Tacticus Firestorm Force

[Tacitus]

Anyone look at that one yet?

 

Everything in Tacticus always being in Rapid Fire Range is interestng. 

 

Intercessor Bolt Rilfes.

Intercessor Aux Grenade Launchers (Krak)

Hellblasters

Company Heroes Bolters and Heavy Bolters

Sternguard Combis and Heavy Bolters

 

Feels like you can fill a lot of list out with stuff that gains from that, and still have two DP left over for some Assault Squads and whatever. 

[Malakithe]

I can finally reply!

 

I finally got my codex and was looking at this detachment for a massed gunline of some kind. 

On 10/8/2026 at 7:52 PM, Tacitus said:

Intercessor Bolt Rilfes.

Intercessor Aux Grenade Launchers (Krak)

Hellblasters

Company Heroes Bolters and Heavy Bolters

Sternguard Combis and Heavy Bolters

Are these the only Tacticus units with rapid fire?

[Lathe Biosas]

When firing the Artificer Firearms of the Sternguard, the Damnatus mode does not have Rapid Fire.

 

 

[Karhedron]

1 hour ago, Lathe Biosas said:

When firing the Artificer Firearms of the Sternguard, the Damnatus mode does not have Rapid Fire.

 

That is true. Although the melta profile does enough damage to take down most large target when used en-mass. Which is its purpose. 

[Lathe Biosas]

1 hour ago, Karhedron said:

 

That is true. Although the melta profile does enough damage to take down most large target when used en-mass. Which is its purpose. 

 

Just be on the lookout for some players not reading the lack of rapid-fire on the weapon. The mistake has happened twice at the store I go to this weekend.

[Tacitus]

7 hours ago, Malakithe said:

I can finally reply!

 

I finally got my codex and was looking at this detachment for a massed gunline of some kind. 

Are these the only Tacticus units with rapid fire?

The only ones off the top of my head, but 60 Intercessors, 20 Sternguard and 20 Hellblasters pretty much fills out a list of all Rapid Fire

[jaxom]

I think the big question is, what goes with it?

 

Maybe Devastator Doctrine for shooting buffs? Or take something to help your other units? 
 

I could see taking Ironclad Champions and having two Redemptors for reroll 1s aura and anchoring key areas. Then toss in Brutalis for in-their-face options.

[Tacitus]

I'm not sure you need to - its something of a skew list.  100 Marines all getting rapid fire, 60 of which can shoot and do actions, plus any objective secured and so on. 

[Lathe Biosas]

Would Drop Pods make the list better or worse?

 

I'm trying to figure out how to get Sternguard into better positions on the Tabletop.

[Karhedron]

25 minutes ago, Lathe Biosas said:

Would Drop Pods make the list better or worse?

 

My gut feeling is that this list doesn't really need them. All the Tacticus units can fire at maximum range as if they were standing next to the target. Most of them have Assault so can Advance and shoot with no impediment making the list fairly fast.

[Focslain]

So I use this detachment for all my games so far and it has useful.

 

For the Intercessors I found devestator Doctrine is my default as it allows the focus fire shot to be use on the move. The relentless assault strat gives either more shots against non-vehicle targets (sus1) or lethal against the heavy targets (Lethal: Vehicle/monster). So getting two shots of the dmg2 rounds period can be masty. Plus they have +1 to hit if you or your target are on an objective which has happened way more then I thought it would.

 

Hellblasters getting 3 shots also increases their firepower with the change to their weapon. 

 

I haven't had to use the Point Blank Brutality strat yet, but good to know I can just fire my better weapon point-blank to clear out chaff that tried to contain the squad. 

 

 Now mind you I didn't build the list around the detachment, but more that it seemed like the best fit for what I was taking. List in spoiler for reference. I do know that I will be taking this for my UM force once it get back in the rotation. 

