Here me out first ...
I'm currently running the gay apothecary, cleanse and purify drop pod list w/ a few landspeeder tornados. I have one melta squad and three plasma squads. I do not use dreads or termies, btw. I have a 1500 point list of command squad w/ mektas, 3 tac squads w/ plasma and one tac sqiuad w/ meltas and two speeders. Everything drops in. Now I want to add at least one dev squad to get the list up to 1700 points. The questions I have ...
1) Well they cannot shoot the turn they arrive. I can hide them with the pod but they have to come out and fire sooner or later, lol ... now I can place them near apothecaries from other units and use the pods to screen out half my opp[onents forces so it can still work as long as drop out of assault range.
2) I like heavy bolters but taking four might be a bit much as I do lack anti-tank. They have some range though which is good. Should I try three HBs with one Plasma Cannon or with one Missile Launcher?
3) I was thinking six man squads ... would you go six or eight? Would you add a vet sarge w/ pf.
4) I know Whirlwinds might work but I do not want them alo0ne on the table for two turns. On the other hand, in cover they might bait some troops forward. Are they better than a dev squad?
5) Do not suggest terminators or dreads please. I know they can be effective but I prefer troop heavy or whirlies ...