deathwatch apocalypse play test
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Stats.
A B C
Armor history
Stuff
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Weapons
AssaultMarine
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Stats.
A B C
Armor history
Stuff
WEAPONS
Apothecary
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Stats.
A B C
Stuff
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Weapons
Techmarine
Armor history
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Stats.
A B C
Armor history
Stuff
Weapons
LIBRARIAN
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Stats.
A B C
Armor history
Stuff
Weapons
Tactical Marine
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)Black Templars[ARMOR 3]
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)IMPERIAL FISTS[ARMOR 3]
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)RAVENGUARD[ARMOR 3]
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)DARK ANGELs[ARMOR 3]
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ASSAULT ARMORY
RANGESWeaponQualities
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SPECIAL ARMORY Other Weapons
DEVESTATOR ARMORY
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Moves
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Squad leader's oath
Personal oath
Personal oath
Personal oath
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Beastiarium Enemiescomeatdifferentdangerlevels:Grunt,Elite,Leader,Lord,Overlord.Inadditionthereareenemiesofmankindthatsimplyarehugewarrantingtheirownclass:Behemoths.Swarms,gruntsandelitescomeinsquadswhilethehigherlevelscorrespondtoenemycharacters.Leadersarespecialastheysimplygrantbonusestosquads.BelowisachartfortheMCwhatcouldbeconsideredfittingoppositionforthedifferentlevels.Thisismerelyaguideline,rememberthattheobjectiveistomakethegameasawesomeaspossible.Thechartshowstheoppositionpermissionobjective.Behemothscanbeaddedinsteadofasquadoranenemycharacterorsimplyaddedinwherefitting.Levelofopposition:Light:SquadsofGrunts,1squadofGruntsw.Leader,oneLord.Normal:SquadsofGrunts,3squadsofGruntsw.Leader,1squadElitesw.Leader,atleastoneLordIncreased:SquadsofGruntsw.Leaders,3squadsofElitesw.Leaders,atleastoneLordHigh:SquadsofGruntsw.Leaders,3squadsofElitesw.Leaders,atleastoneLord,atleastoneOverlord.Extreme:Squadsofelitesw.Leaders,atleasttwoLords,atleastoneOverlord.Insane:Pleasegooverboard,theyaskedforit.
Stats Thestatsfortheenemiesofmankindaredisplayedasfollows:No:ThisishowmanymakeupaLargesquad.Tomakeasmallsquadhalvethis.TomakeEnormous,VastandHordesizesdouble,quadrupleandtaketimeseightrespectively.Harmtokill:Howmuchharmthatisneededtoinflictakill,Armor:ThearmorstatMeleeweaponsHeretheclosecombatweaponsaredetailed.RangedweaponsHeretherangedweaponsaredetailedSpecialabilities:Anyspecialabilitiesoftheseenemieswillbedetailedhere.Leader:Ifaleadercanbeaddedtoasquadhereitsdetailsaredisplayedinthesamestyleasabove.
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Orks Grunts Grots.Thesefoulxenosaretheslavecasteoftheorkoidsocieties.Smallandweaktheydisplayalowcunningandamaliciousdisposition.SquadsofGrotsNo:2040grotsHarmtokill:1+,Armor:0Improvisedmeleeweapons:(Harm:1,Range:Close)Grotgunz:(Harm:1,Range:Short)Specialabilities:NoneLeader:RuntherdHarmtokill:3+,Armor:1Choppa:(Harm:1,Range:Close)Slugga:(Harm:2,Range:Short,Loud,Sidearm)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimethegrotswanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Orkboyz.Hardyandfondofviolencethesealienscanbefoundalloverthegalaxy.SquadsofOrkboyz.No:1030Harmtokill:3+,Armor:1Choppa:(Harm:1,Range:Close)Slugga:(Harm:2,Range:Short,Loud,Sidearm)ORShoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.Leader:NobHarmtokill:4+,Armor:1BigChoppa:(Harm:3,Range:Close)
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ORPowerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.OrkArdboyz.Ardboyzarestockymuscularorkboyzdeckedoutinheavyarmorplates.SquadsofArdboyz.No:1030Harmtokill:3+,Armor:2Choppa:(Harm:1,Range:Close)Slugga:(Harm:2,Range:Short,Loud,Sidearm)ORShoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.Leader:NobHarmtokill:4+,Armor:2BigChoppa:(Harm:3,Range:Close)ORPowerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.
