Are Drop Pods pre or post heresy?

[Pooky]

Quite simply, are Drop Pods pre or post heresy technology?

[Escaflowne_Z]

Pre Heresy. Specific example: the loyalist Sons of Horus landing to take on Praal's forces on Istvaan. They came down in drop pods and it was not anything new or innovative to them.

[shadowhawk2008]

Even earlier than that, the Blood Angels, Emperor's Children and the Luna Wolves used drop-pods on Murder in Horus Rising.

[AndrewGPaul]

And decades before both of those were written, Drop Pods first appeared in 1st edition Space Marine, which was set during the Heresy.

[blackcherry]

They aren't new is what I think people are saying . Though there does seem to be some difference between the loyalist and chaos factions, the latter having dreadclaws instead of drop pods. It may be an earlier model than the type currently used by loyalists, or it may just be a case of model affecting the background.

[shadowhawk2008]

I believe the Dreadclaws are an older model and one that is mentioned to be "extremely prone to corruption" or some such thing. They are also used in boarding assaults by Chaos forces, as mentioned in Battlefleet Gothic/Armada.

[Lord-Caerolion]

Dreadclaws were an alternate version of the drop-pod, although they gained a bad reputation, being frequently involved in accidents while being prepared and so on. As such, most Legions voided their Dreadclaws, although some Traitor Legions kept them because of their inherent advantages, regardless of the costs.

[Sai-Lauren]

Dreadclaws were an alternate version of the drop-pod, although they gained a bad reputation, being frequently involved in accidents while being prepared and so on. As such, most Legions voided their Dreadclaws, although some Traitor Legions kept them because of their inherent advantages, regardless of the costs.

Not quite, Dreadclaws were the original Marine drop pods (although not the original Drop Pod models, as pointed out, 1st edition Epic had three types - 10 man Assault Pods with a Heavy Plasma Gun, a Support Pod with a Plasma Cannon in a turret, and the Deathwind.), but were prone to malfunction (corruption) due to their Machine Spirits - to the point where some captains dumped them in deep space or even the warp.

The current loyalist pods were created as the Dreadclaw's replacement.

In addition to their use as boarding pods, Dreadclaws also have their own lift capability, so can be used as small shuttles.

[Pooky]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

The reason why I asked is because some people and I were helping a new person how to develop a pre-heresy World Eaters Army. This guy had read some of the HH novels and liked the World Eaters. To represent them on the board and wanted to do a Blood Angels Death Company army using the World Eaters colour scheme (white and blue). Since we don't really have access to Stormbirds someone suggested doing a Drop Pod army but someone else raised the question if Drop Pods were pre or post heresy. And from my own memory, I don't recall many Drop Pods being mentioned but more use of Stormbirds in the HH series.

[baphomael]

Also, its worth noting that thunderhawks would also be available during the heresy - they came into use then as a cheaper stop gap alternative to the stormbird thanks to logistical issues.

[Kenzaburo]

speaking of which, how large is a stormbird? from the few comments i can remember, they are by far larger than your standard t-hawk.

[Pooky]

speaking of which, how large is a stormbird? from the few comments i can remember, they are by far larger than your standard t-hawk.

There are some conversions and size charts. Do a Google search. I always used to think that they were like sleeker version of the snub nosed and box-like Thunderhawk.

[shadowhawk2008]

They can carry at least a standard codex company IIRC.

[Pooky]

They can carry at least a standard codex company IIRC.

108 Marines... Really?

[shadowhawk2008]

Something wrong with that?

[Polaria]

Heresy age companies could actually be a LOT larger than 108 marines. In Know No Fear the standard size of Ultramarine company was 1000 astartes.

[shadowhawk2008]

Which is why I said standard codex companies since I don't recall mentions of the Stormbird accomodating any more than that.

[Pooky]

I stand corrected.

[TheAngrySquig]

Stormbirds carried about 100 marines, and Drop Pods were pre heresy