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With the new SM codex on it's way I am to wonder if the restrictions on Factions gain rules (eg full detachment has to be IF etc) will stop some of the smaller supporting units being run.

From an Imperial point of view this would be SOS, Custodians, Assassins and Inquisitors.

How would people feel if these type of units could be used in a restricted faction without cancelling the main buffs, but with restrictions? Personally I'd also be happy to see things like Harlequins troupes having a similar option for craftworld and DE.

So the proposal - Agents of "Faction" (eg Terra)
These units are ignored for the purpose of deciding if Faction specific abilities can be used.
These units can never be used as a compulsory choice and you can never have more of them in a detachment then there are main faction units within their battle field role. If either restriction is missed then all Agent of "faction" units loose this rule.

So for example, if you wanted to take an Inquisitor, an Assassin and 2 Custodian squads in a SM army, you must 1st have the minimum SM HQ (1+), one elite choice and 2+ Tactical/scout squads.

Hopefully something like this would also make it more viable for other main factions to Branch out a little more (Cypher and the fallen?)

Nope. Don't like it. Every specific faction can be balanced with characters and abilities in mind to build a cohesive synergy. Once you start adding in these sub factions.... Especially with how many are available to iom.... You end up killing any balancing weaknesses to the specific factions strengths because there is always a sub faction that can patch that hole.

You either get your bonuses for focusing or you don't and gain a broader spectrum of options for units. Each has its benefits. Choose.

Lance, I concede your point on that but how would you keep these limited units in the game?

Assassin as it currently stands will only ever be a Tax unit. While they add a bit of flavour to a list the befits the bring won't outway what they take away.

Please note though, I intended this for those units which historically have been a bolt-on unit not as a way to by pass the restriction.

How would you account for such unit because as it stands these colourful units are likely to slip for the gaming tables as the tax outways the benefit (even with the -1 unit CP Tax option)?

Firstly, there's the Auxiliary Support detachment - any single unit you want. Now you just have to decide if that Assassin is worth a Command Point - which seems appropriate, as you'd be needing to really use your contacts to get an Assassin deployed to your combat zone.

I'd gladly pay that cost to bring an Assassin if we're playing an appropriate scenario.

For larger groups, there's the Patrol Detachment - 1 HQ, 1 Troops choice. Even Sisters of Silence and Custodes can manage that.

I imagine there'll be a new Codex: Imperial Agents (or multiple Codexes, if they want to print additional background for the various factions). Until that time, there's no downside to having one "odds and sods" detachment with a squad of Custodes, an Inquisitor, a Vindicare Assassin and a unit of Seraphim.

Sorry Andrew but neither the sisters (only elite) or custodies (only troop) can do any formation by themselves as neither has a HQ choice.

ScarVet101 wrote:
Sorry Andrew but neither the sisters (only elite) or custodies (only troop) can do any formation by themselves as neither has a HQ choice.

Celestine is an elite?

Derp you mean Sisters of Silence.

Either way, I say no to this. Pick between an Assassin or Chapter Tactics.

Don't bring a single space marine chapter with a single assassin. Your wasting the potential of a imperium army.

If you are going to loose chapter tactics to add in some other units bring the best of all worlds and build a truly mixed force.

If you want to half as that and bring a single assassin or a single sisters of silence unit with a small chapter then that is your fault for building a crappy list.

Once you decide to go full imperium every unit from like... 9 forces is at your disposal. Use them.