Basic Units and Characters
In last weekend's epic preview, The Codex Show, we showed you some brand-new datasheets that feature in upcoming books, including the Heavy Intercessors. Some of you eagle-eyed readers may have noticed the introduction of a new keyword—Core—and we wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little more about it and the impact it will have on the future of Warhammer 40,000.
Basic units
The keyword Core is used to identify the units that form the fighting... well, core, of an army. These are most often represented by line infantry units, although this does not mean that they are exclusive to troops, nor only to infantry.
In the case of the first two books, Codex: Space Marines and Codex: Necrons, many elite units such as Terminator Squadrons and Lychguard, as well as fast attack units like Bike Squadrons and Graveblades, have the Core keyword. Even some vehicles will also be Core units, if applicable.
But what does it mean to be a central unit?
Aura Abilities
Moving forward, many of the most powerful Aura abilities will only affect the core units of a character's (sub-)faction. This represents a more realistic form of in-situ command, with characters acting as they are narratively meant to. After all, a Space Marine Captain should be issuing orders and inspiring his battle-brothers' units on the front lines, not guarding a squadron of Repulsor Executioners at the rear of the battlefield!
As an example, let's take a look at the updated Battle Rites aura ability shared by all varieties of Space Marine Captain.
A crucial side effect of this change is that characters themselves will be unaffected by Aura abilities that use the Core keyword—they're meant to command others, not inspire each other to do better! In the example above, a Space Marine's Captain won't be able to re-roll his die roll of 1 and will instead have to rely on his own merit to strike. To be fair, he'll usually hit a 2+ anyway!
The aforementioned Captain will also be unaffected by a Lieutenant's Tactical Precision Aura ability - a Captain has been there, seen it, and done it all, which is why they are in charge and have such an amazing profile in the first place! However - and as expected - a core unit of Space Marines nearby will be far more effective in the presence of their Captain and/or a Lieutenant, as they should be.
As mentioned earlier, these changes to Aura abilities and the introduction of core units will be rolled out with each new codex, starting with the Space Marines and Necrons. Head to the online store today and make sure you've stocked up on core units to get the most out of your characters' Aura abilities!
