Salamanders

How Salamanders play

Salamanders are the close-range durability chapter: flamers, melta weapons, and rules that improve their resilience and their ability to make the most of a small number of high-value shots. The army fights at a range where its weapons are devastating and its opponents would rather not be.

They are the most forgiving Marine chapter to play badly, which is a genuine virtue. A Salamanders unit caught in a bad position survives more often than most, and their weapons do not require a long setup to be effective — a melta shot at short range does its job regardless of how elegant the preceding turn was.

The cost is reach. The army has to close, and against a mobile opponent that refuses to engage it can spend the game walking.

Building a Salamanders army list

Transports and reserves are how a Salamanders list gets into range. A foot-slogging melta list will fire its best weapons for the first time on turn three.

Their weapon profiles are strong against tough targets and less efficient against numerous cheap ones — include deliberate anti-infantry.

Salamanders FAQ

What is the Salamanders chapter trait?

Rules centred on resilience and on getting more out of flame and melta weapons, supporting a durable close-range playstyle.

Are Salamanders good for new players?

Yes — arguably the most forgiving of the specialised chapters. Their durability absorbs positioning errors and their weapons do not need elaborate setup.

How do Salamanders handle horde armies?

Flame weapons help, but the army's high-value, low-volume profile is better suited to tough targets. Deliberate anti-infantry is worth building in.