Additional Rules
Epic Armageddon - Crucible of Champions
Warbands in Epic Armageddon
Background
Background
Creating Your Warband
Reference Sheet (PDF)
Slaanesh Warband of Plyshtarin - The Rapture of Torment
Statistics of the Units Used
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Authors Notes
Believe it or not, this all started with Warhammer Fantasy Battle. White Dwarf magazine number 283 (in the UK) had the collected rules
for warbands in Warhammer Fantasy. I had been following this in the magazine for a few months, and generally remembering
the 'good old days' of the Realms of Chaos books, which contained the rules for warbands in both Warhammer Fantasy and
Warhammer 40K. This brought me back to the original Rogue Trader book, with random tables and so on. Now this was never
very fair, and a lot of people were 'inventive' in their dice rolls for troops and equipment, but it generally didnt matter
as the warbands had a bit of character most of the time. I got so into all of this that I even rolled up a few warbands
using the recent Path to Glory Warhammer Fantasy tables - and I dont know a single person who even has the rule book!
Anyway, all of this got me thinking how I could combine this great narrative experience with Epic, one of my favourite
games. At first, I was sure that it was a dumb idea and could not be done. But, the more that I thought about it, the more
I thought 'why not'? Sure, there will be occassions when the background had to be thrown in with a pinch of salt, and
times when the players would need to suspend disbelief a little with the various combinations of troops that came up. And
surely Epic is a game of huge armies and battles? Well, yes, but the original Training Mission scenarios and starter games
have about two formations of only a handful of units. So, why not? Well, I gave up arguing with myself (since that path
leads to solo games and eventual madness) and threw together a few ideas. The more that I thought about this, the more I
liked it. A warband style system would allow new players to put together a small force and get gaming relatively quickly.
It relies on the narrative style of gaming which loads of players really like, but which is rare due to the more
complex campaign systems and experience calculations. It lets players create minis which are individuals and have character -
you can actually customise and convert your champions transport vehicle and units generate a history of their own. I was getting
enthusiastic about this, and before I knew it the entire idea was taking way too much time, until I got to the point that
it was simpler to just commit it all in written form.
First, a warning. These rules are not balanced. You will not get a nice even game where the victor depends on strategy and
tactics. Your warband may well be really weak and difficult to even draw with. Sorry, but tough luck. Add to this, the
fact that it is really difficult to completely test and play all the possible combinations and tables, and you have something
that is supposed to be fun. Let me say that again, this is about two player putting a few units in a box and playing
a quick game to see how their history developes. This type of game will make you think a bit more about how you commit
your forces, since there is a real chance that 'dead' troops will stay dead and that your warband wont be up to full
strength next game. Anyway, there are broadly three sections to this article. The first deals with generating a warband
initially, the second with getting together and playing games with the warbands and the third with the development of the
warbands between and after games. I will also add various examples and experiences of my own.
So, without further ado, why are these warbands fighting, and how do they exist...
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Background
The Dyphadian System has been scarred and almost stripped bare by decades of fighting. Lying close to the edge of the Eye of
Terror, it has been plagued by Chaos incursion since history began, and being comprised mostly of relatively small hive
and agricultural worlds, it would never make it to the top of the Imperial priorities. As a consequence, it was relatively
ignored and left to self rule, although an eye was kept on it for Chaos influences which could not be ignored. Then,
perhaps inevitably, Chaos arrived - in force. Within the space of twelve years, a Chaos force combined of the four major
powers, many minor factions and even more undivided bands had taken control of the entire system. In the following seven
years Chaos did, literally, rule. Vast swathes of worlds were harvested and scrubbed bare, thousands fell as sacrifices,
the air on many worlds was turned black with soot and factory exhaust. However, it could not last. Orks from a nearby
sector saw the plunder and jumped at the chance of a good fight, and arrived in their thousands. The pact which had
prevailed over the Chaos forces could not last indefinately, and it broke down in spectacular fashion. Former
allies turned on each other, and pockets of resistance grew up around the local PDF forces combined with small
Imperial Guard garrisons. No one force was large enough to cut through the rest and unite the system, but they fought
on for their small pockets of land, and slowly destroyed each other in wars of attrition.
There are many scattered Chaos followers roaming the lands, each feeling set upon and betrayed by other Chaos generals, and
each waiting for a time to gather an army, confident that their particular Chaos power will reward them with a chance to
assemble a mighty force and conquer an entire world. Most are sadly deluded. Joining these potential champions are bands
of warriors, the remains of the various fragmented armies or small bands of survivors from less successful leaders. Combined,
they have become an endless cycle of warbands rising up to take on all opponents, and falling prey to larger warbands or
forces made of several warbands to halt the progress of rivals.
And so it continues. Step into the arena, draw your retinue close around you, recruit your warband from the lowest forms
of life, issue a challenge to all who can hear you. Let the cycle begin again.
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Next Page - Creating Your Warband
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Version 1.1: 04/09/2003
Feedback on these rules: cybershadow@epic40k.co.uk
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