Space Marine Chaplains got a new bonus added to their datasheet making them Priests. They can give out sweet buffs, but you might be doing it wrong.
As one of the more recent updates, Chaplains moved beyond just giving a reroll aura in combat. They can also recite certain words that inspire everyone around them. These Litanies of Battle only go off on a 3+ (using one dice) but there’s plenty of useful options to pick from. If you missed out on the Litanies, we’ve got them all here for you.
Chaplain’s Litanies of Battle Table
As of right now, these Litanies of Battle only apply to the Space Marine Chapters that follow the Codex Astartes. Meaning BA, DA, DW, and SW don’t get any of these bonuses with their Chaplains.
The picture is a bit blurry, but essentially here’s what you’ve got to choose from:
- Litany of Faith: A CHAPTER unit within 6″ gains a 5+++ FNP. Note that it doesn’t stack so Iron Hands might not ever want to take this.
- Catechism of Fire: Select a unit within 6″ of the Chaplain. They add 1 to wound rolls for shooting at the closest visible enemy unit.
- Exhortation of Rage: Select a unit within 6″. 6’s to hit in melee generate an additional attack.
- Mantra of Strength: Add 1 to attack, strength, and damage of the Chaplain.
- Recitation of Focus: A unit within 6″ can add 1 to the hit roll for ranged attacks.
- Canticle of Hate: Add 2″ to charge rolls for units within 6″ of the model. In addition, friendly units can pile in/consolidate an additional 3″ if they’re within 6″ of the Chaplain.
You Might Be PlayingYour Chaplain Wrong
Chaplains are definitely another toolbox HQ to bring. If you’ll be blasting hordes away, you might want to bring the Catechism of Fire. Got a unit that’ll be taking some serious firepower? Just have your Chaplain recite the Litany of Faith. You can make the argument that there really is a use for a Chaplain in every list. Especially for their points cost. With that said, you might be playing them wrong.
You recite your Litany of Battle at the start of the battle round. Note that this is irrespective of who gets to go first. If you get seized on, your Chaplain has to recite what you put on his datasheet. This is really useful because you can give a 5+++ FNP to a chunky unit that you know your opponent will absolutely shoot at the first chance he gets. In other words, he doesn’t get a free turn of shooting before your Chaplain becomes relevant.
It’s easy to think that you can only do it on your turn (because that’s how Librarians and Apothecaries work). But keep that in mind the next time you play a game with your Chaplain. This might seem like a bonus, but if you’re trying to alpha strike somebody with a Chaplain/Smash Captain combo it won’t work.
One Deepstrike Too Late
If you try to drop in a Chapter Smash Captain and Chaplain onto the board from deepstrike, note that you’ll be a phase behind on when you’re allowed to pop your Litany. That means that you can’t soup-up the dude with the hammer, turning him into a slow, waste of points if you go that route. There’s almost no reason for him to not start on the table as you’re already missing two turns of Litanies (which is the main reason why you bring him). If he needs some speed, just give him a jump pack and don’t be afraid to advance him.
What do you think the best Litany of Battle is? How many Chaplains do you run?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and sign up to get your free hobby updates newsletter (with discount coupon codes) each morning as well!
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
