Transporting Space Marines

I'm slowly cobbling a generic Space Marines army together and I'm noticing a consistent problem. Namely, my men can't get within range of the enemy before getting shot to pieces. Footslogging just isn't cutting it, so I definitely am looking into getting some transports for my units. In terms of money and points cost drop pods and rhinos are equal, however I'm sure they have unique advantages and disadvantages. I was wondering if any of you veteran marines players would be able to to tell me what has worked best for you in the past and the advantages and disadvantages of each transport type.

I have always liked rhinos over drop pods. I'm not the greatest player out there. There are people who swear by drop pods but they haven't really done anything good for me. Just seems once pods are on the ground people forget about them easily. Plus with the rhino you can do your full out run and then pop smoke for cover where as drop pods are just sitting there. I play wolves and my list is generally about the same I take 2 rhinos and one land raider crusader. Not sure if this helped at all but its an opinion.

5th is all about Mech and Melta. Use them they are your friend.


My current SM list all arrive via Drop Pod, but I am still working on making it work more consistent. I either get a big win or a big loss no real in between. They are cheaper than a Rhino (cause a Rhino without EA is just a stupid choice) but they are more vulnerable.

Most people will ignore them to a point just because they are usually occupied with what is pouring out of them. If you don't overly make a point of having them sometime you may turn a loss into a draw just because people forget they can contest objectives. I drop mine right on important stuff and hope they live and that my other units support them.

My Dark Angels have a razorback for transporting combat squads. Heavy weapon half sits at back with the best sight lines, special weapon team rides the razorback up close to nab an objective

Why wouldn't you have both? Different units benefit from transports differently. Sternguard and Dreads in pods, while scoring units race toward objectives or targets of opportunity.