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Vulkan: 190
Master of the Forge: 90

Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Stalker: 75 (held in reserve)

1850

5 IronClads to the face turn 1, who unload with 2 HK missiles each and melta / heavy flamer!

Two questions:

1. Should I drop Vulkan to add 2 Assault squads in pods with 2 flamers each?
2. If I did the above, does Salamanders still make the most sense for chapter tactics? I think so, as the re-rolling wounds with the flamers would be great. Although getting a "It Will Not Die!" roll on my IronClads and a 6+ Feel No Pain on my marines, if I went with Iron Hands, would also be awesome.

Thoughts appreciated

This list is terrifying...Although 6+ FNP and IWND would be decent, TL flamers would be amazaballs when the ironclads come in, so i would keep the sally chaptacs for sure. Offensive > Defensive

Definity think about iron hands they are deadly with ironclads I've been toying around with my 1850 list but include a bike squad for those pesky mcs

This is my kind of list!

Couldn't you take the Master of the Forge as an ally with Iron Hands Chapter Tactics and have some Tacticals have FnP plus a few Ironclads with IWND if you really wanted?

This list is awesome. Salamanders allows you to take a free mc weapon= mc conversion Beamer if you can find points. I would drop some HK missiles for this. I know some1 that ran a list like this in 5th and it was really good.

Great list. I would use the Iron Hands chapter tactics and drop Vulkan. 5 Iron Clads with ITWD is terrifying. Plus those 6+ FNP saves will come in handy.

Plus (and I don't have my book in front of me so forgive me if I"m wrong) Can't the master of the forge help repair the Dreads with a bonus from the Iron Hands chapter tactics? Now thats some survivabilty.

Either way you go, I wouldn't want to see this list.

 Messy0 wrote:
This list is terrifying...Although 6+ FNP and IWND would be decent, TL flamers would be amazaballs when the ironclads come in, so i would keep the sally chaptacs for sure. Offensive > Defensive

That was my thinking, too, but it was just pointed out to me that IronClads don't benefit from Chapter Tactics (although they do benefit from IWND). Thus, they don't get the reroll on their flamers!

So, that tilts me towards if I don't take Vulkan (and thus don't get rerolls on my IronClad's meltas) then I'd go with Iron Hands to benefit the IronClads. Swapping him out for 2 Assault squads would look like this:

Master of the Forge: 90

Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120

Assault Squad: 2 flamers, DP 95
Assault Squad: 2 flamers, DP 95

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Stalker: 75 (held in reserve)

1850

Thanks for all the thoughts, guys! I see a lot of votes for Iron Hands so let me know if you feel differently . I'm going to consider the Conversion Beamer, too, although I feel like that's caught up in the Salamanders / Iron Hands decision, since with Iron Hands it wouldn't be twin-linked.

I asked about it before and was told no (here on dakka). But after visiting my FLGS and talking to some local TOs, Sallies CT do effect Speeders/Dreads/LRRs. All of the units mentioned are, in fact, models. If you don't want to believe me, reread the BRB vehicle section. They refer to them as models several times.

Edit:
That being said, TL Flamers on the Ironclad will be fantastic. As Messy0 stated, offence > defense. It's better to apply pressure and force your opponent to respond, then "hope" for the enemy to strip a few hull points off your Ironclad and roll a single 5+ a turn. Sallies is definitely the way to go with 5 Ironclads.

Too much of one thing is bad, and one stalker to cover really doesn't do it for me, considering if someone has flyers most of the time they have ALOT of them

It's scary as hell that is for sure. However... anyone with reservable / mobile troops and a solid fire base could put up a strong fight. 5 at 1850 though.... ugh! lol

Just me, but put Combi-Gravs on all the characters. Dump the HKs from ICD, Bump the tac squads to ten and take Flm/MM/Combi.

Saythings- I've re-read the entry and it seems pretty clear to me that due to not having the "Chapter Tactics" special rule, the IronClads will not benefit from getting to twin-link their flamers.

Jpat1213- I like unbalanced lists, but you're right, flyer-heavy would give me a lot of trouble. Although, at least the Vulkan list would get to re-roll snapfire shots against them with meltas. However, I'm hoping the meta shifts so that flyer-heavy is not as popular by the time I get this together . And Imperial Seal, you are right, too- it will be very matchup dependent, I think.

Feindus- Below is a version with a 10-man tac squad

Here is one more Iron Hands variant. I realized that if I did decide to drop Vulkan, it would make more sense to add in an additional full scoring pod, rather than 2 assault pods.

Master of the Forge: 90

Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, 10-man, DP 190
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200

Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Ironclad: HF, 2 HK missiles, DP 200
Stalker: 75 (held in reserve)

1850

If I stick with Vulkan and Salamanders, I'll probably find the points to add a Conversion Beamer to the MotF (since he gets a free master crafting of it) like clark10 suggested. Any additional thoughts on the Salamanders with Vulkan versus Iron Hands decision is appreciated, keeping in mind that the IronClads are benefiting from Vulkan's reroll of the meltas, but won't get rerolls on their flamers as Salamanders due to Chapter Tactics.

I've ran a list similar to this a number of times (using the previous codex) to great success and much fun (in a not-very competitive meta). I recommend Assault Launchers on the ironclads giving you Stealth for shots with 8".

I used scouts instead of tacticals occasionally to camp on objectives making use of the MOTF bolster defences.

Sometimes I would replace the 3 heavy ironclads with 3 thunderfires, which was hilarious. 3 ironclads to the face and 12 thunderfire templates a turn is difficult for a lot of people to deal with.

Plasma cannon servitors can help cover the mid-range where the MOTF conversion beamer is weak.

