Epic Armageddon Rulebook
Epic Armageddon Rulebook
Epic Armageddon Rulebook
On the following pages you will find the core rules for the 1.0.1 What You Will Need To Play
Epic game system, covering all of the basic mechanics of In order to play you will need to get hold of Epic scale
the Epic game. The core rules describe how units (that’s miniatures. These miniatures are available from
to say any kind of infantry or armoured vehicles) move Games Workshop stores and Direct Sales as well as
and fire on each other and participate in assaults. independent specialist hobby shops.
Scattered through the rules you will occasionally find You will also need a small amount of gaming terrain. You
Special Rule boxes. Most special rules are described in can use the hills and trees made for Warhammer or
rules sections 2.0-4.0, but some rules you really need to Warhammer 40,000 and available from the same places as
know about earlier on and because of this we’ve included Epic miniatures if you don’t have any Epic scale terrain, or
them with the core rules. You will also find Design just lay a cloth over some books to create rolling, hilly
Concept boxes that explain certain fundamental terrain. Forge World sells a wide array of detailed resin
principles of the rules. We’ve put these off to one side terrain pieces to expand the boundaries of your battle
rather than include them in the rules proper in order to settings.
save repetition, and also to allow us to explain in rather In addition to models, a suitable battlefield, and players
more detail the concepts and philosophy behind the you’ll need a few more essential items to begin play:
rules. The author feels quite strongly that disputes or
misinterpretation of the rules can be minimised if you Templates: Certain weapons in Epic, such as the huge
understand why a rule is written the way it is. Imperial Earthshaker Cannon, have an area effect rather
than targeting a specific unit. These attacks are
We highly recommend that you play several games using represented by placing a circular template over the target
the core rules before fighting battles using the full range of and attempting to affect any units under it. Two types of
Epic scale vehicle and infantry miniatures that use the template are used in Epic, a Barrage template that has a
special rules. In order to help with this we’ve included a diameter of 7.4cm, and a larger Orbital Bombardment
number of ‘training scenarios’ at the end of the core rules template that has a diameter of 12cm. The type and
that will allow you to try the rules out quickly and easily. intensity of the attack will dictate which template is used
and how many templates may be required. Copies of both 1.1 UNITS
templates can be found at the end of the core rules, or Epic lets you fight battles with everything from lowly
you can use the plastic Blast and Ordnance templates infantry to the terrifying war engines that dominate the
produced by Games Workshop. You can also make your battle zones of the 41st Millennium. From the smallest to
own versions of the templates from card or acetate. the greatest, every warrior and weapon has its part to play.
Measuring Instrument: You will need some kind of Different types of unit complement one another in
measuring instrument marked in centimetres (cms) in combat – war engines fighting in cities need infantry to
order to play Epic. You will find a retractable measuring enter buildings and drive out enemy troops, infantry in
tape most useful for measuring movement and shooting the open need support from their own tanks and war
distances. If you only have a measuring instrument engines lest they be swept away by enemy war wngines.
marked in inches then you can use it by halving any No matter what their size, the Citadel miniatures used to
distances measured in centimetres and using the result as play Epic are referred to as units in the rules that follow.
a distance in inches instead. For example, if the rules said Each unit is an individual playing piece with its own
5cm you would count this as 2.5" instead. Please note that capabilities. A unit may consist of a single model tank, a
if you decide to measure any distances in inches then gigantic war engine, or several infantry models mounted
both players must do so! together on a single base, but in the rules all of these
Paper and Pens or Pencils: You may need to record things are simply referred to as units.
details of casualties and damage to those gigantic war IMPORTANT: The core rules on the following pages only
engines occasionally during a game, so it’s useful to have cover infantry and armoured vehicles. The rules for
some paper and a writing implement handy. specialist units in section 2.0 introduce several new unit
Dice: In Epic you’ll need buckets full of ordinary six-sided types and characteristics, rules for Titans and other war
dice to resolve shooting and fighting in an assault. These engines are introduced in Section 3.0, and rules for
are referred to as a D6. If you need to roll more than one aircraft in Section 4.0.
dice, then this is written as 2D6 (for roll two dice) or 4D6 1.1.1 Unit Types
(for roll four dice) and so on. If you have to add All units in the core rules are subdivided into two broad
something to the total of the roll, this is added afterwards. categories: Infantry and Armoured Vehicles.
For example, D6+6 means roll one dice and add 6 to the
score to get a total between 7 and 12. If asked to roll a D3 Infantry (INF): This designation includes all personnel
simply roll a D6 and count a roll of 1-2 as a 1, a roll of 3- not mounted inside a vehicle. Infantry are represented by
4 as a 2, and a roll of 5-6 as a 3. In some cases a unit or between three and seven Epic infantry models mounted
formation will need to roll a 1 or higher on a D6. In this on a single base (see 1.1.2 for details). Field artillery such
case the roll automatically succeeds and no dice roll is as Ork Big Gunz also fall into this category, as do infantry
strictly necessary (though you can roll anyway if you that ride on bikes or horses.
wish!).
Blast Markers: An army in battle tends to get worse at
fighting as it is subjected to enemy fire and loses close
combats. In Epic, Blast markers represent this. You can
either make your own Blast markers, or use the Battle
Markers produced by Games Workshop, or keep track of
things with paper and pencil or some other method if you Armoured Vehicles (AV): As their name implies, these
prefer. As long as you know how many Blast markers a vehicles are covered with thick armour plate. The
formation has accumulated during the game then category includes tanks such as Leman Russ and Land
whatever method you use is fine with us! Raiders, as well as armoured troop carriers like the Rhino.
Armoured vehicles are represented by a single model.x
An Imperial Guard
Leman Russ
A Space Marine
Land Raider
DESIGN CONCEPT
Blast Markers
Blast markers are an attempt to show in a
simple and playable manner that the
psychological effect of fire is every bit as
important, if not more important, than the
actual number of casualties caused. Blast
markers represent a whole range of
personal disasters occurring to the units in
a formation: things being damaged, squads
being scattered, breaking or fleeing, and so
on. They are a vital part of Epic so don’t
overlook their importance. The rules for
1.2.2 Initiative Values Blast markers reflect the fact that most
Each formation has an initiative value that represents troops will tend to grind to a halt and seek
how well trained and motivated it is. The lower a cover when they come under even quite a
formation’s initiative value is, the better (eg, an initiative small amount of fire (that’s why a single
of 1 is better than an initiative of 2). Formations with good sniper can slow down many times his own
initiative values are more likely to carry out orders, and number of enemy troops), but will only
will rally more quickly than formations with worse withdraw when a combination of
initiative values. You will find that a formation’s initiative casualties and sustained enemy pressure
value is one of its most important characteristics. Some convinces them that their position is
example initiative values are shown below: untenable and they should withdraw
Formation Initiative Value (which is why a single sniper will rarely
Space Marine 1+ drive the enemy off).
Imperial Guard 2+
Ork 3+
1.4 SEQUENCE OF PLAY 1.5 THE STRATEGY PHASE
An Epic battle is fought over a number of turns. How Each army has a strategy rating. This will either be listed
many turns a battle will last is determined by the players in the notes for a scenario, or can be found in the army
themselves or the scenario being fought. list if you are playing a tournament game. An army’s
Epic uses the following sequence of play. As you can see, strategy rating represents a mixture of its aggression and
each turn in Epic Armageddon is split into three phases. the ability of its commanders. An army with a high
However, the bulk of the action occurs, appropriately strategy rating is more likely to act before an enemy with
enough, in the action phase. During this phase, the a lower strategy rating.
players take it in turn to pick one of the formations in In the strategy phase at the start of each turn both players
their armies and carry out an action with it. Each make a strategy roll by rolling a D6 and adding their
formation in an army can carry out one action. After both strategy rating to the score. The player whose army scores
players have taken one action with each of their higher can choose to go first or second in the action
formations, they move onto the end phase. This is phase. In the case of a tie, the side that failed to win the
basically a ‘tidy-up’ phase, where things that are not initiative last turn gets it on this turn.
carried out during the action phase are sorted out. Note
that both players do things in each phase, so both carry
out actions in the action phase, rally broken formations in
the end phase, and so on.
1.4.1 Sequence Of Play
I – Strategy Phase: Each player rolls a D6 and adds their
army’s strategy rating to the score. Whoever scores higher 1.6 THE ACTION PHASE
may choose to go first or second in the action phase. In the action phase, the players take it in turns to carry
II – Action Phase: The players alternate carrying out out actions with their unbroken formations. Each
actions with their units. unbroken formation can take one action per turn. The
III – End Phase: Both players rally formations with Blast player that won the strategy roll can choose whether to go
markers or that are broken, and then check the scenario first or second.
victory conditions to see if either side has won. The player going first then carries out an action with one
formation, and then their opponent does likewise, and so
on until all formations have taken an action. If one player
runs out of formations to activate, then the opposing
player may keep on activating formations one after the
SPECIAL RULE other until all of his formations have taken an action.
1.4.2 AbilitiesUsed At Start Of
There are three steps to carrying out an action:
Turn/Action
I – Nominate a formation.
Some units have special abilities that are II – Declare which action it will carry out.
specified as taking effect at the beginning of the
turn. These effects are resolved before the III – The formation must then pass an action test to see if
Strategy roll. Similarly, abilities that are used it carries out the action successfully.
at the start of an action can be taken before the Each of these steps is explained in more detail below.
Initiative roll is made or the action chosen. If Note that you must declare both the formation and the
both players have effects for the beginning of the action it will carry out before taking the Action test. If you
turn, take turns resolving them starting with fail to do these things, then the formation chosen
the player with the higher Strategy rating, automatically fails the Action test without the dice being
alternating between players for each rolled (we can imagine this is due to a communications
subsequent effect until all effects are resolved. failure). If you failed to even nominate the formation then
your opponent may nominate the formation for you.
1.6.1 Actions
To carry out an action, first nominate an unbroken
formation and then choose an action for it to carry out.
DESIGN CONCEPT The actions that can be chosen are listed as follows. Note
that you must activate a formation if you can, you can’t
Ties choose to ‘pass’ unless you have no choice in the matter.
In the case of a tie or any situation where Also note that a formation may only be activated once per
the rules allow both players to do something Action phase.
at the same time, the player with the next Advance: The formation may make one move and then
birthday gets to go first unless the rules shoot.
specifically say otherwise.
Engage: The formation may make one ‘charge’ move and
then fight an assault.
Double: The formation may make two moves and then
shoot with a -1 modifier. 1.6.3 Retaining The Initiative
March: The formation may make three moves. Once you have successfully carried out an action with a
formation, you may if you wish try to retain the initiative
Marshal: The formation may either shoot with a -1 and take two actions in a row. If you decide to retain the
modifier and then regroup, or make one move and then initiative then you must nominate a new formation and
regroup. Regrouping allows the formation to remove declare the action it will carry out, but the formation will
some of the Blast markers affecting the formation (see suffer a -1 modifier to its action test. Note: If the first
1.13). formation fails its action, you may not attempt to retain
Overwatch: The formation may not move, but instead the initiative – ie, you may only attempt to retain the
enters overwatch. Being on overwatch allows the initiative after a successful action.
formation to interrupt an enemy formation’s action to You must hand over the initiative after you have
shoot at it. You may not choose this action if the completed the action for a formation that retained the
formation has any units that are out of formation. initiative (ie, you can’t retain the initiative twice in a
Sustained Fire: The formation may not move (not even row). The only exception to this is if one player has no
to turn in place), but can shoot with a +1 modifier. You formations left to activate. In this case, the other player
may not choose this action if the formation has any units may keep on activating formations without suffering the
that are out of formation. -1 modifier for retaining the initiative until all of the
opposing formations have taken an action.
In addition to these basic actions, there are two more
special types of action a formation may make: Example of Play: Actions
After setting up their forces, the Ork player (Matt) and
Hold: This action is the only one allowed to a formation the Imperial Guard player (Bill) both roll a dice and add
that fails an Action test (see the rules for action tests their strategy rating. The Imperial Guard player rolls a 6,
next). The formation may make one move or shoot or to which he adds his strategy rating of 2 for a total of 8.
regroup. You must choose to move if any units are out of The Ork player rolls a 3 on the dice, plus his strategy
formation. rating of 3, giving him a total of 6. The Imperial Guard
Special Actions: Some formations are allowed to carry player hence wins the strategy phase and may choose
out special actions. Some of these are described in the whether to go first or second. He chooses to go first.
Special Rules section of this rulebook, or they may be The action phase now begins and the Imperial Guard
included in the rules for a scenario. player nominates the formation with which he will
attempt his first action.
He picks a Steel Legion Mechanised Infantry Company
out on the left flank and declares that they are going to
attempt a double action. The chosen formation are
members of the Imperial Guard, and therefore have an
initiative rating of 2+. The player rolls the dice and
1.6.2 The Action Test scores a 4 – the action is successful and the formation
Before a formation can carry out an action it must pass an makes its chosen action (in this case, moving twice up
action test. Broken formations may not take an action. the flank. They then have the option to shoot but can’t
Instead they must pass a rally test in the end phase in see any enemy so the formation’s action is at an end).
order to rally. See the rules for broken formations (1.13)
later on. The Imperial Guard player then decides he is going to try
to retain the initiative.
To pass an action test, you must roll equal to or over the
formation’s initiative value on a D6. If the formation He nominates a Steel Legion Super Heavy Tank Company
passes the action test, it may carry out the stated action. If on the other side of the battlefield and declares that they
the formation fails the test, it can still carry out a hold are also going to attempt a double action. The player
action (even if the player nominated something else), but rolls a dice and scores a 2 – the action fails, since the
the formation receives a Blast marker. There is a -1 formation has an Initiative of 2, and suffers -1 to its dice
modifier to the action test if the formation has one or roll for retaining the initiative. The formation receives a
more Blast markers, and a further -1 modifier if the Blast makrer and must take a hold action instead of
formation is trying to retain the initiative (see 1.6.3). taking the double action.
SPECIAL RULE
1.7.5 Transport Vehicles
Many formations include transport vehicles that can be used to carry other units that belong to the same
formation. The number and type of units that can be carried will be listed on the transport vehicle’s
datasheet. Transport vehicles may only carry units from their own formation. Transport vehicles can pick up
and carry units as part of the transport vehicle’s move. The vehicle simply moves into base contact with the
unit to be picked up, and then carries on with its move as normal. Note that the transported unit is not
allowed to move themselves during the move when they are picked up.
Transported units may disembark at the end of any move after the move in which is it was picked up. This
happens after any overwatch shots (see 1.10) but before the moving formation shoots or assaults.
Disembarking units may be placed within 5cms of the transport vehicle. If the formation has engage orders
then they may be placed in base contact with an enemy unit. Otherwise they may not be placed within an
enemy unit’s zone of control. Note that units do not have to disembark, and may remain in their transport
if they prefer. Units may not be picked up and disembark as part of the same move, though a formation
making multiple moves as part of a march or double action could pick up units in one move and drop them
off as part of a subsequent move. Units may embark or disembark as part of a counter-charge move (see
1.12.4), unless the transport vehicle carrying them is already in base contact with two enemy units – in which
case they must stay on board (they are trapped inside!).
Units being transported may not shoot unless the transport vehicle’s datasheet specifically says otherwise.
Transported units are counted towards the number of units in the formation for all rules purposes (ie, when
working out the number of units involved in an assault or if a formation is broken by Blast markers, etc) If
the transport vehicle is destroyed, then the transported units must make their normal armour save OR make
a 6+ cover save to avoid perishing too. If a transport unit is destroyed by a macro-weapon (see 2.2.6), then
the units inside the transport vehicle are destroyed automatically. A transport vehicle that is being
transported cannot transport other units itself (ie, the ‘Russian Doll’ tactic is not allowed!).
1.8 TERRAIN DESIGN CONCEPT
The galaxy is a vast place with millions of different worlds.
The terrain covering these worlds can vary from empty
Terrain Conventions
plains to sky-scraping hive cities, and from verdant It is possible to have all kinds of arguments
jungles to arid ash-waste deserts. Only one factor is about whether terrain partially or fully
common to them all, and that is that they all have areas blocks the line of fire to a target. Because of
where it is difficult to wage war! this, you should discuss the terrain on your
In Epic, terrain affects units in one of three ways: gaming table with your opponent before a
game starts and make sure you both agree
• The terrain has no effect on the unit when it moves on how it will work with regard to this and
through it. any of the other terrain rules. However, the
• The terrain is impassable to the unit so it cannot move -1 to hit modifier should be generously
through the terrain under any circumstances. applied, and if in any doubt it should be
counted rather than ignored.
• The terrain is dangerous to the unit, so the unit can
enter the terrain but it might take damage (see 1.8.1).
The Terrain Effects table on the next page details some
common types of terrain and the effects they have on
1.8.2 Cover To Hit Modifiers
different types of unit. How to represent terrain on the
Units that are in terrain that is tall enough to at least
battlefield is discussed later on in this rulebook.
partially obscure them from an attacker’s view receive a
1.8.1 Dangerous Terrain Test -1 to hit modifier when being shot at (see 1.9.5). The to
Roll a D6 when you enter dangerous terrain, or when you hit modifier also applies if intervening terrain obscures
start to move if already in dangerous terrain. On a roll of the target partially from view.
1, the unit is destroyed with no save allowed, but the
1.8.3 Infantry Cover Saves
formation it is part of does not receive a Blast marker.
Certain terrain is noted as giving infantry a cover save.
Units may choose to move through dangerous terrain While in such terrain, the infantry receive the cover save
cautiously. A unit that is moving cautiously counts as listed on the Terrain table in addition to the -1 to hit
having a speed of 5cm, but is allowed to re-roll any modifier for being in cover. The cover save can be used
Dangerous Terrain tests that it fails. instead of their normal armour save whenever they have
to take an armour save. Note that they can use one or the
other of these saves against a hit, not both.
Fortifications: Units in fortifications receive the -1 to hit modifier for being in cover and may ignore the
-1 save modifier for being caught in a crossfire, though they still receive the extra blast marker (see 1.11
Crossfire). In addition, infantry in fortifications receive a 3+ cover save. Fortifications are normally
impassable terrain for vehicles unless they are specifically designed to hold them (eg, tank emplacements).
Hills: Units on hills will benefit from better lines of sight to enemy units, as they will be high enough to see
over some terrain features (see 1.9.2 Line of Fire). This aside, units on hills count as being in open ground
(or whatever other type of terrain they occupy that is also on the hill, such as roads, woods or buildings).
Open Ground: Infantry receive a 5+ cover save if they are on Overwatch unless the terrain they are in
gives them a better save. This represents the fact that stationary infantry are very hard to see. Note that
the save will be lost after the infantry shoot and the Overwatch marker is removed.
Roads: Units that spend a whole move on a road may add 5cms to their move. In addition, if all of the
units in a formation are on a road at the start of their action, you may declare they will make a road
march. The formation takes a march action, and automatically passes the Action test. However, all of the
units in the formation must remain on the road for the entire three moves.
Armoured Vehicles: Infantry count as being in cover and receive the -1 to hit modifier (but no cover save)
if they are touching an armoured vehicle or war engine, to represent their ability to take cover from enemy
fire by crouching behind the vehicle.
SPECIAL RULE
Weapon Fire Arcs
Most weapons can be fired in any direction (ie, the Forward Left Right
unit does not have to be pointing at the target).
However, in some cases, a weapon will be noted as 180º 180º
having a limited weapon arc. 180º
Barrage Table
Barrage Points Extra Templates Extra Blast Markers To Hit Rolls
AP AT
1 None None 6+ 6+
2 None None 5+ 6+
3 None None 4+ 6+
4-5 One None 4+ 5+
6-7 One One 4+ 5+
8-9 Two One 4+ 5+
10-12 Two Two 4+ 5+
13-15 Two Three 4+ 5+
16-18 Two Four 4+ 5+
Extra Barrage Templates: Large barrages may receive extra Barrage templates. The Barrage table will tell you if a
barrage receives any extra Barrage templates. Place any extra templates so that they touch the first template that was
placed, and so that no templates overlap. All units under the templates are attacked with the barrage’s to hit values.
Note that once the first template has been placed, the attacker may choose where to place the additional templates,
as long as they are touching the first template, and no line of fire, placement or range restrictions apply (see below).
Extra Blast Markers: Really large artillery barrages are very effective at suppressing enemy troops as well as killing
them. To represent this, a large barrage may inflict one, two or three extra Blast markers, as shown on the barrage
table. The Blast markers are placed in addition to any Blast markers placed on a formation for it coming under fire
or for any casualties that it suffered. If several formations are being attacked then each receives the appropriate
number of extra Blast markers.
Indirect Fire: Some weapons that can fire barrages are noted as having the indirect fire ability. Units armed with
indirect fire weapons are allowed to fire indirectly if their formation takes a sustained fire action. Units belonging
to a formation that fails the action test may shoot normally as part of their hold action, but may not fire indirectly.
Units firing an indirect barrage receive the +1 modifier for taking a sustained fire action. In addition, no line of fire
is required for an indirect barrage, as it is assumed that the barrage is fired high in the air so that the shots rain
down on the target and ignore any intervening terrain. Co-ordinates for the barrage are provided by ‘spotters’ that
are either in other friendly formations that do have a line of fire, or from orbiting spy satellites or planes. Finally, the
high trajectory used by weapons firing indirectly greatly increases their range, but means they cannot fire at targets
that are too close by. To represent this, weapons firing indirectly double their range, but have a minimum range of
30cms.
Using Barrage Templates: Deciding which enemy units have been caught underneath a circular Barrage template
is another one of the things that can cause endless arguments during a game. The method we use (and the default
you should use unless you have a different convention that you prefer) is that a unit is affected if any part of the
model falls under the template, or at least one model on a stand. In addition, templates must be placed in such a
way as to get as many enemy units from the target formation under them as possible within the restrictions for lines
of fire and range. This stops players ‘sniping’ at important units with artillery.
1.10 OVERWATCH in the following turn counts as your action for that turn,
A formation that takes an overwatch action may not move, and will stop the formation taking an action later on. If
but may shoot, outside of the normal turn sequence, in the formation does not shoot in the following turn then it
response to an enemy formation’s movement. We mark may take an action instead of shooting.
formations on overwatch using the Games Workshop
Example of Play: Overwatch
Order dice, but you can use other methods if you prefer.
As his first action for the turn, the Imperial Guard player
Note that if a formation has units more than 5cm from
chooses to try to put one of his Steel Legion Mechanized
another unit in the formation (ie, it is not in a legal
Infantry Companies onto overwatch. He passes the
formation), then the formation may not take an overwatch
Action test and the unit goes onto overwatch.
action, as it must move back into a legal formation if it can.
Nearby, an Ork formation chooses a sustained fire
A formation that is on overwatch may choose to shoot
action and shoots at a nearby Titan. The Ork formation
immediately after an enemy formation completes a move
doesn’t move, so can’t trigger the formation on
or unloads troops, and before the target either shoots or
overwatch to fire. Their overwatch goes on…
assaults.
Later in the same turn, another Ork formation chooses a
Note that a formation on overwatch is allowed to shoot at
double action and moves across in front of the Imperial
an enemy formation after any move, so it may shoot at a
Guard on overwatch. At the end of their first move, the
formation making several moves after it has completed one
Orks are within line of fire of the Imperial Guard
of these moves and before it carries out the next one. This
detachment, but the player decides not to shoot at them
stops fast formations using double or march actions to
since their second move will take them closer to another
‘whiz past’ a formation that is on overwatch.
unit with which he can shoot them anyway. The
Also note that formations on overwatch may only react overwatch is not triggered and still goes on…
when a formation moves or unloads troops. They may not
A new turn begins and the Ork player wins the Strategy
to choose to shoot at a formation that does anything else
phase, enabling him to go first. The first thing the Ork
in their line of fire, such as shooting without moving or
player does is begin an engage action with a Kult of
regrouping.
Speed, which begins tearing towards the Imperial Guard.
Resolve the shooting attacks using the normal rules. The At the end of their move, they are very close to the
overwatching formation must shoot at the formation that Imperial Guard formation, but before the assault is
triggered the shooting – it can’t pick a different target. resolved, the Imperial Guard player announces that he is
Once it has fired, the formation is no longer considered going to trigger the formation’s overwatch and shoot at
to be on overwatch. the Kult of Speed. The shooting is resolved normally, and
Formations remain on overwatch until they either shoot, in all likelihood will provide a massive aid to the
or they undertake a new action in the following turn. Imperial Guard in the coming assault.
Note that this means that a unit can go into overwatch on After the effects of the shooting have been resolved, the
one turn, and not shoot until the following turn. Shooting assault is resolved normally.
1.11 CROSSFIRE Note that a formation attacked by several enemy
’Ere we go, ’ere we go, ’ere we go... Bloody hell, where’d formations, each of which can claim a crossfire, will
dose beaky wagonz come from? Quick ladz, face dis way. receive the extra Blast marker from each enemy formation
No, no, no! Not dat way, dis way. Oi! Where are yooz that inflicts one or more casualties.
boyz running off too? Come back ’ere ya yoosless lot...
Bugga! Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to take out dem
wagonz meself. ’Ere we go den... WAAAAAARGH!!!
Last words of Warlord Naz-bakk
Formations that take fire from the flank or rear are caught
in a deadly crossfire, and will suffer additional casualties
as troops struggle to find cover from attacks coming from
an unexpected direction.
To represent this, formations are allowed to use the
following rules to claim a crossfire bonus when they
shoot. You can claim the crossfire bonus if you can draw
a straight line up to 45cm long from any of the units in the
shooting formation to any unit in another friendly Example of Play: Crossfire
formation and this line crosses a unit from the target The Land Raiders have taken an advance action and
formation or the gap between two units from the target moved to the position shown in the photograph below.
formation. The Space Marine player is able to draw a line of fire less
than 45cms long to a unit in the Space Marine Tactical
The friendly unit that the crossfire line is drawn to must
formation, and so is able to claim the crossfire bonus
have a line of fire to a unit from the target formation, but
when shooting on the Orks.
does not have to be in range with any of its weapons. You
may not use units that are in broken or marching The Land Raiders’ lascannon are inneffective against the
formations to claim the crossfire bonus. Ork infantry, but their heavy bolters inflict three hits.
The -1 save modifier means that it is impossible for the
All units from a formation caught in a crossfire suffer a -1
Orks to make their armour save so three units are
save modifier. This may result in some units automatically
removed as casualties.
failing their saving throw. Some terrain features or special
rules may counter this modifier (see 1.8.4 and 2.1.16). Five Blast markers are inflicted on the Orks: one for
coming under fire, two for the first casualty caused by
In addition, a formation caught in a crossfire attack
the heavy bolter fire, and two more for the remaining
receives two Blast markers for the first unit destroyed by
two casualties. There are only five units left in the Ork
the attack, rather than just one Blast marker for the
warband, so the five Blast markers inflicted by the Land
destroyed unit as would usually be the case (see 1.9.4).
Raiders are just enough to break the warband.
SPECIAL RULE
1.12.10 Intermingled Formations
Occasionally an attacker will wish to attack a position where units from two enemy formations are
intermingled together. When a player declares the target for a charging formation he can choose, if he wishes,
to include any enemy formations that are intermingled with the target formation as being part of the target
of the charge. Two formations are intermingled if they have any units within 5cm of each other. If there are
two or more formations within 5cm of the target formation, then the attacker can choose to include one or
more of them as the target, he does not though have to include any of them.
For the purposes of the assault, the intermingled formation is treated as being a single formation. All of the
intermingled formations are allowed to make counter charges, and hits may be allocated to all of the
formations involved. Once casualties have been worked out, a 2D6 roll is used to resolve the assault. Add
together all of the Blast markers on the intermingled formations when working out the result of the assault. If
the defender loses then each formation is broken and must withdraw. If the defender wins then each formation
receives a number of Blast markers equal to the number of casualties it suffered in the combat (ie, if one
defending formation lost two units and then another one, then the first would get two Blast markers and the
other would receive one Blast marker).
1.12.7 Work Out Result they turn and run, or disintegrating into a panic-driven
After both players have removed casualties, the outcome of rout as they flee. Remove these additional casualties as you
the combat must be decided. If one side wiped the other would for hits inflicted in the assault itself (ie, units in base
side out, then it is the winner. If both sides have units contact first, then those closest to the enemy etc).
remaining then each player rolls 2D6, and then adds any Once any additional casualties have been removed, any
modifiers that apply from the chart below to the single D6 surviving units on the losing side must make an immediate
that rolled highest. Note that you don’t add your dice rolls withdrawal as explained in the rules for broken formations
together, but use the single dice with the highest score (ie, later on (see 1.13.3).
roll two dice and pick the highest). Whoever has the higher
score after any modifiers have been added wins the assault. Finally, any formations belonging to the losing side that
were in a position to have lent support (ie, they were
In the case of a tie, fight a second assault using any within 15cms of an enemy unit in the assault) receive one
surviving units starting with step IV (ie, roll dice, allocate Blast marker each, even if they did not actually lend
hits, make saves and resolve the combat all over again with support. These Blast markers represent the detrimental
any survivors). Units from both sides are allowed to make effect on morale of seeing friends defeated in an assault.
a counter charge move before the second round is fought,
with the attacker moving his counter charging units first 1.12.9 Winner Consolidates
(see 1.12.4). If a second round is fought then any casualties After the loser has withdrawn, the winning formation
from the first round carry over when working out the result receives a number of Blast markers equal to the number of
of the combat. If a further tie results, fight again (and again, units that were killed by the enemy. Note that it is possible
and again if need be) until a clear winner is determined. for a formation to win an assault and then become broken
by the casualties that they suffered! In this case, the
1.12.8 Loser Withdraws winning formation is broken, but does not have to make a
If the loser was already broken when it was assaulted then withdrawal even if other enemy units are within 15cm (see
the whole formation is destroyed, and ALL units in the 1.13.3). If the winner of the combat was already broken at
formation are removed from play as casualties. If the losing the start of the combat, they do not receive any additional
formation is not broken then it becomes broken and may Blast markers.
withdraw (see 1.13.3). In addition, the losing formation
suffers a number of extra hits equal to the difference Any units on the winning side may then move 5cm. This is
between the two sides’ result scores. There are no saves for a free bonus move designed to allow attacking units to
these hits, which represent units being hacked down as occupy territory they have captured. Units may not enter
an enemy’s zone of control when they consolidate.
1.13 REGROUPING & BROKEN FORMATIONS 1.13.3 Withdrawals
Formations that take a marshal action are allowed to Unless the rules state specifically otherwise, a broken
regroup in order to remove Blast markers and attempt to formation may choose to make a withdrawal immediately
avoid becoming broken. Formations are broken once they after the action that caused it to break has been resolved.
have received a number of Blast markers equal to the If a formation is broken part way through an action that it
number of units in the formation, or if they lose an is taking (ie, by the Blast marker received for failing an
assault. Broken formations may not be selected to take an initiative test, or as a result of Blast markers received from
action in the Action phase. overwatch fire), then it makes a withdrawal and loses the
rest of its action.
1.13.1 Regrouping
Formations that take a marshal action may regroup. Roll A formation making a withdrawal may make two moves.
2D6 and remove a number of Blast markers equal to the Withdrawal moves may be made in any direction, but if a
highest roll. Note that the dice are not added together; unit ends the second withdrawal move within 15cm of the
instead the score of the higher dice is used. enemy, it is destroyed (it is killed while trying to escape!).
Units may ignore enemy zones of control while making a
1.13.2 Becoming Broken withdrawal move but may not move directly over enemy
Check to see if a formation is broken after it receives any units. These changes aside, withdrawal moves are treated
Blast markers (either from failing an Action test, shooting exactly like a normal move. Enemy formations on
or winning an assault). Formations that lose an assault are overwatch can shoot at formations making withdrawal
automatically broken. You should completely resolve an moves.
assault or an attacking formation’s shooting before
checking to see if the target formation breaks (ie, don’t Units with a speed of 0cm obviously cannot move when
break a formation that comes under fire until all of the making a withdrawal, so are destroyed if there are any
shooting has been resolved). enemy units within 15cm at the point they become
broken.
Remove all of the Blast markers from a formation when it
breaks, and mark it in some way to show that it is broken. 1.13.4 Blast Markers and Broken Formations
You can mark a broken formation in any manner you like; Broken formations count as having as many Blast markers
some players simply remember, others turn units in a as units for any rules purposes.
broken detachment away from the enemy, or you can use Broken formations do not receive Blast markers after they
the Order Dice or Battle Markers produced by Games have been broken and before they rally. Instead each Blast
Workshop. At the end of the day, as long as you remember marker that the formation would normally receive causes
which formations are broken and which are not then any an additional hit on the formation, with no saving throw
method will do. allowed. Apply these extra hits as you would from normal
shooting (ie, from front to back of the formation). These If the test is passed then remove half the Blast markers
additional hits represent individual units panicking and from the formation, rounding fractions up. Formations
fleeing the battlefield, and they make broken formations with one Blast marker remaining that pass a Rally test
extremely vulnerable to enemy attack – you have been remove the last Blast marker. A broken formation that
warned! rallies is no longer broken. It counts as having as many
Remember that a broken formation that wins an assault Blast markers as units, half of which will be removed for
does not receive any Blast markers for the casualties it passing the Rally test. For example, a broken formation
suffered, and will not therefore lose any additional units with seven units that rallied would no longer be broken
due to panic. It is assumed that in this case, the feeling of and would receive three Blast markers.
triumph at winning the assault overcomes any feelings of
Rally Test Modifiers
terror or fear.
1.14 THE END PHASE Formation is broken -2
The End phase takes place, unsurprisingly, at the end of There are enemy units within 30cms -1
the turn, once both players have taken an action with Modifiers are cumulative.
each of their unbroken formations. Both players must
attempt to rally any formations and then check the 1.14.2 Check Victory Conditions
scenario victory conditions to see if either side has won. Most games of Epic are played using a scenario that will
1.14.1 Rallying Formations have a set of victory conditions that a player needs to
In the End, phase both players take turns to rally achieve in order to win. See the special rules for scenarios
formations that have Blast markers or that are broken. in the special rules section for more details on how this
Rally the formations one at a time, starting with the player works.
with the higher strategy rating. In order to rally a
formation you must roll equal to or over the formation’s SPECIAL RULE
initiative value on a D6 (see 1.2.2). There is a -2 modifier Rounding
to the dice roll if the formation is broken, and a
-1 modifier if enemy units are within 30cm of a unit from In Epic, all fractions are rounded up unless
the formation. the rules specifically say otherwise.
If the test is failed, then broken formations must make a Generosity rules where 6mm soldiers are
withdrawal (see 1.13.3), while formations that are concerned!
unbroken must remain in place but may not remove any
Blast markers.
1.15 CORE RULES
TRAINING SCENARIOS
“Only faith in the Emperor and the training I am going SPECIAL RULE
to give you will save you on the battlefield.” They Shall Know No Fear
Veteran Sergeant Kesser
Space Marines are renowned for their tenacity
You have now read all you need to know in order to try and bravery. This is represented by the
out the following training scenarios. A scenario is following rules:
basically a set of notes, telling you all you need to know • It takes two Blast markers to suppress a
about the battle you are going to fight. It will tell you what Space Marine unit or kill a unit in a broken
forces are involved, what vehicles each player has, what formation (ignore any left over Blast
each side’s objectives are, and so on. markers).
In order to play the core rules training scenarios you will • Space Marine formations are only broken if
need to get hold of a couple of dozen units of Epic scale they have two Blast markers per unit in the
Space Marines. It will help if you can track down some formation.
Predator Destructors and Rhinos too, but these are not • Halve the number of extra hits suffered by a
vital. There is a free downloadable file on the Epic website Space Marine formation that loses an
at www.epic-battles.com which has a set of counters for assault, rounding down in favour of the
the Space Marine units and vehicles used in the scenarios, Space Marines.
so if you have access to the internet you can try out the
first two scenarios even if you don’t have the correct • When a broken Space Marine formation
models. Datasheets for the units can be found after the rallies then it receives a number of Blast
scenarios. markers equal to the number of units, rather
than half this number.
In order to play the scenarios that follow, you will also
need a small amount of gaming terrain. You can use
Warhammer or Warhammer 40,000 hills and trees if you
don’t have any in Epic scale, or just lay a cloth over some
books to create rolling, hilly terrain.
1.15.1 Basic Training Scenario
Even Space Marines need to practise their tactics and
strategy. This basic training scenario is based on one of
these exercises and pits Space Marines from the same
Chapter against each other in a simple training exercise.
The object is to take and hold an objective.
Force Alpha: Two formations each with six Space Marine
Tactical units. The force has a strategy rating of 5 and all
formations have an initiative value of 1+.
Force Beta: Two formations each with six Space Marine
Tactical units. The force has a strategy rating of 5 and all
formations have an initiative value of 1+.
Gaming Area: Set up a playing area approximately
60-90cm square. Set up any scenery you have in a
mutually agreeable manner. You can set up as much or as 1.15.2 Fast Attack Training Scenario
little scenery as you like, but try to make sure that you Space Marine armies are highly mobile and make great
have at least a couple of hills and either a built-up area or use of armoured transport vehicles to strike at the enemy
some woods for the troops to hide behind or take cover with lightning speed. By far the most common Space
in. Place an ‘objective counter’ in the very centre of the Marine transport vehicle is the ubiquitous Rhino, a sturdy
battlefield (a coin will do just fine). and reliable machine capable of transporting ten fully
Deployment: If one player set up the scenery then his equipped Space Marines across the battlefield.
opponent can choose which table edge to deploy on. If Force Alpha: Two formations each with six Space Marine
you set up the scenery together then roll dice to see who Tactical units and three Rhinos. The force has a strategy
gets the choice of edge. The other player sets up on the rating of 5 and all formations have an initiative value of 1+.
opposite table edge. You must deploy all of your units
within 15cms of your table edge. Force Beta: Two formations each with six Space Marine
Tactical units and three Rhinos. The force has a strategy
Special Rules: All Space Marine units may use the ‘Know rating of 5 and all formations have an initiative value of 1+.
No Fear’ special rule.
Gaming Area: Same as Basic Training (1.15.1).
Victory Conditions: You capture the objective if you
have a unit within 15cms of it in the end phase and your Deployment: Same as Basic Training (1.15.1).
opponent does not. To win the game, you must capture Victory Conditions: Same as Basic Training (1.15.1).
the objective and hold it for one full game turn. Special Rules: Same as Basic Training (1.15.1).
The battlefields of the 41st Millennium are home to a vast 2.1 SPECIALIST UNITS
array of extraordinary units and weapons. These can Some units have special abilities that allow them to ‘buck
range from infantry units equipped with jump packs that the rules’ in some way. This is usually because the units
allow them to fly through the air, through to heavily themselves are unusual due to their training, equipment
armoured vehicles equipped with huge macro-weapons or temperament. Any special abilities that apply to a unit
so powerful they make a mockery of all but the very will be noted on its datasheet (see 1.1.3).
thickest armour. These kinds of units have special abilities
that often break the core game rules in some way – troops 2.1.1 Characters
with jump packs can leap over impassable terrain, for Certain units are noted as being characters. These units
example, while units hit by macro-weapons do not get an represent important individuals rather than groups of
armour save, and so on. These rules are not particularly soldiers or the crew of a vehicle or war engine. Because
complex and you can start using them more or less of this they are not represented by a separate model on
straight away. We have simply separated them off here so the tabletop, and are instead added to another unit in the
that they do not clutter up the core game rules. army. The unit the character is added to receives any
weapons and abilities that the character has noted on
their datasheet. For example, Space Marine Chaplains are
characters that are armed with a Power Weapon (assault
weapon, macro-weapon, extra attack (+1)), and have the
invulnerable save and inspiring abilities. Any unit they
are added to will count as having all of these things in
addition to their normal weapons and abilities. Note that
characters can be added to any type of unit, including
vehicles and war engines.
The unit and the character must operate together
throughout the entire battle. The character can be
Specialist abilities represent unique attributes for a unit transported in any vehicle allowed to transport the unit
or weapon. Because of this, abilities are not transferable that he joins, and does not take up an extra space. The
to other units or weapons in the same formation. For character should be represented by a suitable model or
example, Terminators are allowed to teleport onto the command banner that is added to the unit he joins.
battlefield and this ability is listed in their profile in the Characters that are taken as an upgrade for a formation
Forces section of the rulebook. However, any other non- must be added to a unit from the formation they were
Terminator units in the same formation would not have taken as an upgrade for.
this ability.
Sometimes situations will occur where some units have a
special ability and others do not, raising the question of
whether the ability may be used. For example, some units
in a formation may be able to fire a barrage that ignores
cover or has the macro-weapon effect, while other
weapons taking part in the barrage do not. If such a
situation occurs in a battle then you may only use the Space Marine Bike unit
ability if all of the units taking part can use it – so the and Imperial Guard
barrage would only ignore cover or count as a macro- Baneblade with
weapon if all of the units participating in the barrage had character upgrade
these abilities.
Finally, unless the rules specifically state otherwise then
any special abilities can be used by units belonging to a
broken formation. Thus a supreme commander, for
example, could still use his special abilities even if he was
broken.
2.1.2 Commanders
Some units and characters are noted as being
commanders. Commanders can order up to three
formations of troops to follow them when they make an
assault, as long as all the formations have at least one unit
within 5cm of a unit from the commander’s formation.
Make a single initiative roll for all the formations,
counting a -1 modifier if any have Blast markers. If the test
is failed then the commander’s formation receives a Blast
marker and must take a hold action, but the other
formations are unaffected (and may take an action later in
the turn).
If the test is passed then all three formations may take an
engage action. Treat the three formations as if they were
a single formation for all rules purposes for the duration
of the assault. A 2D6 roll is used to resolve a combined
assault. If the attackers lose then each formation is 2.1.4 Infiltrators
broken. If they win then each formation receives a Some units are noted as being infiltrators. These are
number of Blast markers equal to the casualties it suffered allowed to double their speed when they make a charge
in the combat. move (and only when they charge!), and they can also
ignore enemy zones of control from the formation they
are charging. These two special abilities allow them to
sneak past enemy units when they charge in order to
attack enemy units that are further back. Note that the
unit coherency rules still apply to infiltrators.
2.1.12 Scouts
Some units are noted as being scouts. These units are
Ork Nobz are leaders trained to operate on their own, scouting ahead of their
formation to seek out the enemy. Scout units only have to
2.1.9 Light Vehicles remain within 20cm of another unit from their formation,
Light vehicles include any unarmoured vehicles where the rather than 5cm as would normally be the case. In
crew is exposed to enemy fire, such as Ork buggies and addition, scouts are trained to spread out so they can
Space Marine Land Speeders. The only difference cover a wide area, and so have a 10cm zone of control.
between light vehicles and armoured vehicles is that light Note that these abilities only apply to scout units and
vehicles can be affected by AP fire as well as AT fire; in cannot be transferred to other units in the same
effect they count as infantry targets against AP fire and formation or transport units carrying the scouts.
armoured targets against AT fire.
Light vehicles rely on speed and agility to protect them
from enemy fire, and because of this their saving throw is
based on these factors rather than the thickness of any
armour they may carry. This aside, their saving throw
works in exactly the same manner as the saving throw of Space Marine Scouts
any other unit, and will be ignored by macro-weapons,
can be used against barrages, and so on. 2.1.13 Skimmers
Some units are noted as being skimmers. These units are
equipped with devices that allow them to hover a short
distance above the ground, so that they can fly over terrain
that would slow other units down. Note that skimmers do
not follow any of the rules for aircraft in section 4.0.
Skimmers may ignore dangerous or impassable terrain as
Ork Buggies are light vehicles they move. They may not land on impassable terrain, and if
they land in dangerous terrain they must take a dangerous
terrain test. Skimmers may also move over other friendly 2.1.16 Thick Rear Armour
units as they move, but may not land on them. Enemy units Some armoured units are noted as having thick rear
and zones of control affect skimmers normally. armour. These vehicles have equally thick armour all
A skimmer may declare that it is popping up at the start of round, and so ignore the -1 save modifier when they are
any action that it takes, including sustained fire actions and caught in a crossfire.
when the skimmer goes onto overwatch. Popping up
counts as movement for the purposes of triggering enemy
onoverwatch. A skimmer that has popped up is assumed to
be flying high enough that intervening terrain does not
block the line of fire between the skimmer and any enemy
units, and vice versa. A skimmer that has popped up, ‘pops
down’ at the conclusion of the action. Skimmers on
overwatch do not pop down until after they make their
overwatch attack. Skimmers with a transport capacity may Land Raiders have thick rear armour
not embark or disembark units while they are popped up,
and if they are destroyed while they are popped up then 2.1.17 Teleport
any units on board will be destroyed with no save. Units with the teleport ability can appear suddenly on the
Skimmers may always choose to use their firefight value in battlefield, either because they have access to
an assault, even if there are enemy units in base contact technological or arcane devices that allow them to be
with the skimmer. If they do this then the enemy must use instantaneously moved from one place to another, or
their firefight value also. This represents the skimmer lifting because they are capable of hiding extremely well and
off the ground out of reach of enemy ground units. then suddenly appear ‘as if from nowhere’.
Formations where allof the units have this ability may be
kept off the table, and can appear at the start of any turn.
Simply place the unit anywhere you like on the table at
the start of any turn, before determining who wins the
strategy roll. The unit must be placed within 5cms of
another unit from its own formation if there are any
already in play. So, for example, if a whole formation
Land Speeders are skimmers teleported into play then the first unit could be placed
anywhere, but any other units would need to be placed
2.1.14 Sniper within 5cms of a unit that had already been placed. All
Some infantry units are noted as being snipers. Roll units must be placed outside enemy zones of control. If
separately when attacking with a sniper unit. If they hit, placed in dangerous terrain then a dangerous terrain test
the attacker can choose which enemy unit is hit from must be taken when the unit is placed on the table.
those within range and in the line of fire of the sniper Teleporting is an inherently dangerous business, and
unit. In addition the target suffers a -1 save modifier. doesn’t always go as planned. To represent this roll a D6
for each unit that teleports into play. On a roll of a 1 the
formation that the unit belongs to receives a Blast marker.
Space Marine
Thunderhawk Gunship
If a war engine suffers more than one critical hit then the 3.3.1 Charge Moves
effects of all of the hits are culmulative. When a war engine charges it is allowed to ‘barge’ any
non-war engine units belonging to the target formation
out of the way and carry on with its charge move. Move
the war engine as far as desired, and then place any units
that were barged out of the way as close as you can to
their starting point, while still touching the base of the
3.2.4 Blast Markers war engine that so rudely pushed them aside. The
Every time a war engine loses a point of damage then the maximum number of units a war engine can barge aside
formation it is part of receives one Blast marker. If a war in this manner is two per point of its starting damage
engine is destroyed by the effect of a critical hit then the capacity. Note that war engines may not barge other war
formation it belongs to receives a number of extra Blast engines out of the way.
markers equal to the damage capacity the war engine
would have had remaining were it not destroyed. For The rule that no more than two units may move into base
example, if a previously undamaged Baneblade in a Super contact with an enemy unit when they charge does not
Heavy Tank Company were destroyed by a single critical apply to war engines. Instead a war engine may be
hit then the company would receive three Blast markers. charged by up to two enemy units per point of its’ starting
damage capacity (ie, a Baneblade with a DC of 3 could be
It requires a number of Blast markers equal to a war contacted by up to six enemy units).
engine’s starting damage capacity to suppress or break a
war engine. Add the starting damage capacity of any 3.3.2 Close Combat and Firefight Attacks
functioning war engines in a formation together in order Instead of rolling a single hit dice for each war engine in
to find out how many Blast markers are required to break an assault, roll a number of hit dice equal to the war
the formation. If the formation includes units that are not engine’s starting damage capacity. You may choose to split
war engines, then add the starting damage capacity of any these between close combat rolls and firefight rolls as you
functioning war engines in the formation to the number see fit, but close combat rolls will only hit enemy units in
of other non-war engine units to find the formation’s base contact, while firefight rolls will only hit units within
break point. For example, an Ork formation with a 15cm that are not in base contact.
Battlefortress (DC3) and six Boyz would be broken by 3.3.3 Result Rolls
3+6 = 9 Blast markers. War engines rally using the When working out the result of an assault that includes a
normal rules. war engine, count each point of damage inflicted on a war
A broken war engine is assumed to have a number of Blast engine as a ‘casualty’. Each surviving war engine counts as
markers equal to its starting damage capacity for all rules a number of units equal to its starting damage capacity
purposes. If there are any enemy units within 15cms of when working out if one side outnumbers the other. If a
the war engine after it makes a withdrawal then it suffers war engine loses an assault, then it takes one extra point
one extra point of damage (no save allowed) for each of damage for each point it lost the assault by. Roll for
enemy unit that is within 15cms. Additional hits caused by critical hits normally.
3.4 WAR ENGINE TRAINING off for one last suicidal attack on the hated ‘beakies’.
SCENARIO Gogard’s attack came as a complete surprise to the Blood
Angels, who only managed to damage the Great Gargant
“We’ve got our Gargantz an’ we’ve got our weapons. Wot
before being forced to retreat from the awesome
ain't we got? We ain’t got anyfing for target practice iz
firepower of the war engine.
wot! So I'll tell you wot we're gonna do. We’re gonna give
da Humies a taste of ‘ot metal death is wot. We’s gonna Gogard carried on until he reached the main Imperial
take Big Gork and Big Mork ‘ere an’ we’s gonna stomp defence line. Here the Imperial defenders were much
Hummie!” better prepared and raked the Gargant with heavy
Warlord Dragnatz prepares the Boyz for the Waaargh! weapons fire as it advanced. The Gargant krew struggled
to contain the fires raging inside the war engine, and were
The following training scenario will allow you to quickly able to do so just long enough to allow Korps Grinda to
and easily try out war engines for the first time. We highly cause immense destruction to the defenders before a
recommend playing the scenario before including war massive explosion in the hull destroyed the Gargant and
engines in any normal games, as so many special rules Warlord Gogard once and for all.
apply to war engines that including them in a full sized
game without any practice will slow things down to a Gogard’s last futile battle and glorious demise is a tale
crawl. often retold around Ork campfires, with the result that a
number of Ork Gargants on Armageddon are named
If you play Korps Grinda Returns twice, once as each side, Korps Grinda or a variation on the name (hey, nobody
then you will gain a good grasp of the war engine rules said that Orks were original!)
and will easily be able to incorporate them into the games
that you play. 3.4.1 Korps Grinda Returns!
In a strange quirk of fate, one of the Gargants named
Gogard’s Last Stand Korps Grinda II found itself surrounded and cut off far
Warlord Gogard led an ill-advised invasion of the Imperial behind Imperial lines, and was left with no option other
planet of Belle Alpha about ten years before the Battle For than to try to inflict as much damage as possible before it
Armageddon. Trapped by Blood Angels Space Marine was destroyed. The stage was set for a reprise of Gogard’s
reinforcements, and with most of his boyz dead or dying, Last Stand!
