30K: Space Marine Legion Vehicle Units

We've previously talked about Space Marine infantry in the 31st millenium, so that leaves the vehicles of the Astartes Legions: transports, tanks, skimmers, and so on.

As Forge World (FW) is known for its (sometimes quite large) vehicle models, it's no wonder that the Legions have access to quite a lot of different vehicles, so there's quite a lot to cover.

Note that some of the vehicles are available from Games Workshop proper (GW), either exclusively or alternatively. The following entries detail when a vehicle is (also) available from GW. If nothing is noted, it's FW exclusive.

HQ

Anvillus Pattern Dreadclaw Drop Pod

• The Damocles Command Rhino is either a non-compulsory HQ choice for any Legion, or as a Dedicated Transport for an Ultramarine Master of Signals (Consul). It's basically a Rhino which helps units to Deep Strike, offers an orbital strike, and modifies your reserve rolls (+1 or -1) to ensure your reserve arrive when you need them (which is probably ASAP).

Elites

• The Dreadnought Talon brings one to three Dreadnoughts to the table – of the boxy variety, basically the same ones you use in 40K. So yes, these are available from FW and GW. They have some additional weapon options though, most notably the Graviton Gun (not to be confused with 40K's Grav weapons, these are entirely different).
• More badass (and more expensive) than the standard Dreadnoughts, the Contemptor Dreadnought Talon lets you take one to three of these mighty 'noughts. Because it's better armoured and has an invulerability save (6+ in melee, 5+ otherwise) you might think these are way better ... and you'd be correct. As they're also better suited to the 31st millenium, I'd recommend them over their more mundane brethren. They've got a plethora of weapon options, too, so they can fit multiple roles. Note that there's a Contemptor Dreadnought in the Betrayal at Calth box, and might become available as a separate box from GW in the (near?) future – but, truth be told, that model is boring when compared to the FW version for some reason, and the Legion-themed Contemptors are great models.
• Mortis Dreadnoughts and Contemptor Mortis Dreadnoughts are more or less Dreadnoughts equipped with the same shooting weapon twice. This makes them a little more accurate at shooting, and if they didn't move they gain Skyfire and Interceptor ... neat!
• A Rapier Battery offers heavy support on the cheap with adequat survivability. 

Dedicated Transports

• The good old Rhino. There's no reason (besides aesthetics) not to get the GW version.
• Same goes for the Drop Pod. The standard version is only available from GW, though. We'll encounter different types of Drop Pods further down the list.

Fast Attack

• The stationary Tarantula Sentry Gun Battery (one to three Tarantulas) is a Fast Attack choice for some reason. You've got the choice between different weapons, and it's totally fine to mix and match, because although this unit needs to fire at the same target per the usual rules, every type of weapon ignores targets it's not suited to deal with – so Heavy Bolters only fire at infantry, and Multi-Meltas only target vehicles.
• Land Speeder Squadrons, consisting of one to three Land Speeders, are close to their 40K version (so close that you'll have to use the 40K miniatures, so they're pretty much only available from GW right now), with a few different weapon options (the versatile Graviton Gun, for instance).
• A Javelin Attack Speeder Squadron is similar to a Land Speeder Squadron, but a) they use FW miniatures, and b) they're a little more sturdy.
• A Storm Eagle Gunship is not only armed to the teeth, it's also able to transport up to 20 Marines – and because squads might just get to that size in 30K, that's actually useful! 
• The Xiphon-pattern Interceptor is your primary air supremacy fighter, which can also deal with tanks extremely well.
• The Anvillus Pattern Dreadclaw Drop Pod works like a normal Drop Pod, but it remains mobile after Deep Striking (and can burn opposing units while doing so!).

Heavy Support

• The well-known Predator obviously has a place in 30K, and you can take up to three in a Predator Strike Squadron. The standard one and the more esoteric versions are available from FW, but you could use the GW version, too – just stay away from the twin-linked Lascannon, as that weapon option isn't available in the 31st millenium.
• Same goes for Vindicators. Note that the current Red Book doesn't allow them to be taken in squadrons, but a later Black Book added that ability. You could use the GW version of the Vindicator,  but in 30K you've got the option of equipping the tank-hunting Laser Destroyer Array, which is FW-exclusive.
• The venerable Land Raider is as much a staple of 30K as it is in 40K, we've just got more variety ... then again, some Land Raider versions aren't available, so in the end it equals out, no? We can take up to three in a Land Raider Battle Squadron. Our options are: the Land Raider Phobos, which is basically the 40K Land Raider available from GW; the Land Raider Proteus, the old style Land Raider that's not an assault vehicle but is cheaper and has some unique options; and the mighty Land Raider Achilles, which swaps some transport capacity for better armour and larger weapons. We can mix and match the Land Raiders in a squadron, but may not take more than one Achilles per squadron.
• An Artillery Tank Squadron grants access to three different tanks (we could mix them in a squadron, but we probably shouldn't): Whirlwinds (as seen on 40K battlefields, and uses the GW miniature), Basilisks (as known from the Imperial Guard in 40K, which could be used, but the FW version is much more stylish) and Medusas, the impressive and FW-exclusive artillery tank. Note that there's a Whirlwind variant, too ...
• Ah, the Whirlwind Scorpius. This variant changes the Whirlwind's main weapon to better deal with Space Marines – and in 30K, that is always a good idea! The weapon is great, but if the Scorpius remains stationary, it becomes truly devastating (firing D3+1 blasts instead of one).
• The infamous Spartan Assault Tank is the largest and toughest tank this side of Lords of War. A tough assault vehicle with a capacity for 20 Marines, paired with accurate anti-tank weapons, what's not to love? Terminator squads can take it as Dedicated Transport – put ten Terminators armed for close combat into this beast, and see your opponent shrivvel in fear! Note that Forge World has recently redesigned the model, and the tracks are no longer multi-part but already part of the chassis – it used to be a nightmare to assemble, now it's quite easy!
• The Kharybdis Assault Claw is essentially the Spartan of Drop Pods. It works like the Anvillus Dreadclaw (see above), it's just larger, with a transport capacity of 20. It's also better armed.
• The Sicaran Battle Tank is not just a joy to assemble, it's also quite useful on the battlefield. Same goes for its sibling, the Sicaran Venator Tank Destroyer. They're both fast and medium-armoured tanks. The Sicaran excels against jinxing targets, because its main weapon negates those, and the Sicaran Venator is able to harass even super-heavy tanks (also known as "Lords of War"), because penetrating hits prevents their target from shooting anything but snap shots.

Conclusion

Let's talk about the plethora of Lord of War vehicles some other time, ok?

The Legions have a big arsenal of vehicles, and it'll only grow larger – the Deredo and Leviathan Dreadnoughts aren't in the Red Books yet, for instance, and who knows what Forge World will cook up next.

There's enough options to satisfy every style of Legion. Drop Pod assaults, fast moving tanks, skimmers and flyers, artillery tanks, and your run-of-the-mill armoured assault vehicles, it's all here! As usual your choices mainly depend on your Legion and/or the Rite of War. Remember: a well-themed army is an effective army (and looks great, too).