Drop pod model issue

[Altin]

I have a model of drop pod without openable hatches (they are glued to the hull). Mu questions:
Is my enemy able to shoot at a model behind it if he can`t draw LOS?
And can a drop pod still shoot (bolter should be inside)?

[hisdudeness]

HAHA! That is a can of worms question that has been discussed many times. I would do a search of all the rules threads on the web. The answer comes do to talk it out with the other player before the game.

The way I play is that both parts (weapon shooting and LOS blocking) go hand in hand. Based on true LOS, if I can't shoot through your pod then you cannot shoot out. Althought I have no problem taking LOS throught a closed pod and you still shooting.

[Vashtek]

Glue a storm bolter on top of the drop pod.

Problem solved.

[PalinMoonstride]

Most tournaments faq drop pods to always count as open since fluff wise they hit the ground, open, and the squad comes out. Explosive bolts blow the doors open so i don't really see them closing afterward without a a lot of servitor work.

[Morgan Darkstar]

Oh no, please for the love of the emperah. Not this again :eek:

[Igen]

In my area, most stores rule that they do not block LOS, but will grant a 4+ cover save.

[Grenadier]

What about drop pods and dreadnoughts? Is there a model of a drop pod for dreadnoughts?

Here's my issue:

My opponent has drop pods but they're the ones configured to deliver marines with all those little hatches. Yet he'll often use one of these models to deliver a dreadnought to the battlefield. And he always "crab walks" it out of a door. Here comes this big machine walking sideways in little steps to come out. Now, I'm thinking it is not a big deal. But then if I'd like to drop pod my guys in cant because I don't have drop pod models. So I'm making a huge allowance by letting him use troop drop pods to bring in dreadnoughts.

[Jwolf]

INAT is open, but BRB is TLOS. So yes, discuss this with your opponent.

[Colonel Bindoff]

There is a forgeworld model for a dreadnought sized drop pod. It's expensive though. I saw a conversion someone had done fusing the doors to the struts so it opened flat on one side for his dread, which worked quite well

[Wildeybeast]

What about drop pods and dreadnoughts? Is there a model of a drop pod for dreadnoughts?

Here's my issue:

My opponent has drop pods but they're the ones configured to deliver marines with all those little hatches. Yet he'll often use one of these models to deliver a dreadnought to the battlefield. And he always "crab walks" it out of a door. Here comes this big machine walking sideways in little steps to come out. Now, I'm thinking it is not a big deal. But then if I'd like to drop pod my guys in cant because I don't have drop pod models. So I'm making a huge allowance by letting him use troop drop pods to bring in dreadnoughts.

The size of a transport vehicle is irrelevant. There is no way you can fit ten marines in a rhino or 12 terminators in a land raider, all that matters is what the rules say you can put in there. I think there is a clear difference between using official models that haven't been scaled properly and having no models and IMO you are being unecessarily picky. But to answer you question, there is a properly sized Dread-drop pod available from Forgeworld. Though at £57 you be rather unreasonable (and unjustified) if you insisted your opponent used it.



I have a model of drop pod without openable hatches (they are glued to the hull). Mu questions:
Is my enemy able to shoot at a model behind it if he can`t draw LOS?
And can a drop pod still shoot (bolter should be inside)?

At the risk of digging this up all over again, true LOS is true LOS. If you can see you can shoot, if you can't, you can't. There is nothing in the rules which says you have to open to the doors (just like you don't have to open them to disembark from a rhino), nor that you can't open them and then close them again after disembarking. So in your case, your men can disembark as their is no obligation to open the doors (though I'm puzzeld as to why you glued them shut) but you cannot fire as you cannot see anything.
Using a DP to block LOS is slightly beardy, but no more so than using any other vehicle to do the same. But, for the sake of playing in a friendly fashion, check with your opponent before hand as to exactly what their thoughts are on drop pods (particularly as there is some debate about whether open doors count as the hull). Like other have said, check out previous posts as this has been done to death.

[Grenadier]

Yes, I'm being picky. But when I get around to scratch building my own drop pods it won't be an issue.

[Wildeybeast]

Scratch built dreads hey? I look foward to seeing those, make sure you post some pics!

[gwensdad]

There is a forgeworld model for a dreadnought sized drop pod. It's expensive though. I saw a conversion someone had done fusing the doors to the struts so it opened flat on one side for his dread, which worked quite well

If you know where to look, there are scratch building plans for those drop pods around the internet. I just built one (not that well-may redo it) and it wider than a regular one with 3 large doors, but a dreadnought actually fits inside it (not that I would actually carry one in there, I'd deploy the pod then deploy the dreadnought).