Gogard boarded his trusty Gargant Korps Grinda. and set
Ork Forces: One formation consisiting of Korps Grinda deploy one unit from each of these formations on the
II, a Great Gargant (the datasheet is at the end of section table edge to show where they will enter play. Their move
5.5.1) The force has a strategy rating of 3 and all on the first turn must be measured from this point. Once
formations have an initiative value of 3+. The Mob Rule the Space Marines have deployed, the Ork Great Gargant
and Power of the Waaagh special rules apply to Korps may be set up as shown on the deployment map.
Grinda. Victory Conditions: The game carries on until Korps
Space Marine Forces: One formation consisting of a Grinda II is destroyed or both objectives have been
Space Marine Commander, six Space Marine Tactical units demolished. If the Space Marines destroy Korps Grinda II
and three Rhinos, plus one formation consisting of a without losing either bunker then they win the game. If
Space Marine Commander and four Space Marine one bunker is destroyed then the game is a draw, and if
Devastator units, and one formation consisting of four the Orks destroy both bunkers then they win.
Land Raiders. The force has a strategy rating of 5 and all
formations have an initiative value of 1+. The They Shall
Know No Fear special rule applies to all Space Marine
SPECIAL RULE
formations (see 1.15.1) Mob Rule
Gaming Area: Set up the playing area approximately
Orks believe that as long as there’s a bunch of
90-120cm square, including the features shown on the
them still fighting together (slightly more than
accompanying map. Set up any further scenery you have
they can count up to is ideal!) then there’s
in a mutually agreeable manner. The Space Marine player
always a chance that they’ll prevail, no matter
must set up two communication bunkers when he
the odds. To represent this, Ork formations with
deploys. These are the objectives of the Ork attack. They
more than five units (ie, too many to count on
may be set up anywhere on the table that is at least 15cm
the fingers of one hand), not including Gretchin
from a table edge.
or Big Gunz units, receive a +1 modifier to any
rally rolls they make, and formations with more
20cm than 10 such units receive a +2 modifier. For
the purposes of this rule war engine’s count
each point of starting damage capacity as a unit.
Toned area at the
top is Gargant’s
deployment zone
SPECIAL RULE
Power of the Waaagh!
Orks are not noted for their organisational
abilities, and thus usually have a pretty low
initiative rating. However, if there is one thing
that will galvanise an Ork warband, it’s the
thought of a good punch-up! Because of this,
Ork formations that are attempting to take
engage or double actions receive a +2 modifier
to their action test roll. Ork flyboyz similarly
relish the chance to shoot things up, and receive
a +2 modifier to their action test roll when
Deployment: The Space Marine player sets up first. One attempting to carry out interception or ground
formation is deployed on the table, either in or touching attack actions (see 4.0).
the ruined buildings by the ‘Y’ junction. The remaining
two Space Marine formations enter play anywhere along
the Space Marine table edge (including the roads) on the
first turn of the battle. The Space Marine player must
COMMUNICATION BUNKER
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine Immobile 4+ n/a n/a
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
None n/a n/a n/a
Notes: Damage Capacity 3. No units may enter the bunker as it is filled with comm’s gear.
4.0 AEROSPACE
OPERATIONS
“Krukfang pushed the control stick forward and steered Deffblasta down into a straffing run. The words of Gobstikk
came back to him from when the Mekaniak had been teaching the young Krukfang how to fly. Long, uncontrolled bursts
the clever Mek had taught him…”
“Fighta-Bommer” by Gav Thorpe, from Imperial Armour II
Most Epic armies are supported by aerial units that either 4.1 AEROSPACE UNITS
operate in the atmosphere or from orbit in space. These In Epic there are two types of aerospace unit:
units range from small fixed-wing aircraft with a single
crewman, to gigantic spacecraft manned by thousands or Aircraft: The unit type includes all ‘fixed wing’ aircraft
even tens of thousands of crew. Aerospace units are very that can operate in a planet’s atmosphere. Most aircraft
different to any other unit in Epic. They are very fast are powered by powerful jet engines and are capable of
compared to the ground units described so far, being carrying heavy payloads and of flying at thousands of
perfectly capable of flying onto and off the largest gaming kilometres an hour. Aircraft can range in size from small
table in a single turn. This sheer speed means that only single-seat fighters to huge transport landers that can
specialised ground units or other aerospace units are carry entire formations of troops. Aircraft belong to one of
capable of engaging them. In addition, aerospace units three manoeuvre classes that determine how easily they
often carry an arsenal of highly destructive weapons can turn when they move, as described below. The three
which when combined with their high speed allows them classes are: Fighters, Bombers, and Fighter-Bombers. An
to unleash devastating attacks at almost any point on the aircraft’s manoeuvre class is noted instead of its speed on
battlefield. Last, but not least, some aerospace units are its data sheet.
capable of transporting ground units, hurtling onto the Spacecraft: This category includes all of the interstellar
battlefield and delivering their cargo wherever they may spacecraft used by armies to move from one star system
be needed. to another. These craft can vary in size from small escorts
to huge battleships armed with enough firepower to level
a hive city! In Epic they are assumed to be operating from
low orbit where they can land drop pods and provide
long-range support for ground troops.
4.1.1 Aerospace Formations
Aerospace units are organised into formations just like
The rules for aerospace operations are one of the most any other unit. However, although aerospace formations
complicated sections of the Epic rulebook. Because of do receive Blast markers, they cannot be broken or
this we recommend playing a few games without suppressed. In addition, they can’t be assaulted, lend
aerospace units before you try them out, and that you support to an assault or be used by another formation to
limit each side to very small numbers of aerospace units claim a crossfire, etc, while in the air. Once landed, an
for the first few games that you do play with the rules. aerospace unit may be assaulted and be used in a
Diving in the deep end and using aircraft, drop pods and crossfire, and is affected by Blast markers normally.
spacecraft in your first game is not recommended!
4.2 AIRCRAFT Ground Attack: Take an action test for the formation and
Aircraft formations are not set-up with other units. They if it passes set up the formation touching your table edge.
are kept off table (where it can be imagined they are in The formation may then make an approach move and
orbit or stationed at a nearby airbase) but can be set up then attack enemy ground units. In the end phase, the
on the board when they take an action. Aircraft that are formation must make a disengagement move and exit the
capable of transporting other units may be set up with the table.
these units already on board. The aircraft (plus any units Combat Air Patrol (CAP): Only fighters and fighter-
they are transporting) may only enter play using the bombers can choose this action. Take an action test for
following rules. the formation and if it passes set up the formation
touching your own side’s table edge to show where it will
enter play.
A formation on combat air patrol may choose to carry out
an interception action in reaction to an enemy ground
attack. No initiative test is required to carry out the
interception. It takes place after the enemy ground attack
formation has made its approach move, but before flak is
fired at the ground attackers or they make their own
attack.
Aircraft formations can only take the following actions: No more than one formation that is on CAP may intercept
Interception, Ground Attack, Combat Air Patrol or Stand a formation that makes a ground attack mission. In effect
Down. Aircraft formations that fail an action test must CAP allows you to interrupt an enemy ground attack
take a stand down action rather than a hold action. action and ‘bounce’ the enemy aircraft before they make
their attack. The interception follows the normal rules,
Interception: Only fighters and fighter-bombers can effectively being an ‘action within an action’. After the
choose this action. Take an action test for the formation interception has been carried out play returns to the
and if it passes set up the formation touching your table ground attack action.
edge. The formation may then make an approach move
and then attack enemy aircraft units. In the end phase, the Stand Down: The formation may do nothing this turn. An
formation must make a disengagement move and exit the aircraft formation that fails its action test must choose to
table. take a stand down action.
4.2.1 Aircraft Approach Moves 4.2.2 Aircraft Attacks
Aircraft carrying out an interception or ground attack After aircraft have made their approach move they are
action are set up touching their own side’s table edge allowed to attack. Aircraft carrying out a ground attack
(choose an edge randomly if your side doesn’t have a action may attack an enemy ground formation. Aircraft
table edge in the scenario being played). After the carrying out an interception mission may attack an enemy
formation is set up it carries out an approach move. aircraft formation. Aircraft are assumed to be flying high
Aircraft making an approach move may travel an enough in the air to ignore any terrain that might block
unlimited distance over the tabletop when they move. the line of sight when they shoot at any targets, and the
Aircraft are assumed to be travelling high enough above crossfire rule does not apply to aircraft attacks. This aside,
the ground to fly over terrain, zones of control, and other resolve the attack using the normal shooting rules.
units (in other words they ignore all three things!) By the After the aircraft formation has made an attack, its action
same token, other units may ignore aircraft and aircraft is over. It remains in play until the end phase, at which
zones of control when they move. Note that aircraft may time it must make a disengagement move and exit the
not assault other units. table (see 4.2.6).
Aircraft must generally travel straight ahead in the 4.2.3 Anti-aircraft Attacks
direction they are facing, and can only change direction Some weapons have an anti-aircraft value (AA) that can be
by turning. Aircraft belong to one of three manoeuvre used to attack aircraft, and only aircraft. Aircraft can shoot
classes that determine how easily they can turn when they at other aircraft either when making a flak attack (see
move, as described below. The three classes are: Fighters, 4.2.4) or when attacking as part of an interception action.
Bombers, and Fighter-Bombers. An aircraft’s manoeuvre Ground units may only shoot at aircraft when making a
class is noted instead of its speed on its data sheet. flak attack, and may not choose to shoot at aircraft
Fighters: Fighters may make one turn of up to 90º after formations as part of one of their actions (this rule stops
moving at least 30cm. Once the fighter has made a turn it ground units ‘rushing over’ to attack aircraft before they
must move another 30cm before it can turn again. can disengage).
Roll to hit using the weapon’s AA value. If a hit is scored
then the aircraft must make a saving roll to see if it is
destroyed. The crossfire rule does not apply to aircraft.
Fighters and fighter-bombers can choose to ‘jink’ when
they have to make a saving throw. Jinking represents the
pilot desperately swerving his plane to one side in order
Imperial Thunderbolt Fighter to try and dodge the enemy attack. All of the aircraft in a
formation must jink, or none at all. Aircraft that jink
Bombers: Bombers may make one turn of up to 45º after receive a 4+ saving throw instead of their normal armour
moving at least 30cm. Once the bomber has made a turn save but lose their attack if they have not already taken it
it must move another 30cm before it can turn again. (they are concentrating on dodging enemy bullets). Place
a suitable marker on the aircraft as a reminder it can’t
shoot.
4.2.4 Flak Attacks
AA weapons are designed to fire defensively against an
attacking enemy aircraft, and may therefore shoot
immediately after an enemy aircraft formation makes an
approach move but before it makes its attack. This is
called a flak attack. Note that aircraft carrying out a
ground attack mission that are armed with AA weapons
Imperial Marauder Bomber may shoot at enemy interceptors that fall within the AA
Fighter-Bombers: Fighter-bombers manoeuvre as weapon’s fire arc. Making a flak attack does not remove
bombers when making an approach move if they are overwatch status from a ground formation.
carrying out a ground attack action (because they are Flak attacks may not be carried out by units belonging to
laden down with bombs or rockets), and behave like a formation that is marching or broken. This aside, flak
fighters under any other circumstances. attacks are a ‘free’ or bonus attack, and making a flak
attack does not stop the unit attacking again later in the
same turn. What’s more, a flak weapon can make any
number of flak attacks per turn against different aircraft
formations, as long as it does not attack the same aircraft
formation more than once in a turn.
No line of fire is required when firing at aircraft, as it is
assumed that they are high enough above any terrain
features to be seen by all units. Make flak attacks one unit
Ork Fighta-Bomma
at a time, in any order you like.
Ground units that are armed with AA weapons can shoot placed within 15cms, to represent them dropping from
at enemy aircraft as they move past them. To represent the aircraft as it comes in to land). Alternatively, the
this, they may shoot at an aircraft formation that moved aircraft may pick up any friendly units within 5cms,
within their weapon range during their approach or assuming they will fit on board of course. After embarking
disengagement move, even if the aircraft is no longer or disembarking any units, the aircraft may carry out its
within weapon range when the attack is made. Attacks ground attack. Note that the limitations that apply to units
made against disengaging aircraft are resolved when the disembarking from a war engine transport vehicle also
aircraft reaches the edge of the table, before it is removed apply to units disembarking from an aircraft (ie, they can’t
to ‘fly back to base’. Units that shot at an aircraft take an action on the turn they disembark but can shoot
formation as it approached may not shoot at them again with the aircraft – see 3.1.3)
as they disengage.
Once landed, the aircraft is treated in all ways as a ground
4.2.5 Transporting Ground Units unit with a speed of 0 (ie, it may not move) It may not
Aircraft with a transport capacity are known as transport carry out an action on the turn it lands. If it is involved in
aircraft and are allowed to pick up and drop off ground an assault and loses then it is automatically destroyed.
units. Troops being transported are kept off-board Once landed, the aircraft may make a disengagement
embarked on the transport aircraft until it is deployed. move and exit the table in the end phase of any turn,
Any units that are picked up and transported off the table including the one it landed in.
may later return to play in the same transport aircraft.
Air Assault: Transport aircraft may choose to land as
An aircraft must carry out a ground attack action in order described above, and then it and any units that disembark
to transport units. Transport aircraft are treated in the are allowed to fight an assault instead of shooting. If this
same manner as war engine transport vehicles, and are option is chosen then the aircraft and any units that
only allowed to transport units from another formation as disembark may enter enemy zones of control as if they
long as the whole formation can fit inside the transport were charging. The aircraft and any units that disembark
aircraft (see 3.1.3). If a transport aircraft is destroyed are treated as a single formation for the duration of the
while carrying ground units, then any transported troops assault, in the same manner as units disembarking from a
are lost with it (no saves in this case!) war engine taking an engage action (see 3.1.3). If the
aircraft loses the assault it is destroyed, but any units that
Transport aircraft can pick up and drop off their cargo in
have disembarked may withdraw normally.
two ways: by landing or making an air assault.
4.2.6 Disengagement Moves
Landing: Aircraft with a transport capability can land after
In the end phase, all aircraft that that have not landed
making their approach move and having being fired upon
must exit the table. Aircraft that have landed may choose
by any enemy flak. If the aircraft lands in dangerous
to exit the table. Aircraft may exit along ANY table edge.
terrain it must take a dangerous terrain test. After the
Simply move the aircraft as you did when it made its
aircraft has landed, any units being transported may
approach move, until it reaches a table edge. This is called
disembark and are placed within 5cms of the transport
the disengagement move, and it takes place at the start of
aircraft (skimmers and units with jump packs can be
the end phase before any ground formations rally.
4.2.7 Blast Markers • The aircraft receives an extra Blast marker if it exits
Aircraft collect Blast markers in a similar manner to other from any table edge other than its own table edge, to
units, but are effected by them rather differently. The represent the possibility of it being attacked while
following fairly simple rules reflect the time it takes to flying back over enemy territory.
rearm and refuel aircraft after a mission. Aircraft in a Aircraft are not suppressed or broken by Blast markers,
formation that has come under heavy attack and therefore but are not allowed to rally in the end phase either.
have a lot of Blast markers will take longer to get ready, Instead, the next time that you want to take an action with
and so there is an increased chance that they may not get the formation, take the action test as before, but apply a
to carry out a mission. -1 modifier for each Blast marker on the formation (this
Aircraft formations collect Blast markers under the modifier replaces the modifier for having one or more
following circumstances: Blast markers).
• Any aircraft formation that suffers any flak attacks All of the Blast markers are removed from the formation
receives one Blast marker for ‘coming under fire’. The immediately after it takes the action test, whether it passes
formation can only receive one Blast marker during the the test or not. If it passes the test, it may carry out an
approach move and another Blast marker during the action, and if it fails it may not.
disengagement move, no matter how many different Aircraft that land are affected by any Blast makers they
units from however many different formations attack it. have picked up normally, and are allowed to rally in the
• The aircraft receives one Blast marker for each aircraft end phase. Any additional Blast markers they pick up will
unit that is shot down or point of damage that is be ‘carried off ’ with them if they later take off again.
suffered if it is a war engine.
4.3 SPACECRAFT After any attacks or landings have taken place, the
Most armies have access to spacecraft that can be used to spacecraft model is removed. If the test is failed then the
land ballistic entry vehicles and unleash potentially spacecraft has been delayed and fails to arrive this turn;
devastating orbital attacks. Each type of spacecraft an you may roll for it again next turn as long as no other
army can use has its own datasheet with details of the spacecraft are scheduled to arrive that turn. If the next
drop pods and weapons carried by the spacecraft. turn has been taken, then the delayed spacecraft will
arrive in the first available free turn.
The spacecraft of the 41st Millennium are huge. Even a
small Imperial Lunar class Cruiser would be over 5 metres 4.3.3 Orbital Bombardments
long if we made an Epic scale model of it. Because of this If a spacecraft can carry out an orbital bombardment this
neither side is allowed to include more than one will be noted on its datasheet.
spacecraft in their army. Orbital bombardments cover an area considerably larger
Spacecraft can carry out orbital bombardments, pin-point than an artillery bombardment, and so require a barrage
attacks and land units with the planetfall ability when they template that is 12cm across. By a remarkable stroke of
take an action. They may carry out all three of these things good fortune this happens to be the same size as the
as part of the same action if they have the ability – their Ordnance template used in Warhammer 40,000, and if
huge crew allows them to carry out a multitude of tasks. you happen to have any of these we recommend you use
them (I know, it’s almost like we planned it, isn’t it) If not
4.3.1 Planning Spacecraft Operations then make your own templates from card or acetate.
In order to carry out spacecraft operations you will need
a Battlefleet Gothic model representing the orbiting Take one of the templates and place it with its centre at
spacecraft. the coordinates you recorded at the start of the battle. Not
that you don’t need to pass a second initiative test in
Spacecraft operations must be planned well in advance, order to carry out the bombardment – the one you passed
and because of this any spacecraft models must be set up earlier on allows the bombardment to take place.
right at the start of the battle before any ground units are
deployed. If both players have spacecraft, they should Once the position of the orbital bombardment is known,
take turns in setting them up, starting with the player with attack any units under the templates just as you would for
the higher strategy rating. an artillery barrage (see 1.9.8). Orbital bombardments
never benefit from the crossfire rule.
Spacecraft are set up touching their own side’s table edge
(choose an edge randomly if your side doesn’t have a 4.3.4 Pin-Point Attacks
table edge in the scenario being played), facing in any Pin-point attacks may be made on enemy war engines
direction. As each spacecraft is set up, the player must (war engines are the only things big enough for a
declare out loud on which turn the ship will arrive. Note spacecraft to pick out on the battlefield). Pick a target
that the turn the spacecraft will arrive is not a secret – they anywhere on the table and then attack it with any pin-
are far too large to sneak up on the enemy! You may point attacks the spacecraft may have. You may target
choose any turn, from the first turn onwards. However, different war engines with each pin-point attack if you
you may not choose a turn that has already been taken by wish, or concentrate all of the attacks on a single target.
another spacecraft, and no more than one spacecraft can Note that you do not need to record the co-ordinates of
travel over the battlefield on the same turn. pin-point attacks.
In addition to saying when the spacecraft will arrive, you
must secretly record the drop zone for units entering play
using the planetfall ability, (see 4.4) and also where any
orbital bombardments will fall. Each player needs to do
this in turn while the other player is not looking.
Simply write down on a piece of paper the coordinates of
thedrop zone and/or bombardment in relation to the
position of the space craft model. The coordinates you
plot will determine the centre point of the drop zone and
any orbital bombardment your spacecraft fires. For
example you might write “my drop zone will be 60cm up,
30cm right, and my orbital bombardment will come down
45cm up and 30cm left”. This would mean that the drop
zone would be located 60cm up and 30cm to the right of
the spacecraft model, while the orbital bombardment
would hit a point 45cm and 30cm to the left of the model.
4.3.2 Carrying Out The Operation
Spacecraft operations take place in the action phase of the
turn. Simply take an action test for the spacecraft as you
would for any other formation. If the test is passed, the
spacecraft may make orbital bombardments, pin-point
attacks, and carry out a planetfall as described in the
sections that follow (see 4.3.3, 4.3.4 & 4.4).
4.4 PLANETFALL Workshop scatter dice to determine the direction, but any
Some armies are allowed to land ground units from mutually agreeable method will do). Any units be
orbiting spacecraft in specially modified vehicles. These transported are allowed to disembark immediately on
vehicles are mainly used to carry troops from orbiting landing, or stay on board and disembark later. Landing or
spacecraft to the planet below. Most are more like disembarking counts as movement for the purposes of
manned missiles than aircraft, and are designed to be triggering enemy overwatch fire.
fired at extremely high speeds into the planet’s Carry on doing this until all of the units with the planetfall
atmosphere. At the last moment, powerful jets slow the ability that are on the spacecraft have landed. Units that
descent of the vehicle allowing it and its cargo to land end up out of formation due to scattering as they land
safely on the planet’s surface. The high speeds that the must move back into a legal formation when they next
vehicles travel at makes it almost impossible for weapons take an action (see 1.2.1 and 1.6.1).
to engage them before they have landed. This is known as
making a planetfall. Units entering play by planetfall are destroyed if they land
off the table. If the unit lands on terrain that is impassable
Any unit capable of making a planetfall will have this or dangerous for it, or on top of any sort of unit (friend
noted on its datasheet. The datasheets for a spacecraft will or foe), or in an enemy zone of control, then it is assumed
note the type and number of units it may carry that can that on-board automatic guidance systems will divert it
make planetfall. It is assumed that a spacecraft can also towards a safe landing point and the unit is moved by the
carry any cargo that will be transported in the unit with opposing player to the nearest area of clear ground where
the planetfall ability. Units entering play by planetfall and it can land.
their cargo (if any) should be kept off the table until they
have landed. Units that land by planetfall may take an action later in the
turn. In effect the units land from the spacecraft when the
You can make a planetfall on the turn the spacecraft spacecraft takes its action, and can take an action of their
transporting the units enters play. Carry out the planetfall own later in the same turn. Remember that any
after carrying out any bombardments and/or pin-point formations that have landed by planetfall and scattered
attacks. Take one of the units with the planetfall ability out of formation must move back into a legal formation
and place it anywhere on the table that is within 15cms of when they take an action. Aircraft that land by planetfall
the drop zone co-ordinates recorded at the start of the are treated in the same manner as a landed aircraft (see
game (see 4.3.1). The unit then scatters 2D6cms in a 4.2.5), and they may take off again later in the game.
random direction (we recommend using a Games
4.5 AEROSPACE TRAINING Basilisks. If he succeeds he wins, if not the Imperial player
SCENARIOS wins.
“Today had been a good day for Krukfang; plenty of 4.5.2 Thunderhawk Down
firing, plenty of speed.” Acheron Hive fell without warning on the fifth day of the
invasion of Armageddon, the victim of treachery by none
The rules for aerospace operations, like the war engine
other than ex-Imperial Governor Herman von Strab.
rules that preceded them, are fairly long and complex,
Intelligence reports indicated that von Strab was located
and for this reason it is best to learn how to use them by
in a captured command bunker just outside the hive city.
playing the following training scenarios before you use
A small force of Terminators from the Salamanders
them in full-sized games. The training scenarios
Chapter were despatched in a Thunderhawk Gunship in
concentrate on the aircraft rules exclusively, as these are
a bid to capture the traitor. The Terminators landed just
both the most complex and the most commonly used.
outside the bunkers and quickly overran the complex, but
Note: The datasheets for these two scenarios are on the found that von Strab had already left. Things started to go
next page. wrong when Ork Fighta-Bommers ambushed the
4.5.1 Death From The Skies! Thunderhawk sent to evacuate the Terminators. Only the
In the sulphur-yellow skies above Armageddon, Ork fighta- Thunderhawk’s legendarily sturdy construction and the
bommers battle with Imperial Navy Thunderbolts and timely assistance of some Imperial Navy Thunderbolt
Marauders in a deadly dance of death. Typical of these fighters allowed it to survive and pick up the Terminators.
engagements was the Ork aerial attack on Imperial When the Thunderhawk returned to base only one engine
Command Bunker Complex 17c, home to the was still functioning, all of its crew had either been
Headquarters of the Imperial Guard 2nd Asgardian wounded or killed, and bullet holes caused by over 250
Rangers regiment. More than half a dozen Ork fighta- big shoota shell hits were counted on its hull. All of the
bommers from Harthag’s Deffblasta’s Flyboyz Sqwadron Terminators sent on the mission were evacuated safely.
attacked the complex, and were intercepted by elements Imperial Forces: One Thunderhawk Gunship, plus one
of the Imperial Navy’s 222nd Interceptor Strike Wing. The formation consisting of four Space Marine Terminator
air combat that unfolded is considered by many to be one units, and one formation consisting of three Imperial Navy
of the classic aerial engagements of the Armageddon wars. Thunderbolt fighters. The force has a strategy rating of 5.
Ork Forces: Two formations each consisting of four Ork All Space Marine formations have an initiative value of 1+,
Fighta-Bommers. The force has a strategy rating of 3 and and the Thunderbolts have an initiative value of 2+.
all formations have an initiative value of 3+. Ork Forces: Two formations each consisting of three Ork
Imperial Forces: One formation consisting of three Fighta-Bommers, and two formations each consisting of
Imperial Navy Thunderbolt Fighters, plus two formations one Command Bunker and one (traitor) Imperial Guard
each consisting of one Command Bunker and one Hydra Hydra AA vehicle. The force has a strategy rating of 2.
AA vehicle, and one formation consisting of three Basilisk Traitor Guard formations have an initiative value of 2+,
artillery vehicles and one Hydra. The force has a strategy and the Ork Fighta-Bommerz have an initiative value of 3+.
rating of 2 and all formations have an initiative value of 2+. Gaming Area: Same as 4.5.1.
Gaming Area: Set up a playing area approximately Deployment: The Ork player sets up first, and must set
90-120cm square. Set up any scenery you have in a up all of the ground formations in his force anywhere he
mutually agreeable manner. You can set up as much or as likes on the table. All remaining formations are off the
little scenery as you like, but try to make sure that you table at the start of the battle. The Space Marine player
have at least a couple of hills and either a built-up area or may teleport the Terminators into battle if he wishes to
some woods for the troops to hide behind or take cover (see 2.1.17).
in.
Special Rules : See section 3.4 for Power of the Waaagh!
Deployment: The Imperial player sets up first, and must and section 1.15 for “They Shall Know No Fear”.
set up all of the ground formations in his force anywhere
Victory Conditions: The Imperial player wins if he
he likes on the table. Both sides’ aircraft are off the table
destroys both bunkers with close combat attacks, and
at the start of the battle.
then manages to exit at least one Terminator unit off the
Special Rules: See section 3.4 for Power of the Waaagh! table in a Thunderhawk Gunship. The Imperial player
Victory Conditions: The Ork player has three turns in gets a draw if he destroys both bunkers. Any other result
which to destroy both Command Bunkers and all three is a win for the Ork player.
COMMAND BUNKER
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle Immobile 4+ 6+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Bolters (15cms) n/a Small Arms
Notes: No units may enter the bunker – it is off limits!.
SPACE MARINE THUNDERHAWK GUNSHIP
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine, Aircraft Bomber 4+ 6+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Battle Cannon 75cm AP4+/AT4+ Fixed Forward Arc
2 x Twin Heavy Bolter 30cm AP4+/AA5+ Fixed Forward Arc
1 x Twin Heavy Bolter 15cm AP4+/AA5+ Right Fire Arc
1 x Twin Heavy Bolter 15cm AP4+/AA5+ Left Fire Arc
Damage Capacity 2. Critical Hit Effect: The Thunderhawk’s control surfaces are damaged. The pilot loses control and the Thunderhawk
crashes to the ground, killing all on board.
Notes: Planetfall, Reinforced Armour, Transport (may carry eight of the following units: Space Marine Tactical, Assault, Devastator , Scout,
Bike, Terminator or Dreadnought units. Terminators and Dreadnoughts take up two spaces each.)
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5.0 BACKGROUND
AND FORCES
“We stand at a junction, with roads leading to both abject defeat and glorious victory. In order to choose the right
path to follow we need first to look back along the road that has led us to this point…”
Commissar Yarrick
Now that you know how the rules of Epic work it is time to introduce you to the history of the planet where the game is set and
the forces under your command. In this section we provide an overview of the galaxy of the 41st Millennium, and then a detailed
history of the cataclysmic conflict that is taking place on the Imperial hive world known as Armageddon. Finally, we provide
details of the different Space Marine, Imperial Guard and Ork troops and vehicles that are fighting on the planet. Future Epic
supplements will add new campaign settings to the Epic system and introduce new armies for you to use.
THE AGE OF THE IMPERIUM cultures make up humanity, and the discovery of new star
systems and new planets are forever expanding the Emperor’s
“In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war!”
domains, fuelling Mankind’s eternal hunger for more
For 10,000 years, the galaxy-spanning Imperium of Mankind resources, more space.
has been the bastion of the human race. With over a million
Even to systems close to Earth, the Emperor and the Imperium
worlds and a population running into countless thousands of
he embodies are but names for distant, almost supernatural
billions, it is the largest empire in the galaxy of the 41st
forces, that are revered and praised from afar. Many citizens
Millennium. For a hundred long centuries, the Imperium has
labour their entire lives, overcoming strife and toiling hard to
endured, surviving disasters, heresies and invasions from alien
survive the adversity of life in the 41st Millennium, without
races intent on the extinction of humanity. It has resisted all of
even being aware of the Imperium except as a children’s story.
this through its greatest strengths – the immortal Beneficent
For others, the Imperium is very real, the iron fist of control
Emperor of Mankind and his vast armies and fleets.
tight around their lives, instilling the law and order Mankind
Though the Emperor is a shattered, withered creature, he still must have to prevail.
watches over and guides humankind from the restorative
Harsh discipline and little mercy are essential for survival in
essences, elixirs and billowing alchemical gases of the Golden
these turbulent times. It is an age of great upheaval for
Throne of Terra. Through his vast psychic powers, the
humanity. With every passing year more and more people
Emperor directs the Imperium’s warships through the
display powerful psychic talents. If these rogue psykers are not
nightmare realm of warp space. He foresees the possible
controlled or purged, the erratic and awesome forces they can
futures of the human race, and steers humanity so that it may
unwittingly unleash may destroy whole settlements, even
overcome the many trials and challenges ahead.
worlds. Those with the necessary mental strength and
Without the Emperor, the Imperium would be unable to move fortitude can be trained by the forces of the Imperium to use
its armies and fleets to combat its enemies and enforce its rule. their strange powers to benefit Mankind.
The Imperium would degenerate into a hundred small
Those who lack this power of will must be cleansed. Citizens
empires clamouring for power while aliens and other
with psychic talents who are left free to roam will often
monstrous creatures devoured and destroyed Mankind.
become unwitting pawns of malevolent warp entities, who use
The tide of the Emperor’s enemies is only held back by the the increased mental powers of untrained psykers to bridge
vigilance of the Imperial fleets and the weapons of humanity’s the gap between their realm in warp space and the galaxy of
armies. Millions of soldiers fight over a thousand worlds Mankind. From here they spread their dominance, creating
against every conceivable type of foe: from the all-consuming slaves of whole planetary populations and destroying the
hive fleets of the Tyranids and the rampaging invasions of the fabric of the Imperium from the inside.
warmongering Orks, to rebellion and insurrection from
Other mutations are becoming rife. A malignant epidemic of
within.
misshapen and evil creatures threatens to turn humanity into
Alongside the vast might of the Imperial Guard, the a race of degenerated beasts, unable to defend themselves
superhuman Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes bring from the forces that oppose them. The pogroms against
terror and death to the Emperor’s foes. The elite Space mental and physical deviants cannot falter, lest Mankind be
Marines are the deadliest fighting force humanity can send to engulfed and consumed by the powerful evolutionary
battle – just a few squads of these genetically engineered processes at work. These abhorrent elements must be crushed
warriors can crush an army of foes many times their number. or somehow tamed if Mankind is to survive the transformation
In the cold depths of space gigantic battleships, accompanied into a new era of spiritual and physical supremacy.
by armadas of other vessels, bring battle to raiding Eldar
As powerful as it is, the Imperium does not rule the entire
pirates and Ork hulks.
galaxy. Mankind’s worlds are spread thin across the
Internecine wars are commonplace and often Mankind faces 200,000,000,000 stars that make up the galaxy. Within the
its greatest threat from within. Rebel governors, corrupt Imperium’s vague borders are rebellious enclaves of human
commanders, alien-possessed officials and even the Primarchs worlds, domains ruled over by alien war leaders, colonies of
of the Space Marines have all turned against their peers and creatures too aloof or basic to disturb Mankind or draw the
spilt human blood in the Imperium’s long, war-torn history. attention of the war fleets. The Imperium is engulfed in a
The Imperium itself is inconceivably vast, spanning many constant state of war, sometimes simply continuing its wars of
thousands of light years that require months, even years, of expansion, other times fighting against foes who threaten the
travel to traverse it. A million worlds with a million different survival of the entire human race.
58
The vast size of the Imperium makes a mockery of any true ground, ancient loyalties and debts are exchanged for favours
form of governance above that of the Imperial Commanders. and goods. While the competition for power is strong, no one
These individuals are appointed by the Adeptus Terra to rule world or organisation within the Imperium can truly stand on
over a world or worlds in the Emperor’s name. They are its own against the horrors that threaten humanity. Despite the
bound to co-operate with other servants of the Emperor and intrigue and double-dealing, the clamouring for resources and
to control mutations and heresy in their domains, but on the the endless wars and battles to be fought, Mankind struggles
whole they are free to implement Imperial Law in any way they on through history on some pre-destined course towards
see fit or necessary. destruction or greatness.
Above and beyond these planetary governors, vast Mankind’s protection by the Emperor is not without sacrifice,
organisations attempt to hold back the seething anarchy that he does not survive on praise alone. At the very founding of
constantly threatens to engulf the Imperium. The innumerable the Imperium, as the Emperor and his Space Marine legions
clerks, scribes, logisters and archivists of the Administratum brought order to the anarchy left after the Age of Strife, a
attempt to instil some form of order to this haphazard empire, treachery of the most loathsome kind was perpetrated. The
recording, requesting and analysing a torrent of information Emperor’s most trusted commander, Horus, turned his back
from the furthest corners of the galaxy. on the teachings of the Emperor and embraced the power
Imperial Guard regiments, each numbering tens of thousands offered by the dark gods that strive to enslave Mankind.
of soldiers and tanks, are raised and transported to distant war Terror and death reigned, as the Imperium was torn apart by
zones every day, their efforts supported by the millions of internecine war. Worlds were ravaged, whole armies
quartermasters and logisticians of the Departmento slaughtered, and the forces of Horus advanced upon Terra
Munitorum. The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes send until the Imperium was on the verge of defeat. At the very last,
forth their elite warriors to do battle with alien monstrosities the Emperor destroyed the traitorous Warmaster in single
and treacherous humans, pursuing their wars and expanding combat, but was himself left mortally injured.
their dominions in the name of the Emperor. The ancient To sustain the Emperor’s shattered body a great device called
Adeptus Mechanicus sends forth its Explorator fleets to the Golden Throne was devised and built. Using arcane
investigate and explore, uncovering ancient technologies for techniques and machines whose function have long passed
their masters on Mars to study and decipher. from true understanding, the Golden Throne fulfils its grim
The Tech-Priests continue the search that began long before purpose. The Golden Throne is unique in the way it fuels the
the Emperor ascended to power and began the Great Crusade Emperor’s needs, for the Emperor cannot eat as a man eats, or
of Reconquest. The religious leaders of the Ministorum of drink fluids or breathe air. His life has passed the point where
Earth, or Ecclesiarchy as it is more widely known, preach the such mortal things can sustain him.
Imperial Creed of fervent faith to the Emperor and unswerving For the Emperor the only viable sustenance is human life force
sacrifice to humanity and the Imperium. Their Missionaries – souls – and he has a great and insatiable appetite. Nor will
and Battle Sisters bring the light of the Emperor to worlds just any human suffice for this purpose, for the soul-donor
unheard of by Mankind for countless millennia, while the must be a very special person in their own right, someone
zealous Confessors stir up devout citizens to cast out the with psychic powers. Sacrificed into the bizarre and archaic
heretic and unbeliever, leading witch hunts through machinery of the Golden Throne, their life essence is slowly,
overcrowded hive cities and across barren wastelands. agonisingly, leeched from their body to feed the Master of
This seemingly haphazard morass of wars and politics, faith Mankind. Every day, hundreds must be consecrated to the
and retribution is bound together by loyalty to the Emperor Emperor in this dire manner if he, and therefore the Imperium
and the common goal of racial survival. Complex agreements and humanity, are to survive.
of trade and protection bring these organisations to common
59
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ARMAGEDDON 1-2 MONTHS 3-7 WEEKS
SECTOR ROUTE PROJECTION
3-4 MONTHS
3-6 MONTHS
2-3 MONTHS
SEGMENTUM
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Blessed in his MINERVA
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BATTLE GROUP CENTAUR
3MR56TN3347 CLEARANCE: OBSIDIAN
TASK FORCE HERA IMPERIAL ASTRO STATION: DG/784/86
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BATTLE GROUP SCYLLA
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RED SKULLS TRIBE
IMPERIUM FORCE
RUIS
MOVEMENT
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MOVEMENT
NOLTAN
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60
"THERE IS ONLY THE EMPEROR, AND HE IS OUR SHIELD AND PROTECTOR"
8NE47KY5624 7GD35JH5753 5TD73EB5247
ARMAGEDDON
Hive worlds like Armageddon are planets that were
G H
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T
S T of the Imperium. Their huge population far D:02
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Imperialis Command Decoriatum
They are tough places where little value is attached
to human life, while air,
K:09 light and food are often
precious and rare commodities. TheL:98surface of the
planet has been plundered of all resources and has
N been reduced to little more than an ashblown desert.
IDIA
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The massive hives and factory cities that sprawl
USURS
across the land R:99
give the planets their distinctive
character and their collective name of hive worlds.
5-19 DAYS
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Orb. Dist. 1.7 - 2.2 AU [Outer Reaches]
[Prime Bio] @.3 G/Temp - 275° C
1.1 G/Temp - 40° C Monitor Station
VERTICAL ELEVATION
62
unable to fight across the Tempest Ocean and, once the last
ship had left, those who remained grimly swore to defend
the city to the last man. Suicide teams charged into the Ork
encampments and detonated home-made explosives, while
the dockside loaders welded themselves into the armoured
cabs of their cranes and fought with the gigantic Gargants
rampaging across the city. The fighting was bitter, but in the
end, Helsreach fell to the Orks.
Although the battle for Armageddon had been ferocious, it
was at Hades Hive that the conflict entered a new level of
savagery and fierceness. Led by Commissar Yarrick, the
defenders of Hades Hive fought as though they were
possessed. The Orks made so little headway against such stiff
resistance that Ghazghkull himself joined the attack, leading
his forces from the front. Thus the stage was set for the
greatest contest of wills in the entire war.
For weeks, Ghazghkull tried every stratagem taught to him by
Gork and Mork: making lightning assaults and feints,
attacking in massive waves and trying to reduce the hive by
bombardment. Yarrick countered every ploy: sending out
sabotage parties to destroy the Ork Warlord’s siege engines,
counter-attacking along a flank when the Orks tried to storm
the barricades, and falling back from diversionary attacks to
draw the Orks into ambushes. When Ghazghkull mustered all
of his Kommandos into a huge infiltration force, Yarrick
assembled volunteer cadres of men who were once
maintenance workers in the labyrinth of the hive’s air and
fuel ducts. A deadly battle was fought in the darkness
between these drug-crazed psychopaths and the Ork
Kommandos, and in the end it is said that not a single
Kommando escaped alive.
As Yarrick and Ghazghkull fought over Hades, the remaining
Ork columns rumbled southwards towards the only other
surviving settlements – Acheron and Tartarus. At Acheron, as
the Orks made their assault, the defenders swore to die
rather than surrender. Such dedication was admirable but, in almost slain, but his iron will stopped him succumbing to the
the end, unnecessary. The Orks were ripped asunder by the near mortal wounds he had suffered. Whilst the fate of Hades
thunder of bombs and the crash of gigantic cannons as the was being sealed, Ghazghkull revealed the true extent of his
sky overhead filled with the shapes of Space Marine cunning. Masses of Ork reinforcements poured in from the
Thunderhawk gunships. The Blood Angels led the west, intent upon Tartarus Hive in the south. If Tartarus was
reinforcements, the military commanders of Armageddon overrun, the industrial power in the south would be smashed
ignoring von Strab’s authority to follow Dante’s legendary and the Orks could easily consolidate their position while the
leadership. Von Strab was arrested for his crimes against the Imperial armies were being moved down from the north.
Imperium, though he later escaped. As the Orks assaulted Tartarus, their vanguard already
With the coming of the Ultramarines, Salamanders and Blood pushing into the streets of the hive city, Dante made his
Angels, the tide began to turn on Armageddon. The factories move. Transporting his Blood Angels back to their orbiting
of Acheron and Tartarus churned out weapons and vehicles ships, he led a massive drop pod assault into the heart of the
by their thousands, whilst the Space Marines began to force Orks. Though horrendously outnumbered, the Blood Angels
the Orks to retreat from the south. If Ghazghkull had turned set to massacring any Ork unlucky enough to be caught by
his attention southwards and made immediate plans to them.
thwart this sudden counter-attack, Armageddon may have Fuelled by their righteous hatred, the Blood Angels slew
still fallen. However, the siege of Hades Hive had become nearly half of the entire Ork army, and it was rumoured that
something more than simply a military objective. Yarrick’s Ghazghkull himself had been felled, though this later proved
uncompromising resistance challenged Ghazghkull’s ability to be false. Leaderless and assaulted on all sides by the
and reputation as a Warlord – a challenge he could not back Emperor’s forces, the Orks refused to surrender. Some
down from. The Ork Warlord gathered every available fought to the death, others slipped into the ash wastes and
warband to his army and, with this almighty force, fell upon eventually made their way to the jungles between the two
Hades Hive with the hatred an Ork only reserves for his continents of Armageddon.
greatest enemy. Despite desperate rationing, supplies in
Hades had all but run out, and seeing the mass of Orks As is the way with Orks, the greenskins were never fully
preparing to attack, Yarrick decided that the city could no eradicated from Armageddon, and it is unlikely that they ever
longer stand. Those who could be were evacuated by daring will be. In the depths of the jungles and in the ruins of fallen
shuttle runs, risking the Ork anti-aircraft fire and interceptors hives they continue to breed, only to be hunted down by
to escape. Imperial kill-teams. Hades Hive still lies shattered, whilst the
rebuilding of Tartarus and Infernus has only just begun. The
The Space Marines arrived too late to save Hades, attacking legacies of the Second Battle of Armageddon are still plain to
the Orks even as they smashed their way inside. Yarrick was see.
63
GHAZGHKULL’S SECOND INVASION 972.M41 the Imperial agri-world of Chigon 17 was overrun
by a massive force of Orks allegedly under Ghazghkull’s
OF ARMAGEDDON command. Despite the fact that the Imperial Guard
“I’ll be back…” defenders were well-equipped with tanks and other vehicles,
Warlord Ghazgkhull Thraka they were defeated by the Orks in a lengthy guerrilla
campaign which rendered the Imperial defences utterly
Ghazghkull was not idle following his defeat on useless. In 986.M41 the Imperial Battlecruiser, the Radiant
Armageddon. Retiring to his stronghold – a network of Way, along with its attending escorts were lost with all hands
systems controlled by his forces in the Golgotha Sector – he in a sudden attack by Ork pirates, again led by Ghazghkull.
carried on with the master plan that had been revealed to The Imperium responded in force, but discovered that the
him by Gork and Mork years before. If the Imperium made Orks had disappeared by the time they arrived.
one terrible mistake following the war it was to consider that
Ghazghkull had been defeated. This was far from the truth. Most recently, Ghazghkull allied with the Ork Warlord
What the Ork gods had revealed to Ghazghkull, or rather Nazdreg Ug Urdgrub to make a vicious assault on the
what he said they had revealed to him, was that in order to Imperial planet Piscina IV. The Orks used a previously
destroy your foe you must first know him. For Ghazghkull, unknown type of teleportation device which enabled them to
the war had been a way to learn how the Imperium would manoeuvre their troops directly onto the planet from a space
react and deal with a major invasion. In effect, Ghazghkull hulk located a massive distance away from the planet. The
had been doing little more than testing the Imperium’s Imperial garrison was taken completely by surprise and only
defences. the presence of Space Marines from the Dark Angels Chapter
saved Piscina from being overrun by the alien hordes.
In the decades that followed the war, Ghazghkull carried on
with his master plan. Having learned all he needed to know However, this second defeat was of little consequence to
about Imperial strategy, he began practising the tactics that Ghazghkull, for, with the completion and testing of his new
he felt would lead to his enemies’ defeat. As he did not want ‘tellyporta’, he was finally ready to unleash his full force
to draw undue attention to himself, these experiments were against the Imperium. A plan that had been fifty years in the
carried out on a much smaller scale than the invasion of making was about to reach fruition…
Armageddon. From 945 to 959.M41 the Imperium received Meanwhile on Armageddon, a lengthy investigation of the
numerous reports of small raids and attacks against Imperial planet’s readiness and defences was begun in 948.M41. In
bases and outposts that were led by Ghazghkull Thraka light of the strategic value of Armageddon to the Imperium,
personally. extensive works were ordered by the Adepts of Terra to
Then, in 962.M41, an Imperial military base on Buca III was secure the Armageddon system against future attacks. Sector
annihilated by missiles fired from an Ork base hidden on an Naval command was transferred to the Armageddon system
asteroid. The asteroid entered the system from deep space and the Naval facility of St. Jowen’s Dock was rebuilt and
and bypassed all the Imperial sensors undetected before expanded to accommodate all classes of interstellar warship.
unleashing its deadly missiles at the unsuspecting outpost. In In addition, three permanently manned monitor stations
64
were established in the outer reaches, named after three Parol, entered battle five days later, catching the lead
great heroes of the second war of Armageddon; Mannheim, elements of the Ork fleet in an ambush around the high-G
Dante and Yarrick. Ground based and orbital defences were world of Pelucidar.
rebuilt and heavily reinforced, minefields were seeded Sixty Ork attack ships were blasted out of the void by
throughout the system and a substantial increase in the Imperial fire in the initial engagement, without the loss of a
numbers of system ships and monitors was ordered. single Imperial ship. Then Parol’s ships were engaged by
On Armageddon itself, the long process of rebuilding the heavy squadrons of Ork kill kroozers and swarms of fighta-
hives devastated by Ghazghkull’s hordes was begun. A bommerz racing ahead of the main body of the Ork fleet. The
process which, despite massive application of resources and Imperial ships fought valiantly, their weapon batteries
manpower, remained incomplete fifty years later. In part, this pounding the crude Ork vessels into scrap, ravening lance
was due to the increased number of defence regiments which beams incinerating wave after wave of fighta-bommerz.
were raised over this period, despite a lowering of Nonetheless, the Ork fleet outnumbered that of Armageddon
Armageddon’s tithe of regiments destined for the Imperial by six to one and the Imperial ships were gradually battered
Guard. A military council was appointed to rule over back. The Orks made suicidal rushes against the Imperial
Armageddon, comprising high ranking representatives from gun-lines with unbounded ferocity, losing a dozen of their
the Imperial Guard, Navy, Departmento Munitorium and ships in exchange for a single Imperial vessel. At the height of
Adeptus Mechanicus, the Ecclesiarchy and the Governor of the engagement, Admiral Parol received comm-bursts from
each of the major hives on Armageddon. The council was the Yarrick and Mannheim monitor stations warning of three
headed by General Kurov of the Imperial Guard, a respected more Ork fleets entering the edges of the system. Almost
veteran of the Bakkus Crusade. From 949.M41 to 978.M41, simultaneously, the Triumph was bracketed by five Ork kill
General Kurov coordinated a series of xenocidal campaigns kroozers and crippled by their combined heavy gunfire and
conducted throughout the equatorial jungles between massed teleport attacks. Realising that his duty lay in
Armageddon Primus and Secundus and the ice-bound world preserving the fleet for a protracted conflict, Admiral Parol
of Chosin to eliminate Ork infestations which sprang up in reluctantly gave the order for a general disengagement.
the aftermath of Ghazghkull’s invasion. Fifty years passed and
Armageddon rose from the ashes, its defences stronger and The doomed monitor stations were overwhelmed a few
more powerful than they had ever been before. Still it was hours later. By their last count, the combined Ork fleets
not enough. numbered in excess of 2,000 ships and at least twelve space
hulks, the largest number of hulks ever to assail a world of
The first signs of the coming storm was a series of attacks on the Imperium in its 10,000 year history. Admiral Parol, his
systems surrounding Armageddon and other worlds nearby. command reduced to five squadrons of cruisers and a single
First the nearby world of Minerva suffered the depredations operational battleship, could do little more than mount hit
of Ork pirates, then the Agri-world of Ruis was likewise and run attacks against the massive Ork armadas as they
assailed. Over a period of months, in spite of the best efforts moved in-system. Imperial reinforcements would arrive
of the Imperial Navy, the number of merchant ships reaching soon, and then Parol could hope that Ghazghkull’s control of
Armageddon was cut by half. It was as though an unseen space could be challenged with some hope of success.
presence knew that the Imperial forces were bound by the
need to guard the Armageddon system and were not free to In the meantime, Parol’s escorts and light cruisers harried the
patrol the sector as freely as they should. Almost overnight, Orks as best as they could, distracting and drawing off their
the pirate raids grew into assaults on outposts and then into foes into baited traps and minefields, doing whatever was in
attacks against lightly-held colonies and satellites. Soon, the their power to reduce the tidal wave of Ork machines arriving
first full-scale planetary invasions began. Two dozen Imperial in-system. To their dismay, the Imperial Navy ships
worlds came under attack in as many hours and the encountered dozens of crude asteroid fortresses, or ‘Roks’,
Astropaths of Armageddon received constant reports of yet in the normally vulnerable tail of the Ork fleets. These heavily
more Ork assaults. Every consultation of the Emperor’s Tarot armed weapons platforms proved difficult to attack directly,
showed bloodshed, destruction and the sign of the Beast but the very presence of such unusual numbers of them
Resurgent. Rumours spread that Ghazghkull was returning to seemed to indicate some more sinister design at work.
wreak his vengeance, and soon even the most obstinate Surprisingly, the Orks did not turn aside to capture
bureaucrat could no longer deny that an Ork Waaagh of St. Jowen’s Dock. Instead they subjected it to a six day long
gargantuan proportions was engulfing the Armageddon bombardment as the Ork fleets moved past, enlivened by
sector. After Task Force Trajan was presumed lost battling repeated attacks from assault boat squadrons. Ork warriors
Orks in the Desdena system, General Kurov sent forth a call succeeded in establishing themselves throughout the lower
to nearby Imperial Guard regiments and Space Marine sections of the dock, and, although the facility remained in
Chapters to muster in defence of Armageddon. Imperial hands, it was rendered virtually useless by damage
On the Day of the Feast of the Emperor’s Ascension, fifty from the bombardment and constant Ork raids. Only the
seven years to the day after the first Ork invasion, augur arrival of two Ordo Xenos Inquisitorial kill-teams later in the
probes registered a massive disruption in the Immaterium as campaign succeeded in driving the Orks back to the isotope
an Ork fleet tore its way back into reality and Ghazghkull’s storage pits at the base of the station.
hordes descended on Armageddon once more. An alert from On Armageddon, the final weeks before the Ork fleet’s arrival
monitor station Dante was cut off in mid-transmission as the were occupied with frenzied preparations. Titan Legions
Ork ships swept past in their hundreds. fired up their ancient plasma reactors and took up defensive
The monitor station’s final reports indicated an Ork fleet positions around the hives, their scanner-eyes scouring the
moving into the system, comprising 50 Ork cruisers and over skies. Imperial Guard regiments were mustered and dug in,
300 escort vessels accompanying at least four space hulks. Space Marines from over twenty Chapters dispersed into the
The forces of Armageddon were placed on full alert and wastelands and mountains to prepare to face the aliens.
seven Imperial cruiser squadrons, led by the Apocalypse class Imperial merchant vessels daily ran the tightening gauntlet of
battleships His Will and Triumph, departed St. Jowen’s Dock Ork ships to rush more reinforcements to the planet. The last
within twenty four hours. The Imperial fleet, under Admiral transport to touch down carried a legend. Commissar
65
Yarrick, the ‘Old Man’ himself, set foot on Armageddon for was his divine right to rule over Armageddon. Ork brute
the first time in twenty years to the rapturous cheers of the squads stood ready to silence any dissenters who doubted
populace. von Strab’s determination.
