VPs generated by Drop Pods

[Coyote]

I'm glad to be joining these forums. Seems like a good group of people. I'm planning a Drop Pod army, and a question has been nagging me:

• Drop Pods, "...count in all respects as a vehicle that has suffered an Immobilized damage result..."
  
• Under this edition's rules, "...(vehicles) are worth half their points cost in VPs if they are suffering from the effects of any Damaged result at the end of the game."
  

This seems to say that every Drop Pod used is an automatic 18 VPs in the opponent's favor the moment it hits the table. Even if it suffers no further damage during the course of the game. That blows. Particularly since I'm planning on fielding 5+ Pods, resulting in 90+ "free" VPs. I just handed them the equivalent of a 5-man Tactical squad.

 

Of course, it should be discussed prior to the start of a game and treated as a House Rule, in much the same manner as the doors blocking movement, etc. But it seems like an unintended oversight.

 

Thoughts?

[Seahawk]

Nope, not unintended. If you use drop pods, they provide quick points, plain and simple. It was FAQ'd last edition in this manner, and will continue to be so. Just be glad you aren't using 50 point drop pods!

[Coyote]

Nope, not unintended. If you use drop pods, they provide quick points, plain and simple. It was FAQ'd last edition in this manner, and will continue to be so. Just be glad you aren't using 50 point drop pods!

Boy, that really rubs me the wrong way. I mean, I'll put up with it because they fit my theme and I'm more focused on theme than a "hard" list. But if they meant to inflict this one us, it would be nice if it was made clear and if the points cost reflected this. Rhinos are currently the same price and don't give anything away.

[Gurth]

Think of it as the price to pay for getting your troops at the rear of the enemy faster than with a Rhino and more accurately than with normal deep striking …

[Seahawk]

Exactly. You get major benefits for giving away so few points in return. On the plus side, VP aren't used any more in standard games so you don't have to worry about it.

[nighthawks]

and also on the plus side, your pods can contest objectives in standard games, making cheap but reasonably hard targets that the enemy has to destroy.

[General Retreat]

and also on the plus side, your pods can contest objectives in standard games, making cheap but reasonably hard targets that the enemy has to destroy.

 

That, and you get a weapon (Storm Bolter or Deathwind Launcher) and a Locator Beacon on the vehicle.

 

What seriously bites is when an opponent rolls Immobilized and you loose a weapon or destroy it anyway.

[Mordekiem]

Exactly. You get major benefits for giving away so few points in return. On the plus side, VP aren't used any more in standard games so you don't have to worry about it.

As Seahawk said VPs are an optional rule. So don't use them if it rubs you the wrong way.

 

But as pointed out Drop pods easily balance out this very minor drawback.

[Coyote]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I guess I'm used to VPs, since I'm a WFB player in disguise. It was actually the new SM Codex that got me interested in playing 40k. That and I can hardly get a Fantasy game at my area store (northern Maryland).

 

I was a HUGE fan of Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers as a kid. So the idea of an all Drop Pod army that I can customize to my liking has always appealed to me. The book, btw, bears no resemblance at all to the movies. They sux. I strongly recommend the book to any SM player. Any 40k player for that matter.

 

Thanks again.

[Gaz1858]

Was it the powersuited, nuclear toting, flamer wileding, machine gun firing idea that attracted you to Marines then?!!!

 

And yes the book rules, film is ok.