Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, in a game of 40k I just played, my opponent said that if a squad is down to it's last member, that member is now an IC and can regroup even though the rest of his squad is dead. Now, personally, I thought he was BSing, but it was a fun game so I just let him do it...but I feel like I should ask just to be sure. if it makes any difference, the unit in question was a dead PCS and the lone survivor was the Lieutenant.

Nope- with the exception of older codexes that have IC's that can take retinues, any unit that falls below half strength cannot regroup.

So, that PCS member should've kept on running, barring an order from the CCS or some other special rule.

Nope, no such rule.

Although there is a little confusion about it due to the Rulebook FAQ, which still refers to Guard command squad officers as being Independent Characters, which was the case in the last codex, but is no longer.

Command Squad officers no longer have the Independent Character rule, and there is no general rule that converts the sole survivor of a unit into an IC.

Insaniak and Kartof are correct. Said lieutenant would not be an IC.

Your opponent was BSing you. The only time that can happen if, as already stated, it was an IC with a Retinue or they have some special rule allowing them to regroup if under half Strength (ATSKNF, Bonding Knife etc.)

Wow, that seems kind of like a jerk move to try and pull that on you. Either that or just a gross misinterpretation of the rules. Having your entire squad killed off except for you doesn't make you an independent character it just makes you an independent... guy (or bug, depending).

insaniak wrote:Although there is a little confusion about it due to the Rulebook FAQ, which still refers to Guard command squad officers as being Independent Characters, which was the case in the last codex, but is no longer.

Seconded... one can certainly argue that one who played guard before might not have caught the change and still thinks the officer is an IC.

And some can regroup even if only one is left... like Space Marines. But anyone claiming the last guy becomes an IC flat out is cheating like no tomorrow.

Alright then, thanks very much. I'll be sure to point that out next time I play.

kartofelkopf wrote:Nope- with the exception of older codexes that have IC's that can take retinues, any unit that falls below half strength cannot regroup.

OR if they are space marines!

Kolath wrote:

kartofelkopf wrote:Nope- with the exception of older codexes that have IC's that can take retinues, any unit that falls below half strength cannot regroup.

OR if they are space marines!

Or Tau with bonding knives, but that's entirely beside the point.

Something we havnt covered here (if we did many apologies)

Does the THINGINQUESTION, once it manages to regroup (being commanded to be by another officer, having a small blade at your side that empowers you somehow...bonding knife, or just being a space marine) IS it now an IC? or is it just...independant. because going by those rules. My space marine with plasmagun is the sole survivor. He joins the honourguard!

The only way to become an IC is to have the IC rule from the start. A unit down to one model is just a unit of one model... It can't join another unit but an IC could join this last survivor.

No. Nothing converts models into ICs unless there it says so specifically in the codex that it is an IC, and it is an IC pretty much only when taken solo and without a retinue.