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Specifically against Eldar/Dark Eldar and with these models:

10-16 Tactical Marines (can field 1 heavy bolter, 1 Plasma gun, 1 Flamer, 1 Powerfist, 1 Power sword, 1 Plasma pistol)
3 Bikes (2 have plasma guns, 1 has combi-flamer)
2 Terminators (probably HQs for these)
2 Assault Marines (again maybe as HQs)
1 Razorback
1 Dreadnought

This is specifically for use at home with my kids.
I am leaning heavily towards Twin Assault cannon on the Razorback and Quad Autocannons on the Dread.

I want to make a balanced list for them that is competitive against Venom/Windrider heavy Eldar/Dark Eldar (may also include WraithGuard) but that also isn't auto-win against them either.

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Hi! Just running off your models list I come to this:

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [47 PL, 865pts] ++

+ HQ +

Captain in Terminator Armor [7 PL, 129pts]: Chainfist, Storm bolter

Captain in Terminator Armor [7 PL, 129pts]: Chainfist, Storm bolter

+ Troops +

Tactical Squad [5 PL, 77pts]
4x Space Marine
Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Power fist

Tactical Squad [5 PL, 69pts]
4x Space Marine
Space Marine Sergeant: Bolt pistol, Power sword

Tactical Squad [5 PL, 72pts]
4x Space Marine
Space Marine Sergeant: Chainsword, Plasma pistol

+ Elites +

Venerable Dreadnought [8 PL, 156pts]: Twin autocannon, Twin autocannon

+ Fast Attack +

Bike Squad [5 PL, 118pts]
Biker Sergeant: Combi-flamer, Twin boltgun
Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun, Twin boltgun
Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun, Twin boltgun

+ Dedicated Transport +

Razorback [5 PL, 115pts]: Twin lascannon



That's 135 points left to spend and I put lascannons on the razorback because there's not a lot of anti tank in your selection. Frankly I think you don't have enough models kicking around to fill out 1000 points in a balanced way. Using the Terminators as captains puts over 25% of your points into HQ which, in my opinion, is not a good idea. I'd recommend you expand the force with a box of scouts and a box of devastators to come to the following:

++ Battalion Detachment +3CP (Imperium - Space Marines) [59 PL, 998pts] ++

+ HQ +

Captain [5 PL, 78pts]: Bolt pistol, Power sword

Captain [5 PL, 81pts]: Chainsword, Plasma pistol

+ Troops +

Scout Squad [6 PL, 55pts]
Scout Sergeant: Boltgun, Chainsword
4x Scout w/Boltgun

Tactical Squad [9 PL, 140pts]
8x Space Marine
Space Marine Sergeant: Boltgun, Chainsword
Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Heavy bolter

Tactical Squad [9 PL, 143pts]
8x Space Marine
Space Marine Sergeant: Boltgun, Chainsword
Space Marine w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun

+ Elites +

Dreadnought [7 PL, 136pts]: Twin autocannon, Twin autocannon

+ Fast Attack +

Bike Squad [5 PL, 118pts]
Biker Sergeant: Combi-flamer, Twin boltgun
Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun, Twin boltgun
Space Marine Biker w/Special Weapon: Plasma gun, Twin boltgun

+ Heavy Support +

Devastator Squad [8 PL, 165pts]
Space Marine Sergeant: Boltgun, Chainsword
Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon
Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Lascannon
Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher
Space Marine w/Heavy Weapon: Missile launcher

+ Dedicated Transport +

Razorback [5 PL, 82pts]: Twin heavy bolter

Created with BattleScribe


It's still vulnerable to standoff shooting at the infantry (tell your kids to hide them, or put them in cover, or preferably both), but it has decent anti-tank capability, a fair number of boots on the ground and a bit of wiggle room in deployment with the scouts.

I appreciate the feedback. What do you think about using my Tact Marines as Primaris Marines?
That could ramp up the durability of the list, the points and the AP -1 will go a bit longer towards killing Bikes and Venoms.

Interesting idea. I don't have a lot of experience with primaris marines. Then again, at this time, who does They have the advantages you mention. They also have the "movie marines" advantage of being just as tough as the fluff suggests! I think you should still look into some additional anti-vehicle firepower, although the venerable dreadnought goes a long way. Or you could maybe field the dread as a redemptor...

As I said though, I'm a bit out of my league when it comes to primaris. I recommend mucking around in Battlescribe!

Give the models that I have listed, what single unit would be a good addition to add this small collections that:

A) does not duplicate a unit I already have
B) is not overly specific to a particular chapter (so no Thunder Wolves or Sanguinary Guard)
C) fits into my theme of having iconic models to represent the main chapters.
Here are the models I have so far: http://glennsgwmodels.blogspot.com/2016/12/space-marines-project-continued.html
I also have 2 Space Wolves that I need to finish, plus the Razorback/Rhino and Dreadnought I am getting.

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If you want one specific thing that your list is missing that is iconic to generic space Marines while being useful I would go with land speeders. Some of my most memorable moments in playing 40k has been using a squad of 3 of these guys, 1 with assault cannon and hb, others with hb's, and using them like Support choppers. Used to have to hide them until I could safely fly them out and unload on an enemy target. New rules allows them to stay alive very easily. Dual heavy flamers makes them an incredible nuisance or heavy bolters and typhoon missile launchers for long range mobile fire Support.

But yeah, a land speeder. But that may just be me.

Landspeeder is a good idea actually. It will either be that, or an Attack bike.
Which of the two seems more appropriate for Salamanders? I could see a Multimelta Attack bike or a Heavy Flamer Landspeeder fitting pretty well

I ask because I need another Salamander model to complete my collection since I now have a Tactical marine + something special for each of the main chapters;


It will probably boil down to what is cheaper once I get my WIP models done, but I am leaning towards an Attack bike to add to my bike unit

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