40K RUMORS: Space Marines Tactical Box Details

There’s a lot of chatter about the new Space Marine Tactical rumors.  Lets take a closer look.

The New Weapons

The big talk in the rumor involves Graviton Guns, and their ability to deal with highly armored opponents.  Now the graviton gun family has been with us since Rogue Trader, and just reappeared in the latest Forgeworld Horus Heresy book where they do this:

Graviton Gun: 18″ S:* AP:4 Heavy1, Blast, Concussion, Graviton Pulse, Haywire

Graviton Cannon: 36″ S:* AP:4 Heavy1, LargeBlast, Concussion, Graviton Pulse, Haywire

Graviton Pulse: Instead of rolling to wound normally with this weapon, any model caught in its blast must instead roll equal to or under their Strength on a D6 or suffer a wound (a roll od 6 always counts as a failure). After the Graviton pulse weapon has been fired, leave the Blast marker in place. This area now counts as both difficult and dangerous terrain for the next turn thanks to the gravity flux.

These weapons are quite unique, but not overpowered, and very situational.  So if the design studio wants graviton weapons added to the main Space Marine codex, they have two choices.

a) use the existing rules from the Horus Heresy book which are neat but really nothing to write home about
b) make up divergent rules with more “punch”, but undercut the Forgeworld rules that are only a few month’s old.

Updating Ancient Kits
There is also talk of several old kits getting long-needed refreshes. First off, the venerable Tactical Squad kit.

This kit is very old, having last been updated in 2004.  It’s getting quite long in the tooth for probably the most important single SKU Games Workshop makes.  Let’s take a look at these sprues:

These sprues have a LOT of space on their existing frames for new bits, and the only argument is what to add.  Just look at any modern sprue, such as the recut CSM frame to see how tight GW can pack in the bits these days.

With converters going crazy for cool bits, and the runaway success of the Horus Heresy range, it would be easy to see a handful of new bits thrown in for: Mk2 Crusade, or Mk4 suits in addition to the more prevalent current Mk 6-8 suits.  The Accessory sprue is just begging for more special and heavy weapons and assault options for the modern 6th edition Tactical Squad.  Can I finally get some power weapons and combis please.  I’ve only been waiting 9 years..

Stylistically the Astartes have come a long way since 2004.  You see a much stronger embrace of their real world Roman Legion roots in the artwork and the current kits are a bit “clean” by comparison.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see some more filigree, straps and  Roman Legionary inspired accessories, that you see all over the current metal Ultramarines.

Tactical Bits Rumors
Here is a list right off the rumormill of what is said to be in the new Tactical/Sternguard kit.  I want to say take these with a dose of caution.  This is a HIGHLY UNUSUAL release from the rumor perspective, with directly contradictory reports coming in from normally accurate sources.  It has all the hallmarks of something fishy going on.

New Combo-box builds Tactical OR Sternguard
5 man box on 3 sprues, similar to the Blood Angels kits.

Author: Larry Vela

Dad, Gamer, Publisher, Pilot, Texan. All games all the time since junior-high. I started BoLS Interactive in 2006. I’m a lifelong tabletop & RPG gaming enthusiast, and internet publisher working to entertain and inform my readers every day. I've been playing RPGs and Tabletop Games since the 1970s. I'm been playing and covering Warhammer and Warhammer 40K for over 35 years.