Drop pod and jump pack

[Brother Bahram]

Asume building an 500 patrol.

Master

5 Tactical in drop pod

5 Tactical in drop pod

5 assault with jump pack

(Master in one of the DP’s)

Does this mean that I can start my turn with zero units on the table?

[Aeri]

No. There is a rule that says no more than 50% of your units can start in reserves. I think. At least in 8th it was.

[Brother Bahram]

In the latest FAQ Dp and embarked units doesn’t counts towards that limit

[Angel of Solitude]

So per the Grand Tournament booklet:

 

No more than half the total number of units in your army can be Strategic Reserve and/or Reinforcement units, and the combined points value of all your Strategic Reserve and Reinforcement units (including those embarked within TRANSPORT models that are Strategic Reserve and/or Reinforcement units) must be less than half of your army’s total points value, even if every unit in your army has an ability that would allow them to be set up elsewhere.

 

But in the latest DA FAQ:

 

*Page 122 – Drop Pod, Abilities, Drop Pod Assault

Add the following:‘Neither this model, nor any units embarked within it, are counted towards any limits that the mission you are playing places on the maximum number of Reinforcement units you can have in your army. This model can be set up in the Reinforcements step of your first, second or third Movement phase, regardless of any mission rules.

 

So it would seem that you can do as you suggest, but the more pertinent question is should you do as you request. You have to land your Drop Pods more than 9" away from the enemy, so on an Incursion-sized board, it wouldn't be too difficult for the enemy to block a considerable area of your board, thus resulting in a worse deployment than if you had deployed some units pre-game.

 

Additionally, some secondary objectives are scored from turn 1, and can require you to be on the board at the start of the moment phase - anything involving actions, for example. So while you may protect yourself from a "destructive" alpha strike, you then expose yourself to losing behind on valuable points.

[Aeri]

I know the DP don't count towards the limit. However, they also don't count as "on the board" and therefore the Assault Squad has to start on the board.