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I want to use the rules for the Dark Angels (not using stuff specific to Ravenwing or Deathwing) and make a Codex army for my Ultramarines.

And not have it just be "for fun", but use it against the toughest armies in the game, Nidzilla and Mech Eldar. Fortunately we have some good players of those armies at our store - and I want to try my luck.

Of course I need to build a 1750 List first, since that's what the GT's are about and that's what I want to see if its possible for.

Right now I have what I consider to be the best 1500 Point list I think you can do in this fashion (excluding DA specific stuff like the Master of RW Speeder):

Master of Sanctity Chaplain, Jump Pack - 120

10 Marines, Plasma Cannon/Plasma Gun, Power Fist - 220
10 Marines, Plasma Gun, Power Fist - 205
Rhino Transport, Extra Armor - 50

10 Assault Marines, Power Fist - 260

Predator Destructor (Autocannon/Heavy Bolter Sponsons) - 95
10 Devastators, 4 Lascannons (Breaks into 2 Five man Squads) - 305
10 Devastators, 4 Missile Launchers (Breaks into 2 Five man Squads) - 245

To take this to 1750, I have 250 Points to play with. 

That leaves me with these options:

10 Marines, Melta, PF Sarge, Rhino with Extra Armor - 250 Points

OR

2x1 Speeder Tornado with Assault Cannon and 50 Points to play with (possibly a Rhino for the second Tactical Squad). 

On one hand I don't like Speeders for 100 Points a pop, because they die easily, especially compared to 10 Marines in a Rhino.  But on the other hand, they bring mobility and the ability to deal with certain threats in a SM army.  For instance if I can kill say, a squad of Ravenors in one volly of fire from a Speeder and then watch it die, I'm happy because it'll have done its job.  Ditto on a unit of harlequins that jump out of a Falcon and then massacre a squad of Marines, it can come out of hiding, blast the harlies and then die from return fire - but it'll have been worth it.  They also contest or claim objectives.  I'm learning that for how I like to play Marines, Speeders are best used conservatively.

But on the other hand, that's 10 more MARINES, in a Rhino, and another PF squad.  At 1750 that would give me 51, count them FIFTY ONE MEQ's, and I'd be mobile. 

I know it'd be an uphill battle against things like Mech Eldar and Zilla Nids, or even Tau, but I think it's worth a shot to try.  Mainly because I think the GD style competitive Marines I'm bringing are both cheesy and boring (though effective). 

So what do you guys think I should do to bring this to 1750 and keep it good?  I'm not a fan of massed Razorbacks; but I'm open to suggestions.

Either I don't play them well enough or it just happens that the enemy fears them so much that they have to eliminate them immeadiatly. But I love speeders. hehe

I always field at one usually two speeders in a game with typhoon and multi-melta upgrades on both for 85pts each. I also try to use to keep them using seperate fast attack force organisation slots as they are even more prone to dying when in a squadron.

If i do end up having to put them into a squadron I try to add a speeder with heavy bolter and assualt cannon for good measure. More likely to survive and more likely wipe out a unit or two before being destroyed. whole unit exactly 250 and could be put into a single or split team.