 

4CP in a Trenchcoat v2.5 (1995 points)

Space Marines
Gravis Siege Force, Ironclad Champions and Tacticus Firestorm Force (3 Detachment Points)
Take and Hold (have access to Priority Assests)
Strike Force (2000 points)

 

Attached Units

 

Attached Unit 1

Captain in Gravis Armour (90 points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Boltstorm Gauntlet
    1x Relic Chainsword

Heavy Intercessor Squad (245 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)
  • Enhancement: Immovable Conquerors (Upgrade)
  • 9x Heavy Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Ceramite Fists
      7x Heavy Bolt Rifle
      2x Heavy Bolter
  • 1x Heavy Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Heavy Bolt Rifle

 

Attached Unit 2

Chaplain (60 points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
  • 1x Absolvor Bolt Pistol
    1x Crozius Arcanum

Bladeguard Veteran Squad (90 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard
  • 1x Bladeguard Veteran Sergeant
    • 1x Heavy Bolt Pistol
      1x Master-crafted Power Sword
  • 2x Bladeguard Veteran
    • 2x Heavy Bolt Pistol
      2x Master-crafted Power Sword

 

Attached Unit 3

Librarian (75 points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
  • 1x Bolt Pistol
    1x Force Weapon
    1x Smite

Hellblaster Squad (115 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard
  • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Plasma Incinerator
  • 4x Hellblaster
    • 4x Bolt Pistol
      4x Ceramite Fists
      4x Plasma Incinerator

 

Attached Unit 4

Captain (90 points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
  • 1x Heavy Bolt Pistol
    1x Master-crafted Power Weapon
    1x Relic Shield

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist


CHARACTERS

Techmarine (55 points)
  • 1x Forge Bolter
    1x Grav-pistol
    1x Omnissian Power Axe and Servo-arm


BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (85 points)
  • 4x Intercessor
    • 4x Bolt Pistol
      4x Bolt Rifle
      1x Grenade Launcher
      4x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Chainsword

 

Intercessor Squad (85 points)
  • 4x Intercessor
    • 4x Bolt Pistol
      4x Bolt Rifle
      1x Grenade Launcher
      4x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Knives and Fists


OTHER DATASHEETS

Firestrike Servo-turrets (80 points)
  • 1x Hovering Bulk
    1x Twin Firestrike Las-talon

 

Firestrike Servo-turrets (80 points)
  • 1x Hovering Bulk
    1x Twin Firestrike Las-talon

 

Inceptor Squad (145 points)
  • Enhancement: Immovable Conquerors (Upgrade)
  • 2x Inceptor
    • 2x Assault Bolters
      2x Ceramite Fists
  • 1x Inceptor Sergeant
    • 1x Assault Bolters
      1x Ceramite Fists

 

Infernus Squad (95 points)
  • 1x Infernus Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Pyreblaster
  • 4x Infernus Marine
    • 4x Bolt Pistol
      4x Ceramite Fists
      4x Pyreblaster

 

Land Speeder (105 points)
  • 1x Armoured Impact
    1x Multi-melta
    1x Onslaught Gatling Cannon
    1x Stormfury Missile Launcher

 

Redemptor Dreadnought (220 points)
  • 1x Icarus Rocket Pod
    1x Macro Plasma Incinerator
    1x Onslaught Gatling Cannon
    1x Redemptor Fist
    1x Storm Bolters
  • Enhancement: Artificer Sarcophagus (Upgrade)

 

Vanguard Veteran Squad with Jump Packs (110 points)
  • 1x Vanguard Veteran Sergeant
    • 1x Plasma pistol
      1x Relic Blade
  • 4x Vanguard Veteran
    • 4x Heavy Bolt Pistol
      4x Master-crafted Power Weapon
 

[Galron]

I was thinking of my old Star Phantoms from 8th edition and what I have left and weirdly its almost completely ready to rock for this detachment.

Just need to repaint my extra squad of sternguard and company heroes. boom done. Ironclad, Tacitus Assault, Shock Force

3 x10 intercessors. 

