Heres all the new Stratagem and relic rules for Space Marines as we go over their Psychic Awakening: Faith & Fury 40k update!
We knew that Space Marine characters were getting support, but this is a cool new way to update them!
Coming from Glacial Geek on Youtube, we’ve got a closer look at the Space Marine rules from Psychic Awakening: Faith & Fury. Don’t miss what they’re getting and let us know of any crazy combos you see.
Lore & Table of Contents
Starting off with more clues to the lore advancement, a heretic named Thaneus (who was executed) gave some unpopular opinions about the human race. He then mentions Daemons coming out of the Cicatrix Maledictum in untold numbers that will essentially devour everything in existence. To sum it all up, these were the words that got him killed with the Ordo Hereticus stamp of approval on the bottom of the page.
We had also heard rumors that a Chaos Daemon 2.0 codex was on the horizon now as well, which may make sense in the near future from this missive…
It’s always nice to see the lore move forward. But it looks like things haven’t gotten any better since we saw the Aeldari chime in with the first Psychic Awakening book.
Moving to the Table of Contents, it looks like generic Space marine support is on its way to Librarians, Apothecaries, Ancients, and Champions. We heard rumors about upgrades coming to these battlefield roles earlier (above) as well.
Faith & Fury Space Marine New Chapter Rules
Moving into the Loyalist Astartes realm, this list is more focused on the individual characters across the entire faction.
Space Marine Chaplain Rules
We will be able to spend an extra CP to beef up some of our characters. For the Master of Sanctity, this stratagem lets our Chaplain know an additional litany, Just keep in mind that he’ll also have a big target on his back and this Strat is only usable once per battle. This also gives them access to the warlord traits below if they are our warlord.
These two warlord traits are nothing to scoff at, giving you better chances to get a litany inspired, or +3″ to their auras.
Onto the relics for Masters of Sanctity. Sacrosanct Rosarius is pretty nuts as it gives your chaplain a 3+ invulnerable save. Considering how much they might be targetted due to their shiny new abilities this shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While the Iron Hands litany was previewed, GW also made a statement to the Codex Supplements that came out this year:
It’s been a great year for anyone who plays Ultramarines, White Scars, Iron Hands, Raven Guard, Imperial Fists or Salamanders with the release of their codex supplements* and new models. It’s about to get even better for these First Founding Chapters as Faith & Fury brings them each a new litany for their Chaplains to use.
Speaking of which here they all are! Most notable is probably White Scars with rerolling melee wound rolls 6″ around them and Salamanders allowing their units within 6″ to perform Heroic Intervention as if they were characters. Definitely some shenanigans to give your opponents some headaches with that one.
If you decide to make a Chaplain a Master of Sanctity from a new Stratagem found in the book, this will also unlock a new tree of relics. One of the ones previewed is a chunky 3++ invuln. This looks to be a relic for any Master of Sanctity from any Chapter.
Faith & Fury Space Marine Librarian Rules
Just like the others Librarians also have a stratagem to boost them up a bit. If you use this the librarian gets one additional psychic power and an extra deny. You have to use this at the start of the battle, and can only upgrade one librarian to chief librarian.
As for more Warlord Traits coming to the Astartes, High Scholar of the Librarius can give Librarians access to powers in a different tree as well! That means Phobos Librarians will be able to make a unit of Infiltrators reroll all their hits and then Shadowstep away if they’re Raven Guard, for example.
Their other warlord trait is a simple plus one to the first psychic test each phase.
If you want a safety net over your entire army, you can give a Chief Librarian the Neural Shroud. This is a relic that can only go on an upgraded Librarian from the looks of it. However, you’ll be able to add 12″ to your +1 to deny rule. On top of that, a Chief Librarian allows you to deny an additional psychic power in each phase.
The other relic option for librarians is a Force Sword replacement, besides upgrade stats, it also gives d3 mortal wounds to the target on unmodified 6s to wound.
