UPDATE: The link below will now download Age of Heresy Version 2.0
OK, everybody, I have something very special today. Over the last month myself, Mkerr, Bulwark, and many, many others have been poring over every Heresy-Era source we can get our hands on and working on a set of rules to allow you all to play games in the Age of the Horus Heresy. We've had great ideas, terrible ones, and many, many iterations before reaching this point.
Here is the link to download the Adobe Acrobat file for the rule-set.
Download Here
Within you will find general rules for each of the First Founding legions, rules to reflect the different technological period of the Heresy-Era and a large set of new Named Characters to offer something to every Legion and modeler out there. There are also time lines, and suggestions for using other codices in your games as well as a suggested reading list for Heresy-Era enthusiasts.
Download Here
Within you will find general rules for each of the First Founding legions, rules to reflect the different technological period of the Heresy-Era and a large set of new Named Characters to offer something to every Legion and modeler out there. There are also time lines, and suggestions for using other codices in your games as well as a suggested reading list for Heresy-Era enthusiasts.
Is it perfect or comprehensive? No, but I hope this serves as a starting point to get your creative juices flowing and give groups of Heresy-Era enthusiasts a mutual set of rules they can use to start modeling and playing games.
Enjoy, and by all means, leave comments.
-bigred
30 comments:
So there are no restrictions on the Predator Annihilator?
And are the characters as is, or can they take a command squad. For instance Death Guard Garro has a command squad, including an apothecary.
I also find no mention in any fluff of the Heresy era chapters having Techmarines. It seems the techpriest, and servitors handled everything. The Adeptus Mechanicus couldn’t exactly let the unwashed heathens anger the machine spirits, and they definitely couldn’t let it get out that they worshiped the Omnissiah.
That being said, and sounding some what negative, I love the list. Thanks for the hard work you guys have done putting it together.
Thanks for the comments. Ok lets go through them,
Predator Annihilator is allowed just because (I may change it). It is just a turret weapon swapout, and the formal distinction between the two models has been done away with in the newer codices (DA/BA).
Command Squads are allowed as per usual rules, so command or terminator command based on the character's armor.
There are lots of visual references to Heresy-Era techmarines. They were there during this era, and if anything actually "knew" how much of their technology worked as opposed to the debased knowledge they possess in the 40th millennia.
Nice compilation. Never much cared for the current loyalist rules but these ones seem interesting, possibly because of the retrictions. I think I might have to give this a whirl.
I like the fact that you guys didn't touch characters like Magnus the Red or Lion El Jonson
A few things.
-Sigismund of the Imperial Fists carries a Blessed Weapon and a Storm Shield. Codex: Witch Hunters lists a Blessed Weapon as being a two-handed mastercrafted weapon that adds +2 S. Wouldn't this make mentioning the MC'd nature of the weapon redundant and make the storm shield useless since he wouldn't have a hand free to use it in combat? Or as a hulking Space Marine, can he use the weapon with one hand whereas a Sister requires two?
Likewise, I'm surprised that Abbadon doesn't have something similar to the "Deathwing Assault" that the new DA have, since teleporting Terminator assaults was a tactic he loved and employed often. Although maybe that was more his style post-Heresy, so maybe I'm off my rocker suggesting that.
The only other thing I feel needs addressing is the fact that the Chaos codex that this rules-set references repeatedly is about to change and many of the rules or wargear (such as Warp Focus) do not appear to be staying. While those of us who have the current Codex will be fine, new players that discover this rules-set and wish to play it may be confused. Are there plans to update this after the new Chaos codex comes out (would be simple to just post the obsolete rules such as Demogogue once it is no longer valid, though how GW would look upon that... perhaps not).
Keep up the great articles!
How come Bjorn the Fel Handed's hand isn't very fel? It's no better than most of the characters listed.
Hey bolterbait, thanks for the comments.
These rules were meant as a cool flavorful setting that isn't full of crazy powerful characters, so I drew the line at existing ICs and their peers. So no primarchs, and other super-powerful folks.
Yes, you are correct Sigismund can use his sword in one hand. I should just rename it as it's meant to be based on the Emperor's Champion, and not the witchhunter weapon.
I was drawing a blank on Abbadon, so I went with a general shooting ability as the Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus were known for their mastery of bolters. I may revisit it after Apocalypse comes out as Abbadon is rumoured to have special rules in there.
Finally,I will update this document regularly as GW codices are updated to make sure folks can access all the rules needed.
.................
As for Bjorn, the goal was to group the 3 most well known "fighters" (as opposed to leaders), consisting of Kharn, Lucius,and Bjorn. Each was to be the best at something so Lucius got the highest skill and is the best at killing other ICs, Kharn is the most lethal against squads, and Bjorn is the hardest to kill.
......................
-bigred
One type-o, I think. Lucius is Captain of the 13th Co
and not a Lord Commander, and Tarvitz is captain of the 10th.
Wonderful ruleset, and compliments on a sharp-looking publication. I like the restrictions and cross-overs from C:CSM, makes for space marine legions I would enjoy modeling and playing. Speaking of which, great job on all of those characters, with their varied equipment and unique special rules. Dig the Iron Hands and Death Guard characters especially, good stuff.
2 Things:
1. Do Blood Angels use C:BA or C:SM? My guess is they really use C:SM, just with Baals, as the whole Death Co. fall happened later ... But speaking of which, World Eaters have Death Co. right? Just "Fallen of Khorne" or something with FNP and such?
2. I think Erebus is missing some equipment in his description. I'm guessing he still has his rosarius, as it's included in his statline still.
- Salvage
Hey Boss, thanks for the support, and you have some sharp eyes.