2x10 Hellblasters(one with an LT)

10x Sternguards with 2 heavy bolters

5x Scouts

10x Reivers with phobos captain(no overwatch enhancement)

4 company heroes

 

Ballistus dread

Redemptor Dread with plasma.

81 bodies and 2 dreads.

[Malakithe]

Im still messing with the app but i was thinking something like Tacticus Fire, Ironstorm for tank support, then Tactical instead of Dev for a more defensive list. The ability to fall back then blast units that try to tie up your shooting for multiple turns seems more useful to me vs Dev when most of the rapid fire units have built in assault anyway.

[jaxom]

100% agree Tactical is more useful. It’s a bit of a sticky wicket because you’ll be getting Rapid Fire at that point.

[Tacitus]

On 10/14/2026 at 9:39 PM, Malakithe said:

Im still messing with the app but i was thinking something like Tacticus Fire, Ironstorm for tank support, then Tactical instead of Dev for a more defensive list. The ability to fall back then blast units that try to tie up your shooting for multiple turns seems more useful to me vs Dev when most of the rapid fire units have built in assault anyway.

I just got the codex so I'm still in the initial stages but I'm thinking just Tacticus Firestorm and 60 Intercessors, 20 Hellblasters and 20 Sternguard and one captain for 1990 points.  I mean 100 Marine Bodies is a thing all its own.  100 of them that call all rapid fire all the time potentially 40 Plasma shooters - that can rapid fire - can delete things.

 

Edit to Add:  I'll just add the Intercessor stuff here now too.  60 Dudes.  6 Sergeants with "Hidden Power Fists" 12 Grenade Guys with a 24" Range "Super Hidden Power Fists" (Higher S, Fewer A + More D that evens out in the end)- that's 18 "Hidden Power Fists" protected by 42 Ablative Wound Intercessors with no-slouch bolt rifle shooting of their own.   Inside 24" you're going to get 4A at S10 -2 D3 plus inside engagement range another 3A at S8 -2 D2 plus any chip damage if you can't find better targets for your bolt rifles - and chip damage from 20x S6 -1 D2 isn't going to be minor - though I think you're better off using the Bolt Rifles to Delete the other guy's infantry to see what he can do with whatever random conglomeration of Dreads and Tanks he has left - unless 100 S7 -2 D2 plasma shots deleted those too.

 

Edit to Add to what I added:  I think I just figured out why Lieutenants had a condition placed on their Lethal Hits.  80-100 LETHAL S7 -2 D2 shots?

Edited October 16 by Tacitus

[Karhedron]

100 MEQ bodies is certainly a lot to chew through, especially now that they are T5. Just remember that it is also a lot to paint so get your speed painting technique tuned. 

 

Just be aware that some armies are very efficient at killing Marines. Even Terminators will chew through those bodies quite quickly in melee with AP-3 Power Fists and with 100 bodies on the table, they will find it easy to consolidate into fresh targets. Use if the Tactical Doctrine will be key to avoid getting bogged down. 

[Galron]

I still think LTs are good to have although now that I look closer, I would have them in my Sternguard squads instead of the Hellblasters. 

[Tacitus]

14 minutes ago, Karhedron said:

100 MEQ bodies is certainly a lot to chew through, especially now that they are T5. Just remember that it is also a lot to paint so get your speed painting technique tuned. 

 

Just be aware that some armies are very efficient at killing Marines. Even Terminators will chew through those bodies quite quickly in melee with AP-3 Power Fists and with 100 bodies on the table, they will find it easy to consolidate into fresh targets. Use if the Tactical Doctrine will be key to avoid getting bogged down. 

I don't think terminators are the counter.  The Bolt Rifles are still pretty good vs Terminators, the Plasma is even better - and that many terminators will mean the plasma is likely freed up for the Terminators instead of any tanks.  Dreads with the -1D would be a problem - at that point you'd probably have to switch to Saturation, and use the Super Krak grenades I guess.  Hordes of Green Tide or Endless Swarm STYLE armies would also be a little rough as they do what you're trying to do, but they're going to do it better.  This army only gets Tactical Doctrine once, maybe twice - adding Tactical Brethren for AOC and an extra Tactical isn't a bad choice.  I don't (yet) see a third Det to add for rules, but you could always fish for the Disposition you want. 

