1st Turn Drop Pods ?

[Dracos]

I just watched TableTopTactics "confirm" that Marines would now have option to use Drop Pods to drop in enemy deployment zone on the first turn.

 

Can I get a second confirmation from anyone?

 

 

 

And if so why hasn't the internet burned down yet?

[SanguinaryGuardsman]

Yeah ive seen that on youtube reviews... it is on the datasheet not a stratagem.  So presumably non codex chapters would get it after the fall FAQ.

 

The problem is... what do you acutally put inside the pods since they cannot hold primaris?  

 

devs with grav and the new grav stratagem (reroll wounds and damage) might be ok if you can field a vehicle without an invuln to shoot at... gl with that.

[CaptainMarsh]

Sternguard are always happy to pop out of them.

[Xerxus]

A Black Templar CQC unit backed up by an advancing JP chaplain with Canticles of Hate (+2" charge range if it goes off). Greater than 80% success rate on the charge.

[Toxichobbit]

A Black Templar CQC unit backed up by an advancing JP chaplain with Canticles of Hate (+2" charge range if it goes off). Greater than 80% success rate on the charge.

 

From what I've heard the Litanies happen at the start of the turn, so it won't work out of a drop pod. One of the reviewers specifically mentioned that combo, except with Terminators and a Terminator Chaplain. It's hard to confirm 100% though as there's not really a clear picture of the relevant rules yet.

[Dracos]

Well it doesn't help me any because .... Primaris (damn overhead compartments?).

 

 ... but what it does for Firstborn, hellah yeah. I don't want to hear anymore whining from Old Schoolers (like me) who have kept theor hands clutched around their older models (not like me :)). 

 

This just is either going to result in dump trucks loads of salt from other Factions (too bad) or heralds a reverse/change in how GW wants to govern Match Play and player interaction (eek) 

[Lemondish]

I just watched TableTopTactics "confirm" that Marines would now have option to use Drop Pods to drop in enemy deployment zone on the first turn.

 

Can I get a second confirmation from anyone?

 

 

 

And if so why hasn't the internet burned down yet?

 

Because they're still only carrying Firstborn marines

 

 

A Black Templar CQC unit backed up by an advancing JP chaplain with Canticles of Hate (+2" charge range if it goes off). Greater than 80% success rate on the charge.

 

From what I've heard the Litanies happen at the start of the turn, so it won't work out of a drop pod. One of the reviewers specifically mentioned that combo, except with Terminators and a Terminator Chaplain. It's hard to confirm 100% though as there's not really a clear picture of the relevant rules yet.

 

 

Litanies may need to be selected at the beginning of the turn, but Canticles of Hate apply to anybody 6" near the Chaplain. By the time the aura applies, they'll be on the board and benefit from it. 

 

Buuuut, the chappy still has to be on the board. So he can buff the Termies, but he can't jump in with them. Appears as if he needs to actually be there first. 

[Toxichobbit]

 

Litanies may need to be selected at the beginning of the turn, but Canticles of Hate apply to anybody 6" near the Chaplain. By the time the aura applies, they'll be on the board and benefit from it. 

 

Buuuut, the chappy still has to be on the board. So he can buff the Termies, but he can't jump in with them. Appears as if he needs to actually be there first. 

 

 

That's fantastic news, way better than I thought it was. So in Xerxus example I'm assuming the advancing Chaplain is already on the table then he drops the Templars into the aura.

[Ishagu]

Grav Cannon Devs in a Pod.

 

New super unit. They get to re roll all wounds with a Strat.

[mertbl]

And damage!

 

Grav Cannon Devs in a Pod.

 

New super unit. They get to re roll all wounds with a Strat.

[Lemondish]

Grav Cannon Devs in a Pod.

 

New super unit. They get to re roll all wounds with a Strat.

 

Yeah, I expect to see these. 

 

I definitely like the idea of Sternguard in them as well. 

[Joukernaut]

Especially since you can boost their to wound roll and they can get an extra -AP under the tactical doctrine.

[Lemondish]

Especially since you can boost their to wound roll and they can get an extra -AP under the tactical doctrine.

Exactly! Plus, they're one of my favourite Firstborn kits.

[ERJAK]

I just watched TableTopTactics "confirm" that Marines would now have option to use Drop Pods to drop in enemy deployment zone on the first turn.

 

Can I get a second confirmation from anyone?

 

 

 

And if so why hasn't the internet burned down yet?

Because they're still pretty bad?

