More new spicy rules are here for the Space marines. On top of new units, they are also getting more amazing army-wide benefits that players will love!
Warhammer Community dropped a massive preview for what’s just ahead for Space Marines. Looking at the Doctrines, these are rules you’ll be able to turn on and off as you play your game. Bottom line, they all give some pretty amazing combat bonuses.
As GW mentioned these are a throwback to the Ultramarine only doctrines from yesteryear, but now they are for all the Codex chapters.
Space Marine Doctrines
Before we jump into the rules, there’s some explaining that needs to be done. Doctrines are rules that every Codex SM Chapter has free access to. They always start off having the Devastator Doctrine. But as the game progresses, you’ll be able to switch to which doctrine best suits your situation.
Now, it doesn’t just apply to them, but to all of the Chapters (and any successor Chapters you’ve created) that use the rules from Codex: Space Marines.
At the start of any of your turns (after the first), you can choose to change from the Devastator Doctrine to the Tactical Doctrine, and again on a later turn, from the Tactical Doctrine to the Assault Doctrine. Once you’ve changed doctrines, you can’t go back – your Space Marines are already committed –but your current doctrine will remain active for the remainder of the battle unless changed.
Designed off of the multi-level combat phases Space Marines use in the lore, these Doctrines represent each aspect of war. The first, your Heavy Weapons and Grenades will have an extra AP. (That means Heavy Bolter Devastators will be unleashing AP-2 volleys, for example).
Moving on, the Tactical Doctrine is where the Bolters and Assault cannons, etc. shine. Anything with Rapid fire/Assault keyword will have an extra AP. That means meltas could be a whopping -5AP if you really need it.
And finally, for some melee love, you’ll have an extra -1 AP on any melee weapons you have.
It goes without question that these three rules are definitely a welcome addition to the faction. They’re completely free and offer no drawbacks!
BA, DA, and SW Get Primaris Love
You might have seen that we’ve covered the other Primaris Support in our previous posts. The good news is that the non-Codex Astartes factions that have their own book, specifically DA, BA, SW will be getting updated with some of these Primaris units, being allowed across the board for the Chapters.
Deathwatch will only have access to the Repulsor Executioner for now. Deathwatch Grey Knights will be getting the Shock Assault ability too!
Dark Angels, Blood Angels and Space Wolves will also get full access to the following units now:
- Captain in Phobos Armour
- Librarian in Phobos Armour
- Lieutenant in Phobos Armour
- Eliminator Squad
- Incursor Squad
- Infiltrator Squad
- Suppressor Squad
- Invictor Tactical Warsuit
- Impulsor
- Primaris Repulsor Executioner
Plus they will be coming for free in a downloadable format along with the Shock Assault rules!
New Primaris Space Marines Prices & Lineup
GW opened up the floodgates for new Space Marines over the weekend. Check out the new release lineup and pricing for all those new Primaris! Read More
What do you think about these rules? Does this change everything for your Codex SM force?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
