Space Marines
It is the task of the Deathwatch to defend the Imperium from the ravages of the xenos, countless species of which threaten Mankind in every corner of the galaxy. For thousands of years the Deathwatch have remained true to their endless task. Drawing their numbers from almost every Space Marine Chapter, each is an elite alien killer of proven skill in battle.
Books
| Book | Kind | Edition | Version | Last update |
 Space Marines | ||||
| Space Marines | Codex | 10 | 1.4 | December 2024 |
 Grotmas Calendar: Space Marines - Librarius Conclave | ||||
| Grotmas Calendar: Space Marines - Librarius Conclave | Expansion | 10 | December 2024 | |
 Munitorum Field Manual | ||||
| Munitorum Field Manual | Expansion | 10 | 1.14 | December 2024 |
 Balance Dataslate | ||||
| Balance Dataslate | Rulebook | 10 | December 2024 | December 2024 |
 Deathwatch | ||||
| Deathwatch | Index | 10 | December 2024 | |
 Boarding Actions | ||||
| Boarding Actions | Expansion | 10 | 1.0 | October 2024 |
 Legends Field Manual | ||||
| Legends Field Manual | Expansion | 10 | 1.9 | October 2024 |
| Legends: Space Marines | ||||
| Legends: Space Marines | Datasheet | 10 | September 2024 | |
 Horus Heresy Legends: Adeptus Astartes | ||||
| Horus Heresy Legends: Adeptus Astartes | Datasheet | 10 | September 2024 | |
 Imperial Armour: Space Marines | ||||
| Imperial Armour: Space Marines | Datasheet | 10 | September 2024 | |
| Legends: Agents of the Imperium | ||||
| Legends: Agents of the Imperium | Datasheet | 10 | September 2024 | |
FAQ
Codex: Space Marines
| Q: | While using the Gladius Task Force Detachment, does a Combat Doctrine need to be active for my army in order to use the Adaptive Strategy Stratagem? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | If a Hellblaster is destroyed by anything other than an attack, can that model use its For the Chapter! ability? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Can I use a Captain’s Rites of Battle ability to target that Captain’s unit if it is in Reserves or Strategic Reserves? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Does an objective marker that has been Sabotaged by my army using the A Deadly Prize Stratagem remain Sabotaged if my opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn? |
| A: | Yes. However, while your opponent controls that objective marker, its ability to inflict mortal wounds is not active. |
| Q: | While an Attached unit is embarked within a TRANSPORT, do weapons that TRANSPORT shoots with using the Firing Deck ability benefit from any abilities the attached Leader has (e.g. a |
| A: | No. Firing Deck enables a Transport to be equipped with a number of weapons equipped by its passengers, but the TRANSPORT itself is not part of that Attached unit, and embarked units cannot use abilities unless otherwise stated. |
| Q: | When an Attached unit is selected as an Oath of Moment target, if that unit ceases to be an Attached unit, does the effect persist on the remaining unit? |
| A: | Yes. See Persisting Effects in the Core Rules Errata |
| Q: | Can a unit embarked within a TRANSPORT be selected as the Oath of Moment target? |
| A: | No. See the Embark section. |
| Q: | Can a unit in Reserves be selected as the Oath of Moment target? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | Can a unit in Reserves use an Enhancement (following all restrictions outlined by that Enhancement)? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | If I have two or more Impulsors within 6" of a unit I target with a Stratagem, do each of their Orbital Comms Array wargear abilities trigger? |
| A: | No, they are Aura abilities and so do not stack. |
| Q: | If I use a Stratagem on a unit within 6" of an Impulsor with an Orbital Comms Array, but I do not roll high enough to gain 1CP as a result of that wargear, if that same unit is within 6" of a different Impulsor that also has an Orbital Comms Array, can I attempt to roll another D6 to try to gain 1CP? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Do multiple instances of the Astartes Banner(e.g. ANCIENT) ability stack? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | If I select one MONSTER or VEHICLE unit as the target of all of a Stormspeeder Thunderstrike’s ranged weapons, and the first weapon that model makes attacks with scores one or more hits, do I add 1 to the Wound rolls made for attacks with its remaining weapons? |
| A: | No. Only after you have resolved the attacks with all weapons it is shooting with this phase, has that model shot (see ‘Shot’ in the Rules Commentary). |
| Q: | If the mission rules I am using state that Reserves units cannot arrive on the battlefield during the first battle round (e.g. the Pariah Nexus mission pack), can I target my Drop Pod with the Rapid Ingress Stratagem during the first battle round if I have the second turn? |
| A: | No. |
| Q: | Can I set up a unit that has the Hunter’s Instincts Enhancement from Strategic Reserves during the first battle round? |
| A: | Yes. Additionally, you can set up such a unit within your opponent’s deployment zone during the second battle round. |
| Q: | Can I target a unit that has the Hunter’s Instincts Enhancement with the Rapid Ingress Stratagem during the first battle round? |
| A: | Yes. |
| Q: | When making attacks with a unit from my army, I split my attacks between the first Oath of Moment target selected as part of my army rule and the second Oath of Moment target selected using ROBOUTE GUILLIMAN’S Master of Battle Author of the Codex ability. If I destroy the first Oath of Moment target before resolving my attacks against the second Oath of Moment target, will those attacks against the second Oath of Moment target benefit from the re-rolls to hit? |
| A: | No. Only after all of the attacks from that unit have been resolved will the second Oath of Moment selection become active. |
Introduction
If you select to use a Detachment, a Detachment rule listed here will apply either to your whole army or to particular units within it.
When mustering your army, your chosen Detachment enables you to upgrade CHARACTERS using the Enhancements listed here, as described in the Core Rules (see the Select Units step). If you are playing a Crusade battle, you can instead use the Renowned Heroes Requisition to give your CHARACTERS Enhancements, as described in the main Crusade rules.
Your chosen Detachment gives you access to the Stratagems listed here in addition to the Core Stratagems listed in the Core Rules. During the battle, you can spend Command points (CP) to use these Stratagems.
Army Rules
Oath of Moment
In battle, Space Marines swear mighty oaths to destroy the enemies of the Emperor and uphold the honour of their Chapter, and such vows are sacrosanct. When the Angels of Death strike, they do so with the precision of a surgeon and the force of a thunderbolt. Experience and strategic expertise help them to read the shifting shape of the battle with post-human speed and clarity, directing their wrath towards one priority target after another. Command assets are annihilated, leaving the enemy reeling leaderless. Heavy armour, potent artillery and the vaunted elites of the foe’s forces are laid waste with horrifying speed, until the Emperor’s Angels of Death stand victorious over a field of smouldering wreckage and bolt-riddled corpses, and honour is finally satisfied.
If your Army Faction is ADEPTUS ASTARTES, at the start of your Command phase, select one unit from your opponent’s army. Until the start of your next Command phase, that enemy unit is your Oath of Moment target. Each time a model with this ability makes an attack that targets your Oath of Moment target:- You can re-roll the Hit roll.
- If your army does not include one or more units with the
BLACK TEMPLARS,BLOOD ANGELS,DARK ANGELS, DEATHWATCH orSPACE WOLVESkeywords, add 1 to the Wound roll as well.
Space Marine Chapters
- If an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit has a second Faction keyword on its datasheet, that Faction keyword is the name of that unit’s Chapter. For example,
MARNEUS CALGARhas both the ADEPTUS ASTARTES and ULTRAMARINES Faction keywords, and is therefore from the Ultramarines Chapter. - You cannot include units from more than one Chapter in your army.
- If your army includes one or more BLACK TEMPLARS units, it cannot include any ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER models, and cannot include any of the following models that do not have the Black Templars keyword: GLADIATOR LANCER; GLADIATOR REAPER; GLADIATOR VALIANT; IMPULSOR; REPULSOR; REPULSOR EXECUTIONER.
- If your army includes one or more DEATHWATCH units, it cannot include any of the following units: DEVASTATOR SQUAD; SCOUT SQUAD; TACTICAL SQUAD.
- If your army includes one or more SPACE WOLVES units, it cannot include any of the following units: APOTHECARY; DEVASTATOR SQUAD; TACTICAL SQUAD.
Gladius Task Force
Combat Doctrines
The Codex Astartes has proven its worth as a superb treatise on warfare over countless battlefields, and has remained so even after ten thousand years. Many Space Marines hold its wisdom in awe, and exemplify its teachings, employing a flexible set of combat doctrines to eliminate their enemy. Few opponents can withstand the fury of such an onslaught.
At the start of your Command phase, you can select one of the Combat Doctrines listed below. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Combat Doctrine is active and its effects apply to all ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army. You can only select each Combat Doctrine once per battle.Devastator Doctrine The Codex Astartes details the strategic value of overwhelming firepower applied to key targets while advancing into position to eliminate threats. This unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Advanced. |
Tactical Doctrine As the warring armies close upon one another and vicious fire-fights erupt, the Codex lays out strategies for swiftly seizing the initiative and combining versatility with firepower. This unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back. |
Assault Doctrine The Codex Astartes leaves no doubt that the killing blow in most engagements must be delivered with a decisive close-quarters strike. It presents plentiful tactical means to achieve this end. This unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced. |
Enhancements
Crafted by the Chapter’s finest artificers, this suit of armour provides superior protection. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. The bearer has a Save characteristic of 2+ and the Feel No Pain 5+ ability. |
This stanza is inscribed on thrice-blessed parchment and affixed to its bearers’ wargear with a purity seal, there to inspire them to heroic acts of martial prowess. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. Add 1 to the Attacks and Strength characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons. While the bearer is under the effects of the Assault Doctrine, add 2 to the Attacks and Strength characteristics of the bearers melee weapons instead. |
An ardent student of the Codex Astartes, this commander epitomises its tactical genius, and the wisdom gleaned from its teachings guides their measured strategic responses amidst the fiercest battle. CAPTAIN model only. At the start of your Command phase, if the bearer is on the battlefield, instead of selecting a Combat Doctrine to be active for your army, you can select the Tactical Doctrine. If you do, until the start of your next Command phase, that Combat Doctrine is active for the bearer’s unit only, even if you have already selected that Combat Doctrine to be active for your army this battle. |
This commander drills his warriors relentlessly; combined with the Adeptus Astartes’ incredible reflexes, they produce a devastating rate of fire. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, ranged weapons equipped by models in that unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. In addition, while the bearer’s unit is under the effects of the Devastator Doctrine, you can reroll Advance rolls made for that unit. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit is destroyed, if that model has not fought this phase, do not remove it from play. The destroyed model can fight after the attacking model’s unit has finished making its attacks, and is then removed from play.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, melee weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [LANCE] ability. If your unit is under the effects of the Assault Doctrine, until the end of the phase, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of such weapons by 1 as well.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army.
EFFECT: Select the Devastator Doctrine, Tactical Doctrine or Assault Doctrine. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Combat Doctrine is active for that unit instead of any other Combat Doctrine that is active for your army, even if you have already selected that doctrine this battle.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [IGNORES COVER] ability. If your unit is under the effects of the Devastator Doctrine, until the end of the phase, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of such weapons by 1 as well.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY or ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit from your army that is within 9" of the enemy unit that just ended that move.
EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to D6", or a Normal move of up to 6" instead if it is under the effects of the Tactical Doctrine.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
Anvil Siege Force
Shield of the Imperium
Across blood-drenched battlefields, within towering citadels and isolated orbital stations, the Angels of Death throw back tides of traitors, mutants, xenos and heretics, and purge enemy holdings of foes thanks to their disciplined strategies and fighting skills. All who oppose them are met with volleys of deadly accurate firepower long before they reach the battle-brothers’ razor-sharp blades.
Ranged weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES models from your army have the [HEAVY] ability. If such a weapon already has this ability, each time an attack is made with that weapon, if the attacking model’s unit Remained Stationary this turn, add 1 to the Wound roll.Enhancements
This hero refuses to yield whilst foes remain, fighting back from the brink of death like a vengeful demigod. GRAVIS model only. The first time the bearer is destroyed, roll one D6 at the end of the phase. On a 2+, set the bearer back up on the battlefield, as close as possible to where it was destroyed and not within Engagement Range of any enemy units, with its full wounds remaining. |
The Chapter’s orbiting warships stand ready to unleash devastation at this leader’s command. CAPTAIN model only. Once per battle, at the start of your Shooting phase, you can select one point on the battlefield and place a marker on that point. At the start of your next Shooting phase, place another marker on the battlefield within 12" of the centre of the first marker, then draw a straight line between the centre of each of these markers. Roll one D6 for each unit that line passes over or through: on a 3+, that unit suffers D3 mortal wounds. Both markers are then removed. |
This commander and their warriors hold their ground tenaciously against even overwhelming numbers. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, models in that unit have the Feel No Pain 6+ ability while they are within range of an objective marker you control and, while that unit is Battle-shocked, halve the Objective Control characteristic of models in that unit instead of changing it to 0. |
There are few who have a deeper understanding of the tenets of siege warfare than this warrior. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, ranged weapons equipped by models in that unit have the [IGNORES COVER] ability. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
EFFECT: Your unit can immediately make a Fall Back move of up to 6".
