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Anyone have experience running Bjorn the fell-handed in a Lucius pattern drop pod? Seems expensive at around 270 pts and he has to wait a turn before he assaults out of the pod, but could kick some serious arse once he's out. The +1 to seize is nice too I guess... Is he worth using (in competitive games)?

I don't think he is, but it really depends on your role for him.

Purely anectodal, but I used to run Bjorn as my HQ choice for a Champions of Fenris, all-dreadnought list...And, his best asset always seemed to be his seize initiative. :(
In my games, he rarely made it to the end, despite having a solid stat line. I generally equipped him with a helfrost cannon and stuck him in a regular pod. What always got me was his lower initiative of 3, followed by a handful of failed saves on his invul.

He might perform better as a backfield guard, armed with a lascannon...But as a frontline troop, he always seemed to underperform for me. Of course, I considered him 'mandatory' in order to run an all-dread list. Your mileage may vary, but I would strongly recommend that you line out your anticipated role. If you are simply looking for a beefstick dread to ride out a turn in the dread pod, I would recommend an axe-and-shield ven dread, or even murderfang, over Bjorn.

Nope, he's more for fluffy, fun lists. Not competitive

I do very well with him.
When I don't field him I miss him.

I use the Legacy of Glory: Isstvan 5 Deposited Massacre upgrade found in the Imperial Armour 2: 2nd Edition, granting no scattering when deep striking.

Place him next to ruins, flamer in perfect position.

You can grant anything that's on its flaps shroud (*cough* bikers, or dropping units, or BOTH in the same unit... wulfen are *safe*),

You can keep him in that pod as long as you like, a perfect threat bubble.

That hellfrost cabbob WORKS. I've scored a D-thirster instant death on turn 1 for first blood in a tournament lol! Also a Hive Tyrant.

The trick/rule-of-thumb I've learned from dozens of games is to give him something valuable to do, but don't heap the world on his shoulders.
He either dies quickly or lasts all game, I've found, it all depends on how you use him.

I definitely find it hand to use him as my HQ slot, which makes the pts more worth as you'd have to pay that HQ TAX anyways.

Funny, when a player says "I'll just assault the pod" ad that means Bjorn is perfectly safe (cannot declare charges twice in a turn).
In addition, the pod being popped on their turn means him moving 6" disembark, plus then on your turn another 6" + the 2d6" charge... much distance.
Necessary when assaulting vehicles, as you cannot consolidate vs AV's when they are destroyed (so this distance allows you to get a proper front-facing prior to charge allowing him to get that AV13 in the right direction for their turn.

In CC, having him declare challenges while also having the unit he's in CC with ALSO in CC with another squad, keeps him protected - if you can charge something lacing AV13 potential.

When his pod is popped, run him into cover/ruins and have his facing proper vs heavy weapons.

I'm pretty sure the Lucius pod does not grant shrouded to anything but the pod and the passenger dreadnought, and only on the turn it comes down, meaning if it comes down bottom of turn 1 then it wont have it beginning of turn 2.

That said Bjorn is fun and cool and works super well in the Brethren of the FellHanded formation. I also like the Helfrost cannon for versatility but lascannon is excellent too.

If you're up for allies try with Blood Angels Librarian dreadnought and company to give Bjorn the Quickening for +d3 to initiative and attacks! Brethren w Flesh Tearers strikeforce for all dread twilight action! And enough pods to drop six dreads turn one

Burning Retros:
..."should the dreadnought carried by the Drop Pod remain on any part of its structure (including its doors) on the game turn the Drop Pod arrives, it benefits from the Shrouded rule also, as does any unit targeted by any fire whose line of sight passes through or over the Drop Pod on the game turn of its arrival"

Game turn of its arrival. That's a tricky one there...
However, Shroud would definitely be of benefit if dropping stuff if positioned so the pod is between them.

nice, about the BA Dread... ima have to look into that!

Bjorn does pretty well for me. Perhaps not competitive, but very cool and still effective to a point imo. He is a very good shooty dreadnought that can get stuck in if he has to and usually does just as good on both fronts. His old man initiative still hurts though. He is a good hq if you want a beefy one but can't afford a transport/retinue to accompany him because he does lone wolf well.