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Are Techmarines and the MoTF usable, or competitive? In an IH Drop Pod Army? Behind Riflemen Dreads?

I put some in Land Raider Achilleses in an Iron Hands list.

The biggest problem with the regular Techmarines + MotF is that they don't come with their own Thunderfire Cannon.

Since 2-4 TFCs are almost auto-take for SM lists, it's hard to find reasons to squeeze in more Techmarines. You already have enough bolstering for all the terrain you can use it on, and Space Marine vehicles are generally bad targets for the Techmarine's repair ability anyways.

The Invincible Iron Hands Land Raider Achilles aside, there's not that much repairing that you want to do: Rhinos are too low AV and too expendable to be wasting repair attempts on, Predators have reasonable survivability, but nowhere near enough offensive power for their cost, AV12 Dreadnoughts are also quite fragile, and also don't pack nearly enough punch (just compare a Rifleman Dreadnought with a Wave Serpent in survivability, mobility, and damage, and you'll see what I mean). The three base Land Raider variants are generally way too overcosted for their firepower, and if you're bringing Techmarines/MotF to repair them, you're trying to preserve their firepower rather than use them as a transport which can blow up after delivering its cargo. Ironclad & Contemptor spam would probably be the only thing I could think of as being reasonable for having Techmarines along, more so Mortis Contemptors than Ironclads. The AV13 keeps them reasonably protected, and the Contemptor at least has a boatload of ranged firepower, while the Ironclad has a few meltas and a Chainfist. Even then, Contemptors can still be repaired by the TFC gunner, if you're willing to give up a round of shooting from the TFC (you aren't really going to do this). Generally, even when its an AV13 dread, the only occasion it's going to wind up needing repairs is if it's just taking potshots from enemies at range. Most often it'll just get blown up in one turn from multiple glances, or just pen'd to death.

So yeah, your army should contain Techmarines, but those Techmarines are the gunners manning the Thunderfire Cannons, not separate units. I can only see them being taken separately in an Iron Hands list using a Land Raider Achilles (or multiple) and/or a Mortis Contemptor Dreadnought (or multiple).

I like the idea of a Master of the Forge as a nice combat character, he can tank a few wounds in a squad and win challenges with Sergeants easily enough. Maybe in a Raider with a Tac squad as a late game objective grabber that can jump out if needed.

@ Tharinye. You've discounted a lot of units there. I'm interested in what units you think would be good in an irons hand list. Contemptors and ironclads aside.

Jamo wrote:
@ Tharinye. You've discounted a lot of units there. I'm interested in what units you think would be good in an irons hand list. Contemptors and ironclads aside.

The Achilles and Spartan

@ unit1126pll Anything else that isn't forgeworld?

Jamo wrote:
@ unit1126pll Anything else that isn't forgeworld?

I dunno. My group plays straight 40k as best we can, so I never thought about it.

I have toyed around with the idea of making a heavy Tech marine list with the idea of spamming Bolster Defense and taking a Gunline IG as allies to add into the TFC hail of bullets going down range Give them HW Servitors and be done with it. As for the MotF, I can see a Biomancy Libby in Terminator armor teaming up with him. Do something crazy like give the MotF the Storm Shield relic with a squad of Terminators and the Libby in a Crusader LR and watch them go. Though I would say screw it and foot-slog them. 250pts for a ride is not my style.

As for the repair stuff... I agree with what has been posted. There isn't something that isn't either over priced or to fragile to even bother with the repairs (that is non-FW). Or at least something that would be hanging back camping. Land Raiders should be pushing forward to dump something into assault.

I was thinking about using a MoTF with 4x Ironclads and troops in pods dropping down.