8 Days of Warzone Resurrection: Dark Legion

Sorry for the 2 day delay, life got in the way.

The Dark Legion is an ancient evil comprising five "Dark Apostles" and their horde of hideous mutants and undead. The Dark Legion is the corporeal presentation of Dark Symmetry and minions of the Dark Apostles. The Dark Legion commands the most powerful armies of the solar system, including Legionnaires, resurrected corpses of fallen Megacorp heroes and footsoldiers alike; Necromutants, hideously modified humanoids; Centurions, the lethal lieutenants of the Dark Legion; and Nepharites, fearsome, towering behemoths of unimaginable power.

The reign of the Dark Legion began as mankind set foot on Nero, the tenth planet beyond the orbit of Pluto, where they discovered a citadel. As they entered, the Imperial Conquistadors – a group of interplanetary explorers – accidentally broke the First Seal Of Repulsion, a thin ring of salt spread around the citadel. Inside, a mysterious iron plate was found, and as it was touched, the Dark Legion was brought to our dimension, and along with it, the Dark Symmetry.

The Dark Symmetry prevents computers, "thinking engines", and other electronic devices from functioning reliably, if at all and initially caused complete chaos, and then a forced adaptation of the technology used by mankind. The Dark Symmetry also begins to spread plague, lies, illusions and war on the human population through Dark Apostles known as Demnogonis, Semai, Muawihje, Algeroth and Ilian, The Dark Mistress and most powerful wielder of The Dark Symmetry. Thus the first Corporate wars began. Only through the Brotherhood and its first Cardinal, Nathaniel Durand were the corporations pulled under one banner, driving back the Dark Legion and Dark Symmetry back to the void where it came.

This however cost Nathaniel Durand his life as he fought and defeated Algeroth, the field commander of all of the Dark Legion and the master of Dark Technology. Dark Legion resurfaces as a milennia passes, old edicts to keep the evil at bay are broken and Megacorps begin the 2nd Corporate wars. Yet again Nero is explored and Dark Symmetry is unleashed. It was also during the period of 1000-year peace that Cybertronic surfaced and was first to break one of the edicts; Human must not create or use machines that think like man.

Dark Legion units available:

Some close ups of my Faves:

Praetorian Behemoth

Undead Legionnaires

Razide

The Dark Legion has always been a favorite of mine and I will own all of the new minis!

Don't forget to check out the Warzone Resurrection Kickstarter just under 2 days left to make a pledge!

8 Days of Warzone Resurrection: Bauhaus Mega Corporation

Bauhaus is built around the hierarchy of the four ancient houses of the Duke Electors. Each of these four houses is responsible for one division within the corporation. They still remain in power due to a strong tradition of military service within the houses.

The Bauhaus Corporation has a well-deserved reputation for engineering excellence and now, nearly 1400 years later, the reputation still holds true. During the colonization of the solar system all the corporations employed their skills in the construction of ships, atmospheric processing plants and gravity regulators. In addition to this they were recognized for their honorable business ethics. They rarely offered the most appealing deals and they were never the cheapest but agreements signed with them were always honored.

As one might expect the Bauhaus reputation for excellence extends onto the battlefield. Their military hardware is generally of a high standard and their mechanical and vehicular support is notably superior to that of the other corporations. Combined with good discipline and highly trained troops, the Bauhaus army is one of the most effective in the solar system. Following the culture of military service the troops themselves are also well motivated and follow a code of honor that has earned them respect throughout the corporations.

Here are all the units that will be available at launch:

Close ups of some of my favorites

I really dig the Prussian vibe to Bauhaus, but for now I will leave them to my best friend Kevin to build. They are his favorite faction in Warzone.

Link to the Warzone Resurrection Kickstarter!

 

8 Days of Warzone Resurrection: The Brotherhood

When the worlds of man were faced with the threat of destruction at the hands of the Dark Legion and the avarice of their own warring superpowers, it was the Brotherhood who saved them. It was the Brotherhood that had grown from a small movement of the disenfranchised into an organization more powerful than any other before it. Within its ranks existed the righteousness and the hope of a race on the brink of extinction.

In that dark and Godless time, salvation was borne on the shoulders of one man and the desperate pleas of a race, weary of the constant slaughter, received hope. Humanity rallied under the banner of the charismatic Durand, the followers of the Light united humanity as they had never been before and drove back the Darkness. Today, the Brotherhood is represented across the solar system, from Mercury to the distant Pluto.

Wherever the light of the Brotherhood falls, the battle against the Darkness continues. At least that is how it's supposed to be. Even today, a thousand plus years later, the Brotherhood represents an all governing, unearthly power that is personified by one man.

