How to play Space Marines in 9th edition - Tips from 40k Playtesters

Learn the new tricks and tactics you will need to play Space Marines in 9th edition from a team that has been playtesting the game for months. We take you through all the biggest nerfs and buffs to the Space Marines army along with the core strategies and thoughts on list creation.
Don't miss all our other 9th edition launch coverage including battle reports and tactics videos covering nearly all factions in the game.
===============
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - Great troops
2:05 - More CP
3:35 - MSU
4:25 - Vehicles move and shoot
5:15 - Dreadnoughts shoot and fight
6:10 - Vehicles shoot in combat
7:20 - Midboard control
8:15 - Improved LoS
9:15 - Characters more vulnerable
10:50 - Slower start
11:45 - Overwatch nerf
13:00 - Soup costs CP
13:40 - Not enough HQ slots
14:25 - Indirect shooting matters less
15:45 - Using terrain with vehicles
18:50 - Screening vehicles with vehicles
23:45 - Assault Intercessor List
26:27 - Tank Line List
29:30 - Closing Thoughts
===============
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[@TabletopTitans]

Correction: We advised that you include Thunder hammers in your assault intercessor units, but we made a mistake as you are not able to do that.

[@malal4726]

They will be available in multipart box, and you know it, admit it :D

[@McWerp]

Almost all of these "How To Play" advise using supreme command as a way to take an extra HQ. It only works on Guilliman + the Brothers Grimm as far as I can tell. Maybe add a blanket correction? Unless y'all know something we dont.

[@BIFInvaider]

@@McWerp probably your "supreme command" of your chapter/army is going to be available in that slot

[@kharis7602]

did you just accidentally slip up and spoil us for post box set?

[@Starburst7641]

@Tabletop Titans -Yet.

[@MonkeyBoy1234587]

Love the new space marine models and releases. They are going to look Great in my ork army

[@Michael-og7js]

God, mics make such a huge difference. I can't go back to channels that don't use them

[@hansyolo8277]

Damn, two videos and two streams today. An entire evening of Tabletop Titans, nice.

[@Taking20]

Gentlemen. Bravo! Turned on to your channel today, and I'm thoroughly impressed. You are on the right track for very big things! Trust me.

[@Tropicoboy]

Didnt know you watched 40k stuff, cool!!!. Welcome to the grim dark future.......

[@radred609]

The new terrain rules feel like the perfect blend between simplicity/clarity, dynamicism, and realism. They make sense on an intuitive level as well from a gamist level.

[@WolfTau]

Started playing in 1996. Wow, stuff has really changed. I’ve didn’t play 7th, I played a little in 8th. Thanks guys. Looks like I’ll be playing 9th

[@ElectronHexagon]

Brilliant job guys!

[@85Vindicare]

Great video guys!

[@martinsleight321]

Nice! I actually bought a punisher for my dark angels sometime ago. Never had a reason to add las cannons onto it as it was purely in response to those damn necron quantum shielding and chaff units. Seems like a great investment for 9th.

[@jesperbecker6412]

Best channel without a doubt ;)

[@Ulfhednir9]

Another great video thank you :)

[@jamessternemann9085]

Was thinking of starting a Raven Guard Army and I think these tips will be helpful for that

[@phillysewycz6715]

Do it! Raven guard are super fun to play and can be amazingly brutal!

[@Dro250]

Can someone help me with that? I started raven guard in 5th but only played a handful of games. I have no idea what i am doing with this game anymore, I just keep painting minis.

[@milancora4637]

@@Dro250 go on table top simulator discord

[@phillysewycz6715]

@@Dro250 hey man, only just saw what you asked. What did you want help with? Was it specifically a raven guard army? I'm absolutely no expert on 40k at all but I play a fair bit and while it's mostly custodes yhese days my first army was raven guard so I can offer some advice :)

[@Dro250]

@@phillysewycz6715 I just have no idea what I am doing, just trying to figure out whats what honestly.

[@johnaxios6335]

Can't wait to hear what you guys think about Blood Angels, particularly Death Company squad size and whether to assault first turn with Forlorn Fury or wait till 3rd turn

[@raydaveyrd]

@@pakman184 just keep them at groups of 10 and wait. You don't need to come down and alpha strike turn 1.

