Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Imperial Fists 1500 Tournament
For competitive play. Comments appreciated. Lysander will ride with the Sternguard; the Devastators will split, 3 lascannons in one half and the sergeant and Flakk missile in the other half manning the quad gun.

Lysander 230
5 Sternguard - 5x combi-meltas/1x meltabombs/drop pod 210
10 Marines - Missile launcher/flamer/Rhino 195
10 Marines - Missile launcher/flamer/Rhino 195
10 Marines - Missile launcher/flamer/Rhino 195
5 Bikes - 2x Grav guns/1x combi Grav/1x meltabombs 150
10 Devastators - 3x Lascannon/1x flakk missile launcher 225
Aegis Defense Line - Quad gun 100

Total:1500

A lot of people think that missile launchers are not as good as the other heavy weapons (with Flakk even less), I'm not a huge fan of them myself and because the Tacticals are in Rhino's they wont be shooting while they are moving up, and if you are planing to combat squad them, the other heavy weapon options might be better, I like plasma and las cannons

I'm not sure how effective a single drop pod is? and your Warlords in there too, they look like they equipped to drop right on top of a tank or MC or somthing, so your 6 marines will be without much support until you get your Rhino's up. Sure Lysander is dead 'ard but weight of fire could bring him down.
I've been trying to work out a good Imperial fist list for ages and I'm not really a competitive player and I've been finding it hard because I don't wana get rolled over.

sorry it's not much good, Hopefully someone more wiser on here can help you a bit more

MLs are awesome for the cost of FREE
It seems like a strong list for 1500 points to me. it has a strong scoring core, the ability to pop AV13 & 14, and even has some flyer defense. In spirit with Imperial Fists, the bolters will have to work anti horde. It is a very well balanced list that will win games.

I appreciate both comments.

As far as the missile launchers, I have found them to work well as, like tactical marines themselves, they are versatile but not suited for one particular role. Those squads may be hanging back, rushing forward or a combination during a game.

My strategy has been to keep them cheap and doing what they do best, firing massed bolters against infantry and taking objectives, but having a little flexibility to leave a missile launcher back or firing it out of a Rhino hatch.

With the drop pod coming in right away, I've learned the hard way that I have to drop against a flank or lightly defended rear area to avoid being overrun once my first strike is over. The key to a single pod seems to use it conservatively and recognize its limitations.

 Deuce11 wrote:
MLs are awesome for the cost of FREE
It seems like a strong list for 1500 points to me. it has a strong scoring core, the ability to pop AV13 & 14, and even has some flyer defense. In spirit with Imperial Fists, the bolters will have to work anti horde. It is a very well balanced list that will win games.

That would make sense if MLs were FREE. However, at the moment they are expensive. Regarding the list, putting 1/3 of your list in a drop pod.....well thats asking for a problem. Lysander is really only good in a Land Raider. Rhinos are also only good at semi competitive play as they are so easy to destroy and leave you footslogging if they are destroyed.

Not sure I feel the sternguard with lyssander is worth while. I agree the lyssander is best assaulting. All he is really doing here is tanking hits for your sternguard. Also, I am not a huge fan of combi meltas anymore. Not enough people are running heavy armor it is more from the big creature are, which plasma is better suited. Personally if you don't plan on getting lyssander into combat, I would take like a libby or something, it alot cheaper, and it will let you take more fire power, since your army seems to be more shooty oriented then assault oriented.


Having an extra flyer will help since a lot of uber competitive lists involve at least 2 to 3 flyers, and there is a good chance your 5 man squad on the gun will get shot up turn one, if your opponent is running a lot of flyers. Other than that seems like a very solid list. Good luck!

Specialty ammunition makes it unnecessary to equip with combi-plas. One unit of combi melta is good AV14 deterrent. You still need to cover your bases.

I'd drop the sternguard for a squad of TH/SS termites to go with Lysander, then use the extra ten points on a teleport homer for one of the tax squads. Then they will come in turn 2 or 3 when they will actually have an army to back them up.

I don't like flamers in tactical squads. I prefer plasma gun especially if you equip missile launcher. And i think it's not necessary to equip combi-meltas in the sternguard veteran squad unless you want to make it tank hunters. Even so, i think las cannons can destroy any tank you need.

Harald.Deathwolf wrote:
I don't like flamers in tactical squads. I prefer plasma gun especially if you equip missile launcher. And i think it's not necessary to equip combi-meltas in the sternguard veteran squad unless you want to make it tank hunters. Even so, i think las cannons can destroy any tank you need.

In this list they should be tank/MC hunters

You will really struggle in competitive games with this list. Lysander is pretty Meh right now you can build a better beat stick CM for similar points and get an OB into the bargain.

5 Sternguard with combi meltas are a lot of points for a suicide drop. Thats 440 points you're suiciding to kill 1 tank. Even without Lysander in there it is too many points to throw away. With DPs you need to go all out or go home. The issue is Tau eat DPs with interceptor. They'll torrent down Lysander and blow up the Sternguard with an Ion before you even get to shoot.

Tactical marines are at best a necessary evil. 30 is way too much at this point level (its double what I use at 1850). If your taking them always get a matched combi weapon. Generally I find them most efficient in 5s with special weapon and combi in a rhino. Cheap and fairly effective at 1 job. Though I see the value in 5 men with a heavy weapon in the right build (for instance a 48" range build).

Bikes should be taken as troops or not at all. If you want Grav spam then the command squad is a much better option for only 60 more points than your option.

Devastators are solid in IF list though Devastator Centurions are worth considering. Flakk missile launchers are not worth it ever. Quad gun and stalkers are the only ground based AA to consider for marines. Though both flyers are also quite good.

+1 to Flings comments.

I'd also say that if you are taking a marine transport, look at Razorbacks maybe. Not as good as they once were, but still better than Rhinos IMHO.

Drager wrote:
+1 to Flings comments.

I'd also say that if you are taking a marine transport, look at Razorbacks maybe. Not as good as they once were, but still better than Rhinos IMHO.

I like Razorbacks a great deal, but have switched back to Rhinos due to the lower cost and benefits of having larger 10-man squads. I have found the durability has pushed many more games into my favor with staying power on objectives. 5 man squads have been too easily swept off, especially once their more expensive Razorback has been popped.

It's a shame because I love them, but just haven't had as much success with them. Perhaps it's my playstyle.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Harald.Deathwolf wrote:
I don't like flamers in tactical squads. I prefer plasma gun especially if you equip missile launcher. And i think it's not necessary to equip combi-meltas in the sternguard veteran squad unless you want to make it tank hunters. Even so, i think las cannons can destroy any tank you need.

The lascannons have been very reliable for me, but I have found the DP melta unit pairs with them very well, especially against a cagey mech Eldar player whom I frequently play. That unit can often reach a hiding skimmer which is behind terrain or on the far side of the table. I try not to make them a suicide squad per say, but hope to drop on a flank and strike a vehicle or fort, then hopefully maneuver around with the protection of Lysander and apply pressure to that area.

For tactical squads, I had been running plasma/ML, but found the plasma to be fairly lackluster. The flamer has found a lot more utility for me at a cheaper price, adding even more S4/AP5 to the units bolters. The 30 points is simply a lot more useful to me elsewhere.