The old commissar met with the military council that very Despicably, much of the old nobility in Acheron welcomed
night and advised them on Ghazghkull’s most recent tactics back von Strab as a long-lost prince, choosing to genteely
and strategies, adding a dire warning against ignore the fact that he had thrown in his lot with some of the
underestimating the Warlord’s capabilities. Many said he had most dangerous aliens the galaxy had ever seen.
become old and weary, bowed down with the horrific At Volcanus Hive, on the same day that Acheron fell, massed
prospect of the coming invasion. Those who knew him well Ork infantry surged over the twenty square miles of defences
could see the fierce determination that still burned in his atop Volcanus Mount just beyond the hive’s outer suburbs.
single eye. General Kurov had always been renowned for his Seventeen garrison regiments of Armageddon Hive militia
judgement of men in battle, and he was deeply impressed by were routed and the Orks captured many weapons and
Yarrick’s drive and intelligence. He requested that Yarrick fortifications intact. Volcanus itself was soon besieged,
take over leadership of the military council for the duration surrounded by a ring of Orkish steel and relentlessly
of the current crisis and, to the relief of all, Yarrick agreed. pounded by captured macro cannon and barrage bombs.
Six weeks after entering the Armageddon system, the vast Outside Death Mire, the war went better. The Titans of Legios
armada of Ghazghkull’s forces went into battle with the space Tempestor and Victorum with their supporting regiments of
stations and weapons platforms in high orbit over the planet. Skitarii virtually annihilated the Ork Blackfire tribe in a three
Those who had hoped that the powerful orbital defences of day running battle across the Plain of Anthrand. But the Ork
Armageddon would keep the Orks at bay were soon shown landers fell from the skies like a relentless storm and fighting
to be hopelessly deluded. The orbital battle raged for three spread across Armageddon like a forest fire, until every hive
days and two fiery nights, but, by dawn of the third day, the and factory complex was embroiled. In many places, Ork
skies were filled with the vapour trails of Ork landing pods attacks were beaten off, but again and again the Orks would
and the incandescent meteors of attack ships carving through regroup and attack within hours, stretching the defenders to
the skies. Hades Hive, still a virtual ruin after the last war, was their limit.
the first to die. In an act of terrible vengeance Ghazghkull
chose not to fight again at Hades. Instead, the entire hive and As Yarrick had predicted, Ghazghkull’s strategies proved
its inhabitants were smashed asunder by giant asteroids deadly. The Orks kept an iron grip on Armageddon’s skies,
dropped from orbiting space hulks. This act of wanton orbital bombardments and fighta-bommerz pounded
annihilation was but the prelude to the bloodshed which was Imperial forces wherever they tried to form a battleline,
to follow. pinning them in place while further landings were made to
surround them. Where the Orks were outnumbered, they
As the fires of Hades’ destruction lit the eastern horizon, the fought a guerrilla war, striking at their foes and withdrawing
first Ork drop legions clashed with Imperial forces near into the harsh wastelands before retribution could arrive.
Volcanus, Acheron and Death Mire. Ground based defence Ghazghkull had learned the lessons of Chigon 17 well, and
lasers and missile silos took a terrible toll of the Orks as they deliberately prepared his plans so that the fighting was
landed, but the survivors regrouped and assailed the scattered and chaotic; precisely the conditions in which Ork
defences with such terrible ferocity that soon more and more warbands thrive and Imperial regiments were denied the
of the horde was reaching the planet’s surface unscathed. support and coordination they needed to fight back
Feral Orks swept down from the Pallidus Mountains and out effectively. The only force which consistently defeated the
of the equatorial jungles to join the growing hordes. Where Orks was the Adeptus Astartes and the Space Marines
the defences proved too strong to be taken by direct assaults, tirelessly scoured the hinterlands of Armageddon on search
huge mobs of Orks and their war machines were teleported and destroy missions to eliminate the greenskins at any
directly into battle from the hulks above. As the ground opportunity.
defences fell silent on the third day of the landings, Yarrick
ordered every remaining aircraft on Armageddon to be As the battles raged on the planet, Ghazghkull unleashed
thrown into the battle in a desperate attempt to destroy as another of his carefully prepared surprises. Incredibly,
much of Ghazghkull’s hordes as possible before they reached dozens of the great asteroid fortresses encountered by
the ground. Admiral Parol’s ships began to descend from orbit. Slowed by
powerful force fields, rockets and modified traktor kannon,
The sulphur yellow skies over Armageddon became the Ork Roks made landings in the verdant equatorial jungles
interwoven with twisting con-trails as thousands of Ork and across Armageddon Primus and Secundus. Many were
fighta-bommerz duelled with Imperial Thunderbolts and lost to ground fire or accidents but each one that survived
Furies. The Imperial craft had the advantage in that they became a bastion for the Orks, a rallying point and a ready-
could return to their armoured airbases to refuel and rearm, made fortress.
whereas the Orks had to reserve enough fuel to climb back
up to their Terrorships and hulks in orbit. But soon the Orks As well as their huge guns and missile batteries, the Roks
secured ground bases and the battle turned against the brave contained giant teleport arrays like those first used by
Imperial pilots as the crushing numbers of the Orks was Ghazghkull in his Piscina campaign. These were employed to
brought fully to bear. teleport down Ork reinforcements, including Gargants and
heavy artillery, in an endless stream. Commissar Yarrick
As the aerial battles reached their height five days after the personally led attacks by Cadian shock troops supported by
landings, Acheron Hive fell to the Orks without warning, the Titans of Legio Metallica and Legio Ignatum which
captured by treachery from within. Garbled reports spoke of destroyed several of the fortresses, but bloody battles around
power grids sabotaged and the Orks boiling out from secret many others consumed whole regiments in hours. For the
access tunnels at the very heart of the metropolis. The rest of the war, the Space Marines bore the brunt of
instigator of these foul crimes was soon revealed as none eliminating the Ork fortresses where they could, the
other than the infamous war-criminal Herman von Strab. He Salamanders Chapter winning particular acclaim for their
took over the hive as its new Overlord, announcing that it successes against fortresses along Hemlock River.
66
Mysteriously, the Orks also made landings in the Fire Wastes fill the empty expanse of the ash wastes to overflowing.
and Dead Lands to the north and south of the main continent Towering Gargants strode through the tide, like great ships
of Armageddon. Even Yarrick was surprised; these grim, rolling on a green sea. The guttural war chants of the Orks
forbidding lands had always been believed to be could be heard from over twenty miles away, the ground
uninhabitable and utterly valueless. Their value to shaking with their progress. Worst of all, the countless
Ghazghkull became apparent when weeks later hundreds of bannerpoles swaying over the horde bore the personal glyph
tanker-sized Ork submersibles rose from the polluted waters of the mighty Ghazghkull himself.
and made landings at Tempestora and Helsreach. Surprise As the skies darkened beneath the shadow of Ork hulks high
was total, Tempestora fell within days and the dockyards of above and the first orbital bombardments crashed down, the
Helsreach were soon captured. Only a bitter defence by the citizens of Infernus knew that their doom was upon them.
Helsreach Hive gang militias, with supporting companies of They made what preparations they could with preternatural
Stormtroopers and Space Marines which had been rushed to calm, commending their souls to the Emperor as they built
the area, prevented the Orks overrunning the entire hive. barricades or distributed weapons and ammunition to the
Fourteen days after the initial Ork landings, the first major troops. They tried to take inspiration from the legends of
confrontation between Ork and Imperial war engines Commissar Yarrick and how he made the Orks pay for every
occurred. A ten day battle raged over the Diabolus factory inch of ground at Hades Hive. Not all were brave enough to
complex as the Gargant mobs of Warlord Burzuruk and face their doom, thousands fled into the wastes to be killed
Warlord Skarfang clashed with the Titans of Legio Crucius. or captured by Speed Kults which circled the hive like
Six Titans and eight Gargants were utterly destroyed in the vultures over a carcass.
fighting and many others needed months of repairs before The Adeptus Arbites soon moved to secure the hive, turning
they could fight again. The Diabolus complex was wrecked back or executing any who failed in their duty to the
during the battle, its foundries and machine shops blasted Emperor. As Ghazghkull’s horde came within range, the last
apart or crushed underfoot by giant fighting machines. In the great siege guns of Infernus pounded at them, lobbing
aftermath of the battle, Ork Speed Kults swiftly encircled thousand-pound shells into the mass of greenskins until
Infernus Hive, cutting it off from all outside help. return fire from the orbiting hulks smashed them apart. In
Mechanised counter-attacks into the ash wastes met with the brief lull that followed, Ghazghkull delivered to the
initial success, but when an entire regiment of Savlar Chem defenders of Infernus a messenger. It was Colonel Gortar of
Dogs was surrounded and wiped out by the Speed Freeks, the Chem Dogs, horribly mutilated, and missing his eyes and
further attempts to break out were abandoned by those hands. The message the Colonel bore was a simple one
inside. which would be heard many times across Armageddon in the
As the beleaguered defenders pondered how to lift the siege, months to come:
reports came in of a vast Ork horde rounding the Pallidus “Surrender or die!”
Mountains from the north-east. Soon the horde was visible
from the hive spire, a great sea of warriors which seemed to
67
WARZONE ARMAGEDDON approached, both sides attempted to consolidate their
positions in order to weather the storms ahead. When the
‘We hold them here or we fight them on the hallowed ground
Season of Fire comes to Armageddon, fighting is the last
of Terra itself. I for one would rather see a million human
thing on the mind of anyone caught in the open; even an Ork
lives lost here than allow a single Ork to set foot on Earth.’
must look first to find shelter. The worst of the superheated
General Pavlov, Armageddon Command Guard.
ash-storms will kill an unprotected man in minutes, and foul
The scale of the war on Armageddon is difficult to imagine. the engines and tracks of any armoured vehicle.
Millions lost their lives, mighty war-machines clashed, mile As the first searing winds rose across the Fire Wastes and
high hivecities were razed to the ground and deeds both swept down through Tempestora and Death Mire, the
heroic and villainous were performed. The Imperium has Imperial troops stationed along hundred mile long trench
committed troops from hundreds of lightyears around the lines began to dig in. Vast shelters were constructed along all
Armageddon sector in response to one of the largest Ork fronts, fortified with heavy bunkers. The Orks, being of
invasions in its ten thousand year history. stronger constitution than their human enemy did not need
The war involved millions of Imperial troops. At least twenty- to construct such heavy shelters, but even they were forced
three chapters of the Adeptus Astartes were on Armageddon to dig in and seek a modicum of protection against the worst
at the height of the war, and most suffered serious losses. The of the searing ash-storms.
Celestial Lions were all but obliterated, and the Blood Angels The troops stationed along the enormous trench lines bore
lost one of their mightiest heroes when Captain Tycho fell the very worst nature could throw at them. Many spent long
taking the breach at the siege of Hive Tempestora. months in cramped, poorly filtered shelters, the monotony
Imperial logisticians can only estimate how many Imperial only relieved during lulls in the storms when they would be
Guard took part in the war. It is known that twenty-four ordered to make patrols and sorties across a hellish war-
regiments were originally called upon to serve, but the scape. Visibility was seldom greater than three metres and
Armageddon Command Guard have long since lost track of death was as likely to come at the hands of the weather as
the number of men involved, and the numbers of casualties from enemy infiltrators.
suffered amongst them. Along the Tempestor Victorum trench line, the Imperial
The Orks too sustained enormous losses, although these Guard defenders of Death Mire were forced to request
only served to spur the invasion onwards. Towards the end assistance from the Space Marines of the Storm Lords chapter
of the first phase of the war, the Imperial Navy regained during an Ork assault consisting of dreadnoughts and killer
control of orbital space, stemming the tide of Orks landing kans. The Space Marines were only able to fight outside of
on Armageddon. However, due to the Orks’ unique their Land Raiders and Rhinos for a few minutes at a time,
reproductive cycle, the race is fated to occupy the planet for and the guardsmen could only watch from their fortified
the foreseeable future. shelters as the battle raged in the searing storm outside.
After many months of incessant warfare, an uneasy stalemate Eventually the Orks were repulsed, and when the storm
was reached in most theatres, neither army able to gain finally abated three days later some fifty Ork machines were
significant advantage over the other. As the Season of Fire discovered standing motionless in the wastes, the ash having
clogged their engines and joints until they simply ground to
68
a halt. Following this incident the Armageddon Command
Guard requested the Storm Lords take permanent station
along the siege lines of Death Mire. The Storm Lords
commander’s reply was not suitable for official records, but
illustrated the pride a Space Marine takes in aggressive,
rather than defensive, battlefield role.
The onset of the storms caused an increase in the fighting
surrounding the cities, as forces attempted to consolidate
their positions and gain the relative protection of the hives.
The war spilled over the city walls and vicious cityfighting
erupted, engulfing every square mile of every contested hive.
Amidst this fighting hundreds of provisional companies were
formed, consisting of hive-gangers, house-guards and just
ordinary civilians defending their homes.
Hive Hades was destroyed in the opening phases of the war
when Ghazghkull ordered captured asteroids dropped from
orbit. The impacts reduced much of the city to an enormous
crater, and the outlying areas to ruins. Amidst these ruins, a
brutal war was being fought for control of the scant shelter
offered from the excesses of the Season of Fire.
The largest threat caused by the storms came from Orks
seeking shelter amidst the jungle. The Imperial forces
stationed in the jungle region were already sorely pressed,
with their headquarters at Cerbera Base under constant siege
from the surrounding hordes of Feral Orks. With the influx of
Orks to the area came an increase in the reports of
unexplained phenomena around the Angron’s Monolith and
Ancient Pyramid sectors. The Relictors Space Marines spent
the entire season fighting in the vicinity of the Monolith,
while the Kill-teams of the Ordo Xenos saw almost constant
action near the pyramid. No official reports regarding the
activities of either group have been logged.
Both sides took the opportunity to bring in fresh troops
during the lull in the fighting. Orbital space is the only
theatre truly dominated by the Imperium, and so the task of
bringing in reinforcements has been far easier for them than
for the Orks. The casualties sustained on Armageddon have
stretched many Imperial forces to breaking point, and many
regiments have been amalgamated with others to maintain
cohesive formations. Other groups have departed, as in the
case of the Blood Angels Space Marines returning to Baal
bearing the body of their fallen hero Captain Tycho.
that the tide is held back at Armageddon than allowed to
The Armageddon Command Guard has requested, and been dissipate and reform elsewhere, perhaps even closer to
granted the aid of a clan of the infamous Skull Takers of sacred Terra than Armageddon. The cost of this endeavour is
Canak IV. This force is drawn from the natives of a night- measured in human lives; and those lives are numbered in
shrouded deathworld known for its unstable volcanoes and the millions.
choking ash clouds. The services of the clan have been
invaluable in the depths of the Ash Wastes, where their For the Orks, Armageddon has become the ultimate testing
unique skills have allowed them to raid into remote areas ground, a warlord’s playground where hundreds of
assumed by the Orks to be safe. thousands of boyz can be sent to their deaths in the name of
Gork and Mork. Thanks to their unique reproductive cycle,
The Imperium has now cast its net wider than ever before in and the fact that word of Armageddon has travelled to the
order to import fresh troops. A general call to arms has gone most distant Ork empires, the Orks have a limitless supply of
out, and planets as distant as Valhalla and Necromunda have reinforcements with which to fight the Imperial defenders.
answered. Those worlds closer to the war have been Ghazghkull believed he had unleashed the Ragna-ork: the
required to raise troops far in excess of their traditional final confrontation in which the Ork race will rise as one and
obligations, and there is no end in sight to the largest muster crush or enslave every race that stands before it. Only time
in the region since the Age of Apostasy. will tell if Ghazghkull’s departure will see another warlord
Finally, after months of blinding storms, the Season of Fire is rise and lead the Orks on towards the ultimate goal of
drawing to a close and the cooler Season of Shadows is Waaagh! Ghazghkull: the throne of the Imperium itself,
looming. Battle lines are once again being drawn and it is Earth.
only a matter of time before the full destructive potential of
both sides is once again brought to bear. Armageddon has ‘We’s stomped ’umies, we’s blown up stuff and we’s driven
become a world doomed to endless war. The Imperium our traks from one end of da world to da uvva. We’s gonna
simply will not relinquish its control of the world, as to do so come back next year!’
would allow the endless tide of Orks to scatter before the Bugsplatta Defnik of the Red Wheelz Speed Freeks.
Imperial military, to be washed up who knows where. Better
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FORCE DISPOSITIONS AFTER THE FIRST SEASON OF FIRE
IMPERIAL GUARD LEGIONES ASTARTES
1st Div, ARCADIAN RIFLES ...........................................6 Regiments ANGELS OF FIRE.........................................................2 Companies
ARM. ASH WASTE MILITIA .........................................13 Regiments ANGELS OF VIGILANCE ................................................1 Company
ARM. COMMAND GUARD ...........................................5 Companies ANGELS PORPHYR ......................................................3 Companies
ARM HIVE MILITIA ...................................................280 Regiments BLACK DRAGONS .......................................................2 Companies
ARM. ORK HUNTERS..................................................11 Regiments CELESTIAL LIONS.......................................................>1 Company
ARM. STEEL LEGION..................................................56 Regiments EXORCISTS ....................................................................1 Company
ARPHISTA PENAL LEGION .......................................1 Demi-Legion FLESH TEARERS ..........................................................4 Companies
ASGARDIAN RANGERS .................................................2 Regiments HOWLING GRIFFONS.................................................2 Companies
CADIAN SHOCK TROOPS ..........................................19 Regiments IMMORTAL HEARTS.......................................................1 Company
CANAK IV ‘SKULL TAKERS’ ....................................................1 Clan IRON KNIGHTS .............................................................1 Company
CATACHAN JUNGLE TROOPS ......................................3 Regiments MARINES MALEVOLENT .............................................2 Companies
CITYFIGHTING PROVISIONAL MINOTAURS...................................................................1 Company
COMPANIES......................................................Est. 600 Companies MORTIFACTORS..........................................................2 Companies
DEATH KORPS OF KRIEG ............................................5 Regiments RAPTORS .....................................................................2 Companies
ELYSIAN DROP TROOPS ............................................12 Regiments RED SCORPIONS ...........................................................1 Company
JOPALL INDENTURED SQDNS...................................12 Regiments RELICTORS................................................................10 Companies
MINERVAN TANK LEGIONS..............................................3 Legions SALAMANDERS............................................................2 Companies
MONGLOR OGRYN AUXILIA........................................1 Regiments STORM GIANTS ..........................................................2 Companies
MORDIAN IRON GUARD ..............................................8 Regiments SUBJUGATORS ...............................................................1 Company
8th NECROMUNDAN ‘SPIDERS’ ...................................3 Battalions WHITE SCARS ..........................................................1 Brotherhood
NOCTAN STRIKE FORCES............................................5 Regiments WIDOWMAKERS ............................................................1 Company
NORDIAN BERZERKERS...............................................4 Regiments
OCANON PHALANX TROOPS ......................................8 Regiments ADEPTA SORORITAS
PYRAN DRAGOONS ......................................................8 Regiments ORDER OF OUR MARTYRED LADY.........................1 Commandery
POLAX 41ST ‘SHOCK’....................................................1 Regiment ORDER OF THE ARGENT SHROUD ............................1 Preceptory
SAVLAR CHEM-DOGS ...................................................6 Regiments ORDER OF THE EBON CHALICE ...........................1 Commandery
SAVLAR CHEM-RIDERS .................................................2 Regiments ORDER OF THE BLOODY ROSE.............................1 Commandery
SEBASTIN DEFENDERS..............................................15 Regiments LESSER ORDER OF THE WOUNDED HEART .........1 Commandery
SEMTEXIAN BOMBARDIERS...........................................9 Batteries ADEPTUS MECHANICUS
STORM TROOPERS ...................................................18 Companies CENTURIO ORDINATUS ...............................................4 Ordinatus
TERRAN PRAEFECTS ..................................................10 Regiments LEGIO CRUCIUS ............................................................Demi-Legio
INQUISITORIAL INDUCTED COMPANIES .................3 Companies LEGIO IGNATUM ....................................................>Quartro-Legio
VALHALLAN ICE WARRIORS .........................................8 Regiments LEGIO INVIGILATA ..................................................................Legio
ZOUVAN SKIRMISHERS...................................................3 Brigades LEGIO MAGNA...........................................................Quartro-Legio
VORGARN LIGHT INFANTRY .....................................12 Regiments LEGIO METALICA ..........................................................Demi-Legio
XENONIAN FREE COMPANIES ...................................5 Companies LEGIO TEMPESTOR.................................................................Legio
LEGIO VICTORUM...................................................................Legio
DEPARTMENTO MUNITORUM SKITARII......................................................................14 Regiments
ENGINEER CORPS..........................................................................5
PIONEER CORPS ............................................................................2 IMPERIAL FLEET
GLORIOUS AGE....................................Retribution class battleship
ADEPTUS ARBITES
PRECINCTS...................................................................................16 TRIUMPH ..............................................Apocalypse class battleship
PUNITIVE BATTALIONS................................................................41 INOMINE VERITAS ...................................Emperor class battleship
GREEN LAKE ..............................................Oberon class battleship
OFFICIO ASSASSINORUM FIRST-LINE CRUISER SQUADRONS ..............................................6
AGENTS...............................................CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
SECOND-LINE CRUISER SQUADRONS..........................................9
OFFICIO SABATORUM LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRONS.....................................................17
AGENTS ........................................................................................21
ESCORT SQUADRONS..................................................................21
ORDO XENOS BOMBER STRIKE WINGS .............................................................54
KILL-TEAMS ....................................................................................3 INTERCEPTOR STRIKE WINGS....................................................81
TEMPLARS PSYKOLOGIS SPACE MARINE BATTLEBARGES ....................................................8
DISRUPTION SQUADS .................................................................20 SPACE MARINE STRIKE CRUISERS ..............................................38
THUNDERHAWK GUNSHIPS.............................numbers unknown
70
ARMAGEDDON PRIME
FORCES OF THE
GREAT DESPOT OF DREGRUK
DESPOT GAZGRIM’S BLACK SLAYERS TRIBE ..........Estimated 30 warbands, 4 Gargants
WAR HORDE........................Estimated 200 warbands, 15 Gargants FIREBELLIES TRIBE ...............Estimated 15 warbands, 3 Gargants
WARLORD THOGFANG’S VARGA’S DROP LEGION ..............................Estimated 5 warbands
GARGANT BIG MOB .................Estimated 3 warbands, 2 Gargants
WARLORD GARSHAG’S
WARLORD BADFANG’S BIG GUNZ....................................Estimated 7 ‘artillery’ warbands
BATTLE FORTS ...........Estimated 2 warbands, 12 Battle Fortresses
ARMAGEDDON SECONDUS
FORCES OF THE ORK WARLORD
GHAZGHKULL MAG URUK THRAKA
GREAT OVERLORD GHAZGHKULL’S WAR HORDE CROOKED MOON TRIBE .......Estimated 19 warbands, 3 Gargants
Remnants joined other warbands after Ghazghkull’s departure. RED FIN TRIBE .......................Estimated 30 warbands, 5 Gargants
WARLORD MORFANG’S RED WHEELZ
GARGANT BIG MOB ..........Estimated 160 warbands, 15 Gargants SPEED FREEKS......................Estimated 18 ‘Speed Kult’ warbands
WARLORD SKARFANG’S BURNING DEATH
GARGANT BIG MOB ...............Estimated 6 warbands, 7 Gargants SPEED FREEKS.........................Estimated 2 ‘Speed Kult’ warbands
WARLORD BURZURUK’S WARLORD THUGSNIK’S
GARGANT BIG MOB .................Estimated 6 warbands, 7 Gargants BIG GUNZ .....................................Estimated 6 ‘artillery’ warbands
WARLORD KROKSNIK’S WARLORD MORBAD’S
DETH TRAKS ..............Estimated 3 warbands, 15 Battle Fortresses
BIG GUNZ ...................................Estimated 12 ‘artillery’ warbands
BLACKSKULL TRIBE ................Estimated 32 warbands, 5 Gargants
ORBITAL SUPPORT
Ork space hulks...........................................................................4+ Ork roks.....................................................................................30+
Fighta-Bommer squadrons ............................................1,500-2,000 Ork Kroozers .......................................................................200-300
Ork attack craft .....................................................................1,800+
71
5.1 SPACE MARINES Chapters
Space Marines are organised into small independent armies
“Life is not measured in years, but in the deeds of men.”
called Chapters. Each Chapter has its own ships, its own
The Legions of Adeptus Astartes are more commonly known uniforms, and its own distinct identity and traditions. Most
as the Space Marines – the most powerful and the most Chapters operate from a world owned by the Chapter, known
dreaded of all human warriors. In some respects they are not as the Chapter Planet. Chapter Planets are part of the
really human at all but superhuman – superior in almost Imperium, but they are ruled by the Space Marine Chapter
every way to an ordinary man. that has its base there. Some Chapters are not based on a
Compared to humanity’s teeming billions, there are very few planet at all: their base of operations can be a vast space fleet,
Space Marines indeed. They are far too few to form the sole an orbital asteroid, or a giant space station.
fighting forces of the Imperium. The Space Marines are the
Imperium’s elite fighting troops, a core of highly mobile
shock troops trained to fight on land and in space. On the
battlefield they are expected to take part in the most
dangerous and important attacks, and to hold their positions
no matter how hopeless the situation. All the Space Marines in a Chapter belong to its warrior cult.
Space Marines are entrusted with all sorts of dangerous In many cases, the warrior cults of the Space Marines
missions, such as lightning raids behind enemy lines, preserve traditions and practices older even than the
infiltration attacks to capture vital positions, and tunnel fights accepted ritual of the Ecclesiarchy. The details of these
in enemy-held cities. They also undertake long voyages of practices are rumoured to be barbaric and darkly sinister.
planetary exploration and conquest on behalf of the Space Marines belonging to a Chapter are therefore spiritual
Imperium, ear-marking planets which are too well defended brothers as well as brothers at arms. This dual role as physical
so that they can be attacked later with the support of the and spiritual warriors is very important, and it is what makes
Imperial Guard. the Space Marines such dedicated warriors.
72
Origins Chapter Organisation
The Space Marines were created at the very dawn of Imperial There are approximately a thousand chapters of Space
history, ten thousand years before the present day. Some Marines at the current time. The Chapters are distributed
Chapters can trace their history back to that time. These are fairly evenly throughout the galaxy, some outside the
the Chapters of the First Founding, created by the scientists confines of the Imperium, most concentrated around areas
of the Emperor to take part in the Great Crusade. Since that occupied by Orks or other dangerous races. At any one time
time many other Space Marine Chapters have been created, approximately half the Space Marine chapters are engaged on
the most recent being those of the Twenty-Sixth Founding. exploratory missions, seeking out new worlds to conquer
and and hounding hostile aliens to extinction.
Most Space Marine Chapters are organised using the rules
laid down in a set of guidelines call the Codex Astartes. This
book was written many thousands of years ago, and states
that a Space Marine Chapter should consist of ten companies
The First Founding each of one hundred Space Marines. A company consists of
Originally there were only twenty Chapters. Many of these ten squads each of ten men including a Sergeant. In addition
Chapters took part in the rebellion known as the Horus to this basic fighting strength, each company has its own
Heresy and were subsequently destroyed or exiled. Those Captain, Standard Bearer, Chaplain and Apothecary.
that rebelled during the Horus Heresy and are no longer part A Chapter also includes a number of officers and specialists
of the Imperial Forces (some have survived as Chaos who stand aside from the company organisation. These
Renegades in the infernal regions of the Eye of Terror). The individuals are known as the headquarters staff and they may
names and histories of Chapters 2 and 11 were deleted from be assigned to fight with a company in battle. Included
Imperial records following the Horus Heresy. The name of amongst them are psychic Librarians from the Chapter’s
Chapter 16, the Lunar Wolves, was changed to Sons of Horus Librarius and Techmarines together with their Servitors.
prior to the Horus Heresy, and subsequently to the Black
Legion, under which name it now serves the forces of Chaos. The Master of each Space Marine Chapter is its leader and
spiritual head. A Space Marine Master not only leads his
troops in battle, but he also has to act as the figurehead for
the whole Chapter. As some Chapters rule entire planets, a
Space Marine Master may act as the head of government as
well – effectively as the Imperial Commander of a whole
planet.
A Space Marine Chapter includes a substantial organisation
designed to provide everything needed by the Space Marine
fighting units. This includes armouries and weapon shops,
space fleet and vehicle construction and maintenance sites,
research laboratories, information repositories,
communication offices and cult chapels. These organisations
employ many more individuals than the fighting units, but
only a small proportion are actually Space Marines. The
majority are hereditary slaves of the Chapter. These slaves are
born to serve the Chapter. They are well treated, receive a
fine education, and fulfil a vital role within the Chapter.
Slaves regard themselves as part of the Chapter, and their
loyalty is beyond doubt.
Although the Codex describes a number of ranks and
responsibilities within the headquarters staff, only a very few
of these officers actually accompany the Chapter to war. Many
are non-combatants of advanced years whose roles are to find
and train recruits or administrate the Chapter. Some ranks
described by the Codex include the Chapter’s Ancient (or
Standard Bearer), the Master’s Secretarius, the Lord of the
Household, the Chapter’s Armourer, the Commander of the
Fleet, Victuallers, the Commander of the Arsenal,
Commander of Recruits and Commander of the Watch.
There are relatively few of these senior officers as most non-
combatant roles within the Chapter are performed by the
Chapter’s human serfs. The two largest groups are the
Librarians and the Techmarines. Consequently, these two are
set aside from the other headquarters staff and considered
separately.
Each of the ten companies that comprises a Chapter is led by
a Space Marine Captain and includes supernumeraries such
as the Company’s Chaplain and Apothecary. The fighting
strength of each company is made up of ten squads each of
ten Space Marines led by a Sergeant.
73
Of the ten companies comprising a Chapter, the 1st Company they fight as Scouts. There is no formal size for a Scout
consists of veteran troops and is invariably the most company as the rate of recruitment is not fixed.
powerful. The 1st Company is the only one able to use the Although most Chapters follow the guidelines in the Codex
rare and treasured Terminator armour. Astartes, this is not true of every single one. Some Chapters
All of the companies except the Scout company maintain have a completely different Chapter organisation,such as the
Rhino transports for each of their squads and officers. The 1st Geat Companies used by the Space Wolves, while many
Company also has a permanent establishment of Land others include unique formations and companies that are not
Raiders for carrying Terminator squads. It is also customary described in the Codex Astartes such as the Ravenwing of the
for Dreadnoughts to remain a part of their company and their Dark Angels Chapter or the Death Company of the Blood
presence certainly bolsters the company’s fighting strength. Angels. The majority of Chapters, though, follow the
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th are Battle companies, each teachings of the Codex Astartes and treat its words as holy
consisting of six squads of tactical Space Marines, two of writ that should be followed as closely as possible.
assault, and two of Devastators. These four Battle companies
form the main battle lines and generally bear the brunt of the
fighting. The Assault squads of the Battle company may be SPECIAL RULE
deployed as bike squadrons or land speeder crews. 5.1.1 They Shall Know No Fear
Companies 6 and 7 are Tactical companies, each consisting of
ten Tactical squads. These are intended to act as a reserve Space Marines are renowned for their tenacity
which may be used to bolster the main line, launch and bravery. This is represented by the
diversionary attacks, or stem enemy flanking moves. following rules:
Company 6 is also trained to use the Space Marine bike and • It takes two Blast markers to suppress a
the entire company may be deployed as bike squadrons. Space Marine unit or kill a unit in a broken
Similarly, Company 7 squads are trained to fight with land formation (ignore any left over Blast
speeders and the company acts as a light vehicle reserve markers).
formation.
• Space Marine formations are only broken if
The 8th Company is an Assault company consisting of ten they have two Blast markers per unit in the
Assault squads. This is the most mobile company and is often formation.
equipped with jump packs, bikes and land speeders. The 8th • Halve the number of extra hits suffered by a
Company is used in the assault role and wherever a strong Space Marine formation that loses an
hand-to-hand fighting force is needed. assault, rounding down in favour of the
The 9th Company is a Devastator company, consisting of ten Space Marines.
Devastator squads. It is the most powerfully equipped • When a broken Space Marine formation
company in the Chapter and is used to bolster defence points rallies then it receives a number of Blast
and provide long range support. markers equal to the number of units, rather
The Chapter’s 10th Company is its Scout company consisting than half this number.
of a number of Scout squads. Scouts are youths who have
been recruited and partially transformed into Space Marines.
Until their physical transformation and training is complete
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SPACE MARINE CHAPTER ORGANISATION
Note: The coloured borders around the various company boxes denote the company colours which are
repeated on the Space Marines’ armour and banners. In addition to the vehicles and war machines listed, the
Chapter has access to a vast range of other military hardware. This includes entire companies of Land Raiders,
Predators and the like as well as special artillery and weaponry. Individual armoured vehicles and support gear
are supplied to the companies, in appropriate livery, by command of the various captains.
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5.1.2 SPACE MARINE UNITS
The following section describes all of the different units used by the Space Marines, and provides all of the information
you will need to use them in your games of Epic. Space Marine armies have a strategy rating of 5, and all Space Marine
formations have an initiative rating of 1+ and use the ‘They Shall Know No Fear’ special rule.
The Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes are an accurate, decisive fighting force. Each Space Marine represents the pinnacle of
human genetic engineering. Their bodies are enhanced by various implants, making their senses far better than a normal man’s.
This physical superiority is combined with extensive indoctrination and hypnotic therapy, ensuring each Space Marine is
unswervingly loyal to his Chapter and the Emperor. Space Marines literally know no fear and when even the bravest human
would run in terror, they will continue fighting at the forefront, blasting their foes with their rapid-firing boltguns.
Although exceptional warriors, Space Marines are comparatively few in number – each Chapter operates with around a thousand
warriors at one time, and there are only about one thousand Chapters to help defend the whole of the Imperium. However, what
the Space Marines may lack in numbers they more than make up for in bravery and skill. They fight with surgical precision, using
their swift Rhinos and Thunderhawks to strike at the heart of the enemy, eradicating their high command and capturing vital
installations. They are also excellent terror troops – the mere threat of a Space Marine assault has quelled rebellions in the past
and few can withstand the fury of their attack. The Space Marines tanks and armoured fighting vehicles are geared towards this
role also, with the rapid Predator and hulking Land Raider battle tanks making up the bulk of their armoured columns. Even
their artillery, the Whirlwind, is rapid-moving, laying down a cover of supporting fire for the advancing Space Marines. As well
as being terrifying shock troops, Space Marines excel in defensive situations too. Their heavy armour and special training allows
them to withstand attack after attack against seemingly overwhelming odds, coming out at the end battered but victorious.
SPACE MARINE constant is the ability for any Space Marine Commander,
whether they are Chaplain, Captain or Librarian to forge the
COMMANDER efforts of several squads into a single battle plan. A squad of
The Commanders of the mighty
Space Marines on their own is a force to be reckoned with, but
Adeptus Astartes are numbered
when combined with other squads as part of an integrated
amongst the greatest warriors in the
plan they are virtually unstoppable. Renowned for their
service of the Emperor, veterans of
tenacity of purpose and iron will, Space Marine Commanders
countless wars and resolute beyond
will inspire their brothers to press home an assault even after
measure. How leaders are chosen
sustaining casualties that would have lesser troops fleeing in
from within the ranks varies from
terror.
Chapter to Chapter as does their combat doctrine. The one
SPACE MARINE precious few full suits, each maintained with almost sacred
reverence by the Chapter’s Tech Priests. Terminator armour is
TERMINATORS only granted to the Chapter’s finest warriors and commanders,
Terminators are heavily armed and
each suit bearing the mark of those that have fallen before
equipped with immensly strong
them. Encased in layered ceramite armour and powerful servo
Terminator armour. The knowledge of
systems, a Terminator Marine can withstand a direct hit from
how to produce Tactical Dreadnought
all bar the most powerful of weapons whilst delivering a brutal
or Terminator armour is long lost to
attack from the suit’s augmented combat systems. Out of all of
the Imperium, its origins a jealously
the elite Space Marines, it is the power and skill of those
guarded secret of the Adeptus
wearing Terminator armour that is most feared by the enemies
Mechanicus. Most Adeptus Astartes Chapters maintain a
of the Imperium.
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SPACE MARINE TACTICAL SQUAD heroically engaged the Gargants, but
Tactical squads make up the bulk of Space Marine forces on lacking the firepower needed to
Armageddon and are at the heart of virtually all special penetrate their power fields were
operations staged during Ghazghkull’s invasion. Equipped to eventually surrounded and destroyed.
serve a flexible battlefield role, they were often tasked with the Although a grievous loss to the
hardest of all objectives to either assault or secure. Such was Imperial forces on Armageddon,
the fate of the Celestial Lions who were given the job of Tactical squads still fight at the centre
destroying the Gargant construction yards at Mannheim Gap. of Space Marine operations in the
Tactical Squads from four Companies led the assault in Rhino Armageddon sector, winning back
transports only to discover the Gargants there were already ground in lightning hit and run raids
fully operational. Massively outgunned the Celestial Lions that suit the highly mobile nature of the Adeptus Astartes.
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SPACE MARINE SCOUTS laying siege to Hive Tartarus was widely attributed to Space
In most Space Marine Chapters, Scouts Marine Scout elements of the Angels Porphyr Chapter. Their
are initiates, not yet fully in combat and hit and run attacks opened up a front allowing vital supplies
yet to earn their place amongst their to reach General Kurov’s besieged Imperial Guard forces
veteran power armoured brothers. within. Scout squads also saw action as part of the successful
Deployed ahead of the main force, South Primus Front where their skills in infiltration were used
Scouts are the Chapter’s eyes and ears, to hunt out surviving pockets of the Orks Blackfire tribe.
able to infiltrate enemy positions or Aided by Titans from Legio Tempestor and Legio Victorum,
disrupt vital supply lines. They are usually lightly armed with the Orks were driven back into the equatorial jungles east of
close range weapons. The constant breaching of Ork lines Anthrand pursued by scouts from the Space Wolves Chapter.
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SPACE MARINE BIKE SQUADRON to catch the bike mounted White Scars
Space Marine Bike squadrons carry out vital reconnaissance ,the Orks were forced to fall back in
and assault missions, often operating on their own well frustration, but not before Suboden
behind enemy lines. Vital to the Imperial war effort on Khan’s Tulwar Brotherhood had put
Armageddon was the continued supply of fresh water the Orks’ submersible shipyards to the
pumped from the water purification plants at Phaedra River torch. Defeated and demoralised, the
and St Capilene, both situated in the frozen wastes of the Orks were eventually routed from the
southern continent. Tasked with securing these facilities, Deadlands by several bike formations
Space Marines from the White Scars Chapter mounted raids of White Scars that mounted a daring raid on the Ork drop
against the Orks of Gorsnik Magash that were staged there, site, crippling their remaining defences and adding another
drawing them into a four week running engagement. Unable battle honour to the Tulwar’s Horsetail Banner.
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LAND SPEEDER especially by the Ultramarines who use over a dozen such
The discovery of design templates for vehicles within the 7th and 8th reserve companies alone. The
anti-gravitic plates by the famed Land Speeder’s greatest weakness however is in its thin
Technoarchaologist Arkhan Land armour. It was originally designed as an unarmed transport
during his expedition of the Librarius vehicle, and so sacrifices had to be made to the vehicle’s
Omnis on Mars is widely attributed to ceramite plating in order to carry weapon systems and crew-
the eventual construction of the Land members wearing heavy power armour. Because the vehicle is
Speeder. Used by virtually every Space lightly armoured, Land Speeder crews rely on its high
Marine Chapter in the Imperium, the Land Speeder’s role as a manoeuverability and terrain hugging abilities to evade enemy
fast reconnaissance and attack vehicle is not underestimated, fire and survive.
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SPACE MARINE VINDICATOR for the supporting Imperial
The Space Marine Vindicator is a heavy support vehicle. infantry to secure each district.
During the uprising of Sabien IV, Imperial forces became Within five days, the final bastions
embroiled in a bitter siege for the manufacturing citadel of Van of rebel resistance had collapsed
Valdt. After several failed assaults, the deadlock was eventually under the Vindicators’ brutal fire
broken with the aid of Vindicators from the Iron Hands bringing to an end a siege that had
Chapter who used the tank’s reinforced armour and powerful lasted over three months. Out of a
siege cannon to quite literally blast their way into the city. total of seven squadrons, not a
Working in small squadrons of three tanks, the Vindicators and single Vindicator was lost making
supporting Tactical squads of the lron Hands 7th company the Van Valdt engagement one of the Iron Hands most
breached the rebel defences time and time again making space successful campaigns to date and ensuring the Vindicators
legendary status as ‘siege breaker’.
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SPACE MARINE LAND operating within virtually any environment, even a vacuum.
With transport capacity for a full squad of Space Marines, their
RAIDER field supplies, munitions and medical facilities, the Land
The Land Raider is a heavily Raider is well suited for striking deep behind enemy lines and
armoured battle tank and surviving long periods in the field. Equally impressive is the
transport vehicle. The Land Land Raider’s offensive capabilities, four lascannons and twin-
Raider’s heritage predates even the linked heavy bolters allow it to deliver punishing supporting
Imperium, and it is still one of the fire capable of smashing through enemy tanks and infantry
most devastating tanks in the alike. Although once produced in great numbers there are
Adeptus Astartes’ arsenal. It is protected by multiple layers of now few Forge Worlds still able to manufacture them, making
bonded ceramite and adamantium, making it impervious to the Land Raider one of the Space Marines’ most valued
all bar the most destructive weaponry. It is capable of artefacts.
SPACE MARINE RHINO suited for rapid deployment into rugged and hostile
For ten millennia, the Rhino has conditions where its speed and reinforced ceramite armour
served as the principal armoured are put to good use. Typically, Rhinos are only lightly armed
transport of the Space Marines. Its with a single hatch-mounted storm bolter for close support.
versatility and reliability are much However the Rhino is a superbly adaptable vehicle, and it is
prized by the Tech Priests who not uncommon for Tech Priests to attach an additional storm
manage and maintain them for each bolter onto the spare pintle mount or even retro fit a single
of the different Space Marine hunter killer missile depending upon the circumstances of the
Chapters. The Rhino is capable of Chapter’s deployment. Such is the Rhinos success that there
transporting up to ten fully are very few Space Marine Chapters that do not maintain a
equipped Space Marines within its hold, making it ideally sizeable number of these venerable transports.
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SPACE MARINE instead turned against the massive Ork invasion fleets. Under
the command of the Black Templars High Marshal Helbrecht,
SPACECRAFT the Space Marine fleet, consisting of over one hundred Space
Space Marine Chapters include their Marine craft was pivotal in the destruction of the Ork hulks
own fleet of Battle Barges and Strike Rumbledeth and Rokdroppa. With all of their ground forces
Cruisers that are specifically designed to committed to the surface of Armageddon, the fleet was then
transport the Chapter’s troops to free to assist the remnants of the Imperial Navy for most of the
battlefields located anywhere in the remainder of the war. Those Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers
galaxy.. During Ghazghkull’s invasion of that remained in orbit around Armageddon provided vital
Armageddon, Battle Barges and Strike support for the Chapter’s troops on the ground, either re-
Cruisers from over two dozen Adeptus Astartes Chapters were supplying them or conducting fire missions with the ship’s
called to the sector to assist in the planet’s defence, their huge huge gun batteries, or landing reserve troops straight into
bombardment cannons, normally used for planetary assaults battle in drop pods and landing craft.
SPACE MARINE LANDING hour, making it next to impossible for defence batteries to
target as it plummets through a planet’s atmosphere. Then,
CRAFT seconds before the Landing Craft is about to hit the ground,
Space Marine Landing Craft are assault ballistic charges blow away the disposable heat shields
vehicles designed to quickly deliver protecting the landing craft and the vehicles transported
troops to a planet’s surface. Like Space upon it, and secondary engines and antigrav devices are
Marine Drop Pods they are launched employed to rapidly slow down and level out the craft’s
from orbiting spacecraft, the main descent, allowing it to touch down safely. Even before it
difference being that a Landing Craft can stops, gun turrets swing into action and hatches slam down
carry whole detachments of Space to allow the troops inside to deploy. Within twenty or thirty
Marines plus their supporting vehicles. After the Landing seconds of leaving their spacecraft, any troops and vehicles
Craft leaves its parent ship, powerful thrusters quickly will be on the ground and in action, supported by the gun
accelerate it to speeds of several thousands of kilometres an batteries mounted on the Landing Craft itself.
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THUNDERHAWK GUNSHIP Space Marines descended on Mire
Thunderhawks are heavily armed transport aircraft, used to Anchorage in one of the boldest aerial
airlift Space Marines to the battlezone and then provide them drops of the entire campaign. Running
with supporting fire. Close to the equatorial jungles on the gauntlet of Ork Fighta Bommas, the
Armageddon, the critically strategic port of Mire Anchorage six Thunderhawks successfully touched
came close to being overwhelmed by a force of feral Orks down to the west of the port delivering
hundreds of thousands strong. Massively outnumbered, the its cargo before immediately lifting off to
five regiments of Hive Militia garrisoned there would have conduct close support operations for the
been swept away if not for the timely arrival of two ground forces. Over the course of the
companies from the Storm Lords Chapter. Launched from the following days and months, the Storm Lords Thunderhawks
orbiting Battle Barge Dominatus Furio, three pairs of conducted over three hundred sorties, making them one of
Thunderhawk Gunships carrying one hundred and eighty the most active airborne units of the war.
SPACE MARINE DROP POD the pod protects the Space Marines
Drop pods are launched from low orbit by the Chapter’s from the fierce temperatures of re-entry
Strike Cruisers and Battle Barges, and have been used by the as well as providing an armoured
Space Marines for thousands of years as a way of deploying platform from which to fight from. Once
their forces rapidly to a planet’s surface. Powered by a single on the ground, locking clamps release
main engine in the pod’s core and several small attitude the side doors and restraining bars,
adjustment thrusters, the Drop Pod plummets through the allowing the Space Marines to deploy
atmosphere before small braking thrusters located quickly from the pod and straight into
underneath the pod arrest its velocity prior to landing. combat. Although not confirmed, it is
Capable of holding five power armoured Space Marines and rumoured that the elapsed time
their equipment, thick ceramite plating around the base of between touch down and deployment is under four seconds.
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5.2 IMPERIAL GUARD The Imperial Guard is recruited from these independent
planetary forces from worlds throughout the Imperium.
“For every battle honour, a thousand heroes die alone,
According to an ancient law, Imperial Commanders must
unsung, and unremembered.”
provide a portion of their best troops for Imperial service.
The Imperial Guard is the largest and most important fighting
The Departmento Munitorium supervises the recruitment of
force of the Imperium. It is divided into innumerable armies
new Imperial Guard regiments. Each regiment numbers
and scattered throughout the galaxy across hundreds of war
between 2,000 and 6,000 men, and is named after the planet
zones. Its administration and provisioning occupies the
where it was recruited. Troops regard themselves as
entire efforts of the Departmento Munitorium, the munitions
belonging first and foremost to their regiment, which consists
and supply department of the Administratum. Even this
of their comrades from the same world, who speak the same
colossal organisation has no real idea of exactly how many
dialect, and practise the same social customs.
troops are under arms, as the continuous toll of casualties
and influx of recruits may run to millions in a single day. Many Imperial Guard regiments are recruited from the savage
urban environments of hive worlds, planets where family or
The vast size of the Imperial Guard is some indication of the
corporate-based warfare is more or less endemic. Such
scale of humanity’s struggle. Aliens are everywhere,
troops are battle-hardened long before they are recruited
rebellious humans await their chance to strike at vulnerable
into the Imperial Guard, and are regarded as the best raw
worlds, even supposedly loyal Imperial Commanders may be
material for a fighting regiment. Other favourite recruiting
prepared to risk war in order to further their personal
grounds are the feral and medieval planets as these tend to
fortunes and ambitions.
have a natural warrior caste. These primitive warriors must be
Recruitment thoroughly trained to use modem weapons, but they are not
Every planet in the Imperium has its own independent army, discouraged from native practices such as head-hunting and
recruited and controlled by its Imperial Commander. These the taking of scalps and other trophies. Similarly, the wearing
local armies are huge but they are confined to a defensive of warpaint and barbarous battlegear is regarded as perfectly
role within their home system. Apart from seeing off aliens acceptable because such customs serve to encourage the
and human bandits based on nearby worlds, these local troops and frighten the enemy.
defence forces are often involved in internal struggles on
Regiments
their homeworld. It is a rare planet where the Imperial
The galaxy is a diverse place with many strange and
Governor rules completely unchallenged! The Adeptus Terra
barbarous customs. Imperial Guard regiments come from
cares little for such petty affairs, and is quite content to let
many different planets and their native cultures, style of
Imperial Commanders fight amongst themselves and with
dress, technological background and warrior traditions differ
their subjects.
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too. The Imperial Guard does not even try to impose uniform A regiment can also be posted to a newly conquered or
standards of dress or armament, preferring to exploit the liberated planet to serve as a garrison. Garrison duties are not
unique strengths of each regiment, whatever they may be. entirely without excitement, as newly reconquered worlds
Regiments therefore wear their native style of dress, although will still harbour pockets of resistance. In many instances a
the issue of standard equipment and armour lead to a certain garrison must consolidate a planet from little more than an
unity of appearance. initial beachhead.
