Codex: Daemons is an excellent codex. I rate it very highly and it compares very well to the older Realms of Chaos publications (Slaves to Darkness and Lost and the Damned). My singular, nearly insignificant gripe is that it didn't present any daemons of lesser powers; apart from furies.
Furies are described as lost souls who didn't dedicate themselves to any particular power. Fair enough. But what about powers beyond the big four (Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh)? Dare I mention the names Malal or Kweethul Gristlegut? Indeed, the Lost and the Damned Realms of Chaos supplement has an entire section devoted to the nascent lesser powers of chaos and independent daemons.
In this series of articles, I'm going to present some experimental house rules for daemons of lesser powers. Eventually, I hope to gather them all together in one place as a mindex or equivalent. Here, the rules for a herald of a lesser power will be presented. In creating these rules, I'm guided by both the daemons codex and the chaos space marines one, but I also want to keep these rules in the spirit of the Lost and the Damned. Looking at the final product, it does not pack as much of a punch as heralds of the Big Four do. Moreover, the points values are also slightly on the more expensive side perhaps. To compensate, they get more wargear options than heralds of the big four, but are restricted to only two choices (lesser powers should have, um, less power afterall). Here we go:
Herald of a Lesser Power (HQ Choice - may take 2 heralds as one HQ slot). Cost: 50 points.
Number per squad: 1
Special Rules: Daemon, Independent Character
Options:
May have two of the following:Iron Hide (+15 pts), Daemonic Flight (+30 pts), Unholy Might (+10 pts), Chaos Icon (+25 pts), Power weapon (+15 pts), Preferred enemy: mortals (+25 pts), Preferred enemy: daemons and non-mortals (+15 pts), Daemonic Gaze (+15 pts); Breath of Chaos (+30 pts); Boon of Mutation (+30 pts)
In addition, the herald may have one of the following:
Daemonic Steed (+15 pts), Daemonic Chariot (+30 pts).
A daemonic steed alters the herald's profile to:
A daemonic chariot alters the herald's profile to:
Example.
As an example, I recently posted an article about a chaos champion in bone armour. Using this system, the miniature could be a herald costing 80 points: 50 points base, +15 points for a power weapon (representing the stolen bloodletter hellblade), and +15 points for iron hide (being the bone armour). This daemon is then nearly akin to a chaos space marine aspiring champion wielding a power weapon, but costs more. This feels about right to me since the model has an extra wound and an invulnerable save compared to an aspiring champion.
Furies are described as lost souls who didn't dedicate themselves to any particular power. Fair enough. But what about powers beyond the big four (Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh)? Dare I mention the names Malal or Kweethul Gristlegut? Indeed, the Lost and the Damned Realms of Chaos supplement has an entire section devoted to the nascent lesser powers of chaos and independent daemons.
In this series of articles, I'm going to present some experimental house rules for daemons of lesser powers. Eventually, I hope to gather them all together in one place as a mindex or equivalent. Here, the rules for a herald of a lesser power will be presented. In creating these rules, I'm guided by both the daemons codex and the chaos space marines one, but I also want to keep these rules in the spirit of the Lost and the Damned. Looking at the final product, it does not pack as much of a punch as heralds of the Big Four do. Moreover, the points values are also slightly on the more expensive side perhaps. To compensate, they get more wargear options than heralds of the big four, but are restricted to only two choices (lesser powers should have, um, less power afterall). Here we go:
Herald of a Lesser Power (HQ Choice - may take 2 heralds as one HQ slot). Cost: 50 points.
WS BS S T W I A Ld SvUnit Type: Infantry
4 4 4 4 2 4 3 10 -/5+
Number per squad: 1
Special Rules: Daemon, Independent Character
Options:
May have two of the following:Iron Hide (+15 pts), Daemonic Flight (+30 pts), Unholy Might (+10 pts), Chaos Icon (+25 pts), Power weapon (+15 pts), Preferred enemy: mortals (+25 pts), Preferred enemy: daemons and non-mortals (+15 pts), Daemonic Gaze (+15 pts); Breath of Chaos (+30 pts); Boon of Mutation (+30 pts)
In addition, the herald may have one of the following:
Daemonic Steed (+15 pts), Daemonic Chariot (+30 pts).
A daemonic steed alters the herald's profile to:
WS BS S T W I A Ld Svand changes its unit type from infantry to cavalry.
4 4 4 5 2 4 4 10 -/5+
A daemonic chariot alters the herald's profile to:
WS BS S T W I A Ld SvIn addition the herald replaces the Independent Character rule with Furious Charge and changes its unit type from infantry to cavalry.
4 4 4 5 3 4 5 10 4+/5+
Example.
As an example, I recently posted an article about a chaos champion in bone armour. Using this system, the miniature could be a herald costing 80 points: 50 points base, +15 points for a power weapon (representing the stolen bloodletter hellblade), and +15 points for iron hide (being the bone armour). This daemon is then nearly akin to a chaos space marine aspiring champion wielding a power weapon, but costs more. This feels about right to me since the model has an extra wound and an invulnerable save compared to an aspiring champion.
That's a cool idea actually, I like the thought of using Minor Gods' Daemons. Look forward to seeing what else you come up with for this.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could get into the Daemon codex, I just don't feel like I know it well enough to be able to construct anything useable on the tabletop.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a cool idea. I would have never thought of using a lesser power... kinda like making your own Eldar Craftworld or Space Marine Chapter I suppose.
I like the rules but don't you only get steeds and chariots in WHFB or am I just being picky.
ReplyDelete@ gamers world - you do indeed get Chariots and Steeds in 40K. Its crazy, but its fun!
ReplyDeleteRon, yes chaos daemons take a while to get the hang of. I'm not certain I've got used to them yet myself. I'm still experimenting. I might try to collect my thoughts and make a posting out of them.
ReplyDeleteChariots & Steeds: they do indeed look very cool on the battlefield! You'll probably be familiar with the chariots of the Big Four: Juggernaughts of Khorne and so forth. Anyway, more on daemons of lesser powers as I find the time. Gotta finish writing up the November FtW challenge yet.