RESTRICTIONS: When making that move, your unit must end that move either wholly within your deployment zone or within range of an objective marker.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army within range of an objective marker.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, double the Objective Control characteristic of models in your unit, but it must Remain Stationary this turn.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack that targets a MONSTER or VEHICLE unit, you can re-roll the Wound roll.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. If your unit Remained Stationary this turn, then until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack, a successful unmodified Hit roll of 5+ scores a Critical Hit.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that had one or more of its models destroyed as a result of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Your unit can shoot as if it were your Shooting phase, but must target only that enemy unit when doing so, and can only do so if that enemy unit is an eligible target.
Ironstorm Spearhead
Armoured Wrath
An Ironstorm Spearhead’s commanders guide their assault with pre-cogitated fire solutions, cycling data-gheist inloads and whispered binharic auguries. These ensure their warriors, and the belligerent machine spirits inhabiting their war engines, deliver their fire with inescapable accuracy.
Once per phase for each ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit in your army, you can re-roll one Hit roll, one Wound roll or one Damage roll made for a model in that unit.Enhancements
This spearhead commander uses advanced augmetics to distribute targeting data. With these, they direct the fire of their war engine crews and rouse their machine spirits to operative superiority. TECHMARINE model only. In your Command phase, select one ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE model within 6" of the bearer. Until the start of your next Command phase, weapons equipped by that VEHICLE model have the [LETHAL HITS] ability. |
The injuries of past battles have seen this warrior heavily rebuilt with ultra-durable cybernetic limbs and organs that render them extremely difficult to kill. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. The bearer has the Feel No Pain 4+ ability. |
This battle-brother is steeped in hidden technological rites. Should their armoured charges be threatened, a burst of arcane binharic screed can rouse their machine spirits to vigilance. TECHMARINE model only. Once per battle round, when a saving throw is failed for a friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE model within 6" of the bearer, you can change the Damage characteristic of that attack to 0. |
This commander is supremely gifted in the strategies of armoured warfare, understanding the capabilities of every war engine in the Chapters arsenal. Delivering precision orders, they ensure the vehicles under their command inflict the most punishing damage to the enemy even amidst complex manoeuvres. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. In your Command phase, select one ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE model within 6" of the bearer. Until the start of your next Command phase, that VEHICLE is eligible to shoot even if it Fell Back or Advanced this turn. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that is below its Starting Strength.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, your unit can ignore any or all modifiers to its characteristics and/or to any roll or test made for it (excluding modifiers to saving throws).
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets a unit that is below its Starting Strength, that attack has the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability, and when making such an attack, if the attacking model is a VEHICLE, a successful unmodified Hit roll of 5+ scores a Critical Hit.
TARGET: That ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE model. You can use this Stratagem on that model even though it was just destroyed.
EFFECT: Do not roll one D6 to determine whether mortal wounds are inflicted by your model’s Deadly Demise ability. Instead, mortal wounds are automatically inflicted.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES WALKER model from your army.
EFFECT: Until the start of your next Command phase, improve your model’s Move, Toughness, Leadership and Objective Control characteristics by 1 and each time your model makes an attack, add 1 to the Hit roll.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE unit from your army that was reduced to Below Half-strength as a result of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Your unit can shoot as if it were your Shooting phase, but must target only that enemy unit when doing so, and can only do so if that enemy unit is an eligible target.
Firestorm Assault Force
Close-range Eradication
The Space Marines are the Emperor’s finest shock troops, striking at the foe before they can react. In their rapid, mechanised assaults, Space Marines smash aside the enemy, destroying them at close quarters without mercy.
Ranged weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES models from your army have the [ASSAULT] ability, and each time an attack made with such a weapon targets a unit within 12", add 1 to the Strength characteristic of that attack.Enhancements
This commander and their warriors have vowed to secure victory and defend the Imperium from the horrors of the galaxy. TACTICUS model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, models in that unit can ignore any or all modifiers to their characteristics and/or to any roll or test made for them (excluding modifiers to saving throws). |
Having laboured long in the Chapter’s forges, this warrior-smith has crafted his personal armaments. Each weapon is a masterwork tool of death-dealing, wrought with care and strength, and embellished with the icons of their maker’s brotherhood. ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY model only. Add 3 to the Strength characteristic of the bearer’s melee weapons. |
To this Angel of Death, war is the anvil upon which their strength is wrought. Every battle is seen as a test in which they and their battle-brothers can prove themselves, and the superior craftsmanship of their weapons and armour. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, once per turn, after making a Hit roll or a saving throw for a model in that unit, you can change the result of that roll to an unmodifed 6. |
This flowing cloak or finely wrought tabard is laced through with threads of braided adamantine. When combined with armour and energy fields, it has been shown time and again that these symbols of office are proof against even the very strongest attacks. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. Each time an attack is allocated to the bearer, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack. If that attack was made with a Melta or Torrent weapon, change the Damage characteristic of that attack to 1 instead. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack that targets the closest eligible target within 6", add 1 to the Wound roll.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TRANSPORT unit from your army that has no models embarked within it, and one ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army wholly within 6" of that TRANSPORT.
EFFECT: Your INFANTRY unit can embark within that TRANSPORT.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot target an INFANTRY unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, that cannot normally embark within that TRANSPORT, or that disembarked from a TRANSPORT this turn.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, Torrent weapons equipped by models in that unit have the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that disembarked from a TRANSPORT this turn and has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack that targets the closest eligible target within 12", add 1 to the Hit roll. If one or more enemy models are destroyed as the result of any of those attacks, select one of those destroyed models; that destroyed model’s unit must take a Battle-shock test.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TRANSPORT unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: One unit embarked within that TRANSPORT can disembark as if it were your Movement phase, and can then shoot as if it were your Shooting phase, but must target only that enemy unit when doing so, and can only do so if that enemy unit is an eligible target.
Stormlance Task Force
Lightning Assault
The warriors of a Stormlance Task Force employ high-speed tactics and hit-and-run warfare. They do battle on the move, wrong-footing their enemies with breakneck manoeuvres and melting away one moment only to crash home like a thunderbolt the next.
ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army are eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which they Advanced or Fell Back.Enhancements
This aggressive warrior channels their eagerness to kill into each and every strike. They hit the enemy’s lines with all the ferocity of a raging tempest. ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED model only. Improve the Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons by 1. Each time the bearer ends a Charge move, until the end of the turn, improve the Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics of the bearers melee weapons by 2 instead. |
This warrior has been made privy to omens of great threats in the wars to come. Armed with this knowledge, they and their battle-brothers enter battle with a boldness that some mistake for recklessness. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, you can re-roll Advance rolls made for that unit. |
This living legend of the Chapter is known for their calm in the heat of battle. Ever-observant of the ebbs and flows of the engagement, they can withdraw their warriors from the fray in good order, ready to hammer home a torrent of fire. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, that unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Fell Back. |
This mounted huntsman espouses the value of circling the enemy and striking suddenly from an unexpected quarter upon their speeding steed, the better to land the killing blow. ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED model only. If the bearer’s unit is in Strategic Reserves, for the purposes of setting up that unit on the battlefield, treat the current battle round number as being one higher than it actually is. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [ASSAULT] ability. If such a weapon already has this ability, until the end of the phase, that weapon has the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability as well.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED or ADEPTUS ASTARTES VEHICLE unit (excluding WALKERS) from your army.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, if your unit Advances, do not make an Advance roll for it. Instead, until the end of the phase, add 6" to the Move characteristic of models in your unit, or 9" instead if your unit is MOUNTED.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit from your army that has not declared a charge this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, you can re-roll Charge rolls made for your unit and melee weapons equipped by models in that unit have the [LANCE] ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED or ADEPTUS ASTARTES FLY VEHICLE unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, subtract 1 from the Hit roll and subtract 1 from the Wound roll.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that is within 9" of that enemy unit.
EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to 6".
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
Vanguard Spearhead
Shadow Masters
The warriors of a Vanguard Spearhead slip through the shadows, half-seen spectres barely visible to the foe. Enemies blaze away into the gloom with increasing panic, their shots flying wide as covert specialists encircle their victims and prepare to level the killing blow.
Each time a ranged attack targets an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army, unless the attacking model is within 12", subtract 1 from the Hit roll and the target has the Benefit of Cover against that attack.Enhancements
This battlefield stalker slips through enemy territory like a spectre, leading their warriors in daring behind-enemy-lines operations. ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, models in that unit have the Infiltrators ability. |
Hand-stitched by blinded servitors and anointed with distilled blood, this cloak contains strands of mnemothread. It throws up a field of techno-spiritual dissonance that veils its wearer from sight and sensors, allowing them to slip across the battlefield like a wraith. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. The bearer has the Stealth and Lone Operative abilities. |
The battle-brothers under this warrior’s command seize every opportunity to strike while the initiative is theirs, harrying the foe with gunfire before returning to the shadows. PHOBOS model only. In your Shooting phase, after the bearer’s unit has shot, if that unit is not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units, it can make a Normal move of up to 6". If it does, until the end of the turn, that unit is not eligible to declare a charge. This cannot allow the bearer’s unit to move more than once in your Shooting phase. |
By the time the enemy believes battle has begun, their rear lines have already been attacked at this warriors command - their supply lines cut and their communications in disarray - choking them off from vital battlefield support. PHOBOS model only. Gain following ability: |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY or ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit from your army within range of an objective marker you control.
EFFECT: That objective marker is said to be Sabotaged, and remains under your control even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn. While an objective marker is Sabotaged and under your control, each time an enemy unit ends a Normal, Advance, Fall Back or Charge move within range of that objective marker, roll one D6: on a 2+, that enemy unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, melee weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [PRECISION] ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack that targets an enemy unit that is more than 12" away, improve the Ballistic Skill and Armour Penetration characteristics of that attack by 1. If one or more enemy models are destroyed as a result of those attacks, select one of those destroyed models; that destroyed model’s unit must take a Battle-shock test.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army that was selected as a target of that charge.
EFFECT: Your unit can make a Normal move of up to D6", or up to 6" instead if it is a PHOBOS or SCOUT SQUAD unit.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
TARGET: Up to two PHOBOS and/or SCOUT SQUAD units from your army, or one other ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army.
EFFECT: Remove those units from the battlefield and place them into Strategic Reserves.
RESTRICTIONS: Each unit selected for this Stratagem must be more than 3" away from all enemy models.
1st Company Task Force
Extremis-level Threat
The 1st Company’s veterans have fought at the forefront of their Chapter’s wars for many mortal lifespans. Experience has taught them to identify the foe’s lethal threats and to lead their battle-brothers to purge them from existence.
Once per battle, in your Command phase, you can use this ability. If you do, until the start of your next Command phase, each time a model from your army with the Oath of Moment ability makes an attack that targets your Oath of Moment target, you can re-roll the Wound roll as well.Enhancements
This hero and the veterans they lead cut down their foes like a reaping whirlwind. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. Add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of the bearers melee weapons. Once per battle, at the start of any phase, the bearer can use this Enhancement. If it does, until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by all other models in the bearer’s unit as well. |
This warrior personifies the Emperor’s wrath. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. While an enemy unit (excluding MONSTERS and VEHICLES) is within 6" of the bearer, each time that unit fails a Battle-shock test, one model in that unit is destroyed (chosen by its controlling player). Once per battle, when such an enemy unit fails a Battle-shock test, you can choose for D3 models in that unit to be destroyed in this way instead. |
The commanders of the 1st Company vow before the Chapter and the Emperor to secure victory. ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR model only. Improve the Objective Control characteristic of the bearer by 1. Once per battle, at the start of any phase, the bearer can use this Enhancement. If it does, until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Objective Control characteristic of all other models in the bearer’s unit as well. |
This hero shrugs off even horrendous wounds. ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR model only. The bearer has the Feel No Pain 5+ ability. Once per battle, after the bearer’s unit is selected as the target of one or more attacks, the bearer can use this Enhancement. If it does, until the end of the phase, models in the bearer’s unit have the Feel No Pain 5+ ability. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR, BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD or VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot or fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, add 1 to the Hit roll. If your unit is Below Half-strength, add 1 to the Wound roll as well.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR, BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD or VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD unit from your army that made a Charge move this turn and destroyed one or more enemy units this phase.
EFFECT: In your opponent’s next Command phase, each enemy unit within 6" of your unit must take a Battle-shock test. If the unit taking that test is Below Half-strength, subtract 1 from that test. Enemy units affected by this Stratagem do not need to take any other Battle-shock tests in the same phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR, BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD or VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD unit from your army within range of an objective marker you control.
EFFECT: That objective marker remains under your control, even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR unit from your army.
EFFECT: Remove your unit from the battlefield and place it into Strategic Reserves. It will arrive back on the battlefield in the Reinforcements step of your next Movement phase using the Deep Strike ability.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select a unit that is within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR, BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD or VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD unit from your army within Engagement Range of that enemy unit.
EFFECT: Until the end of the turn, each time an attack is allocated to a model in your unit, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack.
Librarius Conclave
The Space Marine psykers that comprise the ranks of the Librarius often stand apart from their battle-brothers, many of whom find their mastery of occult powers disturbing. Yet, despite their misgivings, no Space Marine doubts the might of their Chapter’s Librarians. On rare occasions, often in response to daemonic invasion or the machinations of xenos psykers, a group of Librarians may accompany a hand-picked task force to war. When leading squads of transhuman warriors into the fight, such a conclave may enhance their battle-brothers’ already supreme strength, speed and endurance with channelled empyric energies, confound their enemies with illusory deceptions, or obliterate the foe in blazing torrents of flame.
Psychic Disciplines
Librarians spend their lives mastering psychic disciplines, learning how to manipulate the energies of the Immaterium to confound their foes and embolden their battle-brothers.