 

19 minutes ago, Galron said:

I still think LTs are good to have although now that I look closer, I would have them in my Sternguard squads instead of the Hellblasters. 

Well its already at 1990 so you'd have to give up a squad for lieutenants - and I don't think that swap is worth it.  As for which type of squad - either of the two plasmas to daisy chain extra Tactical Doctrines into your Plasma Shooters (Captain Picks Tactical Doctrine, Lieutenants get to add Tactical Doctrine to their units), or the Bolt Rifle Squads to lethal those shots is probably 50/50 and depends on your playstyle and/or expected opponent playstyle. 

[Focslain]

3 hours ago, Tacitus said:

Well its already at 1990 so you'd have to give up a squad for lieutenants - and I don't think that swap is worth it.  As for which type of squad - either of the two plasmas to daisy chain extra Tactical Doctrines into your Plasma Shooters (Captain Picks Tactical Doctrine, Lieutenants get to add Tactical Doctrine to their units), or the Bolt Rifle Squads to lethal those shots is probably 50/50 and depends on your playstyle and/or expected opponent playstyle. 

Dropping one of the intercessor squad will net you three LTs, though placing them in plasma is kind of a waste since they wound all but DG and Custodian infantry on 2s and 3s and you can just strat for lethal against vehicles/monsters is your using Firestrom. less of course your using them specifically for the doctrine spread and some extra melee punch. 

 

Edit: So I had to confirm about the 100 marines, I almost have the models to do this. Just missing 15 sternguard. I might have to just to see how others deal with it.

 

Edit 2: Ok, so I'm going to try this later. List in the spoiler with what I have on hand. 

marine horde (1990 points)

 

Space Marines

 

Tactical Brethren and Tacticus Firestorm Force (2 Detachment Points)

 

Priority Assets

 

Strike Force (2000 points)

 

Attached Units
Attached Unit 1

Captain (100 points)
• Attached as: Leader (Character)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Plasma Pistol
    1x Power Fist
  • Enhancement: Laurels of Vigilance

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Weapon

Attached Unit 2

Lieutenant (60 points)
• Attached as: Support (Character)
  • 1x Bolt Pistol
    1x Master-crafted Bolter
    1x Master-crafted Power Weapon
  • Enhancement: Tempered in Battle (Aura)

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
• Attached as: Bodyguard (Battleline)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist


BATTLELINE

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist

Intercessor Squad (170 points)
  • 9x Intercessor
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Bolt Rifle
      2x Grenade Launcher
      9x Knives and Fists
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
    • 1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Bolt Rifle
      1x Power Fist


OTHER DATASHEETS

Hellblaster Squad (230 points)
  • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant
    • 1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Plasma Incinerator
      1x Plasma Pistol
  • 9x Hellblaster
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Ceramite Fists
      9x Plasma Incinerator

Hellblaster Squad (230 points)
  • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant
    • 1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Plasma Incinerator
      1x Plasma Pistol
  • 9x Hellblaster
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Ceramite Fists
      9x Plasma Incinerator

Hellblaster Squad (245 points)
  • 1x Hellblaster Sergeant
    • 1x Ceramite Fists
      1x Plasma Incinerator
      1x Plasma Pistol
  • 9x Hellblaster
    • 9x Bolt Pistol
      9x Ceramite Fists
      9x Plasma Incinerator

Sternguard Veteran Squad (105 points)
  • 4x Sternguard Veteran
    • 3x Artificer Firearm
      4x Bolt Pistol
      4x Ceramite Fists
      1x Heavy Bolter
  • 1x Sternguard Veteran Sergeant
    • 1x Artificer Firearm
      1x Bolt Pistol
      1x Power Fist

Exported with App Version: v2.8.0 (148), Data Version: v981

  Edited October 16 by Focslain

[Malakithe]

Its funny that GW increases the points and we are talking about Marine hordes now lol 

 

For me im adding the vehicle det cuz while you have a lot of bodies you dont have any real solutions to T10+. If you have a reliable source of Lethal Hits or Dev wounds you could use that against armor. RIP Sternguards Dev spam....The Glad Lancer can operate on its own without detachment help so thats an option. Im toying with adding one or two Executioners for massive pew pew.

