Warhammer 40,000 has rich lore and diversity of factions, and the upcoming 10th edition is set to bring even more excitement to the game.
One of the latest factions to be revealed is Chaos Space Marines, and there are plenty of reasons why hobbyists and players should be excited about fielding an army of Heretic Astartes.
Chaos Space Marines are known for their resilience, skills and flexibility, as well as their willingness to make Dark Pacts for power.
This is reflected in their new Army Rule, which gives commanders the opportunity to acquire potent core abilities in exchange for the lives of their troops.
The more Dark Pacts a player makes, the more powerful their units become, making Chaos Space Marines a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
The core of any Chaos Space Marine army is it’s Legionaries. They can be kitted out with a range of weapons to deal with almost any target.
Whether players want to shred hordes at range or tackle elites up close, these traitor marines have a weapon option for every occasion.
And with the right Dark Pact, they can become even deadlier.
In addition to the tactical advantages gained by making Dark Pacts, players have the flexibility to do so multiple times throughout a game. The only limiting factor is the number of souls a player is willing to offer up to the Chaos Gods in exchange for their favor.
Even a lowly Cultist Mob can reap the benefits of their patron's blessing, transforming their crude weapons into deadly instruments of destruction that can pose a threat to any enemy unit.
But this mechanic adds an exciting layer of strategy to the game, as players must weigh the risks and rewards of making Dark Pacts and the potential consequences of angering the Chaos God.
Of course, no Chaos Space Marine army would be complete without an arch villain.
Abaddon the Despoiler, the Warmaster of the Imperium Nihilus, is set to step in to fill that role in the new edition. It will be hard to not see a strong Chaos army not being lead by this legendary character.
In 10th edition we see Abaddon as a very powerful character who bestows potent Aura abilities on nearby allies, and his Dark Destiny lets him generate a Command point every time he seals a Dark Pact and prevails in the resulting battle of wills.
Abaddon's two key abilities are the Warmaster and Dark Destiny. The Warmaster ability allows a player to select one ability during their Command phase, and Abaddon will have that ability until the start of their next Command phase. This grants Abaddon the ability to tailor his abilities to the specific needs of the player's army.
Dark Destiny is another powerful ability that activates whenever Abaddon successfully makes a Dark Pact and passes the Leadership test. Each time this occurs, the player can roll one D6, and on a result of 2 or more, they gain one Command Point. This can be extremely helpful for players who rely on their Command Points to turn the tide of battle in their favor.
Chaos Space Marines are also known for their profane weapons, such as the baleflamer, which has been the bane of heavy infantry since Heldrakes first darkened the skies. With more shots and the ability to ignore cover, the baleflamer is more reliable than ever.
And the fleshmetal guns that sprout from Obliterators receive profile tweaks and new weapon abilities to help each profile stand out even more.
Finally, the Slaves to Darkness Detachment brings a new level of depth to the faction by exploring the relationship between the Heretic Astartes and the Chaos Gods. By pledging themselves to a specific god, players can gain their boons and unleash devastating attacks on their foes.
As a result, Chaos players have access to potentially game-changing Stratagems that can provide significant advantages to units blessed by the gods or devoted to CHAOS UNDIVIDED. Five of the six Stratagems available to the Slaves to Darkness Detachment offer additional benefits when targeting such units.
For example, while all squads can use the Dark Obscuration Stratagem to take refuge behind warp-omens, Nurgle's faithful can benefit from an especially thick cloud of foul-smelling fog that can obscure their advance.
With the right use of these Stratagems, players can gain a crucial edge in their battles, potentially turning the tide of war in favor of the Chaos faction
Overall, Chaos Space Marines are a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming 10th edition of Warhammer 40,000. With their skill, flexibility, and willingness to make Dark Pacts for power, they offer a unique and exciting playstyle that is sure to attract collectors and players alike.
From Abaddon, to Cultists, to Combat Patrols… you can start your journey into 10th editon 40K by clicking the link to search the Gap Games online store.
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