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Something I came up with for a more "standard" Dark Angels tactical themed list. Not sure how good it would be but the idea seems cool. Let me know what suggestions you have.

HQ

Terminator Librarian (lvl2 with Divination) [Drops in with Terminators on Turn 1]
- Lion's Roar (Becasue a twin linked plasma cannon shot on drop is nice )
- Force Stave
- Auspex

Deathwing Command Squad
- Champion w/ halberd of Caliban
- 3x TH/SS
- Banner of Fortitude (on a TH/SS guy)
- Assault Cannon

TROOPS

Tactical Squad 1
Sgt w/ Combi-Melta and Melta bombs
- Multi-Melta
- Melta gun
+ Drop Pod

Tactical Squad 2
Sgt w/ Combi-Melta and melta bombs
- Multi melta
- Melta gun
+ Drop Pod

Tactical Squad 3
Sgt w/ Combi-plasma
- Plasma Cannon
- Plasma Gun
+ Drop Pod

Tactical Squad 4
Sgt w/ Combi-plasma
- Plasma Cannon
- Plasma Gun
+ Drop Pod

FAST ATTACK

Land Speeder Typhoon
- Cyclone Missile Launcher
- Heavy Bolter

Land Speeder Typhoon
- Cyclone Missile Launcher
- Heavy Bolter

Total should be 1500 exactly. I have contemplated a few other options though and would like some input.
Options:
Use dual whirlwinds instead of Land Speeders (for anti-horde and can stay out of LOS at deployment) - I already have the land speeder models though so this is optimal.
Use a devastator squad with Lascannons instead of Land Speeders
Use banner of Devastation instead of Fortitude to buff the tactical squads' shooting but remove survivability.

General Strategy:

Deployment: Combat squad the plasma tacticals. Plasma cannon and 5 grunts stay on home objectives in cover etc. The sgt, plasma gun, and three other grunts start in drop pod, off table. Land speeders try and support, or stay behind LOS breaking cover to prevent first blood.

Turn 1, Speeders come out of hiding behind LOS cover (hopefully) Deathwing squad with librarian lands on the table. Drop pods with melta guys and Multi-melta land nearby and make sure to get the buff from the banner of fortitude. Hopefully, the terminators will draw a lot of fire and be 2+,3++ with FNP, twin linked. Librarian pastes a clumped up squad with the Lion's Roar if applicable. Assault cannon either finishes them off or split fires to another target. Land Speeders + plasma cannons support from afar and make sure to take care of anybody trying to get away from the shooty squads, or drop more templates on the squad that was lion's roared.

Turn 2 roll for reserves as normal, hopefully with at least one more pod landing within range of FNP banner, probably replacing a squad that got shot to death. Contents get out and shoot 2x plasma at enemies. Possibly being buffed by "Perfect Timing" psychic power. Tacticals move in support / behind the terminators as they charge / counter charge anyone who gets too close.

Pros: FNP tacticals with alpha capability in opponent's deployment on turn 1. Can easily get firstblood if going first. Deathstar squad of FNP 2+,3++ terminators as a counter charge unit / bullet sponge. Can deal with big MCs that somehow survive the melta and plasma spam. Fearless, so will not run away from the front lines.

Cons: Must rely on deep strikes. Small, weak, squads on the table on turn 1 can give up easy first blood if going second. If going 2nd, will significantly reduce survivability.

Should I drop the Lion's Roar and melta bombs to give vets sergeants to all the squads but one, then move the librarian into the last squad once they drop so they all have a boosted ld to 9? Thy are stubborn (for better or worse) so the only way they are getting removed is by getting shot and running, (Ld8 means it's rare), being wiped, or being assaulted and bogged down (which is what I fear most right now).

- VardenV2

Edited to a new list to account for changes in the suggestions below. I feel much more confident about this list now and have begun ordering up a few tactical squads

Keep the suggestions coming

Bumping this first of also that more people can look at it. Secondly it looks pretty good but the heavy weapons seem very haphazard and you'll either be snapshot eating with them and in the case of the plasma cannons you won't be able to fire with themthat all the first turn that you drop in. Also keep in mind that especially with divination that blessings have to be cast at the very beginning of the turn so you will lose out on rolling hit rolls the first turn you drop in.

These are all good points. I think what I will do is have the two plasma squads combat squad keeping the plasma cannon and 4 bodyguards in the back field to claim a home objective in some ruins or something for a 4+ cover save. That way they can help me score, prevent linebreaker potentially, and drop templates from turn one.

The other half of their squad with the plasma will be in the drop pods and come in via reserve rolls to help clean up after the melta squads.

Speaking of melta, I think I will change the lascannons to Multi-Meltas, as most things are going to be within 24" anyway with that squad drop podding in. That way we have full plasma and full melta squads complimenting each other. Plus, the only advantage of the lascannon over the MM is range, which is something that won't be a problem due to the drop pods (hopefully).

