Captain – rumored to get the Iron Halo as standard equipment and possibly a WS6 (WS6 BS5 S4 T4 W3 I5 A3 Ld 10 Sv 3+). He is also rumored to be the only IC allowed to take a Command Squad (but other ICs may join it as normal). Command Squad gets the Apothecary, Standard Bearer and limited to five Marines total. There have been some questions about Rites of Battle being either changed or eliminated - seems to be replaced by a one-shot Orbital Strike (Str10, AP1, Large Blast). It seems his wargear options are much more liberal than the DA and BA counterparts (probably to account for divergent Chapter selections) - this includes the Relic Blade.
The Company Champion is rumored to get WS5 and may re-roll his attacks in close combat (He may also replace the "Sergeant" in this unit). He is now part of the Honor Guard upgrade. Honor Guard starts with a Champion and two Honor guard - so base size of the unit is very small and very, very expensive.
If the Captain has a Bike, then the Command Squad may have one also.
Chapter Master - you also have the option of a Chapter Master (WS6 BS5 S4 T4 W3 I5 A4 Ld10 Sv2+). He doesn't get the Command Squad, but may take an Honor Guard (WS4 BS4 S4 T4 W1 I4 A2 Ld10 Sv2+) – artificer armor and relic blades then become a standard and optional equipment for the unit (respectively) and are led by a Chapter Champion (WS5 BS4 S4 T4 W1 I4 A3 Ld10 Sv2+) - who attacks enemy ICs whenever possible ala the BT Emperor's Champion. The unit may also include a Standard Bearer with the Chapter Standard (Counter-Attack perhaps?). The unit starts small (Champion and two Honor Guard) and starts expensive as well (100+ points for the three models!) - this does not include the options like Relic Blades.
If the Master is given a Space Marine Bike, then Bike Squads become Troops (maybe - I'm not convinced of this one).
Weapons options for the Captain and Master include: Close Combat weapon; Power weapon; Power fist; Lightning Claw (single and pair); Thunder Hammer; Bolt pistol; Plasma Pistol; Storm Shield; Bolter;Storm Bolter, Combi-weapon (including Combi Grenade Launcher); Relic Blade
They may also take Terminator armour, jump pack or a Space Marine Bike.
Chaplain – his profile drops to BS4 (WS5 BS4 S4 T4 W2 I4 A2 Ld10 Sv3+). It seems to emphasize his role as a spiritual/inspirational leader more than as a close combat monster. Retains his current abilities.
Librarian – his BS drops to 4 also (WS5 BS4 S4 T4 W2 I4 A2 Ld10 Sv3+), but is rumored to have a power available that forces successful enemy Inv. Saves to be re-rolled. This could make him very valuable against daemon armies. Good news is his Ld is a 10. Bad news is his psychic hood now has a range of just 24".
I think we can start to see some of the 'balancing' factors in these latest rumors now.
Chappy and Libby have a reduced statline (only 2 attacks), and can't take command squads (could they before? you know I don't adhere to the snobby restrictions of most marine chapters )
The Captain and Master look cool, but command squads are limited to FIVE members? yeesh! And we can start to see how expensive these guys will be with the Honor guard listed as 100+ points for the starting THREE models!
Also, Relic blades (+2 Str. power weapons) are two-handed. Meaning, you most likely cannot pair them storm shields. And at a max of five models (assuming that carries over from the command squad limit) a well placed plasma cannon shot or demo charge could put a HUGE hurt on a marine player who takes this tricked out but expensive squad.
I still can't get a good read on whether Combat Tactics is purely a CC rule or if it works for shooting as well. I've seen both versions reported. That will be a big deal.
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And we can start to see how expensive these guys will be with the Honor guard listed as 100+ points for the starting THREE models!