Elites NobzNo:1020Harmtokill:4+,Armor:1BigChoppa:(Harm:3,Range:Close)Slugga:(Harm:2,Range:Short,Loud,Sidearm)ORShoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.
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Leader:BigNobHarmtokill:4+,Armor:1BigChoppa:(Harm:3,Range:Close)ORPowerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.FlashGitzNo:1020Harmtokill:4+,Armor:2BigChoppa:(Harm:3,Range:Close)Snazzgun(Harm:2,Range:Medium,AP,Loud)Specialabilities:Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.Leader:KaptinHarmtokill:4+,Armor:2Powerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Snazzgun(Harm:2,Range:Medium,AP,Loud)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.MeganobzNo:510Harmtokill:4+,Armor:4Powerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Shoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Bulky:TheytakedoublethespaceinvehiclesStrengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.
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Leader:BigNobHarmtokill:4+,Armor:4Powerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Shoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Bulky:TheytakedoublethespaceinvehiclesMoralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.
Lords WarpheadHarmtokill:4+,Armor:2Choppa:(Harm:1,Range:Close)Slugga:(Harm:2,Range:Short,Loud,Sidearm)Specialabilities:Waaaghpower!:Thewarpheadisalordlevelpsykerthathasitsstrengthincreasedbybeingclosetobattlehungryorks.Foreachsquadinrange:medium,thatarentfleeing,anywarpheadattacksdeal+2Harm.AnyHarmdonetotheWarpheadisshuntedofftoclosebyorks.Aslongasanyorksareinrange:mediumtheysufferthedamageinstead.TheWarpheadcanuseitspowerslikethis:FootofGork!Anattackwiththefollowingprofile:(Harm:2,Range:Long,Area,AP)Tellyport:Thewarpheadandasquadatleastinrange:mediumofitcanbeteleported.GazeofMork:Anattackwiththefollowingprofile:(Harm:4,Range:Long,AP)WarbossHarmtokill:5+,Armor:2Powerclaw(Harm:6,Range:Close,AP,Slow)Shoota(Harm:2,Range:Medium,Loud)Specialabilities:Moralbooster:Anytimetheboyzwanttorunawayhekillssomeofthemtomaintainorder.Strengthinnumbers:Orksthathavesufferedlessthanhalftheirnumbersincasualtiesfearnothingatall.Waaagh!Thewarbosscanunleashtheboyzpentupfightingfrenzy.Fortherestoftheengagementtheboyzareafraidofnothinganddealanadditional+1Harminclosecombat.
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Deathwatch: Apocalypse Rules Stats ThisisashortexplanationforthestatsofDW:AascomparedtotheoriginalonesinApocalypseWorld:Fight(Hard)Thestattousewhenengagedinfighting,beitrangedormelee.Honor(Hot)DWhasnorealuseofHot.Ontheotherhandhonor,oldrelicsandstoriesofformergloriesaretheonlythingsSpaceMarinesrespectandisthecurrencybywhichtheylivetheirlives.Thesearealsothethingstheyusetoimpressallies(ImperialGuardetal.)andtrytoimpressalienswith.HenceHonor.Cool(Cool)Levelheaded.WhichcomesnaturallyforSpaceMarinesafterdecadesofbrainwashingandbattlefieldexperience.Butsomehavemoreofit.Thisstatisusedwhenreadingasituationstacticalpossibilities.Thisisalsothestatusedwhenmissionplanning.Attuned(Weird)Openingyourheadtothewarp.Anyonecandoit,butonlythelibrarianshouldTechsavant(Sharpish)Knowledgeableoftechnologicalobjects,whatunguentsandchantsappeasewhichmachinespiritsetc.Thereasoningbehindtheglaringmashupofwhatwascoolandsharpistwofold:FirstlySpaceMarinesarebydefinitionnotgoingtolosetheirwitsandwillneverhavetorollfordoingthingsunderfire.Ontheotherhandsomemightenjoyfightingtoomuchtotakealevelheadedappraisalofthesituation.HenceCoolisusedtoreadasitch.SecondlySharpistoobroadtouseastheTechmarinefocusedstat.Ontheotherhandallstatsarebroadintheirapplication,buttheDWsettingisascifisettingsteepeddeepintechnologicalsuperstition.ItalsofitsverywellwiththeSpaceMarinebeliefthattousealientechnologyistopromoteheresy.HencethequitenarrowstatofTechsavant.Theotherspecialtieshavelownumbersinthisstatsincetheyhaveamoresuperstitious/disinterestedrelationshiptotheirbattlegear.
