And They Shall Know No Fear and regrouping question

[Altered_Soul]

Hi all,

 

Was playing in a casual tournament this weekend (Orks vs Vanilla SM, had to sully my DA into a C:SM force :)), and had a moment where one of my tac squads was forced to flee a close combat, failing their morale check. They fall back 8 inches (they weren't swept), and the ork unit consolidated 5 inches, toward another unit, but within six inches of my falling back tactical squad.

 

Now another player was watching the beginning of my turn, and I regrouped my Marines, via ATSKNF. He chimed in and said that they continue to flee if there is an enemy within 6". Being new to 5th (last time I played I had a expansion DA codex and a 3rd Edition Rulebook :) ), I countered saying ATSKNF automatically regroups me. He said I only automatically pass regroup tests (which is true), and thus am still subject to the 6" rule. I conceded (its just for fun) to the "argument", as I honestly do not have the experience, nor the desire to grind the game to a halt over three standard marines, but I am just curious in learning the rules for smoother play, no to be in the right so to speak.

 

So, should those Marines with ATSKNF have kept running, or do they regroup automatically as normal?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Hackbar]

Hi all,

 

Was playing in a casual tournament this weekend (Orks vs Vanilla SM, had to sully my DA into a C:SM force :P), and had a moment where one of my tac squads was forced to flee a close combat, failing their morale check. They fall back 8 inches (they weren't swept), and the ork unit consolidated 5 inches, toward another unit, but within six inches of my falling back tactical squad.

 

Now another player was watching the beginning of my turn, and I regrouped my Marines, via ATSKNF. He chimed in and said that they continue to flee if there is an enemy within 6". Being new to 5th (last time I played I had a expansion DA codex and a 3rd Edition Rulebook :) ), I countered saying ATSKNF automatically regroups me. He said I only automatically pass regroup tests (which is true), and thus am still subject to the 6" rule. I conceded (its just for fun) to the "argument", as I honestly do not have the experience, nor the desire to grind the game to a halt over three standard marines, but I am just curious in learning the rules for smoother play, no to be in the right so to speak.

 

So, should those Marines with ATSKNF have kept running, or do they regroup automatically as normal?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

As I read it, he's right.

Space Marines automatically pass tests to regroup, and can make such tests even if the squad has been reduced to less than half strength by casualties, though all other criteria apply.

Emphasis mine.

Since not having any enemies within 6" is one of the basic criteria for regrouping, it would seem that ATSKNF is no help in that situation. This unfortunately severly limits the usefulness of Combat Tactics as far as getting out of a bad melee, though that is by no means the only use for CT. (and bikers or jump pack troops will fall back far enough that consolidation is unlikely to bring the enemy close enough to prevent regroup)

[Altered_Soul]

As I read it, he's right.

Space Marines automatically pass tests to regroup, and can make such tests even if the squad has been reduced to less than half strength by casualties, though all other criteria apply.

Emphasis mine.

Since not having any enemies within 6" is one of the basic criteria for regrouping, it would seem that ATSKNF is no help in that situation. This unfortunately severly limits the usefulness of Combat Tactics as far as getting out of a bad melee, though that is by no means the only use for CT. (and bikers or jump pack troops will fall back far enough that consolidation is unlikely to bring the enemy close enough to prevent regroup)

 

Thanks for the help. I figured I just didn't know what was going on, but its good to remember for future events.

[Hackbar]

All these details are easy to forget, especially for those of us who, unlike me, have memories of how things worked in previous editions mixed in with their grasp of the current edition. In that respect I'm actually glad I didn't start back in 4th edition, despite the 5th ed BRB and marine codex outlawing most of the things I wanted to try if I ever got into 40k. Anyway, I'm glad to help, as much as I wish I was wrong. (I would love for ATSKNF to be even more powerful than it already is)

[Scott-S6]

And it no longer specificies that they auto-rally at the table edge either so it's now possible to chase fleeing marines off the table (this tends to REALLY annoy marine players)

[Ming]

Just remember you can still shoot as you run towards the board edge....

[DarkGuard]

And it no longer specificies that they auto-rally at the table edge either so it's now possible to chase fleeing marines off the table (this tends to REALLY annoy marine players)

 

And this is perhaps one of the best tactics for getting rid of Marines. I will never try and run down Marines in combat, as it is better to let them run and then 'escort' them off the board.