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Asked this awhile back in March of 2015, and at the time the BA surprisingly where voted the best Drop Pod army in that one. But due to recent updates and various changes in formations, suppliments, FAQ's, etc., I decided to post another one to get everyone thoughts on this. So to all of the Space Marine Players who have seen or have played with or against a Drop Pod list: Which Space Marine Chapter has the best tools to make the most effective Drop Pod list currently?

* Salamanders: Obvious choice due to all of the Special Rules and benefits they get with Flamer and Melta Weaponry. I voted for these guys this round because despite all of the changes to Space Marines in general, these guys have continued to remain solid and dependable.

* Iron Hands: Tough as Nails with some of the Nastiest Dreadnoughts in the game, as well as FNP Marines.

* Blood Angels: Tac Squads with Heavy Flamers and the Best Assault Marines who are scoring and have access to both Flamers and Melta's.

* Space Wolves: Tac Squads can have 2x Special Weapons per 10x guys (3x counting there Sgt.), considered Best All-Around Troop Squad for Space Marines, access to some new units and Formations.

* Imperial Fists: Rerolls for Bolter Shots, including the Sternguard Special Ammo, Tank Hunters for various Elite and Heavy Choices, and special rules against buildings and fortifications. Pedro Kantor also makes Sternguard Objective Secured.

* Black Templars: MSU Drop Pod Squads thanks to the Crusader Squads.

* Ultramarines: Very Tactically-Flexible with there Chapter Tactic.

These are the primary ones that pop into my head at the moment as they are the only ones I have come across, but if I missed any please feel free to share. Note, the point of this is to actually have a classic debate with a bunch of fellow gamers on why we feel a certain Chapter/Codex can field the most effective Drop Pod list, and it can be for both rules and fluff wise. Also feel free to include any of the Forge World Chapter Tactics as well in this debate. Star Phantoms are one that jumps to mind and possibly the Fire Hawks for there Flamer Shenanigans.

I voted Ultramarines for their tactical diversity. Butthe thing is that any army can do it "the best" of you plan it well enough.

Black Templars benefit more from Land Raiders with a couple of other scary things to help keep the fire power off said LRs.

Edited:

Ignore this. I may have been in error.

Ultras for me, Tactical Doctrines are very powerful.

Dark Angels can do it pretty well with the full BS overwatch, if against an army that likes assault

Wolves. Blackmanes formation blows most pod armies out of the water.

I think Scars are quite good not so much in the actual way they use pods but more so in the army wide scout and bikes meaning that the army as a whole can support the pods in a really aggressive way. Particularly if you get first turn. Hit & Run is also useful when they inevitably get assaulted.

But if you're talking drop pod only then they're no good.

I have to go with Ultramarines for this one. Their devastator and tactical doctrines allow for VERY strong alpha strike armies and play perfectly into the tactics of mass drop pod armies. The doctrines allow for maximum carnage on turn 1 and 2 and just cripple the other player. Tigeruis also is the perfect character for drop pod armies because not only can he steroid his personal grav cent body guard with invulns and ignore cover, but he can also allow you to re roll your drop pod reserves.

Runner up would be salamanders for me simply because drop pods get the trademark salamander weapons (meltas and flamers) right where they need to be no questions asked.

Only one army gives everyone free Pods and automatic Turn 1 entry for all of them.

I voted Salamanders, but in hindsight the best Drop Pod army bar none are Star Phantoms.

I don't see how ultramarines can compete with Space Wolves. My Blackmanes list isn't half optimized and I have 6 pods on turn 1 unleashing hell. I could add 4 more for free if I had the models. Plus the counter charge rule is pretty awesome. Really has deterred a few charges, has also made a few people just not care. A Dreadknight wont care, but a tactical squad will think twice.

Ultramarines. Those Tactical Doctrines are just awesome

BA were never the right answer to this poll, and this one is accurate.

Since when do Imperial Fists get Tank Hunters on all Elite and Heavy choices?

 gwarsh41 wrote:
I don't see how ultramarines can compete with Space Wolves. My Blackmanes list isn't half optimized and I have 6 pods on turn 1 unleashing hell. I could add 4 more for free if I had the models. Plus the counter charge rule is pretty awesome. Really has deterred a few charges, has also made a few people just not care. A Dreadknight wont care, but a tactical squad will think twice.

Is that whole list objective secured?

 Xenomancers wrote:

 gwarsh41 wrote:
I don't see how ultramarines can compete with Space Wolves. My Blackmanes list isn't half optimized and I have 6 pods on turn 1 unleashing hell. I could add 4 more for free if I had the models. Plus the counter charge rule is pretty awesome. Really has deterred a few charges, has also made a few people just not care. A Dreadknight wont care, but a tactical squad will think twice.

Is that whole list objective secured?

None of it is.

I do want to point out that Crimson Fists Sternguard Spam with Pedro Kantor is pretty potent. ObSec Sternguard is always good.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:
I do want to point out that Crimson Fists Sternguard Spam with Pedro Kantor is pretty potent. ObSec Sternguard is always good.

I agree but remember the Crimson Fists have the same Chapter Tactics as the Imperial Fists. Hence why I didn't make an option for them.

Carcharodons are surprisingly potent with Drop Pods. Even their Tactical Marines have a loadout that doesn't entirely suck.

While the Space Wolves formation is good, it isn't like they're hitting THAT hard when all the Pods come down, and holding objectives less well only makes them like less durable Necrons; you play objectives.

I'm currently working on a drop-pod list consisting of a Skyhammer Annihilation Force, Skyhammer Orbital Strike Force, and Ravenhawk Assault Group. I call it Steel Rain. Currently, the plan is to use UM tactics for the versatility.

 EnTyme wrote:
I'm currently working on a drop-pod list consisting of a Skyhammer Annihilation Force, Skyhammer Orbital Strike Force, and Ravenhawk Assault Group. I call it Steel Rain. Currently, the plan is to use UM tactics for the versatility.

Not a bad way to go. Was hoping to do something similar using the Salamanders Chapter Tactics, but there special Demi-Company doesn't have access to the Skyhammer Annihilation Force or the Skyhammer Orbital Strike Force. Which makes no sense imo as what is the point of having those two formations that are perfect for the Salamanders Chapter Tactics but not even allow them to be used in the Salamander Specific Demi-Company. Kinda disappointing, not going to lie but then again while I do like the Salamanders with a Drop Pod list, I plan to field a Black Templars Army but opt to use the Imperial Fist Chapter tactics for now until the Black Templars become relivant again.

Ultras for access to Tiggy. Add Dev Cents. Drop in some other stuff too, 'cause you know. Troops. Add a Dread pod or two for flavour / assault deterrent, if needed.

Between Tiggy's awesome buffs, rerolling reserves, and then the tactical doctrines, you're kicking some pretty serious behind.

Salamanders.