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Moves AsitsaysinAW:Todosomethingyoudosomething.Inadditiontothebasicmovestheplaybookshavespecialabilities,whicharemovesonlythecharacterswiththemovescanmake.Therearealsosquadmoves.SquadmovesfunctionasmovesbutarecoolandoverpoweredmovesthattheUnitLeadercanemployoncepermission.AnoteonUsetechnology:Thismoveisonlyusedwhentryingtodosomethingdifficult,notwhenridinganelevatororopeninganautomaticdoor.
ACTUNDERPRESSUREWhenyouactunderpressureroll+cool.Ona10+,youdoit.Ona79,youflinch,hesitate,orstall:theMCcanofferyouaworseoutcome,ahardbargain,oranuglychoice
FIGHTWhenyouFightorareinvolvedinviolence.Roll+Fight:On10+Youharmtheenemyandtheenemyharmsyouasestablished.Inadditionchoose1:*inflictterribleharm(harm+1)*sufferlittleharm(harmsuffered1)*youcontrolthebattlefield*youimpress,dismayorfrightenyourenemy.On79Youharmtheenemyandtheenemyharmsyouasestablished.InadditiontheMCcanchoose1:*makeyousufferterribleharm(harmsuffered+1)*youinflictlittleharm(harm1)*somethinggoeswrong.
LAYDOWNSUPPRESSIVEFIREWhenyoulaydownsuppressivefireontheenemyroll+Cool.Ona10+,theyhavetochoose:forceyourhandandsuckitup,ortakecoveranddonothing.Ona79,theycaninsteadchoose1:*getthehelloutofyourway*barricadethemselvessecurelyin
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*giveyousomethingtheythinkyouwant*makeanorderedretreat.(YoumusthaveaweaponwiththeSuppressivequalitytomakethismove)
MAKEATACTICALAPPRAISALWhenyouMakeatacticalappraisalroll+Cool.Onahit,youcanasktheMCquestions.WheneveryouactononeoftheMCsanswers,take+1.Ona10+,ask3.Ona79,ask1:*wheresmybestescaperoute/wayin/waypast?*whichenemyismostvulnerabletome?*whichenemyisthebiggestthreat?*whatshouldIbeonthelookoutfor?*whatsmyenemystrueposition?*whosincontrolhere?
READAPERSONWhenyoureadapersoninachargedinteraction,roll+coolor+Hx,yourchoice.Ona10+,hold3.Ona79,hold1.Whileyoureinteractingwiththem,spendyourholdtoasktheirplayerquestions,1for1:isyourcharactertellingthetruth?whatsyourcharacterreallyfeeling?whatdoesyourcharacterintendtodo?whatdoesyourcharacterwishIddo?howcouldIgetyourcharacterto__?
ORDERORMANIPULATEWhenyouorderormanipulatesomeone,tellthemwhatyouwantandroll+honor.ForNPCs:Ona10+,theydoasyouwantwithoutrealizingtheyhavebeenplayed.Ona79,Theydoit,butrealizetheyhavebeenplayed.ForPCs:ona10+iftheydoit,theymarkglory,iftheyrefuse,itsactingunderpressure.Ona79,choose1.Whattheydothenisuptothem.
