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So, new edition and new interactions!

It used to be that when using a Commissar's "aura of discipline" ability, so that you can use their ld for a unit, you couldn't buff the value unless you did it via buffing the Commissar. However, the new edition has this (free rules, pg 8, "modifying characteristics"):

If a rule instructs you to replace one characteristic with a specified value, change the relevant characteristic to the new value before applying any modifiers that apply from other rules (if any) to the new value.

Does this allow you to use the Commissar's ld for a unit, then buff the value with things like standards? Does the aura actually change the units value, or is it still technically the Commissar's value? For completeness:

Aura of Discipline: ASTRA MILITARUM units within 6" of a friendly COMMISSAR can use the Commissar’s Leadership instead of their own.

I would at least understand that passage that way (so first Commissar LD, than buffs). But I'm not 100% sure.

It would also be interesting if buffs to that commissars LD are applied before it is transfered to other units.

The most extrem combo I found would be:
Death Korps Marshal Karris Venner (transfers his LD to all FRIENDLY units, unless they have a higher one) => LD9
Death Korps Platoon Standard +1
Death Korps Regimental Standard +1 (both do not seem to exclude the other)
=> LD 11 for everyone within 12'', Commissars within this range transfer it further.

One migth even argue that Death Korps Infantry within range of the platoon and regimental standard can add those +2 on Karis LD 11 for 13.

 Trickstick wrote:
So, new edition and new interactions!

It used to be that when using a Commissar's "aura of discipline" ability, so that you can use their ld for a unit, you couldn't buff the value unless you did it via buffing the Commissar. However, the new edition has this (free rules, pg 8, "modifying characteristics"):

If a rule instructs you to replace one characteristic with a specified value, change the relevant characteristic to the new value before applying any modifiers that apply from other rules (if any) to the new value.

Does this allow you to use the Commissar's ld for a unit, then buff the value with things like standards? Does the aura actually change the units value, or is it still technically the Commissar's value? For completeness:

Aura of Discipline: ASTRA MILITARUM units within 6" of a friendly COMMISSAR can use the Commissar’s Leadership instead of their own.

It does not say to replace their LD with the value of the Commissar's, it says to use his, instead of using theirs (theirs still does not change, its just not used). So not quite the same thing.

You're rolling against the Commissars LD, not against the squads - rather than replacing the squads LD characteristic with the Commissars. At least that's how I read it, so you'd buff the Commissar as before to improve your odds, and buffs on the squad would be essentially wasted (unless they affected the roll in another way).

 Kcalehc wrote:
It does not say to replace their LD with the value of the Commissar's, it says to use his, instead of using theirs (theirs still does not change, its just not used). So not quite the same thing.

You're rolling against the Commissars LD, not against the squads - rather than replacing the squads LD characteristic with the Commissars. At least that's how I read it, so you'd buff the Commissar as before to improve your odds, and buffs on the squad would be essentially wasted (unless they affected the roll in another way).

Pretty much this. You're not replacing anything, you're using a different value. A subtle but functional difference.

LD buffs would however stack with the officio prefectus command tank stratagem, yes? As that version actually does alter nearby units' LD characteristic. E.g. a Catachan tank commander thus upgraded would make Catachan infantry within 6 inches LD10? (strat + officer bonus). I know it's not a popular stratagem due to the CP cost.