There have been some tweaks to Chapter Tactics. Any SM army now has wider access to the old Ultramarines doctrines via formation rules, although UM get the widest use of these still. Devastator doctrine has removed Relentless for Devastator squads, which was one of my favourite rules. Salamanders now get 4+ FNP against flamer weapons instead of re-rolls to wound, although there is some debate online about Skorchas with this. Oh, and Dreadnoughts get Chapter Tactics too now and can be fielded in units of up to 3 of the same type. Those seem to be the main changes with Chapter Tactics.
The biggest change, by far, is the introduction of the Gladius Strike Force as an alternative to the traditional CAD. This is similar to the chart we first saw with the Necron Decurion. The core of this is a Demi-Company, with a Captain or Chaplain, 3 Tactical Squads, an Assault element and a Devastator element. There is also an option for a unit of Dreads and a Command Squad. Crucially, the whole Demi-Company gets Objective Secured and can use the Tactical Doctrine. With 2 Demi-Companies (aka a full Battle Company) all the squads in it get free Rhinos, Razorbacks or Drop Pods, although they pay for any upgrades. All with Obj Sec. Wow! I can see that being exploited by some.
As with the Decurion, the other Formations in the book can be combined to add to the Demi-Company. I already have a Storm Wing Formation, which is now in the codex, and enough units for a 1st Company Task Force, so have more than the minimum for the Gladius. The Strike Force Command option is interesting, as a Chaplain or a Captain can then take either a Command Squad or Honour Guard (both of which are now Elite choices). Some formations previously seen in Apocalypse are now included in the standard rules. One example is the Librarius Conclave of 3-5 Librarians, who can then have one model harnessing Warp Charge on a 2+. The balance here is that they must be within 12" to unlock this, which a canny opponent will exploit. Apart from Land Raiders, the other Heavy Support vehicles now come in squadrons of 1-3, as do Thunderfire Cannons and they all get benefits for having 3 of each on the table.
The trend of making dedicated transports separate Fast Attack choices continues, so SW and BA now have more competition in the Drop Pod rental market. I had also expected the shenanigans of changing Bikes into Troops to end, as had happened with Ork Warbikes and BA Assault Squads, but the SM version has even improved. Previously a Captain or Chapter Master needed to be on a bike to unlock this, but now any IC in the Detachment on a bike allows this, so this is a real buff, especially for Scars players. This includes a Techmarine, who is a cross between the old Techmarine and Master of the Forge for a compromise cost of 65 points as a full HQ choice with 2 wounds. In the previous book a Chapter Master, Captain and Terminator Captain were all separate entries, but they have now been consolidated under the Captain entry as upgrades. Again, there has also been a lot of discussion about whether a Chapter Master then still counts as a Captain for the formations. I would say he does.
Some of the points costs have been reduced a bit for some of the less popular options. For example Assault Terminators with LCs are a PF cheaper as a unit, but to upgrade them to the TH/SS combo comes out at the old total. Generally, special weapon options in a number of units are cheaper. In particular Vanguard Veterans, whose Heroic Intervention rule has changed again, now re-rolling charges and ignoring disordered charges. This makes them much more attractive, so should move more kits. The new Assault Squad is the same price, so the Vanguards may appear even better value too.
Right now I have bought one box of the new Devastator kits and will get another to add options for a full squad of grav cannons and another multi-melta squad to my Howling Griffons 9th (Devastator) Company (it is a shame that is not a formation in standard 40K...). I like the new legs and will just use the new larger bases and ignore the different sizes on the rest of the squads. I am not that OCD. At least you can just about make 6 figures with the new dev box, if you steal a spare back torso from an Assault Squad box and find another base.
After that I intend to start the homebrew chapter I have wanted to do for a while, so I can swap chapter tactics more easily. I will just need to decide on a name and colour scheme, although there is some inspiration in the Successor Chapters booklet I got today with the Limited Edition.
These are interesting times for SM players again. I don't think they will reach Eldar levels of power - perceived or otherwise - but the new codex has done a good job of updating the iconic army of 40K for 7th Edition. I hope there will be even more variety in the range of SM armies players actually use, and not just the variations on White Scars and Iron Hands we have seen a lot lately.
For Mancora and the Emperor!
