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Retinues in C:SM 5th?


northoceanbeach

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I'm not so sure about this. If, as has been stated, the unit description for Command Squads and Honour Guards describes them as "bodyguards" and they don't take up a FOC then, according to the Rule Book they are retinues and characters can't leave them until the unit is destroyed. It depends on what they're called in the Codex but the rule is pretty clear cut on page 48.

 

I've a feeling the characters joining and leaving the unit isn't spelled out in the Codex as it's included in the Independent Character Section of the overall rules. Have a look for yourselves.

Well, a ritenue, as per BRB, is "a special unit that the character cannot leave". There is no such unit in the new C:SM. Even the servitors can leave the Techmarine (and are then subject to "mindlock" where they cannot do anything for the turn, except attack if already locked in CC, on a 1-2-3 on a d6 roll, which I find very cool.).

 

So no hiding your HQs from CC!

 

Phil

But they ARE called a "bodyguard", which, according to the BRB, means they fall under the rule for retinues as it specifically states that retinue units are called "bodyguards". It doesn't say they can't leave their bodyguard in the Codex but if a unit is a "bodyguard" according to the BRB they're one HQ Choice and are counted as retinue and character.
But they ARE called a "bodyguard", which, according to the BRB, means they fall under the rule for retinues as it specifically states that retinue units are called "bodyguards". It doesn't say they can't leave their bodyguard in the Codex but if a unit is a "bodyguard" according to the BRB they're one HQ Choice and are counted as retinue and character.

 

The phrasing in the BRB is "..which is normally called a 'retinue', 'bodyguard' or similar)..."

 

The difference of retinues = bodyguards and special units are "normally" called bodyguards is huge.

 

The language is by no means definitive nor exclusive. Rules wise there is nothing that you can use to adequately justify these units being a retinue and further to that, there is nothing you can use in the codex to justify it either.

 

Its exactly the same as BA and DA. There were no debates there either.

I agree that the command squad / honor guard is NOT a retinue, and I agree that this fact sucks. but I'm staring at my shiny new dex, and there's NOTHING to suggest that they are a retinue, such as a statement that the character may not leave, etc... as there was in 4th. sorry guys, the commander fights as a seperate unit in combat, etc...
  • 2 months later...
Sorry to bump an old thread, but I was reading through the C:SM and on page 104, under the "Mighty Heroes" section, Honor Guards and Command Squads are referred to specifically as retinues: "Each also has the option for a retinue unit - a Command Squad or Honour Guard..."

Having both count as retinues works until you start to think of Shrike and Calgar. Shrike has a jump pack and none of his command squad can so that neuters his movement and abilities. Calgar can have 3 Honour guard and as such cannot join all three.

 

As for the other Captains and Chapter Masters they kind of work but end up severely limiting your options if you decide to take them. I think that they work well as separate units and are not broken like that either.

 

My 2 wonga worth

 

Wan

What ambush ability? If you mean infiltrate (by virtue of See, But Remain Unseen rule) then I see your point because how can a unit he is attached to be "his unit" however my point was really why would he bother to come with a Jump Pack if his squad didnt. It means that he cant be transported for one thing.

 

It can contridict the BRB because of the whole "Codex Trumps Rulebook" thing that GW have, otherwise Necrons WBB wouldnt work as it does (which is pretty broken if you ask me)

Again- The command/Honour Guard squad can be called a retinue, a bodyguard, an Honourguard, the Commander's BFF's, it doesn't matter.

 

They're defined as a unit the Character can not leave.

There is no such listing in the Marine Codex (or Chaos Marine Codex for the darkside players here)

Does my Codex need to tell me that "Template" weapons use the teardrop-shaped marker? No, because the rulebook tells me what "Template" means.

 

If it tells me what a retinue is and that an IC can't leave them, does the Codex need to tell me the IC can't leave it after calling something a retinue? No, because the BRB has already covered this.

 

Now, I am hardly 100% positive about this, but in no less than 3 places in the SM Codex is it suggested (or outright stated as on pg. 104) that Honour Guard and Command Squads can be taken as retinues for their respective IC choices.

 

Notice how it even goes so far in the unit entries in the back to say that you can't take an Honour Guard if you haven't taken a Chapter Master, and that you cannot take a Command Squad if you don't take a Captain.

But your Codex does tell you that the squad/character is (or may) be armed with a template using weapon in it's rules.

Nowhere in these squad's rules do they use the words retinue, or even imply that the character can't leave the squad.

 

The rulebook itself (never sure if we're supposed to quote rules or not so I won't) pg 48 says that there are squads a character can not leave, these may be called....

It actually reads that there are squads that a character can not leave, these may be called retinues, nowhere does it says anything mentioned as retinues are a squad the character can not leave.

 

And (again) nowhere in hte unit's rules does it say "This is a retinue, this is a squad the character can't leave"

Nowhere in the character's rules does it say "He may purchase a retinue or squad that he can't leave"

 

All it says is "you may purchase one xxx unit for every yyy in your army"

I think people are confusing fluff for actual rules, yes command squads have been described as bodyguards/retnues for an IC, but no-where in the codex does it support this.

The newest codex always takes priority over all other rules sets, so you have to follow the rules set out.

 

And it has been said above that this is an omission becuase it may have been covered/suggested in the main rule book. Well its important to remember that other armies can have retinues and the rule book is for use for everyone.

And also that it is such an important rule that it belongs in the codex, if its not there then its not supposed to be!

 

If you have to really look hard and interpret many other quotes/rules-sets to see a rule then it doesnt exist..GW DOES NOT hide easter eggs in its rulebooks!

 

Of course if you wanted to add this rule, then you would need to start a new thread in homegrown rules and discuss its use.

After all denying your opponent the ability to target your IC's in CC is a huge bonus, if it were meant to be this way it would be in the codex and to repeat myself if its not there..its not supposed to be.

 

GC08

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