We are nearing the end of the first two Combat Patrols. At this juncture, the Space Marines have three units of their four unit Combat Patrol, while the Tyranids are at three and a half units out of five. With Issue #12 and #13, we are at the last of the base Space Marine units: a squad of Terminators! This one squad is split over two issues, which will have some effects on this magazine. As a result, this one is kind of a lighter issue than some of the other issues in this subscription so far. With that out of the way, Combat Patrolers, let’s see what this issue features. Once again, thank you to Goonhammer and Hachette for the opportunity to review these materials.
Narrative Materials
This issue focuses on the Space Marines this time around. This issue follows on the last issue’s explanation of the Devastator Doctrine with the Tactical Doctrine and Assault Doctrine. The Assault Doctrine is explained with Lieutenant Titus and jump pack units. Space Marines are capable of shattering skulls and cracking armor even when they’re unarmed! The article explains that many commanders use the Assault Doctrine to finish off a foe, while other commanders use the Assault Doctrine to start off fighting the foe. Basically Space Marines chop, slash, and smash.
The Tactical Doctrine, by contrast, is used “When the swirling chaos of battle presents no clear path to victory, wise Space Marine commanders declare the tactical doctrine to be in effect.” Or in other words, when in doubt, as opposed to “shoot everything” or “stab everything,” the Space Marines do something in between those two options. As a result, “Enemy commanders are left baffled by complex, multi-layered feints incomprehensible to an un-augmented mind – only when the foe is completely surrounded does the Space Marines’ plan become clear.”
Hachette’s interpretation of the Tactical Doctrine is novel, I have to admit.
The article then goes into various Space Marine weapons. We see illustration of Chainswords, Bolt Rifles, Plasma Pistols, and Power Fists (amongst others) along with a brief description of the weapon. There are more of these than the Tyranid weapons shown in the previous issue, but that’s also because the Space Marine arsenal is much bigger than the Tyranid arsenal.
Hobby Materials
This issue has the first sprue for the Leviathan Terminators. These big blocky guys are awesome but there are absolutely no customization options with them. I cannot say that I am super-happy that GW went this route: because the shoulder pads are attached to the arms for these minis, it wasn’t easy or convenient to airbrush the shoulder pads white while trying to get the rest of the armour blue. I would have much preferred to spray the shoulder pads separately, and as a result my Terminators do not have as smooth a white as I wanted. Because I have an extra squad of these guys, I’m working on getting them customized and kitted out for my Space Wolves.
Gaming Materials
This issue introduces Battle-shock and the ill effects a failed Battle-shock test can have upon an army. Looking through the issue, Battle-shock as presented here reminds of how Battle-shock was presented at the 10th Edition Preview back at the 2023 Warhammer Fest. In a cut-down version of Warhammer 40K without any stratagems, rerolls, or other special rules, Battle-shock is pretty impactful!
This issue’s scenario offers a different deployment map, but it uses the same units from the last week’s scenario. The main difference is now that you have to take Battle-shock tests when your models hit half-strength.
Final Verdict
This week’s issue feels incomplete. Part of it is that the hobby materials for this week are only half a unit. The other issue is that the gaming mission is “last week’s mission but with a couple of different changes”. While I get we are still learning the various rules of Warhammer 40K, the incremental step here (Battle-shock) is more of a de minimis change versus some of the other missions. The main highlight of this issue is Hachette’s extremely unflattering description of the Tactical Doctrine. I have no idea *why* Hachette thinks the whole thing is silly, but they very clearly do.
Next week will hopefully introduce Terminators into the scenario, as well as start getting into the more interesting special rules.
Until then, Combat Patrolers!
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