Spec Ops Killzone Beta test rules Available now

Well after a few weeks of intense discussion and hard work, the Beta test version of Killzone is here.

For those that have not heard of Spec Ops Killzone:

Special Operations Killzone is a set of fan designed rules created with the intent of enabling players to run skirmish games within the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

It is intended as a supplemental way to play the game, and as such a set of Games Workshop’s core rules and Codices for any armies used is essential to understand and play this ruleset.

Players will choose an elite team and undertake vital actions set against the stage of wider conflict. This ruleset aims to enable cinematic play in the style of tier one assets of a universe at war.

For more information chack out the following Downloads:

Killzone Rules


Errata


Scenarios

The Scenario book offers you the first 12 missions, there will be another 6 available in October.

Help us make killzone the best fan based 40k skirmish system available. Your input is valuable to us.

Feel free to join the Killzone forums and give us your direct feedback. This forum is where the Rules Committee did the balance of the hard work put into this project.

Edit 9-7-10 3:10 PM PST: The Errata has been updated with the following info:

Even with all this hard work and planning we need to temporarily errata the errata. You know what they say about the best laid plans......

The Space Marine Errata is missing the following entries.

Tactical marines

0-1 Tactical sergeant

Scouts

0-1 Scout sergeant



I would like to thank everyone for the support that they have given me while making the Killzone project happen. I appreciate the continued support.

Until the next....

What's this? Squats for Killzone

While digging through boxes over the last couple of days I found a ton of OOP minis, ranging back to the hallowed days of Rogue Trader.

The most exciting find is 40+ Squats, that's right I said it!

Here are the ones that are still on bases and/or not in pieces.



I have decided to remodel and repaint these crusty old veterans as a Spec Ops Group for Killzone.

I am thinking that they may need their own special list for Killzone, more on that later.

I will be showing all the various OOP models I found over the next few weeks.

PS: Don't forget that the Killzone Beta test rules will go live on Tuesday, including 12 missions and all 16 errata for the codices!

Killzone: Eldar Team modeling

I have been swamped with the finishing touches for the Killzone Beta release, but have found a little time to rummage through my old fig cases looking for treasures to use for my unique teams.

B.smoove has inspired me with his Rogue Trader era Marine Team, I just could not resist the urge to do something similar myself. In the spirit of Old School miniatures used for Killzone. I present the first batch of pre-stripped miniatures for my Eldar SOG for Killzone. These are all 2nd ed from the mid nineties and the left overs from an army I gave to a friend.








I will be repainting these over the next few weeks. I will probably stick with my non-standard color schemes on the Dragons and Scorps. I really love the green Dragons!

So stay tuned!

Until the next!

Killzone: progress update

Just a quick note here; first off sorry the blog has been a little silent. I have been fully engrossed with the Killzone rules committee and getting the official Beta test rules ready for release.

We are nailing down the last few details for the codex errata's. The Killzone Basic Rules are off for layout and editing work.

We are working hard to make the rules as solid as possible.

The plan is to release them in the next week or so.

We have plenty of big things planned as we move forward, so keep an eye out.

Tomorrow I will be starting a new weekly series to the Blog. Killzone Spec Ops Group modeling, it will detail the creation of my teams for the various armies of the 40k universe. In tomorrows offering I will be sharing more of my Space Wolves and get the first models from my Tyranid group posted. Hopefully serving as inspiration for your own SOG's and teams.

Until the next!

-Jim

Killzone: news, reviews and updates

Newsflash!

Adepticon wants to enter the Killzone!

Since the cat is outta the bag and I don't wanna be scooped on news about my own creation; Killzone will be at Adepticon next year.

B.smoove of the A Gentleman's Ones blog and I were going to keep this under wraps a while longer. Waiting to break the news when we got the official errata's done and the rules update on the 7th of September, the guys at Adepticon want to start building buzz now and buzz we shall.

Adepticon 2011 Dev Blog

B.smoove will be running a Killzone event at Adepticon 2011, I will do my best to be there at his side. I cannot thank enough B.smoove for getting Killzone this recognition!

We are both very excited about this proposal so expect us to do something special in the near future.