The Cardinal is the spiritual leader of the solar system. In fact, he is the single most powerful man alive, commanding immense loyalty, military might and mysterious power. Aiding the Cardinal in his sacred mission, deep within the vast libraries of the Brotherhood's cathedrals, the Mystics endlessly search into both the past and the ever-changing future to find the answers to lead humanity back into the light.

To do battle against the Dark Legion, the original Cardinal created a mighty sword from his followers so resolute in their purpose, so dedicated to their holy task that they would scour the solar system to insure the Darkness could never return. They would drive the forces of evil back and once defeated, they would maintain a vigil to protect the very soul of humanity from the corruption within. This sword was anointed by the Inquisition and for over a thousand years, this institution has sought to cleanse our solar system of the festering evil that can be found both in the worlds of humanity and stand ready to defend mankind from the cold wastes of Pluto and Uranus to the scorching deserts of Mars and Mercury. They remain forever vigilant.

Here are the units available so far.

Some close ups of some favorites:

Mortificators assassins for the Church

I love games with religious zealots, and will always collect a smattering for narrative play.

 

8 Days of Warzone Resurrection: Cybertronic Mega Corporation

The Cybertronic Mega Corporation is the newest corporation to come to power.

However, in the 160 years since they reached Megacorporation status they have had a huge impact on the solar system. The corporation had its beginnings in a relatively unknown company called Cybertronic Investments Inc., with a dubious reputation for developing technology in violation of Brotherhood directives.

In the year 1103 Y.C. they orchestrated a colossal 'ghost collapse' of the stock exchange on Luna. Billions of valuable share were unwisely sold only to be bought up by supporters of Cybertronic who suddenly emerged from within all the corporations. The company's assets soared rapidly and almost overnight a new Mega Corporation was born.

As the Cybertronic farms continue to deliver citizens at a rate that no other corporation can match the ranks of their military are swelling in step. Many are the rolls that one might fulfill for the corporation but none yield the esteem or the potential rewards of serving in the armed forces. Contrary to what most Cybertronic citizens believe, their soldiers do not always go into battle supported by the finest military hardware to be found in the solar system. It is true that the best that Cybertronic has to offer really is the best there is.

However, Cybertronic's resources and their confidence in their superiority are not as limitless, nor as certain as they would have their citizens believe. As a consequence of this the majority of their troops are sent into battle with equipment that is decidedly average in quality and effectiveness. eached Megacorporation status they have had a huge impact on the solar system.

Cybertronic was always the least unified looking faction in Warzone in the past. Prodos has done a fantastic job unifying them. Here are all the new designs:

 

Here are some close ups of some of my favs

This faction has always been my guilty pleasure faction due to the old miniatures, but now I will have to proudly build a skirmish force of them!

8 days of Warzone Resurrection: the Kickstarter

Today is the first post of 8 days of Warzone related posts, so stay tuned for more Mutant Chronicles Warzone goodness here on GiF!

The Kickstarter has been funded and has been busting through stretch goals. Initially they were shooting to reach 35k and release the Bauhaus faction. It has been so successful that Plastic troop squads for the starter sets and a 5th faction has been unlocked the Capitol Mega Corporation. As of this morning the Kickstarter broke and is sitting at around the 100k mark!

So upon initial release in late June, Prodos games will be releasing 5 of the 7 major factions within the Mutant Chronicles universe. I think this is outstanding as a fan of this IP.

Each faction has a starter set containing plastic troopers, a hero and either a vehicle or monster of some sort.

Below are pics (some actual renders for casting, others concept art) of the Add On's including all the units unlocked so far.

So far the miniatures are looking fantastic, Prodos have done a good job keeping the right amount of character in the designs while updating them to fit modern design styles. I have not been this excited for a wargaming release in years.

Long Live Mutant Chronicles Resurrection!

Warzone Resurrection is up on Kickstarter

I urge anyone who knows and likes the Mutant Chronicles Universe to support the Warzone Resurrection Kickstarter! Prodos Games has been extremely responsive to fan feedback, more so than anyone I have seen in recent times.

They just posted a new video on the card mechanics that Warzone will use.



To be honest I am not a fan of the placing the card on the table for AoE and would much prefer placing a token instead. In fact that is what my group will do if the card on the table makes it through.

So head over to their Facebook group and share your feedback! If you are not into FB, then head over to Dakka where they are also taking feeback!

OMG Warzone is being resurrected!

