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Warhammer 40K: Space Marines New Weapon Rules

3 Minute Read
Aug 12 2020
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Space Marines are shaping up to have major updates to their armory in 9th edition. WOW, it’s a lot.

For decades, Space Marines have had fairly static statlines for their weapons. You could always be sure of old standby’s like the Heavy Bolter, Chainsword and Multi-melta.  But 9th edition looks like GW is intending to bring sweeping updates to weapons like we haven’t seen since the shift from 2nd to 3rd edition, back in the 1990s.

Here’s a list of confirmed weapons changes taken from:

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  • Edge of Silence book (Indomitus)
  • Invader Datasheet (GW)
  • Firestrike Datasheet (GW)
  • Invictor Warsuit (9th Ed kit instructions)
  • Terminators (9th Ed kit instructions)
  • Vanguard Veterans (9th Ed kit instructions)

9th Ed Weapon Changes

Chainsword – change to Astarte chainsword, AP-1

Frag Grenades – no change

Krak Grenades – no change

Plasma pistol – minor change to wording

Heavy Bolt Pistol– increase from 12″ to 18″ range

Power Sword – increase of +1s

Master-crafted Power Sword – increase of +1s

Storm Shield – changes to +1 save, and 4+ invulnerable

Bolt Pistol – no change

Absolver Bolt Pistol – adds +2″ range and change to D2

Bolt Rifle – based on twin bolt rifle, no change

Crozius Arcanum adds +1 to S (now +2 S)

Thunderhammer – add +1 d to go to 4d

Relic Blade – changes from d3 damage to 2 damage

Grav Pistol – no noted change, possible change to special rules

Lighting Claws– no noted change, possible change to special rules

Power Fist – changes from d3 damage to 2 damage

Power Axe – changes from S +1 to S +2

Assault Cannon– no noted changes

Cyclone Missile Launcher – frag verson goes from 2d3 to 2d6 shots

Heavy Flamer – increase from 8″ to 12″ range

Storm Bolter – no noted change

Chainfist – change from 2 damage to d3 damage

Fragstorm Grenade Launcher – no noted change

Heavy Bolter – changes to from 3 shots to 1 and from 1 damage to 2 damage

Incendium Cannon – gains +1s

Ironhail Heavy Stubber – based on profile for Twin Ironhail Heavy Stubber gains one heavy 3  to heavy 4

Twin Ironhail Autocannon – changes from AP-1 to AP-2

Invictor Fist– no noted change

Las-talon – based on Firestrike turrets twin las-talon no noted change

Accelerator Autocannon– based on Friestrike turrets twin accelrator autocannon, changes from heavy 2 to heavy 3, but drops an AP from AP -2 to AP -1

Multi-melta – changes from heavy 1 to heavy 2 and a reworked special rule, with increased minimum damage

Onslaught Gatling Cannon – changes from Heavy 6 to Heavy 8

Auto Bolt Rifle – based on Invader ATV twin auto bolt rifle, no change.

Demolisher Cannon – no noted change

Hunter Killer Missile – changes from S8, to S10

This is a lot to take in, and it’s still early days. With how many of these weapons are shared across multiple armies, 9th is shaping up to be a much bigger change than many thought.

~Which weapon change are most surprising to you?

 

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Author: Larry Vela
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