Games Workshop’s teasing a ton of the the new Dark Angels rules that will be in next week’s big new codex release. Come see the latest on the Unforgiven.
GW just dropped a HUGE new rules preview for the Dark Angels today, and it is a doozy! Let’s jump right in!
The Dark Angels have an army-wide ability, equivalent to Chapter Tactics, which helps them keep their Elite units from breaking in the face of a poor Morale test, as well as aiding the shooting power of the entire army.
There are all sorts of Stratagems to benefit your army, from Codex: Space Marines standbys like Killshot and Flakk Missile, to more esoteric options based around the unique ways in which the Dark Angels go to war.
Weapons from the Dark Age is the perfect Stratagem to pair with your plasma-armed units, whether they’re Company Veterans with plasma guns, Hellblasters or Ravenwing Black Knights armed with plasma talons.
Hunt the Fallen gives one character in the enemy army an additional attack (representing their fierce desire to keep the secrets of the Fallen safe), but in return allows your Dark Angels units attacking them to re-roll failed hits, as well as giving your Deathwing and Ravenwing a re-rollable charge. This is superb for making a deadly strike in the first turn with a unit of Deathwing Knights.
There’s still plenty of good reasons to take your “standard” Deathwing troops – the Fortress of Shields, for instance, turns the already-durable Deathwing Knights into a nigh-impenetrable wall of ceramite.
Finally, Deathwing Dreadnoughts and Land Raiders are back thanks to a new Stratagem. With Inner Circle, powerful units – like the Contemptor Dreadnought, which is now finally available to the Dark Angels! – will be able to benefit from the nearby presence of Deathwing Ancients and Belial.
On the tabletop, these guys are pretty nifty. With a twin heavy bolter and a twin assault cannon, they’ve got a punishing number of shots (particularly with Sammael nearby providing re-rolls to hit) and they also help the rest of your army excel, removing cover saves from nearby enemies and providing your Dark Angels with re-rolls of 1s to wound.
This is already pretty awesome before we factor in the many powerful Warlord Traits and Relics of Caliban available to Dark Angels characters. Our favourite combo is the Huntsman Warlord Trait and the Lion’s Roar relic; together, you’ll be able to shoot characters out of the units they’re supporting.
Brilliant Strategist, on the other hand, is a perfect fit for a more cerebral Dark Angels player. You’ll be able to get your Command Points back on a 5+, and you’ll effectively get a free command re-roll once per game to boot!
There are 3 new psychic powers to take advantage of using some nasty Leadership-based mechanics. One trick you can pull of is using Mind Wipe to drop the stats on an enemy character before following up with a deadly Trephination attack:
Well there it is, another great preview from the source itself! Be sure to head over to Warhammer Community for the full article on the Unforgiven codex and more!
What new mechanics are you looking forward to the most? It is time to start the hunt once again?
Here’s the rest of the latest news on the Dark Angels rules and releases that will be on pre-order this weekend.
Scanner is at it again and he just sent us the latest pics from December’s White Dwarf with a look at the the Dark Angels’ Grim Resolve ability. Let’s take look.
So, from what’s written in the new White Dwarf, it looks like the Dark Angels’ Grim Resolve ability will be allowing you to re-roll 1’s to hit if they didn’t move.
We’re also getting a look at a new Warlord Trait as well.
So it appears that the Dark Angels will also be getting access to a new Warlord Trait that will allow them to get Command Points back in some way, shape, or form. This isn’t uncommon, we’ve seen this ability in other armies, and it seems that most armies are now getting a way to regain used command points.
Games Workshop Gave us a preview of even more Dark Angels rules yesterday, and they were more than happy to share with us what we can expect to see coming our way.
The codex is absolutely packed with units never-before-available to the Dark Angels. Of course, you’ll be able to make use of the Primaris Space Marines, as well as following the story of how they were integrated into this famously suspicious and mistrustful Chapter. However, you’ll also be able to take advantage of units previously only available to more Codex compliant Space Marines. The Deathwing can finally be equipped with mighty relics from the Horus Heresy like Cataphractii and Tartaros armour, while you can destroy your enemy’s aircraft with the Hunter and Stalker tanks.
This isn’t just a book for gamers – for players who love the narrative of the Dark Angels, even the Stratagems are dripping with thematic flavour. Did you know, for example, that you can now represent the ritual duel fought by Dark Angels and Space Wolves champions before they fight together with The Lion and the Wolf Stratagem?
If you’re bringing your existing Dark Angels army into the new era, there’s a range of new kits designed to help you do that. As well as Lieutenant Zakariah, you’ll be able to pick up the Dark Angels Primaris Upgrades and a range of boxed units that come with them in the box, helping you tie your Primaris units to the rest of your collection. Our favourite piece is the hand resting on the Calibanite power sword, conveying the easy gravitas of the sons of the Lion.
So it looks like we’re going to start seeing more Primaris Marines on the table with the Dark Angels now getting access to them and a new Lieutenant.
The new Stratagem, The Lion And The Wolf, can be used before the battle if your army includes any Space Wolves Infantry units. You’ll then choose one Dark Angels Infantry model and one Space Infantry model in your army. Roll a dice for each model and on a 4+ that model suffers a mortal wound. But, for each model that survives you’ll increase its Strength, Attacks, Weapon Skill, and Leadership characteristics by 1. Talk about a rage problem!
Make sure you’re checking back in with us throughout the week as Games Workshop provides us with more previews leading up to the Dark Angels release.
What are your thoughts? Are you looking forward to the upcoming releases? Let us know in the comments below.
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
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About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
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While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
