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Hi - ive just bought the Calth box and Im aiming get 1500pts of 30K and 40K from the box with some extras.
Starting with the 40K list, im looking for something hopefully straightforward and fun to play, but would welcome input. The plan would be to start at 1000pts and then build up:
The big issue that I am having is that my main army is jetbike Eldar and Im trying to create a list that could stand a fair chance against it. Im open to ideas.

CAD

HQ
Sgt Telion (with the devs)

TROOPS
10 marines (meltagun) in rhino (storm bolter)
10 marines (meltagun) in rhino (storm bolter)

ELITES
5 termis (chainfists)
dread (2 T/L autocannons)

HS
Predator
8 devs (4 heavy bolter, 3 bolters, 1 sarg)

just under 1k

Welcome to Dakka and the Space Marines.

Making an army that stands up to Eldar Jetbikes is going to be rough. They are one of the most powerful units in the game right now.

Talion can hang out near the devs, but not join them. He can only join scout squads. I might look for another HQ, or pick up some scouts.

If you are taking melta guns, take more then one. Combi on the sarge, and preferably a MM. Otherwise you end up with the whole squad sitting back while the one guy takes his pot shot. Not a reliable way to pop a tank, or worth missing a turn of 9 guys filling something soft full of bolter rounds.

All chainfists is probably overkill. One or two will ensure any armor they touch will explode in a pile of shrapnel. I’d probably mix in a few 2xLC guys just to blend tarpits/MEQs.

With dreads at 4A base these days, I’m loath to take the fist off of them. You also have a general lack of AV firepower in your list, might be worth getting him something with a bit more teeth. While more points, the rules for the contemptor with the kheres AsC look quite nice. You mentioned the BaC box, so you have the model.

What’s the pred loaded with? I’m a fan of Auto/Las, but the TLLC turret is also nice.

I love HBs. They look cool. But you list needs more AV firepower. I’d like to see 4xLC, but MLs will do in a pinch.

If you are countering jetbike Eldar list. The better chance is to alpha strike them. I.e. Droppod should be better for your Marines.

Heavy bolter Devastors are bad against Scatbikes, the Scatter Laser also has 36 inch range. So they can conveniently shoot at those Dev Squads then use their assault move out of rangeq of the Heavy Bolters.

Telion do not need to be attached to a Squad to grant his "rending" warlord trait. He just need to be within 12inch of the unit. A better use of him might be infiltrate him with a Squad of Sniper Scouts, then one to two other Scout Squads (preferably 10men size) with Bolters, then Scout move them into Rapid fire range and you nowhave alarge amount of rending shots. Or you can put him and his "students" near a unit of Thurnder Fire Cannons, you may get four rending, Ignore cover Blast at 60inch range which I think is awesome.

Thanks - yes, i thought that i had unrealistic expectations up against my scat-bikes :-)

It's really tight at 1k, so i will probably have to lose the dread:

HQ
Termi captain (combi melta)

TROOPS
10 marines (meltagun & MM) in rhino (storm bolter)
10 marines (meltagun & MM) in rhino (storm bolter)

ELITES
5 termis


HS
Predator (T/L lascannon)
8 devs (4 missile launcher, 3 bolters, 1 sarg)