For example, the planet Attilea is renowned for the skill and Commissars
courage of the warrior horsemen who rule the huge, grassy Guard regiments come from all across the galaxy, from
plains of their native world. When Attilean regiments are worlds which are often primitive or anarchic. Until their
recruited into the Imperial Guard they become mounted recruitment, troopers have little notion of their true place in
regiments of Rough Riders. Although it may seem strange that the great Empire of Mankind. Imperial Commissars are
horsemen have a place amongst the arcane technology of the appointed to Imperial Guard regiments to ensure that the
Imperium, there are many worlds where these warriors prove troopers receive the right kind of leadership.
their worth. The Attileans’ ability to move rapidly and subsist Commissars are important leaders in the Imperial Guard
from the land makes them ideal for infiltrating enemy lines because regiments are often ill-disciplined and barbaric.
and scouting ahead of advancing armies. Many come from savage worlds where warriors respect only
Initial Deployment strength and fighting prowess. Commissars exemplify both of
Once a regiment has been raised it is immediately shipped to these characteristics and are natural commanders.
its posting. While in transit the regiment receives further The Organisation of an Imperial Guard Regiment
training as necessary. Some hive world regiments need little Organisationally, all Guard regiments are similar but not
or no training as they will be familiar with most of the identical. A regiment will be divided into a number of
weapons they are likely to use. Other regiments may need Companies. The number of Companies is highly variable but
longer or more intensive instruction. By the time the ten to twenty is commonplace. If Companies are depleted by
regiment arrives at its posting, it should be thoroughly combat, it is more normal to reorganise them into a smaller
trained and itching for battle. number of full strength Companies than to maintain all of the
A regiment can be posted straight into the heart of a conflict, original Companies. A Regiment is led by a Colonel, a
but it will more likely be posted on a world that borders a Company, typically by a Captain. There are several other
warzone. The addition of an Imperial Guard regiment to the commissioned ranks however. Where several regiments are
planet’s forces is welcomed, especially if the world is under raised on a world they will commonly have a limited number
threat from attack, as is often the case. of senior officers, some holding the rank of General. When
such regiments join an Imperial Guard army, the senior
officers are welcomed into the Departmento Munitorum’s
general staff where their detailed knowledge of the troops is
extremely useful. Between Colonel and Captain there exists a
range of ranks intended to establish a seniority of command
within the Regiment. Across the Imperium there are almost as
many titles for ranks as there are regiments, consequently
Colonel, Captain and Lieutenant insignia may be worn by
men whose rank name could be either Herzog, Chevalier,
Centurion or Hetman.
A Company consists of a number of Platoons, if it is an
infantry regiment. An armoured company will normally
consist of a number of Squadrons, artillery companies will
consist of a number of Batteries. Again, the terms vary
enormously. To take infantry companies as the example
however, a Company will have a Command Platoon, which
will include any additional support units such as anti-tank
squads or special weapons teams as well as containing the
Company commander and his personal guard. There are
then up to six platoons each made up of a HQ squad and up
to six squads of ten men. At full strength therefore a
Company could number almost four hundred men, though
such large unwieldy organisations are the exception rather
than the rule. More typically a full strength Company will
number about 150-200 men.
Regiments will often ‘pick up’ remnants or detachments from
other formations. A temporary field assignment can easily
become permanent and it is commonplace for
Reconnaissance, Cavalry, Artillery and Armoured units to
have part of their complement detached and assigned to
Infantry formations. Similarly, infantry platoons or armoured
fist squads are attached to more specialised formations to
provide close support. This practice is inconsistent at best
and confined to those regiments that are well-trained enough
to benefit from combined arms tactics. It is the closest the
Imperium comes to all-arms battle groups. Normally, these
87
measures will be for the duration of a single campaign only, though by no means unheard of. The individual operations
although there is a tradition that some highly specialist units or assaults would be led by the most senior Company
such as Ogryns and Rough Riders can become a permanent commander present. Usually the officer will be a member of
part of the unit they are seconded to. This is largely because the regiment’s headquarters staff, and might be the Colonel
entire regiments of such specialists can prove unwieldy. of the regiment if the operation is of particular importance. If
A regiment has a pool of officers approximately double the multiple regiments are co-operating then a member of the
number it needs to command each company and each Lord General's staff would be ideal as leader but often the
platoon. When it is called up, some will remain to form a senior regimental commander would be in charge.
cadre for the next regiment to be raised on that world, the Imperial Guard Vehicle Patterns
others will be adopted into the army staff as part of the Imperial Guard vehicles all have a specific pattern. This is
Departmento Munitorum. There would in addition be simply the Forge World where the vehicle was built. For
Commissars and other products of the Schola Progenium example, a Leman Russ Demolisher (Ryza Pattern) will have
available to the Departmento Munitorum for command been built on the Forge World of Ryza. Vehicles of the same
duties. type that are built of different Forge Worlds often have
In battle, orders for an attack or operation will usually come slightly different weapon combinations, and may also vary
down from army level, and will assign the regiment any slightly in appearance. Ryza is notted for its proficency with
support elements it requires. Because of their large size, plasma weapons, for example, and because of this the Ryza
regiments are usually called upon to carry out a number of pattern Demolisher has plasma cannon fitted in its side-
operations or attacks simultaneously, and assaults involving sponsons rather than the heavy flamers commonly used in
all of the troops in an entire regiment are extremely rare, other Demolisher patterns.
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IMPERIAL GUARD REGIMENTAL ORGANISATION
The charts below shows a typical example of the way Imperial Guard units are organised. You can choose to represent this
organisation on your models if you want and there are lots of different ways of doing this. Vehicles especially benefit from
some kind of marking and you can see lots of examples in the rest of this book.
RED COMPANY GREEN COMPANY BLUE COMPANY YELLOW COMPANY BLACK COMPANY
COMMAND HQ
ELITE ATTACHMENTS
HVY WEAPON SQUADS E.G. OGRYNS
COMMAND SECTION NOTE: Single platoons may be replaced by Armoured Fist squads.
TANK COMPANY
Individual tank companies are HQ TANK
distinguished by coloured bands
painted in a convenient position.
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5.2.1 IMPERIAL GUARD UNITS
The following section describes all of the different units used by the Imperial Guard, and provides all of the
information you will need to use them in your games of Epic. Imperial Guard armies have a strategy rating of 2, and
all Imperial Guard formations have an inititaive rating of 2+.
The Imperial Guard is often likened to a sledgehammer – a huge and brutal weapon to use in battle. The Imperial Guard are not
a swift, decisive army like the Space Marines, instead they are used to bludgeon a foe into oblivion in bloody campaigns taking
months or even years. The might of the Imperial Guard can be turned to many specialised tasks, from sieges and siege-breaking
to trench battles over hundreds of miles of battle front and huge armoured thrusts by whole regiments of tanks. Although one
Imperial Guardsman can never be the equal of a Space Marine, there are thousands of men in each regiment, and it is in these
huge numbers that the greatest strength of the Imperial Guard lies.
Although the numerous tomes of the Tactica Imperium lay down organisational and strategic doctrines, each Imperial Guard
regiment has its own particular character depending upon the world of its raising and the campaign in which it is fighting. Some
of these traits are purely aesthetic: uniforms, minor organisational details and so on. Others go much deeper and influence the
style of fighting and the very character of the individual troopers. For instance, the Jungle Fighters of Catachan are spirited
veterans used to hardship and fighting in close terrain, as their home planet is the lethal death world of Catachan. In contrast
are the Mordian Iron Guard: rigid disciplinarians with an unswerving faith in their officers and the might of the Emperor. The
Rough Riders of Attila are an extreme example – feral hunters who go to war on horseback, specialising in scouting out the
enemy and launching swift and daring raids on enemy supply lines and reserves.
IMPERIAL GUARD and General Nikita Kurov, though several other battlefront
commanders were awarded the title also. Kurov, had fought as
SUPREME COMMANDER a young Lieutenant in the defence of Hive Tartarus during the
The notional title of ‘Supreme
first Ork invasion, only to return decades later as the Supreme
Commander’ is one that is generally
Commander of all Imperial Guard land forces on
awarded to a single individual who
Armageddon. Yarrick’s role as ‘Defender of Armageddon’
has been assigned responsibility
placed him in control of the Imperium’s defences of the
either for an entire battle front, or
Armageddon system as a whole. With the fate of millions quite
possibly even a campaign itself.
often in their hands, Supreme Commanders do not have the
During the Third Armageddon War,
luxury of being able to afford to make mistakes, for them and
several key commanders held the position of supreme
them alone the burden of command is almost unimaginable.
commander, most notable amongst them Commissar Yarrick
IMPERIAL GUARD Guard Commanders all share the same ideology of duty to
the Emperor and defence of the Imperium. Aided by senior
COMMANDER staff, advisors and sometimes even members of the
Raised on thousands of worlds, the
Ecclesiarchy, Guard Commanders turn the grand battle plans
command structure and title rank of
received from the Regional Commanders and war planners
officers in the Imperial Guard varies
into detailed orders which are communicated through Junior
immensely from regiment to
Officers to the troops. Leading often by example, Imperial
regiment; some are schooled through
Guard Commanders rarely have the luxury of fighting the war
specialised academies, others drawn
from a secure bunker miles behind the lines, for them and
only from noble families or known
their men the battle is fought at the sharp end behind a
Imperial blood lines. Regardless of rank or title, Imperial
lasgun or the hatch of a Leman Russ command tank.
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IMPERIAL GUARD COMMISSAR courage and heroism, their black
Within a body of troops as large as that of the Imperial Guard, greatcoats and gleaming cap an
the necessity for maintaining discipline not to mention law inspiration to those that fear them.
and order is paramount. Ensuring that officers are held Loathed by many Guard regiments
accountable for their soldiers’ actions and don’t waver from for their puritanical fanaticism,
their duty are the Commissariat. Schooled in Imperial politics Commissars are nevertheless one of
and law at the Schola Progenium, Commissars are the the most effective forms of
political voice of the Imperium and are regularly called upon motivation in the Imperial Guard
as judge and executioner for those officers and troops found command hierarchy. Their loyalty to
wanting in the eyes of the Emperor. In any campaign, the Emperor is unquestioned, and their presence on the
Commissars will be found at the frontline urging on their battlefield has often spelt the difference between an
comrades and exhorting greater deeds with stories of ignominious defeat and a glorious victory.
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IMPERIAL GUARD STORM and key installations. During the counter-attack at Hive
Tempestora, Stormtrooper elements of the Cadian 271st led
TROOPERS the offensive against the Orks, driving them back into the Hive
Often referred to as ‘Glory Boys’ by
and buying time for Steel Legion and Cadian armoured forces
regular Guardsmen, Stormtroopers
to establish the Morpheon Line. With the Orks at Tempestora
are nevertheless the elite troops of the
effectively penned in, the Stormtrooper companies were then
Imperial Guard. They are tasked with
free to withdraw and be relocated to other areas of operation.
missions best suited to their advanced
Of the five Stormtrooper companies that took part in the
training by the Schola Progenium in
assault, two have since remained to conduct raids into the
infiltration and covert operations. With access to the best
Hive to sabotage ongoing Ork manufacturing.
equipment including Valkyrie Gunships, Stormtrooper squads
are used to spearhead assaults on fortified enemy positions
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IMPERIAL GUARD ROUGH RIDERS Armageddon’s polluted conditions.
Rough Riders is a generic term assigned to virtually all Able to penetrate deep into the
Imperial Guard cavalry regiments, and to the platoons of mountains and forests of the
mounted troops attached to many other sorts of regiment as equatorial region, small companies of
scouts. The name was made famous by the skilled Attilan Imperial Guard Rough Riders worked
horse guard, whose Rough Riders have taken part in successfully in keeping the region clear
countless wars across the Imperium, not least Armageddon. of Ork camps and the roads open to
In conditions not ideally suited for the Rough Riders’ equine Imperial supply convoys. Their ability
mounts, special atmosphere filtration hoods and heavy to remain virtually completely self-sufficient in the field for
fibremesh barding was used extensively by the Steel Legion long periods of time have made the Rough Riders an archaic
and Krieg Korps to protect the horse’s head and flanks from yet vital part of the Imperial war effort on Armageddon.
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IMPERIAL GUARD turret mounted multilaser for close support, a number of
Forge Worlds have successfully refitted the mount to take
CHIMERA linked heavy bolters, heavy flamers and even an autocannon,
Manufactured in vast quantities in
making the Chimera one of the Imperial Guard’s most
the factories of Armageddon, the
versatile armoured vehicles. The Chimera’s greatest strength
Chimera is the Imperial Guard’s most
however is in its ultra-reliable powerplant. Originally
highly valued armoured transport
manufactured for the heavier A-50 Armoured Transport, the
vehicle. Capable of fording water up
heavy duty turbine engine pre-dates the Chimera by several
to ten metres deep, the Chimera can
hundred years. Although considered old even by Imperial
easily accommodate ten fully
standards, the Chimera’s A-50 turbine has proven to be so
equipped guardsmen and all their
robust that the Adeptus Mechanicus have declared it
necessary supplies within its ceremite armoured hold.
sacrosanct and forbidden its replacement.
Although the Chimera’s standard pattern includes a small
IMPERIAL GUARD battlefront during the war. Across the Fire Wastes, Sentinels
were extensively used to scout out pockets of Ork resistance
SENTINEL prior to calling in artillery fire missions. In the equatorial
Employed for reconnaissance and light
jungles, Sentinels were used by companies of Ork Hunters to
infantry support, the Sentinel is used
clear a path through the thick undergrowth and set up highly
by many Imperial Guard Regiments,
mobile ambushes. Cheap and easy to manufacture, the
not least amongst them the
Sentinel’s flexibility made it one of the most praised light
Armageddon Steel Legion. Refitted
vehicles of the entire conflict as well as a popular choice
with a fully enclosed and sealed
amongst those Guardsmen with both a flair for its unusual
cockpit against the polluted conditions prevalent on
control characteristics and a maverick attitude.
Armageddon, the Sentinel saw action on virtually every
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IMPERIAL GUARD LEMAN RUSS fighting vehicles in the Imperial
For over a thousand years, the Imperial Guard’s Leman Russ Guard arsenal. With a water-cooled
main battle tank has been an enduring symbol of the Golden jacket surrounding the main gun
Throne’s power and protection across countless worlds in the and a transverse turbine engine,
Imperium. Standing 3.25 metres tall from ground to the the Leman Russ ‘Mars’ pattern is
upper track rail, the Leman Russ is instantly recognisable, and the most widely manufactured
its silhouette is cited by Lord Solar Macharius himself as the Imperial Guard tank and is second
“single greatest inspiration for him serving the Imperium, boy in numbers only to the ubiquitous
and man!” Fitted with a gyrostablised main gun, the Leman Chimera transport. In a one-on-one armoured duel there are
Russ can accurately engage its target both on the move and few tanks that can match the Leman Russ for firepower and
hull down, making it one of the most advanced armoured resilience.
IMPERIAL GUARD batteries, the three battalions of Steel Legion 7th Artillery
kept up a persistent exchange of shells day and night for the
BASILISK entire duration of the assault. With Trojan gun carriers and
The Basilisk is the most commonly
Mag-rail trains maintaining a continuous supply of parts and
used artillery piece in the Imperial
munitions, the two hundred Basilisks reduced the Gargant
Guard army. In what was reputed
construction yards to a complete ruin, whilst sustaining less
to be one of the longest artillery
than twenty percent casualties. Sadly, the constant operation
duels during the Third
of the Earthshaker main guns for such a protracted period
Armageddon War over two
had a profound effect on the gun crews operating them,
hundred Basilisks engaged Ghazghkull’s Gargant
virtually all suffering permanent hearing loss or perforated
construction yards deep in the Blackfire Mountains for three
eardrums.
weeks. Constantly under fire from the Orks’ own heavy
IMPERIAL GUARD makes up for in destructive power. Most Bombard shells are
high explosive concussion munitions, which rely on the
BOMBARD detonation shockwave to breach defence lines, shatter
The Bombard is one of the
buildings and crush enemy infantry and tanks. In more
Imperium’s most ancient and
unusual circumstances, the Bombard cannon can be used to
renowned siege artillery pieces. It
deliver promethium vapour shells which seed the air with
is rarely seen except during
promethium just prior to impact. The resulting detonation
campaigns where its super-heavy
ignites the fuel, resulting in a catastrophic airburst that can
siege cannon is required to
crush bones, shatters rock and suck the air from the lungs of
penetrate fortified enemy positions. The Bombard cannon
those who escape the blast. In its delivery of ordinance, the
does not boast the same kind of range as the more common
Bombard is brutally uncompromising.
Earthshaker gun, but what it lacks in range it more than
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IMPERIAL GUARD MANTICORE they did offer one vital advantage
When General Kurov saw an opportunity to counter-attack over the Basilisk. Where the
the Rok sites at Infernus and Hades South, his first request Earthshaker gun could keep up a
was to the Manticore batteries attached to the 17th Cadian steady barrage of shells, the
Expeditionary Force. Knowing that the Orks would Manticore delivered its entire
immediately know of the attack and strengthen their payload in a single devastating
defences around the site if any of the Infernus Basilisk missile salvo. The combined strike
Companies were to be relocated, Kurov opted instead for a of several batteries at once proved
surprise assault from the port of Van’Mir. With the Hades Rok to be more than enough to breach
site less than thirty kilometres from the port, the Manticores the Orks’ defences, opening up a gap for Kurov’s armoured
were right at the edge of their operational range, however counter-offensive and the Silver Skulls capture of the Rok.
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IMPERIAL GUARD overrun, three Baneblades of the Hyperian Centurions made
a last stand on the shell blasted steps of the Great Cathedral.
BANEBLADE Under the command of Major Drenner, the three tanks held
The Baneblade is a huge battle tank,
off virtually the entire enemy force for over three hours
capable of blugeoning its way
before eventually falling to a counter assault by Chaos
through any foe with its massed
Marines of the World Eaters Legion. Although all three
batteries of battle cannon and heavy
Baneblades were eventually overwhelmed and Hyperia itself
bolters. One of the Imperium’s
lost, the final transmissions of Major Drenner were studiously
greatest losses was tragically also
recorded and archived by the orbiting Imperial Navy
the Baneblade’s most historic victory. Outnumbered and
battlegroup before it was forced to withdraw. The names of
outgunned, the Imperial forces on the Shrine world of
all three Baneblades have since been returned to Mars to be
Hyperia were driven back into the heart of the capital city by
recorded in the Adeptus Mechanicus honoured accords.
the forces of the Arch Heritor Benule Lesk. As the city was
IMPERIAL GUARD in order to fire. More than a match for virtually any armoured
target, the Shadowsword’s primary prey are war engines, as
SHADOWSWORD even their prodigiously thick armour offers virtually no
The Shadowsword is often
protection against the Volcano Cannon. A single squadron of
manufactured at the same Forge
Shadowswords nicknamed the ‘Steel Cobras’ was pivotal in
World as the Baneblade, however it
turning the Ork tide at Tempestora. The Steel Cobras had
is there that all similarities end. In
possitioned themselves in a hidden gulley, from where they
place of the Baneblade’s fearsome
were able to enfilade the Gargant Big Mob attempting to
array of weapons, the
breach the Morpheon Line. By the time the Orks had located
Shadowsword is armed with a single ‘Volcano Cannon’.
their position, two Gargants had been reduced to blazing
Powered by the Shadowsword’s massive turbine engines, the
wrecks, and after two more Gargants were destroyed, the
Volcano Cannon draws so much power from the power plant
Orks were forced to withdraw..
that they must be first de-coupled from the main drive train
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IMPERIAL GUARD CAMOUFLAGE SCHEMES
Each Imperial Guard regiment is raised for a particular campaign and at the time of its founding is assigned specific
uniforms and colour schemes. Camouflage techniques have long been studied by the military leaders of the
Imperium and their wisdom is collected in whole sections of the Tactica Imperium. When a regiment goes to war,
all of its tanks and uniforms will be coloured with appropriate schemes to reflect the terrain the campaign will be
fought over. They are also assigned unit designations, regimental insignia and army and campaign badges.
To survive in the hostile environments of the 41st Millennium, terrain camouflage is essential. In the cruel sub-
zero temperatures of ice planets, winter camouflage is used. Planets covered with dense jungles containing many
weird plant species require a whole host of differing camouflage designs. Specially adapted patterns are created
for arid desert conditions and volcanic primaeval worlds. All of these terrain types offer Imperial Guard collectors
with many options when designing camouflage schemes. Plenty of reference for camouflage can be found in the
Warhammer 40,000 Imperial Guard Codex or in books on historic military vehicles. The examples below show just
a few examples of the camouflage patterns we’ve used for own own Imperial Guard infantry and tanks.
WASTE LANDS
Most of Armageddon is a barren wasteland, produced by
the millennia long exploitation of the planet’s natural
mineral deposits. Only hardy lichens and scrub can survive
in this harsh wilderness. Troops operating in the
wastelands use khaki camouflage schemes, which blend in
HIVE CITY & ASH WASTES well with the drab and inhospitable environment.
The Hive Cities of Armageddon are surrounded by vast ash
wastes, produced by industrial dumping that turns the
planet’s surface into a grey, toxic desert. Troops use grey
and black camouflage patterns in these regions.
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5.3 IMPERIAL NAVY DESIGN C O N C E P T
The following section provides information that will Battlefleet Gothic
allow you to use Imperial Navy spacecraft and aircraft in
your games of Epic. Imperial Navy units can be used in There is not the time or space (no pun
support of Space Marine and Imperial Guard armies, and intended) to go into detail about the
will have the same strategy rating as the army they are Imperial Navy in this book. Players that are
supporting. All Imperial Navy formations have an interested in knowing more about the
initiative rating of 2+. Imperial fleet and the ships that make it up
The Imperial Fleet is a vital factor in the maintenance of the are directed towards Epic’s sister game
Imperium; without it human worlds would be isolated from Battlefleet Gothic. This game includes rules
each other and the protection of the Imperium. All shipping and background allowing players to fight
within the Imperium, apart from a few ships belonging to the out full-sized fleet actions. By combining
Space Marines and Adeptus organisations, falls under the Epic and Battlefleeet Gothic, it is possible to
jurisdiction of the Fleet. fight campaigns that rage over an entire
sector of the galaxy!
Part of the massive upheaval that followed the Horus Heresy
was the ascendancy gained by the Imperial Navy. No longer
would one commander have the ability to lead his forces
between the stars. Instead, the regiments of the Imperial
Guard rely on the Imperial fleet to transport them to the war Marine formations rely on Imperial Navy Thunderbolt
zone, and then to provide them supporting fire from orbit fighters and Marauder bombers to provide their ground
above the planet. In addition, both Imperial Guard and Space troops with the bulk of their air support.
IMPERIAL EMPEROR Probatii was returned to Obscuras where it served out under
several generations of captain as the flagship for the Iderion
CLASS BATTLESHIP Worlds Crusade force, leading the Imperial forces to victory
The Emperor Class is a flagship of the
forty years later. Refitted with new launch bays and a further
Imperial Navy with a heritage that spans
two complements of bombers the Gryphonne Probatii was
millennia. Originally part of Battlefleet
despatched two hundred years later along with her sister ship
Obscuras, the Gryphonne Probatii saw
Inomine Veritas to lead a strike force against Ghazghkull’s
action during the Gothic War as part of
fleet at Armageddon. Arriving eighty days after the initial
Operation Fell Hand to retake the
invasion, both the Probatii and the Veritas formed the
Blackstone Fortress at Shindlegeist, but
backbone of Admiral Parol’s defence of the Armageddon
it was crippled during the three day battle against Abaddon’s
sector.
fleet. Docked for repairs that took close to a decade, the
IMPERIAL LUNAR CLASS Lunar class is equally capable of both escort and assault
operations. Of the fifteen squadrons that made up Admiral
CRUISER Parol’s battlegroup, over a third of the ships were of the Lunar
The straightforward and uncomplicated
class, including the Sceptre of Hagia and the Renown, both
design of the Lunar Class Cruiser means
ships responsible for the successful ambush and destruction
that it is easy to build and maintain, and
of the Ork Kroozer ‘Hamma’. Reinforced by Endeavour class
this has made it one of the most
Light Cruisers and Falchion class Escorts from the Voss
numerous capital ships in the
shipyards, the Lunar class Cruiser has taken the lead in the
battlefleets of the Imperial Navy. With a
offensive against the Ork fleets assaulting Armageddon.
mix of torpedo bays, lances and heavy weapon batteries, the
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IMPERIAL THUNDERBOLT CLASS who were able to put out swarms of flyers.
Realising that they were involved in a war
INTERCEPTOR of attrition that could not be won by the
Thunderbolts are useful both as interceptors and as ground
Imperium, Admiral Parol was forced to
attack aircraft. When Ghazghkull launched his attack on
withdraw the fleet and re-assign as many of
Armageddon, it was the squadrons of the Imperial Navy that
the surviving squadrons as he could spare
bore the initial brunt and suffered ruinous losses. Of the one
to ground airbases and airfields on
hundred and eighteen Thunderbolt squadrons launched by
Armageddon itself. Throughout the war,
the Navy, less than thirty returned after their initial sorties. Well
Thunderbolt squadrons continued to maul
trained and armed, the Thunderbolt pilots were simply no
the Ork air assaults and were often the only thing stopping the
match for the sheer number of craft launched by the Ork fleet
Orks achieving complete air dominance.
IMPERIAL MARAUDER CLASS BOMBER hard for their earlier victories. With a life
Having faced almost complete destruction by the Ork Fighta expectancy measured in weeks at best,
Squadrons during the Armageddon air war, the shattered the bombers nevertheless kept flying and
remains of the Imperial Navy’s Bomber Wings were salvaged at the turn of the war they were finally
and reformed into several operational ground attack given the opportunity for revenge. As the
formations. Facing death on a daily basis, the surviving news of Ghazghkull’s fleet breaking orbit
Marauder crews displayed a spirit of grim determination that reached Admiral Parol, permission was
won the admiration of their brothers on the ground. finally granted for an all-out air offensive
Operating mainly without the benefit of fighter support and on the Netheria Peninsula and the capture
flying at night, the Marauder squadrons punished the Orks of the infamous “Orkwick Airfield”.
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5.4 THE TITAN LEGIONS
The following section provides information that will
allow you to use Imperial Titans in your games of Epic. SPECIAL R U L E
Titans can be used in support of Space Marine and 5.4.1 Imperial Void Shields
Imperial Guard armies, and will have the same strategy
rating as the army they are supporting. All Titan
Imperial Titans are protected by void shield
formations have an initiative rating of 1+.
generators. The number of void shields each
A Titan is a gargantuan land-battleship powered by advanced Titan has is noted on the Titan’s datasheet.
technology. Its armoured carapace is capable of withstanding
Each void shield will automatically stop one
heavy damage, whilst its armaments can level whole cities.
point of damage and then go down. Do not
The Titans are one of the most potent weapons in the arsenal
make armour saves for damage stopped by
of the Imperium. When the Emperor led Mankind on the
void shields, nor allocate Blast markers. Once
Great Crusade, the Titan Legions of the Adeptus Mechanicus
all of the shields have been knocked down, the
marched alongside the Space Marines. As the Imperium
Titan may be damaged normally and you may
expanded, the Adeptus Mechanicus took many worlds for
make saving throws against any hits that are
themselves, planets which they settled and turned into the
scored. Hits from close combat ignore void
Mechanicus Forge Worlds. These became the bases for the
shields but units using their firefight values
Titan Legions throughout the galaxy,.
must first knock down any shields before they
Titans are manufactured on almost all of the Forge Worlds in can damage the Titan.
the Imperium. Most are built to a standard design that is
Void shields that have been knocked down can
known as a class. For example, the Warlord and Reaver are
be repaired. Each Titan can repair one downed
both classes of Battle Titan. Over the millennia, each Forge
void shield in the end phase of each turn. In
World has slightly modified the design of the Titans they build
addition, if a Titan regroups it can use the dice
to suit local conditions and design facilities. Thus a Reaver
roll to either repair the void shield or remove
class Titan built in the workshops of Mars will be slightly
Blast markers (eg, if you rolled a 2 you could
different to that built on the Forge World of Lucius, and so
repair 2 shields, remove 2 Blast markers or
on. Because of this, each Titan has a ‘pattern’ that defines the
repair 1 shield and remove 1 Blast marker).
Forge World where it was built. A Lucius Pattern Reaver class
Battle Titan would have been built on the Forge World of
Lucius, for example.
The different patterns of Titan are armed with different pre-
determined combinations of weapons. This combination is to arm itself with the ideal weapon combination for every
known as the Titan’s weapon configuration. Titans normally terrain type and opponent. However, this is rarely the case as
have multi-configuration weapon mounts that allow them to most Titan crew quickly develop a taste for a specific weapon
interchange weaponry easily. This theoretically allows a Titan configuration and then stick with it.
WARLORD CLASS BATTLE the exception of those of the alien Eldar and the Traitor Titan
Legions that can project as much power as that of the Warlord.
TITAN Lords of the battlefield though they may be, on Armageddon
Warlord Princeps and their crews have
the Titan Legions suffered casualties not seen since the Horus
such an unswerving faith in their
Heresy and the Siege of the Emperor’s Palace. However, when
gigantic war machines and the
Princeps Kurt Mannheim detonated the reactor of his Warlord
Emperor that they stride out unafraid
Steel Hammer killing himself and a half dozen Gargants, he
onto the battlefield in the belief that
delivered a powerful message to Ghazghkull that the Titan
nothing can stand against them. In
Legions would never rest whilst a single Ork lived to taint
most respects they are correct for there few war engines with
Armageddon’s soil.
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REAVER CLASS BATTLE TITAN than the Warlord, it is usual for Titan
The Reaver class Battle Titan pre-dates even the mighty Battlegroups to field a number of
Warlord, the date of its original manufacture only known in both classes. Due to its age and
the deepest sealed archives on Mars and to a handful of heritage, the Reaver is slowly
Techno Magos in the Titan Legions. More lightly armed and becoming a testimony to the power
slightly smaller than the Warlord, the Reaver is better suited to and grandeur that the Imperium of
supporting armoured assaults and breaching enemy Mankind once held. Because of this
strongholds. With a carapace mounted multi-launcher, the each Reaver is an ancient artefact
Mars pattern Reaver sends salvos of heavy missiles streaming valued beyond measure, the loss of
at the distant enemy before pinpointing their armour with which is a sore blow to the followers of the Machine God.
powerful turbo-lasers. Having only slightly fewer void shields
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5.5 THE ORKS pouring forth across the galaxy like a green tide of
destruction. Whole planets are razed, millions of captives are
“Ere we go, ere we go, ere we go…”
put to work in crude factories building ever more weapons
Orks live for war. It’s that simple – if Orks aren’t in battle and vehicles, fuelling the massive Ork thirst for domination.
they’re not really happy. There is something about the din of Luckily, the billions of Orks spread through the galaxy spend
war, the blazing explosions and the feel of a bolter kicking in so much time fighting each other that their desire for battle is
their hands which stimulates their nervous systems and generally sated unless they find themselves faced with an
makes them feel more alive than at any other time. Even obvious threat. If all the Orks were ever to band together in
when they’re not in battle, Orks amuse themselves with a single Waaagh, nothing in the galaxy would have the power
various psychotic leisure activities such as vicious pit fights, to stop them.
racing bikes and buggies at lethal speeds, and generally
scrapping amongst themselves. The Origins Of The Orks
The records of the Imperium portray a long history of contact
Although the Orks constantly raid neighbouring worlds, this between Man and Ork but reveal few details of Orkish
is a minor threat when compared to the devastating ferocity origins. What has become clear is that the Orks are the
of an Ork Waaagh! Occasionally an Ork Warlord will rise remnants of a once diverse race of green-skinned creatures
above the infighting and squabbling and weld together a vast whose colonies extended over most of the galaxy. This
army to rampage across the galaxy. As the Waaagh begins the ancient Ork race appears to have been divided into three
Ork gods, Gork and Mork, begin to stir their children, distinct physical castes: the slave caste called Grots, the
instilling them with an even greater desire for battle. Things warrior caste called Orks, and the master or ruling caste
start slowly, the incidence of raids increases, the Orks start known to the Orks as Brain Boyz. The Brain Boyz were the
selecting their war leaders and the Mekboyz begin driving force behind the civilisation, developing technology
construction of strange weapons and vehicles without really and directing the other castes. The Orks and Grots may well
knowing why, or where the ideas come from. have been specialised mutants created deliberately by the
As the Waaagh gathers pace, the Orks become more and more Brain Boyz to performrestricted tasks, but it will probably
agitated, seeking out fresh enemies, using their traktor beams never be known for certain.
to latch onto the space hulks which occasionally drift through Whatever the truth of the matter, the Brain Boyz died out
Ork space. The Orks from a particular area, which may be a long ago, leaving the Orks to inherit the remains of their
single planet or a whole group of star systems depending on civilisation. If Ork legends are anything to go by, the Brain
the power of the Waaagh, start to gather, coalescing in one Boyz died out in a great plague that lasted for many
place like a swarm. The Mekboyz start constructing ever centuries, causing them to dwindle in numbers and
larger war machines – Battle Fortresses and Gargants. The eventually to die out altogether. Fortunately for the Orks, the
Orks’ slaves churn out masses of weapons and armour, Brain Boyz evidently predicted what would happen and took
arming the Orks’ massive mobz with bolters and stikk bomz. steps to preserve what they could of their knowledge by
Then the green-skinned horde erupts into a war-frenzy,
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engineering it into the genetic structure of their slaves. It is as
a result of the Brain Boyz’ efforts that Orks have such a
relatively high level of technology today.
The Ork Race
Orks are a savage, brutal race who love war. They are the
dominant element of a race of Orkoids that includes Orks
and their smaller cousins, Grots and Snotlings. The Orks are
in charge because they are the biggest, toughest, meanest and
most warlike of their kind.
A typical Ork stands about the same height as a man, but
would be taller if he stood up straight. They have robust and
muscular frames, with strong, long arms that end in clumsy
fingers capable of a vice-like grip. Their skulls are thick with
heavy protruding brow-ridges shading their savage red eyes.
The jaw is elongated, and lined with an impressive array of
long canine fangs. Orks’ heads are naturally hairless, and they
have to use special creatures called squigs for hair or beards.
Their hide is tough and green, and bears the scars of many a
fight.
The Ork mind is curiously specialised: it is devoted wholly to
the pursuit of power and war. Orks are brave and tough, and
their bodies have a natural resilience which allows them to
survive traumatic injuries and the most primitive surgery.
They feel very little pain and can keep fighting even if they
lose a limb or sustain a major body wound. Their blood
carries a symbiotic algae through their veins, digesting and
reconstituting damaged body tissue and even rebuilding the Ork metabolism by the Brain Boyz to enable the Orks to
major organs. This unusual physique is common to both survive without their masters. As an Ork matures, any latent
Orks and their smaller cousins, the Grots. In the case of Orks knowledge inherent in his genetic structure starts to make
the ability to survive damage is more highly developed than itself felt, and he assumes a role in society to which he is best
amongst Grots. A Grot’s instincts will tend to carry him away suited.
from danger – usually as fast as his legs will carry him! Warbands and Tribes
Grots The basic Ork fighting unit is the warband, an organisation
Grots are much like Orks, though not as brutal, strong or roughly equivalent to a company in human military terms. A
tough as their larger cousins. Though smaller, Grots are more warband can comprise anywhere between thirty and three
clever and cunning. Orks are lazy and forgetful, and hundred Boyz plus their associated war machines and is
organisation is not their strong point. Only the preparation commanded by a large and aggressive Ork chieftain called the
for war and the excitement of battle really bring out an Ork’s Warboss and his personal retinue of Ork Nobz. Warbands can
innate talents. Because of this, most of the day-to-day running be independent, but are usually organised into larger
of Ork society – finding and preparing food, taking messages, groupings called tribes that are led by powerful Orks known
handling information, fetching and carrying things, as Warlords. A tribe is roughly analogous to an army or the
organising belongings and so on are left to Grots. inhabitants of a planet, but because Orks don’t always settle
in one place for very long, tribes are more important than
The Oddboyz planets to Ork society. Tribes are constantly growing and
If all Orks were nothing more than single-minded killing conquering other tribes, or else being conquered by them, so
machines they would be dangerous enough, but they would Ork society is one of constant strife and change. The Orks
be unable to sustain a significant level of technology. Grots, thrive on this conflict: the strongest rise to the top while the
although obedient if beaten with sufficient regularity, are weak become subservient and thereby benefit from the
neither inventive nor intelligent enough to maintain the superior leadership of their conquerors. To an Ork, this state
spaceships and advanced weaponry that Orks possess, and of affairs is perfectly satisfactory. If an Ork tribe is beaten by
these highly technical demands are met by a group of Orks another, stronger tribe, it welcomes the opportunity to be led
called Oddboyz. into battle by a Warlord of such power!
There are many types of Oddboyz. The most important are A tribe can comprise anything from several hundred to tens
Mekboyz, Painboyz, Runtherdz and Weirdboyz, each of which of thousands of Orks and will usually control an entire
is described in detail later. Others include Brewboyz, Diggerz, continent or world. More commonly, a vaguely habitable
Sumboyz and Yellerz, all of which have their own specialised world will sustain several Ork tribes in a more or less
role in Ork society. perpetual state of war with each other until they join in a
Although it may seem very strange to humans, these Oddboyz Waaargh against non Orks. During a Waaargh, especially
all possess an intuitive understanding of complex technical potent Ork Warlords may succeed in forging an empire from
matters. For example, a Mekboy knows how to create engines their conquests. The largest and most stable of these is
and generators even though he has never been taught to do undoubtably the Ork Empire of Charadon, which has
so. If asked where his knowledge comes from he might say survived for several thousand years under a succession of
that engineering and mechanics were in his blood. If the Warlords. Warlords commanding empires usually select their
Imperium’s scientists are correct then this would be almost own title. Hence the empire of Charadon is ruled over by the
literally true! If appears that bound up within an Ork’s Arch-Arsonist, Octarius by the Over-Fiend, Jagga by the Great
genetic structure are artificial DNA strands that carry Tyrant and so forth.
knowledge. Possibly these DNA strands were implanted into
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Da Clanz Snotling and Grot servants as booty of war. Lastly, there are
Ork society revolves around its clanz, which form the basic the Blood Axes. Blood Axes see themselves as the most
structure of Ork culture. Each clan has its own specific traits forward-thinking of the Orks. They unashamedly mimic the
and values and an Ork raised in a particular clan will adopt Imperium, wearing camouflage uniforms and re-fitting
its virtues and vices as well as its styles of clothing and captured Imperial tanks. Many Blood Axes end up in the
reputation. There are many clanz, of which six predominate. Stormboyz Korps, preferring a life of (fairly) rigid discipline,
Foremost amongst the clanz are the Goffs, who reckon shiny boots and the chest-swelling tramp of feet as they
they’re the hardest of the Ork clanz. Goffs prefer to smash march proudly to war.
their enemies at close range, finishing them off in vicious The Ork Gods
hand-to-hand fighting. The Bad Moons are the richest of the Orks and the Ork Way are strong and powerful forces in the
Ork clanz and buy lots of snazzy equipment and guns. This is universe. Orks are a highly successful race; they seem able to
because Orks use teef (their own teeth!) as currency and Orks survive, expand and prosper almost effortlessly in
of the Bad Moon clan grow their teeth faster than anybody comparison to struggling humanity. The Ork character, which
else! The Snakebites are known as traditionalists, preaching is strong and virtually invulnerable, has its reflection in the
the benefits of ancient Ork beliefs, relying on more natural warp in the form of the mighty, belligerent and boisterous
forms of transport such as war boars and Squiggoths. Ork gods known as Mork and Gork. Gork and Mork are never
Snakebites are known as ferocious fighters, the equal of any defeated, they simply shrug off the blows of the other gods
opponent in close combat. and laugh at them. Gork grins, bears his teeth, and lands a
In contrast are the Evil Sunz who seem to produce more Ork mighty blow on the head of his adversary with his gigantic
engineers and mechanics (known as Mekboyz or Mekaniaks) club. Or Mork, master of low cunning, waits until his foe isn’t
than any of the other clanz. They have lots of Warbikes and looking and then clobbers him with a low blow.
Buggies and many Evil Sunz end up joining the Cult of Speed An idea of the appearance of the Ork gods can be gained
Freeks, spending their lives trying to go as fast as possible on simply by looking at an Ork Gargant, which are constructed
the most outrageous vehicles imaginable. Then there are the in the image of the Ork gods. The Mekboyz who build them
Deathskulls, notorious thieves and looterz, who construct try to create something that represents the essence of
large, highly unreliable but potent weapons known as Orkishnesss in mechanical form. A Gargant is consequently
kustom combi-weapons. These are cobbled together from both the ultimate war machine and a religious idol. These
scraps and remnants left on battlefields, gathered up by their
DESIGN C O N C E P T
Ork Weapons
Ork weapons are hand made by Ork mekaniaks, and while many share broadly similar capabilities, no two are ever
identical. Because of this, in Epic most Ork weapons are divided into different categories, rather than having a
specific name for each one. Doing anything else would create quite the wrong impression about how the Orks make
things, and would mean that an Ork army ended up with a huge variety of weapons all with very similar (if not
identical) effects. The categories we have used are listed below, along with some of the more commonly encountered
weapon types that fall into the category. The most important thing to remember, though, is that no two Ork weapons
are ever exactly the same!
Shootas: The term shoota covers a wide variety of crude machine guns and cannons which spit out a hail of bullets
with accompanying bone-breaking recoil and loud explosions.
Big Shootas: This includes all the different sorts of Ork-portable heavy weapons the Orks use, like big shootas (who’d
have thought it!), rokkit launchas, kustom shootas, skorchas and mega blastas.
Big Guns: This category includes all of the big guns Orks mount on their vehicles and gun carriages. Sub-categories
include the hop-splat gun, the Braincrusha cannon, Ork battlecannons, kustom kannons, Squiggoth bombards, pulsa
rokkits, Squig katapults, and Grot bomb launchas.
Soopaguns: This category includes all of the very large cannons built by Ork mekaniaks. They are usually only built
and mounted on Gargants, but are also built for sieges using scrap looted from the battlefield. They come in all
shapes and sizes, from traktor beam slingshots to huge kannons made from pipelines. Examples include the gut-
buster, deth kannon, magnum mega cannon, cluster busta and numerous others.
Supa-Zzap-Guns: This category includes the more esoteric weapons devised by Ork mekaniaks to deal with
armoured targets. Examples include shokk attack guns, supa-lifta-droppas and bubble chuckers. They are usually
only mounted on Gargants, but will sometimes be built for siege work in the same manner as a soopa gun.
Choppas: Orks call anything that is sharp and used for hand-to-hand fighting a ‘choppa’. The term covers all kinds
of close combat weapons, including knives, axes, cleavers, axes, chainsaws and clubs, and dozens of others far too
numerous to list here!
Big Choppas: This category covers all of the especially large and dangerous close combat weapons used by Orks,
especially Ork Nobz and Warbosses. It includes weapons like power claws, kombat klaws, and ‘uge choppas, as well
as numerous others.
Mega-Choppa: The mega-choppa is the name given to the wide variety of large close combat weapon fitted to Ork
Stompas and Gargants. Examples include the ripper fist, slasha attack gun, ‘ammerer, snapper, and krusher arm.
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great machines behave very much like Ork gods – they
lumber about, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. SPECIAL R U L E
They go exactly where they please, striding from planet to 5.5.1 Mob Rule
planet, and they never shun a fight.
Bikes, Buggies and The Kult Of Speed Orks believe that as long as there’s a bunch of
Orks like to go fast. Speed fulfils some deep need in the them still fighting together (slightly more than
Orkish temperament, just like the thunder of guns, the clank they can count up to is ideal!) then there’s
of tracks and the din of battle. They like to feel the wind on always a chance that they’ll prevail, no matter
their faces, see the dust rising behind them in a big cloud, the odds. To represent this, Ork formations with
and to hear the roar of powerful engines. This being the case more than five units (ie, too many to count on
it is hardly surprising that bikes and buggies of all kinds are the fingers of one hand), not including Gretchin
highly popular with the Orks. They may not be all that heavily or Big Gunz units, receive a +1 modifier to any
armoured, but they are cheap, shooty, and most important of rally rolls they make, and formations with
all, they go dead fast! more than 10 such units receive a +2 modifier.
Vehicles that go really fast have great prestige value, and Orks For the purposes of this rule war engine’s count
will hoard teeth for years to afford a really fast vehicle. each point of starting damage capacity as a
Whenever an Ork takes his buggy or bike to a Mek for repairs, unit.
he always asks “Can yer make it go faster?”. This usually
necessitates a fresh coat of red paint, as well as a bit of noisy
tinkering with the engine. For, as every Ork knows, red ones
go faster! Rivalries among Nobz and Warlords as to who has
the fastest machines leads to reckless racing around the SPECIAL R U L E
perimeter of the Ork settlements. 5.5.2 Power of the Waaagh!
The Orks’ love of fast vehicles – known by the Orks as ‘da
Kult of Speed’ – accounts for the vast array of customised Orks are not noted for their organisational
buggies, bikes and ramshackle vehicles that can be mustered abilities, and thus usually have a pretty low
by an Ork warband. Most are in a constant state of disrepair, initiative rating. However, if there is one thing
with bits falling off every few miles or so. A lot of these that will galvanise an Ork warband, it’s the
vehicles are owned by Meks, who have been known to thought of a good punch-up! Because of this,
attempt repairs while the vehicle is in motion! Orks suffering Ork formations that are attempting to take
from extreme speed addiction find it difficult to stop once engage or double actions receive a +2 modifier
they’ve revved up to full speed. to their action test roll. Ork flyboyz similarly
Ork Weapons relish the chance to shoot things up, and receive
Orks make all kinds of weapons including types based a +2 modifier to their action test roll when
roughly on those used by Imperial forces and the Eldar. This attempting to carry out interception or ground
means the Orks have their own versions of boltguns, flamers, attack actions (see 4.0).
missile launchers and so on. Although Orks understand laser
technology, they don’t really care very much for lasguns and
laspistols, which are not nearly noisy enough for Orky tastes!
Ork weapons are manufactured by Mekaniaks, which means The Waaagh!
that their shape, size and appearance can vary greatly Orks are evolved primarily for fighting, and this sometimes
depending on which Mekboy made them and what was going leads to rivalry and even outright war between the different
on in his head at the time. Sometimes (quite often in fact) a tribes. Although this gives the impression that Orks are
Mekaniak will have a good idea that he happily imagines will disorganised and rebellious, they are actually capable of a
vastly improve an ordinary weapon, giving it extra range, high degree of co-operation. The Techno-magi of the Adeptus
extra power, or several shots at the same time instead of just Mechanicus have identified low levels of background psychic
one. The enthused Mekaniak will disappear into his energy in the minds of Orks and Grots, and this seems to act
workshed for hours or even days, only re-emerging when he like a hormonal stimulus, establishing territories and who is
has completed his magnificent new invention. Occasionally who in the hierarchy of Orkdom.
this process results in a Mekaniak producing an incredibly As a particular Ork Warlord grows in power, other Orks are
effective weapon, but more often than not the weapon will attracted to his armies, and clamour to assume subordinate
be flawed in some small but vital way. positions under his command. This means that Ork armies
Regardless of the actual effectiveness of the weapon, a can assemble very quickly, growing into massive hordes,
Mekaniak will be so enthusiastic about his invention that he appearing out of nowhere and attacking unsuspecting
will be quite unable to admit to any shortcomings it may planets.
have. A Mekaniak is only too pleased to sell his weapon once This process is controlled in some way by the Ork psyche.
it is finished. These special ‘kustom weapons’, as they are When massive Ork armies embark upon wars of conquest,
called, are much sought after by Ork Nobz who are always this psychic stimulus gives rise to what the Orks call a
eager to obtain the best and newest examples of Orky Waaagh! The Waaagh takes hold in the minds of every Ork
workmanship. Even though a kustom weapon may and Grots, driving them towards fresh conquests upon a
malfunction at any moment, especially in the heat of battle, wave of bloodthirsty euphoria. A Waaagh will last until the
many Orks consider it well worth the risk. After all, if the Orks are defeated or until they run out of enemies, after
weapon functions all right on the day it may do incredible which the armies will dissipate and the various Ork factions
damage to the great satisfaction of the owner. divide into mutually antagonistic tribes once more.
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5.5.3 ORK UNITS
The following section describes all of the different units used by the Orks, and provides all of the information you will
need to use them in your games of Epic. Ork armies have a strategy rating of 3, and all Ork formations have an
initiative rating of 3+ and use the “Power Of The Waaagh!”and “Mob Rule” special rules.
The hierarchy of the Orks is defined by size, strength and ferocity rather than charisma or intelligence (though some Ork Bosses
display a certain amount of low cunning). The overall commander of the force is generally known as the Warlord and his direct
subordinates (the mobz’ commanders) are the Warbosses. Each Warboss has his retinue of Nobz who bellow orders at the Boyz.
Promotion can be achieved in a number of ways. Generally it is done in battle, with the superior taking an unlucky shot to the
head and the Warboss noticing a particularly burly Ork nearby who could bash heads together and get the ladz to do what they’re
told. When not at war, most disputes and advances of this nature are settled by a ritual pit fight. These can be to first blood or
a knockout, but generally the two combatants fight to the death, usually using nothing more than their claws and fangs. The
victor’s scars will be a subject of pride and respect, and his authority will be unquestioned until someone else is brave enough
to face him in the pit.
ORK WARLORD
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Character n/a n/a n/a n/a
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Big Choppas (base contact) Assault weapon Macro-weapon,
Extra Attack (+1)
Notes: Character, Supreme Commander
ORK ODDBOYZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Character n/a n/a n/a n/a
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Supa-Zzap-Gun 60cm MW3+ Titan Killer(D3)
OR
Soopagun 60cm 2BP Macro-weapon
Notes: Ork Oddboyz can be one of two types: Big Meks or Slavers. Both are Characters. A Big Mek can be added to a gunwagon or gunfortress and
upgrades one of the big gunz on the vehicle into a Soopagun or Supa-Zzap-Gun with the characteristics shown above. A Slaver may added to a big
gun and upgrades the weapons on the unit into a Soopagun or Supa-Zzap-Gun with the characteristics above.
108
ORK NOBZ the Nobz lead the Boyz into battle and
Nobz are the biggest, toughest and best armed warriors in a are most often found where the
warband. In a race where size matters, leadership is fighting is at its most intense. Their
determined by physical strength and intimidation. Those Orks powerful physical frame encased in
fortunate or devious enough to survive longer than a few mega-armour is almost a match for a
years will reach a physical stature that dwarfs their kin. These Space Marine Terminator, a fact not
massive brutes, known as Nobz are the closest thing the Orks lost amongst those Guardsmen that
have to any kind of command hierarchy. Equipped in the best survived the slaughter by Ghazghkull’s
armour and with the best weapons the warband can muster elite Nobz at Hive Tartarus and the Mannheim Gap.
