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So based on the responses from this thread I figured I'd give a stab at at a Drop Pod list with a mini-centstar.

Primary Detachment: Space Marines.
Chapter Tactics: Salamanders

HQ: Chapter Master (Thunder Hammer, Shield Eternal, Artificer Armor, Bike) 250
HQ: Vulkan He'Stan 190

Elites: 5xSternguard (5xCombi-Melta), Drop Pod (Storm Bolter) 205

Troops: 10xTactical Marine (Combi-Melta, Meltagun), Drop Pod (Storm Bolter) 195
Troops: 10xTactical Marine (Combi-Melta, Meltagun), Drop Pod (Storm Bolter) 195

Fast Attack: 3xMarine Biker (2xGrav-gun) 114

Heavy Support: 3xCenturion Devastator (3xGrav-Cannon w/Grav Amp, 3xMissile Launcher, Omniscope) 290
Heavy Support: Thunderfire Cannon 100

Allied Detachment: Space Wolves

HQ: Rune Priest (ML: 2, Rune Axe, Bolt Pistol, Runic Armor, Psychic Hood) 120

Troops: 9xGrey Hunter (7x Bolter, 1xPlasma Gun, 1xPower Axe, 9xBolt Pistol) Drop Pod (Storm Bolter) 191

Fast Attack: 1xDrop Pod (Storm Bolter) 35

Grav Cents ride in the spare SW Drop Pod with the Rune Priest while Vulkan catches a ride with the Grey Hunters. With 5 drop pods the split will typically be Sternguard+both Tacticals on the first turn if the enemy is vehicle heavy and Sternguard+Grav Cents+Grey Hunters first if the enemy is troop heavy. The CM will usually use the bike squad to get up the field to attach to the Grav Cents as soon as they drop.

I'm open to suggestions on improvements...the only sticking point I have is that I want to keep with the Salamanders Chapter Tactics.

I'm not entirely sold on the concept though, so here's a straight forward Sallie DP list I'm looking at as well:



Any thoughts on either list?

As for the first list, I'm not sure centurions can go in drop pods. I think they're limited to Land Raiders.

I like the second list better. The only thing I can think of is that those Multi Meltas won't be able to fire on the turn you drop in. if you drop a few, you can put deathwind launchers on some of your drop pods but that's just me. otherwise it looks cool.

I think the Multi-meltas will work for post-alpha strike. You still drop with two shots (Combi-melta and meltagun) and then after the Combi round is spent, you have a larger melta weapon to compensate. The downside is that it won't benefit you if you intend on moving a lot. An alternative usage would be to use a Librarian w/ Biomancy and hope for Endurance to give them FNP and Relentless...

Technically the Multi-meltas can fire, they'll just snap-fire. Vulkan mitigates that by making them master-crafted.

The Centurions are not using their own drop pod, they're borrowing the FA one from the Space Wolves, and those drop pods do not seem to have a restriction on the bulkiness of the model riding in them.

A command squad with 5x meltaguns in a pod is both better and cheaper than the Sternguard. The 5 man unit is basically a throw away after their initial drop but even if they survive meltaguns will be better than the special ammo. Save the points.

Also, the centurion star is a great idea. I would in list one also forgo the CM of doom and bike squad for more melta equipped squads. Additionally the tacs you have need MM. I would also think about taking an assault squad with just 5 guys, 2 flamers, and their free drop pod for Vulkan to ride with. You may also consider boosting the SW squad to the plasma bomb squad, 10 GH 2x PG, plasma pistol, and combi-plasma on the WG leader in pod.

See this thread for more info on my salamanders drop pod list.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/630020.page

 OverwatchCNC wrote:
A command squad with 5x meltaguns in a pod is both better and cheaper than the Sternguard. The 5 man unit is basically a throw away after their initial drop but even if they survive meltaguns will be better than the special ammo. Save the points.

Cheaper, certainly. Better? I don't think so.

Melta limits you to a 12 inch range, so basically you have to be prepared to take a charge from anything you don't kill immediately, and the command squad aren't made to take a proper hit if you're kitting them all with melta. At least with 5 Sternguard you can pump out 10 rapid fire shots, picking your ammo carefully for maximum effect in the circumstances. Granted, you can take an Apoc with the CS to help them survive, but then you reduce your output by one melta shot. More shots is always better on a 'maybe they survive, maybe they don't' squad, and sternguard offer versatility-you actually have a chance at doing a decent amount of extra damage than just your initial target. Place your drop pod carefully, pump the nearest tank full of melta, and then fire bolters for as long as you can.

If you wanted a compromise, take your 5 Sternguard, but kit one or two of them out with a proper Melta in place of the combi. But I probably wouldn't be doing that.

Neat idea with centurions.

You guys not like breaking the squads into 5s to increase the number of sgts (characters) with MC'd weapons?

skolirvarden wrote:

 OverwatchCNC wrote:
A command squad with 5x meltaguns in a pod is both better and cheaper than the Sternguard. The 5 man unit is basically a throw away after their initial drop but even if they survive meltaguns will be better than the special ammo. Save the points.

Cheaper, certainly. Better? I don't think so.

Melta limits you to a 12 inch range, so basically you have to be prepared to take a charge from anything you don't kill immediately, and the command squad aren't made to take a proper hit if you're kitting them all with melta. At least with 5 Sternguard you can pump out 10 rapid fire shots, picking your ammo carefully for maximum effect in the circumstances. Granted, you can take an Apoc with the CS to help them survive, but then you reduce your output by one melta shot. More shots is always better on a 'maybe they survive, maybe they don't' squad, and sternguard offer versatility-you actually have a chance at doing a decent amount of extra damage than just your initial target. Place your drop pod carefully, pump the nearest tank full of melta, and then fire bolters for as long as you can.

If you wanted a compromise, take your 5 Sternguard, but kit one or two of them out with a proper Melta in place of the combi. But I probably wouldn't be doing that.

Yeah, this pretty much is the reason why I'd want to go Sternguard over Command Squad. I figure that I'm not going to get more than one melta shot off on the drop, and in cases where my opponent doesn't give me something to melta, I can instead rapid fire with the special ammo.



I can say I'm not a huge fan of the CM...there's too many working parts to get him linked in with the cent-star. I may drop him for a LotD squad. Not 100% sure what I'm going to do with the bikes yet, may replace with the Assault squad as mentioned.

YMMV certainly but for me running 9 Drop Pods the double command squads with 5 MG and 4 MG bare bones in Pods have been especially efficient for their points. I would take overwatching a unit with 5-3 meltaguns (re-rolling to get those 6s) over the special ammo any day. Just my own anecdotal experiences talking of course but point for point I can't find a melta bomb unit better than a Command Squad for Vulkan lists with the exception of LotD.

Perhaps that's the difference between us, if I am going to use the elites slot I think I would rather take the LotD squads and take the big melta bomb unit more cheaply from the HQ section. But whatever works for you!

On the cents give the sgt tl lascannon instead with the omniscope he can pop a tank while rest of squad lays down the mobs