Welcome to the first of the "versus series" of Strategy and Tactics for the Budda League. Rather than give you tips on your armies I have decided to talk about the opponent's armies, specifically on
'How to beat.........' and thus the 'versus articles' was created.

In this article I am going to give tips on beating Space Marines. Space Marines are one of those armies that EVERY player of 40K will and shall meet. The sheer number of Space Marine players will ensure that you will be fighting one in every tournament. Also, I shall be talking about the GENERIC space Marines or 'Vanilla' Marines in this article. I shall leave those marines with special codexes and rules for later.

WEAKNESSES:

1. They are few in number

Space Marine may be rock hard, but they are brittle and susceptible to being shot at and overwhelmed in an assault. A 'typical' Space Marine army is only composed of 30+ to 50 models tops.

Usually, marine players are unable to cover the whole table. If he does, he leaves himself thin. This should be exploited to the fullest. Concentrate on his 'thinner' flank and make your breakthrough there. If the Space Marine player concentrates his forces in one place, then outflank him then hit him from both sides.

Most Marine players do not have the numbers to have a suitable reserve unit so if you wipe out that squad then its usually clear sailing from there. Also, if ever you play with break point rules, then you should definitely try to break him since it may be easier to do so.

2. Tactically, predictable

Space marines may be flexible, but that also makes them predictable on the battlefield. Lets take a look at their names. Tactical Squads, Assault squad, and Devastator squads.

Just from the name you know that the assault squad will bound forward to get into close combat. By analyzing the terrain carefully once he has placed his Assault squad you can probably predict where they are going to move. Reinforcing that particular side may enable you to stop the assault. Devastator squads, on the other hand will sit back and shoot with their heavy weapons. Again, by analyzing the terrain, avoid the most of their fire by using cover or simply don't expose your expensive units to them.

This idea can extend to the other units as well. Dreadnoughts armed with two Heavy weapons will NEVER assault you. Veteran squads with close combat weapons WILL try to charge you. Being able to predict what that particular unit will do is very useful and you should exploit it to the fullest.

3. Tactical Squads are NOT optimised

Tactical squads are another matter. Most Marine players I know like to play with the 5 man tactical squads with Heavy weapon. The reason behind this is to maximize the number of heavy weapons in the army and fill up the troop slots. This kind of marine army is very static and very susceptible to assault by the opponent. Tactical Squads which do have rhino transports will probably support an assault rather than shoot.

Again, this makes the Tactical squad predictable depending on their weaponry. Furthermore, they just don't have the 'punch' of the specialist squads. I am not so scared with these types of marines because they just don't deal enough damage either way with their bolters and single heavy weapon. And, they are just as bad in assaults if they don't have power weapons to back them up.

Thus Tactical squads are the 'weak' units that you can and must exploit. Assault them and shoot them to bits for quick points.

Weapons to use against them:
Any weapon with AP 3 or better is excellent to use versus Space Marines. Namely these are :
Plasma Guns, Melta Guns, Plasma Cannons,
StarCannons, Disintegrators, Rokkits,
Krak Missiles, Battle Cannons.

I also use multiple flamers on large groups of Marines. Though the Marine player gets a save, the law of averages will ensure that some of them will drop.

I would suggest trying to assault marines. If you can win the combat, they are usually outnumbered and are forced to retreat. However, DO NOT sweep advance them because they will automatically rally. Just stay to within 6" of them until they leave the table. This tactic may not work if the Marine squad is a dedicated assault squad with a hero inside. Avoid such units and just shoot them.

Well these are my basic tactics with regards to Space Marines.