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Well, for those of you who have, or have fought SM at some point (read: Everyone) you probably know about Chapter Masters. Superpowerful Space Marines, controlling the vast power of a full Chapter of Marines. Even the codex says that to be a Chapter Master is to be a "God amongst men" and that they are beings of unimaginable combat and tactical prowess. Yet, if this is so, why would the strongest warrior, the greatest tactician, and the most experienced mind in the chapter risk their lives fighting on a lowly 500 point match? They should only take to ground warfare in the most important of conflicts, where their intervention could be the difference between life and death for dozens of brother-marines, if not whole planets!

One thing, and the biggest thing, that I have noticed, is that Orbital Bombardment are no stronger that a single shot from a demolisher cannon, and less accurate to boot!

So I have proposed this to remedy some of the problems I see. Feedback appreciated. (stats, special rules, special rules that are actually new descriptions)


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Space Marine Officer (100 points)

In every Space Marine chapter there are ten companies, and one hundred men in each. These companies are the backbone of a chapter's fighting force. They are the ones who fight off the Xenos and take land and space in the name of the Emperor. However, outside of this organization of troops, there are the officers. They command squads and, on occasion, lead them into battle personally. Space Marine Officers are the most common of these. They make up the ranks of Marines who have displayed their tactical and combat prowess well enough to be considered fit to lead. Not only are they stronger and better versed in the art of battle than their fellow marines, they are given access to some of the prized relics of the chapter.

Notes: Basically a clone of the Captain, but as a lower rank. It would allow armies to make a lot more sense if half of them didn't have a revered captain of an entire company leading them.

Stats:
WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv+
.6...5...4.4..3.5.3.10.3+

Rules:
And they shall know no fear, Combat tactics, Independent Character

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Space Marine Captain (125)

Notes: Same stats as the former CM, but with the Orbital Bombardment renamed.

Stats:
WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv+
.6...5...4.4..3.5.3.10.3+

Rules:
And they shall know no fear, Combat Tactics, Independent Character, Thunderhawk Strike

Thunderhawk Strike:
The Captain holds authority to send down a Thunderhawk bomber to strike at a valuable target. (Follows the same template as former Orbital Bombarment)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Chapter Master (450 points, Apocalypse only)

Notes: Same description as chapter master is in the current codex. Now we're getting to the real meat of this topic! Not only would this give Space Marines a non-titan apoc unit, it would make the Chapter Master unit seem much more... Fluffy. Of course IC Chapter Masters could be changed to have a standard game profile and an apocalypse profile.

Stats:
WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv+
.6...5...5.5..5.6.4.10.2+

Rules:
And they shall know no fear, Chapter Tactics, Independent Character, Eternal Warrior, Orbital Bombardment, Target Designation, Chapter's Fury

Wargear:
Artificer Blade
Artificer Armor
Adamantium Halo
Master Crafted Bolt Pistol

Artificer Blade:
A venerated relic of the chapter. It holds a power field not unlike that of a power fist, but in the shell of a lightweight and durable power sword. It functions as a one handed power weapon resolved at Strength 6 and rolls 2d6 for armor penetration.

Adamantium Halo:
Specially crafted for the Chapter Master, the Adamantium Halo is a revered and ancient iron halo operating off of an extremely powerful energy shielding mechanism. It confers a 2+ Invulnerable Save.

Orbital Bombardment:
In dire times, the Chapter Master can order the chapter's fleet to use one of its ship's massive cannons to rain doom upon the enemies of mankind. This ability can be used once per game in the shooting phase, regardless of any action the Chapter Master has taken previously. However, it can not be used on the first turn. It uses an apocalypse template and fires with the following profile:

.........Weapon.............Range......Str....AP.............Type
Orbital Bombardment...Unlimited....D......X.....Ord 1, Bombardment

Target Designation:
Twice per turn, the Chapter Master can designate enemy targets to his battle brothers. These will allow allied Marines to pick off high value targets, strike and retreat before the opponent can retaliate, or suppress a dangerous squad while stronger forces move up to attack. Two orders cannot be given to the same squad on the same turn.

-High priority target:
The Chapter Master Designates the target as "High priority". Pick any model in an enemy squad, and mark them as high priority. For the rest of the shooting phase, this model may be targeted as if it were a separate squad, although the player who designated the target chooses who fires on the main squad and who fires on the priority target.

-Strike hard, Strike Fast:
The Chapter Master issues an order to deal a blow to a particularly dangerous enemy. For the rest of the assault phase, any allied squad attacking that squad has the "Hit and Run" special rule.

-Suppressive Fire:
The Chapter Master orders a friendly squad to pin down an enemy target. Designate one allied squad to come under the effects of this order. For the rest of the shooting phase their attacks count as pinning.