ORK NOBZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 15cm 4+ 3+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Shootas (15cm) Small arms ––
2 x Big shootas 30cm AP6+/AT6+ ––
Big Choppas (base contact) Assault weapons Extra Attacks (+1)
Notes: Leader
ORK BOYZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 15cm 6+ 4+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Shootas (15cm) Small arms ––
Choppas (base contact) Assault weapons ––
Big shootas 30cm AP6+/AT6+ ––
ORK GROTZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 15cm none 6+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Shootas (15cm) Small arms ––
Notes: Formations that include at least one Ork unit don’t receive Blast markers for Grot units that are killed, and don’t count Grot units that are
lost in an assault when working out who has won the combat.
109
ORK STORMBOYZ battlefield, the Orks stole the idea and created the Stormboyz
Although often mistakenly perceived mob. Considerably cruder, noisier and a lot more dangerous,
as unintelligent savage creatures, Orks the Stormboyz use nothing more sophisticated than a small
posses a natural cunning that can rocket and harness to propel themselves haphazardly over
make them crude but effective obstacles and towards the enemy. Quite naturally those Boyz
tacticians in combat. Seeing how chosen for the task think that it is the best thing ever and aside
effective the humans were at using from the very real chance of them literally detonating mid-
jump packs to rapidly negotiate the flight are viewed with a kind of awe by their more down to
earth kin.
ORK STORMBOYZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 30cm 6+ 4+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Shootas (15cm) Small arms ––
Choppas (base contact) Assault weapons ––
Notes: Jump Packs, Scouts
ORK KOMMANDOS peaks, but also took the station completely by surprise,
Carved into solid rock two thousand securing it intact. Showing a remarkable grasp of discipline
feet up in the Messnier Mountains, the and squad level tactics, traits not generally associated with
Vox-Relay Station “Eagle’s Reach” was Orks, the Kommandos took the station virtually without a
considered to be one of the most fight. Under the Orks’ control, Ghazghkull used the station
secure and impregnable facilities on not only to disrupt communications in the southern
Armageddon. Two weeks into the hemisphere, but also to broadcast directly to the Imperial
Third War, this was dramatically forces in the field. Ghazghkull’s grasp of propaganda and the
proven wrong when a force of Ork Kommandos from the effect on morale was not lost on the Southern Imperial
infamous Blood Axe clan not only scaled the razor sharp Commander who was forced to make arrangements for the
elimination of the station.
ORK KOMMANDOS
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 15cm 6+ 4+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Shootas (15cm) Small arms ––
Choppas (base contact) Assault weapons ––
Big shootas 30cm AP6+/AT6+ ––
Notes: Scouts, Infiltrators
ORK WARBIKES fight on a real danger to those that faced them in battle. After
Ork Warbikes bring together two of an studying the tactics used by the Imperium’s Space Marines
Ork’s favorite things – the chance to during the second war for Armageddon, Ghazghkull made
drive fast and shoot things! During the sure his force not only consisted of an overwhelming number
early days of Ghazghkull’s invasion of of troops, but the ability to strike quickly. Mounted on
Armageddon, it was clear that speed warbikes, large groups of Orks quickly assaulted Imperial
was a factor that Ghazghkull had lines and within a matter of days after the Ork Roks initially
carefully considered. In the past, Ork touched down on Armageddon, several key Imperial supply
invasions had been slow lumbering affairs, the Orks relying routes were dangerously close to being severed. If not for the
on sheer weight of numbers to overwhelm their enemies, timely intervention of several Space Marine Chapters, the
their ability to sustain huge numbers of casualties and still tactic would have been a complete success.
ORK WARBIKES
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Infantry 35cm 5+ 4+ 6+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Twin sawn off Big Shootas 15cm AP5+/AT5+ ––
Notes: Mounted
110
ORK WARBUGGIES/WARTRAKS formations were one of the most
In addition to two-wheeled warbikes, the Orks employ successful forces Ghazghkull employed
numerous four-wheeled light and tracked light vehicles. The during the campaign. Equipped with a
Orks’ surprising mobility drove much of the early stages of range of weapons from Big Shootas to
the Armageddon conflict. Huge swarms of light vehicles such Rokkits and Zzap Gunz, the Buggies
as Buggies and Wartraks engaged the Imperial lines in were as much a threat to Imperial
running battles ahead of Ghazghkull’s main force. Constantly armour as they were to the Guard’s
attacked and harassed by these fast moving formations, the light infantry. Their only true weakness
Imperial Guard defenders had very few opportunities to was their thin armour, which provided
repel the Orks’ giving Ghazghkull plenty of time to deploy his their two-Ork crew with virtually no protection, leaving them
Gargants and heavy siege guns. These ‘Speed Freak’ vulnerable to both heavy weapons and small arms alike.
ORK WARBUGGIES/WARTRAKS
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Light Vehicle 35cm 5+ 5+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Twin Big Shootas 30cm AP5+/AT6+ ––
ORK SKORCHA
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Light Vehicle 35cm 5+ 6+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Skorcha 15cm AP4+ Ignore cover
111
ORK BATTLEWAGONZ What all these vehicles have in common is being able to carry
Unlike the Imperium, Orks don’t use at least ten Ork Boyz, and an armament of one or more
any kind of fixed template for vehicle (usually more!) big shootas. Battlewagonz were at the centre
design, each instead being built from of Ghazghkull’s blitzkrieg towards Hive Volcanus. With so
whatever salvage and materials are to many vehicles at his disposal, Ghazghkull was able to move
hand. This can result in a rather the bulk of his forces, some fifteen thousand Orks across the
ramshackle, but no less effective plains and in sight of Volcanus in under three days. Using their
combination. Because of this, Ork battlewagonz as mobile bunkers, the Orks used their mobility
battlewagons cover a massively diverse array of different Ork to great effect in keeping the Imperial defenders at Volcanus
vehicles, including trukks, ‘aulers, wartrukks and wagonz. hemmed in whilst heavy siege artillery was brought up.
ORK BATTLEWAGONZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle 30cm 5+ 6+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
2 x Twin Big Shootas 30cm AP5+/AT6+ ––
Notes: Transport (may carry any two of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos, Nobz, Warboss, Warlord. Alternatively, one of the two units
transported may be a Big Gun. May carry one Grot in addition to any other units).
ORK GUNWAGONZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle 30cm 5+ 5+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Big gun 45cm AP5+/AT5+ ––
Notes: Transport (may carry any one of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos,
Grots, Nobz, Warboss, Big Boss, Big Gun).
ORK FLAKWAGONZ
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle 30cm 5+ 5+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Flak Gun 30cm 2 x AP6+/AT6+/AA6+ ––
Notes: Transport (may carry any one of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos,
Grots, Nobz, Warboss, Big Boss, Big Gun).
112
BATTLEFORTRESS AND GUNFORTRESS Infernus, no fewer than thirty
The Battlefortress, and its closely related counterpart, the Battlefortresses and Gunfortresses
Gunfortress, are huge versions of Ork battlewagons and were counted by Salamander
gunwagons respectively. With additional weaponry and the reconnaissance teams, each displaying
benefit of more armour plating, these super heavy vehicles banners and glyphs pertaining to one
are usually only seen in engagements where one of more Ork or more Warlords. The force was
Warlords are present or a large proportion of the force is eventually driven off by the combined
made up of more influential Nobz. Their increase in might of Titans from Legio Metallica
firepower turns what were already effective fighting vehicles and Legio Ignatum, but not before the
into a truly formidable ones, putting them close on a par with loss of three Warlord Class Titans and a single Warhound
the Imperium’s Baneblade. During the assault on Hive Scout Titan made the victory a costly one for the Imperium.
ORK BATTLEFORTRESS
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine 30cm 4+ 4+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
4 x Twin Big Shootas 30cm AP5+/AT6+ ––
Big Gun 45cm AP5+/AT5+ ––
Damage Capacity 3. Critical Hit Effect: The attack hits the Battlefortress’s running gear and it flips over.
The Battlefortress comes to rest D6cm away in a random direction, hitting anything it lands on. The
Battlefortress is destroyed and any units on board will only survive on a roll of 6.
Notes: Transport (may carry any eight of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos, Nobz. One of the units transported may be a Big Gun. May
carry four Grots in addition to any other units).
ORK GUNFORTRESS
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine 30cm 4+ 4+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
5 x Twin Big Shootas 30cm AP5+/AT6+ ––
3x Big Gun 45cm AP5+/AT5+ ––
Damage Capacity 3. Critical Hit Effect: The attack hits the Battlefortress’s running gear and it flips over.
The Battlefortress comes to rest D6cm away in a random direction, hitting anything it lands on. The
Battlefortress is destroyed and any units on board will only survive on a roll of 6.
Notes: Transport ( may carry any eight of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos, Nobz. One of the
units transported may be a Big Gun. May carry four Grots in addition to any other units).
113
ORK KILLA KAN peculiar and ungainly at first sight, Killa Kans can produce a
The Killa Kan is smaller and more surprising turn of speed when their Ork pilot is sufficiently
lightly armed than a Dreadnought, but frenzied, a fact not always appreciated by the average
are none the less a dangerous foe in Guardsmen until they have found themselves suddenly face to
close combat. They are equipped with claw with one! The Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer
a deadly power claw and big shoota. recommends the best tactic to use against a Killa Kan is either
Killa Kans accompany Ork mobs in to ram it with the armoured dozer blade of a Chimera
small groups, the Killa Kan’s armour knocking it over, or wedge a grenade into the leg actuators. It
providing reasonable protection against most small arms fire. is not recorded who discovered the latter technique or
Although they have a rolling gait that can appear quite whether they survived the encounter.
ORK DREADNOUGHT buttons, although the end effect is much the same. With a pair
In a sickening parody of the rituals of savage close combat weapons at their disposal and a couple
used by the Adeptus Astartes to of heavy weapons, Ork Dreadnoughts are virtually
entomb a mortally wounded brother unstoppable once they get into close combat. During the
within the sarcophagus of a assault on the Helsreach shipyards, three Dreadnought Mobs
Dreadnought, Ork Doks and Meks descended on the Ironside Docks, their thickly armoured
sometimes perform the same task on hides and heavy shootas easily outshooting the lightly armed
Boyz to wire them into the controls of Hive Militia. The predictable result was a massacre of the
an Ork Dreadnought. Fortunately, for most Ork Dreadnought Imperial defenders, resulting in the Orks holding the
pilots this is not always the case and most Ork Dreadnoughts shipyards for several weeks until Space Marine and
are controlled through a confusing array of levers and Stormtrooper reinforcements drove them back out.
ORK DREADNOUGHT
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle 15cm 4+ 4+ 5+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
2 x Big Shootas 30cm AP6+/AT6+ ––
Kombat Klaws (base contact) Assault weapon Macro-weapon, Extra Attacks (+1)
Notes: Walker
ORK BIG GUNZ Shokk Attack Guns. All are used to pound the enemy into
Ork Mekaniaks constantly create a submission from afar, before the weight of the Ork Boyz close
plethora of bizarre weapons and tanks. in to crush the enemy in a final brutal assault. Unfortunately,
Many of these are battlefield support very few Ork Boys are capable of holding themselves back
weapons which move forward with the from a good scrap in order to man the supporting artillery,
boyz to lend some heavy firepower to and because of this Big Guns are usually crewed by Grots,
the fight. They take all manner of who are kept in line by a Slaver or the Ork meknaiak that built
shape and design, from the crude but the gunz being used.
effective Squig Katapult to the strange and ungainly Traktor
Kannons, Smasha Guns, Splatta Kannons, Pulsa Rokkits and
114
ORK SUPA-STOMPA Stompas are thankfully a rare sight on
Supa-Stompas occupy a middle ground between the smaller the battlefield. Although it is uncertain
Stompa and a fully fledged Gargant. With an impressive array of how many were landed on Armageddon
weapons, Supa-Stompas are most often commanded by Boss as part of the Orks ‘Stompa Mobs’, the
Meks who have built one for themselves from the spare scrap sheer number of heavy weapons
left over from a Gargant construction. Supa-Stompas are deadly available at a Supa-Stompas Kaptain
tank killers and more than capable of taking on an Imperial disposal have made them a primary
Titan far greater in size if they have to. Rated by General Kurov target to both Shadowsword and Titan
as one of the deadliest war engines at the Orks’ disposal, Supa- commanders alike.
ORK STOMPA
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Armoured Vehicle 15cm 4+ 4+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
2-3 x Big Guns 45cm AP5+/AT5+ ––
0-1 Kombat ‘Ammer 30cm AP5+/AT6+ and ––
(base contact) Assault weapon Macro-weapon, Extra Attacks (+1)
Notes: Reinforced Armour, Walker. May be armed with 3 big guns or 2 big guns and 1 Kombat ‘Ammer.
The Kombat ‘Ammer may shoot and be used as an assault weapon. It only has the Macro-weapon and Extra
Attack abilities when used in an assault.
115
ORK GARGANT Mechanicus, Gargants are nevertheless lumbering bastions of
Standing the height of a four storey destruction, more than capable of obliterating entire
building and bristling with guns and companies of infantry and tanks. In Ghazghkull’s war horde
kustom force fields, the Gargant is the alone no fewer than eighteen Gargants were counted, this
most prominent War Engine number rising to forty when combined with the forces of Ork
constructed by the Orks. Gargants are Warlords Morfang, Skarfang and Burzuruk. The threat of such
built in the approximate image of the a large number of powerful war engines was quickly realised
Orks’ patron deities Gork and Mork, by the Imperial defenders of Armageddon, and the Adeptus
and are the pride of every Warboss who has managed to bully, Mechanicus tasked the Titan Legios Invigilata, Magna and
coerce or otherwise persuade a gang of Mekboyz into building Victorum with the destruction of the Orks gargantuan
one for him. Although not as technologically advanced as the machines, a task not easily completed without great loss to
Titans and other great war machines of the Adeptus the Imperium’s Titan Legions.
ORK GARGANT
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine 15cm 3+ 3+ 3+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Gaze of Mork 30cm MW4+ Titan Killer
2-3 x Soopaguns 60cm 2BP Macro-weapon, Fixed Forward Arc
0-1 x Supa-Zzap-Gun 60cm MW3+ Titan Killer (D3) Fixed Forward Arc
0-1 x Mega-choppa 45cm AP5+/AT5+ and Fixed Forward Arc
(base contact) Assault weapon Titan Killer (D3), Extra Attacks (+1)
D3+3 Power Fields. Damage Capacity 8. Critical Hit Effect: The Gargant catches fires. Roll a D6 for
each fire burning on the Gargant in the end phase of each turn. On a roll of 1 a second fire starts,
and on a roll of 5-6 the fire is put out. Any fires not put out cause one point of damage.
Notes: Reinforced Armour. Fearless, Walker. May be armed with 3 soopaguns or 2 soopaguns and
either 1 mega-choppa or 1 supa-zzap-gun. The mega-choppa may shoot and be used as an assault
weapon. The mega-choppa’s Titan Killer and Extra Attack abilities may only be used in an assault.
ORK GREAT GARGANT Gargant Skullsmasha led the assault on the ‘Iron Line’
Ork Great Gargants are more powerful defences surrounding the Chaya Ranas Ore facility. Likewise in
even than the massive Gargants of the Mannheim Gap, Warlord Thogfang’s Great Gargant Da
Ghazghkull’s horde. Fortunately for Pain Hamma was instrumental in the massacre of the
the Empire of Mankind they are very Celestial Lions’ assault on the construction yards. Although
rare, and the few Great Gargants that the Skullsmasha was eventually crippled and destroyed by the
have been seen on Armageddon were Adeptus Mechanicus Ordinatus used to help defend the
reserved for Ghazgkhull himself and Imperial outpost at Sreya Rock, many Great Gargants are still
those warlords in Ghazghkull’s army that wielded the most at large on Armageddon and represent a potent threat to
power. In the Fire Wastes, Urgok the Unstoppable’s Great Imperial forces on the planet.
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ORK FIGHTA BOMMERS Ascention finally defeated the Orks in
Neither elegant or attractive, the Ork Fighta Bommer wings a three hour aerial battle over Hades
on Armageddon have nevertheless proved savagely effective Gap. Even with the loss of one of the
at dominating the skies above the planet. Operating out of Orks’ most infamous pilots, the Fighta
airfields in the frozen peninsula of the Deadlands and the Bommer squadrons demonstrated
orbiting Kroozer fleet, the latticework of black exhaust trails their total superiority of
has become a common sight over Armageddon’s war torn Armageddon’s skies long into the
landscape. Led by the then notorious ‘Green Barun’, three Third War. Only when the “Orkwick”
squadrons of ‘Da Red Choppas’ preyed on Imperial supply Airfield was eventually captured
lines and shipping for over two months until a combined towards the end of the war was this
Imperial strike force of the 301st Airwing and Cruiser position ever challenged.
ORK LANDA
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine, Aircraft Bomber 5+ 6+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Gun Turrets 15cm D6+3 x AP5+/AA6+ ––
2 x Tankbusta Rokkits 30cm AT4+ Fixed Forward Arc
Damage Capacity 3. Critical Hit Effect: The Landa’s pilot is killed and the Landa crashes to the ground, killing all on board.
Notes: Planetfall, Reinforced Armour, Transport (may carry ten of the following units: Boyz, Kommandos, Stormboyz, Grots, Nobz, Attack Bikes,
Buggies, Skorchas, Deth Koptas, Killa Kans, Dreadnoughts. All light vehicles and Dreadnoughts (but not Killa Kans) take up two spaces each).
SPECIAL R U L E
Power Fields
Some Ork war engines are protected by banks of
power fields. The number each war engine has is
noted on its datasheet. Power fields work in
exactly the same manner as Imperial Void
Shields (see 5.4.1), with the sole exception that
they may not be repaired once they have been
knocked down by a hit, and will instead remain
down for the remainder of the battle.
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ORK KILL KROOZER hundreds of which assaulted Armageddon as part of
Constructed from the hulks of Ghazghkull’s invasion force. Easily a match for an Imperial
abandoned ships and any scrap that can cruiser sized capital ship in firepower, Ork Kroozer Kaptins
be salvaged, Ork Kroozers are like nothing better than to use their ship’s massive engines to
monolithic superstructures with patch- ram Imperial craft with their reinforced fang–like prow. With
worked hull plates and compartments. most of the Orks’ gun batteries devastatingly effective at close
With cavernous internal bays holding range, Imperial Captains have learned to maintain a healthy
huge numbers of Orks and their many distance form the Kroozers, punishing them at extreme range
vehicles, Kroozers form the mainstay of the Ork fleet, with Nova Cannon and torpedoes.
ORK BATTLEKROOZER showing them bristling with heavy gun batteries and beam
Ork Battlekroozers are considerably weapons along their flanks and dorsal superstructure. Four of
larger than Kill Kroozers, and have the ships became notorious during the campaign for their
launch bays that allow them to deploy involvement in the invasion, most notably the Dethdeala and
assault craft. When Ghazghkull’s vast Gorbag’s Revenge. As invasion flagships, these two vessels
fleet was first detected entering the alone landed close to two hundred thousand Orks onto
Armageddon sector, augers and long Armageddon via teleporta and landakraft before withdrawing
ranged sensors identified a new class of to spearhead the hunt for the withdrawing Imperial Navy.
ship hidden amongst the clutter of Roks and Hulks. Classified Accompanied by a further two battleships; the Slambasta and
as a Battleship class, the new vessels were much larger even Kroolboy they became a powerful core to the Orks fleet
than the Kroozers, reconnaissance pictures of the fleet operations in the Armageddon sector.
ORK BATTLEKROOZER
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
Spacecraft n/a n/a n/a n/a
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Orbital Bombardment n/a D6+3BP Macro-weapons
Notes: Transport (may carry up to 12 Ork Landas plus the troops carried in them). Slow and steady –– may not be used on the first or second
turn of a game unless the scenario specifically states otherwise.
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ORK CLANS
Ork armies are basically Ork societies on the move. Their no nonsense philosophy is reflected in
their brightly coloured vehicles. Each clan favours a particular colour scheme overladen with Ork
glyphs and other stark patterns. As each Mekboy constructs a vehicle to his Boss’ orders, he
embellishes it with details such as extra spikes, red paint to make it go faster and a myriad of other
small adjustments. However, beneath the bright patterns and bold proclamations of wealth and
power, the vehicle’s engine spews forth oil and smoke, stained with rust with only the shiny heads
of new nails showing through the grime and filth. The Ork Gargants are equally colourful, moving, fighting idols to the gods
Gork and Mork. Massive banners hang from their hulls and weapons, each displaying the Warboss’ or Warlord’s
achievements. To Orks, a dreadnought or a warbike is far more than a simple war machine, it is a status symbol and reflects
their own prosperity and skill in battle. Each Ork goes to great lengths to ensure his tank or buggy is the biggest, brightest,
hardest-looking vehicle on the battlefield in an attempt to outdo all his fellow Orks in the quest for recognition and respect.
Bikes
Warbuggy
Battlewagon
Stompa
Battlewagon
Boarboyz
Kommandos
Battlewagon
created from a
Squigoth Wierdboy looted Rhino
Dreadnought
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6.0 EPIC GAMING
“Myriad are the ways of war. The lightning strike, the tenacious defence, the cunning ruse; all have their time and
place, oft as not dictated by the lie of the land or balance of forces that you find at your disposal. The art of war
is learning how to bind the tactics, terrain and forces at your command to your advantage.”
Imperium Tactica
By now you will know the rules for Epic, the forces that you information presented in this book. In effect, we’re simply
can command, and the background to the Armageddon saying “Look, you can play Epic like this, or like this, or like
campaign. This section of the book describes the different this…” in order to give you some idea of the possibilities.
ways that you can use these things in order to create exciting This said, some methods of play are more popular than
and interesting tabletop wargames to play. Because of the others. Of the methods we discuss in this section,
open-ended nature of the Epic rules, there are many different ‘tournament play’ with its army lists, points value and simple
ways you can choose to play games, and describing them all ‘line up and fight’ scenario has proved far and away the most
in detail would fill a rulebook several times the size of this popular with the playtesters that have helped develop the
slim volume. Instead of trying to do this we have Epic rules. This is understandable; it is easier to collect
concentrated on three of the more popular styles of play to armies, find opponents and organise games when using the
use as examples of ways that you can play games of Epic. You tournament rules than it is to create your own scenarios or
will find articles about other forms of gaming in White Dwarf set up and run campaigns. However, just because
and Fanatic magazines (details of which can be found in the tournament play is more popular than the other forms of
Appendices section at the end of the rules), along with gaming just described doesn’t make it intrinsically any better
articles focusing on aspects of the styles of play described (or worse) –– it just makes it different. The aim of the Epic
here. The three styles of play we have focused on are Gaming section is therefore to show you as many different
tournament games, scenarios, and campaigns. These are styles of play as possible, and then let you choose the style
described below, and then specific rules and guidelines are that suits your tastes best. In other words, we want to reveal
given for each method of play. Then it is up to you how you the whole breadth of the Epic hobby, rather than just one
decide exactly how you want to use the rules and small part of it.
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Tournament Games would cost many more points than a humble Leman Russ, as
As has already been mentioned, tournament games are the the Baneblade will have a much greater impact on the course
single most popular form of Epic game. This is mainly of the game. Players are then given the freedom to choose
because it is the easiest way to play Epic. All you have to do troops from their army list to a set points value. For example,
is use the army lists to collect an army, safe in the knowledge players might agree to play a 2,000 point game, in which case
that you can use it to play an even and balanced game even each could pick troops worth 2,000 points from their own
against a complete stranger, something that is simply not army list. As long as the army lists have been worked out
possible with scenarios or campaigns. In order to achieve this properly, then any two armies with the same points value will
happy state of affairs, tournament games require three have an equal chance of winning, although the actual
things: army lists, points values, and a set of tournament composition of each army may be radically different, even if
game rules. both are chosen from the same list. Returning to our prior
An army list, as its name implies, is a list of units and example, one player might choose to take a few Baneblades,
formations that can be used by an army. What sets it apart while his opponent chooses to take a horde of Leman Russ,
from a simple order of battle, such as the forces included in but as long as the points values for the two units have been
the training scenarios presented earlier in this rulebook, is worked out properly then each player will have the same
that it is a list of things you can use in your army rather than chance of winning the game.
a list of things you must use. So, for example, a Space Marine The final piece of the jigsaw is the tournament game rules. In
army list would say something along the lines of: “You may order to create a fair and balanced contest, tournament
have the following things in your army: Space Marine Tactical games need to have a method of setting up the terrain,
detachments, Space Marine Assault detachments, Space deploying the armies, and determining the winner that is as
Marine Terminator detachments…” and so on. Army lists even as possible for both sides. These are known as the
usually focus on one army, for example Space Marines, or tournament game rules, and they need to be set out in
Imperial Guard, or Orks, though some cover combined or advance along with the army lists, so that a player can choose
allied forces. In addition, army lists can either be ‘generic’ his army knowing what sort of battle he will be fighting.
and cover all armies of that type, or ‘specific’ and cover a Because of the desire to create an even contest, tournament
particular army or famous regiment. For example, a generic game rules tend to be quite simple. Terrain will usually be
Space Marine army list would allow you to collect any kept to a minimum and not include too many exotic features,
Chapter, while a Blood Angels army list would only allow and both armies will usually deploy in a ‘set-up zone’ near
Blood Angel units to be used. The advantage of specific lists their own table edge. Victory conditions can be quite
is that they can include more interesting and characterful complex, but will almost always be the same for both sides (a
units, while a generic list lacks this level of detail but gives process called ‘mirroring’). A very common set of
the player more freedom in terms of painting and modelling. tournament game victory conditions is to play for a certain
Of course, if players were simply allowed to pick any units or number of turns, and then for each player to count up the
formations they liked from an army list then there is no way points value of destroyed enemy units to see who has won. A
that tournament games could be fair – the player with the variation on this theme is for each player to place a certain
largest collection of models would always have a big number of ‘objective markers’ in the opposing half of the
advantage! Because of this, each formation and unit in an table, with the winner being the player that has captured the
army list is given a points value The points value shows how most objectives at the end of the game. Previous versions of
effective the unit or formation is when it is used in a Epic have used a combination of these two methods, with
tournament game. So, for example, a mighty Baneblade tank players winning points for destroying the enemy and
121
capturing objectives, to determine the winner. However, make when picking an army need to be constrained or
whatever rules are actually used, the aim is always to create limited in some way in order to keep the game balanced. A
as even a contest as possible between the two armies picked good example of this kind of thing is what is commonly
from the army lists, and this usually leads to fairly straight- known as ‘min-maxing’. A good tournament game player will
forward ‘line up and fight’ battles with a minimum of terrain often try to ‘max-out’ on certain powerful units, usually ones
and mirrored victory conditions for both sides. that stretch the game mechanics in some way. In Epic, an
The overall effect of this is to create a game that is ideal for example of this kind of unit is Imperial Titans. These are
‘pick-up’ games between two players that have not met each powerful units and no mistake, but if one is powerful on its
other before. Tournament games allow the player to simply own, three such units are even more powerful, so a good
go ahead and collect an army, choosing whichever models tournament player will be drawn to trying to field such an
they like within the constraints of the army list, and then turn army – it’s the old adage of “everything counts in large
up at a club or gaming event, find an opponent, and play amounts”. In order to stop players min-maxing, army lists
knowing that the game will be as fair and even as possible. will often include some kind of limit on the number of
powerful units that can be taken. For example, you might
Scenarios only be allowed to spend 10% or 20% of your points on
While tournament games create an even contest and are Titans, or only be allowed a maximum of one in the army.
extremely easy to set up, they do so at a certain cost. This is Two other areas where tournament games will be limited is
because the rules used and the choices a player is allowed to in the ability to use models not covered by the army lists, and
in having to use simple ‘line up and fight’ deployment rules
and ‘mirroring’ victory conditions.
What all of these balancing mechanisms create is a game that
can’t really cover all of the possibilities of the game
background. For example, the tournament army list
described earlier doesn’t allow a player to field an all-Titan
force, even though such a thing could easily happen on
Armageddon. It is because of these limitations and
abstractions that many players prefer to play scenarios
instead of tournament games. The main difference between
a scenario and a tournament game is that a scenario is
devised in advance by one of the players, who will determine
what forces are used, how they are set up, what the terrain is
like, and what the victory conditions will be. The training
scenarios that appeared earlier in this book and that you
should (we hope!) have played are perfect examples of pre-
designed scenarios.
The advantage that scenarios offer is that they are
unconstrained in any way, and allow you to explore things
that are simply not possible in tournament games. For
example, any student of military history will tell you that a
common feature of most campaigns is desperate rear-guard
actions where a horribly out-numbered force attempts to
delay an overwhelmingly superior attacker. Lop-sided battles
like this are next to impossible to set up in tournament
games, but very easy to do as a scenario. Scenarios also allow
players to field formations or units that they have created
themselves. It’s easy to come up with a scenario that allows
one side to field an all-Titan force, for example. What’s more,
it’s easy to include scratch-built or converted models in a
scenario, and very hard to do so in a tournament game that
requires extensive playtesting to get the points value for each
unit exactly right.
However, with this great freedom (some might say great
power), there also comes great responsibility on the part of
the player devising the scenario, as it is their job to create a
challenging, interesting and characterful game that will be
fun for both players. It helps if both sides feel they have a
chance of winning too, though this is a lot less important
than in tournament games. (As an aside, the designer has
always enjoyed playing games where he controls an
‘underdog’ with little chance of winning, as it gives him a
good excuse if he loses, and far more glory if he wins!)
Devising such a scenario takes time, it’s not something easily
done ‘off the cuff ’ at the start of a game, and as scenarios
often also rely on having certain types of model available, this
means they are usually best suited to small groups of players
that meet on a regular basis and trust each other’s
judgement. It is mainly for this reason that scenarios are
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played less than tournament games. On the other hand, interesting and more exciting than they would have been as
players that are lucky enough to be a member of a regular ‘one-off ’ battles.
gaming group and who start playing scenarios generally find Because of the need for continuity, what all campaigns also
that they become their preferred method of play. require is an organiser. This selfless individual will take it
Campaigns upon themselves to decide how exactly the campaign will
A third and highly popular way of playing Epic is as part of a work, and will then gather the players together, cajole them
campaign. What differentiates campaign games from into playing their games on time, and keep track of the
tournament games and scenarios, is that campaign games are results and do any other record keeping that is required.
not one-off battles, but instead form part of a sequence of More often than not all this work, along with a need to
games that are linked together in some way. There are lots of appear unbiased, will mean that they won’t get to play in the
different ways to run campaigns, some of which are campaign themselves. On the other hand, the sheer pleasure
discussed in detail later on in this book, but they all share provided to the participants by a well-run campaign is usually
two traits. These two traits are that the games form part of a reward enough!
series of games, and that there needs to be an organiser who These two requirements (ie, continuity and an organiser)
will set up and run the campaign. mean that campaigns are best suited to clubs or gaming
What makes a campaign special is that each battle is part of a groups that meet regularly and have reliable players. If these
series of battles where the result of each game can affect the are available, they are arguably the most satisfying and
overall result of the campaign. This can work in a number of involving way of playing Epic, thanks to the depth the
ways. At its simplest level a campaign can be a tournament campaign adds to any battles that are fought as part of it.
game league, where a record is kept of the battles that Conclusion (or ‘Money Where Mouth Is’)
players have won and lost, and the results posted so that In the rest of the Gaming section of the Epic rulebook, we
players can see how well they are doing compared to will provide concrete examples of each of these different
everyone else. At its most extreme, a campaign involves maps methods of play. First we provide the ‘official’ Epic
that the opposing armies can manoeuvre over before Tournament Game rules and army lists. After that we discuss
transferring action to the tabletop when opposing forces different methods of designing scenarios, and provide some
meet, with detailed orders of battle, supply rules, and examples of scenarios that we have devised and played
anything else the players can think of and wish to include. ourselves. Finally, we discuss some different methods of
Although very different, both of these are campaigns, running campaigns.
because the result of each and every battle directly affects the Hopefully you’ll be able to use these examples to tailor Epic
outcome of the campaign. This can add a whole new to suit your own needs. When all is said and done, the single
dimension and depth to the battles that are fought as part of biggest advantage that tabletop wargames have over other
the campaign, be they a tournament game grudge match forms of game is that you can get right in there and ‘tinker’
between two top-ranked opponents in a ladder campaign, or with the rules if you want to. We advise and encourage you
a scenario for a pivotal strategic battle in a map-based to do exactly that – pick the style of play that suits you best,
campaign. In both these examples, the fact that the game and make the Epic game system what you want it to be!
takes place in a campaign setting makes them more
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6.1 EPIC TOURNAMENT GAME the player with the higher strategy rating may choose the
table edge he sets up on. If both players have the same
RULES strategy rating, then dice to see who gets the choice of table
The Epic tournament game rules are designed to be used in edge. You can pick a long edge, or a corner (half way up each
conjunction with the Epic tournament army lists. They will long and short edge). The opponent sets up on the opposite
allow two players to fight an evenly balanced battle with little edge or corner.
or no preparation. They are ideal for pick-up games at clubs
The tournament game rules have been designed to be played
or shows, and provide an evenly balanced contest in
on tables that are 90-150cm wide by 150-240cm long (that’s
tournaments.
3-5 feet by 5-8 feet for you non-metric types!) The ideal size
In many ways, tournament games represent the most ‘basic’ is round-about 120cm by 180cm (4 feet by 6 feet). It is
form of game play, and are designed to be as easy and possible to play games on tables that are wider or longer than
accessible as possible in order to allow Epic players to play this, but this may favour certain armies and could lead to
games with the minimum of fuss. Because of this, the anunbalanced game.
tournament rules require little or no preparation other than
6.1.3 The Five Minute Warm Up
picking forces from the army lists, while the army lists are
Tabletop miniatures wargaming is not an exact science. One
designed to work with the packaged range of Epic miniatures
person’s line of sight is another’s blocked line of fire, some
produced by Games Workshop, making it easy for players to
people love pre-measuring, others hate it, and so on.
put together an army. Later sections include rather more
Because of this after you have set up the terrain for a game
advanced rules and guidelines that will allow experienced
you should spend five minutes going through things like how
players to design their own unique formations and units for
the line of fire rules will work, how the terrain features used
use in scenarios or campaigns of their own devising.
will work, and so on. Here are some of the things you may
6.1.1 Forces want to discuss:
Both players pick armies to an agreed points total between
• The ‘Counts As’ Rule (see 6.2.1)
2,000 to 5,000 points using the tournament army lists. It is
possible to play games using the tournament rules for larger • Lines of Sight and Lines Of Fire
or smaller games than this, but please note that the army lists • Fire Arcs on units
have been balanced assuming that armies will fall within this
range, and this means that larger or smaller games may be • Pre-measuring
slightly unbalanced. • Templates and if units are ‘in or out’
6.1.2 Set-up • Terrain features – what do they count as on the terrain
Set up the terrain for the game in any mutually agreeable chart, when are units ‘in’ terrain
manner. If one player sets up the terrain then his opponent
• How you will show if a formation is broken, in overwatch
may choose where to deploy. If you set up the terrain as a
or has marched this turn.
joint effort or it was set up by a tournament organiser then
• Anything else you can think of!
DESIGN CONCEPT
Tournament Terrain
The tournament game rules will work on any type of terrain. However, especially dense or extremely sparse terrain will
favour some armies or troop choices over others. An Ork army with a lot of Boyz will do well on a table covered with
lots of terrain, for example, while an Ork army with lots of buggies and gunwagons will do better on a table with sparse
terrain. In addition, certain terrain features can favour one army over another. Having a river running the length of the
table will favour an army with a lot of skimmers and aircraft. You get the idea, I’m sure.
Because of this, we recommend you use the following guidelines when setting up terrain for tournament games. These
are not a set of hard and fast rules, but if they are used will ensure a well-balanced game no matter what army or units
are taken.
• We recommend the use of terrain features when playing tournament games in preference to modular terrain (see
the Appendices for a more detailed description of the two types of terrain).
• Terrain features can be of pretty much any type, but should be roughly 15-30cm across. Hills can be up to twice this
size. See below for a note of how to deal with rivers and roads.
• Divide the table into 60cm (2 foot) square areas. The total number of terrain features placed should be equal to
twice the number of 60cm square areas. For example, if you were playing on a 120cm by 180 cm, you would have
six areas and should place 12 terrain features.
• Within the limits above, place between 0-4 features in each 60cm square.
• The terrain may include one river. Rivers count as a terrain feature for each area that they run through. They need
to enter on one table edge and leave from another, and should not be greater in length than the shortest table edge.
For example, on a 120cm by 180cm table, the river should not be more than 120cm long. There should be a bridge
or ford every 30cm along the river.
• Roads may be added after all terrain features have been placed. Any number of roads may be used. They need to
enter on one table edge and either exit from another or end at a terrain feature.
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6.1.4 Place Objective Markers 6.1.6 Set-up Remaining Formations
Take it in turns, starting with the player with the higher strategy All of the remaining formations in the players’ armies must
rating, to place one objective marker on the table. If both be set up within 15cms of their own side’s table edge or be
players have the same strategy rating then dice to see who kept back ‘in reserve’. The players take it in turn to set up
places the first objective marker. these formations one at a time, starting with the player with
The first objective a player sets up must be placed on their own the higher strategy rating.
table edge. The remaining two objectives must be set up in Units kept in reserve must either aircraft, or be going to enter
their opponent’s half of the table, at least 30cm away from the play in a transport aircraft or by teleportation. Reserve
opponent’s table edge and 30cm away from any other formations entering play in aircraft or by teleportation
objectives that have already been placed. should be placed aside with units that wwill enter play via
Keep placing objectives until six objective markers have been planetfall. These formations are not ‘secret’ and your
placed on the table in total. You can use anything as an opponent may inspect them at any time.
objective marker but we would suggest using terrain pieces to Units being transported must start the game already loaded
represent them if you can. In our game,s we’ve found that into the transport vehicle that will bring them into play (ie,
battling over an actual bunker or fuel dump is far more an aircraft or unit with the planetfall ability).
appealing than having your forces sell their lives for a Formations entering play in aircraft or from spacecraft can do
cardboard counter! so on any turn, following the rules for transport aircraft and
You capture an objective if you have a unit within 15cms of it planetfall (see 4.2.5 & 4.4) Formations that are in reserve
in the end phase and your opponent does not. An objective is may not carry out any game functions or use special abilities
contested if both sides have a unit within 15cms of it in the end they may have.
phase. Units from broken formations or from formations that 6.1.7 Victory Conditions
have rallied that end phase can not capture or contest You must check to see if either player has won at the end of
objectives. the third and fourth game turns. If neither player has won at
Check at the end of each turn to see how many objectives you the end of the fourth turn then the ‘tiebreaker’ rule is used
control. Objectives do not have a ‘memory’ and you will lose to determine the winner.
control of any you have captured if there are no friendly units Each player is trying to achieve five things known as goals.
within 15cms of them at the end of any subsequent turn. You win if you have achieved two of these goals in the end
phase of turns three or four, and you have achieved more
goals than your opponent. The five goals are: Blitzkrieg,
Break Their Spirit, Defend The Flag, Take And Hold, and
They Shall Not Pass.
Blitzkrieg: You achieve this goal by capturing the objective
that was set up on the opponent’s table edge at the start of
the game (ie, the first objective each player set up).
Break Their Spirit: You achieve this goal by destroying (not
breaking) the formation worth the most points in the
opposing army. If several formations are tied for the most
points, you achieve this goal by destroying any one of them.
Defend To Flag: You achieve this goal if you control all three
objectives in your half of the table.
6.1.5 Setup Spacecraft & Garrisons Take And Hold: You achieve this goal by capturing a total of
If either player is using spacecraft then they are set up now two objectives in your opponent’s half of the table.
before any other units (see 4.3). Units entering play via They Shall Not Pass: You achieve this goal if there are no
planetfall should be placed to one side at this time too (see unbroken enemy formations in your half of the table.
4.4).
If neither player has won at the end of the fourth or any
On-table garrison units are set up after spacecraft have been subsequent turn then both players roll a D6 to see if the
set up. The following types of formations may be set up on game carries on another turn or ends in a tiebreak.
the table as ‘garrisons’ at the start of the game:
If both players roll the same number then the game carries
• Formations where half or more of the units (rounding up) on for another turn and the players must roll again at the end
are scouts OR of the next turn to see if the game ends or carries on another
• Formations where no more than one of the units has a turn, and so on.
move greater than 15cms, and where none of the units are If the players roll different numbers then the game ends in a
war engines OR tiebreak. Each player scores a number of victory points equal
• Any formations that include units with a speed of 0 (zero). to the full points value of any enemy formations that have
been completely destroyed, plus the full points value of any
Players take it in turns to set up one garrison at a time, enemy formations that are broken and have been reduced to
starting with the player with the higher strategy rating. half strength or less, plus half the value of any formation
Garrisons must be set up so that they have at least one unit reduced to half strength or less but is not broken, plus half
within 15cm of an objective in the player’s own half of the the value of any formation that is broken but is above half
table. No units may be set up in the opponent’s half of the strength. Whoever has the higher points score is the winner.
table or in impassable terrain. Units may be set up in For the purpose of this rule, a formation’s ‘strength’ is equal
dangerous terrain (it’s assumed that they took their time to the number of units in the formation plus the (remaining)
getting into position in order to do so safely!) damage capacity of any war engines.
125
6.2 TOURNAMENT ARMY LISTS opposite will make it easy for you to use non-standard models
in your games, and the appendices at the end of this book
“Do not throw your forces blindly into battle. Before
include sections on how to use models that are no longer in
committing your forces, examine the situation. Review
production from older versions of Epic in your games too. Our
your own strength, and that of your enemy. Remember
aim is to make it as easy as possible for players to use all of the
your own objectives, and try to anticipate those of your
models in their collection without receiving an unfair
opponent. Then select those of your troops best suited to
advantage by so doing, and as long as you use the rules in this
the task in hand.”
spirit you will find your games all the better for it.
Imperium Tactica
Each army list is broken down into four parts:
The following army lists are for the Space Marine, Imperial
Guard and Ork armies. They are designed to work with the Background: A brief description of the army, its
range of models produced by Games Workshop for Epic, and organisation, and its part in the Third Armageddon War.
will produce a closely balanced game when used along with Using The Army List: This section tells you how to use the
the tournament game rules (see 6.1). army list, and covers the different types of formation used by
Each army list covers a specific army that took part in the Third the army and how they can be selected from the list.
Armageddon War. Although each army list is based on one The Army List: The army list describes the formations that
particular fighting force, they are typical of many other similar can be used in the army, the units that make up each
armies, and so all of these lists can be used as ‘stand in’ lists formation, and gives a points value for each formation. It also
for players that may already have collected an Epic army from includes the army’s strategy rating and the initiative rating for
a previous edition of the rules. Over time we plan to produce any formations in the army. The datasheets for all of the units
additional army lists covering other armies from the in the armies in the Epic Armageddon rulebook can be found
Armageddon war and other famous conflicts of the 41st in the Forces section (see 5.0). A quick reference sheet for
Millennium. each army is included in the appendices at the back of the
In order to use the army lists, you and your opponent must rules.
agree upon a points total for the game that you will play, and
then select formations from the army lists that are equal to or
less than this value. For example, you might agree to play a
3,000 point game, in which case you would both pick
formations whose points value comes to 3,000 points or less.
The attached army lists provide points value for all of the
models available in the Epic range. The ‘counts as’ rule
127
6.3 CODEX ASTARTES SPACE Fighting Units
The organisation of the fighting units of Space Marines was
MARINE ARMY LIST laid down by the High Lords of Terra following the
“The Codex Astartes is the holy tome of these loyal Battle reformation of the Space Marine Chapters after the Horus
Brothers. The wisdom of the ancients is both scripture and Heresy. The rules governing Space Marine organisation and
the unbending rod by which they are measured. In war, they numbers are called the Codex Astartes.
are fierce and as steadfast as those of old who stood beside
Although not drawn up until the Emperor’s incarceration,
the Emperor and broke the Legions of Horus. In faith and
the Codex Astartes is commonly taken as his work. During
valour they are unmatched. The torches of their chapels
the ten thousand years since the original Codex Astartes,
burn bright with flames whose holy fire has shone upon an
many Chapters have introduced their own variations. In
unchanging brotherhood for a hundred centuries. In their
some cases their organisation and equipment differs
lives and in war, the Codex Astartes is their guide.”
completely from the rigid dictates of the Codex Astartes.
Space Marines are the most powerful and dreaded of all of However, in most cases, today’s Space Marines follow the
the Imperium’s warriors. They are not human at all but broad organisational rules laid down ten thousand years ago.
superhuman, having been made superior in all respects to a A few chapters regard the Codex Astartes as a holy text, and
normal man by a harsh regime of genetic modification, stick rigidly to its contents, regarding any deviation as
psycho-conditioning and rigorous training. Space Marines tantamount to heresy. The organisation described next is that
are organised into small independent armies called Chapters, of the Codex Astartes, and it may be regarded as the normal
each of which is responsible for its own recruitment, organisational pattern of Space Marines.
equipment, organisation and strategy.
Space Marines are divided into companies, the exact number
The Codex Astartes is a massive tome that describes the of which varies from Chapter to Chapter but is typically ten.
organisation, tactical operation, and countless other aspects A company is led by a Space Marine Captain. There are ten
of Space Marine doctrine. Subjects as diverse as religious squads to a company, and each squad consists of nine Space
instruction and strategic supply are all covered in great detail Marines plus a Space Marine Sergeant.
within its thousands of holo-pages. The Codex Astartes
The First Company is made up from the oldest and most
amounts to an authorative guide to waging war in any
battle-hardened Space Marines. It is the senior and most
number of ways on countless different types of world. The
respected company, and its members use Terminator armour
majority of Space Marine chapters follow its teachings as if
as well as other Space Marine equipment.
they were holy writ.
128
The Tenth Company forms a training company. and is The Adeptus Terra has never felt it necessary to enforce the
comprised of Scout squads. Its sergeants are older veterans Codex absolutely. Indeed it is doubtful if it could. However,
but its fighting Space Marines are the Chapter’s least with subsequent foundings they have always favoured the
experienced warriors. After a period in the training company, Ultramarines’ gene-seed and created new Codex Chapters
Space Marines are allotted to other companies to replace from their line. With the passage of years, some of these
battle casualties. chapters have subsequently strayed from the strict letter of
Individual Space Marines are trained to use all equipment, the Codex, introducing new variations but remaining broadly
but in battle each squad is equipped in one of three ways: as faithful to the principles of Roboute Guilliman.
a Devastator squad, an Assault squad, or a Tactical squad.
Devastator squads use a high proportion of heavy weapons;
Assault squads carry close combat weapons; Tactical squads
are used in a general combat role.
The squads that make up a company are organised into
ad-hoc formations called detachments when they undertake
a mission. Although a detachment can theoretically include
any of the units from a chapter, the Codex Astartes details a
number of standard detachments which it recommends be
used in most circumstances.
The Codex Chapters
Not all Chapters follow the strict organisational and tactical
guidelines of the Codex Astartes. Those that do are
sometimes referred to as Codex Chapters. These Space
Marines adhere to the Codex as the model for their
organisation and identification markings. Of all the Codex
Chapters’ the oldest and most famous is the Ultramarines,
the Chapter of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman himself.
Many of the other Codex Chapters are descended from the
Ultramarines’ genetic line.
Most Chapters do not stick so rigidly to the Codex patterns
laid down either for organisation, tactical roles, or other
processes. Many Chapters are largely organised according to
the Codex but have slight variations, such as the Blood
Angels and Dark Angels, for example. A small number of
chapters are utterly different from the Codex and owe
nothing to it at all. The most famous of these Chapters is the
Space Wolves. The Space Wolves have never followed the
Codex, their strong willed Primarch moulded his Chapter
very much in his own image, irrespective of other influences.
129
Using The Army List
The following army list allows you to field an army based on SPECIAL RULE
one of the Space Marine Chapters that closely follows the 6.3.1 Space Marine Transports
teachings of the Codex Astartes. It can also be used as a
‘stand in’ army list for other Space Marine Chapters that do The Space Marines are a highly mobile army.
not follow the Codex Astartes, such as the Blood Angels, Because of this, the points cost of a detachment
Dark Angels and Space Wolves. usually includes enough Rhino transport
Space Marines are organised into small formations called vehicles to transport it and any upgrades that
detachments. Each detachment is made up of three or more have been taken. The number of Rhinos will
units, and may also include a number of extra units called always be the minimum needed to carry the
upgrades. formation, you can’t take extras along to cover
any losses!
The detachments that may be taken in a Codex Astartes army
are shown on the chart that follows. The chart also shows Note that many formations don’t receive
what units comprise the detachment, what upgrades are Rhinos, usually because they can’t fit into
allowed, and its points cost. For example, an Assault them. Detachments that come with Rhinos will
detachment consists of four Space Marine Assault units for be noted as having ‘plus transport’ in the units
175 points, and may include the Commander and Vindicator section of the army list opposite.
upgrades at an additional cost in points. Also note that you don’t have to take Rhinos if
Each upgrade that is taken adds to the cost of the you don’t want to. If you’d rather field the
detachment, as shown on the upgrade chart. The upgrade formation on foot instead, so it can act as a
chart also lists the units that make up the upgrade. Note that garrison for example, or be transported in a
these will sometimes replace units in the detachment they Thunderhawk Gunship, then you may do so.
are taken for, and sometimes takes the form of additional In addition, you may choose to replace a
units for the detachment. Each upgrade may be taken once detachment’s Rhinos with Drop Pods. If you do
per formation. For example, an Assault detachment could this then the detachment will enter play in a
include one Commander and one Vindicator. If both were Drop Pod using the rules for planetfall (see
taken it would cost 175 + 50 +75 = 300 points section 4.4). Note that if you choose to do this
Codex Astartes Space Marine armies may be supported by you will also require at least one Space Marine
Imperial Navy aircraft and Titan Legion battle groups. A Strike Cruiser or Battle Barge to deploy the
maximum of up to a third of the points available to the army drop pods from.
may be spent on these formations.
130
CODEX ASTARTES ARMY LIST
Codex Astartes Space Marine armies have a strategy rating of 5. All Space Marine and Titan Legion formations have
an initiative rating of 1+. Imperial Navy aircraft formations have an initiative rating of 2+. The ‘They Shall Know
No Fear’ rule applies to all Space Marine formations (see 5.1.1).
131
6.4 ARMAGEDDON STEEL LEGION
ARMY LIST
“Strike fast and suddenly. Attack without warning. Secure
victory before the foe is aware of his danger. Remember
always, a war is easily won if your enemy does not know he
is fighting.”
