Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I haven't gotten the codex for space marines yet, but I just bought the Burning of Prospero and all the tactical marines come with a chain sword is that legal for 40k 8th edition?

Chainsword and Bolt Pistol is standard loadout for Assault Marines, and the default loadout for Tac Marine Sergeants.

In 8th, Tactical (Vanilla) Marines come with a Bolter and Bolt Pistol. A new development, is that you can shoot your pistols at an engaged enemy during your own shooting phase. So Pistol and Bolter kind of gives you an extra attack, if you're still engaged, during the shooting phase that doesn't count towards combat resolution.

Chainswords *proper* are now a piece of wargear that if you don't attack with a different weapon in CC, you get an extra attack. So a Bolter / Chainsword Sarge now attacks 2+1 times in cc. 2 base, +1 for Chainsword. But if they upgrade to a power sword, only 2 attacks because you aren't using the Chainsword, and using the Chainsword gives you the +1 attack.

Buuuuuttt.... Other marines may be different and it's probably the default loadout in 30k, which Burning of Prospero is set during.

Short answer, tac marines can't use a chainsword, only the sarge can.

 greatbigtree wrote:
Chainsword and Bolt Pistol is standard loadout for Assault Marines, and the default loadout for Tac Marine Sergeants.

In 8th, Tactical (Vanilla) Marines come with a Bolter and Bolt Pistol. A new development, is that you can shoot your pistols at an engaged enemy during your own shooting phase. So Pistol and Bolter kind of gives you an extra attack, if you're still engaged, during the shooting phase that doesn't count towards combat resolution.

Chainswords *proper* are now a piece of wargear that if you don't attack with a different weapon in CC, you get an extra attack. So a Bolter / Chainsword Sarge now attacks 2+1 times in cc. 2 base, +1 for Chainsword. But if they upgrade to a power sword, only 2 attacks because you aren't using the Chainsword, and using the Chainsword gives you the +1 attack.

Buuuuuttt.... Other marines may be different and it's probably the default loadout in 30k, which Burning of Prospero is set during.

You get the extra attack for HAVING a chainsword, and you have to use the chainsword for THAT attack. What you do with the other attacks is up to you. That's also true for the Chainsword Relic, having both the Relic and a regular thunder hammer makes for a pretty fun Captain,especially as Salamanders

Misfittoy wrote:
I haven't gotten the codex for space marines yet, but I just bought the Burning of Prospero and all the tactical marines come with a chain sword is that legal for 40k 8th edition?

No, not for 40k 8th edition. It's a 30k option.

If you use the black templar chapter tactic, you get acess to crusader squads. These are the same as tactical marines but they have more weapon options, including bolt pistol and chainsword instead of bolter on every dude.

@ Nekooni: Thanks, I’ll have to look that up! I think all the models I use have to exchange a Chainsword for a Power Weapon, perhaps that’s my mistake.

Veteran squads can also use Bolter and Chainsword if you’re so inclined.