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Hi ive read alot of diffrent threads about if an Independent Character with Infiltrate can join a unit before deployment so they benifit from the rule and there hasnt been a clear answer either way . So i wanted to find out the most common way people play it rather then debating the rule
Thank you for your input

Check the FAQ ICs with infiltrate are specifically prohibited from join units without infiltrate.

Thanks didnt relise there was an faq that clears up alot

No. The rules clearly do not allow it.

There's no debate, really. The rules say you can't do it. Specifically, in the text of the 'independent character' special rule, quote:

"An Independent Character without the Infiltrate special rule cannot join a unit of Infiltrators during deployment."

Although the question asked was about joining before deployment, rather than during...

The answer winds up the same, though, since there are no rules that would allow an IC to join a unit before deployment in the current edition, other than for Reserves.

FlingitNow wrote:Check the FAQ ICs with infiltrate are specifically prohibited from join units without infiltrate.

Correction. They cannot join Infiltrators during deployment.

insaniak wrote:Although the question asked was about joining before deployment, rather than during...

The answer winds up the same, though, since there are no rules that would allow an IC to join a unit before deployment in the current edition, other than for Reserves.

Nope, putting units in Reserves is during Deployment.

The only question is, "Does 'Infiltrator' only refer to units deploying during deployment, or all units with Infiltrate?"

I don't know how my group rolls, I haven't asked them, but I operate my army on the assumption that an Infiltrator is defined as a unit with Infiltrate, to save headaches. Though, a Destroyer Lord Deep Striking with Flayed Ones would be nice, I don't have them yet, so I haven't thought to ask.

It should be noted that the first definition of Infiltrator would allow Shrike to join Vanguard and Assault Squads in Deep Strike or Outflank, as opposed to having to go it alone or deploy with Scouts.

I think joining a infiltrator IC to a unit that dosnt have infiltrate so they can get bonuses that they dont normally have access to .ie infiltrate and shrouded bonus dosnt seem like that was what was intended

ian wrote:
I think joining a infiltrator IC to a unit that dosnt have infiltrate so they can get bonuses that they dont normally have access to .ie infiltrate and shrouded bonus dosnt seem like that was what was intended

You mean like allowing for Stubborn IC to make a unit Stubborn? A Chapter Master getting Slow and Purposeful from Centurions? A Crusader Squad gaining Zealot from a Chaplain?

So, certain rules are meant spread. However, Infiltrate is a little bit different animal, but I think the restriction is a little silly when applied to Reserves.

Those rules seem more fluffy your gonna be stubborn if your commander is there, just most IC with infiltrate are scout specialist and it seems less fluffy that because illc nightsphere could join a group of jet bikes all of a suddern there gonna beable to hide better in cover .

No. What we don't do here (just for friendly games, not little tourneys) is to force you to infiltrate - if you want, you can deploy it with your forces normally (or going reserves), just like if they didn't have the rule (outflank still works, though).

ian wrote:
Those rules seem more fluffy your gonna be stubborn if your commander is there, just most IC with infiltrate are scout specialist and it seems less fluffy that because illc nightsphere could join a group of jet bikes all of a suddern there gonna beable to hide better in cover .

You've never heard of stories where the non-ninja commander comes up to his ninja units in the field? Or how a single person leads a unit to be really close to the enemy before engaging?

All it takes is one model to have it to Infiltrate. ICs just aren't allowed. If an Exarch or Sergeant was able to get it, the whole squad would benefit. It's just the odd guy that causes problems, gameplay-wise.

I do agree that there are some cases where you could say that a commander helps with cover ,its just seems like more of a special thing rather than everyday tactic

Just in my experances its been used in a deathstar allowing a 2up cover save with auto lookout sirs ,with a 2up battle suit tanking wounds back in 6th so even ap2 didnt help ,so mybe im just abit bitter and biased

ian wrote:
I do agree that there are some cases where you could say that a commander helps with cover ,its just seems like more of a special thing rather than everyday tactic

Just in my experances its been used in a deathstar allowing a 2up cover save with auto lookout sirs ,with a 2up battle suit tanking wounds back in 6th so even ap2 didnt help ,so mybe im just abit bitter and biased

Not disagreeing with the rules for game-play, just saying that there are fluff reasons for allowing it.

Theres definatly times when playing a fluffy mission where the comander sneaks guys in or an ambush ect could be alot of fun

My group plays infiltration as an optional method of deployment. If a unit has the infiltrate special rule, they may either:

A. deploy normally, like any other unit

B. Be placed in reserves, like any other unit (deep strike or otherwise)

C. Deploy by infiltration, keeping them undeployed until the end as normal.

If an IC wants to join the unit with infiltration, they can do so only if they are deployed normally/in reserves. Unless the IC has infiltrate, the IC cannot join the unit with infiltrate while they are using their special deployment method.

I mentioned this in a similar thread further down the page, but I believe the rulebook makes it clear that units with the Infiltrate special rule are infiltrators, regardless of whether they deploy on the board at initial deployment or are placed in reserves:

"Having Infiltrate also confers the Outflank special rule to units of Infiltrators that are kept as Reserves."

That seems clear to me that even if kept as reserves, they are "infiltrators that are kept as reserves", thus infiltrators and thus unable to be joined by an Independent Character without the Infiltrate Special rule and vice versa.

Obviously this is irrelevant for those using house rules because they simply think it's better/cooler though, of course.

Shrike's rule says he can join a unit of jump pack troops before deployment, thus conveying his Infiltrate ability to the unit.

General Hobbs wrote:
Shrike's rule says he can join a unit of jump pack troops before deployment, thus conveying his Infiltrate ability to the unit.

No, it does not. It says he can only join a unit of Jump Infantry before deployING, not deployment.

Deployment is the stage in the game where units are first placed on the board or put in to Reserves. Deploying is the act of placing a unit on the table. Deploying can be during deployment or during the game when arriving from Reserves (in any of the three methods). Independent Characters can only join a unit before deploying by being declared joined in Reserves during Deployment.

Shrike's rule changes absolutely nothing stated in the previous paragraph. What it does change is what unit types he can join in Reserves. An IC joining a unit on the table during deployment is not done before putting them on the table, but happens when the IC is deployed on the table.

See, But Remain Unseen is also written as a restriction rather than an allowance, which makes Shrike's choices of unit to join during deployment even smaller, given he has Infiltrate.