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Hey all I'm new to the forum and the game. I haven't bought models yet and wanted to get some advice for starting a small war-band of SMs. I made a list of what I thought might be a fun/decently competitive starter army but I'm sure there's some tweaks to be made. None of the units are set in stone so if there are any you'd suggest dropping let me know, and also what might be a better option to take. I want it to be something I can build upon if that counts for anything


Chapter Tactics [Salamanders]

+ HQ (95pts) +

Librarian [Mastery Level 2]
····Power Armour [Bolt Pistol, Force Stave, Melta Bombs]

+ Elites (170pts) +

Sternguard Veteran Squad
····Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
····Veteran [Boltgun]
····Veteran [Boltgun]
····Veteran Sergeant [Bolt Pistol, Boltgun, Melta Bombs]
····Veteran with Special/Heavy Weapon [Heavy Flamer]
····Veteran with Special/Heavy Weapon [Heavy Flamer]

+ Troops (235pts) +

Tactical Squad [Meltagun, 4x Space Marines]
····Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
····Space Marine Sergeant [Bolt Pistol, Boltgun, Melta Bombs]

Tactical Squad [Flamer, Rhino, 4x Space Marines]
····Space Marine Sergeant [Bolt Pistol, Boltgun, Melta Bombs]

Hey, sorta a newbie here too, I used to play back in 4th edition so I'm learning everything that's changed.

I'd b nervous about the lack of ranged heavy power, a few 500 point games I've had, my 5 man devastator team with 4 missile launchers has been the absolute game changer because at the low points, there's not much returning fire that will wipe it out but it can do some serious damage.

Secondly, if you had three pods instead of 2, you can automatically drop two pods in turn one. Because your running flamers I'm guessing your going for an alpha strike method? I'd consider dropping the Rhino for a third pod, just a thought. That way, you'll force your opponent to split fire against two up close squads rather then one. increases its chance of survival in their shooting phase.

Welcome to the game though battle brother!

Welcome to Dakka and the Space Marines.

Looks pretty good.

It’s got gaps, but welcome to every 500 point marine list.

Going with 3 pods does have some major advantages. Lack of long range firepower will hopefully be mitigated by dropping the pods where you need them, and a smaller table often used in 500 point games.

You are very light on anti-vehicle firepower. You’ve got that one melta gun, and 4 MBs. Melta bombs are nice and all, but I’d only take a few of them to fill points. Not rely on them as the cornerstone of my AV.

Your sergeants get to MC a weapon for free. Use this. At the very least, the tac squad with the meltagun needs combi-melta on the sarge.

Where do you see yourself at 1,000 points? 1,500? Higher? You don’t want to get stuff for a 500 point list that’s just going to collect dust at higher levels. If you are looking into formations, some things become more attractive later. For example, Librarians are really nice, especially at low points. But if you are heading towards a Gladius/Flameblade strike force based off a battle demi-co, you are going to need a captain/chaplain. And getting a Lib into formations requires a conclave. Also, do you see yourself going full drop, null deployment? Or a hybrid list with some armor on the table?

I think you are are a good path. The only thing you have that might not fit into a larger list is the naked sergeants. Also, if you are just starting, learn to magnetize.

Thanks, guys. I've taken your advice and swapped the Rhino for a drop pod, and took the melta-bombs off both the Sergeants and gave a combi-melta to the Sarge in the Tactical Squad that has the meltagun.

It lacks range, but hopefully the drop pods will negate that while my Tactical Squad with the meltas can go tank hunting if needed.

Which unit should I put the Librarian in? I was thinking of using Divination (for presience) and I can't decide if he should bunker up in the Sternguard unit or add some buffs to a tactical squad.

Depends on your foe. If there is a big nasty tank, hanging with the melta can make the difference. If not, the sternguard is probably the better choice. They will be doing a lot of the heavy lifting on the table.

@500 points it's probably easier to go with 1 pod and get another unit with mobility like scouts in LSS or bikes in my opinion.

BUT if I was going for 3 pods I'd consider using a cheaper unit than sternguard e.g. assault marines with 2 Flamers. Then get Meltaguns/Grav on the 2 tactical squads.

Thanks for the advice guys. I've decided to drop the Librarian down to ML1 to free up some points for some combi-meltas/flamers for the Sergeants in all squads, as well as one for the Librarian too (I also got rid of the melta bombs on most guys who had them).

The revised list looks like this:

Chapter Tactics [Salamanders]

+ HQ (80pts) +

Librarian [Mastery Level 1]
····Power Armour [Combi-melta, Force Stave, Melta Bombs]

+ Elites (175pts) +

Sternguard Veteran Squad (175pts)
····Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
····Veteran [Boltgun]
····Veteran [Boltgun]
····Veteran Sergeant [Bolt Pistol, Combi-melta]
····Veteran with Special/Heavy Weapon [Heavy Flamer]
····Veteran with Special/Heavy Weapon [Heavy Flamer]

+ Troops (245pts) +

Tactical Squad [Meltagun, 4x Space Marines]
····Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
····Space Marine Sergeant [Bolt Pistol, Combi-melta]

Tactical Squad [Flamer, 4x Space Marines]
····Drop Pod [Storm Bolter]
····Space Marine Sergeant [Boltgun, Combi-flamer]