 

Also someting else to think about: What color/flavor of Space Marines are people trying to use? I think for generic shooting lists like this Ultras are likely best.

Edited October 17 by Malakithe

[Lysimachus]

4 hours ago, Malakithe said:

Also someting else to think about: What color/flavor of Space Marines are people trying to use? I think for generic shooting lists like this Ultras are likely best.

 

 

I don't know if Tactical Brethren does a huge amount for the 100 Marine list, especially with the Captain and Lt already able to use Strategic Acumen to switch Doctrines for their units? I'd consider matching Tacticus Firestorm with the 2DP IF Ceramite Sentinels Detachment, which would give some solid offensive and defensive buffs to a static Marine gunline?

 

Edited October 17 by Lysimachus

[Karhedron]

4 hours ago, Malakithe said:

For me im adding the vehicle det cuz while you have a lot of bodies you dont have any real solutions to T10+. If you have a reliable source of Lethal Hits or Dev wounds you could use that against armor. RIP Sternguards Dev spam....The Glad Lancer can operate on its own without detachment help so thats an option. Im toying with adding one or two Executioners for massive pew pew.

 

I think that you are underestimating the power of massed plasma. 10 Hellblasters will put 9 Wounds average on a Landraider in a single volley while the Lancer will average about 7.5 (factoring in its rerolls). The Lancer will give your opponent a target for his own anti-tank weapons. I think that target saturation is the key here and a Lancer dilutes that without bringing an obvious advantage.

 

7 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

I don't know if Tactical Brethren does a huge amount for the 100 Marine list, especially with the Captain and Lt already able to use Strategic Acumen to switch Doctrines for their units? I'd consider matching Tacticus Firestorm with the 2DP IF Ceramite Sentinels Detachment, which would give some solid offensive and defensive buffs to a static Marine gunline?

 

The ability to use the Tactical Doctrine one additional time is valuable for falling back and still making use of Rapid Fire shooting. Do you still need it with a Captain and 3 LTs? It depends on whether those LTs are in the right squads that need to fall back.

 

Unfortunately Ceramite Sentinels is gone now. All the pre-codex Detachments have been obsoleted.

[Lysimachus]

4 hours ago, Karhedron said:

Unfortunately Ceramite Sentinels is gone now. All the pre-codex Detachments have been obsoleted.

 

I'm pretty sure they've been updated for 11th? I'm using the Spearpoint Task Force for my White Scars list, and Battle Forge still accepts the list as legal?

 

Edit: yep, still showing on the 40k app and tabletop battles review here:

 

https://www.tabletopbattles.com/detachment-focus-ceramite-sentinels

 

 

Also, remember the WarCom article where they re-released the Chapter Detachments, and they had to go back and add the White Scars one that they'd omitted?

 

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/dhwqtqkc/space-marines-detachments-salamanders-raven-guard-and-more/

 

 

 

Edited October 17 by Lysimachus

[Karhedron]

21 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

I'm pretty sure they've been updated for 11th? I'm using the Spearpoint Task Force for my White Scars list, and Battle Forge still accepts the list as legal?

 

It is gone from the MFM which I think is the definitive source. I am pretty sure the only legal detachments now are the ones in the 11th edition Codex.

[Tacitus]

1 hour ago, Karhedron said:

 

It is gone from the MFM which I think is the definitive source. I am pretty sure the only legal detachments now are the ones in the 11th edition Codex.

I think so too - my first thought for a second Det was the Dark Angels plasma det (Dark Angels Arsenal), and its gone too.