xTHExCLINCHERx wrote:
Welcome to the hobby, and Space Marines!

The above points are all valid, so I'll add a few different things here to get you thinking, rather than repeat the good advice above (grav bikes are great btw).

The reason I like Rhinos over Razorbacks is because the Razorback isn't a fast unit... and you'll be moving it to position your troops on an objective... but then snap-firing the gun most likely. It's just not worth the points. A Rhino lets you move around and fire from the hatch. I do like plasma/combi-plasma in that situation.

I don't like sniper scouts, simply because they can't move and be effective. Think of it this way... being generous in est. here...5 shots, 4 hits, 2 wounds maybe one rend.... probably saved by cover. They just don't deliver. I would take bolters, and their best piece of gear... the Land Speeder Storm (dedicated transport). For just under 100 points, you get troops that shoot like tactical marines, are much more mobile, and the potential of the LSS with a heavy flamer torching and blinding stuff from outflank is just amazing. So, for the points increase of five melta bombs over the squad you have now... it's so much more versatile.

Finally, the assault squad... they are fun, and cool, but hard to use effectively on the table. Unless you roll for some powers to protect them (maybe by joining the libby w/jump pack?) they will be tough to see as an effective unit. I also think the flamers are sort of a trap... you dont' wanna burn the weak infantry you want to assault... because you wanna stay locked in combat so you don't die to shooting... it's just really hard to use them. I would say, if you can get them into combat against something that can't really fight back, like a vehicle, then go with eviscerator and melta bomb... but otherwise they may just end up dying as a distraction.

I would consider dropping the assault marine squad, giving the librarian a bike so he can join the grav bike squad (you can then roll on the new powers to increase their survivability, or maybe to help with anti-tank, etc.), getting a LSS for the scouts with bolters and maybe filling out the tac squad to 10 man.

Not sure on the points there, but just some suggestions. Hope that helps!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ok, just ran the points... seems this is pretty close to what I'd recommend. I think it's worth noting here too, that all of these units are useful in larger point games.. which may be something that concerns you if you are looking to scale up without having lots of "unwanted models" lying around from the start of your collection ha!

Librarian - level 2, bike, axe
Bike Squad (3) - grav x2
Tactical Squad (10) - rhino, plasma, combi-plasma
Scout Squad (5) - bolters, land speeder storm w/heavy flamer

498/500

Or, you could actually swap the scouts out for a Thunderfire Cannon.. that would be super nasty at 500 points!
Or, cut the level 2, half the tac squad, change from plasma to melta, and include the TFC.

Just have to play with it and see.

charz wrote:
Also I realized I have no idea how to use that land speeder storm and the scouts. With their load out I'm assuming they sneak up next to a back field objective and unload/assault?

 xTHExCLINCHERx wrote:

charz wrote:
Also I realized I have no idea how to use that land speeder storm and the scouts. With their load out I'm assuming they sneak up next to a back field objective and unload/assault?

Here's how I use the Land Speeder Storm:

1) Deepstrike - If you are bold enough, you can deepstrike the thing RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of a bunch of enemies... if you stick... it's gonna hurt... a lot... a heavy flamer, 10 bolter shots, and a large blast that blinds the remaining units (I use them in that order, BTW, since you only need to hit one remaining guy who will be furthest away with the blind shot)

2) Outflank - Most of the time, this is the way to go. You can come on to the board edges, 12" and fire. Really good tactic. Guaranteed, line-breaker, or to harass a backfield unit, etc. I'd have to check the new GW FAQs that is "pending" I guess on their facebook page, but I'm pretty sure you can still move on 12" from the edge, and fire all the weapons and bolters from the dudes inside without snapshooting.

3) Infiltrate/Scout - Not so useful, but if you have a bunch of other things, you can always put this thing in their face turn 1 with these rules. It's 10 all around though, so unless in a very specific circumstance, not the best idea. Do remember, however, that you could outflank the scouts and the transport separately... they are two separate units, albeit a dedicated trasport.

4) Jamming beacon defense - Most people forget about this, but if you are afraid that someone will alpha-strike you with pods or something, just start the speeder on the board, near your other units. If you deploy in the corner or in a safe spot with limited reachability, the jamming beacon can pretty reliably protect you from an accurate deepstrike. The risk of the increased scattering they'd entail is a nasty threat if there is a table edge or two nearby! (Also, and don't forget about this, late-game, if you are holding an objective and someone tries to deep strike a pod, terminators, crisis suits, etc. to re-take it... they could scatter waaaaay off of your position!)

For the price of one TFC minus a melta bomb, this unit has so many special rules it's just nuts!

charz wrote:

Last question, I think. Should I give the scouts shotguns or bolters