Grand Strategy and Allies

[L30n1d4s]

Now, my first instinct is that this is probably not allowed, if not by RAW, at least by RAI. That said, I have looked at the wording and want to pose to the group here a question: can Grand Strategy be used on allies (it would have to be on Allies of Convenience or Desperate Allies, since GKs don't have any Battle Brothers).

 

Based on the codex description of Grand Strategy (page 22) it says:

 

"the Grand Master can assign special battlefield roles to units under his command. Roll a D3 and choose that many infantry, jump infantry, monstrous creature or walker units in you army (but not models with the IC special rule, Inquisatorial Henchman Warbands, or Grand Master Mordrak's unit of Ghost Knights). These nominated units have one of the following roles..."

 

So, based on this, it sounds as if any infantry/jump infantry/MC/walker in your army (to me that would include Allied detachments, since they are "in your army") can be given one of the GS traits.

 

However, if you look at the rules for allies in the Rule Book, it says you must treat Allies of Convenience/Desperate Allies "as enemy units that cannot be charged, shot, targeted with psychic powers or have template or blast markers placed over them" (page 112). This makes it sound like Allies, since they are "enemy units" in the eyes of the GK army, cannot be buffed with Grand Strategy.

 

Any thoughts or clarifications on what the correct answer is on this? Again, I am skeptical, BUT, if it turns out it is allowed, gosh, that opens up some amazing possibilities for us.... imagine making allied Hammernators into Scoring units or giving allied Leman Russ Squadrons Scout or even making a Tau Crises Team with TLed plasma rifles re-roll all 1s to wound.

[thade]

Yea, honestly, it's safest to assume we can't do this. Your Allied Detachment is an "Ally of Convenience" and they can't be the target of powers or abilities in your force. If you prefer RAI, the Allied Detachement is not technically under the Grand Master's command. Allies are not always subordinate. <3

 

They might FAQ this for us, but in the meantime it's safest to assume no, since it's no for virtually everything else like this.

[L30n1d4s]

Hmmm, you are likely right and, until we hear otherwise, I will assume we can't use it. That said, it would be amazing if we could.

[henrywalker]

Your Allied Detachment is an "Ally of Convenience" and they can't be the target of powers or abilities in your force

 

i've seen people say this a couple of times but its wrong, they cant be "charged, shot, targeted with psychic powers or have templates or blast markers placed over them" it says nothing about wargear or abilities

[nurglez]

I think that if an allied unit can't use your teleporter homers, how can they use your grand strategy?

 

Either way, its not that clear, however I would rather play it on the side of caution and be proved wrong later.