At the start of the battle round, select one of the following Psychic Disciplines. Until the end of the battle round, that Psychic Discipline is active and its effects apply to all ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER units from your army.Biomancy Discipline
Add 2" to the Move characteristic of models in this unit.
Divination Discipline
Each time a model in this unit makes an attack, re-roll a Hit roll of 1 and re-roll a Wound roll of 1.
Pyromancy Discipline
Each time a ranged attack made by a model in this unit targets an enemy unit within 12", improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
Telekinesis Discipline
Each time a ranged attack targets this unit, subtract 1 from the Strength characteristic of that attack.
Telepathy Discipline
Each time a model in this unit makes an attack, you can ignore any or all modifiers to that attack’s Weapon Skill or Ballistic Skill characteristics and/or any or all modifiers to the Hit roll.
Enhancements
Those who specialise in prognostication may foresee the flow of battle and position their allies accordingly. ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER model only (excluding TERMINATOR models). Once per turn, when an enemy unit ends a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within 9" of the bearer’s unit, the bearer’s unit can make a Normal move of up to D6", or up to 6" instead if the Divination Discipline is active for your army. |
The powers of the Immaterium flow through the psyker, heightening his speed and that of his battle-brothers. ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER model only. The bearer’s unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced, and if the Biomancy Discipline is active for your army, it is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back. |
By manipulating the minds of the foe, practitioners of telepathy may obfuscate their presence. ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER model only. Enemy units cannot use the Fire Overwatch Stratagem to shoot at the bearer’s unit, and if the Telepathy Discipline is active for your army, the bearer’s unit cannot be targeted by ranged attacks unless the attacking model is within 18". |
The Librarian wreathes the ammunition of his allies in armour-eroding halos of azure fire. ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER model only. Ranged weapons equipped by models in the bearer’s unit have the [ANTI-MONSTER 5+] and [ANTI-VEHICLE 5+] abilities, and:
|
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER unit from your army.
EFFECT: Select one enemy unit that is within 18" of and visible to one PSYKER model in your unit. Until the start of your next turn, that enemy unit is pinned. While a unit is pinned, subtract 2 from that unit’s Move characteristic and subtract 2 from Charge rolls made for it. In addition, if the Telepathy Discipline is active for your army, that enemy unit must take a Battle-shock test, subtracting 1 from the result.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY or ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit from your army that is within 18" of one or more friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER models, and that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, subtract 1 from the Hit roll, and if the Pyromancy Discipline is active for your army, weapons that target your unit have the [HAZARDOUS] ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army that is within 18" of one or more ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER models from your army and has not been selected to Fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Strength characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in your unit, or add 2 if the Biomancy Discipline is active for your army.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER unit from your army that is eligible to shoot.
EFFECT: Select one enemy unit within 18" of and visible to one or more PSYKER models in your unit (excluding units with the Lone Operative ability), and roll six D6, adding 1 to each result if the Telekinesis Discipline is active for your army: for each 4+, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKER unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack, that attack has the [LETHAL HITS] ability, and the [IGNORES COVER] ability as well if the Divination Discipline is active for your army.
Deathwatch Army Rule
From their hidden bases in orbiting watch fortresses, the Deathwatch dispatch carefully selected operatives to hunt down and exterminate alien presences wherever they may be found. Each of these post-human warriors is a veteran of countless battles, tithed by their original Chapter to undertake the Long Vigil and guard against alien incursion.
Kill Teams
When faced with an array of missions to complete and varying enemies to lay low, the Deathwatch are highly adept at forming effective kill teams that mesh starkly diverse armour and equipment.
Each time an attack targets a KILL TEAM unit from your army that contains models with different Toughness characteristics, until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, use the Toughness characteristic of the majority of the models in that unit when determining what result is required for that attack to successfully wound. If two or more Toughness characteristics are tied for majority, use the highest Toughness characteristic.For the purposes of determining which models can embark within a TRANSPORT model, KILL TEAM models follow the normal restrictions listed on the TRANSPORT model.
Black Spear Task Force
Detachment Rule
If your Army Faction is ADEPTUS ASTARTES, you can use this Black Spear Task Force Detachment rule.RESTRICTIONS
- Your army can include ADEPTUS ASTARTES DEATHWATCH units, but it cannot include any ADEPTUS ASTARTES units drawn from any other Chapter.
- With the exception of KILL TEAM CASSIUS (see Legends: Agents of the Imperium), your army cannot include any AGENTS OF THE IMPERIUM DEATHWATCH units.
- Your army cannot include any of the following units: ASSAULT SQUAD; ASSAULT SQUAD WITH JUMP PACKS; ATTACK BIKE SQUAD; DEVASTATOR SQUAD; LAND SPEEDER STORM; RELIC TERMINATOR SQUAD; SCOUT BIKE SQUAD; SCOUT SQUAD; SCOUT SNIPER SQUAD; TACTICAL SQUAD; TERMINATOR ASSAULT SQUAD; TERMINATOR SQUAD.
Mission Tactics
Thousands of years of collated strategic data and hard-won combat experience have provided the Deathwatch with the ultimate battlefield tactics to combat almost any foe.
At the start of your Command phase, you can select one of the Mission Tactics listed below. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Mission Tactic is active and its effects apply to all units from your army with this ability. Each Mission Tactic can only be selected once per battle.FUROR TACTICS When the enemy horde grows close, the Deathwatch will be tasked with the decimation of their core. Aiming not for clinical kills but for maximum destruction over a wide area, they tear the heart from the enemy army. While this Mission Tactic is active, weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability. |
MALLEUS TACTICS When the giants of war lumber forth, the Deathwatch will adopt Malleus tactics. Even the largest behemoth has a weak point, and the archives of the Deathwatch number them all. While this Mission Tactic is active, weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army have the [LETHAL HITS] ability. |
PURGATUS TACTICS By adopting Purgatus tactics, the Deathwatch focus their deadly ire upon the commanders of the enemy host, assassinating them one after another with pitiless head shots and killing thrusts of the blade. While this Mission Tactic is active, each time an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army makes an attack, if a Critical Hit is scored, that attack has the [PRECISION] ability. |
Stratagems
If you are using the Black Spear Task Force Detachment rule, you can use these Black Spear Task Force Stratagems.TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, worsen the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1.
TARGET: Up to two KILL TEAM units from your army, or one other ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army.
EFFECT: For each unit targeted, select Furor Tactics, Malleus Tactics or Purgatus Tactics. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Mission Tactic is active for that unit instead of any Mission Tactic that is active for your army.
TARGET: One KILL TEAM unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons (excluding Devastating Wounds weapons) equipped by models in your unit have the [ANTI-INFANTRY 2+] and [ANTI-MONSTER 5+] abilities.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select any units that have already been targeted with either the Kraken Rounds or Dragonfire Rounds Stratagems this phase.
TARGET: One KILL TEAM unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit by 1 and improve the Range characteristic of those weapons by 6".
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select any units that have already been targeted with either the Dragonfire Rounds or Hellfire Rounds Stratagems this phase.
TARGET: One KILL TEAM unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [ASSAULT] and [IGNORES COVER] abilities.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot select any units that have already been targeted with either the Kraken Rounds or Hellfire Rounds Stratagems this phase.
TARGET: Up to two KILL TEAM units from your army, or one other ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army, if those units are not within Engagement Range of one or more enemy units.
EFFECT: Remove those units from the battlefield and place them into Strategic Reserves. Until the end of your next Movement phase, models in those units that do not have the Deep Strike ability have the Deep Strike ability.
Enhancements
If you are using the Black Spear Task Force Detachment rule, you can use these Black Spear Task Force Enhancements.
The Thief of Secrets is a blade whose machine spirit has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. It has tasted the vitae of countless alien races, absorbing those liquids through auto-sanctified sanguinator-channels and codifying them through the honeycombed array of logicum cells within. The biological secrets of many xenos races have thus been laid bare, allowing the blade’s user to modulate its power field, the better to slice through chitinous armour, rupture xenoform organs and burn out alien nervous systems. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. Improve the Strength, Damage and Armour Penetration characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons by 1. At the end of the Fight phase, if one or more enemy models were destroyed as a result of a melee attack made by the bearer this phase, until the end of the battle, improve the Strength, Damage and Armour Penetration characteristics of the bearer’s melee weapons by 2 instead. |
The ancient clavis known as the Osseus Key is said to be the most powerful of its kind. Where other such devices are made from sanctified platinum, the Osseus Key is made from the hand and finger bones of deceased Imperial Fists heroes that fought in the Horus Heresy, scrimshawed with inhuman care and imbued with the fiercest machine spirits of the age. No portal can bar its bearer from entry, and no xenos machine can stand before his wrath. WATCH MASTER or TECHMARINE model only. At the start of your opponent’s Shooting phase, select one enemy VEHICLE unit (excluding TITANIC units) within 12" of and visible to the bearer. That unit must take a Leadership test. If that test is passed, until the end of the phase, each time a model in that unit makes an attack, subtract 1 from the Hit roll; if that test is failed, that unit is not eligible to shoot this phase. |
The Beacon Angelis was devised to guide the Deathwatch to the threshold of the alien adversary. Housed within a reliquary, it calls out to the warriors’ augur arrays with the voices of a hundred electric cherubim, its summons so strong that it draws the righteous unto its locale regardless of what darkness may surround it. ADEPTUS ASTARTES model only. Models in the bearer’s unit have the Deep Strike ability. In addition, you can target the bearer’s unit with the Rapid Ingress Stratagem for 0CP. |
This grimoire, bound in the skin of the alien, holds the most powerful truths the Deathwatch have uncovered about their foes, whether xenos or those who harbour them. On occasion, such knowledge has been known to save not only the book’s custodian, but entire worlds. WATCH MASTER or CAPTAIN model only. Once per battle, after you have selected your Oath of Moment target, the bearer can use this Enhancement. If it does, select a second enemy unit to be an Oath of Moment target. |
Crusade Rules
In this section you’ll find additional rules for playing Crusade battles that are bespoke to ADEPTUS ASTARTES units. You can find out more about Crusade armies in the main Crusade rules.
OATHSWORN CAMPAIGNS
These rules represent focused strategic goals your Crusade force can seek to achieve. They detail how, after gaining sufficient Honour points, you can promote CHARACTERS to Chapter Command and reassign your units to other tactical roles.
AGENDAS
ADEPTUS ASTARTES armies can attempt to achieve unique Agendas in addition to those found in other publications. These represent the faction’s goals and their particular methods of waging war.
REQUISITIONS
ADEPTUS ASTARTES armies have access to a number of bespoke Requisitions in addition to those found in other publications.
BATTLE TRAITS
As they gain experience and prowess, ADEPTUS ASTARTES units in your Crusade force can be given one of the Battle Traits in this section instead of one presented elsewhere.
CRUSADE RELICS
In addition to the Crusade Relics presented in other Crusade publications, ADEPTUS ASTARTES CHARACTER models can claim one of the Crusade Relics found here.
CRUSADE BADGES
Here you will find three Crusade Badges representing goals you can set yourself when campaigning with your Crusade force. Once you have achieved one, you could set yourself a new goal, or take the opportunity to start a new Crusade force.
Oathsworn Campaigns
Your Crusade force can use the Oathsworn Campaigns rules featured in Space Marines page to embark on Oathsworn Campaigns unique to the Dark Angels and their successors. Each Oathsworn Campaign offers Bonus Agendas to gain Honour points, allowing your Characters to become members of Chapter Command and - unique to this publication - the secretive Inner Circle.
Each battle offers the opportunity to earn Honour points for your Crusade force, which reflect the glorious accomplishments of your warriors on a personal and collective level. CHARACTERS can use Honour points to become high-ranking members of Chapter Command and access new abilities, while your units can adopt different battlefield roles or be promoted through the Chapter, starting in the Scout Company and eventually progressing to the 1st Company as decorated veterans with access to a wide array of Battle Traits.
A Noble Undertaking
To begin, select an Oathsworn Campaign from those presented below. An Oathsworn Campaign lasts for three battles, and each one has unique Bonus Agendas and Requisitions for you to take advantage of. If you wish to abandon a campaign for any reason, you can do so at any time. Your Crusade force can only participate in one Oathsworn Campaign at a time.Each time you win a battle, your Crusade force earns Honour points relative to the battle size, as shown below.
Honour Points
Honour points for your Crusade force are earned by winning battles and completing Bonus Agendas. Keep track of your Honour points by noting them on your Order of Battle. At the end of an Oathsworn Campaign, you can spend Honour points to promote ADEPTUS ASTARTES CHARACTERS from your Order of Battle to be members of Chapter Command. You can also spend Honour points to promote various units from the Scout Company to the Reserve and Battle Companies, and then to the 1st Company.After an Oathsworn Campaign has ended, your Honour points are reset to 0. For every 5 unspent Honour points lost in this way, you can grant 1XP to a unit of your choice from your Order of Battle.
