Iron Hands and the Mobile Pillbox *Updated 10/28/19

[Aothaine]

So I can't take it anymore. The more I look at Iron Hands the more I like them. Sure they are strong and people may put me in the bandwagon group but I really don't care. I have always enjoyed the idea of mobile pillboxes. Sisters of Battle can do it with their Repressor that is most likely going bye-bye. But Iron Hands can do it with Scout Squads in Land Speeder Storms. This combo is just amazingly good with many chapters but Iron Hands just have it on lock imho.

 

Iron Hands do so much for this unit that it is almost silly not to take them. In my opinion you can kit them out for three different setups. Short-Ranged Support, Mid-Ranged Support, Long-Ranged Support. I have provided three builds below and how they are best used.

 

Rules that benefit these units:

 

Calculated Fury: Move and fire heavy weapons without penalty. Reroll 1s when firing heavy weapons.

 

Devastator Doctrine: -1 ap on heavy weapons

 

Iron Hands Chapter Tactics: 6+ FNP, Overwatch on 5-6, Double wounds on dmg chart does not affect Land Speeder Storms

 

 

Long-Ranged Support Role

 

[T] Scout Squad: Sniper Rifle x4, Missile Launcher x1

[Transport] Land Speeder Storm: Heavy Bolter, Cerberus Launcher

 

The LRSR configuration is designed to skip around the battle field staying at the 36" range. The goal being to keep out of the range of rapid fire and most of the opponents more dangerous weapons. This unit can baby sit back field objectives on either side of the board with it's 18" move.

 

Mid-Ranged Support Role

 

[T] Scout Squad: Storm Bolter(Sgt), Bolter x3, Heavy Bolter x1

[Transport] Land Speeder Storm: Heavy Bolter, Cerberus Launcher

 

The MRSR configuration is designed to harry the enemy. It will run into the 12" rapid fire range and unload is firepower. Then move back around and continue to pepper the enemy from odd angles making it difficult to assault or even counter productive. Ex. You move the speeder onto a building that puts you within 12" but makes the assault very difficult for your opponent. Ex2. You position your speeder in a location that will force the enemy to move in the wrong direct if they want to assault you. (This second point is where I think this build will really shine. Forcing your opponent to make a decision to assault his harasser or move toward the objective.) Another point is that if this unit ends up camping on an objective you can make use of bolter drill.

 

Short-Ranged Support Role

 

[T] Scout Squad: Combi-melta(Sgt), Shotgun x3, Missile Launcher x1

[Transport] Land Speeder Storm: Heavy Bolter, Cerberus Launcher

 

The SRSR configuration is designed to get in close to get the double dice wound roll for the Combi-melta. The shotguns are assault as well as the combi-melta and will allow the unit to move and still fire at full capacity. It has a focus on anti-armor but also has a good amount of anti-infantry with the Frag/Krak Missile and shotguns.

 

There is a close combat build but I really don't think it is worth the effort. If you want to assault with scouts you should be playing Black Templars or Blood Angels. 

 

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These are the three builds I think will work best with Iron Hands. There is an argument for the more melee focused build to be used to soak overwatch for a more assault-based Ironhands force but I don't think we'll see many of those. If anyone has any suggestions or if I've made a mistake somewhere please let me know.

 

 

**Updated as I now have the codex in hand. Still need to verify if storm bolters are in the sgt list. Forgot to check on my lunch.

Edited October 28, 2019 by Aothaine

[tychobi]

Goid points. Sleeper hit if rules dont change? Edited October 17, 2019 by tychobi

[Aothaine]

Goid points. Sleeper hit if rules dont change?

 

Yeah... not building it until Jan at the earliest. Want to make sure I don't spend $600 and then just have to leave it in the case.

[Exilyth]

Iron Hands brigade gotta go fast:

 

Iron Hands Brigade

 

HQ

Captain w/jump pack, chainsword & boltpistol - 74

Captain w/jump pack, chainsword & boltpistol - 74

Lieutnants w/jump pack, 2x chainsword & boltpistol - 156

 

Standard

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

Scout Squad, 5x Bolter, Landspeeder Storm, Cerberus Launcher, Heavy Bolter - 120

 

Elite

Vanguard Veterans, 5x jump pack, Chainsword & Bolt Pistol - 85

Vanguard Veterans, 5x jump pack, Chainsword & Bolt Pistol - 85

Vanguard Veterans, 5x jump pack, Chainsword & Bolt Pistol - 85

 

Fast Attack

Landspeeder, Heavy Bolter - 55

Landspeeder, Heavy Bolter - 55

Landspeeder, Heavy Bolter - 55

 

Heavy Support

Hunter - 75

Thunderfire Cannon w/Techmarine gunner - 92

Thunderfire Cannon w/Techmarine gunner - 92

 

total: 1703 pts

 

 

Leaves 297 pts for upgrades & changes until 2k is reached. List lacks AT.

 

Such mobility would be more of a white scars thing, but would be interesting to explore nonetheless.

I doubt I'd ever use such a large number of Landspeeders though.

[Aothaine]

Iron Hands brigade gotta go fast:

 

Such mobility would be more of a white scars thing, but would be interesting to explore nonetheless.

I doubt I'd ever use such a large number of Landspeeders though.

 

Yeah, would be a fun list to play but that list will have some issues with vehicles. The more I look into it the more I like the SRSR setup with the meltas, shotguns and missile launcher. The unit is capable to shred quite a lot and can focus both vehicles and non-hoard units. My idea was to use the elite slots for the anti-horde with Librarians and Invictor suits. Not to sure about that part of the list just yet. But I know for a fact I want my core to be Scouts in Land Speeder Storms.

[Iron Father Ferrum]

That Hunter is the only thing in the army that's comparatively sturdy, so everything high-strength antitank gun your enemies have will focus it down quickly. I'd recommend getting some more T7 or T8 vehicles in there somewhere.