Lord General Solar Macharius
The Imperial Guard is the largest and most diverse military
organisation the galaxy has ever seen. Numbering in the
billions and equipped with armoured vehicles, Artillery
antiaircraft and all the other adjuncts of armoured warfare,
the Imperial Guard forms both the hammer and the anvil of
the Imperium’s military might.
The Regiments of Armageddon
The regiments that make up the Imperial Guard are raised on
different planets all across the Imperium, and because of this
they do not wear standardised uniforms, follow identical
tactical doctrines, or all use exactly the same sort of
equipment. Regiments raised on the jungle Death World of
Catachan, for example, tend to be lightly equipped assault
troops, while those from the Agri-world of Atilla are mainly
Rough Riders. Those raised on Armageddon make use of the
planet’s vast industrial might to provide plentiful armoured
fighting vehicles, and because of this they have become
famous across the galaxy as Armageddon’s steel legions.
Armageddon has a massive population and is capable of
raising a large number of Imperial Guard regiments in time
of war. In the fighting taking place on Armageddon following
Ghazkghul’s invasion, well over one hundred of the
regiments fighting had been raised on Armageddon itself,
and they form by far the largest contingent of the Imperial
Guard forces fighting on the planet.
Armageddon is often called upon to raise regiments for
major battles and campaigns all over the Armageddon sector.
Regiments that fight off-world like this are called ‘tithed
regiments’, after the process whereby each world in the
Imperium is required to offer up at least 10% of the troops it
raises and trains to the Departmento Munitorum for
incorporation in the Imperial Guard.
Tithed regiments are supplemented by troops raised on
other worlds that are not found on Armageddon, such as
Ratlings or Ogryns, as well as certain types of vehicle that are
not manufactured on the planet. Many of these tithed
regiments have been recalled to the planet during the Third
Armageddon War, so a good proportion of Steel Legion
regiments include troops not found on Armageddon itself.
This said, the bulk of the Steel Legion regiments fighting on
Armageddon have never left the planet and are part of the
Armageddon Planetary Defence Force. These regiments differ
slightly from tithed regiments in the mix of units that they
use, generally having no off-world auxilia or vehicles.
Regimental Organisation
Regiments raised on Armageddon consists of twelve
companies made up of a mix of infantry, artillery, armour and
mechanised infantry companies. Although some regiments
only include one type of company, the bulk are combined
arms forces that include a mix of companies. However, the
highly industrialised nature of Armageddon means that a far
higher proportion than normal are mechanised infantry, and
it’s not uncommon for over 90% of a regiment to be made up
of such units. It is for this reason that regiments raised on
Armageddon for the Imperial Guard are commonly known as
Armageddon Steel Legions.
At full strength, infantry and mechanised infantry companies
132
in Steel Legion regiments consist of a command section companies, sometimes referred to as armoured fist
comprising a captain and his support staff, one fire support companies. These are similar in many respects to normal
platoon with 10 heavy weapons teams, and three infantry Imperial Guard infantry companies, except that all of the
platoons each with 50 men including 5 heavy weapon teams. infantry that would normally have to move around on foot
This means that a full-strength company will number 175 are provided with Chimera armoured transport vehicles.
men. However the casualties suffered during a campaign will Mechanised infantry companies are normally quite rare in
quickly reduce the strength of a company, and it is not the Imperial Guard, as it is difficult for most planetary
uncommon for a company’s fire support platoon to be governors to obtain and maintain the vehicles for such a
detached from the company for special duties elsewhere. formation. However, Armageddon is one of the chief
Because of this most ‘companies’ in a Steel Legion regiment manufacturing planets for Chimeras, producing several
will be little larger than one of the platoons in a newly raised hundred every day for use all across the Imperium. Because
formation. of this, infantry units raised on Armageddon are routinely
Tank and artillery companies in a Steel Legion regiment equipped with Chimeras.
consist of a command vehicle and three squadrons (in Tank It is important not to overstate the number of mechanised
companies) or batteries (in the artillery) with three vehicles infantry companies in each Steel Legion regiment. While its
each. Tank and artillery companies are much more likely to not uncommon for them to make up 90% of a regiment’s
operate at their full strength, as they are usually only directly companies, it is equally likely they account for less than a
engaged by the enemy in major battles with the result that quarter of the units available, especially in Armageddon Steel
they are either operating at full strength or have suffered Legion regiments that were raised as part of the Armageddon
such heavy casualties that they need to be withdrawn from Planetary Defence Force. Battlefield attrition can also be very
front-line duty and amalgamated with other similarly high amongst lightly protected vehicles like Chimeras, and
battered formations. Artillery, in particular, either survives a there have been numerous cases in the Armageddon
battle unscathed or is overrun or wiped out. campaign where a regiment has lost almost all of its
As already noted, the most common type of company found Chimeras in battle, and has been reduced to using what were
in regiments raised on Armageddon are mechanised infantry once mechanised infantry companies as plain old infantry.
133
Using The Army List
The following army list allows you to field an Imperial Guard SPECIAL RULE
army that is based on an Armageddon Steel Legion regiment. 6.4.1 Commissars
It can also be used as a ‘stand in’ army list for other Imperial
Guard regiments, such as Cadian Shock Troops, Mordian A Steel Legion Imperial Guard army may
Iron Guard or Valhallen Ice Warriors, among many others. include 2D6 Commissar characters. The
Note that we have based the number of units in the infantry Commissars do not cost any points. If the dice
formations on what will be found in a typical field formation, roll exceeds the number of Commissar units
rather than what is found in a full-strength company when that a player has available then any excess is
first enlisted. lost.
Steel Legion formations come in two types: companies and Roll to see how many Commissar units a player
support formations. Each company you include in the army may add to their army at the start of the battle
allows you to field any two support formations. Although you before either side sets up. If the army includes
can only take a support formation if you first take a company, a Supreme Commander than the first
they are treated as separate independent formations during a Commissar must be attached to the Supreme
battle and do not have to move around together. For Commander’s formation. Any further
example, taking a Steel Legion Tank Company would entitle Commissars may be attached to any other
you to take two formations from the support formation chart. formations. You may not include more than
If you decided to take an artillery battery then it and the tank one Commissar per formation. If you have
company would operate as two seperate formations . more Commissars than formations any excess
is lost.
In addition, companies may be given up to three company
upgrades. Each type of upgrade can only be taken once by a
company (ie, an infantry company could have an Ogryn and
a Sniper upgrade, but not two Sniper upgrades). Upgrades
are added to the company and are not a separate formation.
Support formations may not be given company upgrades. so, for example, if you want to include a platoon of Leman
Russ tanks in an infantry company or snipers in a Tank
Each upgrade that is taken adds to the cost of the company,
Company then you may do so.
as shown on the upgrade chart. For example, if you took a
Tank Company and added a mechanised infantry platoon to Imperial Navy aircraft and Titan Legion battle groups may
it as an upgrade, then the cost of the tank company would be support Steel Legion Imperial Guard armies. A maximum of
650 + 100 +75 (for the Chimera) = 825 points. Note that up to a third of the points available to the army may be spent
you may take any type of upgrade for any type of company; on these formations.
134
STEEL LEGION ARMY LIST
Steel Legion Imperial Guard armies have a strategy rating of 2. Steel Legion Imperial Guard formations and
Imperial Navy aircraft formations have an initiative rating of 2+. Titans have an initiative rating of 1+.
135
6.5 GHAZGHKULL MAG URUK Orks are a tough, brutal and remarkably successful race, and
rank amongst the most powerful warriors in the whole
THRAKA’S ORK WAR HORDE ARMY galaxy. They control a significant part of known space, but
LIST this sprawling territory is divided amongst thousands of
“I'm da hand of Gork and Mork, dey sent me to rouse up da individual Ork warlords. Were Orkdom ever to unite against
boyz to crush and kill ‘cos da boyz forgot what dere ‘ere for. the Imperium it is unlikely that humanity would survive very
I woz one of da boyz till da godz smashed me in da ‘ead an’ long.
I ‘membered dat Orks is meant to conquer and make slaves It is for this reason that Ghazghkul Thraka represents such a
of everyfing they don’t kill. potent threat to the Imperium, as he seems to be able to unit
I’m da profit of da Waaagh an’ whole worlds burn in my the warring Ork tribes in a way that no Ork leader has ever
boot prints. On Armour-Geddem, I led da boyz through da been able to achieve before. Two of the most deadly Waaaghs
fire deserts and smashed da humies’ metal cities to scrap. I the Imperium have faced were led by Ghazghkull. After
fought Yarik, old one-eye at Tarturus, an’ he fought good but suffering a nasty head wound, he became convinced he had
we smashed iz city too. been chosen by Gork and Mork to unite the whole of
Orkdom and bring the galaxy under the heel of he
I’m death to anyfing dat walks or crawls, where I go nothin’
greenskins. His rise to prominance was nothing short of
stands in my way. We crushed da stunties on Golgotha, an’
meteoric, going from a simple warrior in the mob to being
we caught old one-eye when da speed freeks blew da
Warlord commanding thousands of Orks in a startlingly short
humies’ big tanks ta bits. I let ‘im go ‘cause good enemies iz
time.
‘ard to find, an Orks need enemies ta fight like they need
meat ta eat an’ grog ta drink. Normally rival warlords are fiercely competitive and spend
I iz more cunnin’ than a grot an’ more killy than a dread, much of their time fighting each other. However, they all
da boyz dat follow me can’t be beat. On Pissenah we hold an innate desire to gather as many boyz together as
jumped da marine-boyz an’ our bosspoles was covered in possible and lead a huge Waaagh against their greatest
da helmets we took from da dead ‘uns. We burned dere port enemies. The Waaagh is a sort of crusade – the Orks stop
an’ killed dere bosses an’ left nothin’ but ruins behind. fighting each other and decide to stomp someone else
instead! This overriding urge to expand and conquer is a
I’m Warlord Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka an’ I speak wiv natural part of the Orks’ psychological make-up, and has
da word of da gods. We iz gonna stomp da ‘ooniverse flat greatly contributed to their success as a race.
an’ kill anyfing that fights back. We iz gonna do this coz’
we’re Orks an’ we was made ta fight an’ win!” All Orks are slightly psychic, so very potent ideas tend to filter
from one Ork to another. When a warlord gets really
Graffiti on Warlord Titan wreckage found
powerful other Orks sense it and flock to join him, increasing
by Dark Angels at Westerisle, Piscina IV
136
his power and encouraging more and more Boyz to join the Ghazgkhull’s War Horde is typical of these large Ork armies.
growing Waaagh. As Ork Boyz from nearby worlds gather It includes Orks from several hundred tribes gathered from
they form into huge armies ready to do battle. over a hundred planets, and includes members of all of the
Mekboyz, the engineers and inventors of the Orkish race, major Ork clans, and quite a few minor ones too! The Boyz
also sense that something is brewing, and begin to build in the horde are backed up by prodigious numbers of Grot
huge fighting machines in readiness for the coming war. At orderlies and Grot Big Gun mobs, and the most inventive
the very core of the Waaagh lies the construction of the and dangerous Mekaniaks in all Orkdom labour day and
gigantic war engines known as Gargants. Each Gargant is a night to provide Ghazgkhull with the most potent and
towering war machine with awesome destructive powers. It dangerous Gargants belonging to any warlord in the Waaagh.
is also a titanic, mechanical, fighting, fire-belching idol made Ghazghkull’s first invasion was stopped and he was assumed
in the image of the Ork gods, and building Gargants is thus slain. As is now very well-known, this was not true, and he
very much an act of worship for the Orks. The Ork war gods, has proved to be the most dangerous of Ork leaders, one
Mork and Gork, epitomise the Orkish character on a vast with both drive and ability in abundance. Now he has
scale, being big, carefree, boisterous beings that leave a trail returned to Armageddon after decades of planning and
of destruction in their wake. War, conquest, migration, testing the Imperium’s defences. If Armgeddon falls,
endless feuds, the din of weapons and the war cries of Ghazghkull could unify Orks across the entire sementum
countless Orks are but the crude games and raucous laughter into an unstoppable Waaagh that might threaten Earth itself!
of the Ork gods of war.
137
How To Use The Army List
Unlike the very rigid formations used by the Imperium, Ork SPECIAL RULE
formations vary widely in both size and composition. The 6.5.1 Ork Warlords
rules for creating Ork formations reflect this. The most
common type of Ork formation is the warband. Other more Every Ork army must include a Supreme
specialised formations do exist, suchas Kults of Speed and Command character called a Warlord. The
Blitz Brigades. The different types of Ork formation you may Warlord character is free, you don’t have to pay
choose are shown on the army list that follows. any points for it. If the army includes any Great
Gargants, then the Warlord must be placed in
The army list includes the following information: one of them. If there are no Great Gargants in
Type: The name of the formation. the army then the Warlord will join a Nob or a
Gargant unit.
Core Units: The units that make up the formation. An Ork
player can choose to double or triple the number of units in
the formation if he wishes. A formation with double the
normal number of units is called a big formation, and a
formation with three times the normal number of units is
called a ‘uge formation. doubled for a big formation and tripled for a ‘uge formation.
For example, a normal sized Kult of Speed can include 0-1
Cost: Most Ork formations have three values. The first value Oddboy, a big Kult of Speed can include 0-2, and a ‘uge Kult
is the cost for the basic formation, the second is its cost if it of Speed can include 0-3. All of the core, extra, and free units
is a big formation, and the third value is its cost if it is a ‘uge in an Ork formation count as being part of one large
formation. If the formation only has one cost then it may not formation. The different units may not move off on their
be increased in size. Up to one third of the points available to own.
an Ork army can be spent on aircraft and Gargants.
Battlefortresses & Gunfortresses: In tournament games,
Extra Units: An Ork formation may include any of the extra these units may only transport units from their own
units listed in the ‘Extras’ column. You may include any formation (ie, the rules for War Engine transports do not
number of extra units in a formation unless it is specifically apply to them when using the tournament army lists).
noted otherwise. If there is a limitation then the limit is
138
GHAZGKHULL MAG URUK THRAKA’S
WAR HORDE
Ork armies have a strategy rating of 3. All Ork formations have an initiative rating of 3+, but receive modifiers
depending on the action chosen when taking an action test, or the size of the warband when rallying (see 5.5.1
and 5.5.2).
COST PER FORMATION
TYPE CORE UNITS NORMAL BIG ‘UGE EXTRAS
Warband Two Nobz and six 200 350 500 Any number of the following for +25 points each:
Ork Boyz and two Boyz (+ an optional free Grot per Boy unit ), Stormboyz,
Gretchin Kommandos, Buggies, Warbikes, Skorchas, Big Gunz, Killa
Kans
Any number of the following for +35 points each:
Battlewagonz, Deth Koptas, Dreadnoughts, Flakwagons,
Gunwagons
Up to two Nobz for +35 points each
Up to one Oddboy character for +50 points
Any number of Stompas for +75 points each
Any number of Battlefortress for +125 points each
Any number of Gunfortress for +135 points each
Stormboyz Six Stormboyz 150 n/a n/a Any number of the following for +25 points each:
Warhorde Stormboyz, Kommandos, Buggies, Warbikes, Skorchas
Any number of Deth Koptas for +35 points each
Kult Of Any eight of the 200 350 500 Any number of the following for +25 points each:
Speed following units: Buggies, Warbikes, Skorchas
Buggies, Warbikes, Any number of the following for +35 points each:
Skorchas. Gunwagons, Deth Koptas, Flakwagonz
Up to one Oddboy character for +50 points
Mekboy Three Stompas 225 n/a n/a Any number of Killa Kanz for +25 points each
Stompamob Any number of the following for +35 points each:
Dreadnoughts, Flakwagons
Any number of Stompas for +75 points each
Up to one Supa-Stompa for 250 points
Mekboy Five Big Gunz 125 225 325 Any number of Big Gunz for +25 points each
Gunzmob
Any number of the following for +35 points each:
Battlewagonz, Flakwagons
Up to one Nobz for +35 points
Up to one Oddboy character for +50 points
Fighta Three Fighta- 150 n/a n/a Up to six Fighta-bommers for +50 points each
Sqwadron Bommers
Kill Kroozer One Kill Kroozer 200 n/a n/a May be upgraded to Ork Battlekroozer for +50 points
139
6.6 SCENARIOS scenarios, you do need to be aware that the victory
conditions you come up with can affect the balance of the
“Well, I never expected that to happen…”
game. There are exceptions of course, for example, the first
Last words of Colonel Einz two or three training scenarios are as about an even game as
The pre-defined and slightly abstracted nature of tournament you could imagine, but generally one side or the other will
games is not for everybody, and many players prefer to play have slightly more chance of winning than the other. This
Epic in a way that allows them to really explore all of the scares a lot of players, especially inexperienced players who
possibilities presented by the game’s background. If you are haven’t had the chance to learn that losing a game played
one of those players, or if you are someone like the author with toy soldiers really doesn’t matter all that much in the
who enjoys playing both tournament games and scenarios, cosmic scale of things. This isn’t to say that scenarios should
then this section is for you. In it we describe how you can be completely one-sided, just that they don’t need to be a
devise your own scenarios, and we also provide half-a-dozen completely even 50-50 proposition for each side. To be
or so scenarios that we have devised and which are presented honest once you’ve played a few scenarios the whole idea of
here as examples of what can be done. them needing to be balanced will seem slightly ludicrous, as
you’ll have learnted that losing an interesting scenario can be
We are using the term scenario here in its broadest possible every bit as much fun as winning a perfectly balanced
sense, to cover any game that is not a tournament game. Many tournament game.
players imagine scenarios to be something that comes with a
bit of historical background, a list of the forces involved, some None the less, if this kind of thing worries you then it is best
special rules, and a set of victory conditions – like the training to start off by playing scenarios that are as even as you can
scenarios presented earlier in this book. In actual fact they make them. A good way of doing this is to take a leaf from the
can be anything that provides a context for a game that you tournament game rules, and come up with a scenario where
play using the Epic rules and Epic models. Thus saying “Let’s victory conditions ‘mirror’ each other and are the same for
just set up all our Epic models on the living room floor and both sides. If you do this and also allow players to pick their
keep on playing until one side is dead!” is every bit as much forces from the tournament army lists, then you can be pretty
a scenario as a carefully worked out reconstruction of the certain that the game will be an even contest for both sides.
assault on the Emperor’s Palace – and somewhat easier to The trick with this type of game is to come up with a way of
organise and play to boot! setting up and winning that is different enough to the
tournament game set-up rules and victory conditions to
Getting Started create an interesting game. After all, if you set up in more or
While the freedom of choice that scenarios allow is what less the same way as the tournament game and the victory
makes playing them so much fun, it can also make them quite conditions are similar to those in the tournament game, and
intimidating. There are just so many possibilities one doesn’t you are using the tournament game army lists, then you
know where to start! Because of this, is it much better to might as well play the tournament game anyway!
begin by creating scenarios that are as simple as possible.
Trust me, you’ll quickly build up to more ambitious projects. Coming up with alternative ways of setting up or winning is
In the author’s experience, the easiest way to create a new really not all that hard at all. One good source of inspiration
scenario is simply to come up with a new set of victory are the ‘Standard Missions’ in Epic’s sister game Warhammer
conditions to use with the tournament game rules. Simply 40,000. The standard scenarios are designed to be as easy to
changing the victory conditions can have a profound effect play as ‘pick-up’ games, and because of this they use even-
on the way that the game plays, and by concentrating on this point forces and mirrored victory conditions. The Cleanse
it means you don’t have to worry about other things like mission is one of the most commonly played, and transfers
special force lists, special rules or special terrain. extremely easily into Epic. In Cleanse, the table is divided into
four equal quarters, and the players’ armies set up in opposite
Although tinkering with the tournament game victory quarters at least 18” (45cms in Epic) apart. The game is played
conditions is the easiest way to go about create your own for a set number of turns (about four would be right for Epic),
and the player that controls the most table quarters at the end
of the game is declared the winner. To control a quarter you
must have an unbroken formation that is over half strength in
the area, and your opponent must not. With a bit of common
sense it is possible to transfer the other Warhammer 40,000
standard scenarios to Epic just as easily.
The Escalating Engagement scenario presented on the
opposite page is another example of a fairly well balanced
scenario that uses the tournament army lists and has
mirrored victory conditions. We say ‘fairly well’ balanced, as
it’s important to note that both the Cleanse mission
described above and the Escalating Engagement scenario
shown opposite do slightly unbalance things in favour of
certain armies. In particular, you will find that armies with a
lot of infantry and war engines do much better at the Cleanse
mission, while armies with plenty of transport and fast
moving units do better in an Escalating Engagement. But to
be honest, part of the fun of playing scenarios, even very
simple ones like these, is that it forces you to re-evaluate your
army and the mix of forces that you use, and to learn new
tactics, both of which will make the games more interesting
and challenging.
140
Escalating Engagement Scenario Formations must deploy on their turn of arrival. To decide
Two patrols clash while they are probing a weakened sector where the formations come on the players take it in turn,
of the battlefront. As the engagement continues, both sides starting with the player with the lower Strategy rating, to
call in additional reinforcements to maintain the attack. place a unit from each formation on their table edge. The
Forces: Both players pick armies to an agreed points total unit shows where the rest of the units in the formation will
between 2,000 to 5,000 points using the tournament army enter play during the first turn. If several formations want
lists. to enter play at the same point (along a road, for example)
simply place the units in a row one in front of the other, and
Gaming Area: Set up the terrain for the game in any measure their movement from the rearmost unit in the row.
mutually agreeable manner. If one player sets up the terrain If you prefer you can place counters or tokens instead of
then his opponent may choose where to deploy. If you set units, just as long as you know which token corresponds to
up the terrain as a joint effort then the player with the which formation. The formations move onto the table in the
higher Strategy rating may choose the table edge he sets up action phase. Formations that fail their Initiative test must
on. If both players have the same Strategy rating then dice choose to move as their Hold action, and will enter play
to see who gets the choice of table edge. You can pick a long with a Blast marker for failing the Initiative test. All
edge or a corner (half way up each long and short edge). formations must enter play on the turn of arrival; you may
The opponent sets up on the opposite edge. not keep formations ‘in reserve’.
Deployment: Each player starts with only one formation
deployed on the table. This must be the formation with the
lowest points value in the army, not including any
formations that include war engines, aircraft or a supreme
commander. The formation may be set up anywhere within
45cm of their table edge.
Reinforcements: All of the remaining formations in the
players’ armies are assumed to be advancing towards their
table edge as quickly as possible. At the start of each turn, Victory Conditions: At the end of the fifth turn count up
each player is allowed to bring on one or more formations, Victory points to see who has won. Each player scores a
as listed below. number of points equal to the full points value of any
enemy formations that have been completely destroyed,
First Turn Arrivals: Any formation where the slowest unit plus the full points value of any enemy formations that are
in the formation has a speed greater than 30cm. broken and have been reduced to half strength or less, plus
Second Turn Arrivals: Any formation where the slowest half the points value of any formation that has been
unit in the formation has a speed greater than 15cm. reduced to half strength but is not broken, plus half the
points value of each formation over half strength that is
Third Turn Arrivals: Any remaining formations.
broken. Whoever has the higher points score is the winner.
Any Turn: Aircraft, spacecraft, formations that can teleport, For the purpose of this rule, a formation’s ‘strength’ is
and formations that deploy from orbit (see normal rules for equal to the number of units in the formation plus the
deploying these units). (remaining) damage capacity of any war engines.
141
Opposed Victory Conditions terms of making Epic a compelling and believable story. This
Although many of the scenarios you’ll have played so far use is because very few battles involve two sides trying to achieve
the same victory conditions for both sides, this is not always exactly the same thing; battles are usually fought because one
the case. Several of the training scenarios have what are side wants to achieve something, and the other side wants to
called opposed victory conditions, where one side must do stop them! Using opposed victory conditions allows a
something in order to win, and the other side wins if they can scenario designer to draw on all of these archetypal
stop them doing it. The victory conditions for the training battlefield situations and include them in their games of Epic.
scenario ‘Death From The Skies’ (see 4.5.1) are a perfect The result is games that feel like they are based on real
example of opposed victory conditions. The Orks have three events, rather than the more formal and chess-like games
turns to destroy the bunkers and the Basilisks, and if they represented by the tournament game rules.
don’t do this within the time limit then the Imperial player The importance of this can’t be understated, as it is one of
wins! the primary reasons for playing scenarios in particular and
A slight variation on this standard form of opposed victory tabletop wargames in general in the first place. A good
conditions are ones where each side is trying to achieve a tabletop wargame will allow you to ‘suspend your disbelief ’
slightly different objective. The victory conditions for the so that you start to see what is going on as an exciting story
‘Korps Grinda Returns!’ scenario (see 3.4.1) are an example that you are witnessing, as much as a game that you are trying
of a very simple form of this type of opposed victory to win. You’ll find yourself thinking ‘Well done lads!’ when
condition. In ‘Korps Grinda Returns’, the Orks must destroy some of your troops pull off a risky assault, or as they bravely
two bunkers to win, while the Marines must destroy the regroup under heavy fire and keep on ‘Hanging on in there!’,
Gargant before it achieves its objective. If the Marines destroy and before you know it your army will stop being a collection
the Gargant but the Gargant managed to destroy a bunker, of toy soldiers, and become real little men (or aliens!) taking
then the game is a draw. part in a life or death struggle under your command.
The difficulty with opposed victory conditions, and the We’ve already mentioned some examples of how opposed
reason that tournament games usually have mirrored victory victory conditions can be used, and it is not difficult to find
conditions, is that opposed victory conditions are inherently many, many more by the simple expedient of reading military
unbalanced. Even with identical forces there is no way to history books or Black Library novels, or by watching war
know for sure that both sides have the same chance of movies (I know, it’s tough work, but someone has to do it!) In
winning, where as with mirrored victory conditions and addition, many of the non-standard missions in the
identical forces only luck and skill will separate the winner Warhammer 40,000 rulebook use opposed victory conditions
from the loser. Fortunately, scenarios don’t need to be and can be transferred very easily to Epic. The ‘Breakout’
perfectly balanced – in fact they don’t need to be balanced at scenario on the opposite page is based on the mission of the
all! Instead, all the victory conditions need to do is decide same name from Warhammer 40,000, while the introductory
who has won. It helps if both sides feel that they have some text is actually based on the real-life exploits of a Red Army
chance of achieving their victory conditions, of course, but to officer that fought against the Germans when they invaded
be honest this isn’t that hard to achieve, especially after a bit Russia in 1941.
of practice. If you start out by setting up some small scenarios
with opposed victory conditions you’ll quickly start to get a
‘feel’ for what works and what doesn’t, and just how much of
an advantage different sorts of opposed victory conditions
offer each side.
Much more importantly, the opportunities offered to the
budding scenario designer by opposed victory conditions
more than outweigh their disadvantages. The main problem
with mirrored victory conditions is that they are always
slightly abstract. By this I mean that they work well in terms
of making Epic a balanced game, but are less effective in
142
Breakout Scenario
General Belov was the commander of the 10th Minervan DESIGN CONCEPT
Tank Legion on Armageddon, and held a vital position on 10th Minervan Tank Legion
the flak of the Imperial defence line for the hive city of
The 10th Minervan Tank Legion was at full
Death Mire. The 10th was caught off guard by the Ork
strength at the start of the battle, and included
invasion, surrounded on all sides as Ork warbands
companies of armoured infantry, tanks and
descended on the planet or appeared from their hiding
self-propelled artillery. Although there are
places in the dense jungle that separated Hive Prime and
some minor differences between the uniforms
Hive Secundus.
and vehicle patterns used by the Minervan’s
Rather than stand and die, Belov decided to break through and those used by Armageddon Steel Legion
the Ork lines and reunite his regiment with the other formations, these can safely be ignored and a
Imperial forces gathering to defend Death Mire against the Minervan army can be represented by Steel
Ork invaders. The 10th fought a series of increasingly Legion ‘stand-ins’. To be strictly accurate, any
bloody engagements against the Ork forces, until they Minervan force should include a high
finally managed to breakout and rejoin the other defenders proportion of Tank Companies, as these
of Death Mire after five days of almost continuous conflict. formed over half of the regiment’s total
The long and bloody march cost the regiment over half of strength at the start of the campaign. However,
its men. over the course of the five-day breakout, the
Forces: One player commands the 10th Minervan Tank 10th fought numerous engagements where they
Legion (see the Designer’s note on the right), and the other fielded few if any tanks. This was especially
the Orks. The players pick armies to an agreed points total true towards the end of the break-out, when
between 1,500 to 5,000 points using the Armageddon Steel heavy losses due to enemy action and
Legion and Waaagh Ghazgkhull tournament army lists. Note mechanical breakdown had reduced the
that Titans, Gargants and Spacecraft may be used, as such number of Leman Russ tanks in the regiment to
units featured in a number of the battles that took place less than a quarter of their starting strength.
during the 10th’s breakout.
Gaming Area: Set up the terrain for the game in any
mutually agreeable manner. Deployment: The Ork player must split his force into two
parts, one for each deployment area (see map). Each force
30cm 30cm must only include whole formations, and formations may
not be split between the two deployment zones. After the
45cm Ork player has deployed, the Minervan player may deploy
his army in the central deployment area.
Deployment zone 2
Deployment zone 1
Deployment zone 2
Defender’s
the table along either narrow table edge (ie, the edge
where the Orks deploy). All surviving units in the formation
must leave on the same turn in order for any to be allowed
to leave the table – its all or nothing, you can’t leave part of
the formation behind!)
Victory Conditions: The Minervan player must get half or
more of his formations off the table in order to win. Any
formation reduced to half strength or less only counts as
half a formation for this rule.
143
Unbalanced Forces units the ambusher can use, and force the player being
If using mirrored victory conditions is rather abstract, then ambushed to take a reasonable number of lightly armoured
having balanced forces is even more so. It is extremely rare vehicles and infantry. The degree to which the scenario
for battles to be fought between two evenly balanced forces, designer dictates what is available is up to them, and can
and what happens far more frequently is that one side will range from simply saying “Use the tournament list but no
have a numerical or qualitative advantage, which the other skimmers” through to providing a specific force list for each
side will try to offset through the clever use of terrain or by player. We’ll return to this second option again later…
employing cunning stratagems such as ambushes. These First though, it’s important to underline that scenarios that
things are very difficult, in fact almost impossible, to include use unbalanced forces are, well, unbalanced! This means that
in a tournament game. This is partially because it is very they require the use of some special rules or set-up
difficult in a battle between two unbalanced forces to come restrictions that provide enough of an advantage to the
up with a set of victory conditions that ‘mirror’ each other smaller force to give it some chance of winning. Remember,
and which are still fair to both sides, and partially because you don’t need things to be completely balanced, but you
tournament games use army lists that allow players a great should avoid setting up games that end up similar to the
amount of freedom in what they choose. This freedom can Drop Zone Massacre on Istvaan V. The other thing to bear in
make it very easy for one side or the other to get round any mind is that it is very difficult to win against a superior force,
special victory conditions designed to make the game an so the advantages given to the inferior force need to be quite
even contest. substantial. Imagine playing tournament games where your
This becomes much less of an issue in a scenario, where it is opponent has even a third more points than you; how often
less important that the game be perfectly balanced, and do you think you would win? Not very often is the answer!
where it is also possible for the scenario designer to dictate Because of this, you should try as much as possible to avoid
what forces a player may use. Let us say, for example, that you battles where one side has a greater than 2-1 advantage, as it
have decided to create a scenario where a smaller force will be very nearly impossible to come up with a situation
ambushes a larger enemy and then has to escape. Given a free where the smaller force does anything other than run or die.
hand, the ambusher would take as many skimmers and fast As with opposed victory conditions, it takes some practise
moving units as he could to allow for a quick escape, while his before you will learn what makes an interesting scenario
opponent could either do the same to allow for a quick between unbalanced forces, and what leads to a one-sided
pursuit or take the toughest units in his army to minimise the walkover. Because of this it’s best to start off small and then
damage that he suffers. While this may make for a swift game, work your way up to bigger battles. Apart from anything else,
it could also be a rather boring one, and therefore the you’ll be able to fight smaller battles more than once over the
scenario designer might limit the amount of skimmers or fast course of a gaming session, allowing the commanders to
swop sides and see if they can do better than their opponent.
Fixed Forces vs Army Lists
One subject mentioned briefly above was the decision as to
whether to allow players to pick their army from the army
lists, or to provide a fixed force list – in other words whether
you should write down exactly which forces are to be used in
the scenario. All of the training scenarios use fixed force lists,
and in the author’s experience it is the best way of ensuring
that scenarios make interesting games. If you consider some
of the later training scenarios like Thunderhawk Down (see
4.5.2), then you’ll see that these scenarios simply wouldn’t
work without fixed forces. Imagine what would happen in
the Thunderhawk Down scenario if the Ork player could
choose to take a warband instead of fighter-bomberz, for
example.
In fact the only real advantage of using an army list is that it
allows the people playing the scenario to choose the forces
they will use for you. Sometimes there is a good reason for
allowing players this option; you might not be sure exactly
what models there will be available to use, for example, or
you might not have time to draw up a force list, especially if
you are designing a very large scenario. More often than not,
though, these are excuses rather than good reasons. In 99
cases out of 100, scenarios are used by players from a regular
group, where everybody knows each other well, and knows
what forces the other players can field. In these
circumstances it’s really not that hard to come up with a fixed
force for a scenario, and doing so will almost invariably lead
to a closer and more exciting game as you will be able to
engineer the forces in such a way as to make things more
interesting. For example, the Ambush scenario on the
opposite page uses carefully selected forces for the two sides
in order to ensure an interesting and challenging game.
Using fixed force lists also makes it far easier to incorporate
new units and new formations, as discussed next.
144
Ambush Scenario
Throughout the Armageddon campaign, contingents of DESIGN CONCEPT
Space Marines operated in a covert role behind enemy Scenario Special Rules
lines. These forces were usually dropped off by
Thunderhawk Gunship or landed by Drop Pods, and would
The special rules reflect the fact that the Orks
then operate independently and attack targets of
were in a convoy driving along the road, and
opportunity until they were picked back up. Although
didn’t see the Marines until they opened fire.
lightly equipped and devoid of anything other than the
Allowing the Marine player to make any Ork
lightest support vehicles, Space Marine raiding parties like
withdrawal moves on Turn one reflects the
this caused huge problems for the Orks by launching raids
panic caused by the Marine ambush. Note that
and carrying out numerous ambushes.
the Marine player is not allowed to move the
The Angels of Fire 3rd Company was dropped behind Ork Orks within 15cms of a Marine unit in order to
lines early in the campaign, and remained there for over a get them killed ‘while trying to escape’.
month. One week after they landed, Scouts reported that
several large formations belonging to Warlord Morbad’s Big
Gunz were heading in their direction. The resulting ambush
completely destroyed one of Morbad’s Big Gun warbands
and badly damaged two more for the loss of two Land are placed shows the order that the Ork formations will
Speeders and less than a dozen Marine casualties. enter play. The formation with a unit at the front of the
queue enters first, and so on. The Space Marine player now
Elements of Morbad’s Big Gunz: One Blitz Brigade with
deploys his whole army, anywhere he likes on the table that
five Deth Koptas; one Kult of Speed with five Buggies, four
is at least 30cm away from the road that joins the two
Warbikes and one Skorcha; three Mekboy Gunzmobz each
narrow table edges. If the Space Marine player desires, he
with six Big Gunz; one Kult of Speed with three Buggies,
can deploy the Scout detachment within 15cms of the road.
four Battlewagons, eight Boyz and four Grots.
Special Rules: On the first turn the normal sequence of
Angels of Fire 3rd Company: One Assault detachment
play is not used. Instead each Ork formation must take a
with three Assault units led by a Space Marine Chaplain
march action, and may not leave the road. All Ork units
character; one Devastator detachment with four Devastator
must enter play on the first turn, must stay on the road, and
units and two Dreadnoughts; one Tactical detachment with
must remain in the order determined during deployment.
four Tactical units led by a Space Marine Captain character;
After all the Ork formations have made this first move, all
one Tactical detachment with five Tactical units led by a
Space Marine formations may shoot just as if they were on
Space Marine Librarian character; one Scout detachment
overwatch. If any Ork formations are broken by the Marine
(attached from 10th Company) with four Scouts units and
fire then the Space Marine player is allowed to make their
one Sniper; one Land Speeder detachment, with four Land
withdrawal move; however the Marine player is not allowed
Speeders; one Land Speeder detachment two Land Speeder
to move the Orks so that any units end up within 15cms of
Typhoons and three Land Speeder Tornados; one Bike
a Marine unit. Once all Marine formations have shot, carry
detachment with four Bike units and four Attack Bikes.
out the Rally phase. Play then returns to the normal
Gaming Area: Set up the terrain for the game in any sequence for the rest of the game.
mutually agreeable manner, as long as there is a road
Victory Conditions: The Space Marine player has three
running from one narrow table edge to the opposite
turns (including the first) in which to reduce all Ork
narrow table edge.
formations to half strength or less, while at the same time
Deployment: The Ork player sets up first, by placing one avoiding having four or more Marine detachments reduced
unit from each formation at one end of the road that links to half their starting strength or less. In addition, the Marine
the two narrow table edges. This shows where the Ork player must completely wipe out at least one of the
convoy will enter on Turn one, and the order that the units Mekboyz Gunmobz. Any other result is an Ork victory.
145
New Units & Formations
The ease with which new units
and unique formations can be
used in a scenario is one of the
biggest advantages they have
over tournament games. In a
tournament army list, it takes
months of testing to ensure
that units and formations have
the correct points value and
that they are balanced and fair.
Over the years I have worked
at Games Workshop, I have
attempted to come up with
systems that allow players to
An example of three formations created for a scenario. The HQ detachment on the top of the
build their own units and add
hill is made up of six units, supported by two Tactical detachments, one with six Tactical
them to a tournament game
units and one with four. Each Tactical detachment has an attached Scout unit.
army list – but I have never
succeeded in coming up with
a system that players can’t exploit in some way or another. casualties will reduce its strength until finally only a hard
For this reason, the Epic tournament army lists only include core of very experienced troops were left. If we take a Steel
units and formations that have been extensively play-tested, Legion Infantry Company as an example of this process, then
and that are readily available as part of the Epic model range. a newly raised company would probably have twice as many
The bottom line of any set of army lists is that it they are as units as the formation shown in the Steel Legion army list (ie,
fair as possible for both players. Having a situation where one about 24 instead of 12), but as it is green and inexperienced
player may have access to units that another player simply should probably have an Initiative value of 3+. The same
can’t get hold of just would not be fair, and so is not allowed. company at the end of a campaign might be reduced to half
a dozen stands, but as these are all hardened veterans they
On the other hand, there are many players who really enjoy
should probably have an Initiative value of 1+. You get the
scratch-building and converting models, or that have
idea, I’m sure.
collections of models from older versions of the Epic rules
that they would like to use. Scenarios are the prefect place to Now, it is clearly neither practical or desirable to try to create
use such models, as the player devising the scenario can a set of tournament army lists that cover every type of unit
create the units in such a way as to ensure that everything is and every type of formation them could possibly be in an
– more or less – fair and balanced for both sides. (Players army. Instead, they very sensibly concentrate on what is
with collections of Epic models that are no longer in typically found in each army. Thus the Steel Legion infantry
production should also check out the Appendices at the end company does represent a bunch of wet behind the ears new
of the rules, which have specific rules and guidelines for recruits or a small group of hardened veterans, but
using these models). something about half way in between. When playing a
scenario, however, there are no such restrictions, and you
Scenarios also allow players to field non-standard formations
should feel free to invent new units and create new
– in other words formations that are different to those
formations as you see fit. If you are devising a scenario that
described in the army lists. The ‘fixed’ formations used in the
requires an Imperial Governor’s elite personal bodyguard to
tournament army lists are a huge simplification of the type
be present, along with the Governor in his bullet-proof
and variety of formations that can be fielded in an army. It is
limousine, then you can just go ahead and work out what is
extremely rare for two formations to be exactly the same in
in the formation and then come up with the datasheets for
their composition, even if they are nominally of the same
the new units. Any new units that you invent like this clearly
type. For example, while a newly recruited formation would
won’t have any points values, that isn’t really a problem in a
start off at full strength, over the course of a campaign
scenario as you can just use a fixed force list instead.
146
KADILLUS ISLE - PISCINA IV
The first stages of
the Piscina Key
Campaign. WAAA-GHAZGHKULL
Ghazghkull’s first assault
(1) Ghazghkull crosses Vartoth
Koth Ridge from the WAAA-NAZDREG Nazdreg’s Mine
e
org
East Barrens, and assaults breakthrough attempt (Disused)
kG
Kadillus Harbour. IMPERIAL
rra
REINFORCEMENTS
Ba
(2) Imperial moving to occupy Koth Ridge
reinforcements move
quickly to cut off
Ghazghkull’s warriors
3
and prevent Nazdreg
Barrak
from linking up with
Mine
him by occupying Koth
Ridge.
(3) Nazdreg then turns IMPERIAL
ns
north to attack the DEFENCE
East Barre
Indola
OF KOTH
ge
RIDGE (Disused)
Gorge, as Dark Angels
ne
Spi
K
ot
h
G
Kadillus Harbour
or
ge
Planetary Capital
To Map Or Not To Map much more enjoyable. It is far more fun knowing that you are
One thing every scenario designer needs to consider is battling for the famous heights of Koth Ridge on Piscinia IV,
whether the scenario requires a map or not, and also how or that you have just captured one of the bridges over the
detailed this map will be. Almost all of the training scenarios Sulphur River on Rynn’s World, than it is to simply capture
in this book do without a map. We’ve done this because it is ‘the hill’ or ‘the bridge’. On the whole, then, taking the time
difficult for us to know exactly what terrain the people to create a map for a scenario is well worth the effort if you
playing the scenarios will have available, so we’ve left things have the time, and the players will appreciate the game far
as open as possible whenever we can. more.
When you are designing your own scenarios you can do the Unique Situations & Terrain
same thing, and there is no reason at all for you to draw a Arguably the most important thing that scenarios allow you
map unless you really have to. The advantage of not drawing to do is fight battles based on unique situations or over
detailed maps for scenarios is that it is easier to work this exotic terrain. A classic example of the first type of scenario
way, and it makes it easier to use whatever terrain you have is the ‘opposed planetary invasion’ where one side must land
available when playing a game. Quite often scenarios will not all of their troops from orbit onto a well-defended landing
really require a map at all, and at other times they will only site. An equally classic example of the second type of scenario
require a map showing vital terrain features. The Korps is an ‘opposed river crossing’, where one side must breach a
Grinda scenario works like this, just showing the terrain river defence line.
features that need to be placed, and allowing the players to What these unique settings almost always require are a whole
add more scenery to the gaming table as they see fit. slew of special rules. Say, for example, you have decided to
On the other hand, making a proper map for a scenario will run a scenario that takes place on the frozen ice-wastes near
add a lot of character to the game, as you will be able to make the southern pole of Armageddon. You will need to decide
sure that the terrain is interestingly and appropriately laid what special rules will be required in order to fight battles in
out, and you can also name all of the terrain features when this special setting. How dangerous is the terrain? Are there
this is appropriate. You can also use maps to show the ‘larger hidden crevices in the ice? Could a blizzard blow up? Do
picture’, showing what is happening beyond the area special rules apply to certain units in this environment? And
represented on the gaming table. Once again this will help so on.
the players get a feel for the situation that the battle is taking As with almost all of the other types of scenario that we have
place in, and this will make any games that are played that discussed so far, it is important not to bite off too much the
147
first time that you run a scenario using a very unique only units belonging to the same side as the formation you
situation or exotic terrain. In other words, start off with a assault may lend supporting fire. You may not assault
Space Marine Battle Company making a landing before you formations from two enemy armies in a single assault (well,
unleash and a Chapter, and do a small-scale river-crossing not unless you want to come up with your own house rules
before attempting a D-Day style coastal landing! The other for deciding how this works!).
thing to watch out for is going overboard on the special rules The all-against-all method works best with fairly small games
front. It is extremely easy to get carried away and write too with up to about four players a side. If there are too many
many special rules, and it’s also very easy to make the rules formations or too many players, then the game can slow to a
you do write too complex. With special rules, it is almost crawl, and it is recommended that either simultaneous or
always the case that ‘less is more’. In other words it is almost hierarchical team play is used for larger games.
always better to have a few simple rules that add a bit of
character, than a stack of special rules that simply serve to Hierarchical Team Game
slow the game down. One simple method of keeping things In team games, the players are split into two sides. All of the
under control is to write all of the special rules you think formations on the same side treat each other as friendly
you’ll need, and then get rid of half of them! Trust me, what’s formations as far as the rules are concerned, and all
left will be more than enough. formations on the opposing side are treated as enemy
formations. In team games, formations belonging to different
All these things said, unique situations and/or terrain are very players on the same side may lend each other supporting fire
well suited to big games, as they bring a feeling of weight and if assaulted.
gravitas to the occasion. Although not recommended as your
first game, a huge planetary assault, or a coastal landing, or a Team games may either be hierarchical or simultaneous (see
battle set on the ice-wastes on the southern pole of below for simultaneous team play). In hierarchical games,
Armageddon, all make for superb ‘monster games’ played by one player is placed ‘in supreme command’ and decides
all the members of a club, or a ‘demo-game’ at a games show. which of the players on his side may take an action when it is
You’ll find that big games like this will utilise all of the skills their side’s turn to do so. This aside, the normal game rules
you’ll have learned playing the other types of scenario apply in full. Hierarchical games work well for small and
discussed above. You’ll need to deal with things like opposed medium sized games, but can slow things down a lot if you
victory conditions, unbalanced forces, foxed force lists and are running a really large monster session. It is an excellent
new units and formations, and then combine this with the way of introducing new players to the Epic rules, as they can
need to devise special rules to cover the unique aspects of be teamed up with an experienced player who is the
the scenario that you are playing. Big games like this are supreme commander for their side, and because almost of
nearly always a group effort, and this mans that you’ll also the normal game rules are used unchanged.
need to organise the players that will be taking part, making Simultaneous Team Game
sure that they turn up on time for the game, that they help In a simultaneous game, players are split into two teams as
paint the forces required, build the terrain, and so on. This described for Hierarchal team play above. However, all of the
makes the ‘big monster scenario’ the ultimate challenge for a players with an eligible formation get to take actions when it
scenario designer, but it is an equally rewarding project to is their side’s turn to do so, rather than just one player doing
undertake. There really is nothing quite like running a big so. Once all the players have completed their action then play
monster game! passes to the other side. If any of the players on a side wants
to retain initiative then they may attempt to do so; other
players on the same side may choose to retain the initiative or
not as they see fit. Once all the players have completed the
actions they wish to carry out, play passes to the other side
and that side gets to carry out actions, and so on.
When playing a simultaneous game, it is possible for an
enemy formation to be attacked by two or more attacking
formations. For example, two players on the same side might
both want to shoot at the same enemy formation, or one
Multiplayer Games player might shoot at an enemy formation while another
Scenarios, especially large scenarios, will often involve more player wants to assault it, or two players both want to assault
than one player on each side. There are a number of different the same enemy formation. If this happens then combined
ways to play multiplayer games, each with their own shooting or assaults are allowed to take place. Treat the two
advantages and disadvantages. When you play a multiplayer (or more) formations taking part as a single force when
game, you will need to choose one of the following methods working out the results of the shooting or assault, following
of deciding who does what and when. These methods are: the guidelines for coordinated assault in the core rules. On
All-Against-All the other hand, if one player wants to assault an enemy
formation then formations belonging to other players on the
Hierarchical Team Play same side may not shoot at the target of the assault, as the
Simultaneous Team Play assaulting troops get in the way!
All Against All Simultaneous play is the best option for very large games, as
In all-against-all games, each player has an army and all the doing anything else can slow the game down to a snail’s
formations belonging to the other players count as being the pace. However, it can throw up some strange situations that
enemy as far as the rules are concerned. Each player takes a will require common sense or the roll of a dice to sort out.
turn in order, based on their Strategy rolls at the start of the For this reason, it works best when used by experienced
turn. The player that rolled highest chooses whether the players from a regular gaming group that have the
players will move in order of lowest roll to highest roll, or experience and maturity to deal with any rules problems that
from highest roll to lowest. In the Action phase, each player may arise, or if the scenario is run by a non-player ‘umpire’
acts in this order. If you assault an enemy formation then who can resolve any disputes.
148
The Defence of Water Processing Plant 10927 The reason for this is explained in the deployment and
The southern pole of Armageddon is surrounded by an special rules below. As the Imperial side had a more
inhospitable region known as the Deadlands. The Deadlands ‘fractured’ command structure, and also because some of the
are an icy and blizzard-swept wasteland where the only other special rules favoured the Orks, we decided to allow
useful resource is the huge reserves of relatively pure water the Imperial forces a few more units to even things back up
that can be found there. The numerous water processing (the fact this allowed us to use even more models from our
plants dotted across this landscape filter out the few collection had nothing to do with the decision!).
remaining impurities and then pipe the fresh water to the If you decide to refight the battle yourself, than I recommend
ever-thirsty hives on Armageddon Secundus. that you follow exactly the same procedure; get all of the
When Warlord Skabsnik’s Blitz Brigade landed in the models that you have available, and use as many of them as
Deadlands, it quickly began to overrun and destroy the water you can, using the points values from the Grand Tournament
processing plants. Output soon fell to just under half of its army lists to keep things reasonably even! Note that you will
pre-invasion levels, and Imperial commanders realised that need to split each army into separate commands (Two Ork
unless something was done and done soon about Skabsnik and three Imperial). The important thing is not to fixate too
then the Hives on Armageddon Secundus would fall without much on ‘keeping things even’. In a game of this type all that
a shot being fired as the defenders died from lack of water. matters is that both sides have a chance of winning, not that
Five regiments of Imperial Guard troops, supported by they have the same chance of winning.
Marines from half a dozen different chapters and Titans from Gaming Area: With such large forces in play, we needed a
the Legio Victorium were hastily despatched to the area. The suitably large gaming area too. Rather than use a single table,
first major confrontation between these forces and we decided to but together three of our standard 6’ by 4’
Skabsnik’s boyz took place around the water processing tables to create a suitable large playing area. As few players
plant known only as 10927. can reach across a table that is wider than 6’ across, we
Forces: The idea behind this game was simply to use as many decided not to butt the tables together in a fashion that
of the Epic scale models in our collection as we could! We created a large rectangular playing area, but instead set them
therefore worked out the points value of the Imperial forces up in a sort of arrow-head shape as shown on the map below.
that we had and compared them to the total Ork forces in This method of setting up the tables ensured that everyone
our collection. This revealed that the Orks would be heavily would be able to reach to the middle of any point on the
outnumbered (in terms of points, at least), so we decided to table in order to manoeuvre their troops, while still giving us
use all of our Imperial Guard army with ‘supporting a suitably large area to play across. We assumed that all off-
elements’ from our Marine and Titan collections to make up table areas were either sea or so filled with dangerous terrain
the numbers. This still amounted to a substantial force! as to make them impassable to all units – after all, they don’t
We split the Imperial army into three roughly equal-sized call it the Deadlands for nothing!
