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Greetings Dakka!
First post on Dakka and I'm also new to actually playing 40k and have yet to play my first game. In the coming month I will be trying out a SM Salamander list in preparation for a dual 600pts tournament, optionally to run 1200pts by myself. I'm not to concerned about wining, the most important thing for me is having fun, learning and getting to know some locals. What I need help with is constructing a fun, fluffy () and easy to play list with the units that I have available to me. I'm also not sure if I should run an unbound list or Battle-forged?

I would also like to add a CAD of Deathwatch units, specifically I'm looking for the cheapest (Both in cash and points) possible way to add Deathwatch terminator Garran Branatar? But I guess this is only realistic if I play a 1200pts list alone. I would prefer to play 600pts as I believe it will enable me to learn a lot faster through having a partner that can teach me the ropes .

I think I'm getting carried away, it would probably be better for my learning curve if I played a simple 600pts list and not let my eagerness to use Vulkan He'stan as HQ decide everything. I will also list some other models I have to work with and the points they cost.

My attempt at a 600pts list :
My attempt at a 1200pts list :
Reserve models:Seriously grateful for all the help, response and tips that I can get!

I don't have the most recent sm codex but 9 models for a 600 point army seems very slim ,also I don't see much anti tank so your bassicly hoping to glance tanks to death and don't have all that much firepower to do it with

On the 600 list, they are all heavy grav focused and the hq and Dreadnought are good vs heavy armor in melee. But I guess it would only work if my partner has some long distance anti -tank.

First, Welcome to Dakka and the Space Marines.

You should probably aim to build a battle forged list. Especially if looking to play in a tournament setting. Not sure what rules they have set up, but in my experience, most people prefer forged lists over unbound.

Vulcan works better in larger lists, where his rule TLing all your melta guns boosts more units. In lower point games, he’s just a tricked out captain. While nice, he’s a chunk of points that could be better spent getting some more boots on the ground.

Generally if you want to spam grav, bikes are a better place. And if you want to trick out sternguard, they need to be in a pod. If not, their ride is going to take an early hit and they will be footslogging it across the table, getting shot up all the way. When you have very expensive guys who are no tougher then a tac marine, you need to ensure they get their shots in. IMHO the only gun worth taking the special ammo away from a sternguard for is the heavy flamer. Everything else should be a combi. C-melta by choice, as sternguard are a decent place to spam them.

The Ironclad in the pod should be a fun little bundle of flame and death.

Your 1,200 list seems a little more balanced.

Again, no melta in your list for Vulcan to boost. That’s a really nice rule you are ignoring. The fact that he’s not 1/3rd of your points here makes him a little more palatable.

A general rule of thumb is to give your sarges combis to match the squad’s special. In this squad you have a flamer which wants to shoot soft targets, and a c-grav that wants to aim at hard stuff. You’d like for everyone in the squad to work together. Or at least the guys doing all the work have a decent chance to get the job done.

Sniper scouts are a classic objective camping unit.

Scout bikes should work fine. Might be nice to see some AGLs here if you have the points.

Terminators are often considered a sub-par unit. They tend to be overpriced for the firepower they bring, and aren’t a sturdy as they are made out to be. I will often field a unit because I like them, but be careful with them. Getting a chainfist on the tac ones could be useful. If you plan on deep striking the assault termis, they need some TH/SS guys. If not you need to make sure they never get near any plasma/AP2 stuff. That turn you spend standing around before you assault can be murder on you. Some people advocate full squads of TH/SS, but I do like a few claw guys mixed in.

Ironclad remains good.

Your dev squad is OKish, but has a problem with mixing guns. While they both want to shoot at the same thing (good) they have vastly different ranges (bad). If you mix guns, you want to make sure they have the same range and targets. If not you have to decide if you are going to sit back and shoot with the LCs, or give up a turn of fire and advance with the GCs?

Greetings Nevelon!
Thank you for the welcome and constructive advice. I will try to focus on building a 600pts list. If I understand the rules correctly I have to have a minimum of 1 HQ and 2 troops. Do you have any suggestions of which HQ I should take and what I should equip him with?

New 600pts list

HQ?
Librarian
chapter relic
75pts

5x Tactical Squad
1x Flamer
sgt. with boltgun
Rhino + extra armor
120pts

5x Scouts
Camo cloaks
Snipers
70pts

Ironclad Dreadnought
2x Heavy flamer
Drop pod
180pts

5x Assault Squad
5x Jump packs
1x Flamer
90pts

3x Scout Bikes
Locator beacon
64pts

599pts

Librarians are good go-tos at any point level. They work fine out of the box, but would like the second mastery level, points allowing.

Chaplains work great if you have a CC unit. The only gear they need is something to keep up with their squad (mostly a jump pack)

Techmarines work fine with stock gear, and have access to some nice toys. In a more mechanized list, getting them on a bike can be quite useful. But sticking them in a squad on foot can work.

Captains need a certain level of gear to work, but once kitted out can accomplish some amazing feats. Better for mid/high point games.