Eagle Marines: WH40K Back Story Update 2023

Eagle Marines – Background Update 2023

Previously........ 8th Edition

The original back story for my Eagle Marines was that the Primaris marine units joined the Chapter and rather than them be integrated into existing companies, the Chapter Master decreed that the reinforcements should form ten new companies numbered 11 to 20 to replicate the First Born companies of the Chapter. 

One good reason for not integrating Primaris with First Born was that the new units had incompatible tech. This is why Primaris cannot ride in Rhino transports. The connections and interfaces are not compatible. It is like trying to plug into a VHS recorder using a USB cable when you require a Scart Lead. 

Previously........... 9th edition

As more and more units of Primaris reinforcements were released and added to the collection it became less satisfying that they were the 12th Battle Company with supporting elements of the 18th, 19th 20th etc 

I took the decision to re-write the back story. 

The updated version of events is that the Primaris reinforcements were dispatched from Mars to go and meet up with the Chapter fleet. However, shortly after departing they received word from the Tech Priests that the entire Chapter had been out of contact for several months. Their last report had been to declare that they were about to tackle a massive Tyranid Hive Fleet invasion force in the far Eastern sector of the quadrant. The silence from the Chapter led to the conclusion that they had failed in their attempt to stop the Aliens in their tracks and it is assumed that there are no survivors to be contacted. 

The Primaris Eagle Marines were told that they must organize themselves into companies under a new Command Headquarters. They would carry on the traditions of the Eagle Marines as a chapter reborn. 

Presently.............10th Edition Update..........

The Leviathan Edition has re-introduced Terminators and Sternguard Veterans as new sculpts.

Fortunately these are both 'First Company' units and so, my Eagle Marines Back Story only needs a slight update.

The story is that the Pramaris Eagle Marine forces that went to meet up with the First Born Chapter Brothers were able to locate, and meet up with, a few Veteran Battle Brothers that had survived the Hive Fleet Invasion and the Over Run of the planetary systems in the Eastern Sector.

Although these veterans were not all First Company Brothers when they left to fight the Tyranids, the new Chapter Master immediately promoted any First Born Brothers into the Fist Company to fight alongside his Primaris Blade Guard units.

Warhammer 40,000: 10th Edition

Greetings,

I have not posted for a while, but the launch of WH40K: 10th Edition has prompted me to create an update.

At the time of writing, I have had three games of the new edition so far.

Game 1: My Chaos Knights v Imperial Guard

I used my Chaos Knights in my final game of 9th Edition and came away with a good win against my regular Tyranids opponent. The buffs and synergies really worked and my knights were powered up. So, seeing how the same list would do seemed like a plan.

The first game of 10th Edition ended after Battle Round Three (due to time running out) The result was a narrow win for the Imperial Guard. But if the game had carried on, I could not have turned it around as I had few assets left. One big knight and two little ones.

First impressions? The 'rules on index cards' did not speed things up particularly. There are still lots of layers. Plus, no psychic phase means psychic powers 'go off' in unexpected phases. Also, vehicles are now very tough to 'bring down' easily. Which might be more 'realistic' but will take getting used to.

One other point was that the ability to create a 2,000 points list was not easy. I ended up with an 1,850 point list and added (illegally) missile pods to two knights to level the points.

There was one stratagem on the index cards that was unusable: extending the aura of the Abominant - who had no auras.

Game 2: My Adeptus Custodes v Tyranids

My second game against my regular opponent was a solid victory. The Custodes are very resiliant, especially in decent sized units, with a leader in each.

I only had four unit blocks: Wardens, Guard, Terminators, Bikes (plus a Culexus Assassin)

The bikes (five plus captain) went up the centre and took a lot of damage, the other units did what the wanted, the assassin took out the Neurothrope.

Overall a decent game with a good result.

Game 3: My Adeptus Custodes v Tyranids

My third game resulted in a defeat.

I wanted to include Sisters of Silence to see how they performed. In 9th Edition they had a valuable role against Tyranids, shutting down their psychic phase.

In 10th Edition: T3, W1 sisters are like paper against any non-psychic attacks.

The smaller Custodes units (reduced to be able to free up points for the sisters) meant they got cut down more easily, leaving my Guard and my Bikes with just their Captains left after Battle Round Three.

General Thoughts

It is early days and learning the unit rules will take time. The core rules are 'ok' but ditching the psychic phase was a mistake.

I am hoping that GW re-introduces per model points cost. Many of my lists use odd unit sizes for fluffy or practical reasons. Having to leave models 'on the shelf' or pay a big 'points tax' to field them is a feel bad moment.

My fear is that most of the 10th Edition Codexes are now 'written' and addressing any issues will be by FAQ, Balance Data Slates etc meaning that I'll be writing edits in pen in brand new books as soon as they arrive. Not a great prospect.

Future Plans

 I have my fourth game tomorrow. My Eagle Marines v Tyranids. I have picked a 'Seven Cards Only' Strike Force based around Intercessors/Terminators/Dreadnoughts to try to reduce rules complexity.

As mentioned, Vehicles are 'tough' so will only be vulnerable to my opponents biggest guns.

I'll see how it goes.....................