20+ years of Dark Angels wargaming
As the Dark Angels have been with
us a long time, it seemed opportune to see how their game rules have developed
in the Warhammer 40k game.
This excercise is fraught with difficulties, not least because I
have very little printed material from the early days, but also having to
circumvent any Intellectual Property issues arising from too detailed an
appraisal. So I have limited this to listing rules developments rather than
producing them verbatim.
I have also limited these to specifically DA differences from
the standard Codex Space Marines of the tme and the then current editions
of the Wathammer 40k game (unless marked as otherwise) as both obviously
affect the thinking behind designing a codex for a standalone chapter.
So, from 20 years ago to the present day, the Dark Angels.
I. THE RULES
Rogue Trader Rule book 1st
Edition [GW 1987]
White Dwarf 96 [GW 1987]
Chapter Approved article introducing the "Raven Wing" –
the 7th Company of the Dark Angels.
-
Concept of a fast attack wing developed.
-
All troopers armed with bolt gun, frag,
krak, and blind grenades. They ride bullock carts (an early form of Sammaels
jetbike) and are in squadrons of five.
White Dwarf 126 (1990)
An article on Epic Space Marine Legion organisations establishes
the first appearance of the Deathwing, Ravenwing and "Ironwing"
(the latter now defunct) as the three separate battalions within a typical
Dark Angel Regiment.
Codex Angels of Death [GW
1996] Rick Priestley and Jervis Johnson
A joint Codex with the Blood Angels for the 2nd Edition of Warhammer 40k,
this is the first proper Dark Angels book containing many chapter-specific
rules that were to remain with the DA for the next 10 years.
-
Rules for special characters Azreal, Asmodai,
Ezekiel, Sapphon, Brother Bethor and Sergeant Naaman introduced.
-
Concept and rules for Interrogator-Chaplains
introduced.
-
Deathwing rules introduced. They deploy
in squads of five with one heavy weapon. All DW are Immune to psychology.
-
Ravenwing revised – they now equipped
with land speeders, bikes and attack bikes.
-
Ravenwing Jink Save Expert Riders rules
introduced.
-
Rules for the Masters of the Deathwing
and Ravenwing introduced.
-
Blades of Reason rule introduced.
-
Book of Salvation rule introduced.
-
Rules for the three Dark Angels Sacred
Standards introduced.
-
6th and 7th Battle Companies can use Bikes
and Land Speeders respectively.
Codex Dark Angels [GW 1999
First Edition] Jervis Johnson.
A development and refinement of the Codex Angels of Death that pulls the
Dark Angels into line with the 3rd Edition of the Codex Space Marines and
the Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition rulebook (1998). I shall only detail rules
that affected Dark Angels and not show generic changes that were introduced
via 3rd Edition Codex Space Marines.
-
Rules for a pure Deathwing army led by
a compulsory GM of the DW introduced.
-
Rules for a pure Ravenwing army led by
a compulsory GM of the RW introduced.
-
Intractable rule introduced.
-
Stubborn rule introduced.
-
Ravenwing "Jink" save and re-roll
of the Difficult Terrain tests rules introduced.
-
Hunting the Fallen rule introduced.
-
Cypher rule introduced.
-
Optional Vet Sarge upgrade introduced.
-
The "No Non-Human Allies" rule
introduced.
-
Blades of Reason no longer a proper weapon
but a wargear upgrade.
-
Changes to the three Dark Angels battle
standards.
-
Rule changes for DA special characters
Azreal, Asmodai, Ezekiel, Brother Bethor and Sergeant Naaman revised.
-
Special character Sapphon is no longer
available.
-
DW Immune to Psychology rule is dropped.
-
DA Tactical squads get access to cheaper
plasma cannons than Codex SM.
Codex Dark Angels [GW 2002
2nd Edition] Jervis Johnson.
The golden age for the Dark Angels rules with plenty of fluff items still
available in gameplay. Basically this edition was as the First Edition (above)
with the following important changes (many of which incidentally were influenced
by opinions from the members of the Dark Angels and others on the Bolter
& Chainsword forum).
Items changed from
the First Edition
-
The GM of the DW is no longer compulsory
choice for leading a pure Deathwing army.
-
The Intractable rule revised to make it
more playable.
-
The Stubborn rule revised to make it more
playable.
