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I am facing the dilemma of which units to include in my list and i am torn between these two options:

1. Rifleman Dreadnought and Auto/las Predator
or
2. Stormraven Gunship w/ tl MM, tl AC and hurricane bolters (stormstrikes included)

Both options come roughly at the same points and i have room in the appropriate slots.


The rest of the list is vanilla SM with SW allies :

Librarian (avenger gate of infinity)
Runepriest (prescience)

Tactical squad (lascannon, flamer, combi-flamer, drop pod)
Sniper scouts (5 strong)
Grey Hunters (dual meltagun, drop pod)
Grey Hunters (dual meltagun, drop pod)

Stormtalon (skyhammer missiles)
Stormtalon (skyhammer missiles)

Thunderfire cannon
Thunderfire cannon
Long Fangs (4ML, 1 lascannon)

Aegis Defence LIne with Quad Gun


As you see, mainly a shooting list.
Keep in mind that the Dread and the Pred will most likely sit behind the line for added survivability.

Which addition do you believe can benefit my army the most?
Thanks!


EDIT: Of course, i could remove one Stormtalon and have: 1 talon, 1 raven and Rifleman dread (no pred). Is it better?

I think the additional ground presence will be best in the long run. You already have 2 flyers to help cover your air needs, a third will not likely benefit you too much more.

I voted for whatever gets you more models on the table

That list is solid.
Playtest with both. I feel the Auto/Las Pred would give you the most variety.

Simply put, the Stormraven is kind of a rip off since they didn't increase the cost of the Vendetta. The other two units are solid for the points. Period. With the price decrease for stormtalons, I might never use Stormraven for the vanilla marines.

 djphranq wrote:
I voted for whatever gets you more models on the table

Ditto.

Having used a Stormraven in a Vanilla army since the model's release, I say that they are the best option. The firepower, transport options and versatility are simply unmatched. Personally I run with a Tac Termies squad with Chainfist/ Heavy Flamer and Ironclad Dreadnought with DCCW and Seismic Hammer. Chainfist is also viable.

 Deadshot wrote:
Having used a Stormraven in a Vanilla army since the model's release, I say that they are the best option. The firepower, transport options and versatility are simply unmatched. Personally I run with a Tac Termies squad with Chainfist/ Heavy Flamer and Ironclad Dreadnought with DCCW and Seismic Hammer. Chainfist is also viable.

What point scale do you play at? That's what, 550-600 points of eggs in one basket waiting in reserve? I'll give you that it's going to make an impact when it comes in, but that's a big risk. And a huge chunk of your army at anything less then 2k points. The stormraven looks like a very nice gunboat, but fully loading it up gets very expensive.

The dread/pred might not be sexy, but they are reliable.

To clarify things, this list is intended for 1850 pts games
The stormraven (if chosen) is to be used only as gunboat, perhaps trasporting a small scoring squad for last minute objective-grabbing.

I would go with the Rifleman and Predator.

And also swap the Skyhammer missiles for a Typhoon Missile launcher. So much more better, you really don't need that extra range or shot, and the Typhoon is better again vehicles and infantry. Which compliments the dual nature of the assault cannon.

 Grey Templar wrote:
I would go with the Rifleman and Predator.

And also swap the Skyhammer missiles for a Typhoon Missile launcher. So much more better, you really don't need that extra range or shot, and the Typhoon is better again vehicles and infantry. Which compliments the dual nature of the assault cannon.

That is true, but the Skyhammer missiles are a good 20 points cheaper and are capable of taking out fliers and light transports. It really depends on how you want to use them, although for a TAC list I might go with Typhoons even though they are twice as expensive.

I'd rather pay the extra points and not be pillow fisted.

There is Str7 elsewhere in the list, and Str8 is better for killing flyers anyway.

If you are using the Stormraven as a transport, you are paying 200+ points to handicap your own list. But feel free to be my guest....... I love watching passengers in those things splatter all over the battlefield. The Stormraven sucks as a transport and if I could sell back the transport capacity, I would then consider it a competitive flier.

The dread/pred might not be sexy, but they are reliable.

Oh.. They're sexy...

 Grey Templar wrote:
I'd rather pay the extra points and not be pillow fisted.

There is Str7 elsewhere in the list, and Str8 is better for killing flyers anyway.

True. But then again, 3 TL Lascannons are better, and on a cheaper platform. If you must take a Stormtalon, take Typhoons, but if not, take IG allies and a Vendetta or three. And maybe a Medusa.

Only if you have a use for the Guardsmen.

Of course I might do that because I like my FA slots for Typhoon Speeders.

Stormraven + Ironclad Dreadnought is a good combo.

Just use the special deep strike disembark rule when Stormraven comes from reserves. Ironclads have "move through cover" so they ignore all dangerous terrain tests. Just watch out for impassable terrain.

I would equip the dread with melta and flamer.

What is the current points costs for a Storm Talon anyhow? I saw some of you posted with the "points reduction". If you can't tell me directly, point me in the right direction. Or get creative.

I'd go with the dread. I run a rifleman dread and a TLLC and autocannon dread. They both do well and are good against vehicles and flyers. Shooty dreads are awesome, if your opponent doesnt deal with them he/she will feel the pain!!!!!

 Nevelon wrote:

 Deadshot wrote:
Having used a Stormraven in a Vanilla army since the model's release, I say that they are the best option. The firepower, transport options and versatility are simply unmatched. Personally I run with a Tac Termies squad with Chainfist/ Heavy Flamer and Ironclad Dreadnought with DCCW and Seismic Hammer. Chainfist is also viable.

What point scale do you play at? That's what, 550-600 points of eggs in one basket waiting in reserve? I'll give you that it's going to make an impact when it comes in, but that's a big risk. And a huge chunk of your army at anything less then 2k points. The stormraven looks like a very nice gunboat, but fully loading it up gets very expensive.

The dread/pred might not be sexy, but they are reliable.

It is roughly 1500-2k. And I normally run the Stormtalon as an Escor for the Raven with Skyhammer Missiles. I normally have them come in from opposite corners over overlapping flightpaths.

If the stormtalon is escorting using its special rule I thought it had to enter the board edge within 6" of where the escorted unit arrived... did they alter this in the updated rules?

No, this has not been changed in Death from the Skies..
If escorting, the talon must come in within 6" of the escorted unit.

Really? I've got DftS on order but I'll dig out my WD. Any, with the update to ST as hover negates the main use of this intersectiom tactic- covering he board as nuch as possible without flying off.