Warhammer 40K: Chaos Space Marine ‘Marks of Chaos’ Preview
Games Workshop is preview some of the Chaos Space Marine Marks of Chaos. So how are these new Marks going to work now?
The new Chaos Space Marine codex is right around the corner so GW is previewing parts of the new book. Today, we’re getting a closer look at the new/improved Marks of Chaos. They have had these Marks before but have gotten some slight tweaks to the system. So let’s get in there and find out how.
“When fielding a Battle-forged army composed of any Chaos Space Marines Detachments, you can upgrade any CHAOS UNDIVIDED CORE or CHARACTER choice with a malefic Mark of Chaos for the appropriate points or Power Rating cost. “
Marks of Chaos
Before we get too far into how these work it’s important to note that Chaos Cultists aren’t going to have access to Marks. Apparently they are “too low in the pecking order” to get noticed. And considering those new Cultists/Mutant rules we’re okay with that for now.
Anyhow, as you can see from the chart above the Chaos Marks will cost you an additional +1 Power Level or +15 points. That’s a small price to pay for buffing a whole unit with these Marks. There’s also a few other notes about upgrading those units to have a Chaos Mark.
“You lose the CHAOS UNDIVIDED keyword, PSYKERS cannot take the Mark of Khorne for obvious reasons – though PRIESTS can* – Emperor’s Children units must have a Mark of Slaanesh, and you also need to give up your blackened and broken soul for all eternity. “
It makes sense. If you get Marked then the keyword for Chaos Undivided should probably fall off. So what are the benefits for getting Marked? Depends on the Chaos God. Thankfully, we’ve got a couple examples to look at.
The Mark of Slaanesh provides the unit with a “fights first” buff. Additionally, if the unit has the ICON keyword (meaning there’s probably a model with a Chaos Icon in the unit) that entire unit gets a +1 to hit for melee attacks. That seems pretty darn solid to me! I hope the Mark of Khorne is just as brutal…
Khorne Marked units get +1 Strength on the first round of combat (Charged, was charged, or performed a Heroic Intervention this turn). And if they have the ICON keyword they also get an additional Armor Penetration for their melee attacks. That’s pretty mean! Khorne Units hitting harder and bypassing more armor is important when you want to get to the” blood for the blood god” part.
As for Nurgle and Tzeentch — we’ll learn more about them later. But don’t fret because they are also getting boosts with their Marks, too.
The Chaos Space Marine codex will be here before you know it!