-
Points cost for Deathwing terminators
reduced (from 52 to 47 points).
Forge World Imperial Armour
Volume 2 [FW April 2004]
Dark Angels FAQ v4.1 [GW
Sept 2004]
Available for download only, these rule revisions were intended to plug
the gap and bring the Dark Angels 3rd Edition Codex into line with 4th Edition
of the Codex Space Marines (Sept 2004) and the Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition
rulebook (Sept 2004). I shall only detail rules that affected Dark Angels
and not show generic changes that were introduced via 4th Edition Codex
Space Marines.
-
The characters of Hero, Librarian and Interrogator-Chaplain
changed to follow Codex SM profiles.
-
Stubborn now had to be paid for as compulsory
extra for members of the DW and all ICs.
-
Specialists (Techmarines, Apothecaries
and Standard Bearers) are no longer available to Deathwing or Ravenwing
Command squads.
-
Turbo-boost rule introduced for the Ravenwing.
-
Deathwing squads can no longer mix assault
and tactical terminators.
-
DA Librarians now gain access to Codex
Space Marines Psychic powers.
-
The "No Allies" rule introduced.
-
The 0-1 Crusader restriction brought in.
Dark Angels [GW 1st March
2007 4th Edition] Jervis Johnson.
Wholesale changes to many aspects of how the Dark Angels play with the discontinuation
of many traditional rules and the detachment of many fluff items from gameplay.
As this is the first codex in the new 'combat squad' era of Space Marines
and later shared with Codex Blood Angels I shall only detail specific rule
changes that affect Dark Angels as I am assuming that combat squads and
many other weapons/wargear changes will be incorporated into the main Codex
Space Marines Redux – for instance the removal of the standalone Armoury/Wargear/Vehicle
upgrades section with all options now incorporated into the unit/character/vehicle
profiles.
-
Belial – Master of the Deathwing
– rules introduced.
-
Sammael – Master of the Ravenwing
– rules introduced.
-
Revised rules for Azreal and Ezekiel.
-
Rules for Chaplains/Interrogator Chaplains
introduced.
-
Revised rules for Company Masters introduced.
-
Fixed psychic powers for all Dark Angel
Librarians introduced.
[No longer having access to Codex Space Marine psychic powers.]
-
Revised rules for Librarians introduced.
[Librarians now only at one level Ld9.]
Elites new or changed:
-
Veteran Squads (including a Company Champion)
are introduced.
-
Command Squads now become Elites, and
other rules revised.
-
Scouts now become Elites, and other Scout
changes.
-
The 0-1 Venerable Dreadnought restriction
removed.
-
Deathwing Assault rule introduced.
-
Deathwing mixed assault and tactical terminator
squads reintroduced, and other rule changes.
-
Deathwing Assault rule introduced.
-
Deathwing Stubborn changed to the "Fearless"
universal special rule.
-
Deathwing and Ravenwing may now take Apothecaries
and Standard Bearers. [Only if specific HQ characters are present.]
-
Generic rules for Chapter and Company
standards are introduced.
- Rules for Techmarines changed, plus the introduction of Servitors.
Fast Attack new or changed:
-
Ravenwing Combat Squad rule introduced.
-
Ravenwing Attack and Support Squadrons
formations introduced and other weapon rule changes.
-
Ravenwing bikes adopt the "Scout"
universal special rule.
-
Ravenwing adopt the Fearless universal
special rule.
-
Ravenwing bikes get teleport homers.
-
Ravenwing can now take the Typhoon Land
Speeder variant.
Heavy Support new or changed:
-
Castellan missiles for Whirlwinds rule
introduced.
-
Land Raiders are now a Heavy Support option
only.
-
Crusaders are reduced in cost and the
0-1 restriction is removed, and other rule changes.
All rules/items below have now been discontinued
from gameplay:
-
Terminator Honours. (ICs lose a base attack,
but see bolt pistol entry above).
-
The ranks of Captain and Leader have been
removed.
-
Specific sub-lists for pure Deathwing
or Ravenwing armies.
-
Dedicated retinue command squads.
-
Dedicated transports for the Deathwing.
-
Special character Asmodai.
-
Special character Brother Bethor.
-
Special character Sergeant Naaman.
-
Tank Hunters and Furious Charge specialist
skills.
-
Hunting the Fallen.
