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.

Had a look at the Chapter Tactics and background of the Mantis Warriors and I liked the look of them so this was a starting list that I was thinking of bringing. I am completely new to Space Marines so I don't know where to begin but thought this might be good

HQ
Librarian w/ ML 2 = 90

Troops
5x Scouts w/ Camo Cloaks, Snipers = 70
5x TAC Marines w/ Plasma Gun, Combi-weapon, DT: Drop Pod = 130

Elites
Sternguard w/ 2x Melta, 3x Combi-Melta, DT: Drop Pod = 205

Fast Attack
Stormtalon = 110

Heavy Support
3x Centurions w/ Grav Cannons and Grav Amps, Omniscope = 260
Thunderfire Cannon w/ DT: Drop Pod = 135

Librarian can go with either Sternguard or Centurions depending on the list I'm facing. I have the Drop Pod on the TFC as then I can bring in both my Plasma and Melta turn one. Stormtalon for AA - I would have liked to get more weapons on it but don't have points (without dropping pods, no pun intended). I also want it to be quite a fluffy list so tanks didn't seem appropiate and drop pods seem to fit the ambush style quite nicely (as the Mantis Warriors conduct guerilla warfare).

Any thoughts on how to improve? I've changed my original list about to get more stuff in.

The other option is to drop the Sternguard for LotD and the TFC Pod for a Skyhammer Missile and more scouts w/ Camo and Snipers?

 Frozocrone wrote:
Any thoughts on how to improve? I've changed my original list about to get more stuff in.

The other option is to drop the Sternguard for LotD and the TFC Pod for a Skyhammer Missile and more scouts w/ Camo and Snipers?

I like the current list.... LOTD are not something you can count on. I am not a fan of the TFC but it is a good unit especially hidden in cover.

I like this list, for 1000 points fitting in a flyer and grav cents is pretty good. I also love the thunderfire and the damage it can do for 100 points. Dont forget the techmarine can bolster a defense

Divination for the win! The list looks strong.

Thanks for the kind words!

Quick question, would it better to replace the GravTurions with GravBikes? Less Grav but more mobility and less points so I could fit in something else, maybe Las Cannons and Rhinos.

Also how would a Scout army work? Move Through Cover, HoW and Furious Charge from cover sounds quite effective..

I've reworked my list to make more use of my Chapter Tactics

HQ
Librarian w/ Lvl 2 = 90

Troops
5x Scouts w/ DT: Landspeeder Storm, Combat Blades = 100
5x Scouts w/ DT: Landspeeder Storm, Combat Blades = 100

Elites
5x Sternguard w/ 3x Combi-Melta, DT: Drop Pod = 185

Fast Attack
5x Bike Squad w/ 2x Grav Cannon = 135
Stormtalon w/ TL Las Cannon = 140

Heavy Support
5x Devastator Squad w/ 4x Las Cannon = 150
Thunderfire Cannon = 100

Not too sure on how effective Devastators are (Centurions aside) but they do benefit from MtC so once I am done shooting vehicles with them, they could move about towards objectives.

The Lascannon Devs will probably be able to do some work, especially if the Libby is prescience-ing them. In fact, the Sternguard melta-cide unit might not be necessary. Maybe find some points to give the scouts a little bit of gear (a combi-grav, meltabombs, or a powerfist), because unless you're facing Tau, there's not too many units you're going to want to charge the scouts into - so you end up with a CC squad with no viable targets. I know they're more for objective grabbing, but it's nice to have actual threats in them so your opponent has to think twice about dumping all his firepower into the Devs and/or bikes.

Cool so if I drop the SG and Las on Stormtalon, I would have enough points for Melta Bombs on Scouts and a Sniper scout squad w/ Camo Cloaks?

I would like to keep Las on Stormtalon but I don't know how best to spend the remaining 40 points. Maybe drop the Lvl2 Librarian and get another lvl 1? Or replace Melta bombs with PF? I am really stuck :/

Maybe something like:

Librarian Lvl 2 = 90

5x Scouts w/ Melta Bomb, DT: Landspeeder w/ Heavy Flamer = 105
5x Scouts w/ Melta Bomb, DT: Landspeeder w/ Heavy Flamer = 105
5x Scouts w/ Camo Cloaks, Snipes = 70

5x Bikes w/ 2x Grav = 135
5x Bikes w/ 2x Grav = 135
Stormtalons = 110

5x Devastator squad w/ 4x Las = 150
Thunderfire Cannon = 100

Would have liked Las on the Stormtalon but the only thing I could think of cutting is Sniper Scouts and then I'm stuck for 40 points, unless I take Missiles w/ Flakk on Devastators for AT and put Multi-Meltas on the Landspeeders, or reduce the Librarians level to 1 and buy another lvl 1 librarian for just in case one dies, I still have prescience.

I would avoid the sniper scouts... they are not a good unit. They can't really hit things reliably with BS3 and one-shot each. They can't really move and shoot... they don't pin anymore... avoid them. For 30 more points you have the awesome LSS unit.. drop the sniper scouts.

Dropping the sniper scouts and one of the bike squads could get you a 5-man plasma command squad in a drop pod to knock out a MC turn-one. You could also put the libby with them depending on what you roll for powers to ensure that. You could also drop the Stormtalon, Snipers, melta bombs and downgrade a bike squad to melta to get a Stormraven which would be pretty nasty at 1000 points.

Yeah on review, 1.25 wounds isn't a promising output.

Stormraven sounds promising and would make for a nifty transport for moving up in points but DropPod plasma sounds good too. How well do Sternguard compare with a Command Squad?

It depends honestly what you want to accomplish. The Command Squad can also support a beefy melee character (chapter master, or Lysander usually for me when I play IF) thanks to the apothecary and taking melta/melta bombs. If you are in need of the special Sternguard ammo, go for them. Otherwise, if you have the Command Squad unlocked, I'd say take them. It's about the same points and you can always have the option of the apothecary and melee weapon/ bikes if you want in the future.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Although, combi-grav on the Sternguard could probably be more versatile... just because you then at least have the grav shots and special ammo... so if you are going grav, maybe they would be better? I dunno... I've just always been happy with the versatility of the command squad, but perhaps that's just because of how I've been using it (5 special weapons, or else 4 melta / melta bombs + beefy melee character + apothecary)