‘commands’, and the Ork army into two roughly equal sized Number Of Players: This game is designed for five players
‘commands’ (or should that be kommands for the Orks?). using the special rules for simultaneous team play (see left).
Water
Holding
The Imperial army Tanks
sets up on boards
1-3. Imperial units The water processing plant is set up by the
Pumping
may not leave the Station Control Imperial player on board 1 and can be
boards they are Complex represented by any suitable models in your
assigned to (see collection.
the special rules
on the next page).
Board 1
149
Deployment: The Imperial force is split into three out the result of the assault (ie, just roll to see how much
commands as discussed. Each command has to set up on a damage the attacker causes). Locations never receive Blast
separate table, as shown by the map. No Imperial units may markers, and can’t be broken, etc. Details of how the Orks
be deployed closer than 45cms to one of the table edges can destroy each location are described below.
where the Orks will enter play. Water Holding Tanks: There are six holding tanks. Each is
Ork forces are split into two commands that enter from treated as an armoured vehicle with a save of 4+. One hit is
different table edges on the first turn of the game. The table all that is needed to destroy each holding tank.
edges that the two commands enter from is shown on the map. Pumping Station: The pumping station is a robust building
Ork formations entering play in aircraft or from spacecraft that is treated as a war engine target with a 4+ save, a
should be placed aside, along with the transport units that damage capacity of 6, and reinforced armour.
will bring them into play. Units being transported must start Control Complex: The control complex is underground. In
the game already loaded into the transport vehicle that will order to destroy it, Ork troops must enter the complex and
bring them into play (ie, an aircraft or unit with the planetfall kill all of the technicians that are there. Ork units can enter
ability). the complex by launching an assault and moving inside
Other Ork formations are assumed to be just off table edge (remove the units from the table). Only units that can enter
assigned to their command. To show where these formations buildings may enter the complex. If part of the assaulting
will come onto the table, you must place a unit from the formation remains outside, then at least one unit outside
formation anywhere on the appropriate table edge. This unit needs to stay within 5cms of the entrance in order to
shows where the rest of the units in the formation will enter maintain formation coherency. All units that enter the
play during the first turn. If several formations want to enter complex are allowed to attack with their Close Combat or
play at the same point (along a road, for example) simply Firefight values. They must score a total of six hits to kill all
place the units in a row one in front of the other, and of the technicians. Imperial defenders are not allowed to
measure their movement from the rearmost unit in the row. enter the complex (it’s off limits!). Ork units in the complex
If you prefer you can place counters or tokens instead of may leave by measuring their move back onto the table from
units, just as long as you know which token corresponds to the complex entrance.
which formation. Blizzards: The battlefield around the water purifying plant
Formations entering play in aircraft or from spacecraft can do was swept by blizzards and pitted with hidden crevices. To
so on any turn following the rules for transport aircraft and represent these factors, the Imperial player must roll a D6 at
planetfall (see 4.2.5 & 4.4) They are allowed to move onto the start of each turn:
the table assigned to their command or table one, but cannot D6 Result
be used on the table assigned to the other Ork command.
Other Ork formations must move onto the table they have 1 Table One is hit by a blizzard
been assigned to in the Action phase of the first turn. 2 Table Two is hit by a blizzard
Formations that fail their Initiative test must choose to move 3 Table Three is hit by a blizard
as their hold action, and will enter play with a Blast marker
4 The Ork player may choose which table is hit by a
for failing the Initiative test. Formations that are in reserve
blizzard
may not carry out any game functions or use special abilities
they may have. 5 The Imperial player may choose which table is hit by
a blizzard
Victory Conditions: The Ork player must destroy all three
locations that make up the water purifying within 12 turns in 6 All tables are hit by blizzards
order to win (how to destroy the plant is describe below). If a table is hit by a blizzard than the following rules apply:
Special Rules: This scenario uses a number of special rules • Any weapons shooting at units on the blizzard-swept table
that are described below. suffer a -1 to hit modifier.
Imperial Command Structure: The Imperial forces were • All units on the blizzard-swept table that fight in an assault
ordered to defend their positions to the last man and the suffer a -1 modifier to any to hit rolls made with Firefight
troops that made up Commands Two and Three (ie, on the values.
outlying tables) were ordered not to fall back towards the
• Formations must treat all terrain other than roads as
water purifying plant under any circumstances. Because of
dangerous terrain (representing hidden crevices covered
this, they are not allowed to leave the tables that they set up
that the units fails to see because of the blizzard).
on during the game. If they do so, they are eliminated.
Imperial aircraft are allowed to leave the table to rearm and
refuel, but may only carry out missions on their assigned
table.
Destroying the water purifying plant: The Ork player must
destroy the water purifying plant in order to win. The plant
is made up of three key locations, each of which needs to be
destroyed for the Orks to win. These locations are: the water
holding tanks, the pumping station, and the control
complex. Each of these locations will need to be represnted
by a suitable model, which is set up on Table One by the
Imperial player when he deploys his forces. The water
holding tanks and the pumping station must be set up within
15cms of the control complex.
Each location can be targeted as if it were an enemy
formation. They may be assaulted, but don’t bother working
150
6.7 CAMPAIGNS way of tracking the data you have collected. For example, if
you wanted to track how long games last, you’d need players
“A battle is but one part of a larger whole. Any student of to write this down, and if you wanted to know how may goals
war will tell you that a wise commander will not commit a player had achieved and which ones you’d need to get
to battle unless he has first ensured that it is a fight he them to write this down to. Having this information would
cannot lose. But this still gives the battle an importance it allow you to do things like publish the shortest game, longest
does not warrant. Fighting a battle, even a battle you game, most commonly achieved objective, and so on. For
cannot fail to win, is the purest foolishness unless it some reason, players find this information fascinating, even
advances the chances of ending the need for any further if it has no real effect on the outcome of the league.
battles. Your primary aim must always be to win the war,
One other thing you will need to consider is how long the
not win the battle.”
league is going to run for, and if there is to be some kind of
Imperium Tactica ‘grand final’ to decide the winner. There is no reason at all
not to have a ‘perpetual’ league that keeps on running
Playing one-off games of Epic is an engrossing and hugely
forever if you wish. However, even perpetual leagues benefit
enjoyable hobby, but any veteran gamer will tell you that
from some kind of regular championship match to decide
playing an Epic campaign is even more fun. Campaigns allow
who is the league champion. Grudge matches between the
you to link several games together, testing your ability over
two top ranked players in a league are always exciting, and
the course of several games rather than just one. Although
will often draw a crowd, and this alone makes them well
campaigns are quite difficult to organise, they are well worth
worth holding. If you are running a league that will finish
the effort, and really do represent the ultimate way of playing
after a certain amount of time, then a grand final offers a
Epic.
suitably climatic end to the league, and should leave players
There are a number of different ways of running a campaign, eager to sign up for a new league if another one is set up at
from simple tournament game leagues, right through to a future date.
highly detailed map based campaigns. In this section, we’ll
provide some concrete examples of several of these different While on the subject of leagues that run for a limited period
methods of running a campaign. There are, however, of time, it is probably worth mentioning the Grand
countless different ways of running campaigns, and what we Tournaments run by Games Workshop. These are weekend
describe here is really only the tip of the iceberg. More than long gaming events where players take part in a series of
any other part of the rules, the way that you run a campaign tournament games. Points are scored for winning games,
is a personal thing, and you should go about it in the way that how well painted your army is, and how sporting an
seems best to you. When all is said and done, if you put in opponent you are. At the end of the weekend, the player with
the effort to set up and run a campaign, then you have the the most points is declared the winner, and players also win
right to decide what rules will be used for it! awards for being the best general (ie, winning the most
games), having the best army, and being the most sporting
opponent. Grand Tournaments like this are really nothing
more than a tournament game league run over the course of
a weekend with a lot of players, and there is no reason not to
consider running a similar event for your own gaming group
or club.
ALL
OUT DEEP
ATTACK STRIKE
Ladder Campaign
In ladder campaigns, the players agree to play a pre-set series
of battles, with each battle affecting the outcome of later
battles. Unlike narrative campaigns which let each battle’s
outcome drive the story, the links within a ladder campaign
tend to be predetermined, so you don’t need a referee.
MAJOR NARROW NARROW MAJOR
Using the above example, the players may decide beforehand ATTACKER ATTACKER DEFENDER DEFENDER
to play these battles: Defend the Space Port, Break Out, VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY
Governor’s Defence and Suprise Attack. Before any of the
battles are fought, the players decide what the benefits or
penalties for winning and losing these battles will be. The Attacker Defender
winner of the first battle may have reinforcements from orbit wins wins
in the form of more war engines. For the second battle, the
loser may have some of their forces delayed in reserve for the
In more involved campaigns you could also include paths on
later battles as they attempt to destroy their enemies around
the diagram that looped back, or sub-plots which branched
the space port. In the third battle, the victor will score a
off the main tree. You could also experiment with allowing
boost in morale which allows all his units to add +1 to their
victors a few extra points in their armies after winning a
initiative when rallying, and the final battle determines who
particularly important battle, or perhaps losing a fight for
is the winner of the whole campaign.
control of a tank factory might mean that armoured vehicle
Map Campaign units cost more points. The amount of variation depends
A map-based campaign uses a map (surprise, surprise!) to only on your campaign background and your imagination.
control the action of each force under a player’s control.
Campaign Journals
There are ‘campaign turns’ between battles, in which the
Campaigns are not just about organising battles, they are also
players move their forces about on the map. When armies
about developing your own army and characters and giving
move into each other on the map, a battle is fought to
them some history. Because of this, you should consider
determine the outcome of the encounter. Map campaigns
keeping a journal of what happens in the campaigns that you
often include special rules for such things as supplies,
fight. You can use the journal as a place to store away the
reinforcements and scouting forces, so perhaps a unit’s
maps, unit data sheets and formations that you create for
movement would be restricted if it didn’t have enough fuel
your campaigns, and you can also use it to write down all of
for its vehicles. Map-based campaigns often turn into games
the things that happen. In time, your journal will become a
in their own right and actually fighting the battles on the
valuable reference book that you can refer back to when
tabletop becomes of secondary importance to out-
devising future scenarios and campaigns. The author has
manoeuvring your opponent on the campaign map. You
journals for campaigns he ran back when he started
don’t need a referee for a map-based campaign, but it helps
wargaming in the 1970s, and which bring back many happy
to have an independent arbitrator who can force the
memories to this day!
protagonists to fight their tabletop games in time for the next
campaign turn, and impose forfeits if players do not. The best Although challenging to run, a campaign offers a lot more to
asset a map campaign can have is very dedicated players, who players than constantly playing one-off battles. I really do
will play their battles before the next campaign turn starts. highly recommend that you give one a try!
152
APPENDICES
This last section of the Epic rulebook is made up of a number of appendices relating to aspects of the Epic gaming hobby
that either haven’t been covered up to now or which we didn’t want to have cluttering up the main body of the rules
(even though they are useful!) In addition to the resource below there are ssix further appendices:
How To Paint Epic Miniatures: A starting guide to painting Collectors Models: Rules for collectors models that are either
Epic miniatures, with several step-by-step guides. no longer in production or are made by Forge World.
How To Make Epic Terrain: A brief introduction to the art of Frequently Asked Questions: Pages and pages of answers to
making terrain for your games of Epic. frequently asked questions about the Epic rules,
Extended Example Of Play: A run-through of a typical game Reference Sheets: Quick reference sheets for the game rules
turn, covering all of the core game rules. and each of the armies covered in the Epic: Armageddon book.
EPIC RESOURCES
The following names and addresses may prove useful to Epic players. All are correct at the time of writing (late 2003).
Fanatic Studio: Games Workshop Ltd, Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7 2WS.
Fanatic Studio website: www.specialist-games.com
Fanatic E-mail: [email protected]
Games Workshop website: www.games-workshop.com
Official Epic website: www.epic-battles.com
The Epic ‘Nexus’: www.netepic.org (links to unofficial Epic websites)
The Epic Playtesters Vault
The Epic ‘vault’ is an internet website that contains downloadable army lists that are being playtested ready for publication,
and a forum where you can comment about the new lists or ask questions about the game rules.
Epic Playtesters Vault: www.epic-battles.com/vault.htm
Ordering Information
To order Epic miniatures and other material, phone your local Games Workshop Mail Order departments on the numbers
given below or check out the on-line store.
On-line Store: www.games-workshop.com/storefront Australian Mail Order: 02-9829-6111
Canadian Mail Order: 1-888-GWTROLL French Mail Order: 01-4908-5220
German Mail Order: 0049-211-5402-200 Italian Mail Order: 0039-06-452-113-33
Spanish Mail Order: 0034-902-13-10-56 UK Mail Order: 0115-91-40000
US Mail Order: 1-800-394-GAME Any Other Country: 0044-115-91-40000
Magazines
White Dwarf: The official magazine of the Games Workshop hobby.
Concentrates mainly on Warhammer and Warhammer
40,000, but occasionally has Epic articles.
Fanatic: The official Fanatic studio magazine. Every issue
includes Epic material. Issue one goes on sale May 2004.
Forge World
Forge World make superbly detailed resin models for use with Epic,
many of which are featured in these rules. We highly recommend these
models, but please note that they can only be ordered directly from
Forge World – you cannot get them from Games Workshop Mail Order!
Forge World: Games Workshop Ltd, Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7
2WS.
E-mail: [email protected]
Forge World website and on-line store: www.forgeworld.co.uk
Sabertooth Games
Almost all of the colour artwork in this rulebook was provided to us by
our colleagues at Sabertooth Games, where it was originally used to
illustrate the cards in their excellent Warhammer 40,000 CCG.
Sabertooth Games: 610 Industry Dr, Tukwila, WA 98188, USA
Sabertooth Games website and on-line store:
www.sabertoothgames.com
E-mail: [email protected]
153
PAINTING EPIC MINIATURES
“The uniforms of the Imperial Guard are camouflaged in order to protect their wearers by hiding them from sight.
The principle is that what the enemy cannot see he cannot kill. This is not the way of the Adeptus Astartes. A Space
Marine’s armour is bright with heraldry that proclaims his devotion to his Chapter and the beloved Emperor of
Mankind. Our principle is that what the enemy can see, he will soon learn to fear…”
Chaplain Aston, 10th Company, Fire Hawks Chapter
REPRESENTING CHARACTERS
The plastic sets of Epic infantry produced by Games Workshop
do not include models for all of the character upgrades
included in tournament army lists. This page shows some
examples of simple conversions that can be used to represent a
stand that includes the character upgrade. Note in particular
how just painting the Commissar in a different colour allows
the same model to represent either a Commissar or a
Space Marine Tactical squad with
Commander.
Captain upgrade
Imperial Guard
Commander
and Commissar
154
Undercoat Painting Guides
Once you have glued your models together, you’ll need to The painting guides on this and the following pages show
undercoat the before they are painted. This primes the you in easy-to-follow steps some techniques you can use to
surface of the miniature so the paint adheres well and the paint your models. Bear in mind that each example shows
colours look bright. You can apply a layer of white paint with only one tank or troop stand and obviously you’ll have lots
a brush instead but a much smoother finish will be achieved to paint. It’s far easier to paint several of each type at once,
if you use a spray undercoat. This comes in both black or completing every step on all the models before painting the
white. White is used more often as it makes the colours of next colour.
your models brighter. Black is sometimes used to undercoat Painting Orks
models that will be painted predominately black anyway, This stand of Ork Boyz has been painted using flat colours.
saving time. Always use aerosol sprays in a well ventilated
area or preferably outside, never use them in an enclosed,
unventilated place. Once the undercoat is dry, it’s time to get
stuck in to the painting.
4. Paint the muzzle and ammo clips of the boltguns and the
missile launcher Boltgun Metal. At this stage you have
Tom Merrigan painted this stand of Space Marines using a finished painting the individual models. We will now look at
combination of drybrushing and flat colours to quickly detailing and painting the base.
produce an attractive looking highlighted model. The Space
Marines are painted with a black undercoat, with a second
undercoat of Dark Angels Green being added once the first
undercoat is dry.
The models’ base is every bit as important as the model itself
and can easily make or break the finished piece. Tom has also
shown how to model and paint the models base in a
relatively straightforward manner that produces results that
are well worth the extra time it takes. 5. Apply a layer of PVA glue to the base then dip the base into
a small heap of sand. Try to get a good coverage and don’t
hesitate to re-glue and re-dip to cover any bits you might
have missed. Once dry, shake of any excess and the surface is
ready to be painted.
6. Paint the entire base with Dark Flesh, making sure you
paint the edge of the base as well.
There are many ways to paint your Space Marine, below are just a few ways.
Space Marine Devastator squad from Space Marine Terminators from the Space Marine Grey Hunters from Chaplain leading this Blood Angels
the Imperial Fists Chapter Dark Angels Chapter the Space Wolves Chapter Death Company Assault squad
156
Painting tanks using spray paint
Red spray paint for the Blue spray paint for the Green spray paint for the White spray paint for the Shadow Grey spray paint for Light Grey spray paint for
Blood Angels Chapter Ultramarines Chapter Salamanders Chapter White Scars Chapter the Space Wolves Chapter the White Consuls Chapter
157
MAKING EPIC TERRIAN
”Being able to read the lie of the land is arguably the most important skill an officer can have. On the attack, a
wise commander will use the terrain to mask his advance from the enemy’s sight. On defence, he will occupy
positions that provide cover for his troops and a clear view of the routes along which the enemy is likely to attack.
Using terrain well can give even an inferior force the chance of victory, while using it badly can lead to the defeat
of all but the strongest attacker.”
Imperium Tactica
Epic benefits perhaps more than any other Games Workshop Gaming boards
game from having armies that match the terrain or battlefield Many gamers use an all-purpose flat-surfaced gaming board
over which they fight. From toxic ash wastes, dense jungles made from a piece of chipboard, fibre board or polystyrene.
and forests to the scorched sands of huge deserts, the choices All these types of material can be obtained from DIY
are many and varied. All you have to do is decide on the ones superstores. Painted the colour of your choice or even
that spark off your imagination. flocked to give them texture, they make excellent gaming
tables. As long as you don’t buy a piece that’s too big, they’re
easy to store. You can lean them up against a wall or slide
them under a bed when not in use.
A 4'x4' piece is about the right size to begin with. If you find
you need a bigger area for gaming you can buy another piece
and place them side by side to make an area 8'x4'. If this is
too big, two 3'x4' sheets might suit you better, producing a
6'x4' table. If you’re using chipboard or fibre board, a coat or
two of emulsion paint is all it will need to begin with. You can
always stir some sand into the paint as well to give the
surface a bit more texture.
If you’re using polystyrene for your battlefield, you’ll need a
piece about 1.5" thick, any thinner and it will more than
likely break. Polystyrene doesn’t take paint very well so it’s
best to prime it with a layer of watered-down all-purpose
filler before you paint it. This will also give the surface a more
textured appearance.
The game can be played on any reasonably large, flat surface.
Even the floor will suffice, but this is usually a recipe for
aching backs and sore knees. Playing on a tabletop is far
better in the long term, preferably in a place where you can
leave your games set up permanently. There are many
different ways to create your own battlefield to fight over. All
of the examples that we have given are equally valid and
perform essentially the same function. Choosing a suitable
style of terrain for yourself depends on basic considerations
such as how much space you have to play your games in and
how much time you want to invest in making the battlefield.
Polystyrene and chipboard gaming tables
Using cloth as a gaming surface
Using a piece of coloured cloth is a quick and convenient way You can always add a layer of flock to your gaming surface.
to represent the basic terrain for your games. It can be Flock is very fine, coloured wood chippings that can be glued
draped over books to make hills or you can model your own to gaming tables, bits of scenery and model bases. To flock
terrain features to place on top of the cloth. You can choose your gaming table, first paint a watered-down layer of PVA
different colours depending on which type of planet surface glue onto it. sprinkle it liberally with flock and leave it to dry
you’d like to have. For example, the beige cloth we’ve used overnight. Then tip off any excess flock onto some sheets of
looks like a desert world. Alternatively, you could use green newspaper to be used again later. To avoid any patchy areas,
cloth for jungle terrain or a white cloth for an ice world. make sure you paint your table the required colour before
you add the flock.
8'
4' WOODEN
BATTENS
This razor wire was made out of car body mesh cut into strips and twisted into
the correct shape.
Robin Dews has constructed his own impressive modular terrain boards.
Robin has also created extra moveable terrain features (such as ruined
buildings and extra hills) to create more variety in his set-up.
Death Worlds exist, such as the pale blue cobalt and ammonium salt plains of Galen V, the
Some planets are so inhospitable to life that they are called death worlds. On deep red iron oxide deserts of Bassus Prime or the smooth atomic plains of
such worlds the environment itself becomes the enemy. The terrain of death sand fused into glass on Tarrisus Majoris. Most deserts are barren places with
worlds can vary widely. There are voracious jungle death worlds like Catachan only a few scattered rocks for shelter, but many are exploited for their
and Canak, baking desert worlds like McIntyre IX, or the barren rocky worlds abundant natural resources. Mining stations, moisture farms and oil rigs, with
of the galactic core. These are grey, lifeless places, a tortured landscape of their attendant pipelines, landing strips, roads and colony buildings dot the
soaring crags and pinnacles with sheer glass sided crevasses carved by the landscape. There are also oases of drinkable water or breathable air, often
raging winds and dust storms. There are vast chromium drifts, dust seas and surrounded by the camps of native tribesmen.
shale deserts where life never survives for long. Ice Worlds
Daemon Worlds At the opposite end of the scale to desert worlds are the frozen ice worlds,
At the dark heart of the Eye of Terror lie the daemon worlds, where warp space orbiting a distant sun. The topography of ice worlds is much like that of a
and the material universe overlap. These hellish planets are where daemons desert world, with snow drifts, glaciers, ice shelves, glittering pinnacles, deep
and insanity rule. The laws of physics do not apply here.The surreal landscapes crevasses crossed by ice bridges and frozen lakes or seas.
are formed and reformed by the whim of their evil rulers. Few have seen these On some planets the only habitable places are giant icebergs which drift
terrible places and survived, but those who have, report such terrors as boiling through seas of pack ice. In more temperate areas on ice worlds the blanket of
lakes, rivers of blood and plains of skulls and bones where the bodies of the snow gives way to tundra, where scrub bushes and pine forests grow. Due to
dead have lain unburied for centuries. Strange twisted towers of black stone the sub-zero temperatures the inhabitants of ice worlds often live below
scar the horizons. Great monuments to the Chaos Gods, menhirs, stone ground, taking refuge in subterranean cities. Surface installations do still exist,
circles, altars, unholy temples and shrines lie beneath skies burning with fire. like research and exploration stations, or armoured bunkers defending the
Daemon worlds are the play grounds of the Gods of Chaos, where their entrances to the cities below.
most favoured servants fight endless bloody wars for the amusement of
their masters. Agri-Worlds
As the forge worlds are to the Imperium’s industries so the agri-worlds are to
Desert Worlds its food supply. They are lush, green fertile planets, terraformed to provide the
Not all deserts are like those on Earth. Many display the same characteristics of temperate climate in which crops grow best. Agri-worlds tend not to be as
rolling sand dunes, outcrops of rock, tall spires and plunging canyons; but highly populated as hive or forge worlds, although they still support many
alien worlds have alien terrain. Across the galaxy many more exotic deserts cities and towns.
160
Types of Terrain
In the 41st Millennium the Imperium of Man extends across
a million worlds, scattered throughout the far corners of the
galaxy. The age of human expansion lies in the distant past,
separated from the present by untold millennia of ignorance
and barbarism. The galaxy-spanning Imperium of Man is a
huge place. It is larger than a single mind can comprehend,
and encompasses a dizzying variety of worlds. From massive
gas giants to barren, lifeless planetoids, forest moons to
frozen ice worlds, jungle death worlds, teeming hive worlds
with their polluted ash wastes, industrialised forge worlds
and waterless desert worlds.
Many worlds do not consist of a single climate or terrain
type, they can encompass polar ice caps, temperate zones,
equatorial jungles and deserts. Most worlds have a unique
character of their own, perhaps a desert climate with thin
temperate zones around small seas, or especially dense
This tabletop example shows a daemon world battlefield. The towering black
jungles or endless miles of rolling savannah plains. They cliffs and river of toxic slime were both cut out from polystyrene sheets. You
might also have unique weather patterns: rainy seasons, can buy these from DIY superstores and are great for making all kinds of
tornadoes, ammonium dust storms or poisonous volcanic terrain.
ash clouds. The combinations are endless. Just a few of the
diverse worlds found across the galaxy are listed below.
There are numerous types of death world terrain you can model or represent
This sun-baked death world was created simply with a beige cloth for the on your tabletop battlefield. The example above shows a dense jungle world
surface and some simple rock formations made from stones and pebbles, filled with weird alien cacti and strange trees. These were mostly hand built
stuck onto card and painted. with the occasional commercially available trees mixed in.
Forge Worlds soup. Gasses released by decaying plant life bubble to the surface. A carpet of
The forge worlds are the ever-grinding heart of the Imperium’s industrial thick vegetation clings to everything.
might. Each is ruled and maintained by the mysterious and arcane Adeptus In the area of the galaxy near the Eye of Terror there are many such worlds
Mechanicus, in the name of their Machine God. They are very heavily which were seeded by the Eldar to form potential colonies thousands of years
industrialised, with massive foundries, smelting works, weapons factories, before the fall of their civilisation. The Eldar call these places Maiden Worlds
power stations and refineries; all with tall chimneys belching smoke and and view themselves as their guardians. Many wars have been fought between
centred around the Machine Cult’s temples. From their vast factories and the Eldar and other races over the fate of the Maiden Worlds.
unnumbered workshops roll the Imperium’s tools of war. From las pistols to
defence lasers, tanks to Titans, the factories of the forge worlds produce Hive Worlds
them all. Hive Worlds teem with uncounted billions of inhabitants. They live in hives,
great mountain-like cities, tower upon tower rising through the layers of
Foundries are connected by railway lines, canals and road networks. There are
poisonous smog to pierce the planet’s atmosphere. These man-made
cargo ports for the arrival of imported resources, storage warehouses for the
mountains are hundreds of miles across their base, rising ever more steeply to
completed weapons and sprawling scrap yards which can cover hundreds of
their glittering summit. Conditions inside are crowded beyond belief, insane
square miles. On many forge worlds thousands of years of scrap metal and
and insanitary. Hive Worlds are vital to the Imperium, forming major recruiting
machinery has become so compressed that it has created a metres-thick
grounds for the untold millions of the Imperial Guard and the vast
artificial surface of compacted waste.
manufacturing base the Imperium needs to fight its incessant wars.
Primaeval Worlds On most Hive Worlds the land outside becomes a polluted desert, an area of
Many young worlds are still in the violent throes of their formation. These ash wastes. Thousands of years of industrial dumping turns the surface into a
planets are dangerous places where massive volcanoes spew forth flames and grey, toxic wasteland of thick ash. Rivers, canals and seas of poisonous sludge
lava to create a landscape of fire and rock. Strange basalt formations of twisted flow across the land. The shifting ash, miles deep in places can swallow entire
spires, or crystal forests created by the cooling lava dominate the sky lines. convoys. Acid rain, laden with toxins can kill a man and strip him to the bone
rivers of burning magma cut through the bare rock and there are lakes of in a matter of minutes. Few survive in the ash waste, it is an eerie place of half-
boiling mud and geysers. Huge boulders thrown out by volcanic explosions buried ruins, weird mutants and renegades and outcasts from the
litter the surface and the skies are black with ash clouds. towering hives.
Other primaeval worlds are covered with thick swamps. Steaming jungles of
massive trees and ferns, heavily draped with vines, grow out of the primordial
161
COLLECTORS MODELS
Over the years, Games Workshop has produced a wide range creating their own scenarios and/or who want to run
of Epic scale models that are no longer included in the Epic campaigns. For tournament players each entry notes what
range. Entire races have been dropped (the infamous the unit ‘counts as’ for tournament games. For example, if
Squats), and most armies include one or two vehicles that, you have any of Forge World’s resin Leman Russ Conquerors
while they seemed quite a good idea at the time, haven’t in your collection, you can simply ‘count them as’ Leman
been able to stand the test of time and have therefore been Russ (Mars Pattern) tanks if you want to use them in
quietly dropped from the range. In addition, the Forge World tournament games.
design studio has a growing range of superb resin Epic scale Note that we have deliberately not included points values of
models, which are available from their website at any kind for these units, as to do so would only encourage
www.forgeworld.com but can’t always be found in Games players to use them in tournament games, and that is
Workshop stores. something we really don’t want to see happening. Epic
Both of these sets of models are really collectors items, and players with the experience and dedication to devise their
because of this we have not included them in the Grand own scenarios or campaign games should have no trouble
Tournament army lists in case players become frustrated by a incorporating the new units into their games without the
perceived need to use these ‘hard-to-get-hold of ’ models to need for points values, and that is why we’ve included game
‘make their army competitive’. On the other hand, we have characteristics for the models. This is not to say that you
absolutely no desire to ban their use in games. Because of shouldn’t use these models in tournament games, quite the
this, we have included this appendix in order to allow players reverse in fact, it’s just that we want to ensure they are used
who have any of these models in their collection to use them because players think the models look cool rather than to
in their games of Epic Armageddon. gain a tactical advantage. After all, if you think the models
We have provided two ways of using the models. Gaming look cool and you can use them, the fact that they share a
characteristics are provided for players that are interested in datasheet with another model is neither here nor there, is it?
The Epic game began with Adeptus Titanicus, a game involving edition and added rules for Imperator Titans and Mega-Gargants.
Titans battling during the Horus Heresy. First edition Space Marine The third edition of the Epic rules was called Epic 40,000, and
added rules for vehicles and infantry. Orks and Eldar were then attempted to cover all of the material from the previous version in
added in a supplement called Codex Titanicus. After that came a single rules set, using streamlined game mechanics to speed game-
second edition Space Marine and supplements that eventually play. Epic: Armageddon is the forth edition of the game, and
covered Space Marines, Imperial Guard, Eldar, Chaos, Orks, Squats attempts to fuse the detail and ‘chrome’ from the 2nd edition with
and Tyranids. Titan Legions was the final supplement for the 2nd the more streamlined mechanics of the third edition.
162
COLLECTORS TITAN MODELS Last but very far from least is the Imperator Titan. This huge
There are two older versions of the Warlord Titan, one made plastic Titan was included in the Titan Legions supplement to
in metal, and the original plastic version from the very first the 2nd edition version of the Epic rules, and has become
version of Epic (called Adeptus Titanicus) that was released something of a collectors item over the years. If you are lucky
back in the 80s. The plastic version in particular had a wide enough to own one of these impressive war engines then you
range of alternative weapons that it could be armed with. can count it is a Warlord in tournament games, or use the
Either of these models can be ‘counted as’ a Lucius Pattern datasheet provided for it on the following page when using
Warlord Titan with standard weapon configuration in it in scenarios you have devised yourself. The Imperator
tournament games, no matter what weapons they may really is a scary beast, and you can have a very enjoyable game
actually be armed with. In scenarios, either can be assumed just fielding one of these gigantic machines against an entire
to have the same basic characteristics as a Lucius Pattern opposing army!
Warlord, but can be armed with weapons from the weapon Released rather more recently and, at the time of writing, still
list on the next page. available, are the resin ‘Lucius Pattern’ Reaver and Warhound
Older metal versions of the Reaver and Warhound with Titans produced by Forge World. We’ve provided datasheets
variant weapons also exist. Like the Warlord, these can ‘count for these splendid models so that you can use them in
as’ the version in the army lists in tournament games, while scenarios. In tournament play, they should simply count as
in scenarios they may use the weapons from the weapon list Mars Pattern Titans of the same type. You can find out how to
below. order these models from Forge World on the resources page
that appears in these appendices.
163
WARHOUND CLASS SCOUT TITAN
Lucius Pattern, Standard Weapon Configuration
Type Speed Armour Close Combat Firefight
War Engine 30cm 5+ 4+ 4+
Weapon Range Firepower Notes
Vulcan Mega-Bolter 45cm 4 x AP3+/AT5+ ––
Plasma Blastgun 45cm 2 x MW2+ Slow-firing
Damage Capacity 3. 2 Void Shields. Critical Hit Effect: The Warhound is caught off-balance and
staggers. Move D6cm in a random direction. If this move takes the Warhound into impassable
terrain or another unit it can’t move over then it stops when it contacts the obstruction and
suffers an extra point of damage. If it staggers into or over any units then they will take a hit on
a D6 roll of 6+ (make saving throws for the units normally).
Notes: Fearless, Reinforced Armour, Walker. May step over units and impassable
or dangerous terrain that is lower than the Titan’s knees and up to 2cm wide.
164
Titan Weapon List
Over the years Games Workshop has made dozens of alternative weapons to be mounted on Imperial Titans. The following table
lists the characteristics for these weapons for use in non-tournament games. In tournament games simply, say that a Titan
carrying these weapons ‘counts as’ one of the Titans in the Grand Tournament army list.
Weapon Range Firepower
Barrage Missile Launcher Unlimited 2D6BP, single-shot
Battle Claw n/a Assault Weapon, Macro-weapon, Extra Attack (+2), Titan Killer (D3)
Carapace Landing Pad n/a May split fire between two target formations.
Carapace Multi-Lasers 30cm AP5+/AT6+/AA5+
Chain Fist n/a Assault Weapon Macro-weapon, Extra Attack (+3)
Close Combat Head n/a +1 CC value, -1 FF value. May transport four Assault Marine units.
Corvus Assault Pod n/a Transport (May carry eight of the following units: Space Marine Tactical,
Assault, Devastator, Scout, Terminator or Dreadnought units. Terminator
and Dreadnoughts take up two transport spaces per unit).
Deathstrike Cannon 180cm 3BP, Macro-weapon, Slow-firing, halves Titan’s speed
Fire Control Centre n/a Re-roll one to hit dice per turn.
Gatling Blaster 45cm 4 x AP4+/AT4+
Harpoon Missile Unlimited MW4+, Single-shot, War Engines that take any damage join your side!
Inferno Gun 30cm 3BP, Macro-weapon, Ignore Cover
Laser Blaster 45cm 4 x AP5+/AT3+
Laser Burner n/a Assault Weapon, Extra Attack (+6)
Melta-Cannon 30cm MW2+, Titan Killer (D6)
Plasma Blastgun 45cm 2 x MW2+, Slow-firing
Plasma Cannon 75cm 4 x MW4+, Slow-firing
Plasma Destructor 90cm 4 x MW2+, Slow-firing, may not fire any other weapons
Power Fist n/a Assault Weapon, Macro-weapon, Extra Attack (+1) Titan Killer (D6)
Power Ram n/a Assault Weapon, Macro-weapon, Walkers knocked over (destroyed) if damaged
Power Saw n/a Assault Weapon Macro-weapon, Extra Attacks (+4)
Quake Cannon 120cm 3BP, Macro-weapon
Rocket Launcher 60cm 2BP
Trident 30cm MW3+, Titan Killer, ignores shields, always scores critical hit
Turbo-Laser Destructor 45cm 4 x AP5+/AT3+
Volcano Cannon 90cm MW2+, Titan killer (D3)
Vortex Missile unlimited MW2+ , One-shot, Titan Killer (D6), no LOF required
Vulcan Mega-Bolter 45cm 4 x AP3+/AT5+
Warp Missile Unlimited MW2+, Titan Killer (D3), ignores shields , one-shot, no LOF required
Weapon Head na +1 FF value, -1 CC value
Wrecker 15cm Assault Weapon, Macro-weapon, Titan Killer (D3), First Strike
165
COLLECTORS ORK MODELS to find’ models count as in the Grand Tournament army lists.
The Ork range has been almost completely redeisigned for I’ve done this to reflect the kustom built nature of the Ork
the new edition of Epic, in order to bring the models into army. I know that some players don’t like this abstraction, but
line with the appearanace of Ork units in Warhammer it’s important to understand that I haven’t done it because
40,000. Fortunately, it is very easy for Ork players to use the I’m trying to ignore the old background for the Orks, but
older models they may have in their collection. This is mainly rather because I’m actually trying to make the army lists so
because Orks do not have standardised, factory produced, that they finally really do fit the background.
cookie-cutter units like Imperial armies do. Instead, all of the The decision to make Pulsa Rokkits another kind of big gun
equipment that they use is a ‘kustom job’ hand-made by an is a good example of this. Basically, I consider it more
Ork mekaniak. Ork army lists in earlier versions of Epic important that players are encouraged to field a Big Gun
tended to gloss over this, and ended up creating mob with a mix of units than I do that the pulsa rokkit has its
standardised Ork units like Pulsa Rokkits, Lungburstas, Giblit own special rules and its own datasheet. Giving Pulsa Rokkits
Grindas and so on. This created quite a false view of the Ork their own datasheet would be bound to lead to players
army, and discouraged players from building Ork armies with fielding Big Gun formations that are all Pulsa Rokkits because
a rag-tag, ‘barbaric horde’ look to them. they’ve decided that this will give them some kind of tactical
The Epic Armageddon army lists try to right this wrong, in advantage, and that just isn’t Orky. Let’s face it, just thinking
order to encourage players to field diverse and varied of the tactical possibilities allowed by a formation of Pulsa
formations in an Ork army. Because of this, I’ve dealt with the Ookkits isn’t Orky. Jeeez! What are ya, some pansy Blood Axe
Orks rather differently to the Imperial Guard and Titan or sumfink!
Legions, in that I’ve generally only listed what old Ork ‘hard
ORK MEGA-GARGANT
Damage Capacity 18. 6+D6 Power Field. Critical Hit Effect: The Gargant catches fires. Roll a D6 for each fire burning on the Gargant in the end phase
of each turn. On a roll of 1 a second fire starts, and on a roll of 5-6 the fire is put out. Any fires not put out cause one point of damage.
Notes: Fearless, Reinforced Armour, Supreme Commander, Thick Rear Armour, Walker.
166
Ork Infantry and Vehicles
The table below shows what old metal and plastic models from previous editions of Epic count as in the new Epic Ork army
lists. The author highly recommends that you use any of these models if you can find them, as they will give your Ork army
an suitably diverse and ‘kustom-built’ appearance.
Gargant Weapons
The table below lists what the weapons used on earlier versions of Ork Gargants counts as with the Epic: Armageddon rules.
Once again I highly recommend using these models if you can find them.
168
Name Counts As Type Speed Armour CC FF Weapons Range Firepower Notes
Baneblade Baneblade WE 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1x Battle Cannon 75cm AP4+/AT4+ Reinforced Armour.
(Lucius Pattern) 1 x Autocannon 45cm AP5+/AT6+ DC3, Critical = see
The Mars Pattern 1 x Demolisher Cannon 30cm AP4+/AT4+, Ignore Cover Baneblade datasheet.
Baneblade is identical 3 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+
except for minor 2 x Lascannon 45cm AT5+
cosmetic differences.
Capitol Imperialis An updated version of this model will be released in 2005. Rules will be published at that time. For the moment, use the Leviathan stats that follow instead.
Chimera Chimera AV 30cm 5+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Heavy Flamer 15cm AP5+, Ignore Cover Transport (as
with Heavy Flamer 1 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+ Chimera)
turret
Gorgon Chimera AV 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Heavy Flamer 15cm AP5+, Ignore Cover Reinforced Armour.
1 x Mine Thrower 15cm 2BP Transport (4 units).
Ignore Dangerous
Terrain.
Imperial Guard Imperial Guard INF 30cm None 5+ 5+ Chainswords 0cm Assault Weapons Jump Packs
Assault Troops Rough Riders Laspistols 15cm Small Arms
Imperial Guard Imperial Guard INF 15cm 6+ 5+ 6+ Lasguns 15cm Small Arms None
Beastmen Squads Infantry
Imperial Guard Imperial Guard INF 35cm 6+ 5+ 5+ Chainswords 0cm Assault Weapons Mounted.
Bike Squad Rough Riders Bolters 15cm Small Arms
Imperial Guard Robot Ogryns AV 10cm 4+ 5+ 5+ 1 x Autocannon 45cm AP5+/AT6+ Walker. Fearless.
1 x Power Fist 0cm Assault Weapon, Macro-
weapon, Extra Attack (+1)
169
170
Name Counts As Type Speed Armour CC FF Weapons Range Firepower Notes
Leman Russ Leman Russ AV 30cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Conqueror Cannon 45cm AP5+/AT5+ Reinforced Armour
Conqueror 1 x Lascannon 45cm AT5+
Leman Russ Leman Russ AV 30cm 4+ 6+ 6+ 1 x Laser Destroyer 75cm AP5+/AT3+ Reinforced Armour
Destroyer Tank Hunter
Leman Russ Leman Russ AV 30cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Plasma Destroyer 60cm MW5+, Slow Firing Reinforced Armour
Executioner 1 x Lascannon 45cm AT5+
Leman Russ Leman Russ AV 20cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Demolisher Cannon 30cm AP3+/AT4+, Ignore Cover Reinforced Armour
Thunderer Siege Tank Demolisher
Manticore Manticore LV 0cm 6+ 6+ 5+ 1 x Rocket Launcher 150cm 2BP, Slow Firing, Disrupt None
Weapon Platform
Marauder Destroyer Marauder AC Bomber 4+ Na Na 3 x Twin Autocannon (FxF) 45cm AP4+/AT5+/AA6+ None
Twin Heavy Bolter (Rear) 30cm AA5+
Twin Assault Cannon (Rear) 30cm AA5+
2 x Underwing Rockets (FxF) 30cm AT4+
Bomb Racks (FxF) 15cm 1BP
Medusa Griffon AV 20cm 6+ 6+ 5+ 1 x Medusa Siege Gun 15cm 3BP, Indirect Fire None
1 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+
Mole Mortar Imperial Guard INF 15cm None 6+ 6+ 1 x Mole Mortar 30cm 1BP, Indirect Fire Mounted.
Fire Support
Rapier Imperial Guard INF 15cm None 6+ 5+ 1 x Rapier Laser Destroyer 45cm AT4+ Mounted.
Fire Suppor
Name Counts As Type Speed Armour CC FF Weapons Range Firepower Notes
Salamander Salamander AV 35cm 6+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Heavy Flamer 15cm AP5+, ignore cover Leader
Command 1 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+
Stormblade Baneblade WE 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Plasma Blastgun 45cm 2 x MW2+, Slow-Firing Reinforced Armour.
(Mars Pattern) 4 x Hellion Missile 60cm AT4+, One-shot Damage Capacity (3).
4 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+ Critical = magazine
explosion, destroyed,
units within 5cm hit
on 6+
Stormblade Baneblade WE 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Plasma Blastgun 45cm 2 x MW2+, Slow firing Reinforced Armour.
(Lucius Pattern) 3 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5F Damage Capacity (3).
2 x Lascannon 45cm AT5+ Critical = magazine
explosion, destroyed,
units within 5cm hit
on 6+
Stormhammer Baneblade WE 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 2 x Twin Demolisher Cannon 30cm AP2+/AT3+, Ignore Cover Reinforced Armour.
4 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+ Damage Capacity (3).
Critical = magazine
explosion, destroyed,
units within 5cm hit
on 6+
Stormsword Baneblade WE 15cm 4+ 6+ 4+ 1 x Siege Cannon 45cm 3BP, Macro-weapon, Reinforced Armour.
(Lucius Pattern) Ignore Cover Damage Capacity (3).
3 x Heavy Bolter 30cm AP5+ Critical = magazine
2 x Lascannon 45cm AT5+ explosion, destroyed,
units within 5cm hit
on 6+
Tarantula Imperial Guard INF 15cm None 6+ 5+ 1 x Tarantulas 45cm AP5+/AT6+ Mounted.
Fire Support
Thudd Gun Imperial Guard INF 15cm None 6+ 5+ 1 x Thudd Gun 45cm AP4+ Mounted.
Fire Support
171
FAQ & DESIGNER’S NOTES
“Fergit glanced at Grimble and then back at the proud Oddboy standing in front of them. Fergit had foolishly
asked the Oddboy a question about his latest design. That had been half an hour ago and the Oddboy was still
blathering on enthusiastically about something that didn’t appear to have all that much relevance to the question
Fergit had asked. What’s more it didn’t look like the Oddboy would be finishing his tirade anytime soon. With a
fatalistic shrug Grimble sat down on the stony ground. After a moment, and with a deep heartfelt sigh, Fergit sat
beside him. It looked like they might be here for quite a while…”
Funnily enough the move>shoot>move idea is something A: No. This can lead to certain formations automatically
that we’re testing for Eldar vehicles. The way that I look at passing an initiative test. Space Marines, for example, will
always pass a test unless modifiers apply to the roll, and
Orks doing a double or charge action would pass MOVEMENT & TERRAIN
automatically also. These advantages are built into the Q: Aren’t the speeds in this game way too fast? I say this
points values used in the Grand Tournament army lists, and because an infantry stand on march orders can move 45cm.
you should take them into account when working out the A Rhino that marches can move 90cm!
forces used in a scenario. A: The movement rates in Epic are high compared to
Q: Perhaps actions could be chosen at the start of the turn by weapon ranges because of the ground and time scales used.
placing ‘order counters’ by the formations, while leaving the I’ve assumed that a turn represents quite a long period of
option for a commander to change the orders in reaction to time (about fifteen minutes) while the ground scale used is
an opponents move (perhaps a function for HQ units?), with also quite high (I’ve assumed 30cms equals about 1km).
a significant initiative penalty. Note that the ground scale is ‘out of kilter’ with the scale of
A: I did consider doing something like this, but it would the models. Epic models are about 1/250th in scale, while
considerably slow game play so I decided to stick with the the ground scale is more in the order of 1/3000, ie, more
rules as they are. In addition we’ve found that once you than ten times higher!
have got the hang of how the action system works, then it Almost every Epic unit could move further than it can shoot
becomes more and more important at the start of each turn in 15 minutes, which is why movement rates are high
to mentally plan out what you will do over the course of the compared to weapon ranges. Even an infantryman could
coming turn or two, in effect making a mental note of the easily cover a km or two (bearing in mind that the world
orders you will issue. Failing to do this will mean you will record for the 1500m is about 3 minutes or so). If anything
get sucked into reacting to the enemy’s moves, rather than units move too slowly, but here I have assumed that in any
carrying out your own battle plan. fifteen minute period most units will spend quite a lot of
time not doing anything other than catching their breath.
Q: What are the options for a unit that finds itself in an
enemy ZOC at the start of its activation? I’ve gone for these high time and ground scales because I
want to cast the player in the role of a ‘supreme
A: If a units finds itself in an enemy ZOC for any reason then commander’ making strategic rather than tactical decisions
it must either charge the enemy or leave the ZOC when it (tactics is for 40K – Epic is about strategy). What I wanted
next takes an action. It cannot choose to remain stationary to achieve was a situation where a player was thinking
and stay in the ZOC, which means you will have to choose about where he would launch his next attack, what he
an action that allows the unit to move away or charge. would do with his reserves, and how he could counter an
enemy breakthrough. In order to achieve these things, high
movement rates were a necessity, as they allowed a player
to act strategically rather than tactically, in my opinion
anyway.
d) Stands within your own detachment. b) Not allowing formations to split fire makes for a more
skilful game. One of the key decisions you will face during
e) Ruins a game of Epic is picking the right target to shoot at; you
f) Shoot at whatever’s in range and not blocked by hills have to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the fire
or large buildings? against the different targets and decide where it will be best
used. Allowing players to split fire turns this pretty much
g) I misunderstood something... into a no-brainer, and this is the primary reason I have not
A: The answer is b, e & f. Terrain blocks the LOF, units don’t. allowed it in Epic. It may seem cruel, but I like this kind of
thing because it forces players to make tough choices, and
Q: I can’t find the AP or AT values for small arms like bolters rewards good play.
or lasguns. What are these values?
A: The effect of small arms is included in the unit’s firefight Q: Possibly allow weapons that have only one mode of fire
value, and used in an assault by units within 15cms of the (AP or AT) to fire in the other, but at a penalty (-2?). After all,
enemy and not in base contact. So ‘firefights’ and small a lascannon can still kill infantry, and a bolter could destroy
arms fire only happens as part of an assault. The thinking a Rhino.
behind this rule is based on observations of the way combat A: I shan’t be doing this. On the scale of Epic the fact that a
works in real-life. ‘Shooting’ in Epic represents the kind of lascannon could kill infantry or a bolter take out a Rhino
long-range sustained shooting attacks you’ll often see in simply doesn’t matter; the odds of doing any damage are so
news-reels; the kind of thing where you see tanks or heavy low that it can be ignored. More importantly such a rule
weapons popping away at a distant hillside at an invisible would only serve to ‘bland out’ the game. Experience has
target – the aptly named ‘empty battlefield’ phenomena. An taught me that it is as much what a unit can’t do that gives
assault represents the situation where troops have been it character, as what it can do. It also forces players to make
ordered to take and hold a position, and all hell breaks tough decisions about what to include in their army, rather
loose as they close in. If you saw the TV series ‘Band Of than allowing everything to do everything.
Brothers’ you’ll know what kind of thing I mean. This is the
main reason that small arms are only really used in Q: Can you withold fire for later in the turn?
assaults, as they are not very effective at the kind of long- A: No, all of the units in the formation must shoot at the
ranged suppressive fire represented by ‘shooting’ in Epic. same time. The player can choose which units/weapons to
shoot with and never has to fire if he doesn’t want to.
Q: Devastator’s have two missile launchers each. Can a
Devastator unit split its fire into one AP shot and one AT shot CROSSFIRE
when shooting? Q: In the ‘crossfire’ rules, it was not clear whether or not
A: Yes it can. both of the formations that were causing the crossfire had to
actively shoot at the enemy formation in the crossfire. If this
Q: Can AP weapons target armoured vehicles just to get the is the case, what if the first formation wipes the enemy out?
Blast marker for coming under fire? And the corollary, can AT Is the second formation ‘pre-obligated’ to shoot at it?
weapons target infantry to get a Blast marker? A: The second formation is not pre-obligated to shoot (ie, it
A: Yes. Formations pick up a Blast marker for coming under just needs to be a ‘threat’)
fire even if the weapons being used cannot harm the target.
Q: Can both formations creating the crossfire shoot at the
Q: I see no reason for Epic Armageddon to move away from target enemy formation and receive the crossfire bonus (yes
the shooting system introduced in the previous edition of or no)?
Epic. Rolling to hit and rolling to save for each shot is very A: Yes. Each will gain the crossfire bonus when they shoot,
tedious and time consuming compared to quickly adding up though they must fire in separate actions.
the formation’s firepower values and looking up the number
of dice to be rolled on the old Firepower table.
ASSAULTS whose ZOC you have entered. If you start a move in a ZOC,
Q: In real life any infantry marching across an open field to you can either move into contact with the closest enemy unit,
assault tanks are not going to survive, but this is very possible or exit the ZOC by the shortest possible route.
in Epic.
