The Gravity Of The Situation

The new Marine codex introduces a whole new weapon type to the game of Warhammer 40,000.

There’s new article up on Faeit 212 posted by Nafka:

Grav-Weaponry and Its Dramatic Effect on Our Game

http://natfka.blogspot.ca/2013/09/grav-weaponry-and-its-dramatic-effect.html#more

There are a few parts to the rules for these weapons which look like they need a bit of FAQ help, but one thing is for certain:  They’re here to stay.

Unwieldy

The recent release of Codex: Space Marines has brought with it a number of changes.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected and potentially confusing is the change that has been made to the Servo Arm used by Techmarines and servitors.

In brief – these are now effectively melee weapons with the following characteristics:
S x2 AP 1 Specialist Weapon, Unwieldy.

First, let’s take a look at what these rules specifically state.

Specialist Weapons

+++Excerpt from the 40k Rulebook

A model fighting with this weapon does not receive +1 Attack for fighting with
two weapons unless both weapons have the Specialist Weapon rule.

+++End Excerpt

Unwieldy Weapons

+++Excerpt from the 40k Rulebook

A model attacking with this weapon does so at Initiative step 1,
unless it is a Monstrous Creature or a Walker.

+++End Excerpt

NOTE: With this change, having two servo arms on the servo harness will give the model an additional attack for being equipped with a pair of specialist weapons.

As the Servo Arm is a Specialist Weapon, the Techmarine would only get their base number of attacks and would not count as double- armed without a second Specialist Weapon.  This would make upgrading with a power axe viable, as they would count as being double-armed if they exchanged their bolter.

Some interesting rules that can be found in the FAQs about models armed with Unwieldy weapons…

+++Excerpt from Rulebook FAQ v1.5 – September 2013

Q: Does a model with an Unwieldy weapon Pile In at its
normal Initiative step and then fight at Initiative step 1?
(p22/23)
A: No – it Piles In and fights at Initiative step 1.

+++End Excerpt

The FAQ states that a model with an Unwieldy weapon piles in and fights at Initiative 1.   This means that a Techmarine will always fight at initiative 1 as they have an unwieldy weapon, regardless of what weapons are actually being used.  Interestingly, this extends to other models with unwieldy weapons such as power fists and power axes when that model is looking to use krak grenades or melta bombs.

I have been unable to find any rules which would contradict this FAQ answer directly, so until such a clarification is presented, it would seem this is the way it is to be played.

NOTE: The following FAQ question is no longer applicable as a servo-harness is equipped with two Servo Arms, which now are unwieldy weapons.  It looks like GW missed this one…  Expect that this question is removed from the next FAQ release.

+++Excerpt from Rulebook FAQ v1.5 – September 2013

Q: Do you get to Pile In twice in Fight sub-phase if you fight at
two different Initiatives (i.e. a Techmarine with servo-harness)?
(p22/23)
A: No. You Pile In once, at your highest Initiative step.

+++End Excerpt

Swords And Space Radio

Nicholas Wansbutter host of Swords and Space radio, had the organizers of Astronomi-con on his most recent show.

We spent over an hour discussing the Warhammer 40,000 game, including its background, races, and what makes this hobby so special for us and the greater community.

You can listen to the program by clicking the link below:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amdg/2013/06/21/swords-space-xii-warhammer-40000

On The Origin Of Space Marines

Here’s a fantastic transcript, detailing the origin of Games Workshop’s Space Marines.

It is a court transcript from the onoing legal case between Chapterhouse and Games Workshop.

Follow the link for Bob Naismith’s deposition. Thanks to Andy Chambers for this link.

Bob Naismith had a hand in designing the very first metal and plastic Space Marines such as RBT01 and RT01.  He also designed many of the original Rogue Trader miniatures such as the Adventurers series.