USETECHNOLOGYWhenyou
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Usetechnologyroll+Techsavant.Ona10+:Themachinespiritsareappeasedandthingsworkasintended.79:Thespiritsarenotpleased.Thingsworkbutnotasintended.6:Thespiritsaredispleasedandsomethingbreaksdown.(Spacemarineswithatechsavantstatofatleast1treataresultofupto6as79whenhandlingimperialtechnology.)
USETHEWARPWhenyouUsetheWarproll+Attuned.Ona10+chooseone:*Emperorsvengeancedamageenemiesinrange(short)doingharmequaltoAttuned+1(AP).Youcantradeharmforrange,pointforpoint.*Telepathycontactanybodyonthesameplanetaslongasyouhaveanideaofwhoandwheretheyare.*StrengthofWilldoubletheharmdonewithyourmeleeweaponsduringthisbattle.*AugerytheMCwilltellyousomethingnewandinterestingaboutthecurrentsituationandingooddetail.Ona79chooseoneoftheabovebutsuffer2harm(AP)fromacutebrainhemorrhaging.Onamissyouhaveattractedawarpbeastandsomethingbadhappens.
HELPORINTERFERWhenyouhelporinterferewithsomeonewhosmakingaroll,roll+Hx.On10+,theytake+1(help)or2(interfere)now.AddorsubtractthesameamountfromyourHxwiththatcharacter.Ona79,youalsoexposeyourselftofire,danger,retributionorcost.
ENTERSQUADMODEWhenyouentersquadmodeyouformasquad(small)withunitmemberswhoarein(short)range.Roll+Honor.Ona10+choose1:*FortheEmperor!Allgloryisdoubledduringthisengagement.*Fieldtactics.Take+1forwardwhentargetingtheenemyduringthisengagement.*Spreadout!Squadmoderangeisincreasedbyone.*Aggressiveposturing.Youcountasonesizebiggersquadwheninsquadmode.Ona79,youformasquadbutyoursquadmatesflinch,hesitate,orstall:theMCcanofferyouaworseoutcome,ahardbargain,oranuglychoice.
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Harm and healing DW:A-style Weapons AllweaponshaveaHarmvaluewhichshowshowmuchharmitdoeswhenmakingharmasestablished.Theyallhavearangewhichshowstheeffectiverange.Allweaponsalsohaveweaponqualities.Thesearerulesthatgovernhowtheweaponfunctionsandanydrawbacksassociatedwithusingthatweapon.
Ranges Deathwatch:Apocalypseusesanabstractrangesystemfromnearesttofurthest:Close,Short,Medium,Long,Far.Closeissimplymeleerange.Shortisaround5metersaway,toofartostabsomeonebutnotthatfaraway.ThisisthestandardrangeforSquadmodecoherency.Mediumrangeisaround25metersaway,bolterrangeinotherwords.Longrangeisupto100meters,stillacomfortablerangefortheheroesofhumanitysweapons.Farissofarthatyouneedspeciallyfitweapons(lascannons,sniperrifles,vehicularweapons).SeetheseasestimatesasDW:Adoesnottakethesimulationistapproach.Usingaweaponbeyondeffectiverangeincursa2penaltyperincreaseinrangeonthemoverollinquestion.
For Weapon stats and Weapon qualities seethearmories
Harm and armor Wheneveranyonesuffersharmsubtracttheirarmorfromtheharmtogetharmasestablished.Thismeansthatanorkfiringasluggaataspacemarinehasnochanceofharminghim.Unlesshebringsallhismates.
