great combat abilities. It also makes the tac squads in an opponents deployment zone far more versitile and dangerous. Especially if a nearby priest joins them (then the squad will have +1s and +1I on the charge, as well as +1ws and fnp from the priest).

Podded units will then take firepower/pressure off our newly cheaper jp units (DC/SG)

Imo the most impressive is the firepower per point that podded assault squads bring.

Bring in some Battle Brother allies and put them in the FA slot pods as well (the usual centurions or demo charge guardsmen).

What do you think?

I don't know if Blood Angels are the best Drop Pod army, but I'm definitely building Drop Pods for my Blood Angels.

Best? Absolutely not. Bring a different kind of pod army to the table? Of course! Each marine army with pods excels at something different than the rest. Each has different units it can deliver with different results. BA is NOT the best.bits equal to the rest.

 adamsouza wrote:
I don't know if Blood Angels are the best Drop Pod army, but I'm definitely building Drop Pods for my Blood Angels.

oooohhh
i whant this pod too!!!
(i have one cardboard pod that's a bit fugly, and it was a real pain in the bottom of the power armor to assemble x_x

Templates for the Drop Pod are in my P&M Blog

"Best" drop pods are still, and likely ever be (until changed that is) the FW "Star Phantoms"
These guys have a brutal alpha strike (and improved anti-assault protection on turn 1 in the form of improved overwatch-basically you can pick any turn for your "twin link everything", but you will always pick turn 1.), and quicker drop of following pods.