I have just finished Reading Final Sanction and came across

"securing more arms and ammo (they begin very short on weapons, having just what is on them and in their drop pod)"

Which raises the Question how much ammo do space marines carry with them in a drop pod?

Any input would be much appreciated.

theonelawler said:

Here is an actual picture of a Drop Pod opened up. It's a tight fit in there.

A Drop Pod will carry ten marines in Power Armor, or five marines in Terminator Armor, or one Dreadnought (though this requires a different "pattern"). It is little more than a framework, heat shields, limited anti-grav system and retro-thrusters. Inside are some basic crash cages, vaguely similar to what one might find on the newer roller coasters; though a bit more extensive. There is a minimum of avionics and limited guidance systems. There is almost no room for storage within the pod itself, and little means to secure items not carried by the marines. Oh, and there's either a Storm Bolter or a Deathwind Missile Launcher turret mounted on the ceiling of the inside.

That being said, the Boltguns are stated in their description to include a "shot selector," which I presume is meant to be the same thing as the fire selector weapon upgrade described in both Dark Heresy and Rogue Trader . If so, then each boltgun is fed from a mechanism which allows up to 3 magazines to be loaded at one time and switched between. The Bolt Pistols and Heavy Bolter do not include this weapon upgrade; the pistols due to lack of mention in their description, and the heavy weapon not being compatible with the upgrade. I would say that each marine with a boltgun would carry one full reload (3 magazines) for their boltgun, as well as 2-3 spare magazines for their bolt pistol. The Devastator would maybe have 1 or 2 spare drums for the heavy bolter. I cannot see there being too much more than that, and likely less given the urgency under which the marines made their departure from the Valiant . Ultimately, what's available is the GM's call.

-=Brother Praetus=-

Drop pods are not really load-carrying vehicles, but something you use to deploy marines fast and effectively when you can't secure a space port for it. That being said, when pod is crammed full of marines I would assume that there is still plenty of room left to carry at least several hundred kilograms of extra ammunition and supplies. After all, Imperium did plan marines to be able to deploy via droppods and hold their ground for days without resupply and a standard issue of 3 boltgun magazines is going to be pretty slim if a horde of Tyranids or Orks come calling. That being said, I would also assume that droppods are stored in the ship "dry", meaning that the droppod weapon is loaded but there is no standard loadout of extra ammunition (or other supplies) there. This would be quite logical since the actual type and quantity of extr supplies would vary from one deployment to next and you don't want to first empty the droppod of the extra bolter rounds before you can fit the more mission-appropriate flamer-canisters and frag-missiles in...

I can't remember where I read this (years ago anyway) but it mentioned different configurations of pods, such as the Tactical pod, Terminator pod, and Dreadnaught pod. The same source mentioned that the pods allowed marines to instantly engage in battle and jump into the thick of things. Additionally the pods are not designed as basic "planetary landers" with long-term support in mind. The pods have a very specific tactical role to fill. The marines are equipped with one "combat load" and thrown (shot) into battle. I think the assumption is that Thunderhawks and other support craft will be along "later" to re-stock and re-supply.

If it isn't neccessary for the marines to instantly engage the enemy they are going to be transported to a planet by Thunderhawk or some other lander. They are most likely not going to waist a one-shot pod to land in an area unless it is a tactical consideration into an immediately hostile landing zone, or as in Final Sanction, a hasty escape from a space ship. I made the assumption that had the marines in Final Sanction not been attack aboard the Valient they would have simply loaded their gear up on an Aquila Lander and linked up with the inquisitor. Although that being said I do suppose that marines love to make a dramatic entrance!

Just my thoughts anyway.