Suffering harm Eachspacemarinecansufferfiveboxesofharmbeforedyingonthesixth(theboxwiththeskull).Beingageneticallyenhancedsuperhumaninanadvancedcombatsuithasitsbenefitsaspacemarineneverhastoworryaboutstabilizingwounds.Ifaspacemarinewouldsufferhissixthharmhemaychoosetosufferadebilityinstead:Shattered=1cool,Dishonored=1honorandCrippled=1Fight.Theseareimmediatelyappliedtothemarinesstatsanditisuptotheplayertonarratethefiction.Thesecanbechosenevenifthesixthboxwasthefirstboxofharmfromalascannon,spacemarinesaretough.
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Thesubtractionsfromdebilitiesalsocountformaxstats.I.e.aspacemarinewithamaxFightof3andacurrentstatofFight2thatsuffersCrippledgetsaFightstatof1andaFightmaxof2.Thisalsomeansaspacemarinecansufferharmtothelastboxthreetimesbeforedyingonthefourth.AspacemarinesufferinghislastboxofharmcanstillbesavedbyanapothecarysBattlefieldhealingifitdoesnottaketoolongtimebeforeitisapplied.
Bionics AspacemarinecanchooseBionicsasanenhancement.Theeffectofhavingbionicsisthatitnullifiesthe1toFightthatCrippledensues.(TheCrippledboxisstillticked,butthenegativeeffectisignored).
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Squads ThesquadrulesreplacethegangrulesfromAW,eventhoughtheyareverysimilar.SquadmodeWhencharactershaveenteredsquadmodethePCsinrange(close)ofeachothercountasasquad(small)inadditiontoanyotherbonusestheEntersquadmodemovemighthaveengendered.Beinginsquadmodehasbearingonharmgivenandsuffered.Acharactercannotentersquadmodeonitsown.Squadmodecontinuesuntiltheengagementisoverorallcharactershavemovedoutsideofrange(default:short).SQUADS&HARMIftheresasizemismatchbetweensquads,eachsteptheattackerisbiggeradds+1harm,andeachsteptheattackerissmallerknocksoff1harm.Thesizesare,fromsmallesttolargest:Solo,Small,Large,Enormous,Vast,Horde.WhenaNPCsquadsuffers1harm:afewinjuries,oneortwoserious,nofatalities.2harm:manyinjuries,severalserious,acoupleoffatalities.3harm:widespreadinjuries,manyserious,severalfatalities.4harm:widespreadseriousinjuries,manyfatalities.5harmandmore:widespreadfatalities,fewsurvivors.Withastrong,presentleader,asquadwillholdtogetherifitsuffersupto4harm.Iftheleaderisweakorabsent,itllholdtogetherifitsuffersupto3harm.Iftheleaderisbothweakandabsent,itllholdtogetherifitsuffers1or2harm.Ifithasnoleader,itllholdtogetherifitsuffers1harm,butnomore.Rememberthatitisadangerousuniverseandnotallofmankindsenemiesfalterinthefaceofextremeviolence.WhenPCsinsquadmodesufferharm,allsufferthesameharmunlessfictiondictatesotherwise.WhenPCsinsquadmodeattackenemiesonlythehighestamountofharmisdone,notthetotalofallsquadmembers(i.e.mechanicallyitisprobablywiserforsomeonetotakepointandtheotherstoaid).
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AsquadhitbyaweaponwithouttheAreaorSuppressiveweaponqualitieswillsufferalldamageonasingleindividual,i.ethelascannonisamightytankbustingweaponbutisnotmuchuseagainstalargemoboforks.