One of my favorite all time Sci-Fi skirmish games is on its way to returning to the wargaming world! This newest version of the game will be titled Mutant Chronicles Warzone Resurrection and after nearly a decade of being dead I am totally stoked to see its return.

Here is a short Teaser Video, very GWesk, but inspiring as a long time Warzone fan.



Here is the basic breakdown of the Universe.

The game takes place in a distant future where the Earth has long since been depleted of natural resources and abandoned. Humanity has spread to the worlds of Venus, Mars, Mercury, Luna (the first settlement following the exodus from Earth), and the Asteroid Belt.
 

Since the exodus from Earth the traditional nation-states of the world have merged into five huge megacorporations: Bauhaus, styled after the culture of continental Europe, the American-influenced Capitol, the Japanese-themed Mishima, the British-inspired Imperial, and the ultra-secretive, ambiguous , high-tech wielding Cybertronic, all of whom use private military forces to fight for resources. Luna (the Moon) itself is considered to be neutral ground and is home to the massive city-state known as Luna City. The other major power of this universe is the Brotherhood, a fanatical religious organization formed to meet the threat of the Dark Legion, an ancient evil comprising five "Dark Apostles" and their horde of hideous mutants and undead. The Dark Legion is the corporeal presentation of Dark Symmetry and minions of the Dark Apostles. The Dark Legion commands the most powerful armies of the solar system, including Legionnaires, resurrected corpses of fallen Megacorp heroes and footsoldiers alike; Necromutants, hideously modified humanoids; Centurions, the lethal lieutenants of the Dark Legion; and Nepharites, fearsome, towering behemoths of unimaginable power.


The reign of the Dark Legion began as mankind set foot on Nero, a fictional tenth planet beyond the orbit of Pluto, where they discovered a citadel. As they entered, the Imperial Conquistadors – a group of interplanetary explorers – accidentally broke the First Seal Of Repulsion, a thin ring of salt spread around the citadel. Inside, a mysterious iron plate was found, and as it was touched, the Dark Legion was brought to our dimension, and along with it, the Dark Symmetry.

The Dark Symmetry prevents computers, "thinking engines", and other electronic devices from functioning reliably, if at all, and initially caused complete chaos, and then a forced adaptation of the technology used by mankind. The Dark Symmetry also begins to spread plague, lies, illusions and war on the human population through Dark Apostles known as Demnogonis, Semai, Muawihje, Algeroth and Ilian, The Dark Mistress and most powerful wielder of The Dark Symmetry. Thus the first Corporate wars began. Only through the Brotherhood and its first Cardinal, Nathaniel Durand were the corporations pulled under one banner, driving back the Dark Legion and Dark Symmetry back to the void where it came. This however cost Nathaniel Durand his life as he fought and defeated Algeroth, the field commander of all of the Dark Legion and the master of Dark Technology. Dark Legion resurfaces as a milennia passes, old edicts to keep the evil at bay are broken and Megacorps begin the 2nd Corporate wars. Yet again Nero is explored and Dark Symmetry is unleashed. It was also during the period of 1000-year peace that Cybertronic surfaced and was first to break one of the edicts; Human must not create or use machines that think like man.

New Year GiF Big Jim Updates

Hey guys, I am back from my holiday’s hiatus. For those that don’t know me personally part of the reason I have taken the time off was because I have been dealing with some health issues. I am recovering well and just this morning got released to a more or less normal living schedule.

During my time laid up I have not been totally out of the hobby. I spent quite a bit of time updating the Soul Reapers Codex for 6^th edition and getting the Chaos Marine update for Killzone sorted out, which I will release after the DA drop cause I will just update both armies simultaneously.  

Here is a little more info on the upcoming Soul Reapers update; I have decided to completely abandon all the infantry entries from the Chaos Space marine codex. I know this is similar to what I have done in the past but now it will be everything. I will however still draw the standard Vehicles and Daemon Engines from the CSM codex when I have not altered them significantly.  Like the Land Raider will be drawn from the Reaper list as I have added a new weapons load out and gave it back its Infernal Device.

I have decided to not go the Helbrute route and stick with actual Dreadnoughts. However I will be using the Helbrute’s version of the “Crazed” special rule.

I have also expanded the Universal Rules that apply to the Soul Reapers. I incorporated the Legion rules for the World Eaters from Betrayal FW book. It makes sense since the majority of the Warband is drawn from the 12^th Legion. The new rules are listed below:

Legacy of the Twelfth

Of all the Space Marine Legions the Twelfth were amongst the most feared, the mere whisper of their coming was enough to quell rebellion and send armies to flight in terror. Tales of their predations and massacres were numberless; their reputation as beasts, butchers and madmen whose fury is fueled by bloodshed is well deserved.