More news as the event develops.

Looks like I have to go to Adepticon for sure.

Killzone gets its first Review

Atrotos of the Rules Manufactorum reviewed Killzone yesterday. Even though the rules are still in development it received a very favorable review. Follow the link and see what he had to say, and let him know what you think.


I must say, I am shocked and excited how well the Killzone rules have been accepted. I am truly humbled by all the support and accolades that I have received in the short time we have been working on this project.

Killzone Development Update

First off I would like to thank all the members of the Killzone Rules Committee. Without you guys I would still be very early on identifying issues in the Codex Errata. Thanks a lot!

We have gone over all of the rules additions that are part of the basic rules, made some tweaks and amended them for the official playtest PDF.

Karitas of Excommunicate Traitors fame made a great new Logo and wrote a new preamble/introduction for the rules.


“In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war; but war has many faces. Epic battalions wage endless conflict throughout star systems, grand heroes set themselves on the stage of the universe; mighty titans stride across virus ravaged worlds.

But sometimes, the universe turns on a smaller stage.

The blade in the dark, the brave last stand of the chosen few, the quiet work of closed doors and darkened strategiums.

To be a man in such times is to be one among uncounted billions, but sometimes, one man can make a difference.”

Special Operations Killzone is a set of fan created rules for creating and playing skirmish games within the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

It is intended as a supplemental way to play the game, and as such a set of Games Workshop’s core rules and Codices for any armies used is essential to understand and play this ruleset.

Players will choose an elite team and undertake vital actions set against the stage of wider conflict. This ruleset aims to enable cinematic play in the style of tier one assets of a universe at war.

More great stuff to come, stay tuned!

-Jim

Talking Killzone on the Imperial Vox Cast

I will be on the live recording of the Imperial Vox Cast sometime after 8:00PM PST tonight. The guys have been running some Killzone games and I will be on the show via Skype. I will give information on the status of the project and talk about the great team I have assembled to make this a great set of 40k Skirmish rules.

So if you have the time come check it out on the live show otherwise it will be up in the episode 33 podcast later this week.

Cheers,
Jim

This week in Killzone II and Soul Reapers update

It has been a hectic real life week for me, but I have still been able to get a few things done for Killzone.

First up the Killzone Rules Committee has been formed. It consists of the following gamers, bloggers and hobby enthusiasts.

AJ from the Imperial Truth podcast blog
B.smoove from A Gentleman's Ones
Karitas from Excommunicate Traitors
Menzies from the 512th Cadian
Sons of Taurus from his self-titled Blog
Suicide Badger from MAWS 40k
Counterfett from All things Fett
Geoff from the Independent Characters Podcast
Master Bryss
Entropomancer
War009
Marko

The Killzone also has support from the following Podcasts

The 11th Company
The Imperial Vox Cast
Dice Like Thunder


The first thing we will be working on is tightening up the rules and errata that have already been done on Killzone. The intent is to make the basic rules ironclad, since so many have expressed an interest in doing Killzone tournaments.

Once this is done we will move on to the wackiness that will be involved in the Optional Advanced Killzone rules.

Design update:

Campaign system: The ground work for the campaign system has been laid, we will be building upon this foundation over the next few weeks. The goal is to give a simple yet elegant way to fight campaigns with out getting bogged in overly complicated mechanics.

Plasma Weapons: As you guys know I have been trying to address the overpricing issue with plasma weaponry. I have decided to give plasma weapons two fire modes Low and High intensity. High intensity uses the normal rules for the weapons out of standard 40k, Low intensity uses the following changes; S5 AP3 and does not get hot.

Soul Reapers Update

All playtesting and updates on the Soul Reapers Mini-dex are on hiatus until November. In November it will enter the final stages for publication. Culminating with the release of finished PDF around my birthday in January 2011.


Thanks for the continued support!

-Jim

Killzone Rules Committee

I need help from the Galaxy in Flames community with Killzone. I mentioned this on the 11th Company interview and in my post yesterday. I would like to set up a committee to help me with the various aspects that need working out for the Spec Ops Killzone 40k skirmish rules. So far I have had a few emails expressing interest to join, which is great.

