40K: Space Marine Glory Days Ahead
Are Space Marines returning to the Glory Days of 3rd/4th Edition? Signs point to “Yes” – and the evidence is right in front of us.
The new Space Marine Codex is coming and with it, there are a bunch of changes to the Poster Boys of 40k that are moving them back toward their old Glory Days of 3rd/4th edition. Now, if you didn’t play in those editions of the game you might not be aware of the throwbacks to their old rules in the nex ‘dex. But it’s not just those references, it’s almost like Marines ARE playing 3rd/4th edition again. So here are a few examples:
Disembarking AFTER Moving
This use to be a ‘thing’ in those older editions – everyone could do it, but (for) now, only Space Marines have this special rule.
Extra Attack On The Charge
In previous editions, the charging unit used to get a bonus attack on the turns they charged. It was a bonus for getting the charge off. Now Marines are getting it again.
Ignoring 5+ Armor Saves
Okay, this one is a bit more specific to Intercessors with Bolt Rifles, but still…Back in older editions, Bolters used to have an AP stat of 5 – which ignored your Armor Save if you had a 5 or 6. In the current edition of the game, GW changed how AP works (you probably know this, right?) – but this new upcoming rule allows Marines to basically ignore 5+ armor saves again…Just like in previous editions.
‘Custom’ Chapter Rules
In the new codex, you’ll be able to choose two Chapter Traits from a list to create your own chapter. This concept isn’t new. In fact, if you played during 4th edition, this should seem awfully familiar.
In the 4th Edition Space Marine Codex, custom Chapters could be created and they could take traits and either a major drawback or minor drawback depending on the options they chose. This new codex takes that concept and leaves out the drawbacks for the chapters. All Buffs, No Setbacks!
Army Wide Buffs
While this might be “limited” to Phobos only Captains/Lieutenants and Marines, the Space Marines are once again getting the benefits of having characters on the table regardless of range. This used to be a thing back in those older editions also. Space Marine Captains had a Special Rule that was also the Rites of Battle and while the buff has changed, the range is the same – table wide!
Are there more things in the Space Marine Codex that are callouts to their old Glory Days? Probably! Heck, with a new Codex AND 6 other supplemental books, there are bound to be even more old school references in there. So are Space Marines playing a different edition than everyone else? You be the judge.
What other Special Rules will you have…
Maybe they’ve been hanging out with Bruce Springsteen… Glory Days.