Faith & Fury Space Marine Techmarines Rules
Techmarines can start healing a whole thunder hammer’s worth of damage each time they repair a vehicle. If you listen closely, you can hear the cheers of countless Iron Hands players across the world.
Masters of the forge also have two warlord traits, adding 1 to nearby vehicle attacks, or adding 1 to strength and attacks of nearby dreadnoughts.
Master of the Forge is the obviously fitting title of a Techmarine. You can also give them the Endourant Protector relic to give them +1 toughness and give them a 4++ invuln save. That’s decent if you’re someone who runs a ton of vehicles and plays aggressively with Techmarines. It might not be worth it if you prefer keeping them back with Thunderfire Cannons.
The other relic is a Power Axe replacement that adds mortal wounds to failed saves. If you want your Techmarine to have some bite this is definitely a good option.
Faith & Fury Space Marine Apothecary Rules
The Apothecaries can also become a Chief apothecary with a similar stratagem to the others. Once again, only one can be upgraded and it has to be at the beginning. The bonus for the chief is that you can reroll dice when determining is a destroyed model is returned when he is giving medical attention to a unit.
Apothecaries are getting some love with a new Warlord Trait specially designed for them. Selfless Healer can heal twice in a turn. Even if you rolled poor and start collecting someone’s gene-seed. You still get another shot at bringing another person back.
The other warlord trait Apothecaries can take is a 6″ 6 up Feel No Pain for bikers and infantry units around the Apothecary. If they have the Flesh is Weak tactic, then the Feel No Pain is on a 5+.
The relics available to Apothecaries are a Bolt Pistol replacement that offers upgraded stats and the ability to have D6 damage instead against vehicles and monsters. The other relic is a 5+ invulnerable save to the Apothecary and units within 1″ of it.
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Faith & Fury Space Marine Ancients Rules
Following the same rules as before you can upgrade an Ancient. They gain Chapter Banner which lets all chapter units get the banner effect within a 9″ bubble instead of 6″.
The two traits for Ancients offer a 3″ bubble that lets Infantry, Bikers, and Dreadnoughts perform Heroic Intervention as if they were characters and the other gives Infantry the Defenders of Humanity ability while within 3″ of the Ancient, if they already have the ability then they count for an additional unit when taking objectives.
Ancients are getting some more support with another relic banner. This gives a 2+ BS and WS aura. plain and simple. Absolutely brutal if you like massing units around your banner-wielder.
The other relic is only for a model with the Astartes Banner ability. The model gains Pennant of the Fallen, model that attack with melee because of this model Astartes Banner ability can make two attacks instead of one.
Support Coming to Chapter Champions
Company Champions can be boosted into Chapter Champions giving them a bonus Attack and Leadership, which is already nice. However, whenever they get into melee, they’ll always be a flat -1 to hit for Skillful Parry. These guys might be mini Smash Captains that will be able to bully smaller units off of objectives by themselves.
The Champions get two traits, Master Duellist give their melee weapon attack against a warlord generate one mortal wound if they have a hit roll of one then roll a 4+, Martial Exemplar offers friendly units within 6″ re-roll charge rolls.
Lastly, they also get two relic options. The first is a master-crafted power sword replacement that offers upgraded stats, and the second gives a 2+ save and a 4+ invulnerable save to the Champion.
Which Loyalist upgraded character do you think will be the strongest in the meta?
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About the Author: Andrew Schrank
Andrew Schrank
Job Title: Miniatures & Warhammer Hobby Staff Writer
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About Andrew Schrank: Over the past 15 years, Andrew has played all the games, including tabletop and video games, and immersed himself in the associated lore. Andrew joined the Spikey Bits team in 2018 and covers the Warhammer hobby and tournament scene, along with the latest in tabletop miniatures, each week.
Aspiring diplomat, Lord of Fluff, and Master of Ice Hammer, He loves Star Wars, Chaos Undivided, and Gundam. During his free time, he hunts Platinum trophies on PS5 and reads international news. On weekends, Andrew plays commander and cEDH games, often with unique strategies that push the limits.
He believes each day presents a new opportunity to grow and be challenged.
