We are starting to see sign ups for the crusade and we want to help everyone to get the most out of the crusade and so they can keep track of everything that is going on.
What You Need to Do
One of the first things you need to do is get your army list organised. You do this by creating an account with Goonhammer (https://administratum.goonhammer.com/) and setting up an army list. This will be 1000 points to start with but will expand over time.
The campaign is set up on Goonhammer and you add your army to the crusade with the link on the Discord.
During and after each battle you will record which units are fighting (ideally with legible handwriting!), how many kills they get and if they complete any agendas for additional XP. We will input these into Goonhammer after every battle and you will see your units gaining XP which can then be spent to level them up once they cross various thresholds.
Battle Ranks
As your units gain experience throughout the campaign they will start to level up and become better skilled.
| Experience Points | Rank |
|---|---|
| 0-5 | Battle-ready |
| 6-15 | Blooded |
| 16-30 | Battle-hardened |
| 31-50 | Heroic* |
| 51+ | Legendary* |
After every battle you will get Requisition Points that can be spent to upgrade your force – more on these later on. When you first set up your army you can choose one character to spend 1RP on to give them the “Renowned Heroes” ability which will let them gain an enhancement from one of the detachments they have access to (see core rules page 285). They gain this enhancement but it will ONLY be available when using that specific detachment in battle – you then increase the points cost of the character by the amount of the enhancement accordingly and this must remain within your total supply limit (your maximum points value). You cannot choose to reallocate this enhancement later and each character can only have one enhancement so if you choose to gain a different enhancement later on, this one is lost – SO CHOOSE WISELY!
On the Discord we will create a note on all the benefits each player gets for their faction’s territory, unlocks from Certus upgrades and any handicap bonus they gain. You will also note that, as your army grows you will gain crusade points – this is used to balance the factions in addition to our own handicap system. You need to note how many crusade points your army has and then compare it to your opponents before battle – if you are lower by more than 4 then you can gain additional bonuses (see our last article on the campaign for what those are).
After Your Battles
When you finish a battle you will need to hand in your sheet with your army on it as noted above. You can choose one unit to be marked for greatness and you may get additional bonuses if you win the battle – please note all the relevant details on the sheet. When a unit is completely destroyed (even if it brought back by some ability) you need to roll an out of action test in front of your opponent – essentially roll a dice for each unit eliminated, one a roll of a 1 they take a battle scar – roll a further d6 and record this result in the appropriate box. This will be recorded on goonhammer in the same way as the xp and kills.
If one of your units levels up after the battle you can choose to gain a battle honour. This can be a weapon modification or a battle trait. If you choose a weapon modification then you roll twice on the table but it ONLY AFFECTS ONE WEAPON in the unit – normally the sergeant or unit leader’s weapon.
Unlike in the Core Rule book you WILL NOT be able to obtain crusade relics by gaining a battle honour. You will ONLY be able to obtain relics through boarding actions missions where your force is scouring the mausoleum for artifacts. The level of relic you can obtain will be detailed in the boarding actions missions accordingly and you will find a full suite of relics below.
You can also spend your RPs on a number of options as detailed in the Core Rule Book on p285 but the basics are outlined here:
Increase Supply Limit – 1RP
Purchase this Requisition at any time. Increase your Crusade force’s Supply Limit by 200 points.
Renowned Heroes – 1-3RP
When you first start a Crusade force, you can purchase this Requisition the first time you add a CHARACTER unit to your Order of Battle. After that point, you can purchase this Requisition each time a unit from your Order of Battle gains a rank. In either case, you cannot select an EPIC HERO unit, a unit that already has an Enhancement, or a unit that has either the Disgraced or Mark of Shame Battle Scars.
You can select one Enhancement that unit has access to (if using this Requisition when that unit gains a rank, this is instead of it gaining a Battle Honour). When doing so, that unit has access to any Enhancements described within any Detachment rules that it could use, even though you have not yet started to muster your army and so have not selected any Detachment rules yet.
If the selected Enhancement replaces a weapon that is a Crusade Relic or a weapon upgraded by Weapon Modifications, that Crusade Relic or Weapon Modifications are lost. Recalculate the unit’s points value as a result of gaining this Enhancement and update its Crusade card. You cannot make any changes that would cause you to exceed your Supply Limit.
This Requisition costs 1RP plus 1 additional RP for each other Enhancement that your Order of Battle contains (to a maximum of 3RP).
Legendary Veterans – 3RP
Purchase this Requisition when a unit from your Order of Battle (excluding CHARACTER units) reaches 30XP. That unit’s Experience points total is no longer limited to a maximum of 30 and it can now be promoted above the Battle-hardened rank. In addition, the maximum number of Battle Honours that unit can have is increased to 6.
Rearm and Resupply – 1RP
Purchase this Requisition before a battle. Select one unit from your Order of Battle. You can change any wargear options models in that unit are equipped with as described on that unit’s datasheet. If you replace a weapon that is a Crusade Relic or a weapon upgraded by Weapon Modifications, that Crusade Relic or any Weapon Modifications are lost. Recalculate the unit’s points value as a result of any of these changes and update its Crusade card. You cannot make any changes that would cause you to exceed your Supply Limit.