[@ankharimcv9104]

Awesome insights guys. Loving your work, as always ;) Can you please help with some of the weaker armies, namely CSM & Daemons?

[@cordellselman1116]

Can yall do a brief Video on some of the non codex Space Marines? Would love to see yalls idea on BA, SW, and DA. Maybe even the Deathwatch.

[@raydaveyrd]

as a new blood angles player i'd very much like to see how this new edition effects them. Esepecially with all these issues with combat now

[@wesyoung9331]

Excellent rundown! Just wanted to correct 1 thing from just before the 9 minute mark - other than using it to stay out of LOS, vehicles can’t actually benefit from cover. Only Infantry, Beasts, and Swarms can. And at the 11 minute mark when discussing the Dev doctrine, you can’t score Primary Objectives in the first battle round, but you can score Secondaries, which might force you out of hiding anyway.

[@mrking7342]

three video's going live in one day? Impressive.

[@veameal9725]

You have clearly never heard of Auspex Tactics... Great vid here!

[@hansyolo8277]

Careful, Brian might overheat his CPU and burn out

[@square721bt]

Subbed because you ACTUALLY USE CHAPTERS.

[@dharmashalin23]

You guys are great 😀

[@40kpunk45]

This was great! Would love exactly this again but a deeper dive chapter by chapter advice for 9th 1 chapter per video. Ultramarines first of course? ;-)

[@rye42687]

Love this series, any chance of doing a shorter but in-depth version for some of the main chapters? (Cough, Raven Guard, Cough)

[@grotwurksmekshop6607]

Since I am still working on my Ork Primaris count as army this is good info

[@treq2112]

Primorkis if you will

[@wanabeguitarguy]

You guys are great

[@Thomas-rw1be]

Fire and Fade is going to be fantastic with important shooty units next to obscuring terrain. Move up to get LOS, shoot, move back into obscurity

[@KingmanHighborn]

Considering I have 3, I hope Ironclads are good in this edition. My army is mostly sniper scouts, speeders, Ironclads, assault marines, LC and shooty Terms.

[@AledMify]

Looking forward to your thoughts on Blood Angels. A lot of us have some mixed feelings but I do feel like it will be a decent edition for us.

[@jerryjezzaberry5009]

I feel like we're gonna do great this edition, what concerns have you seen or have?

[@travisvance619]

i cant wait to use baal predators as screens for mephiston

[@michaelleighwilliams8372]

@@travisvance619 i feel like having two autocannon predators and a flamer baal predator will be a fairly strong tank formation, if that's your thing. Personally, I'm planning an amgelic horde strat which is basically just throwing 60 assault intercessors, 10 sanguinary guard and a couple HQs across the table at my opponents 😂

[@AvatarOfNateP]

I'm returning to 40K. I left when Smash Captains started hitting the tournament scene. I'm curious to see how melee heavy armies will do. TT said the new rules favors shooting.

[@barby007]

Thanks for making these "How to Play ____ in 9th edition" videos. Can you make one for Space Wolves please? Thank you!

[@timelord1473]

For a Space Marine player Ive found this video very useful. I play a very movement based army so these new dreadnought moves are probably going to get me to play them. Thank you for this video

[@darthkillhoon]

I play Black Templars, with Infantry heavy Armor. Lots of tactical Marines with infiltrators, eliminators, vanguard vets and terminators

[@peterdejonge4590]

You should also do it for all the codexes

[@SimBatJoy]

Be interesting to get your opinion on a Salamander army with 9th upgrades

[@CaptainDanger19]

good talk

[@Muenni]

Can we get a how to play against SMs video as well? :D

[@franknfurterfan666]

Anyone else notice how they said thunder hammer on assault intercessors? I haven't seen that as an option so far, but I hope they can take TH and PF's

[@linkofvev]

Considering basic intercessors can have a thunder hammer of the captain, it's pretty likely they will too.

[@franknfurterfan666]

@@linkofvev they only got these options over time, not from the start. I would be surprised if they don't get the option but we will see.

[@UndeadKing_5150]

They don't have any options on the Sgt other than plasma pistols

[@TheArmchairPatriot]

@@UndeadKing_5150 That's because we only have the monopose kit revealed from Indomitus, when full stand alone kit comes out it will most likely have more options

[@gaius9240]

It’s likely they will have this option when the multi kit box gets released

[@Ruckybrade88]

Love the video, I had alot of initial bad ideas when I first read the 9th edition rules. You guys definitely put me at some ease. You mentioned that you had alot of success with white scars. I myself love the space wolves, do they play with a similar style?

[@TabletopTitans]

They both have similar ideas, the advance and charge of the White Scars is one of the traits we really liked. That said you could do similar things with both armies.

[@martineasterman5170]

I would love to hear what you guys think dark angels can do or if they still come bottom of the pile? Also glad to hear you think razor backs with twin assault cannons are going to be good I decided a couple of weeks ago to run them with tac marines and use them as a screen when I saw the new shoot in combat rules. Great video and great thoughts.

[@meekrebelgaming1194]

I've had some stellar games with the First Legion - mainly because I ignore the Ravenwing and just take mainly Green Wing with Azrael, for that 4+ bubble... then drop in terminators and plasma inceptors to kill the main threat. They felt really strong. But whenever I watch batreps its always Ravenwing getting the attention. I genuinely think DAs are great when you stick with the guys in green. Interested to see what others think, though.

[@YaboitheCadian]

I'm hoping that IG will get new units models and some love........ 500 new Space marine uneeded models later still no new sculpt or anything

[@Naru1243]

Or Drukhari >_>

[@thomasvoit4362]

Or anything else than Speez Murinz.

[@ShadowedFate]

Should you perhaps an an addendum post to this now that the new book is out, just any little changes or tweaks you'd recommend now?

[@chappy4756]

I'll shave 29 minutes and 30 seconds off "how to play Space Marines" Buy whatever the latest models GW shoves out the door en-mass and put them on the table against anything. If it doesn't work, wait a week, and there'll be a new SM release you can buy, or wait a month for a new SM Codex..... all saltiness aside, you guys do real good work, I enjoy your vids

[@donhartfield]

The new rules don't allow for tagging in charges to uncharged units. It specifies you cannot end your movement closer than 1" (which is initial engagement now) to a non-charged enemy model so it's impossible to tie up those 2 landraiders in the above scenario like you could in 8th.

[@seofonrice]

you can tag in consolidation, but you can't fight them and they can fight you

[@fullmetajacket2090]

i really like how your video is cut up into chapters by subject

[@insanemang9983]

"How to play space marines in 9th edition" Step1: place them on the board Step2: thats it you win the game

[@TheCinderfang]

Funny enough I'm actually struggling alot against tau.

[@trevorflanagan4873]

Honestly I feel that😂 I can’t beat them with nids yet :(

[@hickorybane9323]

Place *Primaris* on the board Profit (for GW mostly)

[@errata2412]

What are your thoughts on dark angels in 9th?

[@johnwhite2412]

White Scar question. A unit can fall back from combat, and then charge the same unit it fell back from AND still get +1 attack. Do you think is OP? It allows a White Scar player to farm an additional attack roll.

[@James-dk2kx]

Thanks for the video! This is exactly the content I'm looking for in the runup to a new edition. Out of curiosity: it seems like, from the GW articles, that they had people specialized to certain factions. Did they have a dedicated space wolf tester, or did they get lumped in with space marines? Edit: Also, you mentioned giving assault intercessor Sergeant thunder hammers. The leaked pics of fhe assault data sheets don't show them having this option. Can you comment on if the leaked material is old, or are you referring to codex?

[@jamespeake2606]

They did confirm in the "Biggest Changes" stream that they were incorrect about that. (Though if they get a multi-part kit they may get the option because they are Intercessors)

[@chrisbaldwin8570]

How do you think Sisters of Battle will play in the new edition? They have the same save Marines have, tend to prefer shorter ranges with most of the same basic arsenal that space marines use, and in some set ups are arguably are more durable than Space Marines.

[@cz85]

How are the black templars this edition using normal marines? Would enough initiates be value enough for the ablative wounds or do you think they will have to go primaris heavy to have enough toughness to hold the middle?

[@rambo10]

I reckon running 2 crusader squads in a landraider with emperors champion and grimaldus would be good, also running assualt intercessors just to have some beefy hard hitting troops to hold points

[@MrN3rvedamage]

Depends on what you shoot them with. Point for point, Generally, Primaris will be more durable and old school Marines will hit harder.

[@rambo10]

@@pakman184 how so? Emperors champion is one of the most point efficient melee monsters in 40k and combat intercessors will have 4 attacks each on the charge at ap 2 in combat doctrine

[@sarcasticlittleass]

@@rambo10 he was probably talking about the 2 crusader squads. you can get so much better stuff for that many points.

[@rambo10]

@@sarcasticlittleass its a case of me wanting stuff to put into the landraider and also wanting to get use out of the vigilus detachment stratagems

[@zakkariwatson9541]

Would be keen to know how Templars feel this edition?

[@NIMMHATVRapBeats]

this

[@giraton1]

From what I hear, close to blood angels and space wolves but with less tricks. Solid but not top table. Would love to see a proper analysis, but since on paper they are straight outclassed by other chapters I wouldn't be surprised if comp players are just moving to those other chapters.

[@HunterEAoS]

I'm new to 40k and happened to get the indomitus box. What space marines chapters would you recommend? I like the lore and look of pretty much all of them so it comes down to how easy are they to learn and win with

[@mrbigglezworth42]

So obviously SM are going to be strong this edition (naturally) but what about everyone else not wearing power armor?

[@Luke-nt1eq]

I’ve just started collecting a new dark angels army so if you’ve got any tips for me for then I’d sure appreciate it

[@666LilBull]

Space marines get all the new toy and even there even weakes gun has 4s -1ap, i wish i dont have to wait other 10 year for something new to the guard that isn't weak character from a book

[@sportyeight7769]

Yeah. My ork army is crying in a corner... They got kinda good at not fighting and controlling the board...orks...

[@connorjensen9699]

I do wish xenos got a lot more releases, but sm having good weapons and gear I like since it fits the lore - just as long as they are priced appropriately.

[@666LilBull]

@@connorjensen9699 the problem, whit xenos faction (-ork and -genestealler) is that they have units that actually do what there meet for. Eldar for exameple have dark repears a unit up to 10 always hits on 3 s8 -2ap 3 flat damage + statagen that lets them move after shooting. You see they are anti vehicle infantry that does really well agaist vehicles. Xenos armies you have really good unit that achive what there were met to do. While othere faction you have weird hybrid unit that you dont know how to use them like basiliks BS4+ D6shoot s9 -3ap d3 damage so to OP for infantry and to little shot to week and to little shot damage to go againt vehicles . So i dont think xenos are getting new units but what i really really HOPE IS NEW RECAST models

[@connorjensen9699]

@@666LilBull but basilisks are actually good tho. what you say may have been true in 6th and 7th, but in 8th they do very well. They definitely make the cut into tournament lists, though they are a bit overshadowed by tank commanders there.

[@sportyeight7769]

@@666LilBull and orks struggle against any high armour /high toughness armies. I kinda auto surrender if I see a tank army

[@jonathancamp7292]

Are you going to do a video on how to play deathwatch in 9th edition?

[@umairav255]

Around 25:50... are you confirming that assault intercessors will get thunder hammer options? :D

[@hansyolo8277]

Sarge might, because normal Intercessor SGTs do.

[@hobbyhammer954]

Following!

[@umairav255]

@@hansyolo8277 there's nothing in the current leaked data sheets about that. But playtesters might have access to the full sheets that come down the road with multi-part kits...

[@maybevoldemort8995]

Hmm... so my recent purchase of a bunch of tac marines to give 40k a go sounds like it wasn’t as bad a decision as I was worried it was...

[@NIMMHATVRapBeats]

and now those tacs got 2 wounds and are completly viable again...

[@kraftyevan]

How to play and win as space marines in 9th Edition in 3 easy steps. 1. Replace your collection with Primaris. 2. Play Primaris. 3. Weep softly for the inevitable phasing out of the original line. Jokes aside good video guys!

[@Jewus19]

where was the joke? I missed it!

[@kraftyevan]

@@Jewus19 Eradicators statline, that's the joke XD

[@inscrutablewut]

@@kraftyevan I almost shit when I saw it. Gonna be an auto-include in every sweaty list lol. That 3-man squad better cost as much as a contemptor

[@kraftyevan]

​@@inscrutablewut 100 pts/5 PL

[@juliuspasteiner5019]

They said vehicles can touch terrain and get the terrain benefits but as i've read area and obstacle terrain benefits can only benefit infantry - any thoughts?

[@frisodenijs]

Do you also have a how to play for Blood Angels planned?

[@benrobbo2902]

they need to have a 3cp once per game strat that alows you to pick a doctrine for that turn

[@maxmichaels3106]

has anyone tried making a list using Forgeworld I was thinking of doing like a Minotaur army any ideas on list builds

[@apolonios01]

Question: What will Power of the Machine Spirit give since all tanks can fire heavy weapons without -1.

[@pielto]

Perhaps fire heavy weapons in combat without -1

[@Alpharius87]

Why is the Prinarch Vulcan on that table in the Salamanders section? What do you know that we dont?

[@AltoStratusX1]

that VULCAN LIVES! STOMP! STOMP!

[@crisci622]

Would love to know what blue you use to get that ultramarines color? Macragge blue doesn’t give that nice lighter blue color

[@muratferguson4534]

can you tell us more about the Black Templars?

[@RocRolDis]

Murat Ferguson Sister of Battle minus faith power and all boys.

[@NIMMHATVRapBeats]

@@RocRolDis Templars = NEVER a minus in Faith power ;)

[@rileyjackson1142]

When are you going to cover blood angels specifically?

[@jonathancamp7292]

Are you going to do a how to play Deathwatch in 9th eddition video?

[@rc-pm1fe]

I was worried for a second. I thought J.J. Abrams was on the left and i feared he took over Warhammer too.

[@radagastthedank8902]

Gonna assume the vulkan model on that table is display only since he’s for 30k

[@chennysstudios8006]

Hey, Tabletop! Im new in Warhammer and im wondering if you can mix two different legions of space marine in one unit? For example a squad that consists of Space Wolves and Blood Angels, thanks!

[@gudbrandurmagnusson9784]

Will you guys do orks?

[@akselhansen304]

When will u talk about sisters of battle? And what about souping?

[@michaelgerhards825]

Minute 22: Does the 20 Shot Tank has the Core Keyword? You mention it can use the captains rerolls of 1 aura.

[@BB-pn2qv]

Absolutely! X9394231 times. Fucking hell, that drove me nuts

[@philipbaum4357]

At 25:28 you say "We take (can't understand) because why wouldn't you." what is it that you take?

[@arkade-]

I just got in to warhammer, I bought the 9th edition. What other units can I add to my space marines army and what should I add to make them better?

[@viewtifuljoe4412]

I wish I knew too as well as what Chapter to pick.

[@johnnyk617]

Necron video next?

[@travisvance7736]

I'm planning on running BA in 9th and was wondering if I should bring some normal Intercessors along with the Assault Intercessors.

[@sirdanthechipwright821]

This is basically how I plan to run my Wolves, 15-20 assault and 10-15 with rifles. Midrange support is useful regardless of chapter tactics. For now, the assault Intercessors will ride in Impulsors and the rifle dudes will slog up behind. But as soon as primaris drop pods are a thing, the assault dudes will be in those and the rifle dudes will get upgraded to the flynos 🤙

[@edwardwilliams1227]

Hello first off great video you stated marines can have 17 cp to start with marines can you detail how that works

[@sirdanthechipwright821]

I think what they meant is that assuming you're starting with 12 for 1k-2k game, accruing 1 more cp every command phase over 5 turns equates to 17 cp's

[@timunderbakke8756]

So, the marines in the Indomitus box... which chapter do they belong to? Or are they free to any? Brand new haven’t yet taken hold of any pieces just looking at the game with my preorder for the set

[@Matt-sf9ky]

Can you explain the terrain rule. I understand that being in the terrain unlocked the open windows for shooting, but only because of the window. It's still true line of site, they cant just shoot 360 degrees, but only what they can see rather then being Los blocking windows. Right?

[@TabletopTitans]

It is true line of sight once you touch the building. If the windows are big enough that will give you 360 view, but if the windows are small you will still have a limited view.

[@notaninquisitor7274]

3 invictor warsuits in every army to control the board before turn 1.

[@InformationPollution]

Excuse me, why are the dreadnoughts suddenly able to shoot through obscuring terrain by stepping onto it?

[@genaschtes]

so you did playtest the 9th edi yes? what do you say about the 1+ save debate? that the only real chance to kill a 1+ save model is that he rolls an unmodified 1?

[@crazyendermonkey2801]

where do you get forgeworld tank and model rules such as the sicarian and leviathan dreadnoughts

[@greyknightsmk]

Can assault Intercessors take thunder hammers? I couldn't see the option to do so.

[@tomgeytenbeek2207]

Not for now (monopose kits) but could possibly later on when released as multiparts

[@miclen1737]

what you suggest to pick for iron hads army in 9th edition (not power gaming)

[@apocalypsenow6559]

Very impressed with your content, bravo! So Cpt Sicarious of the Ultras used to let basic tacs fight first and he lost that ability. Now they give it to the new Judiciary model? That is just not cool

[@FOGRedemption]

Could do some chop shopping and convert the judiciary into Cato while still making sure its noticeable as a judiciary. Then you get to have old school Cato rules claiming its a judiciary even though deep down you know its Cato. I was planning on taking the first chaplain Primaris and the new one in the Indomitus box and chop shop them together taking the arms and backpack from the new one and put them on the old one to make the coolest Primaris chaplain physically possible. I also had some plans changing out heads, backpacks, and shoulder pads for all the Indomitus models since I hate unhelmeted heads but I also want to keep them uniform.

[@Gnomerable]

Do you think there still will be place for old style space marines?

[@jameswoodward7545]

I've just started IH but now I'm lost on how to build given that even the first turn Devestator Doctrine is almost obsolete in 9th

[@WadeWilsonKingofAsgard]

James Woodward they still have super durable troops which then you can back up with dreadnoughts/tanks etc. aggressor support is another option as they slide well through 2 doctrines.

[@shadowl1980]

Can you disembark from a transport while the transport is engaged.

[@julianleischner3700]

Was this before the rule of three? Because with that you can't take 50+ assault intercessors, or am I missing something?

[@JC-oq3ei]

ive only played 40k once in my life and thats about 7 years ago so im a newbie but i wanna get into it with the indomnius box.. i love the "melee" characters and the bladeguards... Also love infiltrators cause they look hella cool :) basically i wanna pick a competitive faction that will do well with those models. I was told a few weeks ago that if i wanted primarily melee i should go black templars. How do you see the black templars doing in 9th edition with the knowledge you have now?

[@defiante1]

Black Templars will be very competitive. They excel at closing in and fighting, im a Blood Angels player myself but Templars are epic. Their also really unique and interesting, given they don't operate like regular marines.

[@JC-oq3ei]

@@defiante1 Thanks for the reply! Since i dont know a whole lot right now (indomnius will be my first 40k purchase) how do they not operate like regular marines? :)

[@r__b6095]

So soup costs CP. But too few HQs. So you have to take more detachments to get more HQ slots. So just take a soup detachment?

[@hammsuke8290]

Just hope Salamanders get better dedicated units... Edit: Ehyyyyyyy, Eradicators!!!

[@saltyvgc]

Is that a new vulkan model or is that the forgeworld one??

[@sjoncornelissen7543]

Anything about the doctrines? Do you still have to move on mandatory?

[@TabletopTitans]

Yes this has not changed.

[@KyoNanashi]

Looks like I will be just fine with my Azrael Castle.

[@danielpenaranda5888]

I keep thinking SM needs an stratagem to make devastator doctrine last until 2nd turn

[@colonelcabbage]

Please, no. You have enough rules, units and Strats. Thank you. Signed: everyone who doesn't play Space Marines.

[@scottbeale1825]

"that's right" 40000

[@magoslucius4245]

"Yep"