The Forgefather of the Salamanders is a roving questor, endlessly searching the galaxy for the lost relics of Vulkan, and when enemy forces stand in his way he musters the might of his Chapter to put them to the torch. This specialised assault force is now yours to command with the Forgefather’s Seekers Detachment, while you can set smaller battlefields alight with the upcoming Combat Patrol: Salamanders. Both sets of rules are here to download for free.
The new Detachment will be a familiar friend to those who use the Firestorm Assault Force from Codex: Space Marines, as both exemplify the Salamanders’ preference for close-range firefights and flame weapons by giving all ranged weapons the Assault ability and +1 Strength when within 12” of the target unit. Where the Forgefather’s Seekers differ is the addition of a new rule – Seeker’s Companions – that lets Infernus Marines take an action while advancing or shooting in the same turn, provided Vulkan himself is on the battlefield.
DETACHMENT RULE
Forgefather’s Seekers:
Vulkan’s Quest
Ranged weapons equipped by ADEPTUS ASTARTES models from your army have the [ASSAULT] ability, and each time an attack made with such a weapon targets a unit within 12", add 1 to the Strength characteristic of that attack.
Seeker’s Companions
If your army includes VULKAN HE’STAN, during your turn, each INFERNUS SQUAD unit from your army is eligible to do one of the following:
Start to perform an Action in a turn in which it Advanced.
Shoot in a turn in which it started to perform an Action.
Likewise, three of the Enhancements return, while the new Immolator adds an extra shot to every Torrent weapon in the holder’s unit – perfect for full-size squads of Infernus Marines and Aggressors!
Two of the Stratagems are also brand new, replacing Rapid Embarkation and Onslaught of Fire from the Firestorm Assault Force. Wrathful Inferno lets infantry units fall back and shoot – a simple but handy trick for an army that wants to get as close as possible to their targets – while Blazing Earth holds enemies at arm’s reach by subtracting 2” from their Charge rolls.
Wrathful Inferno – 1CP
Forgefather’s Seekers – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
The enemy has closed with your warriors.Now you have them precisely where you want them. Unleash upon them the fires of damnation.
When: Your Movement phase, just after an ADEPTUS ASTARTES INFANTRY unit from your army Falls Back.
Target: That unit.
Effect: Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Fell Back.
Blazing Earth – 1CP
Forgefather’s Seekers – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
When faced with an onrushing horde, the Forgefather’s warriors set fire to the earth beneath their feet, impeding their advance and throwing them into confusion.
When: Start of your opponent’s Charge phase.
Target: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army equipped with one or more Torrent weapons.
Effect: Select one enemy unit (excluding MONSTERS and VEHICLES and units with the FLY keyword) within 12" of and visible to your unit. Until the end of the phase, each time that enemy unit declares a charge, subtract 2 from the Charge roll (this is not cumulative with any other negative modifiers to that Charge roll).
The new Combat Patrol is also led by a legendary hero of the Salamanders, 3rd Company Captain Adrax Agatone. His Pyroclast Assault Force is built around a diverse collection of close-range infantry supported by a speedy Invader ATV, with loads of flame and Melta weapons, as befits the Sons of Nocturne.
Adrax himself is force of nature who can torch whole squads with his custom flame pistol Drakkis and crush the mightiest of enemy champions with his thunder hammer Malleus Noctum. His choice of Enhancement determines whether he’s best leading the Assault Intercessors or Infernus Marines, with the first lowering an engaged enemy’s Objective Control characteristic while the second lets Torrent weapons re-roll the number of shots they make.
DEFAULT ENHANCEMENT
Lord of the Pyroclasts
While an enemy unit is within Engagement Range of this model, subtract 1 from the Objective Control characteristic of models in that unit.
<OR>
OPTIONAL ENHANCEMENT
Master of Flames
Torrent weapons equipped by models in the bearer’s unit can re-roll the roll to determine the number of attacks made with that weapon.
Like the Forgefather’s Seekers Detachment, the Combat Patrol wants to close the distance as quickly as possible, though their Stratagems focus more on weathering the enemy’s assault than maximising damage. Both Weather the Storm and Stand Your Ground help keep your Salamanders alive – by reducing hit rolls and granting an invulnerable save respectively – while Crucible of Battle lets them advance and shoot in the same turn, so they can surge up the board without sacrificing a key unit’s attacks.
Weather the Storm
Pyroclasm Assault Force – Battle Tactic Stratagem
When: Fight phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
Target: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
Effect: Until the end of the phase, each time an attack targets your unit, subtract 1 from the Hit roll.
Stand Your Ground
Pyroclasm Assault Force – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
When: Your opponent’s Shooting phase, just after an enemy unit has selected its targets.
Target: One ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army that was selected as the target of one or more of the attacking unit’s attacks.
Effect: Until the end of the phase, models in your unit have a 5+ invulnerable save.
Crucible of Battlet
Pyroclasm Assault Force – Strategic Ploy Stratagem
When: Your Movement phase, just after an ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit from your army has Advanced.
Target: That ADEPTUS ASTARTES unit.
Effect: Until the end of the turn, your unit is eligible to shoot in a turn in which it Advanced.
Both sets of rules can be found on the Warhammer Community downloads page, while Vulkan He’stan and Combat Patrol: Salamanders are available to pre-order right now – hitting the shelves this Saturday.
