If you’ve ever loved the Salamanders for their brutal close-range firepower and deep lore, the latest rules updates are going to make you grin like a veteran space marine at a flamer display.
The Forgefather of the Salamanders, Vulkan He’stan, has always been a roving relic hunter, torching enemies and claiming the lost artifacts of Vulkan. Now, you can lead his elite warriors with the Forgefather’s Seekers Detachment or test smaller skirmishes with the Combat Patrol: Salamanders. Both of these rule sets are free to download, which is perfect if you’ve been itching to see your fire-wielding sons of Nocturne on the tabletop.
Forgefather’s Seekers: Close-Range Carnage
The Forgefather’s Seekers Detachment is the spiritual successor to the Firestorm Assault Force, focusing on close-range firefights where every shot counts. Every ranged weapon in your army gains the Assault ability and a bonus Strength when shooting at targets within 12 inches. That’s classic Salamanders play: get in close, hit hard, and set the battlefield ablaze. But what really makes this detachment shine is the new Seeker’s Companions rule. With Vulkan He’stan on the field, Infernus Marines can perform an action while advancing or even shoot in the same turn as an action. That’s basically like giving your units a second wind while charging into the thick of the fight.
Enhancements make these units even more fearsome. The new Immolator, for instance, gives every Torrent weapon in its unit an extra shot, which is devastating for Infernus squads and Aggressors alike. On top of that, two fresh Stratagems redefine the way your infantry behaves. Wrathful Inferno lets units fall back and shoot in the same turn, which is perfect for baiting enemies into a kill zone. Blazing Earth, on the other hand, keeps enemies at arm’s length by reducing their Charge rolls. This is essential for dealing with hordes before they can close the gap on your flame-wielding veterans.
Combat Patrol: Salamanders and Adrax Agatone
The new Combat Patrol isn’t just about raw firepower—it’s a tactical showcase. Led by legendary 3rd Company Captain Adrax Agatone, the Pyroclast Assault Force mixes close-range infantry with a speedy Invader ATV. Flame and Melta weapons dominate here, which makes sense for Sons of Nocturne tactics. Adrax himself is a monster on the battlefield. His custom flame pistol, Drakkis, can melt entire squads, and his thunder hammer, Malleus Noctum, turns enemy champions into scrap metal. His Enhancements let you tailor him: Lord of the Pyroclasts lowers enemy Objective Control, while Master of Flames makes Torrent weapons re-roll shots. That flexibility alone is a game-changer.
The Combat Patrol’s Stratagems focus on survivability and tactical aggression. Weather the Storm reduces incoming hit rolls, Stand Your Ground grants a 5+ invulnerable save, and Crucible of Battle lets units advance and shoot in the same turn. Essentially, these rules let you keep your Salamanders alive while still pushing up the board and torching anything in sight. The combination of speed, firepower, and defensive tricks makes the Pyroclast Assault Force feel like a fully tuned flamethrower on legs.
Wrapping Up
The Forgefather’s Seekers and Combat Patrol: Salamanders breathe new life into the Salamanders’ tabletop play. Whether you’re looking to field a veteran detachment led by Vulkan He’stan or test skirmishes with Adrax Agatone, these rules reward aggressive, close-range play while keeping your units tough enough to survive. The free downloads, combined with pre-orders for Vulkan and the Combat Patrol, make it an easy decision for anyone wanting to see fire and fury on the battlefield. If you’ve ever wanted to make your enemies regret crossing paths with the Sons of Nocturne, now is the perfect time to do it.
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