Q: Do assaults only occur when one player or the other takes
A: This is only true if you assume that the infantry are a charge action?
advancing in serried ranks towards the tanks in the style of
19th century Napoleonic infantry, or the poor bloody British A: Yes. An assault does not occur automatically in the Epic
infantry at the Battle of the Somme in WW1. In Epic, you Armageddon rules.
should assume that even ‘marching’ infantry are taking
advantage of any cover they can find and advancing in quick Q: Do the cover save and cover to-hit modifier apply in
dashes rather than plodding upright towards the enemy. It’s assaults?
also important to understand that (with very rare exceptions) A: Defenders in an assault get the cover save from any terrain
real-life battlefields are not flat like a typical wargames table. they are in but attackers never get a cover save from terrain.
Real terrain has numerous small folds and gullies that serve The -1 to hit modifier is not applied as there are never any
to hide units from each other’s view, and limit the number of modifiers to attack rolls in assaults.
shots that an attacker or defender can make over any given
period of time. Q: Shouldn’t charging units get a modifier to their CC rolls?
Without it large formations will always beat smaller ones.
This said, even in Epic, infantry advancing on tanks across
A: I haven’t given charging units a bonus as I think any
open ground are going to take pretty horrific casualties. Just
advantage they might have when they close with the enemy
say, for the sake of argument, that an Imperial Guard
would be cancelled out by having to advance under fire as
infantry company had been ordered to assault an Imperial
they charged in. Remember, an assault represents what goes
Guard Leman Russ tank company ‘across open ground’.
on in an entire game of 40K, not just what happens in one
Assuming the infantry start just out of battle-cannon range,
close combat phase. In addition, we’ve found that small
they will be shot at either one, two or three times on the way
dedicated assault formations are capable of taking out much
in depending on who wins the strategy rolls, etc. Let’s assume
larger enemy formations under the current rules. In one play-
they only get shot at twice. This means that the battle-cannons
test game, a four stand Marine Assault detachment single-
alone will probably inflict 10 casualties before the infantry
handedly took out a super-heavy tank detachment, and then
even get to try and assault (not that they will assault, of
followed this up by breaking a full-strength Imperial Guard
course, as they’ll have been broken). In order to have any real
infantry company, and only lost one stand in the process.
chance of taking out the tanks they would require at least two
Now, the Assault Marines were lucky to get away so lightly,
and probably three infantry companies, and the infantry will
especially against the super-heavy tanks, but so far in our
probably suffer heavy casualties in the process. Even if the
games small assault formations have been able to take on
infantry started 45cms away and were able to move straight
much larger formations and win. The trick is choosing the
into assault range, they’d still be shot at least once, suffering
right time to make the assault, and ensuring that the
@10 casualties from the Leman Russ’s battle-cannon and
assaulting troops do not have any Blast markers while their
heavy bolters.
opponent does.
Q: Assaults are too common in Epic. In modern warfare, most
Q: If a formation makes a ‘Counter Charge Move’ in a turn
combat is resolved from far away, either using artillery or direct
before it has had an opportunity to perform an ‘Action’ of some
fire from extremely long-range units.
sort, will that formation be free to take an ‘Action’ later on that
A: This is highly debatable. It’s true that in modern warfare turn if it is still able to (ie, not broken as a result of the Close
(ie, since WW1) most casualties have been caused by artillery. Combat/Fire Fight)? Can the counter charge move allowed
However, it is still generally accepted that the only way to even if a formation has already performed its action?
capture ground is to move in and actually occupy it. I think
A: Yes to both questions. The counter charge move is a free or
that Epic captures these two things quite well. Most of the
bonus move.
casualties are caused by shooting rather than assaults, but it
tends to be assaults that determine the outcome of the game. Q: Can the crossfire bonus be used in an assault?
Q : Why can charging troops only make one move? A: No. It is almost impossible to create crossfire rules for an
assault that can’t be exploited in some way. I prefer to use the
A: Simply because it stops assaults being too effective. We tried
rules as they are and assume that the crossfire makes the
allowing a double move, and it allowed an assault to sweep
assault easier because formations can soften up the defenders
in from too far away. It is also important to break out of the
by shooting at them with the crossfire bonus before the assault
mind-set of an assault being a wild charge into hand-to-hand
goes in, making life easier for the assaulting troops.
combat. In Epic an assault will just as likely be about troops
moving up cautiously under cover in order to achieve a good Q: If you charge an ‘intermingled formation’ consisting of a
firing position. Only being able to make a single move broken formation and a non-broken one, and you win by 3
represents rather well that an assault needs to be planned pips, do we kill off the entire routed formation BEFORE
and coordinated before it is carried out, or at least it would assessing the extra 3 casualties on the non-broken formation?
need to be if it were to have any chance
working. A: No; the extra casualties go on before the loser breaks.
Q: How should we interpret section 1.12.3 when it says Q: In an assault, can you allocate hits to units in a formation
‘Remember that a charging unit that enters a zone of control that are not within 15cm of an enemy unit?
must move into base contact with the nearest enemy whose A: No. Hits in an assault can only be allocated to units that
zone of control has been entered’? are within 15cm of an Enemy unit?
A: The intent of the rule is that if you enter a ZOC, then you
must move into base contact with the nearest enemy unit
Q: What happens if a combat round is a draw, so you A: They do and it does! Small formations are vulnerable to
immediately fight another round? And if this round is also a having their morale broken by fire (losing one out of three
draw do you fight a third successive round (and so on)? units means the formation has lost 33% of its strength,
A: Yes. An assault has to result in one side winning. You plenty enough to break the morale of all but the most hard
would continue to fight assaults until one side or the other bitten of troops).
had won the assault. Q: Can broken formations with only a single unit ever rally?
Q: A transport vehicle moves 30cm, unloads troops who then Don’t they receive a BM when they rally and then
participate in the assault. If they win can the transport pick immediately break?
up the units as part of its consolidation move? A: Formations with a single unit receive a BM when they
A: Yes. The consolidation move is considered a movement rally but also gain the results of a successful rally which
and a transport can pick up units as part of any movement. means that they remove half of their BMs, fractions rounded
up, which fully removes the single BM they had.
BROKEN FORMATIONS
Q: Broken formations ‘may make a withdrawal move’. Is SPECIALISTS & BARRAGES
there a minimum move or can I choose to stay where I am Q: If a barrage touches several formations, do they get one
(supposing there is no enemy within 15cm)? initial Blast marker each?
Q: If a formation is broken, and keeps failing it’s rally test Q: Can units in a transport use their special abilities (eg, Ork
every turn, does it just remain in the place it was broken, or Nobz in a transport use their leader ability to remove Blast
does it have to fall back every turn? markers)?
A: A formation that fails a rally test must make a A: Yes. Additionally, characters or units with special
withdrawal move each time it fails the test. It is up to you abilities in broken formations can also use their abilities.
whether the formation moves or not. The only time a special ability can not be used is when the
unit or character in question is off-board, either in reserve
Q: Just what does a broken formation do in a new turn if it or in a spacecraft or transport waiting to be deployed.
failed the Rally roll at the end of the previous turn? Do they
get to Hold? Double or March backwards? Sit and shiver? Q: How does First Strike apply to units with Extra Attacks?
Inquiring playtesters want to know :-) A: First of all, special abilities that appear in the Notes
A: They sit and shiver until the end phase (try saying that section for a weapon only apply to that weapon, while
ten times fast ; )) special abilities that appear in the Notes section for the unit
(the one at the bottom of the sheet) apply to all attacks the
Q: Once a unit is broken and has made its Withdraw move unit makes. So if a weapon has Extra Attacks (+x) and First
is it then stuck until it has rallied? Strike then the First Strike ability applies only to the Extra
A: Units that fail to rally may make withdrawal moves after Attacks added by that weapon. But if the unit has First
they fail the rally roll, so they do get to keep on moving. Strike in its Notes section then all attacks, including any
added by a specific weapon, would be First Strike.
Q: Broken formations do not receive Blast markers if they are
fired on or assault after they have been broken and before Q: If a unit has a weapon that is Small Arms, First Strike, can
they rally. Instead each Blast marker that the formation it use the First Strike ability if it is providing Supporting Fire
would normally receive causes an additional hit on the in an Assault?
formation, with no saving throw allowed. Are these hits A: Yes.
allocated like regular hits (from the front to the back) or does
the player get to take them how they like? Q: If a turn in Epic represents about 15 minutes or so, isn’t
the slow-firing rule a bit silly? Half an hour between shots
A: The hits are allocated normally, from front to back. seems far too long!
Q: If a withdrawing Transport is caught within 15cm of an A: This is an abstraction, but I think it is a necessary one as
enemy unit after finishing its Withdrawal Move, are the it is the simplest way of getting across that these weapons
transported units destroyed as well? are able to unleash very destructive attacks but have a very
A: Yes. slow rate of fire(µie, instead of going boom-boom-boom,
they go nothing nothing-nothing-KABOOM!).
Q: Broken Armour Units – Do Armoured Vehicle Formations
follow the exact same rules for Blast markers and regrouping
as infantry? It makes small armoured formations very
vulnerable.
Q: 3.17 - Supreme Commanders - You state that EACH Q: If war engines are included in a formation with normal
supreme commander in an army can XYZ. That implies that units, for example a Battle Fortress, is it allowed to be up-to
there can be more than one, but there is no provision for 15cms (5x Starting damage) from the rest of its formation? If
more than one supreme commander in the army lists? it is allowed to be so is it also allowed to be carrying troops
A: The game rules and the army lists are two completely at this distance?
separate things. The core rules need to cover games where A: Yes to both questions.
players create their own scenarios and where there could be
two or more supreme commanders on the same side. On the Q: Does a war engine that is under two or more templates
other hand, the army lists are designed to create balanced from the same barrage suffer hits from each template? For
‘pick-up’ games, and therefore limit access to some units to example, if it were under the centre of one template and
create even games. partially covered by a second, would it take hits equal to half
its DC, or half its DC+1?
Q: Can a Skimmer formation/unit do a pop-up attack as part A: It’s only affected by one of the templates. By the same
of their Sustained Fire action? token, a normal unit that happens to be partially covered
A: Yes. The Sustained Fire pop-up attack can trigger by two templates (ie, half of the unit under one template
Overwatch fire as well. and the other half under a second template) will only be
attacked once.
Q: Does crossfire or the Sniper ability affect an Invulnerable
Save? Q: In the case of a formation consisting of two Warhounds
(for example) must you split your ‘HITS’ between the two of
A: The Invulnerable Save is a second bonus save and
them? (once the DC of one has been reached)?
therefore not modified by any modifiers or special effects
A: Yes you would. For example, if a Warhound formation
Q: Does a character’s that has a weapon with the MW and took five hits, the first three would be allocated to the nearer
Extra Attack (+1) abilities modify the attack of the unit it is machine, the second two to the further machine.
attached to or does it add an attack?
Q: What of a formation, such as an Ork warband, which
A: The character is considered to have an Assault Weapon,
includes several Battle Fortresses?
Macro Weapon, Extra Attacks (+1) that is added to the
unit’s own weapon attacks. So, for example, a Space Marine A: The same would apply; when you got to a Battle Fortress
Terminator unit with a character upgrade would have 3 you would allocate a number of hits equal to its DC before
attacks if it is in base-to-base with an enemy unit: moving on to the next unit in the formation.
* The Terminator’s base attack Q: What happens to a War Engine which sustains multiple
* The MW attack from the Terminator’s Power Weapon critical hits? Are they cumulative or are the additional critical
hits ignored?
* The MW attack from the character
A: The effects of the critical hits are cumulative.
WAR ENGINES
Q: Is it only Titan Killer and Macro Weapon attacks that can Q: Can War Engines barge units out of the way in a Counter
hurt a titan? Charge
A: Titans and other War Engines may be affected by AT A: Yes.
attacks too. MW and TK weapons are just more effective
against them!
An
An early
early playtest
playtest game
game in
in progress.
progress. AA Guard
Guard
tank
tank company
company with
with supporting
supporting Steel
Steel Legion
Legion
infantry
infantry engages
engages aa Space
Space Marine
Marine Tactical
Tactical
detachment
detachment
Q: Assaults – you say that war engines can barge units out of Q: If a formation fails to activate and they are still in the a
their way. If my Warhound is charging a formation that is vehicle that entered play using the rules for planetfall, can
25cm away, but between the Warhound and the target is they deploy in a chain up to 15cm from the vehicle and then
another formation, can the Warhound barge the other make a move (as part of the Hold Action they can take) or can
detachment out of the way on it’s way in? they only move as per the regular activation/order rules?
A: No. A: There is one critical point to make before I answer the
question: the special rules that apply to Space Marine drop
Q: How many BMs does a formation get if you manage to pods do not apply to other units using the planetfall rules;
destroy a WE with a critical roll. Eg, you have three they only apply to drop pods. Units in drops pods may not
Shadowswords in a heavy tank company. One unit takes 1 choose to stay on board (they must disembark on landing)
point of damage, and this damage point generates a critical and only units in drop pods get to deploy up to 15cms from
hit and it blows up. Does the formation take two BM’s (one the unit they landed in; units disembarking from other
for being shot, one for the point of damage) or four (one for planetfall vehicles must disembark normally, using the
being shot, three for total DC on the WE)? normal rules.
A: The formation receives one BM for being shot, one BM for
each point of damage caused, and one BM for each point of UNIT DATASHEETS
DC remaining on a WE that was destroyed by a critical hit Q: Units should have weapon options, like their 40K
(e.g. four in the example stated above). counterparts. For example, Space Marine Devestators should
have the option of using other heavy weapons instead of a
Q: We did have some confusion over the interaction of void missile launcher, while the Predator should be able to choose
shields/power fields and Blast markers. Does having Blast what weapons to put in its side-sponsons.
markers prevent having void shields? A: The weapon options on the unit datasheets are dictated
A: No. The idea is that downed void shields can be repaired by the models available in the Epic range. We wanted to
instead of removing Blast markers when you regroup. So if avoid causing confusion by allowing a player to take
you regroup you could use each pip of the dice roll to either weapon options for a unit, only for the player to then find
repair one shield or remove one Blast marker. out that there were no suitable models available in the Epic
range!
Q: When does a Titan/War Engine get void shields back?
A: The void shields special rule (5.4.1) defines when a Titan However, the datasheets we have included are backed up by
or War Engine can regenerate void shields. Basically, a Titan the guidelines for designing your own vehicles, and these
or War Engine gets one void shield back in the end phase of make it quite easy for players to field pretty much anything
each turn (if they have lost any void shields). In addition, if they wish in non-tournament games, as long as they are
a formation takes a Marshall action they can use the result willing to do a bit of scratch-building of course. In addition
of the Regroup dice roll (see 1.13.1) to repair void shields. we will, over time, expand the Epic range by adding new
vehicle and unit variants to the range, along with the
Q: If a War Engine with shields is hit by a weapon causing appropriate datasheets to go along with them.
multiple points of damage, will any points left over after
knocking down shields carry over to the War Engine itself? SPACE MARINE UNITS
Q: 7.1.1 Space Marine Special Rules – one of your bullet
A: Yes, they will carry over to damage the War Engine points states that when broken Marines rally they receive a
number of Blast markers equal to the number of units in the
Q: When void shields recharge in formations with multiple
formation, rather than half the number of units as is usually
units is one dice rolled for the formation or one dice for each
the case. Really?
unit?
A: Yes. For Marines it takes two Blast markers per unit to
A: One dice roll per unit. Then pick the highest dice. Each pip
break the formation, so a broken formation actually has
can be used to remove one Blast marker OR recharge one
twice as many BM as units. Rallying halves this number,
shield on every unit in the formation that has void shields.
which leaves the formation with one BM per unit.
AIRCRAFT
Q: Do broken Space Marine units count as having one BM
Q: Do aircraft that attack ground formations suffer to hit
per unit or one-half BM per unit in an assault resolution?
modifiers for cover?
A: One BM per unit.
A: Yes.
Q: When broken Space Marines formations are shot at, one
Q: How are landed aircraft attacked by other units? Can you
unit is killed each two Blast markers as per ‘They Shall Know
use AA weapons against them?
No Fear’ rule.What if an odd number of Blast markers are
A: No. While landed, the aircraft counts for all rules generated, or only one?
purposes as a ground unit, not an aircraft.
A: Any extra Blast markers are ignored.
Q: What happens to units that are in a landed aircraft when
it is destroyed? The relevant rule phrase: ‘If the transport is Q: If I shoot two times on a broken SM formation (killing no
destroyed while carrying units, then any transported troops units) Do I generate 2 separate Blast markers?
are lost with it (no 4+ saves in this case!)’ A: No. Broken units do not retain Blast markers. So in this
A: The previous answer would apply – while landed it case, the Space Marines would ignore the one Blast marker
doesn’t count as a aircraft. you place each time and not lose a unit. You would have to
place two or more Blast markers on a broken Space Marine
Q: Do formations that are under an Orbital Bombardment formation before it loses a unit.
template receive a Blast marker for being shot at?
A: Yes.
Q: Can a Space Marine Librarian use his Smite ability in an background for the Orks, but because we’re trying to make
assault if he is in base-to-base contact with an enemy unit? the army lists fit the background. The decision to make
A: No. The Smite ability is listed as being a Small Arms Pulsa Rokkits another kind of big gun is a good example of
weapon. Small Arms weapons are used in assaults when the this. Basically, I consider it more important that players are
encouraged to field a Big Gun mob with a mix of units than
unit is not in base-to-base contact.
I do that the Pulsa Rokkit has its own special rules. Giving
IMPERIAL GUARD UNITS it special rules is bound to lead to players fielding Big Gun
Q: Why do IG stands have fewer heavy weapons than Space formations that are all pulsa rokkits, and that just isn’t
Marines? The squad ratio for weapons in 40k is the same. Orky, IMO anyway.
A: In 40K, Marine squads have 5-10 men with 0-1 heavy Q: Where are Boar Boyz, Skarboyz, Squiggoths, Shooty Boyz,
weapons. However, they are almost invariably fielded as etc.
five man squads with one heavy weapon, giving a ratio of
A: Skarboyz and Shooty Boyz are subsumed into Boyz
one heavy weapon per five models. Imperial Guard come in
stands, though you can count Shooty Boyz as Big Gunz if
fixed ten man squads with one heavy weapon, so have a
you prefer. We plan to add Boar Boyz and Squigoths later
ration of 1/10. Epic reflects this.
on, along with a new army list for Feral Ork armies.
IMPERIAL NAVY UNITS
GRAND TOURNAMENT GAME RULES
Q: Why do bomb racks have a range?
Q: The WYSIWYG rule confuses me a bit, especially
A: Bombs fall forward in an arc when dropped, allowing regarding infantry (vehicles are ok, I guess). Because of this
aircraft to ‘loft’ bombs towards a target. It also allows the rule, I’m supposed to have one Missile Launcher per Space
whole template to be ‘in range’ as required by the rules. Marine Tactical unit, at least for Tournament play, correct? (Q
continues below)
TITAN LEGION UNITS
Q: How come none of the Titans have close combat A: No, what the WYSIWYG rule means is that if you use the
weapons? Space Marine Tactical units that we make in a Tournament
game, then they must be used as Space Marine Tactical units
A: The Titans included in this book only cover the models rather than Assault units, Devestators etc. Basically, if you
that you can currently buy from GW or Forge World. Over have a model of something that is included in the army lists,
time we’ll be adding more types as we bring out new Titan then you can’t say the model ‘counts as’ anything else.
models. Some of these will include CCW, as well as some of
the more esoteric weapons used by Titans in previous Q ...continues: None of my ‘old’ Marine rectangular stands
editions of Epic. In addition, the vehicle design rules allow only have a missile launcher model on every other stand,
players with any of the older Titan models to use them in while half just have five Marines with bolters. Does this mean
their games. a rules-lawyering opponent could prevent half of my Marines
units from firing in shooting phase?
Q: Will you be returning the huge range of weapons that
Titans used to have? A: The ‘counts as’ rule would apply in this case. You’d
simply tell your opponent ‘These stands with five Marines
A: Basically, yes. As well as a pattern and class, Titans will armed with bolters count as tactical units’. Simple, and
have weapon configurations. Models will be sold with a pre- directly covered by the tournament rules. Ie, I’ve put this
set weapon configuration, so the current metal Warlord is a rule in to enable and encourage the use of older models,
‘Lucius Pattern Warlord class Titan, standard weapon rather than restrict their use.
configuration’. This will allow us to bring out Lucius Pattern
Warlords with different weapon configurations, and there GRAND TOURNAMENT ARMY LISTS
will also be rules that will allow players to devise their own Q: Wouldn’t it be better to do more generic lists
weapon configurations for non-tournament games. supplemented by some optional special rules that allow
players to tailor them to represent specific armies?
ORK UNITS
A: I’ve decided not to do generic lists for Epic, so all of the
Q: Detail for Imperials is OK (meaning they have many more
lists we’ll do will be specific armies. For example, the Space
types of units than anyone else), but Ork units are abstracted
Marine list in this book is for the Codex Astartes chapters,
into generic categories.
the Imperial Guard list is for the Armageddon Steel Legion,
A: The abstraction in the Ork list is not because of bias and the Ork list is for ‘Waaagh Ghazghkull’ during the 3rd
against alien races, it’s a deliberate decision to reflect the Armageddon War. Doing specific lists like this allows me to
kustom built nature of the Ork army. Orks do not have include characterful and interesting units and formations,
standardised, factory produced, cookie-cutter units like and avoids problems with constantly expanding army lists
Imperial armies do, all of the equipment that they use is a when we want to add new units to the Epic range later on.
‘kustom job’ hand-made by an Ork mekaniak. Using the Space Marines as an example, the Codex Astartes
Ork army lists in earlier versions of Epic and 40K tended to army list in this book is now set in stone and will not
gloss over this, and ended up creating standardised Ork change. However, we are planning to publish a Black
units like Pulsa Rokkits, Lungburstas and so on. This created Templar list, and this means we’ll be able to add new
a quite false view of the Ork army, and discouraged players models to the Epic range in the form of the Land Raider
from building Ork armies with a rag-tag, ‘barbaric horde’ Crusader. However, we will not add Crusaders to the Codex
look to them. Both the latest 40K Codex and now the Epic Astartes army list.
Armageddon army lists try to right this wrong and
This approach will give players confidence in the army lists
encourage players to field diverse and varied formations in as they will not constantly be changing, which I think will
an Ork army. be a very good thing. It will also allow us to do army lists
In both cases this has required a certain amount of that have real character, rather than boring generic lists
abstraction, not because we’re trying to ignore the that don’t. I know some of you may worry about the
number of lists and the potential confusion this will cause, GENERAL QUESTIONS
but I’m confident this will not be the case as long as we Q: In general, are modifiers cumulative? For example, is a
make sure that no list is laden down with special rules or Sniper firing at a unit in Crossfire a -2 to the unit’s Armour
exceptions. Many of you will know that as well as doing my save or just a -1?
day job with Fanatic, I also do some work for Warhammer A: All modifiers apply unless the rules specifically say
Historical Wargames, mainly because I’m fascinated by something different.
military history and so enjoy playing historical tabletop
games too. My own Warhammer Ancient Battles rules have Q: What happens if, a few months into the game’s release,
something like 30 army lists, while the highly popular DBM you want to release a new unit for an army? I’ll have to carry
rules produced by Wargames Research Group have in excess around an extra magazine with the rules, and maybe not get
of 200(!). In neither case have these caused any problems, so to use them in tournaments. Wouldn’t it be easier to just
I really don’t think this will be an issue for Epic either. leave them in the list for completeness, and plan to bring
them back over time?
Q: Is there any provision being made for creating ‘odd lot’
A: We’ll use the Epic website, Fanatic magazine and an Epic
formations?
Annual to keep players up to date. The aim is to set things
A: Not as such. Scenarios allow players to custom build up so that as long as you have the rulebook and the latest
formations, but these are not allowed in Grand Tournament Annual then you have the ‘official’ rules to the game. Other
games for reasons of play balance. material that appears in between will be experimental until
the Annual comes out.
Q: Every army should have a commander!
A: I don’t want to make supreme commanders compulsory,
as I try to avoid forcing players to buy specific models
unless they want to.
Q: Can the Ork Warlord join any Ork unit if you do not have
a Gargant in your army?
A: The Ork Warlord has to join a Greater Gargant if you are
fielding one. If there is not a Greater Gargant in the army
then the Warlord character can be added to any Nobz or
Gargant unit. Conceivably, if your army has no Nobz or
Gargant units then it could join any Ork unit.
Force Citus
Gogard’s
Boyz
Force
Actaeon
184
After they have made their move, the Land Raiders are The Ork warband now has a total of three Blast markers: one
allowed to shoot. First the Space Marine player must pick for coming under fire from the Land Raiders, and two for the
which enemy formation he wants to shoot at (see 1.9.1). In Stompas that were lost. However there are still nineteen
this case the choice is easy as there is only one Ork formation units left in the warband, so it is far from broken (see 1.3 and
to choose from, so the Space Marine player declares that the 1.9.7).
Land Raiders will shoot at Gogard’s Boyz. The shooting concludes the Space Marine’s action, and the
Next, he must check to see which of his Land Raiders can Space Marine player must now decide if he wishes to try to
shoot; only those that have weapons that are in range and retain the initiative or hand it to his opponent (see 1.6.3). He
which have an unblocked line of fire will be able to shoot decides to try to retain the initiative in order to act with his
(see 1.9.2) The Land Raiders are armed with twin lascannon other formation before the Ork warband can take its own
and twin heavy bolters that have ranges of 45cm and 30cm action.
respectively. Fortunately for the Space Marines, all of these 2.B Force Actaeon’s Action
weapon are in range of at least one unit that they can affect The Space Marine player decides to take a sustained fire
in the Ork warband, and as the Ork warband is out in the action with Force Actaeon in order to receive the +1 to hit
open, none of the lines of fire from the Land Raiders are modifier for their shooting attacks (see1.6.1). Having
blocked. This means that all four Land Raiders can shoot with declared his action, the Space Marine player must pass an
all of their weapons. action test to carry it out. In this case, there is a chance of
Before shooting, the Space Marine player places a Blast failure, as the Space Marines suffer a -1 modifier for trying to
marker on the Orks for ‘coming under fire’ (see 1.9.4). Next retain the initiative (see 1.6.3). The Space Marine player rolls
he rolls to hit. The Land Raiders’ lascannon have a firepower a ‘1’, which is modified down to 0 by the -1 modifier. This is
of AT4+, which means they will hit armoured vehicles on a less than the formation’s iniative value of 1+, and means that
roll of 4 or more but can’t harm infantry, while the Land the Force Actaeon has failed the test, so they receive a Blast
Raiders’ heavy bolters have a firepower of AP4+, which marker and must take a Hold action rather than their chosen
means they will hit infantry on a roll of 4 or more but can’t action (see 1.6.2).
harm armoured vehicles (1.1.3 & 1.9.5). Fortunately for the Hold allows a formation to either move, shoot, or regroup,
Space Marines, the Ork warband includes both armoured but no more than one thing can be carried out. The Space
vehicles and infantry targets, so all the weapons can fire. Marine player decides to shoot at the Orks.The Space
The Space Marine player decides to use his lascannon first. Marines are all within range and have a line of fire to the
Each of the four Land Raiders have two of these weapons, so Orks, but the formation has one Blast marker. This would
the Space Marine player rolls eight D6 ‘to hit’. No modifiers normally result in all but one unit being suppressed and
apply to the dice roll (see 1.9.5). The Space Marine player unable to fire (see 1.3 and 1.9.2) but the ‘They Shall Know
rolls 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6. Four of the rolls equal or beat the No Fear’ special rule that applies to Space Marines means
to hit value of the lascannon, so four hits are scored on that it takes two Blast markers to suppress each Space Marine
armoured vehicles in the Ork warband. Next, the Space unit (see 5.1.1). With only one Blast marker on the
Marine player rolls for the Land Raider’s heavy bolters. Each formation, none of the units will be suppressed.
vehicle has one of these weapons, so four dice are rolled to The Orks receive another Blast marker for ‘coming under
hit. Again, no modifiers apply. The Space Marine player rolls fire’, and then the three Devastator units shoot. Devastators
1, 3, 4, 6, scoring two hits on infantry targets in the Ork are armed with 2 x Missile Launchers, which have a firepower
formation. of AP5+/AT6+ each. As the weapon has a split firepower, the
Space Marine player must choose if he wishes to use the AP
Next the hits must be allocated to units in the Ork warband.
or AT value when he shoots, he can’t use both. The Marine
Hits are allocated from the front to the back of a formation.
player decides to use the AT value, as there is only one
The Ork player is aware of this and has positioned his Grots
infantry target left in the Ork formation (all the rest of the
and Stompas at the front to ‘soak up’ hits, as the Grots will
infantry are being transported by the Gunwagons).
not be missed if lost, and the Stompa has thick, reinforced
armour. The two hits from the heavy bolters are allocated The Space Marine player rolls 6D6 (two for each stand) and
against infantry units first, so the two Grot units at the front gets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, scoring a single hit that is allocated to the
are allocated one hit each. They don’t have a save, so they are sole remaining Stompa in the Ork formation. Much to the
eliminated, but Ork formations don’t receive Blast markers Ork player’s relief he rolls a 4 for the Stompa’s save and
for Grot casualties, so no extra Blast markers are placed on makes his saving roll. This means that the sole effect of Force
the Ork formation (see 1.9.6 and the Grot datsheet in section Actaeon’s action was to place a single Blast marker on the
5.5.3). Ork warband. This means they have four Blast markers in
total, but with nineteen units still in play they are still far
The four lascannon hits are allocated next, one to each of the from being broken.
Stompas at the front, and one to one of the Gunwagons just
behind them. The Stompas receive a 4+ reinforced armour As the Space Marine player has already just tried to retain the
save, which means they must roll a 4+ to avoid damage and initiative he is not allowed to do so a second time in a row
are allowed a re-roll if the first save is failed unless they are and must hand the initiative to the Orks. In any case, both
hit by a macro-weapon (see 2.1.11). The Ork player makes Space Marine formations have now taken their action for the
three saving throws, but rolls 1, 1, 2 and fails all three! turn, so the Space Marines cannot take any further actions
Fortunately, the lascannon are not macro-weapons, so he this turn.
gets a re-roll, but still only manages 3, 3, 4. Only one of the 2.C Gogard’s Boyz Action
Stompas makes it save, so two are destroyed and two Blast With a mighty Waaagh the Ork player makes it clear that his
markers are placed on the Ork warband. Finally, the Ork warband is going to take an engage action, which will allow
player tries to save the Gunwagon that was hit. Gunwagons it to make a charge move and then fight an assault. Ork
have a 5+ save, but don’t have reinforced armour and so formations have an initiative of 3+, but receive a +2 modifier
don’t get a re-roll, but the Ork player rolls a 6 and saves the when taking engage or double actions, which normally
Gunwagon anyway. means they carry them out automatically (see 5.5.2).
185
However in this case the Ork formation has one or more they are within 15cms of the enemy and not in base contact.
Blast markers and suffers a -1 modifier. With the fateful words Usually a D6 is rolled to hit per unit, unless the unit is a war
“Anything but a 1 then…”, the Ork player goes ahead and engine (see 3.3.2) or has Extra Attacks (see 2.2.3).
manages to roll a 1. Normally, this would result in the Orks The Space Marine player rolls first, although no casualties
having to take a hold action. However, the Ork army includes will be inflicted until after the Ork units have had their
a Warlord, who as a Supreme Commander is allowed to re- attacks, so everybody will get to fight (see 1.12.5). All of the
roll one initiative test per turn. Murmuring a prayer to Mork Space Marines have been contacted, so all must use their
and Gork, the Ork player re-rolls the dice and scores a 5 – the close combat value. The Devastators have a close combat
attack is back on! value of 5+, and the Land Raiders have a close combat value
The first thing the Ork player must do is declare which of 6+. In addition, the Space Marine Captain is armed with a
enemy formation he is going to engage. Normally, you can set of power weapons, which gives him one extra attack with
only pick one enemy formation, but in this case one of the the macro-weapon ability (see 2.2.3 and 2.2.6).
Land Raiders is within 5cms of a Devastator stand. This The Land Raiders go first. Four dice are rolled (one per Land
means that the two formations count as being ‘intermingled’ Raider) requiring 6s. The Space Marine player rolls 2, 3, 4, 5,
(see 1.12.10), and so both can be engaged as if they were a and scores no hits.The Devastators go next. They roll three
single formation. The Ork player decides to take this option, dice (one per stand) requiring 5s. They score 1, 4, 5 and
and engages both Force Actaeon and Force Citus with his score one hit. Finally, the Captain makes his extra attack. He
warband. is part of a Devastator stand so he requires a 5+, and rolls a
The engage action allows the Orks to make a single charge 6, scoring a hit with the macro-weapon ability (ie, no save
move. Charge moves allow units to enter the 5cm ‘zone of unless you have reinforced armour).
control’ around enemy units belonging to a formation that The hits inflicted by the Space Marines are allocated by the
they are engaging, as long as they ‘charge’ into base contact Ork player, who then makes any saving throws. Hits must be
with the unit whose zone of control was entered (see 1.7.3). allocated against units in base contact with the enemy first,
Once a unit has been charged, it loses its zone of control, and then on units within 15cms of an attacker. The hit
allowing other charging units to get past it and attack other inflicted by the Devastators is allocated to a Boyz stand in
units further back. Up to two units can move into contact contact with one of the Devastator units. The Boyz have a 6+
with each defender (see 1.12.3).The situation after the save, but roll a 3 and are killed. The Captain’s hit is allocated
charge move is shown on the accompanying map. Note that after any normal hits, and must be allocated to a unit ‘in
the Orks who were being transported on the Ork range’ of the macro-weapon, which is base contact in this
Gunwagons have disembarked after the Gunwagon made its case (see 2.2.6). The Ork player allocates the hit to the
charge move in order to allow them to fight in the assault Gunwagon attacking the Captain’s stand; the Gunwagon
(see 1.7). Also note that the Stompa with its move of 15cms does not have reinforced armour and so is destroyed by the
has been left behind by the fast moving Battlewagons and Captain’s macro-weapon attack. The two destroyed Ork units
Stormboyz. are flipped on their side, to show they have been destroyed,
With the charge move complete, it is time to fight the assault. though they will still get their attacks.
Normally, the Space Marines would be allowed to make a The Orks now attack back. They have two Nobz stands (one
counter-charge (see 1.12.4) but as all of their units are in with the Warlord), three Boyz and seven Gunwagons in base
base contact with the enemy this is not possible. In an contact with the Marines, and three Boyz, two Gunwagons
assault units, fight with their close combat value if they are in and the Stompa within 15cms of a Space Marine unit. The
base contact with the enemy, or with their firefight value if Nobz and the Warlord go first. They have seven attacks (three
Nobz units with an extra attack each, plus
one more extra attack from the Warlord that
has the macro-weapon ability), and a close
combat value of 3+. The Ork player rolls six
dice for the Nobz, scoring 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
and therefore inflicts four hits. The Warlord
rolls a 3 and hits with his macro-weapon.
Next, the Ork player rolls for the
Gunwagons and Boyz in base contact with
the Space Marines. The three Boyz requires
4+ to hit in close combat, and the seven
Gunwagons require a 5+. Between them
they score four hits.
Next the Ork player rolls for the units that
are using their firefight values. The three
Boyz require a 6+, the two Gunwagons
require a 5+, and the Stompa requires a 4+.
Between them they score another two hits.
The 10 ‘normal’ hits are allocated first. The
Space Marine player allocates one hit to
each unit, leaving three hits left over. He
allocates the left-over hits to the Land
Raiders, as their reinforced armour gives
them a re-roll should they fail the save the
first time round, which leaves three hits on
the Devastator stands. All three Devastaors
186
allowed to try to rally a formation first (see 1.14.1). The only
formation he has left is Force Actaeon, so he tries to rally
them. In order to do so, he must pass a rally test by rolling
equal to or greater than the formation’s initiative rating on a
D6. Space Marine formations have an initiative value of 1+,
but Force Actaeon has a -2 modifier for being broken, and a
-1 modifier because the Orks are within 30cms. This means
they require a 4+ to rally. The Space Marine player rolls a 6,
and Force Actaeon rallies.
When a broken formation rallies it normally receives a
number of Blast markers equal to half the units in the
formation. However the ‘They Shall Know No Fear’ rules
state that Space Marines receive a number of Blast markers
equal to the number of units in the formation instead. There
are two units left in Force Actaeon, so it receives two Blast
markers. However, the detachment still has its Captain, who
has the Leader ability. Leaders allow a formation to remove
an extra Blast marker (see 2.1.8), so the number of Blast
markers on the Marines is reduced from two to one.
Although the Orks aren’t broken, they may still try torally in
order to remove Blast markers. The Orks have an initiative of
3+. They suffer a -1 modifier because of the (now) unbroken
Space Marines being within 30cms, but receive a +2 modifier
for having over ten units thanks to the ‘Mob Rule’ special rule
(see 5.5). The Ork player also rolls a 6. This means that the
Orks rally and are allowed to remove half of the Blast
make their saves, but three of the Land Raiders fail their saves
markers on the formation. This reduces the number of Blast
(even with the re-roll) and are destroyed. This leaves the hit
markers on the Orks from six to three. In addition the
inflicted by the Ork Warlord. The Warlord charged the Land
formation has two Nobz units, both with the leader ability
Raiders, and so the hit must be allocated against the single
(see 2.1.8). Each is allowed to remove one Blast marker
remaining Land Raider unit, as it is the only unit within range
when the formation rallies, reducing the number of Blast
of the attack (see 2.2.6). As the Land Raider has reinforced
markers on the Orks from three down to one.
armour it is allowed to make a save, but the Space Marine
player rolls a 1, so the remaining Land Raider is destroyed! Finally, the players check the scenario’s victory conditions.
These have not yet been achieved (the Orks need to hold the
It is now time to work out the result of the combat. Each
crossroads for a turn with no enemy within 15cms for a full
player rolls 2D6, and adds any applicable modifiers from the
turn), so a new turn is started. The Space Marines will receive
modifiers chart (see 1.12.7) to the score of the single highest
reinforcements next turn, so they still have a chance to win!
dice roll. The Space Marine player rolls a 2 and a 5. He uses
the 5, and adds +2 for the two casualties he inflicted, and
another +1 for having less Blast markers than the Orks. This
gives the Space Marines a total of 8.
The Orks roll a 3 and a 3. They use the roll of 3, and add +4
for the four Land Raiders they destroyed, and +2 for having
more than twice as many units left as the Marines at the end
of the assault. This gives the Orks a total of 9.
The Orks have beaten the Space Marines by a score of 9 to 8.
This means that the Space Marines are broken and suffer
another hit, because they lost by one point (see 1.12.8).
There is no save against this additional hit, so one of the
Space Marine Devastators is lost. The two remaining
Devastators are broken, and must withdraw by making up to
two moves. All of the Blast markers are removed from the
Space Marine formation, which is given a broken formation
marker instead to show they are broken. They then pull back
just far enough to ensure they are not within 15cms of the
Ork warband after the move, as shown on the accompanying
map.
The Orks receive two more Blast markers, one for each
casualty they suffered in the assault, bringing their total to 6.
Finally, the Orks are allowed to make a 5cm ‘consolidation
move, which they use to occupy the buildings round the
crossroads. This ends the Orks action. As all of the formations
have taken an action, the action phase is over.
3. End Phase
Formations are allowed to try to rally in the end phase. The
Space Marine player has the higher strategy rating, and is
187
188
REFERENCE SHEETS
This section of the Epic rules includes reference sheets for each or the armies covered in the rulebook, plus a playsheet that groups all of the game tables together into one place.
Although not really a substitute for the full rules or datasheets, experienced players will be able to get by with just the reference sheets ninty-nine percent of the time. Should you
find a discrepancy between the reference sheet and the rules, then the rules always take precedence. The following abbreviations are use on the reference sheets:
189
IMPERIAL GUARD REFERENCE SHEET
190
STRATEGY RATING 2 INITIATIVE 2+
191
EPIC GAME REFERENCE SHEET
Sequence Of Play Action Test Table
I – Strategy Phase: Strategy roll for first action Formation has at least one Blast marker -1
II – Action Phase: Carry out actions with formations Formation is trying to retain the initiative- 1
III – End Phase: Rally and check victory considitons
Formation is broken -2
There are enemy units within 30cms -1
Barrage Table
Barrage Points Extra Templates Extra Blast Markers To Hit Rolls
AP AT
1 None None 6+ 6+
2 None None 5+ 6+
3 None None 4+ 6+
4-5 One None 4+ 5+
6-7 One One 4+ 5+
8-9 Two One 4+ 5+
10-12 Two Two 4+ 5+
13-15 Two Three 4+ 5+
16-18 Two Four 4+ 5+
192
EPIC ARMAGEDDON ERRATA
The following mistakes crept into the first printing of the Epic: Armageddon rulebook. All will be
corrected when we reprint the book. My sincere thanks go to the members of the Epic playtesters
vault, and especially Nick Johnson, for helping to track down all of these errors.
1.7.5; Paragraph 3: Change the end of the paragraph as follows: “… or if the formation is broken
by Blast markers, etc). If the transport unit is destroyed, then any transported units may make
their normal armour save OR make a 6+ cover save. See 2.2.6 if a transport is destroyed by a
macro-weapon."
2.2.1; Sentence 4: "... has a Firepower of AT4+/AA5+" should be "... has a Firepower of
AT4+/AA4+"
Page 84; Space Marine Landing Craft datasheet: “Type War Engine” should be “Type War
Engine Aircraft”, AND “3 x Twin Heavy Bolters, Firepower AP4+” should be “3 x Twin Heavy
Bolters, Range 15cm, Firepower AP4+/AA5+”
Page 139; Warband Core Units: “…and two Gretchin” should be “…and two Grotz”
Page 164; Imperator Titan datasheet: “Speed 30cm, Armour 5+, Close Combat 4+, Firefight 4+”
should be “Speed 15cm, Armour 4+, Close Combat 3+, Firefight 3+”
Page 165; Quake Cannon: “Firepower 3BP, Macro-weapon” should be “3BP, Macro-weapon,
Slow-firing”
Page 171; Salamander Command and Salamander Scout: “Count As Salamander” should be
“Count As Chimera”
Page 188; Warlord Titan: “Gatling Blaster Firepower 4 x AP5+/AT3+” should be “Gatling Blaster
Firepower 4 x AP4+/AT4+”
Page 189; Landing Craft: Add “DC 4, Crit – see datasheet“ AND “Transport” should be “Transport
12+4/6”
Page 189; Strike Cruiser: “Transport (20)” should be “Transport (One Company)”
Page 189; Battle Barge: “Transport (60)” should be “Transport (Three Companies)”
Page 190; Imperial Guard Infantry: “Close Combat 5+, Firefight 4+” should be “Close Combat 6+.
Firefight 5+”.
Page 190; Imperial Guard Support squad: “Firefight 5+” should be “Firefight 4+”.
Page 190; Shadowsword Volcano Cannon: “Firepower MW2+ TK(D3)” should be “Firepower
MW2+ TK(D3) FxF”
Page 191; Oddboyz Suppa-Zzap-Gun: “Firepower MW3+ TK” should be “Firepower MW3+ TK
(D3)”.
Page 191; Kommandos: “Firepower AP5+/AT6+” should be “Firepower AP6+/AT6+”.
Page 191; Warbikes: “Firepower AP5+/AT6+” should be “Firepower AP5+/AT5+”.
Page 191; Warbuggies/Wartraks: “Firepower AP5+/AT5+” should be “Firepower AP5+/AT6+”.
Page 191; Flakwagon: “Firepower 2 x AP5+/AT5+/AA6+” should be “Firepower
AP6+/AT6+/AA6+”.
Page 191; Supa Stompa: “Type AV” should be “Type WE”
Page 191; Great Gargant Lifta-Droppa: “Range 45cm, Firepower AP5+/AT5+, FXF, OR Range
base contact, Firepower Assault WPN, TK (D3), +1A” should be “Range 60cm, Firepower MW3+,
TK (D3) FXF, AND Range base contact, Firepower Assault Wpn, TK (D3), +1A”.
Page 191; Landa: “Transport (10)” should be “Transport (10+4)”
Page 191; Battlekroozer: Add “Transport (10 Landa’s filled with troops)”
Minor Spelling Mistakes & Grammatical Errors
There are quite a few minor typos scattered through the Epic rules. None of these should cause
any confusion, but out of a sake of completeness they are listed below.
Page 2; 2nd column; 2nd paragraph; A few seconds later the ground shock…” should be “A few
seconds later the ground shook…"
Page 2; 2nd column; 3rd paragraph; 1st sentence: "Ghazgkhull" should be "Ghazghkull"
Page 4; “3.2.3 Critical Hita” should be “3.2.3 Critical Hits”
Page 15; Example Of Play, last sentence: “Blast makrer” should be “Blast marker”
1.1; Units; Paragraph 1; last line: "war wngines" should read "war engines"
1.3; Paragraph 1, last sentence: "last markers" should read "Blast markers"
1.4.2; Abilities Used - space required between Abilities and Used in the box-out title.
1.6.3; Retaining The Initiative; Example of Play; Paragraph 5; sentence 3: "receives a blast
makrer" should be "receives a blast marker"
1.9.7; Example of Play; Paragraph 1: "...within the Devastators'," - no comma required
1.10; Overwatch; Paragraph 4: "They may not to choose to…" should be " They may not choose
to… "
1.11; Example of Play; Paragraph 2: "lascannon are inneffective" should be "ineffective"
1.12.5; Paragraph 1; sentence 2: "take place simulatenously" should be "simultaneously"
1.15.4; Force Beta: "four Space Marine Devestators" should be "Devastators"
2.1.17; paragraph 2; sentence 1: "Formations where allof" - space required between all and of
2.2.4; Sentence 3: "only the extra attacks getsthe" - space required between gets and the
2.2.6; Paragraph 2, sentence 6: "or invulnerable receive" should be “or invulnerable saves”
4.2.7; Sentence 1: "… but are effected by them rather differently.” should be "… but are affected
by them rather differently.”
4.3.1; paragraph 5: "coordinates of thedrop zone" - space required between the and drop
4.3.3; Paragraph 3, sentence 2: "Not that you don’t…" should be “Note that you don’t…”
Page 62; paragraph 3: "At the time of Ghazkhull's" - should be "Ghazghkull's"
Page 68; paragraph 1: "mile high hivecities" - space required between hive and cities
Page 69; paragraph 1: "a Space Marine takes in aggressive, rather than defensive, battlefield
role." - should say "an aggressive"
Page 79; Space Marine Bike Squadron, 2nd column: "the bike mounted White Scars ,the" -
comma should be after Scars, not next to "the"
Page 80; Land Speeder Typhoon; 2nd Column: "making two further passe" - should be "passes"
Page 81; Predator Destructor; column 1: "the traitor Von Strab ,effectively" - comma on wrong
side of space
Page 81; Predator Destructor; column 2: "Battle Fortresses where they forced to" - "were" needs
inserting between they and forced
Page 81; Predator Destructor; column 2: "Battle Fortresses where they forced to" - "were" needs
inserting between they and forced
Page 84; Landing Craft datasheet notes: “additio,n" should be “addition”, and a “)” needs to be
added to the end of the note.
Page 85; Drop Pod datasheet notes: “Devestator” should be “Devastator”.
Page 98; Shadowsword Critical Hit Effect: "The Volacno" should be "The Volcano"
Page 100; Imperial Navy icons are facing to right instead of left
Page 101; Thunderbolt Weapons: "StormBolters" - space required
Page 102; Paragraph 2: "throughout the galaxy,." - no comma required
Page 102; Warlord Class Battle Titan; 1st column: "for there few war engines" should read "for
there are....."
Page 102; Warlord Class Battle Titan weapons: "Volocano Cannon" should be "Volcano Cannon"
Page 103; Reaver Class Battle Titan: "Mard pattern" should be "Mars pattern"
Page 124; 6.1.2; Paragraph 3; last sentence: "could lead to anunbalanced game." should be
"could lead to an unbalanced game."
Page 125; 6.1.4; Paragraph 3; sentence 2: "In our game,s" - comma needs to be moved.
Page 134; Special Rule 6.4.1 box-out; for consistency, body text should be in italics
Page 138; Special Rule 6.5.1 box-out; for consistency, body text should be in italics, and last
sentence should refer to Nobz rather than Nob.
Page 143; Breakout Scenario; Paraggraph 1: ""held a vital position on the flak of the Imperial
defense line" - flak should be flank
Page 146; Paragraph 5; sentence 3; "Thus the Steel Legion infantry company does
represent....but something about half way in between" - should read "does not represent"
Page 148; Paragraph 1: "before you unleash and a Chapter" - should read "before you unleash a
Chapter"
Page 149; Gaming Area: "...we decided to but together" - should be "butt together"
Page 151; 6.7; Tournament Game Leagues; Paragraph 4: "...if you wanted to know how may
goals a player..." should read "how many goals"
Page 155; Highlighting: "THese are..." - section may need retitling to "Highlights", or the first
sentence needs rewriting to something along the lines of "Highlights are raised areas...."
Page 157; Examples of Rhino colour schemes at bottom of page: Third example should be
“Gunmetal spray paint for Silver Skulls”
Page 158; Gaming Boards; Paragraph 2 starts one space in from the norm for some reason
Page 159; Battlefield Features, paragraph 3: Delete the second sentence, and start the third
sentence “It’s easy…”
Page 166; Paragraph 1: "...almost completely redeisigned.." should read "...almost completely
redesigned..."
Page 166; Paragraph 1: "...with the appearanace of the..." should read "...with the appearance of
the..."
Page 166; Paragraph 3, penultimate sentence: "...Ookkits..." should read "...Rokkits..."
Pages 172 to 183: Page numbers are missing.
Page 173; 2nd question: "move>shot>move" should be "move>shoot>move"
Page 173; 4th answer: "Four: one for being shot at, plus two for destroying the transport unit...." –
should be "Four: one for being shot at, plus one for destroying the transport unit...."
Page 182; 1st answer; 2nd paragraph: "...get hold of anymore would simply p**** players off..."
should read - "...get hold of any more would simply p*** players off..."
Page 184; 2nd paragraph: "and the Devestator detachment" should be "Devastator"
Page 184; 2, Action Phase: "Remember thatyou" should read "Remember that you"
Page 185; 2.B, Force Actaeon’s Action, 2nd Paragraph, sentence 2: Add space after full stop.
th
Page 186; 4 Paragraph, sentence 3: “In an assault units, fight…” should be “In an assault, units
fight…”
Page 187; 3, End Phase; 3rd paragraph: "they may still try toraly" should read "they may still try
to rally"
Page 189; Bike unit: “Bolt Pistols” should be “Bolters”
Page 191; The commas between AP and AT values should all be replaced with “/”
Page 191; Big Gun unit: “Big Twin Gun” should be “Big Gun”
Page 192; Action Test Table: “Formation is trying to retain the initiative- <gap> 1” should be
“Formation is trying to retain the initiative <gap> -1”