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Hi all,

Simple question for you all today. Direct quote from the red book:
"Any model with the Legiones Astartes (World Eaters) special rule which has access to a chainsword can instead take a chainaxe for free as long as this is appropriately represented on the model."

Very simply, how to interpret this? From a RaW point, I can see an argument that having the option for a chainsword, allows me to take the 'axe for zero points. Not that I pay for the chainsword and then upgrade it for free, but that I actually get the whole piece of kit for zero points.

1) I buy a Tactical for 10pts
2) The Tactical 'has access to a chainsword' for 2pts.
3) He is therefore allowed to 'instead take a chainaxe for free'.
4) I now have a Tactical with Bolter, Bolt Pistol and AP4 chainaxe, who still costs 10pts/model.

Is this the correct way to read this rule? Because if so, a WE Marine is effectively rocking Rage, Hatred, Furious Charge, AP4 and +1A over his brothers for his LA:WE and a Rite of War.

Delicious if true.

I think the RaI is that you'd buy the chainsword first and then upgrade for free. Badly worded but I think Tac squads are one of the only ones it really matters with, don't most who have access to a CCW already have it? And then you just upgrade it for free.

RAW you appear to be correct.

However, I think it is intended to be a free swap for a chainsword already in possession.

It says "instead", so instead of taking the chainsword, you can take a chain axe. For how many points? "For free."

If it said it can upgrade a chainsword to a chain axe for free, it would have been different. And that's what they'd have written if that is what they wanted, I think. Because really, the current rule is much more convoluted than it needed to be if they just wanted you to be able to replace chainsword for chain axes for free.

"Any model with the Legiones Astartes (World Eaters) special rule can replace their chainsword with a chain axe for free." Super simple.

So yeah, chain axe, no cost. Bit crazy? Yup. Should it be like this? I honestly don't want to get into that. Is it like this? Yup.

This isn't the first time FW power level is out of whack when compared to base GW equivalents.

 ImAGeek wrote:
I think the RaI is that you'd buy the chainsword first and then upgrade for free. Badly worded but I think Tac squads are one of the only ones it really matters with, don't most who have access to a CCW already have it? And then you just upgrade it for free.

If it was RAI, it'd just say "may exchange their chainsword for a chainaxe for free". That's how all other legion weapon rules work. For example, the Caedare weapons. Unahim has it correct, it's very interesting wording for such a simple option. I have no doubt that their intention was to allow World Eaters tacticals access to bolter, bp, and chainaxe.

The final part that really cements it, imo, is the "as long as this is appropriately represented on the model."

I would play it as you said, you can pretty much replace the entries for chainswords with chainaxe: 0 pts.

Given the amount of 3+ in HH, that really doesn't seem all that out of place to me.

Where does it say we exchange the chainsword? Or that the chain sword much be bought? Especially when the Caedrere Weapon entry specifically says to exchange the chainsword (or combat blade) for a Caedere Weapon.

So yes, you get free chainaxe as long as it's represented on the model.

i play it as anyplace chainsword is mentioned, WE can replace the word "Chainsword" with "Chainaxe" and replace whatever cost is associated with the chainsword to 0. Effectively you add the chainaxe entry under that same heading as a chainsword that can be bought or replace an already equipped chainsword with the chainaxe.

This way any unit that must exchange something for a chainsword may also do it for a chainaxe, but for free. Any unit that can buy a chainsword can buy a chainaxe instead, but for free. I feel this meets all requirements of the rule and doesn't sneak any other requirements/costs. It's not straight RAW, but I believe is a balance and what was intended.

You think it was intended for world eater tacticals to get free bolters? World eaters, galaxy wide famous for using bolt pistols and ccws?
If you say the option for extra ccw is free, then there is no reason not to take it.
This is clearly not intended. don't kid yourself.

Captyn_Bob wrote:
You think it was intended for world eater tacticals to get free bolters? World eaters, galaxy wide famous for using bolt pistols and ccws?

You think it was intended for Death Guard to get free shredding flamers with gets hot? Death Guard, galaxy wide famous for using rad weapons?

If you say the option for extra ccw is free, then there is no reason not to take it.

That's not true, chainaxes have to be properly modeled on any unit that has taken them as an option.

This is clearly not intended. don't kid yourself.

Using poorly fluff based arguments just doesn't work, even more so when you're trying to purposefully nerf an army that's not even good in 30k.