[bbangley]

I'd say that you should play it as open. When you really think about it this comes down to an issue of the model being built wrong. A correctly assembled drop pod is open (or at least open-able) and see through, and true line of sight being what it is (in this case applied to the official model no less) you can shoot what you see. I'd play it as not blocking LOS at least above the base section, but giving cover to what's behind it.

I know this is far from a definite answer and some will disagree. I'm all for non-GW models and scratch builds and conversions and what not, but generally people play those as close to the diameters of the official model as possible. In this case, it's not even that, it's the right model constructed incorrectly...I think insisting that you play it as it is might be a little wrong.

[Grenadier]

Scratch built drop pods. For now I intend to only build two: one for a Dreadnought and one for troops. They're only in the planning stage right now. And my planning stage is very weird.

But my vision for the Dreadnought drop pod is simple: it'll be a disposable single use vehicle. In terms of shape it'll be like a large crate with retrorockets. And just before touching down it'll jettison the hatches. The impact of touchdown will trigger the release of holding clamps. The Dreadnought will be ready to go the moment it touches down. Leaving a now useless mass of metal behind.

Hmm...this makes me wonder. Do Space Marines treat their drop pods as disposable one use things or do they after a battle try to recover them? I'd imagine they'd treat them as disposable since entering an atmosphere will take a toll on them, they'll be shot up, and suffer a lot of wear and tear.


Scratch built dreads hey? I look foward to seeing those, make sure you post some pics!

[Arch_Bishop]

The size of a transport vehicle is irrelevant. There is no way you can fit ten marines in a rhino

I still use the old Rhinos, so there is absolutely no way they would fit!

I also play drop pods open, providing cover.

Opening and closing the doors seems kind of silly really. Can you just open some doors to shoot, and close others to block enemy LoS?

Also drop pods are open topped, so doesn't that sort of suggest that they are open? Do the count as enclosed if you shut the doors? How do the troops get out?

As others have pointed out, open suits the fluff too, as irrelevant as that is to RAW.

[Grenadier]

I believe open topped no longer counts if the guys inside said open topped vehicle are wearing power or termie armor.

[SeattleDV8]

I believe open topped no longer counts if the guys inside said open topped vehicle are wearing power or termie armor.

Old rules and older Codices, no unit or army has that rule anymore.

[demonllamma]

Its been said already, but I think it bears repeating. Just discuss it with your opponent before the game and you wont ever really have a problem.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

There is a forgeworld model for a dreadnought sized drop pod. It's expensive though. I saw a conversion someone had done fusing the doors to the struts so it opened flat on one side for his dread, which worked quite wellBear in mind that the Forgeworld Dread Drop Pod is the "Lucius" pattern Drop Pod, with its own special rules. Using that as a normal drop pod is technically counts-as, while using the plastic one is normal :P

[sonsoftaurus]

I have a bunch of CNC Workshop troop landers that I use with an all-drop marine army. They don't even really have an option to open. I just ask my opponent before the game which way they want to play it. Most choose to play them as open, but some like Nid players sometimes choose to play them as closed.

[FeralOni]

common sense says they're open as soon as the models inside have disembarked, which is immediately upon touchdown... if you could delay the disembarkation after landing, THEN it'd be a viable issue to discuss.

[FortheEmperor!]

I have been playing with drop pods for years...long before GW made the models. I also have some CNC workshop drop pod models that do not open.

At all my local gaming stores, and in every tournament in which I have played (a lot) or run (a lot), drop pod doors are played open. IF I was to play against someone who insisted they were closed I would probably just let it go and play his/her way. If it was at a tournament I would probable ask the T.O. to make a ruling. Open seems to be the way to go to me.

[ArchonPhelps]

Would normally be open. If glued shut, then play as if you can see through it but manages to provide a cover save. It really doesnt block much of anything

[Filthy Sanchez]

Yes to both. Modeling for any sort of advantage is poo-poo. Trying to turn your open-top 1-shot transports into enormous LOS blocking terrain will not wn you any friends.

[dreadnaughtguy]

Would you agree that if it is counted as open then the doors deployed count as hull?

[UltraBlood]

I would agree with everyone else that it should be worked out between you and your opponent before hand. I would probably play them as open myself just because to me it makes sense the hatches blow shortly after impact but it would be cool to see a table where you could roll for door jams or something of that nature.