Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey mates, just finished putting my list together for a trial run so tell me what you guys think. Now note, this is only my first attempt with this list and there is a lot that could change as I am still debating exactly how I want to finalize this list. And I did check and I am allowed to take Pedro Kantor as my HQ, as he has the Imperial Fist Chapter Tactics and the rules in the SOT book state that I can use any model from the SM Codex with the IF Chapter Tactic, with the only thing changing being the Bolter Drill to the Close-Range Bolter Drill. That being said, here is my list so tell me what you guys think.

* Pedro Kantor:

*(9x) Sternguard:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 4x Combi-Meltas, 4x Combi-Plasma, Drop Pod w/Locator Beacon

* Tactical Squad Alpha:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Bravo:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Charlie:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Delta:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Devestator Squad Nova:
-w/Sgt. w/Bolter, 2x Bolters, 3x Lascannons, Drop Pod

* Devestator Squad Omega:
-w/Sgt. w/Bolter, 2x Bolters, 3x Lascannons, Drop Pod

* Stormtalon Gunship:
-w/Assault Cannon, Twin-Linked Lascannon

Total: 1846 points

Not a bad start, however I am always willing to make changes to make a more effective list if I need to. Went with Pedro as he is cheap point-wise for a Chapter Master and he has that good ability to give every SM within 12 inches +1 Attack, which could prove to be very useful. And although Sternguard are an obvious choice with Pedro, I would be willing to drop them for a Command Squad and use the points to beef up the rest of my army, while the Devastators will start on the table Turn 1, granted a risk, but it will allow me to Drop Pod in more Tac Squads turn 1. Anyways tell me what you guys think and if there are any Drop Pod Army Veterans out there please share your expertise for this noob .

I personally don't like stern/cmd sqd plasma.I'd suggest putting the plas in the tac squads. I suggest having at least one five man flamer squad that includes 2 heavy flamers to rip apart 4+ save gun lines. Tip: after shooting the heavy flamers, you can decide whether you want to fire the combiflamers or special ammo bolts.

I'd suggest grabbing a librarian for prescience and to unlock a second command squad. I'd also suggest going salamander instead of imp fists. Salamander gives you flamer wound rerolls, and then you can take vulkan to make your meltas of all varieties masterwork for free. It makes you a lot more likely to get the kills you want on the alpha strike, then you can get away with no librarian.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I'd suggest cutting the heavy bolters and half of each tac squad to free up points for those changes. I'm not a fan of the heavy bolters, there are weapons that do everything it wants to do, only better.

Are you open to using Forge World units? If so, consider dropping the Stormtalon for a Fire Raptor (85 more points).

On another note, everything looks pretty good to me.. I like the tac squads, and i like 4 pods on the drop. It does sort of stink that you need 70 points of empty pods to make that happen... could you maybe fill out the dev squads so they can combat squad and half can ride in the drop pod? You could even give the sgt. a combi melta with tank hunter haha! I do like the ablative wounds on the dev squads though.

Something else to think about would be dropping the Stormtalon for two Stalkers or Hunters, and moving the dev teams to a single Centurion Dev squad in the Elite slot (with lascannons and missiles) if you find yourself in a pretty flier heavy meta.

Finally, I'd drop the meltas or the plasma on the sternguard just so they are focused (probably drop the melta... dedicate these to fighting a MC since the special ammo is nice for that too... plus Pedro has a PF and also you can't combat squad anyway if he's riding along).

Overall, looks good though!

 xTHExCLINCHERx wrote:
Are you open to using Forge World units? If so, consider dropping the Stormtalon for a Fire Raptor (85 more points).

On another note, everything looks pretty good to me.. I like the tac squads, and i like 4 pods on the drop. It does sort of stink that you need 70 points of empty pods to make that happen... could you maybe fill out the dev squads so they can combat squad and half can ride in the drop pod? You could even give the sgt. a combi melta with tank hunter haha! I do like the ablative wounds on the dev squads though.

Something else to think about would be dropping the Stormtalon for two Stalkers or Hunters, and moving the dev teams to a single Centurion Dev squad in the Elite slot (with lascannons and missiles) if you find yourself in a pretty flier heavy meta.

