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.

I really would love to run a space marine list that is as shooty as possible with a decent amount of bodies so I essentially dont cry every time I roll a 1. Unfortunately my knowledge base of marines is only from my experience playing against them, and thus I would really like to here from everyone as to how best to accomplish this and why, before I start piecing together an army so I dont wind up with a box full of $40 dollar paper weights. Thanks in advance for any help.

If you want to go shooty you can do something like this

Master with twin Lightning Claws with a jump pack
Libby in Terminator armor with 4 Terminators and 2 Assault Cannons

Ven Dread with AC + HF

4x6 Las/Plas Tactical squads

8 Dev Squad w/ 4 Missiles
8 Dev Sqaud w/ 4 Heavy Bolters
1 Predator Anihilator with Heavy Bolters

6 - 8 man Assault squad with 2 plasma pistols and a vet with a fist (can also be given a plasma pistol not to many people like it though).

This should give you a good start and also some experience with all the diffrent units you can play with.

Thats quite a good list.

Personally I'd drop the termies until later on (unless you really want a deep strike). I tend to go with a chaplain as HQ joining onto an assult squad without jumppacks. I also try to have a tactical without a Heavy weapon to move forward and benefit from the rapid fire. These are used as suport for a 2nd tactical with heavy bolter. One stands and fires at long range the other rapid fires and mops up. The amount of fire power from these two squads is often overwhelming against most opponents of the same points if used right. The forward tactical also becomes a main target ahead of the 2nd, opponent then has to kill an extra 10 marines before starting to cut down heavy weapons, or take 20 bolter shots for at least one turn! the 2nd squad could be exchanged for devs if points allow. Again my preferance is HBs. I'd also have the dread with AC PF to support the chaplin/assult, and in the past have used the thing as a walking wall with the chaplain behind to help with survivability. Just make sure that there is something capable of dealing with thick armour. Problems come when facing a heavily armoured assult force with this one, e.g. Chaos. Have beaten bog stanadard marines many times with it (yes I know marines don't fight marines, it's just that I'm sure Ultramarines are traitors......)