[Joukernaut]

I think you might be wrong, the ability to alpha strike important units is key. And now that marines have significant buffs and significant stratagems, I fully expect people to pickup drop pods again. Depending on wether it will be FAQ'D the wording now actually lets you null deploy and hit with your entire army in rapid-fire range turn one if you so desire. Granted this will be an army without primaris since only regular marines fit in drop pods, but grav-devastators are back in a big way and stern guard have always been good. That and tacticals received a points reduction.

 

I don't think you will see drop pod armies shake up the meta, but I do expect one or two drop pods making a comeback. I know I will use them more often.

[Ishagu]

One thing I see is a nice way to get last minute line breaker/objectives with one on turn 5. It's pretty cool and Tactical.

[L30n1d4s]

I think White Scars, with their new Stratagem that gives a unit a 3D6" charge, will do very well with Drop Pods. Turn 1, drop in a Pod with 10 Vanguard Vets (all Storm Shields and Thunder Hammers) and a second Pod next to it with a Chapter Master (PF/SB), Lieutenant (CS/SB), Stormseer (Mantle of the Stormseer Relic), and 7 Sternguard (all with SBs>

 

After arrival the Stormseer uses powers to, number one, give the Vanguard Veterans +2" top their charge rolls and, number two, prevent the enemy from overwatching. The Sternguard and Characters then use their shooting to clear out any chaff units in the way and then, in the Charge phase, pop the 3D6" charge stratagem on the Vanguard Veterans, then have them charge in with 30 x S8 AP-3 D3 attacks, re-rolling all misses --- thanks to the Chapter Master --- and also re-rolling 1s to Wound because of the Lieutenant.... pretty devastating, even against a T8 3+ Imperial Knight, that averages out to 32 Unsaved Wounds in a single turn!

 

After this, in subsequent turns (i.e. Turn 2 on), you can continue to "rinse and repeat" and carve your way through the enemy back lines. Once you get to turn 3 and can choose to activate the Assault Doctrine, then your Thunder Hammers become AP-4 and D4 on the charge, so even more ridiculous and deadly.

[CCE1981]

You forgot to give you Chapter Master the +3” aura Relic so he doesn't have to make combat.

[UnkyHamHam]

You forgot to give you Chapter Master the +3” aura Relic so he doesn't have to make combat.

I think that relic might be Primaris only. And thus would not be in a Drop Pod. I think.

[Joukernaut]

One thing I see is a nice way to get last minute line breaker/objectives with one on turn 5. It's pretty cool and Tactical.

Isn't the turn three or destroyed reserve rule preventing this? or am I missing something?

[Happy-inquisitor]

Drop pods now have a role but their big drawback is still there - they are immobile so they cannot fall back from combat. They have minimal defence from assault with weak overwatch and combat attacks.

 

An opponent with fly or any other way to fall back and still shoot will just use them to negate your next shooting phase. An opponent with hit and run (White Scars, Harlequins) will spend the rest of the game playing tag with your drop pods to never be shot at again.

 

A drop pod list needs to make the alpha strike really count or else it can have put itself in a bad position against a smart opponent. Drop pod assault lists do not quite have the same problem because they do not care if they lose some shooting - their problem is Infiltrators which are a hard counter against reserves assault armies.

 

 

[CCE1981]

 

 

One thing I see is a nice way to get last minute line breaker/objectives with one on turn 5. It's pretty cool and Tactical.

Isn't the turn three or destroyed reserve rule preventing this? or am I missing something?

The new Drop Pod rule overrides the on the board by turn three rule completely.

[Joukernaut]

Ah, yes. I just read up on it.

I would be surprised if that doesn’t get FAQ’d.

[Captain Idaho]

 ... but what it does for Firstborn, hellah yeah. I don't want to hear anymore whining from Old Schoolers (like me) who have kept theor hands clutched around their older models (not like me :)). 

 

It's very hard to be salty about this release as GW actually seems to have listened to us! I'm sure we'll all get on a lot better as a result ;)

 

Seriously though, yes Drop Pods look great. I do want 5 Devastators with Grav Cannons now, which feels like I'm following dirt but hey - Marines have sucked for so long anyway.

 

Even just 10 Tactical Marines with plasma, combi plasma and a Grav Cannon are a reasonable elite killer and fill out a Troops choice as well as just being quite cheap.

 

I'm giddy. As an Ultramarines player, I'll probably drop them in with a Master of Strategy so they count as Tactical Doctrine 1st turn...

[Trevak Dal]

I want drop pods to be good, I got the beginnings of a drop pod army (well no tanks at least), but I'm going to wait until I see if it's worth it to get them.