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I asked this question in another thread that wasn't exactly on topic so I'm starting a new one. I got the Space Marine battleforce which comes with a 10 man tactical squad (w/ sgt) and a 5 man "combat squad". To have a combat squad, don't you need to have a 10 man tactical squad with a Sgt and split it into two 5 man units? And if you have a 5 man squad alone, doesn't it require a sgt? I'm trying to figure out how it's legal to have both these units on the table at the same time. Am I missing a rule?

Oriphus

The "entry" level Tactical Squad is 5 guys, and you can increase their number up to 10. Taking a full 10-man squad allows you access to a free Heavy and Special weapon, and allows you to combat squad.

A "5-man Combat Squad" is just a bare-bones Tactical Squad with no additional Marines.

But doesn't the 5 man squad require a Sgt? I was looking in the codex and it looks like it does. In the battleforce, only the tactical squad comes with a sgt.

Oriphus

Space Marine Sargeants are not required to take a pistol and CWW. In fact, by default he has a Bolter/Bolt Pistol; you have to purposely replace one of his weapons with a chainsword in the "Options" part of their profile.

So, 5 Marines with Bolters does meet the requirements for a combat squad. You will just have to signify in some way that one of them is a Sargeant (markings of some kind, probably) in order to differentiate him from the others, so you know which model gets the extra Ld and Attack.

When you combat squad a 10 man tactical squad, it just splits it into two groups. Since a 10 man tac squad only comes with 1 sergeant, you do NOT end up with a sergeant in each squad. One squad will have the sergeant, and one will not. You don't purchase a combat squad, so it doesn't have to follow the normal rule of having a sergeant in each squad.

Doomenbot wrote:When you combat squad a 10 man tactical squad, it just splits it into two groups. Since a 10 man tac squad only comes with 1 sergeant, you do NOT end up with a sergeant in each squad. One squad will have the sergeant, and one will not. You don't purchase a combat squad, so it doesn't have to follow the normal rule of having a sergeant in each squad.

But the boxed set comes with "One Space Marine Combat Squad". The only way I can see using it is if I designate one of the models as a sergeant as the previous poster implied. The codex says a tactical squad needs a sergeant, and since the boxed set comes with one "combat squad", the only way I can see using it is by making it a 5 model tactical squad, since it's not split from anything.

Does this make sense?

Oriphus wrote:But the boxed set comes with "One Space Marine Combat Squad". The only way I can see using it is if I designate one of the models as a sergeant as the previous poster implied. The codex says a tactical squad needs a sergeant, and since the boxed set comes with one "combat squad", the only way I can see using it is by making it a 5 model tactical squad, since it's not split from anything.

Does this make sense?

Yes. This is not a compromise, but exactly as GW intended. To show who sarge is, paint the top portion of the sergeant's helmet red or white and there ya go.

The term "Combat Squad" is a bit of a misnomer. It's just a 5 man unit. To eliminate this, just buy a second BF box, and combine the two fivers.