The Soul Reapers have continued this legacy for ten millennia, maintaining the martial prowess of the Twelfth, harkening to the days when they were at the height of their power.

All Soul Reapers units with the Legacy of the Twelfth rule are subject to the following special rules:

Fear is for the Weak: All units with the Legacy of the Twelfth special rule are Stubborn and may always attempt to regroup regardless of casualties.

Incarnate Violence: All units with the Legacy of the Twelfth special rule gain Furious Charge special rule once they have destroyed an enemy unit in close combat or forced one to fall back after a victorious assault phase. Place a marker next to the unit to mark that the unit has gained this bonus.

Bloodlust: After winning an assault all units with the Legacy of the Twelfth special rule must consolidate toward the nearest enemy unit that they can hurt. Should a unit with this special rule fail a moral test after being defeated in close combat, before rolling Fall Back, roll a D6. If the roll of a 1 the unit does not flee (counting as passing their moral test instead), but now become subject to the Rage special rule for the remainder of the battle. Place a marker next to the unit to mark that the unit has gained this bonus.

Until next time, may the dice gods be on your side!

-Jim

Merry Christmas my Friends!

Hey all I want to wish you all a safe and happy holiday! I will be offline until after the new year, so Happy New year as well!

Also I would like to thank Mags and and the guys over on tabletop war for the Forge Fiend present!  I would also like to thank Troy for the Heresy era marines to start my World Eaters for 30k! Thanks again guys!

In the new year you can expect to see a resurgence of posts from me, including more updates to Killzone and the first version of the Soul Reapers mini-dex for 6th edition.

Cheers,
Jim

Setting the scene: BAO narrative event part 1

Here is the first installment of the BAO narrative events Back story. 

A prelude to War

Varro the Forge Lord watched his allies’ ships burn as he stood on the command deck of the Slaughter class cruiser the Hateful Song. The reinforcements from Battlefleet Sargon had arrived and were decimating the Chaos Marine fleet. Denari would soon be firmly back under control of the Imperial forces, although the Ork threat will haunt them for generations.

He thought to himself “you served your purpose; I have what I came to Denari for, die well my twisted brothers.”

The Hateful Song was moving out-system using the systems asteroid belt to cover its exodus. Varro commanded the comms officer to contact the Warlord on the Eater of Souls immediately and relay the following message:

**Priority One Alpha: Hateful Song to the Eater of Souls

Objective captured: STC for the Ferrum pattern Teleportarium recovered

Enroute to rendezvous point

End message**

As the Hateful Song cleared the asteroid belt, Varro leaned back in the command thrown and voxed the navigator. “Set course for the Korath System; make transition to the Warp immediately.”

Sixty-four hours later the Hateful Song transitioned out of the Warp on the edge of the Korath System, the rendezvous point for all the ships Red Crusade fleet.

The Red Crusade had been organized and headed by the Warlord of the Soul Reapers, but the bulk of the participants were from other Traitor Warbands, many derived directly from the original Traitor Legions.

The previous battle on Denari was as much a distraction as it was a mission to capture the STC data for the Teleportarium. It would send the dogs of the Imperium rushing to a Sector that would be far from the actual fighting. For the Korath System is in the Seefra sector just beyond the fringes of Imperial space. The Astonomicon is very weak here making for reinforcement difficult at the best of times.

As the Hateful Song joined the armada Varro was impressed with how many of their Traitorous Brothers had answered the call. He was exceptionally pleased to see no less than twenty ships in the livery of the Iron Warriors. Their siege craft will be exceptionally helpful.

At the heart of the armada was the ancient battlebarge the Eater of Souls, flagship of Warlord Krüg the master of the Soul Reapers and Lord of this Crusade.

Surrounding the flagship in close proximity were four black ships so twisted that their original form was unrecognizable. They were daemon vessels each one carrying a herald representing each of the Dark Gods. These ships have been consecrated with the blood of thousands innocents as a means to anchor the Daemon herald’s of the gods to the material world for the duration of the campaign. 

Varro arrived on the strategium of the Eater of Souls just as the Warlords war council was ending. Krüg’s blood was pumping fast through his twin hearts at the thought of conquest and bloodshed. Varro briefed Krüg on the Danari conflict and while Krüg was not happy at his forces being repelled from the world, at least his Forge Lord retrieved the STC data.

Varro went on the explain that he could retrofit a single Teleportarium on the Eater of Worlds with stolen parts from the Adeptus Mechanicus facility he had acquired on Denari. Krüg smiled manically at the thought of making precision teleportation strikes upon the weakling Imperium. “Make it happen, Varro and failure is not an option” growled Krüg.