Oathsworn Campaign Requisitions
While your Crusade force is embarked on an Oathsworn Campaign, you have access to special Requisitions you can only purchase during that campaign. These represent your Crusade force taking actions best suited to their goals, such as commandeering local resources or bolstering defences as necessary.Bonus Agendas
Each Oathsworn Campaign features unique Bonus Agendas that are always selected in addition to your two chosen Agendas. For the duration of the Oathsworn Campaign, when you select Agendas for a battle, consult the table associated with your chosen Oathsworn Campaign to select a Bonus Agenda for that battle that best suits your Crusade army or your narrative goals.Unflinching Bulwark
The Adeptus Astartes confront and drive back invasions of every loathsome kind across the Imperium’s worlds. Destructive hordes spreading carnage through a planet’s macro-cities must be halted in their tracks to enable desperate evacuations. Predatory raiders plundering frontier settlements or void ships must be corralled into efficient kill zones. From the walls of vital Imperial fortifications, Space Marines hold positions that would otherwise have fallen. Enemy assaults are thrown back as the battle-brothers unleash a deluge of firepower to cut them down. The Space Marines’ aggressive defence grants other Imperial forces the chance to regroup and exploit the gains won by the sudden intervention, even as the Angels of Death themselves leave for the next war zone.
Requisition
The strategic brilliance of a strike force’s commanders means Space Marines can often ensure the enemy fights them only on their terms, drawing the Imperium’s foes into carefully chosen battle sites. Utilising the full extent of their siegecraft, the Space Marines erect solid redoubts, fortified walls and dedicated kill zones. Any forces attempting to invade the area find their advance swiftly halted by these masterful creations and their determined defenders.
Bonus AgendasD6
The Adeptus Astartes are utterly focused on their mission parameters. Those Space Marines sworn to the defence of their battle lines will take not one backward step nor be lured into reckless assaults. Any foe who dares venture into these warriors’ priority kill zones are subjected to a thunderous fusillade of long-range firepower that scours them from critical battlefield targets.
While some of a defensive Space Marine force may be tasked with counter-assaults, others stamp the Chapter’s presence upon the war zone by planting a sacred banner or ancient sigil in full view of the foe. With undisguised bombast, the action proclaims the resolve of the battle-brothers to retake the battlefield and signals to the foe their imminent destruction.
Whether safeguarding an extraction or in a final push towards the foe’s last redoubt, the Space Marines have vowed to cleanse the enemy from their lines and allow none to slip past.
Precision Strike
The Adeptus Astartes confront and drive back invasions of every loathsome kind across the Imperium’s worlds. Destructive hordes spreading carnage through a planet’s macro-cities must be halted in their tracks to enable desperate evacuations. Predatory raiders plundering frontier settlements or void ships must be corralled into efficient kill zones. From the walls of vital Imperial fortifications, Space Marines hold positions that would otherwise have fallen. Enemy assaults are thrown back as the battle-brothers unleash a deluge of firepower to cut them down. The Space Marines’ aggressive defence grants other Imperial forces the chance to regroup and exploit the gains won by the sudden intervention, even as the Angels of Death themselves leave for the next war zone.
Requisition
Space Marines are the ultimate assault force. Deploying from orbiting strike cruisers or drop ships, roaring into the fray in armoured transports or charging from ambush, they are capable of surprise attacks that hit with meteoric force. Such assaults are unleashed after rapid and incisive assessment of carefully harvested intelligence filtered through the warriors’ long years of combat experience, and can catch even the most alert of sentries flat-footed.
Bonus AgendasD6
Any advances or gains made by the enemy must be taken from them by swift and unremitting force. None can be left in any doubt that to stand against the Adeptus Astartes is to feel the wrath of the Emperor himself.
Space Marine commanders do not orchestrate victory from the safety of a strategium, but as the speartip of their strike force that plunges into the enemy’s heart.
Adapting their priorities on the move with post-human cogitation, Space Marines will rapidly assess the most dangerous threats amongst the foe. Any that pose a risk to the battle-brothers’ mission targets will be picked out for eradication.
The Forging of Legends
In millennia-old archives are accounts of the supernatural heroism of the Adeptus Astartes’ champions. A Chapters honour is of utmost importance to its warrior-knights. In campaigns where it can be upheld or avenged - the recovery of a fallen battle-brother or relic, the hunting down of a reviled foe or the reclamation of a Chapter bastion - personal heroism surges to the fore. The greatest of a force’s combatants lead their battle-brothers in wrath-filled charges to topple enemy champions and strike down the largest of threats. Such strength and skill can crush an enemy’s cohesion as the foe witnesses their best and greatest cast down by a single warrior.
Requisition
Space Marine commanders are entrusted with great latitude in dispensing honours - and summary justice - upon their battle-brothers. Even amongst some of the Imperiums greatest heroes, there are those leaders whose courage and skill exceeds even their commander's lofty expectations. Such valour in the Emperor's name is deserving of recognition.
Bonus AgendasD6
Chapter legend recounts many epic duels in which the greatest of its warriors cast down the most heinous enemies in fights that shook the firmament and awed those who witnessed them. These legends are a potent source of inspiration to those who would uphold their brotherhood's honour.
The battlefield echoes to the roaring engines or guttural howls of an enemy monstrosity. Through tactical consideration of their threat to his battle-brothers, as well as being a matter of personal pride, a Chapter’s noble champion will make its slaying their personal vow.
The heroic commanders of a Space Marine strike force lead from the front in stunning displays of their combined strategic acumen and martial skill. They stamp their presence onto the battlefield so that none are left in doubt as to the power of the Angels of Death.
Chapter Command
Designer’s Note: If your Order of Battle contains an EPIC HERO who is already known to hold a position in Chapter Command (e.g. Pedro Kantor being a Chapter Master), you should not promote another CHARACTER to that position.
Chapter Masters are some of the greatest military minds in the galaxy. There are few elements of strategy and tactics they have not studied and mastered, and they have tested their skills against innumerable enemies. They are magnificent leaders, able to inspire their warriors to acts of legendary valour. There is no task to which they will set their battle-brothers that they have not completed themselves, and when they lead from the front, they wield their blades with incomparable ability, slaughtering more of the foe than any of their warriors.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, after you have selected your Oath of Moment target, select a second enemy unit. Until the start of your next Command phase, that second enemy unit also counts as your Oath of Moment target.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, in your Command phase, this model can use this ability. If it does, until the end of the turn, add 2 to the Damage characteristic of weapons equipped by this model.
Chief Apothecaries are the most senior surgeons and battle medics available to Space Marine Chapters. Calm and resolute, they maintain the life force of their battle-brothers on and off the battlefield. Most importantly, they are responsible for their Chapter’s future in the preservation of Space Marine gene-seed. With vast experience to draw upon, a Chapter's Chief Apothecary is its ultimate practitioner of the healer’s art.
BATTLE HONOUR
TACTICUS APOTHECARY model only. While this model is leading a unit, models in that unit have the Feel No Pain 5+ ability.
BATTLE HONOUR
At the end of the battle, if your Crusade army included this model and it was not destroyed during the battle, you can ignore up to two failed Out of Action tests taken for INFANTRY units from your Crusade army - those tests are treated as having been passed instead.
Masters of Sanctity are the High Chaplains of the Space Marine Chapters. They maintain the spiritual well-being of their brothers, ensuring none falter in their responsibilities. Their mere presence inspires fervent aggression amongst their kin, though they are just as capable of delivering retribution first-hand.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, at the start of the battle round, this model can use this ability. If it does, until the end of the turn, this model has the following ability:
Wise Orator (Aura): Each time a friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit within 6" of this model makes a melee attack, add 1 to the Wound roll.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, at the start of the Fight phase, this model can use this ability. If it does, until the end of the phase, add 2 to the Attacks, Strength and Damage characteristics of melee weapons equipped by this model.
Masters of the Forge are the chief artificers of the Space Marines, responsible for maintaining the arms, armour and vehicles of their Chapter. Having distinguished themselves from their brother Techmarines, Masters of the Forge oversee the Chapter’s Armoury, and have an intimate knowledge of its workings and the machine spirits that reside there.
BATTLE HONOUR
Each time this model uses its Blessing of the Omnissiah ability, the selected VEHICLE regains up to D3+3 lost wounds instead of up to D3.
BATTLE HONOUR
Each time this model uses its Blessing of the Omnissiah ability, until the start of your next Command phase, the selected VEHICLE has a 4+ invulnerable save (in addition to that ability’s other effects).
For a Space Marine to have become one of the Chapters Honour Guard is to have fulfilled many centuries of exceptionally courageous service. In battle, they act as personal retinues for the strike force’s leaders, ensuring their safety with selfless valour.
BATTLE HONOUR
While a CHARACTER model is leading this unit, add 1 to the Toughness characteristic of models in that unit.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, at the start of either player’s Command phase, this unit can use this ability. If it does, until the end of the turn, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of weapons equipped by models in this unit.
At the head of each Chapter’s Librarius can be found the Chief Librarian. Battle scholars with vast experience and immense psychic power, they are as much invaluable warriors as they are dependable advisors. When mastery of the warp is required, none are better equipped to deal with its turbulent nature. On the battlefield, Chief Librarians direct the energies of the immaterium with unrivalled precision and power.
BATTLE HONOUR
At the start of your Shooting phase, you can select one enemy unit within 12" of and visible to this model and roll one D6: on a 3-5, that unit suffers D6 mortal wounds; on a 6, that unit suffers D6 mortal wounds and, until the start of your next turn, halve that unit's Move characteristic and halve the result of Charge rolls and Advance rolls made for that unit.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, at the start of any phase, this unit can use this ability. If it does, until the start of your next turn, this model has the following ability:
Empyric Castellan (Aura, Psychic): While an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army is within 6" of this model, models in that unit have a 4+ invulnerable save.
Only the most distinguished Space Marines are granted the title of Chapter Ancient. Given the sacred task of bearing the Chapter’s standard to war, they selflessly fly the colours even as they slay their foes. The sight of such a holy relic flying high above the battlefield inspires the Ancients’ brethren to give their all. The mere presence of the Chapters standard is worth a fortified bastion to the warriors of the Adeptus Astartes.
BATTLE HONOUR
Once per battle, at the start of your Command phase, this model can use this ability. If it does, until the end of the turn, this model has the following ability:
Steadfast Example (Aura): While an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army is within 6" of this model, add 1 to the Objective Control characteristic of models in that unit.
BATTLE HONOUR
While this model is leading a unit, each time a Bodyguard model in that unit is destroyed by a melee attack, if that model has not fought this phase, roll one D6: on a 2+, do not remove it from play. The destroyed model can fight after the attacking model’s unit has finished making its attacks, and is then removed from play.
Assignment and Promotion
During their long years, Space Marines advance through their Chapters companies, gaining new skills and a wealth of experience on their journey.
In addition to spending Honour points on Chapter Command promotions, you can also spend them to assign or promote other units to new positions within the Chapters structure. After an Oathsworn Campaign ends, just as with Chapter Command promotions, you can spend the required number of Honour points to assign or promote a unit, but if you do, instead of selecting a Battle Honour for that unit, you must instead remove it from your Order of Battle and replace it with another unit from those listed. When a unit is replaced in this way, the new unit starts with the same XP as the one it replaced.Once deemed worthy, a neophyte is elevated from the Scout Company to the status of full battle-brother and serves in the first of the Reserve Companies. Should they continue to distinguish themselves, they may progress to the Battle Companies and throughout their lives learn to fight in many different roles. Experienced battle-brothers of the Scout Company’s Vanguard complement may be requisitioned to support other companies, their battle prowess granting them a potent reputation.
Select one of the following units:You can spend 5 Honour points to replace that unit with one of the following units:
Elevation to the elite 1st Company of a Chapter is never automatic, no matter how long a battle-brother serves with the incredibly high levels of skill expected of all Space Marines. To be so honoured, they must have proved superior even amongst an entire brotherhood of post-human champions. Each has performed legendary deeds of bravery and mastered all of the Chapter’s ways of war. They are master marksmen, exceptional duellists and incredible pilots, with tactical insight far beyond any mortal soldier and a devotion to duty that is fierce in its intensity. They truly are the heroes of their Chapter.
Select one ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY or ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit (excluding CHARACTERS and SCOUT SQUADS). You can spend 5 Honour points to replace the selected unit with one of the following units. If the selected unit has the Terminator Honours Battle Trait, this promotion costs 0 Honour points.The honour of command amongst the Adeptus Astartes recognises a battle-brother whose past is littered with conquered enemies. Yet it is not enough to be a skilled fighter; they must also have an unassailable grasp of strategy and tactics. Centuries of battlefield experience have taught them every facet of war, trained them in the tools of slaughter and honed their wits to the level of instinct. To lead the Emperor’s greatest shock troops in battle, to marshal their strength and mete it out efficiently to maximise its potential against the ceaseless waves of foes that embattle the Imperium, is a singular and grave responsibility.
Select one LIEUTENANT model. You can spend 10 Honour points to replace that model with one CAPTAIN model (excluding EPIC HEROES).Agendas
If your Crusade army includes any ADEPTUS ASTARTES units, you can select Agendas from those presented here.For the Space Marines, only the total destruction of the Emperor’s enemies is acceptable.
The Space Marines know no fear. Superhuman courage in the face of terrifying horrors and overwhelming odds are expected from each and every battle-brother. Fleeing from the conflict is as anathema to them as allowing the enemies of the Emperor to draw breath.
Battle-brothers who pilot their Chapter’s war engines often have a natural affinity for their mechanical steeds. With prayers to the vehicles’ machine spirits, the crews urge them forth in unstoppable spearheads. Those war engines that leave a great wake of the foe’s twisted corpses are immortalised for their deeds with devotional seals and trophies in a dedicated shrine within the Chapter’s Armoury.
