Deep strike and Combat squads

[Gravidian]

Can you deep strike a 10-man marine unit (assault marines, terminators etc) and then combat squad them? I know you can’t combat squad, leave one half on the table and leave one in reserve, but can you combat squad after deep striking??

[Duncndisorderly]

I think you have to declare combat squads at the beggining of the game and as such would only be able to deepstrike them as 5 man units but im sure those who know better can confirm or rebuff this as appropriate

[WillyRapier]

I think you have to declare combat squads at the beggining of the game and as such would only be able to deepstrike them as 5 man units but im sure those who know better can confirm or rebuff this as appropriate

Quite right; Squads can choose to split up before the game starts, but as of the beginning of the game, they are treated as separate entities. So Reserve role separately, deep strike separately, scatter (and mishap...) separately...

[Tynskel]

Quite right; Squads can choose to split up before the game starts, but as of the beginning of the game, they are treated as separate entities. So Reserve role separately, deep strike separately, scatter (and mishap...) separately...

actually, not any more.

The FAQ for Space Marines changed how combat squads work. You declare combat squads when they are actually placed onto the board.

Ex. roll reserves for BA 10 man Assault Squad. The successfully enter. Declare Combat Squad, deep strike each 5 man unit separately.



this method, screws razorback units. Because you cannot start in the Razorback as a 10 man unit, and so the 10 man unit and the razorback are rolled separately for reserves.

[Culven]

The FAQ for Space Marines changed how combat squads work.

That isn't a change, it is just a clarification. The Combat Squads rule states the Unit can split when it i Deployed. It has always been the case that a Unit Deployed before the first turn could split, and a Unit placed in Reserves couldn't split until it arrived on the battlefield since that is when it was Deployed.

[Foreigner]

When the unit arrives on the table via deepstrike they may combat squad. The unit is placed as a whole in reserves, rolled for as a single entity, and DEPLOYS via deepstrike, allowing them to split into combat squads (and even land in different places).

The FAQ clarifies the fact that you may not split a unit half in reserves and half on the board.

Tynskel has it.

[KingStuart]

How does this work with attached Characters? Presumably you can attach as many characters as possible and choose which of the combat squad they stay with.

[Mycroft Holmes]

How does this work with attached Characters? Presumably you can attach as many characters as possible and choose which of the combat squad they stay with.

Correct. The decision about what models go into which combat squad is made at deployment.

1. Attach two IC to a ten man SM unit and put it in reserves
2. roll for the whole group as a single unit
3. Succeed in a Reserves roll
4. Choose to combat squad the unit
5. Choose which models go into which combat squad
6. Attach ICs as you see fit
7. Deploy 2 units

[Tynskel]

That isn't a change, it is just a clarification. The Combat Squads rule states the Unit can split when it i Deployed. It has always been the case that a Unit Deployed before the first turn could split, and a Unit placed in Reserves couldn't split until it arrived on the battlefield since that is when it was Deployed.

In my mind it was a rules change. In your mind it was clarification. There's a long thread on that one.

There are plenty of people who consider the Deployment Phase of the game deploying all units, whether onto the board or into Reserves. This FAQ was a rules change for them, changing all tactics and uses of the units.

[bluesickboy]

straight out of the BA FAQ:
"Q: Can you take a Drop Pod with a 10-man squad and
then put a combat squad in it, deploying the other combat
squad on the table, or leave it in reserve but not in the
Drop Pod? (p32)
A: No, because squads that are placed in reserve may not
break down into combat squads."