Thanks, snaggled. Any thoughts on Iron Hands with an extra tac squad versus Salamanders with Vulkan?

I have definitely looked at both the conversoin beamer and servitors, so those will likely make an appearance in a future variant

Also, love your username... but I'm confused by the flag (UK) and location (Denver, CO)

I thought you could only have fully reserved army if you had 1 HQ and no other models (that aren't forced into reserve).

The reason you can have 1 HQ is he normally isn't forced in reserve, but you CAN have him in reserve because reserve limits are rounded up. Meaning, if you have 1 optional unit, 1 will go into reserve and 0 won't. However, with your current list, you have Vulkan, MotF, and a Stalker. That's 3 that aren't forced in reserve. In this scenario, at the start of the game 2 can be in reserve, and 1 has to be on the board.

You can't fully reserve this list with more than 1 optional unit. Null deployment only works when you have 1 HQ. IIRC.

Edit:

I guess you are right about Sallies - CT. The vehicles in their own entry don't have CT. It's just weird that they'd take it away from Dreads/Speeders. Hmm. I wonder if they will change that in the future.

Don't forget im pretty sure any meltas you have also get re-rolled.

 RiTides wrote:
Thanks, snaggled. Any thoughts on Iron Hands with an extra tac squad versus Salamanders with Vulkan?

I have definitely looked at both the conversoin beamer and servitors, so those will likely make an appearance in a future variant

Also, love your username... but I'm confused by the flag (UK) and location (Denver, CO)

To be fair, I have only played it with the previous Codex so there was no Iron-Hands options. I'm going to try that though. Im pretty sure those ironclads have move through cover, so if you pop up of the pod with and into 5+ cover, the assault launcher will make that a 4+ cover save. Following by a 5+ it will not die, sounds like a good time!

Ah, I live in Denver but I'm travelling on business in the UK currently, so the forum stuck this little Union Jack beside my name. I have no idea why or what it means

Got it snaggled

Saythings- I can point you to some YMDC threads, but models embarked on drop pods don't count towards the reserve limit. It's just the Stalker that counts, so it can reserve.

Any other thoughts on Salamanders versus Iron Hands with an extra unit would be greatly appreciated as that is my key dilemma! I'll probably try both ways, but I would like to paint the army in a scheme close to the chapter tactics I plan to use most often, so I was hoping to decide that upfront with the help of folks more experienced with pod lists

With the release of the Knights, I have updated a variant of my list to try including one

Master of the Forge: 90

Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120
Tac Squad: flamer, combiflamer, DP 120

Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180
Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180
Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180

Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180
Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180

Knight: 375

Total: 1850

The knight starts in reserve, the 5 Ironclads drop turn one... and I pray that they don't have any flyers

Obviously, I could drop an Ironclad in favor of some anti-air. If I did that, what would be best to include for anti-air... a flyer of my own? I can't remember if this would still allow me to do null deployment, as the above list does.

Or, I could add two Stalkers. One would have to start on the board, though, so I'd have to hope for some BLOS terrain.

Thoughts appreciated

Flyers (and their cargo) get excluded the same way drop pods do: they must start in reserves. So you could add a stormtalon/raven to you list no problem and still run a null deployment list.

So you could drop one of the ironclads, and take the pod away from a tac squad to include a stormraven, which can then carry the tac squad to the battlefield.

In that case, I'd consider something like: dropping one Ironclad for a Stormtalon (125), adding a hunter-killer missile on each remaining Ironclad (40), and upgrading all of the tac squads to melta / combimelta (15).

Alternatively, if I combine 2 tac squads into one 10-man (since I don't need the extra pod to get the 4 Ironclads down turn 1) that saves me 50 points. So dropping an Ironclad, 2 Heavy Flamer upgrades, and combining 2 tac squads would give me room to take 2 Stormtalons for 250.

I think I'd prefer the first option to keep the extra pod for flexibility, but if I decide I Really need more anti-air, it's an option

With the advent of 7th edition, my planned idea for an Ironclad drop pod list is looking much more viable! Here are two versions I'm thinking of trying.

-----------------------------------------

Option 1: With 5 Ironclads that can drop turn 1, a Stalker for AA, and a Knight:

Master of the Forge: 90

Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125

Assault Squad: 2 flamers, DP 95
Assault Squad: 2 flamers, DP 95

Ironclad: DP 170
Ironclad: DP 170
Ironclad: DP 170

Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180
Ironclad: Heavy Flamer, DP 180
Stalker: 75

Knight with battle cannon: 375

Total: 1850

-----------------------------------------

Option 2: With 3 Ironclads that can drop turn 1, 2 Stalkers for AA, and 2 Knights:

Librarian: 90

Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125
Tac Squad: melta, combimelta, DP 125

Ironclad: DP 170
Ironclad: DP 170
Ironclad: DP 170

Stalker: 75
Stalker: 75
Thunderfire Cannon: 100

Knight with battle cannon: 375
Knight with battle cannon: 375

Total: 1850

-----------------------------------------

Thoughts on which list might be better and why? The second has a librarian, but if I'm bringing that little to the psychic phase, would it be better just to skip it altogether?

Originally, I had planned these as null deployment lists, and I would still consider that if going second. But I think I could try deploying some games, particularly with the second list.

Unfortunately, I think if you want the knight you will need to drop some iron clads or else exclude air support which I don't recommend..what about something like this?

Master of the Forge
Scouts x25 - bolters
2x Tactical squad (5) - melta, combi-melta, pod
3 Ironclads, flamers, pods
Stormtalon
Stormraven
Knight Errant

Put all the scouts with bolters infiltrated up, drop 3 dreads turn 1, escort the raven with Talon and the MotF makes the raven more survivable. You can go null deploy is the scouts outflank too.