HQ:
* Marshal w/ Primarch's Wrath and Artificer Armor. [130]
~ Command Squad (1x Apothecary, 4x Sword Brethren) w/ 2 Plasmaguns. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [180]
ELITES:
* Sword Brethren (5x Sternguard) w/ 2 Combi-Meltas and 1 Heavy Flamer. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [185]
* Sword Brethren (5x Sternguard) w/ 2 Combi-Meltas and 1 Heavy Flamer. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [185]
* Sword Brethren (5x Sternguard) w/ 2 Combi-Meltas and 1 Heavy Flamer. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [185]
TROOPS:
* Crusader Squad (1x Sword Brethren, 4x Initiates) w/ Combi-Melta and Plasmagun. Mounted in Drop Pod. [140]
* Crusader Squad (1x Sword Brethren, 4x Initiates) w/ Combi-Melta and Plasmagun. Mounted in Drop Pod. [140]
* Crusader Squad (1x Sword Brethren, 4x Initiates) w/ Combi-Melta and Plasmagun. Mounted in Drop Pod. [140]
* Crusader Squad (1x Sword Brethren, 4x Initiates) w/ Combi-Melta and Plasmagun. Mounted in Drop Pod. [140]
* Crusader Squad (1x Sword Brethren, 4x Initiates) w/ Combi-Melta and Plasmagun. Mounted in Drop Pod. [140]
FAST ATTACK:
* Assault Squad (1x Sergeant, 4x Initiates) w/ 2 Flamers. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [95]
* Assault Squad (1x Sergeant, 4x Initiates) w/ 2 Flamers. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [95]
* Assault Squad (1x Sergeant, 4x Initiates) w/ 2 Flamers. Mounted in a Drop Pod. [95]
Total: [1850]
I know there is nothing in the way of AA, but by nature of being full drop pod, I should avoid the worst of that. I'm just going to have to risk exposure to Heldrakes and other dangerous flyers, as its inefficient in a drop pod list to build in enough AA to take them down, while sticking to the DDP theme. Ideally, I'd have liked to take at least one flyer, but it just doesn't fit. So, what are we seeing? A total of 12 drop pods and 61 bodies. That is a whole lot of LOS blocking and board control. This also gives us a very nice even split of drop pods for the first turn and giving you a lot of options in the way of picking your alpha strike. This alpha strike is something that was really lacking in the 5th Edition DDP list, so its refreshing to regain some kill power.
There is plenty of AP2 in the list, but we've also got 3 squads of Sternguard who are also packing their special ammo for awesomeness. They are also armed with a heavy flamer each for those armies with 4+ or worse armor saves. But because you can't ever have enough template action (and they are dirtball cheap in a DP list), we've got 3 Assault squads packing 2 flamers each. They can easily burn away bubble-wrap units, hordes, or critically important units like Pathfinders. These flamers also discourage charges, via Overwatch. Just in case your opponent is fielding a good amount of vehicles (or Land Raiders), we've got plenty of Combi-Meltas (11) to bust them open.
This list is designed to pound you and distract you with its heavy hitters, blocking your progress forward into the battlefield with the drop pods. This is an extremely effective tactic against static armies like the Tau, even with their Intercept. While they are dealing with you there, you're busy claiming the objectives around the board with your troops and keeping out of LOS as needed until the game comes to a close. By the time your opponent is ready to come forward to try to claim/contest anything, it'll usually be too late. But remember, while it sounds awesome and easy...it isn't. This list, like its predecessor, will take you dozens of games to learn its intricacies. It is not an easy list to play. Its learning curve is extremely high and it takes a lot of planning, finesse, and skill to make it work. Get those games under your belt and you'll start to see a lot of wins.
Also, coming in the next couple days is a wonderful little challenge by Firepower. I've been spending the past couple days working on a solution to it, but it is definitely a worthy challenge! We'll take a look at it soon. With that, have a wonderful evening. ;)