The warriors of the Chapter who bear the Mark of Censure have submitted themselves to the Reclusiam for their failures, and been set upon a quest for absolution in their Chapter’s eyes. Only by striking down the mightiest foes of the Emperor will their shame be absolved.
Requisitions
If your Crusade army includes any ADEPTUS ASTARTES units, you can spend Requisition points (RP) on any of the following Requisitions.Death in battle is the fate of almost all Space Marines. But if the Chapter’s Apothecaries can preserve the gene-seed of fallen battle-brothers, then something of them can live on in a new generation of warriors. The heroic warrior-chirurgeons make their battle-brothers' death an honoured gift of legacy to the Chapter.
To triumph in spectacular and glorious fashion over the Imperiums enemies is reward enough for those heroes who bought the victory with deadly skill and unflinching conviction.
On occasion, the Space Marines' famously rapid and efficient campaigns must be extended. They may uncover evidence of a deeper conspiracy that must be broken or details of hidden enemy reserves that must be crushed. Whatever new intelligence comes to light, the Adeptus Astartes will not shirk from acting upon it to ensure their final victory is total.
A mortally wounded Space Marine may be interred in the sarcophagus of a Dreadnought, allowing them to bring death to their foes in a new form.
Battle Traits
When an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit gains a Battle Trait, you can use one of the tables presented here to determine which Battle Trait that unit has gained.INFANTRY and MOUNTED UnitsD6
Excluding CHARACTERSAwarded to those warriors who prove their accuracy in combat, these badges are constructed by coating spent bolter shell casings, ejected from the weapons of great heroes, in gold.
Awarded to the most superlative duellists of the Chapter, this honour badge is shaped like a dagger and proclaims the bearer’s skill at arms.
These rivets are stamped into a warrior’s cranium to record ten, fifty or a hundred years' service. Though described in the Codex, the awarding of studs is not officially required.
Purity seals record not so much honours as blessings given by the Chapter’s Chaplains before battle. When a battle-brother receives a seal, the Chaplains chant litanies before affixing it to the Space Marine's armour.
Veterans who have earned the honour of waging war in Terminator armour are permitted to wear these badges - smaller representations of the Crux Terminatus - when fighting.
Awarded to those who have shown great resolve, this eagle emblem is emblazoned on the warrior’s chest plate.
Scout Company UnitsD6
ELIMINATOR SQUAD, INCURSOR SQUAD, INFILTRATOR SQUAD, REIVER SQUAD, SCOUT SQUADEnemy champions and the guardians who shelter them are priority targets for this squad of skilled assassins.
Adept in the sudden unbalancing of their foes, this agile squad can evade closing foes and leave them exposed.
These Chapter warriors are shades made manifest, using every sensory distraction to veil their advance and utilising every scrap of cover to their advantage.
1st Company UnitsD6
BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, COMPANY HEROES, STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD, TERMINATOR ASSAULT SQUAD, TERMINATOR SQUAD, VANGUARD VETERAN SQUADTasked with holding their ground, the veterans of the 1st Company will stand as intimidating sentinels, throwing the broken foe back unto their very last breaths.
These veterans can unleash a flurry of masterful blows said to reflect their Primarch’s martial perfection.
These veteran battle-brothers have sworn to banish the shades of the Imperium’s enemies in every benighted reach they fight in. While they stand, the light of Humanity will never fade.
VEHICLE ModelsD6
This machine spirit seeks to grind its foes beneath the ironclad hull it inhabits.
The might of this indomitable machine spirit is legendary.
Even under duress, the attacks of this machine remain precise.
Crusade Relics
When an ADEPTUS ASTARTES CHARACTER model gains a Crusade Relic, you can select one of the Crusade Relics presented here.Artificer Relics
This chest plate bears an aquila crest wrought in adamantine, rendering it proof against even the mightiest blow.
Add 1 to the bearer’s Toughness and Wounds characteristics.Incorporating arcane technology found in suits of Terminator armour, this unassuming device allows the bearer to be teleported accurately into the thick of battle from their orbiting spacecraft.
During the Declare Battle Formations step, if this model is attached to a unit, until the end of the battle, that unit has the Deep Strike ability.This iron halo protects the bearer from harm, while proclaiming them to be a mighty hero of the Imperium.
- The bearer has a 4+ invulnerable save.
- The bearer has the Feel No Pain 4+ ability against mortal wounds.
Antiquity Relics
This blade is a relic of the Great Crusade and is rumoured to have been crafted on Terra. It is now borne by only the greatest heroes of the Space Marine Chapters.
The bearer is equipped with the following melee weapon in addition to its other weapons:MELEE WEAPONS | RANGE | A | WS | S | AP | D |
| Paragon blade | ||||||
| Paragon blade | Melee | 6 | 2+ | 6 | -3 | 3 |
This bloodstained banner lists the atrocities and injustices committed by the Emperor’s foes, a reminder of the duty of the Adeptus Astartes to purge the stars of the heretic and the alien.
ANCIENT model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, add 1 to the Strength characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in that unit.Legendary Relics
Crafted long ago in forges lost to the mist of time, these immensely rare rounds create a miniature vortex within the target upon their detonation. Such an event causes catastrophic damage to even the largest enemies, and psykers who miraculously survive are driven mad by the creatures of the warp that flow from the tear in reality.
Select one ranged weapon equipped by the bearer; that weapon is now a Crusade Relic. Note this on the bearer’s Crusade card and give that weapon a suitable name. Once per battle, when the bearer shoots with that weapon, you can choose for it to fire a vortex bolt instead of shooting that weapon normally. If it does, resolve that shooting using with the following profile:RANGED WEAPONS | RANGE | A | BS | S | AP | D |
| Vortex bolt [ANTI-INFANTRY 3+, ANTI-PSYKER 2+, DEVASTATING WOUNDS] | ||||||
| Vortex bolt [ANTI-INFANTRY 3+, ANTI-PSYKER 2+, DEVASTATING WOUNDS] | 24" | 1 | 2+ | 4 | 0 | D3+3 |
In the deepest vaults of every Chapter are ancient relics inherited from the personal wargear of their gene-sire. Only in the direst circumstances are these brought to the field of war to inspire battle-brothers to even greater deeds; if these relics were to be lost, it would be a tragedy on par with the blackest days in the Chapter’s history.
Once per battle, in your Command phase, the bearer can unveil the Relic of the Primarch. If it does, until the start of your next Command phase, the bearer has the following ability:Relic of the Primarch (Aura)
- While a friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit is within 6" of this model, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in that unit.
- If the bearer is destroyed, after removing it from play, set up one new objective marker as close as possible to the bearer’s last location; this represents the Relic of the Primarch. You immediately gain the Recover the Relic Agenda (see below) in addition to any other Agendas being used for the battle.
Recover the Relic
The loss of one of the Primarch’s priceless relics is an unthinkable shame that cannot be allowed to pass.
At the end of the battle, if you control the Relic of the Primarch objective marker, you can select one unit from your Crusade army that is within 3" of that objective marker; that unit gains 3XP. If you do not control that objective marker at the end of the battle, you lose 10VP (to a minimum of 0).Crusade Badges
When your Crusade force accomplishes specific long-term goals, you can earn the Crusade badges shown below, representing your warriors’ successes over many battles.Oathsworn Crusaders
Your strike force’s battles against the myriad dangers facing the Imperium have seen your Space Marines hailed as true crusaders and enactors of the Lord Commander’s vision. Each of your successful assaults against Humanity’s enemies has helped liberate Imperial worlds through fire and blood. You have pushed back the hateful tide of heretics, mutants and xenos, but in spreading the Emperor’s light you have discovered new vistas of invasion and corruption. Honour demands you cannot stop now.
- You have completed one Oathsworn Campaign and promoted one or more CHARACTERS to Chapter Command.
- You have won two or more battles.
Oathsworn Victors
Proving the nobility of your Chapter in the Emperor’s service, your force has won a tally of victories. Bastions of Mankind’s foes have been breached, invasions held and pushed back, and abominations purged. Your experienced warriors have been highly honoured by their Chapter, but with each surge into the darkness, your foes - and the chances to lay them low - multiply.
- You have completed three Oathsworn Campaigns and promoted two or more CHARACTERS to Chapter Command.
- You have won six or more battles.
- You have replaced one or more units as described in the Reserve and Battle Company Assignment section (see Assignment and Promotion).
Oathsworn Veterans
Your heroic battle-brothers have visited death and destruction upon worlds thought beyond the Imperium’s reach. Your Chapter lords lead blistering assaults of veteran battle-brothers in strikes so swift and overwhelming that none may stay their wrath. You are the vengeance of the Emperor made manifest and a shining exemplar of your gene-sire’s martial doctrines!
- You have completed five Oathsworn Campaigns and promoted five or more CHARACTERS to Chapter Command.
- You have won ten or more battles.
- You have replaced three or more units as described in the Reserve and Battle Company Assignment and/or 1st Company Promotion sections (see Assignment and Promotion).
Oathsworn Campaign Tracker
Download blank Oathsworn Campaign tracker:
Boarding Actions
Introduction
Within the following pages you will find numerous Boarding Actions Detachments that can be used in your Boarding Actions games. Each lists which units you can include in your army, any modifications to those units’ army rule as presented in their Codex or Index, a Detachment rule unique to that Detachment, and a number of Enhancements and Stratagems that you can use.A keyword that will be shared by all units in your army.
MUSTERING RULES
Which units you are allowed to include in your army.
FORMING BOARDING SQUADS
Any additional rules that will apply in the missions Form Boarding Squads step. Note that not all Detachments will have these.
RULES ADAPTATIONS
Some units will be unable to use certain abilities in Boarding Actions battles. Where this is the case, these units and their relevant abilities will be listed here.
Due to the distinct nature of close-quarters battle in Boarding Actions, most army rules require some modifications to their effects. Where this is the case, these will be described here.
DETACHMENT RULE
Each faction will have a number of different Detachments to choose from, each with its own Detachment rule to reflect the unique fighting methods of such forces.
ENHANCEMENTS
Further Enhancements that you can give to CHARACTER models from your army, beyond those(Boarding Actions Enhancments), will be found here.
STRATAGEMS
Additional Stratagems that you can use, in addition to those (Boarding Actions Stratagems), will be found here.
Boarding Strike
Space Marines excel in the sort of fast-paced, ferociously violent battles that erupt during voidship boarding assaults. Moving fast and hitting hard, they swiftly secure enemy vessels, or else sweep impertinent foes from their own warships’ decks.
Mustering a Boarding Patrol
All of the ADEPTUS ASTARTES models in your Boarding Patrol must be drawn from the same Chapter.You can include up to two of the following units (duplicates are not allowed):
- INFANTRY CHARACTER (excluding TERMINATOR models)
PRIMARCH
- ASSAULT INTERCESSOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
BLOOD CLAWS(5 or 10 models)CRUSADER SQUAD(5 or 10 models)- DEATHWATCH VETERANS (5 or 10 models)
GREY HUNTERS(5 or 10 models)- HEAVY INTERCESSOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
- INTERCESSOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
PRIMARIS CRUSADER SQUAD(10 models)- TACTICAL SQUAD (10 models)
- AGGRESSOR SQUAD (3 models)
- BLADEGUARD VETERAN SQUAD (3 models)
- COMPANY HEROES (5 models)
DEATH COMPANY INTERCESSORS(5 or 10 models)DEATH COMPANY MARINES(5 or 10 models)- INFERNUS SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
INNER CIRCLE COMPANIONS(3 models)PRIMARIS SWORD BRETHREN(5 or 10 models)- STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
WOLF GUARD(5 or 10 models)WULFEN(5 or 10 models)
- ERADICATOR SQUAD (3 models)
- HELLBLASTER SQUAD (5 models)
- ASSAULT INTERCESSORS WITH JUMP PACKS (5 or 10 models)
DEATH COMPANY MARINES WITH JUMP PACKS(5 or 10 models)FENRISIAN WOLVES(5 models)SANGUINARY GUARD(5 or 10 models)SKYCLAWS(5 or 10 models)- VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD WITH JUMP PACKS (5 or 10 models)
Rules Adaptations
Units that can FLY lose the Deep Strike ability.- The APOTHECARY model loses the Narlhecium and Gene-seed Recovery abilities.
- The ASSAULT INTERCESSORS WITH JUMP PACKS unit loses the Hammer of Wrath ability.
- The CHAPLAIN WITH JUMP PACK model loses the Exhortation of Rage ability.
- The
CHIEF LIBRARIAN TIGURIUSmodel loses the Master of Prescience ability. - The HELLBLASTER SQUAD unit loses the For the Chapter! ability.
- The INTERCESSOR SQUAD unit loses the Objective Secured ability.
- The
MARNEUS CALGARunit loses the Master Tactician ability. - The
ROBOUTE GUILLIMANmodel loses the Armour of Fate ability. - The
SICARIUSmodel loses the Knight Champion of Macragge ability. - The
URIEL VENTRISmodel loses the Master of the Fleet ability.
Detachment Rule
Drive Home the Blade
The Adeptus Astartes launch their shipboard strikes with precision and lethal momentum, sweeping aside each new obstruct ion to their progress and pressing ever forward.