Repair and Recuperate – 1-5RP
Purchase this Requisition after a battle. Select one unit from your Order of Battle that has one or more Battle Scars. Select one of that unit’s Battle Scars and remove it from its Crusade card (for each Battle Scar removed, that unit’s Crusade points total will increase by 1).
This Requisition costs 1RP plus 1 additional RP for each Battle Honour that unit has (to a maximum of 5RP).
Fresh Recruits – 1-4RP
Purchase this Requisition at any time. Select one unit from your Order of Battle. You can add additional models to that unit, up to the maximum listed on its datasheet. Recalculate the unit’s points value as a result of any of these changes and update its Crusade card. You cannot make any changes that would cause you to exceed your Supply Limit.
This Requisition costs 1RP plus 1 additional RP for every 2 Battle Honours the unit has, rounding up (to a maximum of 4RP).
Crusade Relics
For the Certus Crusade we have created a series of bespoke relics which your heroes may uncover from the depth of the tombs of the cemetery world! Players will need to delve into the dark labyrinthine passages of the Necroplex and survive it’s dangers to pillage it’s treasures. These relics are obtained through winning boarding actions missions and you can choose any relic from he level obtained or below – this can be for any model in your force as long as long as it meets the criteria, it does not have to be one of the units that completed the boarding actions mission.
Level 1 – Artificer Relics
Ceremonial Weapon
“The tombs are littered with powerful weapons who’s former masters lie long dead.”
Select one weapon that the model is equipped with (excluding a Relic or a weapon that has been enhanced by the Weapon Enhancement Battle Honour). That weapon now has SUSTAINED HITS 1. This is now a Relic Weapon and cannot be further modified.
Artisan Bionics
Long turned to dust these exquisitely crafted bionics are all that remains of their past owners.”
INFANTRY or MOUNTED only. Add 1 to the model’s Strength characteristic for Melee Attacks. In addition, the model has a 5+ Feel No Pain.
Shrouding Cloak
“Some ancient technology prevents the eyes from truly focusing on this material.”
INFANTRY CHARACTER only. The bearer gains the Stealth keyword and always counts as having the Benefit of Cover.
Ecclesiarch’s Ankh
“It’s true meaning long lost to time this golden pendent offers protection to all those who wield it.”
Models in the bearer’s unit gain a 5+ Feel No Pain against Mortal Wounds.
Repulsor Field Generator
“Primative Repulsor technology is often enough to turn a blow back at the attacker.”
The bearer gains a 5+ invulnerable save. In addition, each time a successful saving throw is made against a melee attack, roll a D6. On the roll of a 6, a Mortal Wound is inflicted on the attacking unit.
Adrenal Stim Injector
“In warfare every advantage must be sought to ensure victory.”
INFANTRY, MOUNTED or MONSTER only. You can re-roll Advance and Charge rolls made for this model’s unit. In addition, add 1 to this model’s melee weapon Attacks characteristic during any turn in which its unit made a charge move (including using the Heroic Intervention stratagem) or was charged.
Twice Blessed Armour
“Ceremonial armour of a once great imperial lord offers holy protection to it’s new bearer.”
Add 1 to the bearer’s Armour Saving throws (but not invulnerable saves). In addition, the model gains a 6+ Feel No Pain against Mortal Wounds. Their armour is now Relic Armour – it cannot be further modified.
Sharks Tooth Blade
“This blade’s razor sharp serrated edges are perfectly designed to grab and slice through even the toughest armour.”
Close combat weapon only – weapon becomes a Relic Weapon. This weapon now has LETHAL HITS.
Horn of The Red Viper
“This ancient instrument is said to embolden allies and strike fear into enemies in equal measure.”
You can re-roll Advance and Charge rolls made for the bearer’s unit. Additionally, the target unit of a charge may not use the overwatch the stratagem.
Level 2 – Antiquity Relics
Blood Blade
“This blade wielded by a champion of the Cholercaust Blood Crusade constantly drips with the blood of Khorne’s enemies.”
Select one of the model’s melee weapons, it now has Anti-Infantry 2+. This is now a Relic Weapon and cannot be further modified.
Martyr’s Gift Field Service Medi-Kit
“Loaded with combat stims, self cauterising thermic gel & single use bionics this kit is designed to get the bearer back into the fight as quickly as possible.”
INFANTRY only. The first time this model is destroyed, keep it to one side; at the end of the current phase, roll one D6. On a 2+, set this model back up again, as close as possible to its previous position, with D3 wounds remaining.
Orkimedes’ Shiny Button
“No one know how it got here or what it does but pressing the button on this Ork tech promises to be quite the adventure!”
INFANTRY only. Instead of making a Normal Move or Falling Back in your Movement phase, this model’s unit can be removed from the battlefield and then set back up on the battlefield, anywhere that is more than 9″ from any enemy models. This ability can only be used once use per battle.
