Monday, August 20, 2007
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Monday, August 20, 2007
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RADICAL MEASURES IN WARHAMMER 40,000
by Phil Kelly
DARK SECRETS
If you've been following the events surrounding the ever-dubious Relictors Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes over the last few issues of White Dwarf, you'll no doubt be wondering just how far this rogue Space Marine Chapter is prepared to go in its quest to turn Chaos against itself. Well, so are we, but we're prepared to investigate every possible outcome. As a result, here's some extra goodies for those who would battle not just for life or death, but for the souls of an entire chapter...
Daemonhunters players of a Radical bent will no doubt have considered the potential power they could wield with a full chapter ot Space Marines devoted to their cause. No doubt the shadier members of the Ordo Malleus are very glad that instead of asking awkward questions and screaming about heresy, the Relictors actively further their forbidden research. As a result, we've brought a few more tainted artefacts utilised by senior ranking Relictors and the Radical factions of the Ordo Malleus alike out of their thrice-consecrated confinement chambers for those (ahem) open-minded players out there who are not averse to toying with the dark path. But remember, be careful where it leads...
In the Relictors' special rules in WD 281, it states that Relictors may only ally with Radical Daemonhunters. We know that an Inquisitor's loyalty is not always discemable by the company he keeps, so here's a clarification:
"Inquisitors that are not accompanied by ANY type of Grey Knight Space Marines may be designated Radical (Grey Knights will not fight alongside those who dabble in the Dark Arts). They may take Daemonhosts in their allied force and use the artefacts printed below"
DARK ARTEFACTS
These artefacts are legendary in their rarity, kept safe in stasis chambers deep within heavily fortified reclusiams and lead-lined sacristies. There exists only one of each of these artefacts, so only one of each type may be taken in any given army.
Books of Pain
25 pts
Inquisitors and Inquisitor Lords only
The fabled Books of Pain contain every word that has ever been used to describe sensation from discomfort to screaming agony. In times of dire necessity, a few words from these blasphemous texts can cause all those within earshot to fall into paroxysms of suffering.
The Books of Pain can be used once per game, at the beginning of any movement phase. All units, friend or foe (including the bearer's own) with a model within 3" of the bearer count as pinned until the beginning of the owner's next turn.
Artekus Scourge
25 pts
Relictors only
The Artekus Scourge is a flail tipped with balls of pure energy in the form of screaming daemonic faces. Originally wielded by the Chapter Master of the Relictors. Artekus Bardane, the flail snaps and gnashes at the souls of those it hits.
The Artekus Scourge is a daemon weapon, and follows the appropriate rules from Codex: Chaos Space Marines. If the Scourge wounds a model with more than one wound, that model mus! roll under its Ld on 3D6 or be removed as a casualty. The Scourge is a power weapon.
Sword of St. Aquitalne
25 pts
The Sword of St. Aquitaine was recovered by the Relictors immediately prior to its debasement and subsequent possession by a daemonic entity, and contains a nightmarish creature of such power it can turn day into night.
If the Sword of St. Aquitaine causes a wound, and the bearer passes his Mastery test, he may force the entirety of the next game turn to be fought using the Night Fight rules. The Sword of St. Aquitaine is both a daemon weapon and a power weapon.
Shard of the Monolith
20 pts
Relictors only
Recovered from the twisted, debased Monolith at the heart of the Equatorial Jungle on Armageddon and set into an ornate chain of consecrated lead, this shard of obsidian imbues the wearer with great speed and strength, but at a price...
The bearer gains +1 S and +1 I. He must always move towards and assault the nearest enemy if possible and must always perform a sweeping advance if at all possible.
Grimoire Pandaemonica
25 pts
This daemonic Grimoire weighs heavily with the sacrifices made in its name, and has the power to greatly augment the power of dark ritual. When read backwards, passages from within its pages can cause tidal waves in the ether, disrupting any control over daemonic summoning.
The bearer can force his opponent to re-roll Daemonic Possession or a single Summoning roll each game turn.
Blade of Phaedron
15 pts
Inside the Blade of Phaedron lies the seething soul of a daemon possessed of a great enmity for all its kin. Although it is unremarkable when employed against a living thing, against a daemon the blade will blaze white with the pure heat of the captive daemon's rage.
The Blade of Phaedron wounds all Daemons on a 2+, and adds +D3 to the bearer's Attacks characteristic when charging a Daemon instead ot the usual +1. The Blade of Phaedron is a daemon weapon.
NEW MISSION
This mission, Daemonhunt, is along similar lines to the Terminate the Daemonvessel mission from Codex: Daemonhunters, but with more of a Radical bent. It is ideally played with a force of Space Marines (the Relictors) versus a Chaos force (Lost and the Damned or Chaos Space Marines), although enterprising players may like to use the Adversaries rules on page 49 of Codex: Daemonhunters so that they can use an army of their choice. If you haven't got a copy of Codex: Daemonhunters, rules for Inquisitors can be found in the Chapter Approved section of White Dwarf 275 and rules for Daemons can be found in WD 272. Now grab a forbidden tome and a nice sharp daemon weapon and get ghostbusting...
DAEMONHUNT
ATTACKER'S OVERVIEW
You have located the Chaos worshipper's stronghold, but moments too late! The worst possible fate can only be avoided by turning the tools of Chaos against the foul apparition before you.
DEFENDER'S OVERVIEW
The ritual is complete. Only mere seconds stand between you and the incarnation of your god, provided you can contend with the meddling fools of the Ordo Malleus and their Astartes lackeys. Kill them all!
SCENARIO SPECIAL RULES
Daemonhunt uses the Deep Strike and Infiltration special rules.
SET UP
- Place a suitable terrain piece in the table centre. This is the sacnficial altar and will take the place of the Daemonvessel when the Greater Daemon emerges.
- The defender deploys his forces anywhere entirely within 12" of the Altar.
- The attacker's forces are deployed anywhere in the areas marked on the map.
- Roll a dice, whoever rolls highest gets the first turn.
MISSION OBJECTIVE
The attacker must slay the Greater Daemon to achieve victory. Any and all other considerations are irrelevant. If this is achieved it is a victory to the attacker.
The defender must keep the Greater Daemon alive by any means necessary. If this is achieved it counts as a victory to the defender.
The attacker counts as having 1 Inquisitor Lord in addition to his normal force (player's choice). This Inquisitor may spend a free 150 points on any wargear. Henchmen, psychic powers, transports and weapon upgrades. The Inquisitor Lord is automatically equipped with the Blade of Phaedron (see opposite page) in addition to the 150 pt bonus.
The attacker counts as having a Greater Daemon of his choice in addition to his force, held in reserve. Use the normal Reserve rules for the Greater Daemon instead of the usual Summoning rules.
RESERVES
When the Greater Daemon becomes available it will appear directly on the sacrificial altar (which cannot be destroyed) and may move and fight as normal. Note that this bypasses the usual rules for Daemonvessels.
GAME LENGTH
The game lasts for six turns.
LINE OF RETREAT
Units that are forced to fall back will do so towards the nearest board edge, using the normal Fall Back rules
Posted by
Urza