Each time an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army is selected to shoot, if one or more models from that unit are within 1" of an open Hatchway and every model in that unit is on the same side of that Hatchway, select one enemy unit on the opposite side of that Hatchway from your unit. Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [sustained hits 1] ability while targeting that enemy unit.Enhancements
Adamantine Mantle Bestowed as a mark of honour, this venerated relic lends an extra layer of armour protection that proves especially useful amidst vicious void war. Each time an attack is allocated to the bearer, subtract 1 from the Damage characteristic of that attack. |
Clavitine Reliquary A timeless and unique example of Chapter artifice, this device rapidly synchronises with the data spirits of locking devices and renders them quiescent. In your Movement phase, each time the bearer is selected to make a Normal or Advance move, if it is within 1" of a Hatchway, it can attempt to operate that Hatchway. If it does, it cannot attempt to operate a Hatchway again this turn. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES BATTLELINE unit from your army that is within range of an objective marker and was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, models in your unit have the Feel No Pain 5+ ability.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES BATTLELINE unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Select any number of models in your unit. Until the end of the phase, add 1 to the Attacks and Strength characteristics of melee weapons equipped by the selected models and each time you select targets for attacks made by those models, they must target an enemy unit that is wholly on the opposite side of a Hatchway from them.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit is destroyed, if that model has not fought this phase, roll one D6, adding 1 to the result if your unit has the BATTLELINE keyword: on a 4+, do not remove the destroyed model from play; it can fight after the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, and is then removed from play.
TARGET: That ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit.
EFFECT: Each target of that charge must take a Battle-shock test.
Pilum Strike Team
Comprising veterans in the theatre of ship-to-ship void war, pilum strike teams are cast through the void like a spear aboard shrouded boarding torpedoes to infiltrate key enemy warships. Once aboard, the Phobos-armoured Space Marines wage a terror campaign to destabilise the target vessel from within.
Mustering a Boarding Patrol
All of the ADEPTUS ASTARTES models in your Boarding Patrol must be drawn from the same Chapter.You can include up to three of the following units (duplicates are not allowed):
KAYVAAN SHRIKE- LIEUTENANT IN REIVER ARMOUR
- LIEUTENANT WITH COMBI-WEAPON
- PHOBOS CAPTAIN
- PHOBOS LIBRARIAN
- PHOBOS LIEUTENANT
- INCURSOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
- INFILTRATOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
- REIVER SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
HOUNDS OF MORKAI(5 or 10 models)
Rules Adaptations
- INCURSOR SQUAD and INFILTRATOR SQUAD units can perform the Secure Site Tactical Manoeuvre as if they had the BATTLELINE keyword.
- All units with the Deep Strike ability lose it.
- The
KAYVAAN SHRIKEmodel loses the Echo of the Ravenspire ability. - The INCURSOR SQUAD unit loses the Haywire Mine ability.
- The LIEUTENANT WITH COMBI-WEAPON model loses the Evade and Survive ability.
- The REIVER SQUAD unit loses the Reiver grav-chute ability.
Detachment Rule
Relentless Salvoes
These vanguard specialists stay on the move, laying down hails of fire to harass and disrupt their foes even as they hit-and-fade through chambers and corridors.
ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army are eligible to shoot in a turn in which they Advanced or Fell Back.Enhancements
Omni-Structural Auspex A rare device with a potent and knowledgeable machine spirit, this implement analyses the integrity of foes’ armour and isolates weaknesses to exploit. In your Shooting phase, after the bearer has shot, select one enemy unit hit by one or more of those attacks. Until the end of the phase, each time a friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES model (excluding CHARACTER models) makes an attack that targets that unit, improve the Armour Penetration characteristic of that attack by 1. |
Void Warrior Having mastered the arts of shipboard warfare over many battles, this warrior moves swiftly through them and strikes with unerring skill. You can re-roll Advance and Charge rolls made for the bearer. In addition, the bearer is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to fight this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, improve the Strength and Armour Penetration characteristics of melee weapons equipped by models in your unit by 1.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to move this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time your unit is selected to make a Normal or Advance move, it can attempt to operate one Hatchway it is within 1” of either at the start or end of that move. If it does, it cannot attempt to operate a Hatchway again this turn.
TARGET: That ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit.
EFFECT: Select one enemy unit within Engagement Range of your unit and roll one D6: on a 2-4, that enemy unit suffers 1 mortal wound; on a 5+, that enemy unit suffers 2 mortal wounds.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that has not been selected to shoot this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, ranged weapons equipped by models in your unit have the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability.
Terminator Assault
The Imperium has no finer or more perfectly suited warriors for cleansing the claustrophobic decks of voidships than Terminators. Each battle-brother is an army unto themself. Their armoured resilience is second to none, while their massive firepower allows them to turn gloomy corridors into killing grounds.
Mustering a Boarding Patrol
All of the ADEPTUS ASTARTES models in your Boarding Patrol must be drawn from the same Chapter.You can include up to two of the following units (duplicates are not allowed):
ARJAC ROCKFISTBELIALDARNATH LYSANDERLOGAN GRIMNARNJAL STORMCALLER- TERMINATOR ANCIENT
- TERMINATOR CAPTAIN
- TERMINATOR CHAPLAIN
- TERMINATOR LIBRARIAN
WOLF GUARD BATTLE LEADER IN TERMINATOR ARMOURWOLF GUARD PACK LEADER IN TERMINATOR ARMOUR
DEATHWING KNIGHTS(5 models)DEATHWING TERMINATOR SQUAD(5 or 10 models)- DEATHWATCH TERMINATOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
- TERMINATOR ASSAULT SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
- TERMINATOR SQUAD (5 or 10 models)
Rules Adaptations
- TERMINATOR ASSAULT SQUAD and TERMINATOR SQUAD units can perform the Secure Site Tactical Manoeuvre as if they had the BATTLELINE keyword.
- All units with the Teleport Homer ability lose it.
- The
ARJAC ROCKFISTmodel loses the Champion of the Kingsguard ability. - The
BELIALmodel loses the Strikes of Retribution ability. - The
DEATHWING KNIGHTSunit loses theINNER CIRCLEability. - The
LOGAN GRIMNARmodel loses the The Great Wolf ability. - The
WOLF GUARDunit loses the Chosen Companions ability. - The
WOLF GUARD PACK LEADER IN TERMINATOR ARMOURmodel loses the Pack Leader ability.
Detachment Rule
Sacred Oath
Space Marine Chapters do not lightly commit their precious suits of Terminator armour to battle, nor the storied veterans who wear them. When they go to war, they always do so with a vital duty and a crucial target.
Once per battle, at the start of your Command phase, when you select a target for Oath of Moment, you can use this Detachment rule. If you do, until the start of your next Command phase, each time an ADEPTUS ASTARTES model from your army makes an attack that targets your Oath of Moment target, you can re-roll the Wound roll.Enhancements
Seal of Indomitability This ancient honour is said to fortify the machine spirit of a suit of Terminator plate against even the most dolorous of blows. Once per battle, when the bearer’s unit is selected as the target of one or more attacks, it can use this Enhancement. If it does, until the end of the phase, the bearer has a 3+ invulnerable save. |
Resolute Allowing nothing to bar his path, this champion of the Chapter ploughs a bloody path through the foe. The bearer is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back. In addition, Desperate Escape tests taken for the bearer are automatically passed, and each time the bearer makes a Fall Back move, it can move through enemy models as if they were not there. |
Stratagems
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR unit from your army.
EFFECT: Until the end of your next Command phase, add 1 to the Objective Control characteristic of models in your unit.
RESTRICTIONS: Each time you use this Stratagem, you cannot use it again until after your next Command phase.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES TERMINATOR unit from your army that is in Reserves.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, when setting up your unit on the battlefield using its Deep Strike ability, you can set it up unit anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 6" horizontally away from all enemy models (measure this distance as you would normally for the Deep Strike ability, ignoring Walls and closed Hatchways).
RESTRICTIONS: Until the end of the turn, your unit is not eligible to declare a charge.
TARGET: One TERMINATOR ASSAULT SQUAD unit from your army that has not been selected to move this phase and has not declared a charge this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, when making a Normal, Advance or Charge move, your unit can move through a single closed Hatchway as if it was open. When doing so, that Hatchway is opened and cannot be closed for the rest of the battle. This can allow that unit to declare a charge against enemy units that are not visible to it, but to do so those enemy units must be within 1" of that Hatchway and wholly on the opposite side of it from your unit.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this Stratagem more than once per turn.
TARGET: One TERMINATOR SQUAD unit from your army that has not fired Overwatch this phase.
EFFECT: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes an attack while firing Overwatch, an unmodified Hit roll of 5+ is required to score a hit, instead of an unmodified 6.
- Advance Move: Models move up to M+D6".
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
- Units that Advance cannot shoot or charge this turn.
A unit cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn that it Fell Back.
Desperate Escape Tests
Unlike when making other types of move, models can move over enemy models when making a Fall Back move as if those enemy models were not there, but you must take a Desperate Escape test for each model that will do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY) before any models in that unit are moved. In addition, if a unit is Battle-shocked when it is selected to Fall Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit before any are moved.
- Fall Back Move: Models move up to M".
- Units that Fall Back cannot shoot or declare a charge in the same turn.
- Models can move over enemy models when Falling Back, but you must take Desperate Escape tests for them before they do so (excluding models that are TITANIC or can FLY).
- If a Battle-shocked unit is selected to Fall Back, take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
- Desperate Escape Test: Roll one D6. On a 1-2, one model from that unit is destroyed.
The Codex Astartes has proven its worth as a superb treatise on warfare over countless battlefields, and has remained so even after ten thousand years. Many Space Marines hold its wisdom in awe, and exemplify its teachings, employing a flexible set of combat doctrines to eliminate their enemy. Few opponents can withstand the fury of such an onslaught.
At the start of your Command phase, you can select one of the Combat Doctrines listed below. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Combat Doctrine is active and its effects apply to all ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army. You can only select each Combat Doctrine once per battle.Devastator Doctrine The Codex Astartes details the strategic value of overwhelming firepower applied to key targets while advancing into position to eliminate threats. This unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Advanced. |
Tactical Doctrine As the warring armies close upon one another and vicious fire-fights erupt, the Codex lays out strategies for swiftly seizing the initiative and combining versatility with firepower. This unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back. |
Assault Doctrine The Codex Astartes leaves no doubt that the killing blow in most engagements must be delivered with a decisive close-quarters strike. It presents plentiful tactical means to achieve this end. This unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced. |
Tactical Doctrine
As the warring armies close upon one another and vicious fire-fights erupt, the Codex lays out strategies for swiftly seizing the initiative and combining versatility with firepower.
This unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back.
Assault Doctrine
The Codex Astartes leaves no doubt that the killing blow in most engagements must be delivered with a decisive close-quarters strike. It presents plentiful tactical means to achieve this end.
This unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army.
EFFECT: Select the Devastator Doctrine, Tactical Doctrine or Assault Doctrine. Until the start of your next Command phase, that Combat Doctrine is active for that unit instead of any other Combat Doctrine that is active for your army, even if you have already selected that doctrine this battle.
When setting objective markers up on the battlefield, place them so they are centred on the point specified by the mission. When measuring distances to and from objective markers, measure to and from the closest part of them. Models can move over objective markers as if they were not there, but they cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.
At the start of the battle, each objective marker on the battlefield is said to be contested, and so is not controlled by either player. To control an objective marker, a player will first need to move models within range of it. A model is within range of an objective marker if it is within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically of that objective marker.
Every model has an Objective Control (OC) characteristic listed on its datasheet. To determine a player’s Level of Control over an objective marker, add together the OC characteristics of all the models from that player’s army that are within range of that objective marker. A player will control an objective marker at the end of any phase or turn if their Level of Control over it is greater than their opponent’s. If both players have the same Level of Control over an objective marker, that objective marker is contested.
- A model is within range of an objective marker if within 3" horizontally and 5" vertically.
- Level of Control: Add together the OC characteristics of all of a player’s models within range of the objective marker.
- An objective marker is controlled by the player with the highest Level of Control over it (in a tie, it is contested).
- Models cannot end a move on top of an objective marker.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and INFANTRY keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and MOUNTED keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
- Normal Move: Models move up to M".
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
You then make a Charge roll for the charging unit by rolling 2D6. The result is the maximum number of inches each model in that unit can be moved if a Charge move is possible. For a Charge move to be possible, the Charge roll must be sufficient to enable the charging unit to end that move:
- Within Engagement Range of every unit that you selected as a target of the charge.
- Without moving within Engagement Range of any enemy units that were not a target of the charge.
- In Unit Coherency.
- Charge Roll: 2D6".
- Targets of a charge must be within 12" but do not need to be visible.
- If the distance rolled is insufficient to move within Engagement Range of all targets while maintaining Unit Coherency, the charge fails.
- Cannot move within Engagement Range of any unit that was not a target of the charge.
- If the charge is successful, each model makes a Charge move less than or equal to the Charge roll, and must move into base-to-base contact with an enemy model if possible.
Weapons powered by unstable and dangerous energy sources pose a substantial risk to the wielder every time they are used.
Weapons with [HAZARDOUS] in their profile are known as Hazardous weapons. Each time a unit is selected to shoot or fight, after that unit has resolved all of its attacks, for each Hazardous weapon that targets were selected for when resolving those attacks, that unit must take one Hazardous test. To do so, roll one D6: on a 1, that test is failed. For each failed test you must resolve the following sequence (resolve each failed test one at a time):- If possible, select one model in that unit that has lost one or more wounds and is equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
- Otherwise, if possible, select one model in that unit (excluding CHARACTER models) equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
- Otherwise, select one CHARACTER model in that unit equipped with one or more Hazardous weapons.