Krüg strode onto the bridge of the Eater of Souls commanding the comms officer to send the following message:

**Priority One Alpha: Eater of Souls to the Void Raptor

Aris, set course to the Persiet System immediately! Scout the defensive capabilities of the system, with the fifth planet as a priority target.

End message**

No reply was sent or needed as Krüg watched the Void Raptor and her escorts head for the jump point on the left of the view screen. Krüg was lost in thought “the Seeker has been set to task, now I must consult Xusia to see what the old sorcerer’s foresight has in store for us.”

2013 Bay Area Open Narrative event: Raid on Persiet V

Hey guys, it's time to announce the info for the next BAO narrative event. Tickets go on sale soon, I believe Friday, but could be wrong.

2013 Bay Area Open Narrative event: Raid on Persiet V

Participants will help decided the fate of an Imperial Hive world and a secret Adeptus Mechaicus base in the Persiet system on the eastern fringe of the galaxy. Will the forces of the Imperium and the allies save the system or will it be subjugated or worse destroyed by the forces of Chaos and their nefarious allies.

Keep your eyes peeled here on GiF and on the Frontline gaming blog for more background as we drive the Narrative right up to the actual event.

The Forces of Order:

Anything Imperial

Eldar

Tau

Forces of Destruction:

Anything Chaos, including traitor IG should the need arise

Dark Eldar

Necrons

Tyranids (although not present during this fight per the fluff, they will count as warp creatures from the Daemonic incursion.)

Orks are a Neutral force that will be used to balance sides if need be.

Day One: Enter the Killzone

12 Players: 6 Order/6 Disorder

This will be a day of multiple Skirmish games utilizing the Special Operations Killzone set of fan made rules. These missions could be anything like probe the enemy lines for weakness or destroy an enemy communications station.

Missions

There will be 6 missions being run simultaneously; each will have a one hour “time limit” that way every player gets to play all on the opposing team. These missions are vital and the outcome of Day one will have bonuses or consequences on Day two.

Special Operations Groups

These will be full two team special operations groups with a max of 500 points, built out of the Killzone Codex Operatives in tandem with the codex for your army of Choice. (Codex Operatives will have the 6th ed list for the Chaos Space Marines updated by 12/15.)

Killzone Downloads

Rules

Codex Operatives

Cards

Day Two: Armies Clash

24 Players: 12 Order/12 Disorder

This will be a large team run event (teams determined on the day of the event) fought over three different battle zones. Each table will be able to effect the others through the use of special mission objectives.

Allowed Armies:
Armies can be built from all current 40k codices including the White Dwarf codex for the Sisters of Battle, and may also include or be built to include units or completely using the army lists in the Imperial Armor books. Units and list may only be draw for Imperial Armor books 5-11, IA Areonautica and the IA Apoc books.

With that said all IA units and lists must use the most current listing for the unit, which includes the Errata listed on the Forgeworld site. So for example the Renegades and Heretics list from the Siege of Vraks uses the update on the forgeworld site.  

All armies are built using the following requirements:
2000 points all armies must adhere to the standard Force Organization chart, you may use the double force organization choice if you wish; You may include allies and may include one super heavy vehicle with no more than 3 structure points. You may not purchase Fortifications; some will already be present on each table. I would also appreciate if all players bring a 500 point sideboard list incase the sides end up being lopsided.

 At the beginning of the game each player will draw a strategy card from the decks that I will provide.

At the beginning of the game each player will draw a Fate card from from decks that will be provided. The Fate cards will add to the narrative of the game allowing each commander some special bonus during the game.

Each table will have a special character for each side created and provided by me. They will represent the army commanders of that theater for narrative purposes.  

Both Events are subject to the following:

WYSIWYG:
 All models are expected to be WYSIWYG as much as is reasonable. Proxies are not permitted. However, counts as armies are acceptable and encouraged. What’s the difference? That can be a tough call to make in some cases. Judges will determine what is acceptable or not and all judgments are final. If you feel your army is questionable, contact a TO in advance to clear any confusion.

Proxies: Using Necron Warriors as Lootas in an Ork army, etc.

Counts As: Using Ultra Marines colored models with Blood Angels rules. Using custom Adeptus Mechanicus converted models with Daemon rules. The key is that everything is easily identifiable and appropriately equipped.  

Painting:
Every army must be painted to a three color minimum and be based. (basing can be as simple as painting your models bases an appropriate color.) We want a great looking event filled with painted models fighting over nice looking terrain.