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Hi so I'm having a hard time understanding formations and detachments.
I'm looking at the skitarii Maniple in the codex and I'm wondering is that their force organization chart?
when i make formations at the back of the codex do i have to conform to to the force organization chart?
And in the Space Marine Codex there's a formation with 3-5 librarians so how would someone field that, isn't there only 2 HQ slots?
I am still clearly new to the game and i would appreciate the help!

fraser1191 wrote:
Hi so I'm having a hard time understanding formations and detachments.
I'm looking at the skitarii Maniple in the codex and I'm wondering is that their force organization chart?
when i make formations at the back of the codex do i have to conform to to the force organization chart?
And in the Space Marine Codex there's a formation with 3-5 librarians so how would someone field that, isn't there only 2 HQ slots?
I am still clearly new to the game and i would appreciate the help!

The CAD is a detachment of its own, when you run a formation you run a completely different force-org, restricted to what the formation tells you can/must bring.

So the Example force organization chart in the rule book should be ignored and i just use whatever formations i want?

You could do that. Or do mix and match and run both. A CAD with 1-2 HQ and the rest and a formation.

okay cause I have a small space marine army and i thought it was kinda lame that if you had 2 battle demi companies that you couldn't have any scouts, because that would use all 6 troop slots in the force organization chart.
But now it makes more sense. thanks

This might blow your mind but you also have the option of playing Unbound. Which is literally put whatever you want on the table and play a game. You don't get special rules but lets say that you want to run a squadron of predators alongside your Demi Company. You can absolutely do that without having them in a CAD, Formation or any kind of detachment.

 zeragrin wrote:
This might blow your mind but you also have the option of playing Unbound. Which is literally put whatever you want on the table and play a game. You don't get special rules but lets say that you want to run a squadron of predators alongside your Demi Company. You can absolutely do that without having them in a CAD, Formation or any kind of detachment.

wow i didn't know that you could have a combination of formations and unbound! now that i know I'm not limited to the force organization chart in the rule book ill have to revamp my list lol

fraser1191 wrote:

 zeragrin wrote:
This might blow your mind but you also have the option of playing Unbound. Which is literally put whatever you want on the table and play a game. You don't get special rules but lets say that you want to run a squadron of predators alongside your Demi Company. You can absolutely do that without having them in a CAD, Formation or any kind of detachment.

wow i didn't know that you could have a combination of formations and unbound! now that i know I'm not limited to the force organization chart in the rule book ill have to revamp my list lol

Unbound is a great way to play when you are new to the hobby or starting a new army. My wife just started playing Necrons. She runs a Reclamation Phalanx (Necrons get started box formation) with a Cryptek and Deathamarks running Unbound alongside.

Problem with playing Unbound is in most cases you will not be able to get any games because a lot of people think it's a bad way of playing.

Davor wrote:
Problem with playing Unbound is in most cases you will not be able to get any games because a lot of people think it's a bad way of playing.

Yeah I've never understood that mentality. I mean I get not wanting to play against 5 Wraithknights but not letting someone take 1 extra HQ (within the agreed upon points limit) is anti-fun imo.

 zeragrin wrote:

Davor wrote:
Problem with playing Unbound is in most cases you will not be able to get any games because a lot of people think it's a bad way of playing.

Yeah I've never understood that mentality. I mean I get not wanting to play against 5 Wraithknights but not letting someone take 1 extra HQ (within the agreed upon points limit) is anti-fun imo.

And there is worse cheese using formations. Now you have a formation with Tau using what 3 Riptides? Talk about almost using a "legal" 5 Wraithknights.