Chaos Space Marine Codex Question: Plague Champions

[the_trooper]

A plague champion comes with a plague knife, bolter, bolt pistol.

The wargear section says the champion can replace their bolt pistol and or close combat weapon for a power weapon, chainaxe, powerfist, etc.

The question is: Does a plague knife count as a close combat weapon?

The question comes up because a close combat weapon is something mentioned in the big book. It even has a weapon profile now. Then if you look under melee weapon type in the big book, it states any weapon used in close combat.

Thoughts?

[Typhus]

page 64; CSM;codex, its listed with a profile and the Melee rule, so yeah, its  CCW.

[Mannahnin]

Trooper, you're right.  It's not a generic Close Combat Weapon, it's a Plague Knife.  Plague Knives are listed in their wargear; it's not a special rule that modifies their CCW, it's actually a different weapon.  I just spotted this recently when Army Builder wouldn't let me swap the knife, and then checked the wording in the codex.

So you have to trade your bolter or bolt pistol for a power fist, power axe, etc.  Probably best to drop the pistol if you're taking a fist, or drop the bolter if you're taking a power weapon so you don't lose an attack in assault. 

[the_trooper]

Actually, it's more restrictive than that. Bolters can only be replaced for combi-weapons or plasma pistols.

Only the pistol and ccw can be replaced for that fist, power weapon, lc, etc.

[Typhus]

new FAQ;

Page 98 – Plague Marines, Plague Knife.
Add the following Designer’s Note:
Note that, for the purposes of the Plague Champion purchasing items
from the Melee Weapons section of the wargear list, his Plague Knife
can be exchanged in the same fashion as a close combat weapon.

[the_trooper]

new FAQ;

Page 98 – Plague Marines, Plague Knife.
Add the following Designer’s Note:
Note that, for the purposes of the Plague Champion purchasing items
from the Melee Weapons section of the wargear list, his Plague Knife
can be exchanged in the same fashion as a close combat weapon.

Thanks!  I think I can credit you as being the herald of "Rich looks at playing 40k again".