If a unit from a player’s army is selected as the target of the Fire Overwatch Stratagem in their opponent’s Charge phase, any mortal wounds inflicted by Hazardous tests are allocated after the charging unit has ended its Charge move.
- After a unit shoots or fights, roll one Hazardous test (one D6) for each Hazardous weapon used. For each 1, a model equipped with a hazardous weapon suffers 3 mortal wounds, that must be allocated to the selected model.
- A Critical Wound inflicts mortal wounds equal to the weapon’s Damage characteristic, instead of any normal damage.
Some attacks are so powerful that no armour or force field can withstand their fury.
Some rules inflict mortal wounds on units. Each time mortal wounds are inflicted on a unit, each of those mortal wounds inflicts one point of damage to that unit, and they are always applied one at a time. Each mortal wound is allocated to a model in the same manner as allocating an attack. Excess damage from mortal wounds is not lost if the damage can be allocated to another model. Instead, keep allocating damage to another model in the target unit until either all the damage has been allocated or the target unit is destroyed.If an attack inflicts mortal wounds in addition to any normal damage, do not make a Wound roll or saving throw (including invulnerable saving throws) against those mortal wounds. If those mortal wounds are inflicted by an attack that has the [PRECISION] ability, the attacking model’s controlling player can allocate those mortal wounds to a CHARACTER model in that unit.
If mortal wounds are being inflicted as a result of the [HAZARDOUS] ability or by an attack with the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability that scored a Critical Wound, each time those mortal wounds are allocated to a model, if that model is destroyed as a result of those mortal wounds, the remaining mortal wounds from that attack are lost, just as with a normal attack.
If, when a unit is selected to shoot or fight, one or more of its attacks can inflict mortal wounds on the target, resolve any normal damage inflicted by the attacking unit’s attacks on that target before inflicting any mortal wounds on that target. If an attack inflicts mortal wounds in addition to any normal damage, but the normal damage is subsequently saved, the target unit still suffers those mortal wounds, as described above.
- Each mortal wound inflicted on a unit causes one model in that unit to lose one wound.
- Unless the source of the mortal wounds is the [HAZARDOUS] ability or an attack with the [DEVASTATING WOUNDS] ability, damage from mortal wounds is not lost if it can be allocated to another model.
- No saving throws can be made against mortal wounds.
- Mortal wounds inflicted by attacks always apply after any normal damage, even if that damage was saved.
TARGET: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY or ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED unit from your army within range of an objective marker you control.
EFFECT: That objective marker is said to be Sabotaged, and remains under your control even if you have no models within range of it, until your opponent controls it at the start or end of any turn. While an objective marker is Sabotaged and under your control, each time an enemy unit ends a Normal, Advance, Fall Back or Charge move within range of that objective marker, roll one D6: on a 2+, that enemy unit suffers D3 mortal wounds.
The Starting Strength of an Attached unit is equal to the combined Starting Strengths of all of its units (i.e. the number of models in the Leader unit added to the number of models in the Bodyguard unit). If either the Leader unit or the Bodyguard unit in an Attached unit is destroyed, the Starting Strength of the remaining unit is changed to be equal to its original Starting Strength.
For the purposes of rules that are triggered when a unit is destroyed, such rules are still triggered when one of the individual units that made up an Attached unit is destroyed (the Leader or the Bodyguard unit).
- A unit can embark within a friendly TRANSPORT if all of its models end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within 3" of that TRANSPORT.
- A unit cannot embark and disembark in the same phase.
The TRANSPORT keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Some transports have firing hatches, ports or platforms from which embarked passengers can shoot.
Some TRANSPORT models have ‘Firing Deck x’ listed in their abilities. Each time such a model is selected to shoot in the Shooting phase, you can select up to ‘x’ models embarked within it whose units have not already shot this phase. Then, for each of those embarked models, you can select one ranged weapon that embarked model is equipped with (excluding weapons with the [ONE SHOT] ability). Until that TRANSPORT model has resolved all of its attacks, it counts as being equipped with all of the weapons you selected in this way, in addition to its other weapons. Until the end of the phase, those selected models’ units are not eligible to shoot.- Firing Deck ‘x’: Each time this TRANSPORT shoots, select one weapon (excluding weapons with the [ONE SHOT] ability) from up to ‘x’ models embarked within it whose units have not shot this phase; this TRANSPORT counts as being equipped with those weapons as well. Until the end of the phase, those selected models’ units are not eligible to shoot.
Some weapons can inflict fatal injuries on any foe, no matter their resilience.
Weapons with [LETHAL HITS] in their profile are known as Lethal Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, a Critical Hit automatically wounds the target.The DEATHWATCH keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
In battle, Space Marines swear mighty oaths to destroy the enemies of the Emperor and uphold the honour of their Chapter, and such vows are sacrosanct. When the Angels of Death strike, they do so with the precision of a surgeon and the force of a thunderbolt. Experience and strategic expertise help them to read the shifting shape of the battle with post-human speed and clarity, directing their wrath towards one priority target after another. Command assets are annihilated, leaving the enemy reeling leaderless. Heavy armour, potent artillery and the vaunted elites of the foe’s forces are laid waste with horrifying speed, until the Emperor’s Angels of Death stand victorious over a field of smouldering wreckage and bolt-riddled corpses, and honour is finally satisfied.
If your Army Faction is ADEPTUS ASTARTES, at the start of your Command phase, select one unit from your opponent’s army. Until the start of your next Command phase, that enemy unit is your Oath of Moment target. Each time a model with this ability makes an attack that targets your Oath of Moment target:- You can re-roll the Hit roll.
- If your army does not include one or more units with the
BLACK TEMPLARS,BLOOD ANGELS,DARK ANGELS, DEATHWATCH orSPACE WOLVESkeywords, add 1 to the Wound roll as well.
The ANCIENT keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
| ||||||||||||||
If the result of the Wound roll is greater than or equal to the required number shown in the table above, then that Wound roll is successful and scores one wound against the target unit. Otherwise, the attack fails and the attack sequence ends.
An unmodified Wound roll of 6 is called a Critical Wound and is always successful. An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails. A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
- Critical Wound: Unmodified Wound roll of 6. Always successful.
- An unmodified Wound roll of 1 always fails.
- A Wound roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
Some units make their way to battle via tunnelling, teleportation, high-altitude descent or other extraordinary means that allow them to appear suddenly in the thick of the fighting.
During the Declare Battle Formations step, if every model in a unit has this ability, you can set it up in Reserves instead of setting it up on the battlefield. If you do, in the Reinforcements step of one of your Movement phases you can set up this unit anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models. If a unit with the Deep Strike ability arrives from Strategic Reserves, the controlling player can choose for that unit to be set up either using the rules for Strategic Reserves or using the Deep Strike ability.- Unit can be set up in Reserves instead of on the battlefield.
- Unit can be set up in your Reinforcements step, more than 9" horizontally away from all enemy models.
TARGET: One unit from your army that is in Reserves.
EFFECT: Your unit can arrive on the battlefield as if it were the Reinforcements step of your Movement phase, and if every model in that unit has the Deep Strike ability, you can set that unit up as described in the Deep Strike ability (even though it is not your Movement phase).
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot use this Stratagem to enable a unit to arrive on the battlefield during a battle round it would not normally be able to do so in.
This mounted huntsman espouses the value of circling the enemy and striking suddenly from an unexpected quarter upon their speeding steed, the better to land the killing blow.
ADEPTUS ASTARTES MOUNTED model only. If the bearer’s unit is in Strategic Reserves, for the purposes of setting up that unit on the battlefield, treat the current battle round number as being one higher than it actually is.
You can never re-roll a dice more than once, and re-rolls happen before modifiers (if any) are applied. Rules that refer to the value of an ‘unmodified’ dice roll are referring to the dice result after any re-rolls, but before any modifiers are applied.
- Unmodified Dice: the result after re-rolls, but before any modifiers.
- A dice can never be re-rolled more than once.
- You must re-roll all dice if several need adding together (e.g. 2D6).
- Re-rolls are applied before any modifiers.
Note that CHARACTERS cannot use their Aura Abilities while %000015069performing actions%.
The CHARACTER keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
There are several categories of Battle Honours that can be bestowed upon a unit, such as Battle Traits, Weapon Modifications and Crusade Relics. Other categories of Battle Honour may be found in other publications. Each time a unit gains a Battle Honour, you can select from any category.
- Once a unit gains enough XP it will gain a rank.
- Only CHARACTER units can gain the Heroic or Legendary ranks.
- Each time a unit gains a rank, it can gain a Battle Honour.
- There are several categories of Battle Honours, which include:
- Battle Traits: New skills and abilities.
- Weapon Modifications: Upgrade an item of wargear.
- Crusade Relic: Gain a rare and powerful artefact.
- Each time a unit gains a Battle Honour, increase its Crusade points total by 1 (or by 2 if TITANIC).
The greatest warriors, most cunning tacticians and seers lead their armies to war possessed of hard-won skills and powerful artefacts that mark them out as legendary commanders.
You can select one Enhancement that unit has access to (if using this Requisition when that unit gains a rank, this is instead of it gaining a Battle Honour). When doing so, that unit has access to any Enhancements described within any Detachment rules that it could use, even though you have not yet started to muster your army and so have not selected any Detachment rules yet.
If the selected Enhancement replaces a weapon that is a Crusade Relic or a weapon upgraded by Weapon Modifications, that Crusade Relic or Weapon Modifications are lost. Recalculate the unit’s points value as a result of gaining this Enhancement and update its Crusade card. You cannot make any changes that would cause you to exceed your Supply Limit.
This Requisition costs 1RP plus 1 additional RP for each other Enhancement that your Order of Battle contains (to a maximum of 3RP).
An unmodified Hit roll of 6 is called a Critical Hit and is always successful. An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails. A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
- Hit Roll (Ranged Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s BS.
- Hit Roll (Melee Attack): A hit is scored if the D6 result equals or exceeds that attack’s WS.
- Critical Hit: Unmodified Hit roll of 6. Always successful.
- An unmodified Hit roll of 1 always fails.
- A Hit roll can never be modified by more than -1 or +1.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and PSYKER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The APOTHECARY keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Some warriors refuse to be laid low, even by what should be fatal wounds.
Some models have ‘Feel No Pain x+’ listed in their abilities. Each time a model with this ability suffers damage and so would lose a wound (including wounds lost due to mortal wounds), roll one D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the number denoted by ‘x’, that wound is ignored and is not lost. If a model has more than one Feel No Pain ability, you can only use one of those abilities each time that model suffers damage and so would lose a wound.- Feel No Pain x+: Each time this model would lose a wound, roll one D6: if the result equals or exceeds ‘x’, that wound is not lost.
The CAPTAIN keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Some weapons strike in a flurry of blows, tearing the foe apart with relentless ferocity.
Weapons with [SUSTAINED HITS X] in their profile are known as Sustained Hits weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if a Critical Hit is rolled, that attack scores a number of additional hits on the target as denoted by ‘x’.- [SUSTAINED HITS X]: Each Critical Hit scores ‘x’ additional hits on the target.
Lance weapons are deadly on the charge.
Weapons with [LANCE] in their profile are known as Lance weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if the bearer made a Charge move this turn, add 1 to that attack’s Wound roll.Some weapons are designed to root enemy formations out of entrenched positions.
Weapons with [IGNORES COVER] in their profile are known as Ignores Cover weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, the target cannot have the Benefit of Cover against that attack.Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models. If for any reason a model cannot meet this condition, that model is destroyed.
- Engagement Range: Within 1" horizontally and 5" vertically.
- Models cannot be set up or end a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move within Engagement Range of any enemy models.
Heavy weapons are amongst the biggest guns on the battlefield, but require bracing to fire at full effect and are unwieldy to bring to bear at close quarters.
Weapons with [HEAVY] in their profile are known as Heavy weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, if the attacking model’s unit Remained Stationary this turn, add 1 to that attack’s Hit roll.- Add 1 to Hit rolls if the bearer’s unit Remained Stationary this turn.
The GRAVIS keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
While a unit is Battle-shocked:
- The Objective Control characteristic of all of its models is 0.
- If it Falls Back, you must take a Desperate Escape test for every model in that unit.
- Its controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect that unit.
Once you have taken Battle-shock tests for all of your units that require them, your Command phase ends and you progress to your Movement phase.
In this step, if for any reason a unit is forced to take a Battle-shock test for being below its Starting Strength, unless otherwise stated, that unit does not also have to take a Battle-shock test for being Below Half-strength. While a unit is Battle-shocked, all models in that unit are also Battle-shocked.
- Take a Battle-shock test for each unit from your army on the battlefield that is Below Half-strength.
- Roll 2D6: if the result is greater than or equal to the unit’s Leadership, the test is passed. Otherwise, the unit is Battle-shocked until the start of your next Command phase.
- Battle-shocked units have an OC of 0 and their controlling player cannot use Stratagems to affect them.
- Battle-shocked units must take Desperate Escape tests if they Fall Back.
The TECHMARINE keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and VEHICLE keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
and others...
If the result is greater than or equal to the Save characteristic of the model the attack was allocated to, then that saving throw is successful and the attack sequence ends. Otherwise, that saving throw fails and that model suffers damage.
An unmodified saving throw of 1 always fails. A saving throw can never be improved by more than +1.