With the few extra points I save (20 I believe) I could upgrade two of the sergeants to be vets sergeants for added LD value, give all the sgts melta bombs (not a bad idea) or give my librarian the Lion's Roar, further increasing my one-drop plasma goodness. I can just see that being incredibly useful for dropping in and blasting a nicely clumped squad of havoks or enemy devastators etc.

A third idea that crossed my mind is replacing one of the melta squads with a flamer + missile launcher/Heavy bolter squad as a means to be a front wall unit to flame guys in cover/on an objective. Also, to be there to absorb the brunt of an enemy charge and get some good hits due to wall of fire or w/e. Not sure it's worth replacing those three melta shots though, as I should be able to drop behind enemies where they won't be getting cover from my bolters and special weapons anyway. (hopefully I can get Perfect timing or Misfortune and wreck some exensive guys with plasma and melta goodness).

And I have the typhoons for backup and versatility with either HB + krak for light vehicles or HB+ frag for hordes etc.

Let's keep the comments comin'!

- vardenV2

I like the list a lot, but I would definitely switch the LC's for MM's. Makes way more sense, and with the amount of fire you will be taking after podding in, the extra leadership could come in quite handy. The typhoons are nice, and give some more maneuverability, but a thought would be to take a Heavy Flamer instead of the HB. Charge that up a flank at an objective and with the added punch of the Typhoon you should be able to clear it, then pod in a squad to retake it. Just a thought.

TheFishman wrote:
I like the list a lot, but I would definitely switch the LC's for MM's. Makes way more sense, and with the amount of fire you will be taking after podding in, the extra leadership could come in quite handy. The typhoons are nice, and give some more maneuverability, but a thought would be to take a Heavy Flamer instead of the HB. Charge that up a flank at an objective and with the added punch of the Typhoon you should be able to clear it, then pod in a squad to retake it. Just a thought.

True, that LD is going to be a big issue especially when they combat squad. I will definitely consider that as an option. Another thing I could do is give the plasma sergeants bolt pistol + plasma pistol (5 more points) but it allows them to shoot 1 shot every turn, move, shoot etc and have two close combat weapons. I have a squad of "Gunslinger vets" as I call them with Azrael and they are really cool. Might nto be able to tweak the points though.

The reason I'd keep the Typhoons is because I already have them built that way.

- VardenV2

Updated the original list based on suggestions. Comments are appreciated. Has anyone run something similar?

- VardenV2

The only thing I can see right now would be dropping the pod from tac squad 4 and using them as defense units on your side of the board. Could give them a rhino, makes them more durable for a turn and if its a killpoints or relic mission you still have some way of getting that squad across the board. Looking fine though! If you want to talk about similar lists, hit up some of the Space Wolf players. The dogs might have attacked our glorious Primarch, but they run a lot of Drop Pod heavy lists, so they can talk about survival rates. I find that with my own drop pod armies I lose around 2 squads, and the others are well chewed but victorious. The deepstriking DWTs will help with the survival rate, but it will be bloody.

Hope that helps!

 TheFishman wrote:
The only thing I can see right now would be dropping the pod from tac squad 4 and using them as defense units on your side of the board. Could give them a rhino, makes them more durable for a turn and if its a killpoints or relic mission you still have some way of getting that squad across the board. Looking fine though! If you want to talk about similar lists, hit up some of the Space Wolf players. The dogs might have attacked our glorious Primarch, but they run a lot of Drop Pod heavy lists, so they can talk about survival rates. I find that with my own drop pod armies I lose around 2 squads, and the others are well chewed but victorious. The deepstriking DWTs will help with the survival rate, but it will be bloody.

Hope that helps!

Yeah my buddy plays Space Wolves so I am constantly reviewing the enemy's strategy I really like drop pod lists in general. The Rhino idea is ok. Maybe if there was a way to squeeze in a razorback instead? That way I could move up with the sgt and plasma gun in a razorback and leave the plasma cannon squad behind to guard the home objective? I like the idea of having everyone drop in though.

And yes I fully intend for very few of my men to make it out alive. However, I severely expect many of my opponent's to be dead as well haha. My main thing is debating between the FNP banner or the Banner of Devastation. It may seem weird but putting the banner of dev in a terminator squad, then giving them an apothecary for FNP might make them more survivable AND double the output of my tactical marines. I'm not really sure though, as it's such a small bubble and I will probably need to be moving some guys, sort of negating the benefits of the banner to a degree.

I also really like the speeders but they are sort of awkward it seems. It might be better if they were devastators or a scout squad with ADL for all my backfield guys to hide behind? Limits my mobility a lot though, but increases AA with a quad gun.

Or I can do devs with 2x flakk and 2x Lascannons for anti whatever... I'm just not sure... I might jsut have to experiment a little.

Thoughts?

- VardenV2