Hello everyone zak40k here again with another Detachment review for Space Marines. Hopefully I can start doing these a bit faster... In fact, if I am energetic enough I am just going to do them, even if the posts are low reward... just to do them!

I have already done the following Detachments: Gladius Task Force, Anvil Siege Force, Firestorm Assault Force, Stormlance Task Force, Vanguard Spearhead, Ironstorm Spearhead, 1st Company Task Force, Blade of Ultramar, Emperor's Shield, Spearpoint Task Force, Forgefather's Seekers

As explained in the post The Future of Warhammer 40k Datasheet Reviews on Hive - Faction Pack orientated we are now going to be doing reviews based on the new Faction Packs.

That leaves the following: Shadowmark Talon, Reclamation Force, Orbital Assault Force, Librarius Conclave, Headhunter Task Force, Hammer of Avernii, Ceramite Sentinels, Bastion Task Force, Armoured Speartip.

... so... let's do Shadowmark Talon, since this is similar to Vanguard Spearhead.

This post is based on Faction Pack Space Marines that have more Detachments than Codex Space Marines and it replaces everything that happened prior. There are small changes and these changes are based on what can be found online at www.warhammer-community.com.

Note that this Detachment makes use of the Space Marine Army Rule, Oath of Moment.

The Shadowmark Talon is the Raven Guard Detachment, best fielded with the Chapter Master Aethon Shaan leading it!

Shadowmark Talon

Detachment Rule - Masters of Shadow (instead of Shadow Masters hahaha!)

When a ranged attack targets an Adeptus Astartes unit in your army, unless the attacking model is within 12", subtract 1 from the to Hit roll and the target has Benefit of Cover against the attack.

Unparalleled Tactician

Once per battle round, if an Aethon Shaan model from your army is on the battlefield, you can use the Into Darkness Stretagem for 0CP.

Restriction

Your army can include Raven Guard units but not units from other Chapters.

Enhancements

Most Detachments have 4 Enhancements. These can only be given to Characters that qualify and never to Epic Heroes. You may only select up to three Enhancements to field at the same time. The Points indicated nect to these Enhancements are stated as they are at the time of writing this article. They may change in the latest Minutorum Field Manual.

Blackwing Shroud - 25pts (This is The Blade Driven Deep enhancement with another name)

Adeptus Astartes Infantry model only. While the bearer is leading a unit, that unit has the Infiltrators Ability.

Review This means that this unit can be set up in No-man's land at the start of the game

Umbral Raptor - 15pts (Same as Ghostweave Cloak)

Adeptus Astartes model only. The bearer has the Stealth and Lone Operative abilities.

Review This means the character ALWAYS has the -1 to hit when being shot at and if this model is not in a unit, enemies cannot target the character with a shooting attack unless the shooter is within 12".

Hunter's Instincts - 25pts (This one is unique)

Adeptus Astartes model only. If the bearer's unit is in Strategic Reserve, the unit counts the turn as being one higher than it is.

Coronal Susurrant - 30pts (Same as Shadow War Veteran)

Adeptus Astartes Phobos model only. Lord of Deceit aura - 12" (This has become standardized. Enemy units using a Stratagem within 12" of this model must pay 1CP more to use a Strat.

Stratagems

Armour of Contempt - 1 CP

When: Your opponent's Shoot or Fight phase, after an enemy has selected its targets.
Target: One Adeptus Astartes unit from your army that was selected by one or more of those attacks.
Effect: Until the attacking unit has finished making its attacks, each attack they make is at -1 Armour Penetration Characteristic.

Review Note that most Space Marine Detachments have this Stratagem as one of their 6 Stratagems, it is not an error that they and the Gladius have Armour of Contempt.

Feint and Thrust - 1 CP (This one is unique)

When: Your Movement Phase.
Target: One Adeptus Astartes unit fro your army.
Effect: Until the end of the turn, this unit is eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Fell Back. If it is a Phobos or Scouts unit, it is also eligible to shoot and declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced.

Stunning Fusillade - 1CP (Same as Strike From the Shadows)

When: Your Shooting Phase
Target: One Adeptus Astartes Infantry unit that has not yet shot or not yet Shot.
Effect: Until the end of the phase, each time a model in the unit shoots at a target more than 12" away, improve your Ballistic Skill and Armor Penetration on that weapon by 1. If one or more enemy models are destroyed as a result of those attacks, the target unit must take a Battle-shock test.

Lay Low the Tyrants - 2CP (Same as Surgical Strikes but for only 1 CP instead of 2!)

When: Fight phase.
Target: One Adeptus Astartes Infantry unit that has not been selected to Fight this phase.
Effect: Until the end of the phase, melee weapons equipped by models in your unit have the Precision ability

Review This means that the entire unit can allocate their melee damage to the Character in the unit instead of the bodyguard. Interestingly enough, the do need to be able to see the target even if they are not within base to base contact with that Character.

Raptorial Vigilance - 1CP (Same as Calculated Feint)

When: Your opponent's Charge phase, just after an enemy unit declares a Charge.
Target: One Adeptus Astartes Infantry unit that was selected as a target for that charge.
Effect: That unit can make a Normal move of up to D6", or 6" of that unit is a Phobos or a Scout Squad unit.

Into Darkness - 1 CP (Same as Guerrilla Tactics)

When: End of your opponent's Fight phase.
Target: Upt to two Phobos and/or Scout Squad units from your army OR one other Adeptus Astartes Infantry unit from your army.
Effect: Remove those units from the battlefield and place them into Strategic Reserves
Restrictions: Each unit selected for this Stratagem must be more than 3" away from enemy models.

Review Disappearing from the table in your opponent's turn means you come back in your next turn which is right after the enemy Fight phase! This is the one you get to do for free as long as Aethon Shaan is alive and on the table!

Review

So... very much the same as the Vanguard Spearhead. Though in ways better. The cheaper Precision and the free retreat off the board is phenominal!

Thank you for reading this review!

New Review Library

Faction Pack Space Marines

Detachments

Support for the Hobby Fund

With my hobby posts, I generate a hobby fund. 50% of the income goes to Hive account@zakl.hobbyfund. What is interesting on that Hive account is my Grand Imperial army! The last post of which was the Warhammer 40k - Grand Imperial Army Post 24 - 3,865pts