Yes, the BAs use the standard C:SM with Baals. The World Eaters use the new C:BA (without Baals), with the Death Company reprsenting an elite force of the most mentally unbalanced Berzerkers.
And yep, you caught the big typo in the character section. I made a cut and paste error on both the World Bearer characters. They are missing their Grenades, rosarius', and bolt pistols...oops
I'll get it cleaned up and reposted in a few days after I get more feedback, and hopefully track down all the issues with it.
'Lo, cool ruleset! Bjorn is listed as a Wolf Guard Champion. Should he be used as an IC like a lord/WGBL or as a squad leader wolf guard? I plan on converting and using one of the old wolfguard models to field him, as he looks almost exactly like Bjorn's picture on the old Bjorn dred banner, the one fighting the old plastic nid warrior (IIRC)...
Hi Bullymike, nice blog!!
His official title is just fluff. He's a normal IC so use him like a Lord.
Hey guys, I wanted to let you know that your comments are invaluable for this project.
I've already caught a few oversights and typos (like forgetting to ban Razorbacks...oops).
There will be another updated version of the rules posted next week with numerous tweaks to enhance gameplay and reduce the amount of cross-codex flipping needed to use the rules.
Keep the feedback coming and I will will end this comment with a little hint... The Legio Cybernetica is returning...
@Boss Salvage: As far as Erebus is concerned, I believe we agreed that he would have an Iron Halo instead of a Rosarius. Statwise it won't make a difference, but I don't think the Ecclesiarchy was handing out the Rosarius to SM Chaplains before the Horus Heresy.
Or at least I can't find a reference to one. Let me know if you find one.
Fantastic work, though it does need some ironing :D. I like the way it's only a few simple changes to the current SM codex, which makes a huge difference.
One question - do the World Eaters (using the new BA) and Dark Angels (using the new DA) use the combat squad rules!? It's not very clear if they do or not.
hey gavin,
they use the codex, so yes if combat squads is an option, then yes they can use it.
I have made a note in the upcoming version that the larger squads of 11-20 members may NOT use either Infiltrate or the Combat Squads rule. So, be prepared for that when I post up the Version 1.1 document.
Version 1.1 is up.
Lots of new stuff, so go download it!
Ha ha! That is a fantastic campaign system - if I ever won the lottery I'd force everyone I know to collect a different legion each, so I coiuld play it.
Good work. :D:D:D
Welcome to My world :) I got roped into playing Raven Guard in the league :)
They all couldn't have allies (Ordos are not existing)
Librarians need serious rework
Prevent command squads from "Bike with Missle Launcher" issue
Bolter&Chainsword Homegrown rules have nice project "Astartes Reform Project" hope it helps
Havent realy read the rules yet so I won't coment on them but I do have one point.
>There are lots of visual references to Heresy-Era techmarines.<
Yes that is correct.
> They were there during this era, and if anything actually "knew" how much of their technology worked as opposed to the debased knowledge they possess in the 40th millennia. <
This how ever is total drek. The loss of understanding happened at the end of the Dark Age of Technology. Me thinks you need to spend more than a month reading your fluff. Try reading the fluff bible some time just look it up on google!
Ok now I've read it i have a few points about the campaign.
A) the battle between the 2 dark angel factions happened AFTER the Seige of Terra. The Dark Angels didn't discover the betrail until they turned back after the seige ended.
B) where is it stated that Ferrius Manus was killed, I thought he 'dissapeared' (and he's not on Mars, realy he's not, don't look at me like that...)
"where is it stated that Ferrius Manus was killed, I thought he 'dissapeared' (and he's not on Mars, realy he's not, don't look at me like that...)"
The Horus Heresy Artbook (Volume 3 or 4), where Fulgrim gives Horus his severed head as a trophy.
Also, the novel Fulgrim, where Fulgrim kills him and gives his head to Horus as a trophy.
Thanks for all the feedback guys,
Version 1.3 is coming soon. We have been tuning and going over the rules, streamlining some of the more complex bits, and slowly but surely making the document more of a stand alone piece that minimized the need for rampant cross referencing between codices.
The campaign has been beefed up so each Legion player will have more custom-missions during the 9 weeks.
For those fanatic modelers, we have added both Sisters of Silence and Custodes in a very limited way to ensure they are not abusable.
Finally this document is by its nature a living breathing project. GW has pretty much thrown out all of their eariler contradictory Heresy fluff and started over with the very detailed 4 book Horus Heresy artbook series and the Heresy novel series. These are considered primary references for this project, so make sure you take that into account.
Sounds brilliant, I'm awaiting it with baited breath.
One suggestion - why not dedicate a page or two to modeling pre-heresy armour, give a few tips on converting regular armour, and list any useful sprues or kits where you get pre-heresy armour pieces. Would be very helpful.
This is simply brilliant! I'm disseminating this info to our local league now!
Cool.
Just bringing up the point Hightower made about Annihilators. According to GW canon, they did not exist until after the Skarath Crusade, many millenia after the Great Crusade and the Heresy. It was "created" by the Space Wolves during a push into the Eye of Terror, when a Great Company was surronded and besieged and could not get support from the Chapter's Land Raiders. See Index Astartes 4, pgs. 58-59. The Adeptus Mechanicus through a fit over it.
But other than that bit of 'historical discrepency' I love this! Can't wait for ver.2.0!
Awesome work guys! and it looks like v2.0 is gonna rock even harder!
Thanks for the hard work.
Phal Brannon
I love it!! How much have you guys played using the rules? I am thoroughly impressed and look forward to getting some of us in the Philly area playing Pre Heresy very soon
The xenos players of CXI/Adeptus Astrgalactica will be happy to play in this, so's you can have some actual non-marines in the campaign! ;-) We'll be at the 'forge on Sunday!
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