Ok, as the Chaos discuss got somewhat sidetracked from the original issue on how to use Demons to the viability of forlorn hope drop pod armies.
So how about a wider discussion on drop armies.
They are probably best in the Epic UK marine list with the ability to use rhinos or drop pods. You can really generate different deployment options for vanila formations, making them a lot more attractive, just prior to set up.
The stock list is a rather more all or nothing affair. The old 'scout barrage' abuse wasn't that abusive, just horribly against marine fluff! It relid almost entirely on the barrage. For 950 points you got the spaceship barrage and 5 30cm diameter AP5+/AT5+ attacks. Hit the right place and the sheer wieght of blast markers would break formations. Miss and it was 'only' 950 points wasted. Though here ATSKNF plus hiding in cover kept some scouts alive longer than they should have. Now the same trick is a lot more expensive - 5 lots of devestators, 1450 - but not much more survivable.
The last time I went to a tourny with them it wasn't that successful, but then again I was determined to use a warlord as well, which on reflection was silly. Plus my overwealming desire to charge it all the time. Yes, I would have been better off with Warhounds, but sometimes you just have to use the fellow
The typical load out now seems to be 2 tacs plus 2 devs, but losing a dev or tac depending on upgrades like drednoughts.
ATSKNF, 1+ init and 5 strat makes it a decent army and typically very fast to play.
Other drop varients are marine WE, landers and thunderhawks, but personally I would only use them if I had to avoid heavy flak. Though this ia lot more viable now int he Epic UK lists with cheaper 'heavier' loads of short ranged armour (who is up for using a formation of land riaders or 6 vindicators in the enemy deployment zone?).
Orks can do it to but I've never see it tried seriously. 3+ init is just to risky. Likewise I've never seen Eldar do it, they are too keen on air assaults.
Finally we have Chaos. They have three major differences to marines. Strat 4, init 2+ for the spacecraft (with the free SC re-roll though, still its a 1/36 chance of failing) list wise, the ability to drop small formations that can bulk up with demons, and the ability to drop a massive formation.
Massive formation first. No idea if its a good idea or not but for 900 points (retinue, havocs, cult, 3 dreds, oblit) before other upgrades, you can drop a 20 strong formation on the enemy. Its so crazy I'd try it if I was at home. Anyone tried it? I can't see it going that well
The forlorn hope drop does seem to be on the surface similar to scouts but better with demons. Of course all that other stuff comes into play (init, strat etc). Against marines you can't drop turn 1 if they have a strike cruiser and its 50/50 vs Eldar. That in itself makes it suspect for a tourney list. You can play on the ground but you only have 2-3 rhino mobile formations and everything else garrissoned, but still walking. Once on the ground I would expect to be able to assault with two formations. One following the drop on a retain, then lose two close to the enenmy, then hope one of the remaining 2 is in FF range. Then of course the demons are random. 2 demons and its a suicide run. The list is pretty much the barrage and it is a risky beast. Oh and you have exactly one tk round to fire in the enemy if your demon princes don't get anywhere. Its been pointed out about the ratio of demons to focus's, but here I feel you would need a lot of focus's as you don't know which formation will drop in the right place and which won't.
On the plus side you don't use any of the maligned chaos WE and you get to play 3-4 games while everyone else plays one
In fact that 'really fast game' aspect is present in every serious drop list and is priobably the best thing about them!
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