Chaos Space Marines get a bit of a bad rep. Yes, they pledge themselves to diabolical cosmic horrors in search of greater power, they do periodically try to overthrow the Imperium’s galactic rule, and perhaps they have held a bit of a grudge for the last 10,000 years or so – but can we really blame them?
Unlike their prim and proper cousins, the Heretic Astartes know you need a bit of showmanship in a dark and gloomy galaxy, and their rules in the new edition of Warhammer 40,000 do not disappoint.
Overview
Chaos Space Marines have all of the skill and flexibility of their loyalist counterparts, supplemented by forbidden power borrowed from the warp. Sorcerous invocations and terrifying mutations are yours to command, backed by raging Daemon Engines and hordes of screaming cultists.
Such gifts rarely come without a cost, but the boons they grant are worth the risk. And, at the end of the day, these are still Space Marines – tough as nails, reliable in a fight, and guaranteed to out-muscle lesser creatures man-to-man.
Faction Rules
Heretic Astartes warbands come in many shapes and colours, but they are united by their willingness to make Dark Pacts for power. As their Army Rule, this gives all Chaos Space Marine commanders the opportunity to acquire potent core abilities… if they’re willing to gamble the lives of their troops.
You can make Dark Pacts as many times as you like during a game, so the only limit is how many souls you want to offer up to the Chaos Gods in return. Even a Cultist Mob can gain great power through their patron’s blessing, turning their scavenged blades into something deadly and profane that can threaten any enemy unit.
Unit Spotlight
The core of any Chaos Space Marine invasion is made up of Legionaries. Whether they’re veterans of the Horus Heresy or more recent renegades, these traitors have long since abandoned notions of professionalism and tradition, and bring a very eclectic range of equipment to the field. Look at all these weapon options!
This squad can be kitted out to deal with almost any target, at almost any range – whether you want them to shred hordes at range with a reaper chaincannon, flamer, and boltguns, or tackle elites up close with roaring chainswords and a pair of heavy melee weapons. The right Dark Pact can make them even better at their chosen task, or help them to further diversify their death-dealing.
It takes a strong will indeed to knit fractious Legions and renegade warbands into a cohesive combat whole, and Abaddon the Despoiler is just about the only mortal who’s ever truly managed it. The Warmaster of the Imperium Nihilus is a general on par with the Imperial Primarchs, and he’s an absolute terror in the thick of combat as well.
Abaddon is a rare character – he bestows powerful Aura abilities on nearby allies even while leading a unit, and can choose which of them to apply every turn. Appropriately for one who holds the Chaos Gods in open contempt, his Dark Destiny lets him generate a Command point every time he seals a Dark Pact and prevails in the resulting battle of wills – for the Ruinous Powers are just another tool in his grand ambition for the galaxy.
Weapon Spotlight
Chaos Space Marines are known for their desire to let the galaxy burn, and wield profane weapons warped over millennia or crafted in infernal forges for just that purpose. The notorious baleflamer has been the bane of heavy infantry since Heldrakes first darkened the skies, and it returns more reliable than ever, with more shots and the new ability to ignore cover.
Likewise, the fleshmetal guns that sprout from Obliterators receive profile tweaks and a scattering of new weapon abilities to help each profile stand out even more for its specific job – whether that’s melting vehicles at close range or shredding hordes aplenty.
Stratagem Spotlight
Five of the six Stratagems available to the Slaves to Darkness Detachment gain extra effects when targeting a unit blessed by one of the gods – or those devoted to CHAOS UNDIVIDED. All squads can take refuge behind unnerving warp-omens with Dark Obscuration, for instance, but Nurgle blesses his faithful children with especially thick clouds of foetid fog, obscuring their purposeful advance.
How does one pledge themselves to a specific god and gain their boons, exactly? That’s also part of the Detachment rule for the Slaves to Darkness Detachment, which makes it easier than ever before – but you’ll need to wait to see the sinister details…The Word from the Studio
“Chaos Space Marines are hungry for power and destruction, and that’s what inspired their Army Rule – Dark Pacts,” explains Robin from the Warhammer Design Studio. “With them, the Chaos Space Marines are granted a boon of power, but such power comes at a price... The Slaves to Darkness Detachment further explores this relationship between the Heretic Astartes and the Chaos Gods, granting your forces different powers depending on their patron deity.”
“The datasheets for Chaos Space Marines are less cooperative or synergistic than their Imperial counterparts – rather, they are more about the selfish use of power to destroy their foes.”
Black Library
Few of the Heretic Astartes have had their tales told as well as the Night Lords across three novels by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, now collected in a chunky omnibus edition. Soul Hunter, Blood Reaver, and Void Stalker follow an embattled warband guided by prophetic visions as they battle loyalists, the Aeldari of Ulthwé, and their own traitorous kin.
If the machinations of a devilish but brilliant scientist are more your jam, the adventures of Fabius Bile are a fascinating window into the worst excesses of the Chaos Space Marines. Fabius Bile: The Omnibus by Josh Reynolds contains six novellas and short stories following the Clonelord across the galaxy as he continues his quest to create the next evolution of mankind.
Want to learn more about the factions of Warhammer 40,000 and their rules in the new edition? Head to our faction focus hub now to check out more from our ongoing series.