In the last post, I went over the metrics of the five lists (Marshal Laeroth's Gunline (Nova 2012 v2.0), New DDP (v2.3) and Old DDP and my New and Old Deep Strike).  That is not the entire tale as the metric merely shows the potential of a list to deal damage.  Other factors involved include: Mobility, Flexibility and "Style". 

My original post was meant to be a one off with some musing about a possible change to my list.  It is a bit of an expensive change in some ways, but if there is a solid weakness in my list, it is the limited number of "shots" available over 24", although the fact that each "shot" has the potential to hit like a ton of bricks helps compensate for that weakness.  Marshal Laeroth has managed to put up a couple of posts that managed to draw some commentary and bring on some more thought.  Amusingly enough, he had a "dead" post that also did its bit.

So, what to do?  The NOVA terrain metagame is producing a lot of interesting thoughts, but one I had, along with Marshal Laeroth after he had to play in it, was "darn, this would be great for a Black Templar drop list".

In terms of the new NOVA terrain meta....

The following is from Marshal Laeroth and is his version of the "Defensive Drop Pod" list.
HQ: 2x Castellan w/ Power Weapon and Combi-Melta; 3 Command Squad Initiates w/ 2 Meltaguns & 1 Bolter; 1 Apothecary w/ Bolter and Narthecium; 1 Command Squad Sergeant w/ Bolter.  Mounted in a Drop Pod.  [480]
1x Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, Frag Grenades, and the Vow: "Accept Any Challenge, No Matter the Odds." [140]
Elites: 3x Dreadnought w/ Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer, and Extra Armor.  Mounted in a Drop Pod.  [450]
Troops: 6x Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 4 Bolters & 1 Meltagun.  Mounted in a Drop Pod. [720]
Fast Attack: 3x Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ Heavy Bolter and Typhoon Missile Launchers. [210]
Total Points:  [2000]

Found my camera, so here are the actual state of the minis I played with.

The Overview

The Headless Speeders and Dreadnoughts close up.  I have to redo a few magnets on the Speeders and I'm not happy with the detail on the DN I did detail, the other DN is just primed.

The Neophytes, Blue squad (PF), Red squad(PF) and Green/Gold squad.  It was going to be Gold, but I was reliably informed by my 6 year old that the "green guys" were cool and I needed some guys with green.  Also, my stand in EC.

Hello?  Is this thing on?

Greetings, by order of the Inquisition, the STC for the Land Speeder is being reviewed for the taint of Chaos, especially the ones equipped for multiple weapon layouts...

I can say that I'll think long and hard about my four and six Speeder lists before I assemble any more.  In truth, if I hadn't decided to magnetize them to carry all possible weapons, they really would have been fairly easy to simply glue together in a fixed configuration (especially as I somehow reversed one magnet on each Speeder for the Typhoons).  The crew compartment is way too crowded and without the nice torso and arm notches you find for the Marines in the AoBR set, the easy way to do them (assemble the torso, head and arms, then glue them intact into the Speeder), they have to be assembled bit by bit inside the tight confines of the cockpit to make sure the arms all go where you want.

As it is, all of my Marines are finished for tomorrow, although I'll be using my proxy EC since the Speeders have eaten up far too much of my time and still need a bit more work.  The last DN is going together now.  I'm not going to be 100% happy with the paint jobs the vehicles, but since my clear coat is a thin matte acrylic layer instead of a gloss hard coat, I can go back and finish up some of the fine details later.  The only "real" Drop Pod will probably end up unpainted.  It has been wet and cold all week long, so my target of spray priming the exterior and interior with a bit of detail work on the exterior isn't going to happen.  It wouldn't take long to do, but I don't have an inside place to spray it.  A little clear coat in my shower I can get away with...

On the Speeder subject, I've got a few ideas I want to try on the magnet front for the last one I put together.  The main trick being to do all the magnetizing before you glue the first piece on.  Well, actually, gluing some scrap in a few places to allow for better magnetizing.

Pretty models, but these things are really a pain to put together.  At least if you want them painted properly.  Stopped putting them together and did a little more detail painting that it going to be covered as I assemble the models.  I've figured out how to do some of the magnetizing, have the torsos, arms, shoulder pads and heads ready to go on sticks to be painted for assembly inside the Speeders.  As soon as that is done, I should hopefully be ready to finish the rest of the speeder.

And I really need to find my camera.  I know I packed it when I went to my Dad's funeral and I cannot find it now.

Anyway, there is a big issue with having done models in the past and trying to relearn the tricks you used to know.  This isn't a bicycle here, well, maybe it is in a way.  Marines all now have their stickers, although some are a bit off center (relearning curve).  I played with some extra highlighting and washing, but the way I've been semi-washing/drybrushing a lot of stuff as I'm painting means I've already got some of those effects and the trouble to do that, on the Marines at least, isn't worth the time.  I'm setting up for LGS, not Nova Open where I have to fight for points in painting and conversion in the GW mandated meta-hobby silliness.

Down to parchment markings (I'm waiting on my paint pen delivery) and clear coat finish.  The following is planned for today:
1) Mix up some more parchment color to get the four bits I missed, touch up oopsies with black as required.
2) As paint is drying, start slapping the various shoulder bits and backpacks onto the Initiates.
3) Finish doing the glued down bits on the two Speeders, start magnetizing and prime them.

Not sure if all of #3 will get done, but they should be assembled anyway.

Also, updating front page to reflect the change in list composition as well as current progress.

Early PM Status update: 1) and 2) above are done!  Huzzah!  Now just to wait on the superfine pen to arrive, although it might not make it.  In which case, a thin clear coat will go on Friday and I'll fix it later.  I also just remembered I need to put a few white crosses on the finished DN to put it in the same status as the Initiates and Neophytes.

Assembled the GW Drop Pod kit.  If you look at the interior and ask me how I'm going to paint it, the answers are:
1) "Very Carefully."
2) "Not At All."

Magnetized the Storm Bolter, more for practice than anything since I'm thinking about converting the Deathwind over to a Cyclone, just instead of two little launchers, there will be one big one...

Next up, a pair of Land Speeders with magnetized weapons.  Not 100% sure where I'm going yet, but I've got an idea and two Typhoon Speeders are on the menu no matter which way.