Finally, I'd drop the meltas or the plasma on the sternguard just so they are focused (probably drop the melta... dedicate these to fighting a MC since the special ammo is nice for that too... plus Pedro has a PF and also you can't combat squad anyway if he's riding along).

Overall, looks good though!

Thanks for the feedback. I considered the Fire Raptor however the issue with it is that it is more suited for anti-ground then an anti-air and my army has plenty of infantry killing ability with the Close - Range Bolter Drill with my Tac Squads, but if not melta should I give my Tac Squads plasma instead? As for the sternguard, I plan to make it a more smaller squad and drop the meltas and plasma for a squad of 5x with Combi-Gravs just in case if I run into any monstrous creatures and such. Will consider Centurions but they aren't exactly an effective choice for a Drop Pod army from what I have seen, which I'd why I went with Devestators. That being said I'm always up for suggestions on what else to take with a Drop Pod list.

Contemptor Dreadnoughts would be a great choice to add to any Drop Pod army as they are just nasty and can give your army not only a cool looking model but an effective one, for example:

-Contemptor Dreadnought
*w/ x1 Multi-Melta, x1 Dreadnought CC Weapon with build in Heavy Flamer, x1 Cyclone Missile Launcher
-Drop Pod

It is a little pricey but it is just disgusting what it can do for you. Dealing with a tank? Shoot the Cyclone Missile Launcher Krak and the Multi-Melta. Dealing with infantry on an objective? Shoot the Heavy Flamer and the Missile Launcher Frag. Also if it remains stationary it gets Skyfire AND it has a 5+ invulnerable save thanks to atomic shielding. And last but not least, if you run into a crybaby saying its Forgeworld (personally I would tell him to...nevermind) you can run it as a regular Dreadnought.

Looks decent. I'd be inclined to bring an inquisitor or assault squad though. Since you're deploying a mobile bolter line essentially with your drop pods you can easily bring other deep strikers.

Alternatively, consider bringing another stormtalon because the free escort flyer is pretty fun and they pack decent punch.

 Ironwolf45 wrote:

 xTHExCLINCHERx wrote:
Are you open to using Forge World units? If so, consider dropping the Stormtalon for a Fire Raptor (85 more points).

On another note, everything looks pretty good to me.. I like the tac squads, and i like 4 pods on the drop. It does sort of stink that you need 70 points of empty pods to make that happen... could you maybe fill out the dev squads so they can combat squad and half can ride in the drop pod? You could even give the sgt. a combi melta with tank hunter haha! I do like the ablative wounds on the dev squads though.

Something else to think about would be dropping the Stormtalon for two Stalkers or Hunters, and moving the dev teams to a single Centurion Dev squad in the Elite slot (with lascannons and missiles) if you find yourself in a pretty flier heavy meta.

Finally, I'd drop the meltas or the plasma on the sternguard just so they are focused (probably drop the melta... dedicate these to fighting a MC since the special ammo is nice for that too... plus Pedro has a PF and also you can't combat squad anyway if he's riding along).

Overall, looks good though!

Thanks for the feedback. I considered the Fire Raptor however the issue with it is that it is more suited for anti-ground then an anti-air and my army has plenty of infantry killing ability with the Close - Range Bolter Drill with my Tac Squads, but if not melta should I give my Tac Squads plasma instead? As for the sternguard, I plan to make it a more smaller squad and drop the meltas and plasma for a squad of 5x with Combi-Gravs just in case if I run into any monstrous creatures and such. Will consider Centurions but they aren't exactly an effective choice for a Drop Pod army from what I have seen, which I'd why I went with Devestators. That being said I'm always up for suggestions on what else to take with a Drop Pod list.

Dude are you crazy grav cannon cents are one of the best thibgs in the book, youve got 3 guys pumping out 15 ap2 shots with tank hunter.... You can munch ground targets anx any infintary and glance anything else to death. Last game i played i had my libby in the sauad giving them re-rolls to hit and i glanced baneblade to death before it got to shoot at ne 6's with re-rolls isnt too bad!

