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So this should be a fairly simple one to answer. I want to take Shrike as my HQ, and by taking him I'm allowed to take a Command Squad as any other Captain is. But I can't upgrade my Command Squad to have jump packs. So what's the use of taking a Command Squad with him if his movement is reduced to 6", he can't detach himself from the squad till they die and he can no longer deep strike? Other than the obvious answer of, "Stop complaining and don't take the Command Squad", am I missing something in the codex or a FAQ somewhere? As always any help is appreciated.

A command squad is not a retinue. Shrike does not have to join them.

A Command Squad isn't a retinue? If that's the case, then I've been playing it wrong for years then. I always thought that if a Command Squad was purchased, the HQ had to stay with them until the squad was dead. After that they would become an IC again and could attach themselves to another unit. Looking at it that way it would make sense.

So then a retinue option would be listed directly in the HQ's upgrade options? Would it say something to the effect of "this unit is a retinue"? Reason I ask is that I don't play armies that have retinues, so I don't know what to look for.

Boss Goretoof wrote:Would it say something to the effect of "this unit is a retinue"?

Essentially yes.
Or it would mention something about the IC being required to join the unit, and unable to leave.
It's got to have some verbage to indicate that it's a retinue, and Command Squads lack that.


The closest there are anymore are the Tyranid Tyrant Guard and Mordrak's Ghost Knights - but these are not retinues.

The retinue rule is in 5th edition because there used to be codexes that still used it. I don't think there are anymore.

Yep, as above.

You're getting confused with the 4th edition codex.

Black Templars are the only current codex, that I'm aware of, that still uses retinues. And it spells it out quite clearly that it is a retinue.

ELdar Corsair's out of IA 11 have a Retinue. But that's not a GW codex.

Wait... so an Imperial Guard commander doesn't have to stay with their command squad? If that's the case, then wouldn't a command squad and the commander be seperate kill points?

Ignatius wrote:Wait... so an Imperial Guard commander doesn't have to stay with their command squad? If that's the case, then wouldn't a command squad and the commander be seperate kill points?

Is an Imperial Guard commander an IC that enables you to buy a command squad?

A CCS is nothing like a SM Command Squad.

IG DON"T have any IC in command squads.

Company and Platoon commanders are NOT ICs.

Ignatius wrote:Wait... so an Imperial Guard commander doesn't have to stay with their command squad? If that's the case, then wouldn't a command squad and the commander be seperate kill points?

No, commanders are not ICs. They may never leave the squad and they may never join another squad when the other guardsmen are killed off. Nor can they be singled out in CC.

ToBeWilly wrote:Black Templars are the only current codex, that I'm aware of, that still uses retinues. And it spells it out quite clearly that it is a retinue.

Tau still have a retinue.

But, yes, this is clearly being phased out, as nothing that has been released in 5th edition has a retinue. My personal guess is that it won't even be referenced in the 6th edition book, and we'll have the issue regarding target priority all over again.

Oh ya. For some reason, I always overlook the Tau.

chromedog wrote:IG DON"T have any IC in command squads.

Company and Platoon commanders are NOT ICs.

Slight laps in mental capacity, my fault.