Commorragh’s Kiss
“This combination of experimental combat drugs has earned it’s name in the underhives of the surrounding systems by being so potent & deadly that no human can survive the pain it inflicts.”
INFANTRY CHARACTER model only. At any point in the battle the character can choose to administer these drugs. When it does so it gains +1 Strength, +1 Toughness, +1 Attack and +1 Damage to its melee weapons for the rest of the battle. However in EVERY future Command Phase (for both players) the model must make a Leadership check and if it fails suffers D3 Mortal Wounds.
Excoriators Battle Plate
“All vanity is long lost from this armour as it has been repaired time and time again to weather yet more damage in defence of the imperium.”
Incoming damage is reduced by 1 against this model to a minimum of 1. Their armour is now Relic Armour – it cannot be further modified.
Golden Rod of Eternal Light
“This sacred relic of the Adeptus Sororitas is said to shine with the holy light of The Emperor himself blinding the mutant, the heretic & the xeno alike.”
The bearer has the following ability: ‘Rod of Eternal Light (Aura): Subtract 1 from the Attacks characteristic (to a minimum of 1) of enemy models while they are within Engagement Range of the bearer’s unit.’
Tactical Auspex
“This advanced sensory device provides the user with an overwhelming abundance of combat information to distribute to it’s allies boosting their combat effectiveness at the cost of their own.”
The model’s attached unit has +1 to both BS and WS on all weapons. But the model itself is -1 to both its BS and WS on all weapons.
Vindicare’s Eye
“This scope is said to contain the eye lens of a nameless assassin responsible for killing countless foes of the imperium during The Wars of Faith.”
NON VEHICLE CHARACTER ONLY. Single ranged weapon only. That weapon gains the PRECISION key word. This is now a Relic Weapon and cannot be further modified.
Level 3 – Legendary Relics
Asuryan’s Gift
“This gem was said to have been presented to High Lord Umberto II himself by an Eldari farseer as a token of thanks for their assistance in purging the chaos heretics surrounding The Eye of Terror.”
The bearer has the FIGHTS FIRST ability – only the bearer has this ability, not any unit they are attached to.
The Pilgrims Will
“Known as The Right Claw of Khorne the mysterious leader of the Cholercaust Blood Crusade was so strong of will that he was able to unite the warring Khornate warbands to a single purpose.”
INFANTRY CHARACTER only. After deployment ends but before the game begins mark the location of this character on the board. At any point in the mission or if the character is reduced to 0 wounds then this relic may be activated. On a 2+ the device is successful, the character is reset to his starting position with the number of wounds they started the battle with. Any progress made towards Agendas by this character is lost and the character is considered slain for all rules purposes. If the dice roll fails the character is slain immediately. Only one use per battle.
Zachariah Kersh’s Gauntlet
“Corpus-Captain of the Excoriators 5th Company Zachariah Kersh’s last stand against the Khornate forces on the planet of Certus Minor would have have made even his gene father, Rogal Dorn, proud.”
INFANTRY CHARACTER model only. If this character is reduced to 0 wounds it is not removed from the board but counts as having one wound remaining until the end of the battle round. It can act normally until then at which point it is slain.
The Everburning Brand
“Forged by the grief of a dead homeworld this power field is said to burn with the mad rage of it’s creator. It is incredibly potent but dangerously unstable.”
Pick one of the character’s melee weapons. They now have +1 to wound with this weapon. This is now a Relic Weapon and cannot be further modified.
Keeler Comet Shard
“A shard of the destroyed blood red comet once through to embody the very will of Khorne himself.”
Invulnerable saves cannot be made against attacks made with this model’s melee weapons.
The Sigil of Umberto II
“As Ecclesiarch of the Adeptus Ministorum &a High Lord of Terra Umberto II stood as a beacon against the forces of darkness that would spill from the Eye of Terror leading the faithful in the Wars of Faith.”
INFANTRY CHARACTER only. This model now has the LONE OPERATIVE special ability. Their armour is now Relic Armour – it cannot be further modified.
Sergeant Centurius’s Battle Plate
“This blackened armour bears the scars of countless centuries of combat in defence of the Imperium of Man.”
Incoming damage against this model is halved (rounding up). The model also has a 6+ Feel No pain. Their armour is now Relic Armour – it cannot be further modified.
Missions
Every month we will be creating bespoke missions for you to fight in. These will have a basic points limit but if you are fighting on land (ie not a boarding action mission) then you may have additional points because of the handicap system. The boarding actions missions are a hard cap at 500 points. Neil will be doing a more in-depth article on boarding actions missions once he’s had a chance to look through the book!
You will find attached the first 2 land missions,with the boarding actions mission to follow once we have the book! – you can ONLY do 2 missions per month to keep everyone on about the same play rate through the campaign.
As usual if you have any questions you can reach Neil and me on discord and we can try and help/sort anything out.
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