I don't normally go fishing for rumours, but with the prospect of the Lion coming back, how could I not?
Source:
Rumors! Dark Angels Leaks and Codex Information... Lion El' Jonson Coming. -from the Inner Circle Facebook Group (A huge thanks for sending this in to us here on Faeit 212)
So the Codex is finally announced and a good friend of mine has given me
some juicy tidbits.
*Preorder on the 2nd of December
*Available on the 9th of December
A few changes in a couple of units. Points moving to match the vanilla codex.
No Sammael in Sableclaw in the codex
Black knights and deathwing terminators may now be upgraded to a command
squad (1 per army) this basically gives them the bodyguard ability.
No Sableclaw makes sense as he doesn't have a model, but at least the Index is still viable. Liking the Command Squads being reinstated and actually having a purpose.
And they shall know no fear
Inner circle
This unit automatically passes morale checks. In addition it may reroll at
to hit rolls against Heretic Astartes and all to hit and to wound rolls
against Fallen in the fight phase
Ravenwing
If this unit moves it gains a 6+ invulnerable save to all shooting attacks.
If it advances it gains a 5+ Invulnerable save to all shooting attacks
Grim Resolve
All UNFORGIVEN units may Overwatch on a 5+ and will only lose one model to
a failed morale test
Inner Circle actually being useful (seeing as how no one really fields Fallen), Ravenwing getting a legit Jink again, and Grim Resolve being back. All nice.
Have the same space marine stratagems as vanilla marines with the exception of
Masterful marksmanship
Cluster mines
Tremor shells
Also access to these unique stratagems
Fury of the First
2CP
Use this stratagem in your shooting phase. All plasma weapons may use the
supercharge weapon template but ignore any mortal wounds that would be
caused by a roll of 1.
Repent for Tomorrow You Die
Unforgiven Stratagem
1CP
Use this stratagem before overwatch, the UNFORGIVEN unit may fire overwatch
at full BS.
Teleport Homer
Unforgiven Stratagem
2CP
Play at the beginning of your turn. Any DEATHWING unit may deepstrike from
reserve within 9" of an enemy unit as long as it is within 6" of a
RAVENWING UNIT
Deathwing Assault
Unforgiven Stratagem
2CP
Play at the beginning of your turn, any DEATHWING unit entering by
deepstrike may fire twice or add 3" to a charge roll this turn.
Fury would really bring home a focus on plasma weaponry, and Repent is a logical one for an army that does a solid gunline. But I do question the veracity of Teleport Homer and Deathwing Assault. Affecting one unit I can see, but all of the Deathwing might be pushing it. Why would you ever field anything but Deathwing / Ravenwing when you can lay out that much of an ass whooping. I would gladly burn 4 CP to be able to have that much of an impact.
Same standard space marine Warlord Traits as vanilla marines with the
following unique ones.
Unforgiven
Hold at all costs
Your warlord and UNFORGIVEN units within 9" of your Warlord may roll a D6
for every wound sustained, on a 5+ it is ignored.
Unforgiven
Courage of the First Legion
UNFORGIVEN units in your army may use your Warlords Leadership for morale
checks.
Deathwing
The Hunt
Any enemy Character that your Warlord slays in the fight phase grants one
victory point
Ravenwing
Rapid Manoeuvres
Your warlord and any RAVENWING units within 6" of him may add 2" to all
move, Advance and charge distances and add +1 to all JINK rolls
All thematic, and fluff. The Hold At All Costs would probably be the default for most armies outside of the Ravenwing.
Sacred standard
Only one sacred standard can be taken per army
Standard of Devestation
All UNFORGIVEN units within 9" of the standard may fire twice in the
shooting phase and automatically pass morale checks.
Standard of Retribution
All UNFORGIVEN units within 9" of the standard may attack twice in the
fight phase and automatically pass morale checks.
Standard of Fortitude
All UNFORGIVEN units within 9" of the standard when suffering an unsaved
wound may roll a D6 on a 5+ the wound is ignored and automatically pass
morale checks.
Devastation and Retribution seem to be over the top. Fortitude is cute, but if I am limited to just one Standard, then I'm going with one of the first two.
Mace of Redemption
S+3 Ap-3 D2
If a unit suffers damage from this weapon reduce WS by 1 until the end of
the next fight phase.
Against Heretic Astartes weapon is AP -4
Lion's Roar
When attacking with this weapon, choose one or both of the profiles below.
If you choose both, subtract 1 from all hit rolls for this weapon-
Boltgun 24" Rapid Fire 1 S4 AP0 D1
Plasma 24" AssaultD3 S7 AP-3 D1
Foe Smiter
Rapid fire 3 S4 AP-1 D1
Monster Slayer of Caliban
S+2 AP-2 D d3
If this weapon causes at least one unsaved wound roll a D6 on a 6 the model
is removed from play. Does not effect models with the VEHICLE keyword
Shroud of Heroes
The shroud of heroes confers a 4+ cover save and for each unsaved wound
roll a D6 on a 6+ the save is ignored
All are appropriate carry-overs from last edition.
And finally the biggest news in my opinion
Lion El’Jonson
M 8"
WS 2+
BS 2+
S 6
T 6
W 9
A 7
Ld 10
Sv 2+
Hope Melee Melee S+2 AP -3 D 2 If you roll a wound roll of 6+ for this
weapon, it inflicts Mortal Wounds instead of its normal damage.
Despair 18” AssaultD3 S8 AP -3 D3 If a unit suffers any damage from this
weapon, roll a D6 on a 6 the unit suffers D3 Mortal Wounds
And they shall know no fear
Master of the First – If your army is battleforged, you receive an
additional 3 CP if Lion El’Jonson is your Warlord.
Armour of the Order – Lion El’Jonson has a 3+ invulnerable save. In
addition all UNFORGIVEN units within 8” receive an 5+ Invulnerable save.
Blade Master - For every unsaved wound Lion El'Jonson causes in the fight
phase he can immediately make an additional attack. This ability can only
be used once per fight phase.
Master Strategist- each time a stratagem is used roll a D6 on a 4+ the CP
for that stratagem is not spent
I Primarch – You can re-roll any failed hit and wound rolls for friendly
UNFORGIVEN units within 6” of Lion El’Jonson.
Despair is kind of underwhelming as a gun, although everything else is just solid.
So what are people thinking, any validity to these rumours?