Armor Your armor is an exoskeleton driven by direct neural connection to your black carapace implant affording a full range of movement while still maintaining protection against whatever the universe might throw at you. Aspacemarinespowerarmorisasurvivalsuitthataffordsprotectionfromeverythingfromvacuumtocorrosiveatmospheres.Interwovenwithferroelectricbundlesandservomotorsitassiststhewearersmotionsaffordingfullfreedomofmovementdespiteitsbulk.Furtheraddingtothenatureofthearmorfunctioningasasecondskinisthefactthatitisconnectedtotheblackcarapace.ThisisacyberneticadaptationoftheSpaceMarinewhichallowsfullneuralintegrationwiththeinputfeedsfromthesuit.EachsuitofSpaceMarinepowerarmorisworthArmor:3.Thatmeansitisimpervioustonormalarmscarriedbythenumerousenemiesofmankind.Anybodypartnotcovereddoesnotgetarmor.SpaceMarinesarelargecomparedtobaselinehumansandwhenwearingtheirarmortheyare(bulky).Normalarmorissimplyawardedanarmorvalue.ThesuitofaspacemarineisanembodimentofthemachinespiritandtheEmperorswrathcombined.Wheneveraspacemarinesuffersharm(evenifarmorisnotexceeded)theplayerputsaslashinanemptyarmorbox.Whenallsixboxeshaveslashesthenextdamagewillcrippleapartofthearmor.Simplycrossoutaboxtoshowwhichpartofthearmorisdamaged.Acrippledarmorpartaffordsnoprotectionandhampersmovement.IfaspacemarinesuffersAPharmthatimmediatelycripplesaboxofarmorwithoutslashingfirst.EverySpaceMarinecarriesafieldrepairkitintheirbeltpouch.Oncepermissionthiscanbeusedtoremovetwoslashes(butnotrepaircrippledboxes)butitcostsonegear.Aboxcanonlyberepairedoncepermission.Whenmakingcharacterseachplayerhastochoosetheirarmorhistory.Thismeanschoosingonebenefitwithanintrinsicdrawbackandoneweakness.BoththedrawbackandtheweaknessarethingsthattheMCcanusewhenthingsdontgothewayofthecharacters.
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Hardpoint Eachsuitofspacemarinearmorcomeswithonehardpoint.Essentiallythisissimplyalimitingfactorforwhatequipmentcanbeused.Eachstuffthatusesahardpointwillhaveitclearlymarked.
Armor history Benefit (choose one): Wornbyveterans,+1HonorwhenwornManyofyourchaptersforemostheroeshaveatsomepointwornthissuitofarmoranditlendsgravitastoyouractions.Heavyliestheburdenonyourshoulderstocarrythislegacy,asyouhavenowishtobethefirsttoloseitorruinitbeyondredemption(Burdenedbyglory).Rewired,+1CoolwhenwornYoursuitofarmorisatoolofyourtrade,honedtoperfection.Youhavehadthetechsavantsrewiretheelectrofibrebundlestoincreaseyourreflexspeedandrecalibratethetargetingarraytoincreaseaccuracy.Allthewhilechantingandapplyingtherightunguentshopefullykeepingthesuitsmachinespiritbenevolenttowardsthechanges(Unstable).Bloodthirsty,+1FightwhenwornThemachinespiritofyourarmorissavage,steepedinaeonsofwarfare.ItreadilyassistsitsbearertoapplytheEmperorsjusticetotheenemiesofmankindbutsometimesthetargeterautoacquiresbyitself(Unreliable)MarsbornThesuityouwearwasmadeintheAdeptusMechanicusforgesontheRedPlanet.ItisoutfittedwithextradiagnosticsystemsandmechatendrilportsanditsmachinespiritisanevervigilantassistantinreturningitselfandotheravatarsoftheOmnissiahtoworkingorder.Itallowsrepairrollstobererolledonceperroll,eitherwhenwornorwhenbeingrepaireditself.
Weakness (choose one): Mixandmatch(Pronetobreakdown)Yoursuitofarmorismadeupofpartsoriginatingfrommanydifferentmarksandsometimestheadaptationsfail.
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Powerhungry(Pronetobrownouts)Thepowersourceofyourarmorcanbarelybeartheloadofnormaloperationbutsofarthemachinespirithasrefusedtocooperateinexchangingit.HeavyMetal(Reallyheavy)Yourarmorisofanoldmakeandmuchheavierthannewersuits.Thiscanturnintoarealhazardwhencrossingunstablegroundortraversingruins.Unproven(Newlyissued)Youhavebeengiftedwithanewsuitofarmour.Eitheritsmachinespirithasnotyetbeenattunedtoyouoritisstillexpectingtobedonnedbyitslastbearer.Eitherwayitdoesnotalwaysrespondinthewayyouthinkitwillintheheatofbattle.
