Who brings a knife to a gun-fight?

[Onkl]

Hi guys

To answer my own question: Apparently, Space Marines do!

I have a problem with the survivability of melee-weapons based fighters in a world which also features high damage ranged weapons. My current headache is with a Warhammer 40'000 campaign where the PCs take on the roles of Space Marines. The PCs start out at 700 CP, they are extremely beefy warriors with high stats, all wearing power armour with 70 DR. Have a look at this post in which I linked a document if you are interested in the templates I used.<link zu pdf post>

So far, I've tried the following rule adaptions for melee-based PCs:

• Melee Etiquette: Whenever encountering a Boss or a Henchmen type adversary, melee-based characters can challenge them to a one-on-one fight. The fight between the two combatants is to the death but neither PCs or NPCs can interfere once the challenge is accepted. Also, you can only challenge unscathed opponents. So no gang-banging and then one-on-oneing. - this rule is pretty stupid come to think of it.. It suits the lore, sure, but from a pov
• Acrobatics Galore: All melee-based PCs can use Acrobatic Dodge several times per turn at -1 per attempt after the first.
• Uncanny Blocking: All melee-based PCs using a shield can use block as an active defense when being shot at, even with lasers.
• Assault Marines: Assault Marines get special equipment, a Jump Pack, which enables them to close with the enemy fast or get the hell outta dodge (Move 14).
• Enhanced Dodge: All melee-based PCs get +1 to Dodge, free of charge.
• All but the most modest of melee weapons have an armor divisor of (3)

Do you have any other ideas on what to do to help my melees survive?

Then there's the problem of scope. Assault Marines often carry a melee weapon and a ranged weapon. Do they get all, some or none of the benefits I mentioned above? Do only 'true' melees get the benefits?

I am mostly interested in hearing about experiences and additional rules exemptions you might have used in your games. And of course what you think of the stuff I did so far.

Cheers

Onkl