Chapter's Fury:
Should the Chapter Master be bested by bullet or blade, he will send any allied Marines into a righteous fury. When the Chapter Master loses all wounds, do not remove him from the field. Instead, place him on his side wherever he was when he lost the final wound. Any allies with 24" have the "Furious Charge" special rule and gain +1 to BS while in range.
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So, OP, UP, or just a stupid idea all together? Post your opinion on my opinion...

NOW!

Instead of making the officer a current captain, I'd look more at the Wolf Guard Battle Leader; I'd make his skills a bit lower, take a wound off, but make him cheaper.

For the captain, I'd rather see some army wide buffs than a big cannon. Something like the old Rites of Battle (or maybe only a +1 Ld) or the ability to let one squad within 24" automatically pass a morale check. Something to represent his superior tactical acumen.

For the chapter master, you're stat changes are a bit ridiculous. There's no fluff to suggest space marines get stronger/tougher as they age. The Relic Blade doesn't need to be strength eight (the Chapter Relic stratagem could work here). The ability to single models out of squads is just broken. Why don't you give the CM wargear options?

Eh, didn't feel like posting all the wargear for CM, since he is kind of buffed out already. Maybe a few different gun options, but really just pistols and maybe a couple other guns.

Also, for the power increase, refer to the APOCALYPSE ONLY. Perhaps default S/T 4 but an armor upgrade that gives +1 to them. But he would have to be able to stand up to other Apoc units, so it would be stupid to keep him at captain stats. Also, maybe dropping it to Str 6 with 2d6 to pen vehicles? I dunno.

A 2+ Invulnerable Save? No. Just no. Either make it a 3++ save or make it so that once it fails, it's gone, like the Shadow Field.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Actually, I think it's a pretty bad idea alltogether. Why S5 and T5? Why does he have a Destroyer 10" shooting attack? The only thing I like about it is the Target Designator.

Yeah i could see this guy being in an apocolypse game more than anything when you and your friends just want to mess around. I do think the Chapter Master needs to be changed though, i think you should be able to mix and match wargear in current codex, pick your chapter tactic out of a list. No change to orbital bombardment except maybe pay for more shots, or treat it as the grey knight lance strike based on terrain. The main reason i would like to see these changes is because i wish i could give pedro something to make him Eternal warrior and maybe even artficier armor. But the strength of the SM dex, is not in its Chapter Masters, but in your character selection and the tact squads. If you could make a fully custom Master, it would better fill out the feeling of the dex, maybe bring back the Custom Chapter Rules from 4th?

@ Valkyrie

It's a once-per battle ability, not a shooting attack.

I also addressed the S5 T5, just forgot to edit it in the main post. Look at the post above yours.

I think that they should be more powerful, but maybe like another W, A, maybe I. They should have more army buffing attributes because Chapter Masters are some of the best strategists in the galaxy.

Maybe at least allow a Chapmaster on a bike to make bikes troops?

T5 and S5 are way to powerful.

Lordraymond wrote:
In every Space Marine chapter there are ten companies, and one hundred men in each.

Yes, except no. There isn't ten companies in every chapter, nor does every company in every chapter that DOES have them have 100 battle-brothers in each.

Personally, I'm more disapproving of the idea of a Chapter Master having a 2+ invulnerable save, 5 wounds, toughness 5 and eternal warrior.

Maybe that's just me though.

Personally, whilst I can understand and appreciate what you're trying to achieve, I believe that many of these changes simply don't work; the Chapter Master first amongst them.

I'd suggest making the Chapter Masters simply better than their current incarnation and a more simple 'basic' HQ to lead smaller forces. Ultimately however, having a Captain lead them (as is) is entirely reasonable.

Just Dave wrote:Personally, I'm more disapproving of the idea of a Chapter Master having a 2+ invulnerable save, 5 wounds, toughness 5 and eternal warrior.

Exactly. Nothing short of Vortex is going to bring this guy down easily.

Repeat after me. Space Marine Chapter Masters Are Not Gods.

Giving a chapter master what basically amounts to the stats of a demon prince or a trygon is about as un-fluff as you can get. A powerfist at attacks at Init, a Strength D bombardment that he can use with little to no restrictions, a 2+ Invuln save with 5 wounds. Give me a break.

Chapter master sounds OP

I'd like to see a souped up Chapter Master. Not like the OP suggest but still pretty sweet.

Say WS7 BS6 S5 T5(4) W3 I6 A4 LD10 SV3+/4++

T5(4) means that you use T5 for instant death and then T4 for wounding purposes. So he's a badass mofo but not insanely hard to kill like the OP suggested.

Sounds good, and not too overpowered.