The defencive stance maneuver states that the character makes no attacks, thats clear.
But what about counter attack? May he use his counter attack while in defensive stance?

Yup!

Be kinda daft otherwise: To abopt a defensive guard and be completely unable to riposte!

It makes charging an enemy double stupid. Totally broken.

Alex

ak-73 said:

Charge does suck. Walking up and shooting them with a bolt pistol is better. Next turn, go for an All Out Attack with the chainsword backed by a Fate Point (Killing Strike makes it impossible to Dodge or Parry). This is my preferred method of engaging anyone with a power weapon (it spares my chainsword from destruction) and also a good way of dealing with anyone that has demonstrated use of Counter Attack (or is a Space Wolf). Of course, I play a "smart" Dark Angels Assault Marine, and such thoughts might not come so naturally to a Blood Angels berserker.

I am considering the house rule that you can up to swift strike on a charge.

Alex

ak-73 said:

True. My melee players really get into the role of zealous xeno haters and do not attempt to exploit this so I have not had to much issue in my games. I am sure the number crunching munchkins that care little for their characters backgrounds will probably disagree.

You have to be careful when charging. Charge a genestealer and whiff, you can easily be killed in the multiple attack rain of blows that follows.

I like the idea of using Furious Charge squad ability for closing the distance, and then spend a full round attacking, especially handy when fighting multi-attackers. Add in some Assassin Strike action for any resident Blood Angels, and multiple attacking foes will be a little less scary.

Also I can't help but think that this totally justifies the "Pistol + CCW" combination everyone in 40K seems to use. Pistol for the charge, CCW for the post-charge attacks.

Yanma said:

Actually it's pistol for moving to point blank (3m) and firing off a Semi-Auto Bolt Pistol (don't skimp on the specialty ammo!) spread of doom, followed by a CCW for engaging whatever closes with you. Against Hordes, the CCW does seem to shine if you have enough attacks, but still I avoid the charge unless I've got Thunder Charge.

As defensive stance gives you an additional reaction, can you do two counter attacks?

If you successfully parry two attacks that is.