Gear Gearisasimpleabstractmechanictoguidehowmuchstuffaspacemarinereallycarriesintoamission.Mostlyitisusedtoaccountforgrenadesbutitcanalsorepresentteleporthomers,heavyweaponammopacksandspecialbolterammoclipsetc.Everyspacemarinestartseachmissionwithsixgear.
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Mission Setup Whyplayercontrolledmissions?Deathwatchisverymuchmadetoplayinanoldfashionedway.IthinkthistiesinwithitbeinganinheritorofthesystemoftheInquisitorrpg.I.e.theGMsetsupasecretthattheplayerstrytofigureout.JustthatinDWthesecretisinsteadthattheGMsetsupamission,oftenwithfalseorincompleteinteltocomplicatethingsfurtheron,andtheplayerstrytosurviveandsucceedatthemission.ThisplayingstylecouldbedoneinAWbychangingtheAgendaoftheMC.ButbygivingtheplayersasayinwhatmissionshouldbeconducteditgearsmoretowardsAWsPlaytofindoutwhathappensforboththeplayersandtheMC.Theideaisthatitincreasestheemotionalinvestmentoftheplayersintheircharactersiftheygettodoworldbuildingtoo.Italsotiesinwithbeingafanofthecharacters.Ifyouareafan,youreallywanttoknowwhattheyredoing.Therulesareprettyselfexplanatory:
Session start: Unit leader selection EachDeathwatchKillteamhasaleader.Oftenthisrolefallstothemosthonoredofthebattlebrothersbutexperiencespeaksvolumestoo.ThecharacterwiththehighestHonorstatistheunitleaderunlesssomeonedisagreesorthereisatie.Inthatcaseeveryonewhowantstobeunitleaderrollsoff.Roll+Honorwiththecharacterscoringthehighestresultbeingtheunitleader.Ifyoudorollofftake1tothemissionaspectsstage.Shouldeverycharacterrollingforunitleadershiproll6orlesstakeadditional1tothemissionaspectsstageforallthediscordcausedandrollagain.Naturallycharactersnotwantingtoleadcaneitheraidorinterferewithothersvyingfortheposition.Ifyouwanttoaidorinterferewiththeunitleaderselectionroll+Hx:10+youadd+1ordeduct1fromthechosencharactersrollandaddordeductthesameamountfromtheHxwiththatsamecharacter.79deduct1fromthechosencharactersrollanddeductthesameamountfromtheHxwiththatsamecharacterORtake1tothemissionaspectsstage,playerchoice.
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Mission aspects Themissionaspectsdefinethewhat,whereandhowsofthemissionthewatchcaptainisabouttosendtheheroesupon.TheUnitleaderrolls+Coolandsubtractseventual1sfromtheunitleaderselection:10+Unitleaderchoosesfourtraitsfromthelist,MCchoosesonetraitfromeachaspectnotchosen79Unitleaderchoosestwotraitsfromthelist,MCchoosesonetraitfromeachaspectnotchosen6MCchoosesthreetraits,UnitleaderchoosestwowantsandonetraitfromeachotheraspectnotchosenMissionaspectslistMissionPlanet:AgriWorld,AridWorld,DeadWorld,DaemonWorld,DeathWorld,ForgeWorld,HiveWorld,HighGWorld,LowGWorld,MaidenWorld,PoisonedAtmosphere,RecruitingWorld,ShrineWorld,WaterWorld,VolcanicWorld,SpaceHulk.MissionObjective:Ambush,Assassination,Assistance,Holdtheline,Infiltration,Reconnaissance,Retaliatory,Retrieval.MissionEnemies:ChaosMarines,Daemons,DarkEldar,Eldar,Necrons,Orks,RenegadeGuard,RenegadeMechanicus,RenegadeMarines,Tau,TauSympathizers,Tyranids.MissionDeployment:Aerial(Thunderhawk),Ground(Rhino),GroundAssault(LandRaider),Instant(Teleportation