It’s a brave new world for 40k players after the latest round of FAQs. Come see the 3 things to remember about how Space Marine Doctrines work now!
Depending on your Chapter, your bonus Doctrine might trigger in the first, second, or even third turn of 40k games.
3 Things To Remember About Space Marine Doctrines Now!
Warhammer Community dropped a bombshell on the 40k community reigning back Space Marines to what looks to be completely reasonable changes. With a few tweaks to Stratagems and a major rework on the way Doctrines work, Space Marines might actually be back on the same power level as other factions.
This takes a little bit to understand. But the sequencing of Doctrines has shifted. You start in the Devastator Doctrine as normal. In the second round, you’re in the Tactical (Note this is a forced switch. You HAVE to shift Doctrines so no more sitting in the Devastator all game Iron Hands players). On top of that, you have an option in the third round to stay in the Tactical Doctrine, which is a way of balancing out the game for players having to wait for their Doctrine bonus to turn on.
So of all the Doctrine bonuses out there, what does the power scaling look like now across the Astartes?
Devastator Doctrine Bonuses
Iron Hands took a massive hit with the new Space Marine FAQ which basically forced them to swap out of the Devastator Doctrine after the first turn. Now that they can’t go back, we’ll be seeing Iron Hands list start off the game with a massive power spike.
If someone is running the classic Iron Hands list of spamming Stalker Bolters and Stormhawks, your best bet is to hide as many units as you can out of LOS and wait for their buff to turn off. Then, you can come out and start blasting. But that will also mean that the safer play might be to let them go first…
Tactical Doctrine Bonuses
In a way of balancing the game, for Chapters that have their bonus turn on in the Tactical Doctrine, they have the option of keeping their rules for two turns. It turns on in the 2nd round and they also have the option to stay in it during the 3rd round…or they can switch to the Assault doctrine if they wish. However, once the 4th battle round starts, they’re forced to go into the Assault Doctrine.
This is a nice little bonus as the game rewards you for having to wait for your bonus to turn on. Plus realistically, most of the game-winning plays happen around the second/third turn. Honestly, it looks like a skilled player with a Chapter getting their bonus in the Tactical Doctrine might be the next most dangerous thing in the meta.
Assault Doctrine Bonuses
Chapters like Blood Angels and White Scars don’t get their bonus rules until the 3rd turn rolls around. Now the way GW balances the game for Chapter who have to wait for the 3rd turn to roll around, they basically get to sit in the Assault Doctrine for the rest of the game.
That means that Blood Angels and White Scars will get a full three rounds of their bonus rule if the match extends into the late-game. While their bonus isn’t nearly as powerful as the Iron Hands, the Iron Hands only get their buff for a single turn.
Seeing that Blood Angels and White Scars have a WAY more extended time of bonus rules, they could really turn the game around their favor. The big hoop to jump through would be that those players have to play very safe and keep their resources reserved.
So there they are, three things to keep in mind about how the new Space Marine Doctrines work!
With all of these things to think about, which Chapters do you think will be the next heavy-hitters in the meta? Will we see conservative Blood Angels lists hide all game and then jump out with all their bonuses to clean up?
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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.
