Hi folks,

Having gotten most of the plastic needed for my new Grand Company I thought I might try to rebuild my Astral Claws. I really enjoy everything about that chapter (especially Badab War era) and want to make them my "for the heck of it" second army. Here there were at the height of their glory, my Centurion Hellstrom pictured here and here was my favorite mini ever (I had to remove a lot of fist icons and that was a challenge for myself). This was before selling them off which I now view as the dumbest move ever. However, the fella I sold them to has done an awesome job painting up my more notable AC and the rest of the guys I have recognized in his recent Imperial Fist work.

The AC are ready for a round 2 (despite price hikes again). My friend is making several 500pt lists for Blood Angels which he will use as his competitive army (as he plans to build it up from that point) so I am going to start at 500pts too. So, my list:

Centurion (SM Capt) -133pts
-Artificer Armor
-Power Weapon
-Storm Shield
*I wanted this guy to look knightly, hence the sword and shield.

Astral Claw Cohort (Tactical Marines) 190pts
-Meltagun
-Plasma Cannon

Astral Claw Cohort (Tactical Marines) 190pts
-Meltagun
-Plasma Cannon

Total 493pts

The plan is to split the squads where there is a 5 SM squad with melta and another with the plasma cannon. The squad with the plasma cannon will be placed in an advantageous area and attempt to gun down opposition. The four bolter marines in that squad will be viewed as wounds to take hits for the plasma cannon. The other half will be used to close in with the enemy with the centurion fighting alongside. *This may change based on objectives/scenarios.

I am curious about the Storm Shield and the Iron Halo on the SM Capt/Centurion. Do those saves stack or do I have to take the best one (when necessary). Curious as I do not have a rulebook on me.

Next, what are some cheesy ways to build SM? In this army whatever goes but I would like it to sting when played in friendly matches. I do want two dreadnoughts with dual twin linked autocannons as I think its versatile and plain messed up. Adding those two dread and rhinos for the two squads above will bring the army list up to around 700 some points. Any Ideas?

Lastly, anyone use/seen in action/played against/ have any good ideas for a Tyrant's Legion army? I would like to build such a force as I can have both SM and IG in the same army. I know its more limited and I am limiting myself a bit more as all I want are Astral Claws and Auxillia only (no extra renegade/pirate allies and forces).

Thanks in advance for any help!