Things I need help with:

Playtesting feedback and battle reports.

Scenario design.

Designing the campaign/experience system.

Optional advanced rules that need vetting for the final PDF.

Other things that could be useful:

Maps for each scenario showing the objective placement.

Some nifty original artwork to splash throughout the PDF.

A Watermark to go in the background of each page.

A few fluff stories to toss in.

I would like a minimum of 6 members, but will accept any and all that are interested.

Email me at galaxynflamesblog @ gmail .com

I can offer no compensation other than my thanks and credit in the final PDF.

I am certain that with your help we can make this one of the best 40k skirmish systems around.

Killzone podcast interview and blog update

Hey guys, the Big Jim 2010 Podcast tour continues this week.

I am on episode 30 of the 11th Company podcast talking about Killzone. I apologize in advance for the "umm's" in my interview. The interview was done about two weeks ago, so it was early in the process, as you know I have progressed on the rules a lot since then.

If you are interested in joining rules committee and helping with Killzone as I mentioned in the interview, just let me know.



In other Blog news, today I have reached 200 followers! I would like to thank you all for the support over the last year and a half. I am happy that so many people enjoy my rambling while I promote living outside the official 40k box.

I will be doing something special for you guys in the near future!

This week there will be more Killzone Errata's and Scenarios posted up. I had a crazy week at work last week so I didn't get to post a Space Wolves or Tyranid modeling updates. This weekend I will give updates for both.

So thanks again!

Jim

Edit: as of 1 PM PST the Killzone Playtest PDF has been downloaded 160 times! Thanks for the support of the project guys!

Killzone: Eldar, Necron and Chaos Marine Errata

Three more down! Let me know if I missed anything.

Eldar Errata

Eldar teams may take a single Warlock Psyker.

Plasma Grenades: all elder models may take plasma grenades at a cost of two points. They may be thrown just like other grenades and have the following stats: Strength 4 AP4 small blast.

Harlequins: due to the change in the movement rules, I have decided that they need a perk from their flip belts. Harlequins move 7 inches in a normal move, may run 14 inches and are never hindered by difficult terrain.

Exarch Powers: Powers that affect the Exarchs squad use the Area Effect rules. All models from the Exarchs Aspect within the area of effect gain the bonuses from the powers.

Weapons Platforms: Place both of the gun crew in base contact with the weapon: the weapon and team count as a two wound model.

Necron Errata

Necron teams ignore the Phase out rules in Killzone.

Wraiths and Scarabs move as jetbikes, but don’t count toward the jetbike limit.

All Necrons that are able to make a We’ll Be Back roll may do so as long as there is another team member of any type with the Necron rule within 6 inches.

Chaos Space Marines

Chaos Space Marines may take a Thousand Sons Aspiring Sorcerer as a Psyker, as long as the team contains at least one Rubric Marine.

Rubric Marines within 6 inches of a Sorcerer act under command.

Squad upgrade Icons use the Area Effect rules, a model may only be affected by one icon at a time; so no stacking. Cult Marines gain no bonus from Icons.

Possessed roll for their Daemon kin before deployment.

Lesser Daemons start on the table unless the scenario allows deepstriking, if it does they must be held in reserve.

Killzone: Dark Angels and Black Templar Errata/FAQ

I am surprised how little there is to fix with these two. In fact the books are so out of date I felt the need to throw them each a flavorful bone!

Dark Angels and Black Templar Errata/FAQ

Both use the following:

The Auspex and Targeter entries are ignored; if you want these upgrades use the Killzone versions.

Assault Cannons: Use the rules and points values from the 5th ed Codex Space Marine.

Storm Shields: Use the rules and points values from the 5th ed Codex Space Marine.

Dark Angels may take a single Ravenwing Landspeeder from the Ravenwing attack squadron entry, if the team includes any bikes.

Black Templar teams may purchase one of the Vows listed in the Emperors Champion entry of the HQ section at half the points cost rounding up. Even though the Champion is not on the field of battle the Templars have already taken their vows.

PS: I don’t wanna hear any whining about the normalized Assault Cannons and Storm Shields. Cause we all know they will be identical once these books are redone.