Breaking the Space Marine Codex: Part 1
A new codex provides players like myself many hours of fun - not on the gaming table, but hacking up the list with Excel to find the “perfect power combo”. Why do we do it? Well, I apparently get more satisfaction by harassing my friends and co-workers with exploits than I do from pushing around the models.
Clearly, I need help.
So this is the first of a series of articles on squeezing the most out of the new Space Marine Codex.
Let’s start with my most new favorite character: Forgefather Vulkcan He’stan. Unlike most of the new characters, Vulkan’s Chapter Tactics ability can apply to units in the army that don’t have Combat Tactics. That means that his Chapter Tactics power works on ALLIES!
Consider this 2,000 point list:
HQ
Vulkan He’stan
*Canoness (Blessed Weapon, Cloak of St Aspira, Frag Grenades, Brazier of Holy Fire, Book of St Lucius)
— 8-man Celestian Bodyguard (Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, VSS w/Brazier of Holy Fire)
— Transport: Rhino (EA/SL)
ELITE
Dreadnought (Multimelta, Heavy Flamer)
*9-man Celestian Squad (Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, VSS w/Brazier of Holy Fire and Book)
— Transport: Rhino (EA)
TROOPS
10-man Tactical Squad (Flamer, Multimelta)
— Transport: Rhino
10-man Tactical Squad (Flamer, Multimelta)
— Transport: Rhino
*10-man Battle Sister Squad (Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, VSS w/Brazier of Holy Fire and Book)
— Transport: Rhino (EA/SL)
*10-man Battle Sister Squad (Meltagun, Heavy Flamer, VSS w/Brazier of Holy Fire and Book)
— Transport: Rhino (EA/SL)
FAST
Land Speeder Squadron (2 Speeders, Heavy Flamers and Multimeltas)
*8-man Seraphim Squad (2 Flamers, VSS w/Brazier of Holy Fire and Power Weapon)
*Using Witch Hunters as Allies rule allows a Space Marine army to take 0-1 HQ, 0-1 Elite, 0-2 Troops and 0-1 Fast Attack from the Witch Hunters codex.
NOTES
On the surface it doesn’t look like much until you consider that it has:
1. FIVE twin-linked BS4 Multimeltas
2. FOUR twin-linked BS4 Meltaguns
3. TEN twin-linked Flamers (8 of them capable of Divine Guidance!)
4. SEVEN twin-linked Heavy Flamers (4 of them capable of Divine Guidance!)
Wow, that’s going to smart! Especially considering that this Space Marine army has 7 Starting Faith! I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more Sisters thanks to this new codex!