- Saving Throw: Roll one D6 and modify by the attack’s AP. If the result is less than the Save of the model being rolled for, the saving throw is failed and that model suffers damage. Otherwise, that attack is saved.
- An unmodified saving throw of 1 always fails.
- A saving throw can never be improved by more than +1.
When a unit disembarks from a TRANSPORT model, set it up on the battlefield so that it is wholly within 3" of that TRANSPORT model and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models. If, for any reason, a disembarking model cannot be set up, that model’s unit cannot disembark.
Units that disembark from a TRANSPORT model that either Remained Stationary this phase or has not yet made a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move this phase can then act normally (make a Normal move, Advance, shoot, declare a charge, fight, etc.) in the remainder of the turn. Such a disembarking unit cannot choose to Remain Stationary.
Units that disembark from a TRANSPORT model that made a Normal move this phase count as having made a Normal move themselves; they cannot move further during this phase. Such a unit also cannot declare a charge in the same turn, but can otherwise act normally in the remainder of the turn.
Units cannot disembark from a TRANSPORT model that either Advanced or Fell Back this turn.
- Units that start your Movement phase embarked within a TRANSPORT can disembark this phase, provided their TRANSPORT has not Advanced or Fallen Back.
- If a unit disembarks before its TRANSPORT moves, it can act normally.
- If a unit disembarks after its TRANSPORT moves, it cannot move or charge this turn, but can otherwise act normally.
- Disembarking units must be set up wholly within 3" of their TRANSPORT and not within Engagement Range of any enemy models (or the unit cannot disembark).
- Units that disembark this turn cannot Remain Stationary.
From detonating ammo stores to corrosive innards or frenzied death throes, some targets are deadly even in defeat.
Some models have ‘Deadly Demise x’ listed in their abilities. When such a model is destroyed, roll one D6 before removing it from play (if such a model is a TRANSPORT, roll before any embarked models disembark). On a 6, each unit within 6" of that model suffers a number of mortal wounds denoted by ‘x’ (if this is a random number, roll separately for each unit within 6").- Deadly Demise x: When this model is destroyed, roll one D6. On a 6, each unit within 6" suffers ‘x’ mortal wounds.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and WALKER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
- If a unit has a Starting Strength of 1, then it is said to be Below Half-strength while its remaining number of wounds is less than half of its Wounds characteristic.
- For any other unit, while the number of models in that unit is less than half of its Starting Strength, that unit is said to be Below Half-strength.
Assault weapons fire so indiscriminately that they can be shot from the hip as warriors dash forward.
Weapons with [ASSAULT] in their profile are known as Assault weapons. If a unit that Advanced this turn contains any models equipped with Assault weapons, it is still eligible to shoot in this turn’s Shooting phase. When such a unit is selected to shoot, you can only resolve attacks using Assault weapons its models are equipped with.- Can be shot even if the bearer’s unit Advanced.
The TACTICUS keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Melta weapons are powerful heat rays whose fury is magnified at close range.
Weapons with [MELTA X] in their profile are known as Melta weapons. Each time an attack made with such a weapon targets a unit within half that weapon’s range, that attack’s Damage characteristic is increased by the amount denoted by ‘x’.- [MELTA X]: Increase the Damage by ‘x’ when targeting units within half range.
Torrent weapons shoot clouds of fire, gas or other lethal substances that few foes can hope to evade.
Weapons with [TORRENT] in their profile are known as Torrent weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon, that attack automatically hits the target.The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and TRANSPORT keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The WALKER keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
When a model that can FLY starts or ends a move on a terrain feature, instead of measuring the path it has moved across the battlefield, you instead measure its path ‘through the air’, as shown in the diagram below.
- FLY models can move over enemy models when they make a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move.
- FLY models that start or end a move on a terrain feature measure distance moved through the air when they make a Normal, Advance or Fall Back move.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES, FLY and VEHICLE keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Shattered ruins and twisted wreckage afford much-needed shelter from enemy salvoes. Even heavily armoured warriors unfazed by small arms fire are thankful for such cover when foes bring their biggest guns to bear.
Models can sometimes gain a measure of protection from terrain features. The rules below detail the conditions under which a terrain feature confers the Benefit of Cover on a model.Each time a ranged attack is allocated to a model that has the Benefit of Cover, add 1 to the saving throw made for that attack (excluding invulnerable saving throws). Models with a Save characteristic of 3+ or better cannot have the Benefit of Cover against attacks with an Armour Penetration characteristic of 0. Multiple instances of the Benefit of Cover are not cumulative – a model cannot benefit from this rule more than once at any one time.
- Benefit of Cover: Add 1 to armour saving throws against ranged attacks.
- Does not apply to models with a Save of 3+ or better against attacks with an AP of 0.
- Multiple instances are not cumulative.
Many armies employ reconnaissance units who can sit concealed, waiting for the right moment to strike.
During deployment, if every model in a unit has this ability, then when you set it up, it can be set up anywhere on the battlefield that is more than 9" horizontally away from the enemy deployment zone and all enemy models.Some warriors are masters of disguise and concealment.
If every model in a unit has this ability, then each time a ranged attack is made against it, subtract 1 from that attack’s Hit roll.Mighty heroes fight at the forefront of battle.
Some CHARACTER units have ‘Leader’ listed on their datasheets. Such CHARACTER units are known as Leaders, and the units they can lead – known as their Bodyguard units – are listed on their datasheet.During the Declare Battle Formations step, for each Leader in your army, if your army also includes one or more of that Leader’s Bodyguard units, you can select one of those Bodyguard units. That Leader will then attach to that Bodyguard unit for the duration of the battle and is said to be leading that unit. Each Bodyguard unit can only have one Leader attached to it.
While a Bodyguard unit contains a Leader, it is known as an Attached unit and, with the exception of rules that are triggered when units are destroyed, it is treated as a single unit for all rules purposes. Each time an attack targets an Attached unit, until the attacking unit has resolved all of its attacks, you must use the Toughness characteristic of the Bodyguard models in that unit, even if a Leader in that unit has a different Toughness characteristic. Each time an attack sucessfully wounds an Attached unit, that attack cannot be allocated to a CHARACTER model in that unit, even if that CHARACTER model has lost one or more wounds or has already had attacks allocated to it this phase. As soon as the last Bodyguard model in an Attached unit has been destroyed, any attacks made against that unit that have yet to be allocated can then be allocated to CHARACTER models in that unit.
Each time the last model in a Bodyguard unit is destroyed, each CHARACTER unit that is part of that Attached unit is no longer part of an Attached unit. It becomes a separate unit, with its original Starting Strength. If this happens as the result of an attack, they become separate units after the attacking unit has resolved all of its attacks.
Each time the last model in a CHARACTER unit that is attached to a Bodyguard unit is destroyed and there is not another CHARACTER unit attached, that Attached unit’s Bodyguard unit is no longer part of an Attached unit. It becomes a separate unit, with its original Starting Strength. If this happens as the result of an attack, they become separate units after the attacking unit has resolved all of its attacks.
Each time a unit that is part of an Attached unit is destroyed, it does not have the keywords of any other units that make up that Attached unit (unless it has those keywords on its own datasheet) for the purposes of any rules that would be triggered when that unit is destroyed.
- Before the battle, CHARACTER units with the Leader ability can be attached to one of their Bodyguard units to form an Attached unit.
- Attached units can only contain one Leader.
- Attacks cannot be allocated to CHARACTER models in Attached units.
Assassins and other covert agents are difficult to track and pinpoint in the swirling maelstrom of battle.
Unless part of an Attached unit (see Leader), this unit can only be selected as the target of a ranged attack if the attacking model is within 12".The PHOBOS keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Precision attacks can pick high-value targets out in a crowd, whether through the unerring aim of a sniper or the pinpoint accuracy of a blade-master’s strike.
Weapons with [PRECISION] in their profile are known as Precision weapons. Each time an attack made with such a weapon successfully wounds an Attached unit (see Leader ability), if a CHARACTER model in that unit is visible to the attacking model, the attacking model’s player can choose to have that attack allocated to that CHARACTER model instead of following the normal attack sequence.- When targeting an Attached unit, the attacking model’s player can have the attack allocated to a CHARACTER model in that unit visible to the bearer.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and TERMINATOR keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The TERMINATOR keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
TARGET: One unit from your army that is within 24" of that enemy unit and that would be eligible to shoot if it were your Shooting phase.
EFFECT: If that enemy unit is visible to your unit, your unit can shoot that enemy unit as if it were your Shooting phase.
RESTRICTIONS: You cannot target a TITANIC unit with this Stratagem. Until the end of the phase, each time a model in your unit makes a ranged attack, an unmodified Hit roll of 6 is required to score a hit, irrespective of the attacking weapon’s Ballistic Skill or any modifiers. You can only use this Stratagem once per turn.
Certain weapons are the bane of a particular foe.
Weapons with [ANTI-KEYWORD X+] in their profile are known as Anti weapons. Each time an attack is made with such a weapon against a target with the keyword after the word ‘Anti-’, an unmodified Wound roll of ‘x+’ scores a Critical Wound.- [ANTI-KEYWORD X+]: An unmodified Wound roll of ‘x+’ against a target with the matching keyword scores a Critical Wound.
The KILL TEAM keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and DEATHWATCH keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
FUROR TACTICS
When the enemy horde grows close, the Deathwatch will be tasked with the decimation of their core. Aiming not for clinical kills but for maximum destruction over a wide area, they tear the heart from the enemy army.
While this Mission Tactic is active, weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army have the [SUSTAINED HITS 1] ability.
MALLEUS TACTICS
When the giants of war lumber forth, the Deathwatch will adopt Malleus tactics. Even the largest behemoth has a weak point, and the archives of the Deathwatch number them all.
While this Mission Tactic is active, weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES units from your army have the [LETHAL HITS] ability.
PURGATUS TACTICS
By adopting Purgatus tactics, the Deathwatch focus their deadly ire upon the commanders of the enemy host, assassinating them one after another with pitiless head shots and killing thrusts of the blade.
While this Mission Tactic is active, each time an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army makes an attack, if a Critical Hit is scored, that attack has the [PRECISION] ability.
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES and CHARACTER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The EPIC HERO keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The INFANTRY keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The CHAPLAIN keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The VEHICLE keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
and others...
Whether shielded by force fields, enveloped in mystical energies or simply possessed of preternatural senses and lightning-fast reflexes, some warriors are protected by more than mere physical armour.
Some models have an invulnerable save listed on their datasheet. Each time an attack is allocated to a model with an invulnerable save, the controlling player must choose to use either that model’s Save characteristic or its invulnerable save, but not both. If a model has more than one invulnerable save, it can only use one of them – choose which it will use.Unlike armour saving throws (which use a model’s Save characteristic), invulnerable saving throws are never modified by an attack’s Armour Penetration characteristic, but otherwise follow the normal rules for saving throws.
- Invulnerable Save: Never modified by an attack’s AP.
- The controlling player can choose to use either a model’s invulnerable save or its Save characteristic.
The LIBRARIAN keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
Veterans who have earned the honour of waging war in Terminator armour are permitted to wear these badges - smaller representations of the Crux Terminatus - when fighting.
The LIEUTENANT keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES, INFANTRY and CHARACTER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The ADEPTUS ASTARTES, MOUNTED and CHARACTER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The MOUNTED keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
In the deepest vaults of every Chapter are ancient relics inherited from the personal wargear of their gene-sire. Only in the direst circumstances are these brought to the field of war to inspire battle-brothers to even greater deeds; if these relics were to be lost, it would be a tragedy on par with the blackest days in the Chapter’s history.
Once per battle, in your Command phase, the bearer can unveil the Relic of the Primarch. If it does, until the start of your next Command phase, the bearer has the following ability:Relic of the Primarch (Aura)
- While a friendly ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit is within 6" of this model, add 1 to the Attacks characteristic of melee weapons equipped by models in that unit.
- If the bearer is destroyed, after removing it from play, set up one new objective marker as close as possible to the bearer’s last location; this represents the Relic of the Primarch. You immediately gain the Recover the Relic Agenda (see below) in addition to any other Agendas being used for the battle.
- If an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit has a second Faction keyword on its datasheet, that Faction keyword is the name of that unit’s Chapter. For example,
MARNEUS CALGARhas both the ADEPTUS ASTARTES and ULTRAMARINES Faction keywords, and is therefore from the Ultramarines Chapter. - You cannot include units from more than one Chapter in your army.
- If your army includes one or more BLACK TEMPLARS units, it cannot include any
ADEPTUS ASTARTES PSYKERmodels, and cannot include any of the following models that do not have the Black Templars keyword:GLADIATOR LANCER;GLADIATOR REAPER;GLADIATOR VALIANT;IMPULSOR;REPULSOR;REPULSOR EXECUTIONER. - If your army includes one or more DEATHWATCH units, it cannot include any of the following units:
DEVASTATOR SQUAD;SCOUT SQUAD;TACTICAL SQUAD. - If your army includes one or more SPACE WOLVES units, it cannot include any of the following units:
APOTHECARY;DEVASTATOR SQUAD;TACTICAL SQUAD.
The INFANTRY and CHARACTER keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The CHARACTER and TERMINATOR keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The FLY keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The BATTLELINE and ADEPTUS ASTARTES keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The BATTLELINE keyword is used in the following Space Marines datasheets:
The PHOBOS and LIEUTENANT keywords are used in the following Space Marines datasheets: