New Space Marines

[Primarch]

It's also interesting that they said "if your chapter's primarch is unknown, just pick whichever strikes your fancy when making your list." Yeah, feel free to just power-game it.

As opposed to what? The only other option is that unofficial Chapters, or those without a primogenitor listed don't get any Chapter Tactics at all.

A default setting perhaps?

Whenever I see:

You can ally with yourself....

I read it as:

Power gaming...

You have one Force Organization Chart up to 1999 points and two thereafter. There is no way you can reasonably need an extra set of slots unless you are trying to break the game somehow. This is true for regular allies, but doubling up on the same codex just seems wrong. IMHO, the allies should come from your original FOC, so that taking them limited you to 1 regular Hq and 1 allied.
But then, I'm kind of set in my ways and a grumpy old git.

[Colonel Voss]

a variety of chapters to choose from does make it intruiging. I'm curious to see the book and how they put it together. dels seem strange how they merged the Templars into it though, but I guess one less book to make can be helpful in getting other books *coughsisterschough* some love.

[YellowStreak]

helpful in getting other books *coughsisterschough* some love.

Ah if only....

Maybe the sisters will get a giant penitent engine (a la the GK baby carrier). Actually now I think about it, that design makes more sense for the Sisters than the GKs...

[Auxryn]

The Sister's had Penitent Engines long before the Grey Knights had their doom engine things.

There has been a general expansion to the force org chart now that Tau, CSM, and SM can effectively ally with themselves. Of course, they do this at the cost of using up their Ally detatchment, so it really changes little. 6th ed increased the size of the force org chart by adding the ally detatchment (and the fortification slot).
3/4/8 slots of each kind is pretty generous for 1999 points, so the force org chart doesn't provide much in the way of restriction any more.

And why not 4 thunderfire cannons?

Or 4 of those Stalker or Hunter magubbins? Except that they are terrible....

[me_in_japan]

CSM can ally with themselves? When did that happen?

[Auxryn]

Black Legion supplement. 4 Hell drakes! 12 Obliterators! 30 cultists!

[me_in_japan]

Ah, so when you say "CSM" you mean "black legion"

Incidentally, it's 30 cultists in a squad, so wouldn't it be more like 240 cultists? Do allies get 1 or 2 units of troops? I canny mind the noo...

[Primarch]

Ah, so when you say "CSM" you mean "black legion"

Incidentally, it's 30 cultists in a squad, so wouldn't it be more like 240 cultists? Do allies get 1 or 2 units of troops? I canny mind the noo...

Black Legion doesn't restrict you beyond forcing you to take Veterans of the Long War. There is nothing stopping you from taking Nurgle-y units or what have you.
Allies get 2 troops. (1 compulsory).

3/4/8 slots of each kind is pretty generous for 1999 points, so the force org chart doesn't provide much in the way of restriction any more.

And that is why I don't like it very much. If the FOC doesn't restrict you, then what is the point in having it in the first place?
Grumble Grumble, you kids don't even know you'e born, what with your 3 HQs and 8 Troops. Back in my day we had 1/2 a fast attack slot and we were grateful we had that. Grumble grumble.

[Colonel Voss]

And that is why I don't like it very much. If the FOC doesn't restrict you, then what is the point in having it in the first place?
Grumble Grumble, you kids don't even know you'e born, what with your 3 HQs and 8 Troops. Back in my day we had 1/2 a fast attack slot and we were grateful we had that. Grumble grumble.

And I remember a time before the force org chart existed. Only had percintiles. And allies were 25% of total force max. While I don't mind the allies and Force chart stuff, I do think this just use the chart to max out on unit X or Y is boring.

[AndrewGPaul]

Can Space Marines "ally with themselves", or does the allied contingent need to have a different Chapter Tactics from the main force? If so, then that's no different to Blood Angels with Space Wolves allies. Seems fair enough to me. I've always fancied a "crusade army".

The rulebook, on page 109, states "...this must be a different codex to the one used for the primary detachment." Unless Codex: Space Marines specifically addresses this issue, then it's no deal; I assume it does, because I've seen this mentioned in a few places.