-
The Cypher rule.
-
The "No Allies" rule.
-
The Blades of Reason.
-
The rules for the three specific Dark
Angels Sacred Standards.
-
Techmarines ability take Terminator armour,
or a bike.
-
Scout bikes.
-
Proper Attack Bike Squadrons for the Ravenwing.
-
The Ravenwing "Jink Save" and
"Skilled Rider" rules.
-
The ability to take non-Ravenwing bikes,
attack bikes and Land speeder units.
GW Apocalypse Datasheet
[GW Oct/Nov 2007]
Land Raider Ares rules introduced [OK not strictly uniquely DA – but
certainly started as a DA vehicle].
Dark Angels FAQ 2008 "Canadian"
[GW June 10 2008 Canada, globally 11 July 2008]
Available for download only. This FAQ was greeted with derision upon it's
release as it seemed to miss out much that was known to be required. However,
that aside their were some useful clarifications in here, and essentially
two or two-and-a-half new rules were added as well.
New Rules
-
Split combat squads may be used from reserve
in conjunction with drop pods.
-
Drop pods may be deployed empty.
-
Whirlwinds must choose their ammunition
at the start of the game.
Clarifications and corrections
Various other items were also included, but these amounted to either typo
errors found in the 4th Edition Codex, or specific item clarifications.
They consisted of:
-
Sacred Standards and who they effect.
-
The Book of Salvation and who it effects.
-
Ravenwing Company standard and how many
can be taken.
-
Searchlights and how they work.
-
Split Tactical squads using one transport.
-
Razorbacks taken by full 10-man Tactical
squads.
-
Costs for Company Veterans' combi-weapons.
-
DA and assaulting from Drop Pods.
-
DA Thunder Hammer, effects on high toughness
models.
-
Drop pod weapons, pintle mounted storm
bolters and Rhino's storm bolter arcs of fire.
-
DA shooting psychic powers.
-
Models choosing to use one weapon over
another.
Dark Angels FAQ 2008 [GW July 24 2008]
Available for download only. Many items are the same as on the recently
released "Canadian" FAQ but a major error has been corrected and
three new clarifications have been added. This now means the FAQ is a lot
more relevant and useful.
Clarifications and corrections
Various other items were also included, but these amounted to either typo
errors found in the 4th Edition Codex, or specific item clarifications.
They consisted of:
-
Command Squad weapons upgrades replace
existing bolter or chainsword.
-
Scout Sergeants may be given a sniper
rifle upgrade.
-
Veteran Sergeants may be given upgrades
from the pool of options available to the rest of the Veteran Squad, counting
as part of the whole squad's allowance.
DA FAQ III [GW Oct 10 2008]
Another FAQ release drawn by the requirement to dovetail the DA with the
recently released Codex Space Marines. Many items here are repeats of
those detailed in the July/10/08 FAQ shown above, but there a few new
items that I have detailed below:
- Changes to the Combat Squad rules means that only Troop Combat Squads
are now scoring.
- All models in a Veteran Squad may now upgrade their weapon. The 0-3
restriction model restriction for upgrades has been lifted entirely.
- All models in a Scout Squad may now upgrade their weapon.
Clarifications and corrections
Various other additional items were included, these amounted to specific
item clarifications. They consisted of:
- Scout Squads unit size.
- Company Master and wargear.
- Azrael, Command squad and Company Champion.
- Ravenwing Standard Bearers and/or Apothecaries.
- Chaplains and Librarians on bikes are confirmed as not being able to
use RW rules.
- Taking items from the Codex Space Marines within the DA armies.
- Storm shields and Company Veterans.
III. COMMENTS
It is worth noting that there has been a steady reduction
and narrowing in the some significant special background abilities of the
DA. For instance:
-
Deathwing and all Dark Angels characters
were Immune to Psychology in Codex Angels of Death. Very useful in 2nd
Edition where psykers reigned supreme.
-
This was then changed to "Stubborn"
for ICs and Deathwing / Deathwing Veteran Sergeant upgrades in 3rd Edition,
which was less useful but formed the then DA "character".
-
And in the 4th Edition Codex Stubborn
has now become the "Fearless" universal special rule and restricted
to most ICs and the Deathwing / Ravenwing only.
IV. UPDATES
This is an ongoing project and as rule developments become
published so this will be updated.
