There are a few new Smash Captains on the block now. Don’t miss these 3 new insane Space Marines combos to watch out for!
This is just the tip of the iceberg folks, here are some of the craziest Space Marine combos players will be able to put together already. So let’s jump into our top three!
White Scars Smash Captains Doing 5 Damage a Pop
This combo is a bit gamey, but it’s possible to pull it off. While Blood Angels get +1 to their wound roll when they charge, White Scars Smash Captains might have them beat. Here’s how to pull this off.
- Tempered by Wisdom (1CP)- Allows Warlord to take an additional Warlord Trait. You can start with the Imperium’s Sword trait for +1 attack/+1 strength (as it isn’t on the White Scars trait table) and then play this strat to take either the Chogorian Storm or Hunters instinct. However, when going up against high toughness targets it seems like more attacks is better…
- So instead take from the White Scars traits: Chogorian Storm to get D3 attack on the charge OR Heroic Intervention. Then, take Hunters Instinct trait for +1 to hit/wound against Monster/Vehicle keyworded units (which is what you should be hunting with your Smash Captain anyway).
- Take the Relic called Master-Crafted Weapon for +1 damage to your hammer (bringing it up to 4).
- Then, turn on the Assault Doctrine on your Marines for an additional +1 damage (White Scars Devastating Charge) and -1 AP.
- Ultimately, the Smash Captain will be charging with eight attacks (base 4 +1 Shock Assault, +3 maximum for Chogorian Storm) on the charge smacking things with a S9 -4AP 5 damage Thunder Hammer with +1 to hit AND wound against Vehicles and Monsters.
So against the big boys, you can negate your -1 to hit right off the bat. Against the little stuff, you’re still -1 to hit, but if they fail any invulnerable most normal characters will be pasted. Also be aware it is possible that you may not get the extra -AP from the
You Can Make Your White Scars Characters TANKS
In the same vein as White Scars, if you like the idea of a tanky speedbump/nigh unkillable hero, check out this combo for your Smash Captain!
- Of course, the most obvious pick to start is to give him a Storm Shield.
- Next, use the Transhuman Physiology Stratagem for 2CP. This says- Any wound rolls against a Space Marine unit on a 1, 2, or 3 does not wound. Knight will be having to stomp on this character looking for a 4+ with their feet.
- After that, put the Adamantine Mantle relic on this guy for a 5+++ FNP.
- At the end of it all, by bringing a White Scars Smash Captain, you’ll have a character that can fall back, max advance, then charge, and come with a 3++ invuln, can only be wounded on a 4+, and come with a 5+++ FNP.
While his damage might not be on the same spectrum as the first combo, he’s definitely going to be able to soak up some firepower and net your value back in that regard.
Or you can mix and match between the two, just keep in mind you can only have one relic per non-named character!
The Best Warlord Trait for White Scars
This next Warlord Trait is something that is best on a White Scars Biker Character and we’ll tell you why in just a minute. But take a look at the details:
The best Warlord Trait for White Scars might just be The Master of Snares. This turns one character into a master of the tarpit-fu. Anything that he’s in combat with CAN’T Fall Back on a 4+. (And you get to roll the die, which means you can CP reroll it if you need to). This is INSANELY powerful if you’re going up against a Knight, blobbed up Tank Commanders, or [insert big scary unit here].
Now, the reason why we said that he should be a White Scar on a bike is because:
- He’s mobile with his Advance/charge Chapter Tactic
- the Biker Base is the biggest base he can be on (which means you can power slide into multiple units and tie them up.
- He can be partnered with the turbo 5-damage smash Captain and/or the unkillable Captain that can only be wounded on a 4+.
One last thing to think about with this Warlord Trait is Flyer interaction:
Taken from the Slaanesh FAQ on the Contorted Epitome (which prevents some units from falling back), the same rule against Flyers can apply for a character with the Master of Snares Warlord Trait.
If the Character comes within 1″of an enemy Flyer (that is not airborne) and rolls a 4+ preventing them to fall back while they’re flying, they will auto explode. Since they have a minimum move characteristic, but can’t move, the unit is destroyed. If taken on a Captain with fly, we could be seeing Space Marine Fly-Swatter meme lists hunting Eldar Flyer spam armies on the table in the days ahead!
While the book isn’t fully out yet, we’re already seeing some insane combos and interactions coming out of the book. What combinations are you going to be trying in your list first? 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: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
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.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
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.
