Have you seen this unit? Part 16

Antaro Chronus is the most gifted of all the Ultramarines when it comes to tanks. Chronus talents extend to almost any Astartes tank, while most dedicate to be the master of a single vehicle. Oddly Chronus is answerable only to Marneus Calgar; this is due to him being the Spear of Macragge. This was an honor won through his many battlefield victories and such. He doesn’t really have to follow any orders but the Lord of Macragge’s. His title is pre-Hersey and makes him the leader of Ultramarine armored assaults, and helps him ignore the chain of command. That is bit weird since the Ultramarines are so strict and doctrinal.

A descent model, shame it is only being used for conversions.

Chronus is an upgrade for any tank in the Space Marine codex. He does have a stat-line, WS 4, BS 5, strength, toughness and initiative 4, one wound, 2 attacks, leadership 9 and a 3+ save. He comes armed with frag/krak grenades, bolt pistol and servo-arm. He also has the Tank Commander, Independent Character, Combat Tactics and And They Shall Know Fear rules, with a twist. See Chronus is bought and “placed” in a tank. He stays in that vehicle until the game ends or the tank goes BOOM! He only costs the atomic weight of Ytterbium, but is he worth that?

Tank Commander- is his special rule that make tanks better. First it allows the tank he is bought for to use his BS 5. Second it allows that tank to ignore shaken and stunned damage results. Finally, if the tank is destroyed there is a chance for him to bail-out and keep fighting. You roll a D6 and on 1-2 he is dead on 3+ he is placed within 2” of the vehicle position. This is where his other rules come into play. He cannot jump into another tank after his is destroyed.

I can guess the main reason people pass on Chronus is his use and cost. If you are taking a Landraider he doesn’t help as their weapons are mainly twin-linked and they have a Machine Spirit to help. If you are like me and love the Predator, well he costs as almost as much as a Predator with auto cannon and heavy bolter sponsons. Personally I would rather have the extra tank instead. Not many people want to add that many points to upgrade a vehicle.

Second is after the tank blows up you have a one wound Marine running for his life. A one wound servo armed Marine isn’t all that frightening and can be easily dealt with. In a kill point game this guy, if he survives, will just become a priority target for an easy point.

How can Chronus be made usable? I have no idea. Even if you lower him to 40/50 points is anyone going take him? Probably not. If he had more than one wound? What if he just had to take a S 3 hit with armor save after the vehicle is destroyed instead of 1/3 chance to die? If he could make weapon repair rolls in the movement phase and allow shooting that same turn. He does have a servo-arm; put it to some extra use. Maybe give the vehicle a 5+ invulnerable save if he is commanding it. Players seem to go bonkers over invulnerable saves, now matter how high the number. These might make him sexier to players, but it is doubtful. I imagine the next codex he might just disappear.