Space Marines are getting some serious love with better Chapter Tactics and doctrines. Check out where that puts the Imperial Fist Centurions now!
Imperial Fists (like most of the other Space Marine Chapters) have been stripped of their rules and laid bare for most of 8th edition. However, with this new batch of Chapter Tactics, Codex 2.0, and Doctrines, some key units just might be too good to pass up among the Chapters.
Imperial Fist Centurions: Next on the Competitive Spotlight
Before we look specifically at why the Centurions are gearing up to be a real meta-unit, we have to check out all the relevant support for the Chapter. Just keep in mind that you may always want to run your Centurions with the heavy bolter/hurricane bolter loadout. Here goes:
Bolter Discipline Gives Constant Rapid-Fire to Centurions
Old Beta Version of the Rule
Space Marines don’t have to be within half-range to just fire their weapons anymore. If they stood still or were a certain type of unit (i.e Centurion), they can shoot all of their max shots. If you didn’t know it, Centurions also have a chest-mounted hurricane bolter. They’re like slower Custodes bikes.
Two of Three Doctrines Always Apply to Centurions
Next, there are the Doctrines. Doctrines apply to all of the Codex: Astartes units and will be three different sets of rules that can be chosen (mostly once) throughout the game. Everybody always starts on the Devastator Doctrine but can change up their rules on the next battle round. For Centurions, they have Heavy weapons and Rapid-Fire weapons. That means that no matter which Doctrine you choose between the Devastator/Tactical, the rules will apply to at least one of their weapons.
- Essentially, Centurions will have -2 AP Heavy Bolters or -1 AP Hurricane Bolters all-game.
Vigilus Formation Makes Centurions Become a Mortal Wound Engine
Moving back a bit, the Vigilus formation for the Imperial Fists called the Siegebreaker Cohort unlocks a Stratagem perfect for Centurions. This 1CP strat is called Seismic Devastation.
Seismic Devastation: When a Siegebreaker Cohort unit makes a wound roll of a 6+ against a Vehicle or Building, the unit inflicts one mortal wound in addition to normal damage.
Imperial Fists Get a Better Chapter Tactic
Next, looking at the Imperial Fists, they still ignore cover and bolt weapons proc an extra hit on a roll of a 6+. For Dakka Centurions firing Rapid-Fire, you’ll definitely be able to pick up a few extra hits each time you shoot!
Tying it All Together
In full breakdown, Here’s the secret behind the Centurions.
- Take them in one big squad with heavy bolters and hurricane bolters
- Spend 1CP for the Siegebreaker Cohort Vigilus Formation for Mortal wounds on 6+.
- Choose the Tactical Doctrine as soon as you can so all of their weapons will sit at -1 AP and will make full use of Rapid-Fire
- The New Chapter Tactic lets you ignore cover, score an auto-hit on a 6+
To put things into perspective, if you rolled with six Centurions and shot them at a Knight spending 1CP on the Seismic Devastation for mortal wounds, you’d be lobbing out 108 -1AP shots Assuming you miss some without any character reroll auras, you should still be hitting about 70+ of your shots. That’s not counting the exploding hits of a 6+. In addition, 13+ of those should be a 6+ to wound meaning that you just picked up 13 mortal wounds on top of normal damage. These guys can shred a Knight in a volley of paper cuts.
Don’t forget Devastators in drop pods with Grav are options as well if you want that juicy first turn threat of uncertainty hanging on your opponent! Back your opponent’s good units out of range of your Cents, only to have to screen out from the threat of drop podding devies is a huge mind trick before the game starts!
What do you think about the new Chapter support? Do you think Centurions will be an even more relevant unit in 40k’s meta?
How many will you be running? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and sign up to get your free hobby updates newsletter each morning as well!
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