 Ironwolf45 wrote:

 xTHExCLINCHERx wrote:
Are you open to using Forge World units? If so, consider dropping the Stormtalon for a Fire Raptor (85 more points).

Thanks for the feedback. I considered the Fire Raptor however the issue with it is that it is more suited for anti-ground then an anti-air

The Fire Raptor has two load-outs.. one where the ball turrets have quad heavy bolters and one where you get two twin-linked autocannons. If you take the autocannon load-out, and you learn how to position and move it effectively (which takes some practice for sure) you will be able to strafe between different targets and fire at all of them.

You have 4 strength 8 concussive missiles (all of which you can fire the turn you arrive since they're each a weapons system in 7th edition now); a 7-shot strength 6 gatling cannon on the front (which will make any an AV11 flier jink) that you can also fire with power of the machine spirit at full effect the turn you arrive; and then EACH of your side turrets can fire at another flier with twin-linked autocannons, strength 7.... the Fire Raptor is one of the BEST anti-air weapons as regular Space Marines that you can get... even if you can't instantly pen and blow up a flier like a Stormwolf with it's multi-meltas, you will make EVERYTHING around you jink... which is also very effective. The turn that thing shows up, and you dump all that firepower out... you can't help but grin

I play sentinels drop pod as one of my main armies. I think your list is decent.

I would consider though if you were going to add a dread to look at the forgeworld siege dread. ap3 flamer and heavy flamer are nothing to laugh at when they eliminate and enemy unit.

I think the sternguard are just too expensive. I would use those points for better support such as the fire raptor which has been referenced already.

Appreciate all of the replies so far mates. After looking at Forgeworld, I took a look at the Fire Raptor and I am tempted to run it, however I came across the Contemptor Dreadnought and to be frank I became a huge fan of them once I read there rules, as they can also Sky - Fire and Intercept. Going to see if I can work a list with two of them in Drop Pods and see how it turns out.

I do plan to reduce or remove the Sternguard squad, as they are super expensive but maybe a small unit of them w/Combi-Gravs would be extremely useful against certain opponents in my area, but I wouldn't be against putting Pedro in a Regular Tac Squad to save points. Will post another list in a bit.

I wouldn't put the contemptor in a pod. For one, it's got interceptor, and if your opponent goes before you and your dread isn't on the table yet, you just missed a chance to knock it out of the sky. Also, they're all around brutal with the proper loadout against ground troops as well. Its fairly durable, so consider walking it up and hugging cover if need be. Dumping it somewhere out of a drop pod implies putting it near the front lines, which is unnecessary. It's got the range, don't give your opponent more opportunity to knock it down.

Here is my 2nd attempt so tell me what you guys think. Not much of a difference in terms of Tac Squads but its all good.

* Pedro Kantor:

* Librarian:
-w/Lvl. 2 Mastery, Spartean, Force Sword

*(5x) Sternguard: (w/Pedro, Librarian)
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Grav, 2x Combi-Gravs, 2x Grav-Guns, Drop Pod w/Locator Beacon

* Tactical Squad Alpha:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Bravo:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Charlie:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

* Tactical Squad Delta:
-w/Sgt. w/Combi-Melta, 1x Hvy. Bolter, 1x Melta, 7x Bolters, Drop Pod

*Contemptor Dreadnought:
*w/ x1 Multi-Melta, x1 Dreadnought CC Weapon w/Heavy Flamer, x1 Cyclone Missile Launcher, Drop Pod

*Contemptor Dreadnought:
*w/ x1 Multi-Melta, x1 Dreadnought CC Weapon w/Heavy Flamer, x1 Cyclone Missile Launcher, Drop Pod

Total: 1847 points

Now granted I don't have any flyers or Devastators in this list, however with this trade off I will be getting two nasty Dreadnoughts that can fufull all the roles the other units can in terms of Sky-Fire and Interceptor, Anti-Tank, and CC/Anti-Infantry Support. Not a fan of keeping them out in the field from the start where they could get destroyed turn one, and this way I feel that they can better support my army.