Or: Muhu-haha!

So, we're getting a campign up and going, and I've been thinking of spicing up the competition. Instead of simply upgrading weaponry, I have considered giving squads of specific enemies a free squad mode use or two. It makes sense for packs of synapse creatures and more modern fighting forces like the Tau in particular. Has anybody else given this a go, and more importantly, is it too powerful?

My group is fairly new, so haven't really dipped their toes into solo or squad mode at all yet, and I'm hoping an example might inspire (fear in) them. For reference, we are using errata'd weaponry, Black Crusade combat actions and Zealous Hatred (Deathwatch Training allows two D5s to be rolled and the highest to be used).

N0-1_H3r3 did that with Eldar, and it's pretty awesome.

I'd do the same with CSMs. Though it'd require coming up with Solo and Squad Modes for the Legions, and potentially for each of the Marks of Chaos as well. Would definitely spice things up.

I would not give it to Hordes. I'd use it with particular solos, and yes balance is the big issue given, for example, that a Battlesuit has about 3-4 times as many Wounds as a given Astarte and has about 4 attached weapons with no ammo counter. If you want to add Squad Mode interrupts and the like, you probably need to scale things back in some other way.

Eldar: Almost certainly yes for aspect warriors, they've trained for centuries to perfect their arts.

Chaos space marines: Very situational. Two major reasons why squad mode abilities are possible: having a common pool of superhuman-level training to draw from, and deep trust and confidence in your allies' ability and willingness to do their part. CSM may have the former, having fought for centuries or millennia, but could very easily lose the latter as they become more self-serving and cynical. I could definitely see some CSM squads using the abilities, either because they are just that loyal to each other or that they're from a recently turned renegade squad who have not been truly corrupted yet.

Tau: They'd have the discipline to make it work, but I doubt they have the sheer martial ability or length of training to pull it off. Space marines and eldar train for decades if not centuries to be able to use squad mode, it's not something you can learn in boot camp.

Tyranids: Possible. They can have the connection and training isn't really an issue for them. However, I am inclined to say that they already use their abilities to coordinate swarms of their lesser brethren instead of true squad mode abilities.

Hordes in general: No. They're mobs. At best disciplined ranks, but not elite troops who could learn the tactics.

From a balance point of view, giving enemies squad modes even in a limited form is a huge boost. I would go as far to say as they are the most powerful single tool a space marine squad has to change the course of a battle, having seen what a properly coordinated squad can do with the likes of furious charge and strongpoint. Thus, I would be very hesistant about handing those abilities over to non-loyalist space marines without good reason.

Decessor said:

I'd only give squad modes to Elite creatures for whatever reason (ten thousand years of battle and personal training at the hands of one of the Emperor's Sons giving instincts overriding personal animosity, a martial tradition that stretches back before the dawn of the human race, a heightened battlefield role meaning that the overarching mind that governs a billion billion independant forms pays more than cursory attention) for the most part. I love the idea of Tau getting a set of specialised Squad modes based on the Greater Good (A mode where the squad leader can choose for one member of the squad to take massive additional damage by jumping willingly on a grenade but reducing the blast of the weapon, a mode where every member of the squad mode adds to charm tests to persuade an enemy that the Tau are only acting for the benefit of all life, that sort of thing)

Mark of the Xenos has a bunch more horde traits, including 'Tactical Formation' which reduces damage from blast weapons. Worth a look as a halfway house to jumping to giving out squad modes.