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I was wondering, is it legal to add units to a formation? An example being, I'm a space wolves player and I like to use the Void Claws formation from The Champions of Fenris supplement. Can I add let's say Njal Stormcaller to the formation and if I can, would he receive the special rules benefits from the formation? I'm only asking cuz I watched a batrep recently and one of the players did this for the formation. Just want some clarification.

No, formations only have the models specifically specified in the formation. Someone correct me if I am wrong but an independent character from another detachment can join the squad however (still not part of the void claw formation in this case).

You can't add extra slots to a Detachment, so why would you think you could add extra units to a Formation?

 Ghaz wrote:
You can't add extra slots to a Detachment, so why would you think you could add extra units to a Formation?

As I stated in my original question. I watched a batrep where the player included an additional character to the void claws formation having him join the unit. I wasn't sure this was correct which is why I asked the question.

Formations are an army list thing. ICs joining units is an in-game thing. Now, special formation rules may or may not apply to the IC, but you absolutely can join an IC to a unit in a formation. The only rules restricting ICs joining units from a different detachment is the allies chart, and formations are just a type of detachment.

 DarkLink wrote:
Formations are an army list thing. ICs joining units is an in-game thing. Now, special formation rules may or may not apply to the IC, but you absolutely can join an IC to a unit in a formation. The only rules restricting ICs joining units from a different detachment is the allies chart, and formations are just a type of detachment.

Thanks man. That's what I was looking for. I appreciate that clear and concise answer without the condescension. I only asked because the batrap I watched showed the player had a 5 man void claws unit and he joined Njal Stormcaller, Arjac Rockfist and a Wolf Guard battle leader to the formation. I thought maybe I heard wrong but when the game started, on his first turn, i.e. the special rule for the Void Claws he deep struck them all in together. I wasn't sure if that was right but the opposing player had no objections so I assumed this must be a legal thing.

Thanks again bro.

It wasn't 'condescension', than you very much. It was a rhetorical question meant to get you to try and figure out that a formation can't take extra units any more than a detachment can take extra slots. Just saying 'somebody on the internet told me so' doesn't always cut it.

By the way, you may wish to read THIS as well.

Independent characters are a weird thing because the wording for some special rules have gotten...sloppy.

Namely a lot of formations now contain rules that read "any unit from this formation", but don't specify what you do if an IC from outside of the formation joins it. By the strict wording, it doesn't matter, as it refers to the unit as a whole. But this obviously runs into some questioning such as "how does a unit that have special training and/or mutations suddenly confer them upon a character who clearly has neither".

Just note that, for the purposes of Army Building, no you cannot add units to a formation that's not stated on the formation itself, at least not without special permissions (the IG commissar is a notorious case of this). However during the actual game (yes, even deployment) an IC can join the unit so long as there's no restrictions. In the above case, if Njal was wearing his terminator armor, he could join the Void Claws as they deepstruck in (unless that itself is illegal, I don't have the time to look up the exact wording on the formation or Njal's rules). he would, in theory, also benefit from the rules, but for the purposes of detachments and army building, Njal isn't formally part of the formation, just joining it.

Also, please excuse Ghaz. He can be...excitable at times.

EDIT: Also, for future reference, rules questions should go into You Make Da Call forums. It's specifically made because GW's notoriously bad grammar checking leaves a lot to be desired and if rule questions are made in the main discussion area, it'd be nothing but rule questions.

Thanks for the help DarkLink. Much appreciated.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 MechaEmperor7000 wrote:
Independent characters are a weird thing because the wording for some special rules have gotten...sloppy.

Namely a lot of formations now contain rules that read "any unit from this formation", but don't specify what you do if an IC from outside of the formation joins it. By the strict wording, it doesn't matter, as it refers to the unit as a whole. But this obviously runs into some questioning such as "how does a unit that have special training and/or mutations suddenly confer them upon a character who clearly has neither".

Just note that, for the purposes of Army Building, no you cannot add units to a formation that's not stated on the formation itself, at least not without special permissions (the IG commissar is a notorious case of this). However during the actual game (yes, even deployment) an IC can join the unit so long as there's no restrictions. In the above case, if Njal was wearing his terminator armor, he could join the Void Claws as they deepstruck in (unless that itself is illegal, I don't have the time to look up the exact wording on the formation or Njal's rules). he would, in theory, also benefit from the rules, but for the purposes of detachments and army building, Njal isn't formally part of the formation, just joining it.

Also, please excuse Ghaz. He can be...excitable at times.

EDIT: Also, for future reference, rules questions should go into You Make Da Call forums. It's specifically made because GW's notoriously bad grammar checking leaves a lot to be desired and if rule questions are made in the main discussion area, it'd be nothing but rule questions.

Thank you for the clarification. I just hate when you ask questions on forums and there is always one person who can't just answer the question without saying in a round about way " just read the rules newb." I'm trying to learn the game and become a better player. I thought that was the point of a forum. An online community where we help each other, not make each other (especially new players), feel stupid. Thanks again bro. You cleared that up for me. And yes Njal was in his terminator armor when they deep struch in. I was thinking of doing the same cuz that would give the void claws some long range and psyker protection. Maybe my wording was wrong when I said join the formation. It was during deployment that Njal, Arjac and the Battle leader were placed with the unit. That was miscommunication on my part. Apologies.