),Orbital(Droppod),Other(Rockdrilltransport,Submarine,etc.),Stealthed(Gravchutes).MissionWant:BadIntel,BadOdds,Deadline,NoExtractionAvailable,NoResupply,StealthRequired,UnstableWarp,Unsupported,Warzone.OppositionThemissionaspectsdelineatetheoutlineofthemissionwhilethelevelofoppositionisapossibilityforthecharacterstoinfluencethemissionthroughtradewiththeGM.ThelevelofoppositionisascalewhereNormalisthezeroandLightandInsanearetheextremes.Asyoucansee,iftranslatedtonumbersitgoesfrom1to+4:Levelofopposition:Light,Normal,Increased,High,Extreme,Insane
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Normaliswherethelevelofoppositionstarts.Foreachsteptotheright(i.e.increaseinopposition)thattheUnitleadermovesthelevelofoppositiononeofthetraitschosenbytheMContheMissionaspectslistcanberemoved.Ifthetraitistheonlyoneofthataspectitcaninsteadbechangedintoanotherofthesameaspect,therebyfulfillingtherequirementoftherebeingatleastonetraitfromeachaspect.Foreachsteptotheleft(i.e.decreaseinopposition)thattheUnitleadermovesthelevelofoppositiontheMCgetstochooseanothermissionwantORaMissionSurprise(tothemaximumoftwoMissionSurprises).MissionSurprisesIftheUnitleaderhastradedfordecreasedoppositiontheMChasachoiceoftakingMissionSurprises.AMissionSurpriseissimplyatraitchosenfromtheMissionAspectslistwhichisnotrevealeduntilapplicable.ThisSurprisemayormaynotoverrideprevioustraitsorjustsimplyaddnewtraits,attheMCsdiscretion.UptotwoMissionSurprisesmaybechosenbuttheymustbechosenfromdifferentaspects.
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Mission vows WhensettingoutonamissionthechosenUnitLeaderleadshisbattlebrothersinoathtakingbeforebattle.Somebattlebrothersswearentirecataloguesofoathsvaryingfromgeneraltoextremelydetailed.Othersettleforsimplereaffirmationsoftheirspacemarineoaths.Theunitleadergetstochooseanoaththataffectstheentireunit.ThenatureoftheoathdependsontheleadersspecializationandcharacterbutshouldbesuitableforaDeathwatchspacemarine.ShouldtheoathbefulfilledeachmemberofthekillteamgainsoneGlorywhenthemissionisover.ShouldsomeonebreaktheoathduringthemissionthisentailsalossofoneGloryandthecharactermaynotentersquadmodeduringtherestofthemission.Nobodylikesoathbreakers.Examplesofoaths:WewillneverretreatinthefaceoftheEmperorsenemies.AnyorkIlaymyeyesonwilldieasismysacredoathashumanitysshield.WewillcherishtheweaponsoftheOmnissiahandreturnthemsafelytotheArmory.Amarinemightalsomakeuptothreepersonaloaths.Theyfunctioninthesamewaybutcoveronlythemarinethatmakesthem.I.e.thecharactergainsoneGlorywhenthemissionisover.ShouldthecharacterbreaktheoathduringthemissionthisentailsalossofoneGloryandthecharactermaynotentersquadmodeduringtherestofthemission.Nobodylikesoathbreakers.Examplesofpersonaloaths:Iwillbefirstintothebreechineveryencountertohonormyprimogenitor.IwillslaytheenemyatrangetoprovethesuperiortacticsoftheCodexAstartes.Noneofmybattlebrotherswilldieduringmywatch.(TheseoathsaremeanttobefuelfortheMCtoputthecharactersindifficultsituationsratherthansimplegloryfarmingfortheplayers.ShouldtheplayersmakeweakorsimpleoathsitisthedutyoftheMCtoshankthemhard.)