Iron Dragons

That's my new Space Marine chapter that I will be assembling for BoLSCon in August. I'd call it a hybrid Salamanders/Iron Hands list. Here's its last incarnation (some additional notes below).

HQ: Forgefather Vulkan He'stan (1, 190 pts.)

HQ: Master of the Forge (1, 125 pts.)

Power Sword, Digital Weapons

Troops: Tactical Squad (11, 220 pts.)

Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Combi-Meltagun (replaces bolter), Rhino

Troops: Tactical Squad (11, 220 pts.)

Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Combi-Meltagun (replaces bolter), Rhino

Elite: Terminator Assault Squad (11, 660 pts.)

8x Thunder Hammer/Storm Shield, 2x Lightning Claw Pairs, Land Raider Crusader (Multi-Melta)

Elite: Ironclad Dreadnought (2, 195 pts.)

Heavy Flamer, Drop Pod

Fast: Land Speeder Squadron (1, 70 pts.)

Heavy Flamer, Multi-Melta

Fast: Land Speeder Squadron (1, 70 pts.)

Heavy Flamer, Multi-Melta

Heavy: Devastator Squad (5, 150 pts.)

4x Multi-Melta

Heavy: Thunderfire Cannon (2, 100 pts.)

I'm considering dropping the Drop Pod and instead taking 2 hunter-killers and adding a power sword in one of the units, or taking one hunter-killer and adding a power fist.

I have another version that takes a second Ironclad, and a third that takes a regular dreadnought (with multi-melta of course). In those versions the big change is dropping the Thunderfire Cannon. I like the idea of either being dread heavy or techmarine heavy.

This is basically me going back to my first army in first edition, but not doing it so hand-to-hand heavy. My first army was a major diversion chapter (back when we could make our own chapters) and consisted of primarily hand-to-hand guys. That's part of why I went to 'Nid in 5th edition. I wanted to have a hand-to-hand army. Even my 'Nids though have become shooty because I've grown to like that.

Now this army is part hand-to-hand and part shooty. I get the dreads and techmarines that I really like and all my meltas are twin-linked. And since meltas are up close weapons It's that much better in my opinion.

New Codex, New List

I'm still making my adjustments to my list after the new Tyranid codex released last month. We've got a 'ard Boyz tournament later this month that we're preparing for and I'm having to get my list up to snuff while at the same time make sure that I have the models to do it.

I like some of the changes, but I don't like others. To me carnifex's have been downplayed in the new codex. They are higher point cost. Yes you can take them in "squadrons", but in reality that' going to present a whole slew of issues to deal with and that's a very expensive unit to field (both in points and $).

I like the new models, but I really wish there was some direction for things like the Parasite, Tervagon, and Spore Pod. I don't like having to guess at the size of the base.

We're also talking about going to BoLS Con, and if we do that I'm going to take a Space Marine army instead of my Nids. I love my Nids, but I finally figured out how to do my techy SM army (like I had under 4th Edition). I can actually get that army painted by the con too (which pretty much is a must).

Here's my 2500 point Tyranid List for the 'ard Boyz tournament...

HQ: Hive Tyrant (1, 260 pts)
Scything Talons, TL Devourer W/ Brainleech, Thorax Swarm (beetles), Hive Commander, Old Adversary, Leech Essence, Psychic Scream

Tyrant Guard Brood (2, 120 pts)

HQ: The Parasite of Mortex (1, 160 pts)

Fast: Gargoyle Brood (10, 60 pts)

Troops: Hormaguant Brood (30, 180)

Troops: Termaguant Brood (30, 180)
Spinefists

Troops: Tyranid Warrior Brood (5, 160 pts)
4 W/Scything Talons and Devourer
1 W/Scything Talons and Barbed Strangler

Troops: Tyranid Warrior Brood (5, 160 pts)
4 W/Scything Talons and Devourer
1 W/Scything Talons and Barbed Strangler

Troops: Tyranid Warrior Brood (5, 160 pts)
4 W/Scything Talons and Devourer
1 W/Scything Talons and Barbed Strangler

Elite: Hive Guard Brood (3, 150 pts)

Elite: Venomthrope Brood (3, 165 pts)

Elite: Zoanthrope Brood (3, 180 pts)

Heavy: Biovore Brood (3, 135 pts)

Heavy: Carnifex (1, 190 pts)
2x Scything Talons, Adrenal Glands, Bio-plasma

Heavy: Trygon Prime (1, 240 pts)
Prime

I'm thinking about dropping the Gargoyles in favor of flying or tunneling rippers that can deep strike with the Parasite. I'm also considering dropping Old Adversary and the Thorax weapon to add more of the rippers.