Alternative Tactical Squad

[UnkyHamHam]

Here is my take on all of the reading I've done in the past week on the various threads involved in the subject. I've decided best for balance that many of the suggested changes people have are valid, but not necessarily all at once. So I've given the Tactical Squad a “soft” unit split. Kind of like Scouts are. Scouts essentially are 4 different units based on what core weapon load out you give them.

 

Tactical Squad (Codex: Space Marines, Codex: Blood Angels, and Codex: Dark Angels

 

In addition to the Tactical Squad's normal options and upgrades they MUST select ONE of the following Codex Astartes “Tacticas” at no additional cost. These skills and gear are representative of the decades of warfare experience, adherence to the Codex Astartes drilling and training dogma, basic Chapter combat gear available, as well as the tactical utility earned by having served in Scout/Devastator/and Assault companies.

 

• Intervention Tactica

• Warden Tactica

• Gladius Tactica

 

Intervention Tactical Squad (Favored by Dark Angels and Raven Guard)(Evolution of Legion Recon Squads)

 

• May replace any model's Boltgun with a Stalker Pattern Boltgun. 1pt. Per model (exact profile as Deathwatch, but no special ammo)

• May replace Special Weapon with Heavy Weapon at 10 models. (Making 2 Heavies possible)

• Receive “Intervention Tactica”. Squad can shoot at enemies that are engaged in combat or within 1” of a friendly unit. Any to hit rolls of 1 are resolved against the closest friendly unit in the engagement with the enemy instead.

 

Warden Tactical Squad (Favored by Imperial Fists, Salamanders, and Iron Hands)(Evolution of Legion Breacher Squads)

 

• Any model may take a Warden Breaching Shield in addition to their normal kit. 2Pts. Per model. (-1 Movement/Advance/Charge, Reroll armor saves)

• Cannot take Heavy Weapons, but may take an additional Special Weapon at 10 models.

• Receive “Warden Tactica”. Squad may choose to fire all ranged weapons TWICE during the shooting phase. If choosing to fire twice, all shots are resolved at -1 to hit.

 

Gladius Tactical Squad (Favored by Ultramarines, Blood Angels, and White Scars)(Post Codex Astartes Tactical Squad)

 

• Models Receive Astartes Tactical Combat Blades in addition to their normal kit (for free). In close combat, any to hit roll of 6+ generates an additional attack at Str4/AP0/D1. These attacks cannot themselves generate more hits.

• Squad may freely use the Combat Squad Strategem for no CP cost during game.

• Receive the “Gladius Tactica”. Unit may Advance and fire any Rapid Fire/Assault/Pistol/Grenade weapons at -1 to hit.

 

NEW STRATEGEM

 

Tactical Strike – 1 CP

 

Play on any Tactical Squad during the Shooting Phase. Each model in the unit may make 1 additional shot with a ranged weapon. Additionally 1 model per 5 may throw a grenade. (10 man unit can throw 4 grenades technically if close enough). (Does not stack twice with Warden Tactica)

 

 

As you can see, there is something here for everyone. Combo potentials with Auras, Chapter Tactics, Warlord Traits, and other Strategems is pretty good. Nothing here is over the top or above the abilities or gear that a Tactical Squad would have. I feel like not only do these new additions reward 10 man units, but they provide the tools to actually help fill gaps in a list and perform like real marines. It makes them feel elite, and you can kind of choose the bonus that you feel Marines need to work on the table. Think they die too easily, Warden Tacticals. Think they need more shooting, they each give a different bonus. Think they need more “tactics,” each of them give you a new option. And combined with Strat, allow for you to really plug some holes and lay down some support.

 

Each Tactica rule and the Strategem is pretty powerful. But in the hands of the humble Tactical Squad really isn't that big of a deal.

 

The best part is, GW could sell us 1-2 new kits if they wanted! The current Tactical Squad kit(s) are not invalidated, because they can be played as Gladius. So then they would either have to make 2 new kits for Warden and Intervention Squads, or create a dual kit. Honestly, Forgeworld or GW could do these rules for Marines and just sell us a Boarding Shield kit (see FW) and a Stalker Bolter ugprade kit (see DW).

Edited January 26, 2018 by UnkyHamHam

[Schlitzaf]

Outright no, these are exactly the kind of buffs Tacticals shouldn’t get. Because they step on the toes of the three existing Tactical Variants, (Chaos Marines, Grey Hunters and Crusader Squads). Chaos Marines gimmick is their ability to double heavy or double special, while avoiding Bolter Tax with either Bolter or Chain. Crusaders while you don’t steal their gimmick (most flexible Tactical Equivalent at List building stage + Neophytes), Gladius cheapens the Crusader Squad, by giving all units Chainsword (which by rules combat blades are), while furthering cheapening Grey Hunters by stealing their Bolter/Chain Gimmick (they give up Heavy access across the board to their line units). But beside warden

 

Like I get wanting to buff Tacticals (hileriously Assault Marines point per point are actually on par with Crusaders and Grey Hunters (or more so than Tacticals are) which proves to me Assault Marines really should be Troops).

 

Tacticals need a buff that seperates then thematically from GreyHunters and Crusader that emphasis the Adeptus Astartes training for flexibility not becoming even more specialized. And I want to emphasis Chaos Marines are just as bad as Tacticals. Both squads need something to bring them to Crusader/GreyHunter level without copying their gimmicks +1.

[UnkyHamHam]

The Astartes Tactical Blades are NOT the same as Chainswords.  Only giving an extra attack on exploding 6's.  Not all the time.

 

I don't believe I've stepped on the toes of any of the units you named anymore than they do each other already.  There is more design space there than you realize.

 

I agree Assault Marines deserve some love as well.  This is just a look at Tactical Marines so far.  

 

It is a little ironic that you don't want Tacticals to become Crusaders/Hunters +1.  When in fact, they are Tacticals +1.  You sir, have way too much bias.

[Schlitzaf]

If someone gets a worse tactic than mines and loses Techmarines and Librarians then they can Crusader/Hunter +1

[UnkyHamHam]

Space wolves don't lose Librarians and Techmarines

[Schlitzaf]

They lose other things, easy access to Heavies being a simple example, Long Fangs don’t have ablative wounds either. Terminators cannot Deep Strike. Need to take 6 Man for Double Special.