Avenging Lions Special Characters

[Ioldanach]

Chapter Tactics

If you include an Avenging Lions character then all units in your army exchange the combat tactics special rule for the Stubborn universal special rule. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics special rule, you must choose which version will apply.

I've created the Avenging Lions Chapter, a Codex Chapter that uses Codex: Space Marines. They are based heavily upon the Imperial Fists, with some small Black Templars bits and some minor unique elements thrown in to give them character. On the off chance that I am allowed to use homegrown special characters, I've developed two (sort of) that I hope would be acceptable to other players. The first is a fairly bland Captain that has some small special elements, though he's probably too bland for most (he's not tactically special, instead being equipped in a manner that I think would be more "normal"). The second is a watered down version of the Emperor's Champion from the Black Templars codex. My intent was not to create super characters. Instead, I used the example of Imperial Armour Volume Nine: The Badab War - Part One as a model with some of the less exciting special characters in that book. If you're interested, you can see the Chapter development here.

SPECIAL CHARACTERS

BROTHER-CAPTAIN MENAS SITALKES

Captain of the Avenging Lions 5th Company, Master of the Marches

(fluff in development)

BROTHER-CAPTAIN MENAS SITALKES …………………………..........150 POINTS

MENAS SITALKES

6

5

4

4

3

5

3

10

3+

Unit Composition:

• 1 (Unique)
  

Unit Type:

• Infantry
  

Wargear:

• Power Armor
• Redeemer
• The Sword of Thane
• Iron Halo
• Frag Grenades
• Krak Grenades
  

Special Rules:

• And They Shall Know No Fear
• Combat Tactics
• Independent Character
• Chapter Tactics
• Boarding Action Elite
• Parry
  

Chapter Tactics: If you include Sitalkes then all units in your army exchange the combat tactics special rule for the Stubborn universal special rule. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics special rule, you must choose which version will apply.

Boarding Action Elite: If Sitalkes is included in your army, one Tactical squad also included in your army may be chosen to represent the veterans of his company. Both Sitalkes and this chosen squad count as having the Void Hardened Armor in battles such as boarding actions where this is relevant, at no additional cost. See Imperial Armour Volume Nine: The Badab War – Part One for the rules on Void Hardened Armor and boarding actions.

Redeemer: Crafted for him by the Chapter’s Master of the Forge, this weapon is a master-crafted combi-meltagun.

The Sword of Thane: Maximus Thane was one of the early Chapter Masters that succeeded the Primarch after his death. Thane’s preferred weapon was the chainsword that was bestowed upon him by Rogal Dorn in recognition for his bravery in the defense of the Imperial Palace. Decorated with script commemorating Thane’s achievements, the weapon is an example of the artificer’s highest art. The weapon was granted to the Avenging Lions upon the Chapter’s creation by the Imperial Fists, a tangible reminder of the brotherhood that existed between the two Chapters. Sitalkes was awarded the Sword of Thane when, as a Sergeant in the First Company, he single-handedly fought off a force of greenskins while his battle-brothers retrieved their wounded Chapter Master from the field of battle. Though grievously wounded, his valorous actions saved the Chapter Master. The Sword of Thane is a master-crafted chainsword that has the Rending ability.

Parry: In a Chapter that prides itself on the swordsmanship of its battle-brothers, Sitalkes has proven himself a true master of the sword, able to thwart the attacks of his opponents. One enemy model nominated by the Space Marine player may be forced to re-roll one successful To Hit roll each player turn that it is in Assault with Sitalkes.

Company Captain: Brother-Captain Menas Sitalkes is an HQ choice in a Codex Space Marines army. As a company Captain, Menas Sitalkes allows you to take a Space Marine Command Squad in your army. This unit is an HQ choice, but does not count against your army’s HQ allowance.

THE EMPEROR’S CHAMPION

Upon the eve of glorious battle, it is customary amongst the Imperial Fists and their successors, most notably the Black Templars Chapter, for one among their number to be granted the singular and majestic honor of becoming the Champion of the Emperor. The battle-brethren gather together in prayer to the Emperor and their Primarch, Rogal Dorn. Ecstatic vision will come over one of the assembled brethren and they will be led away by the Company Chaplain to receive the revered vestments of the Champion of the Emperor – the Black Sword, the Armor of Faith and the other numerous accoutrements of the position. The Champion of the Emperor will then spend the following hours until battle is begun in self-meditation and communion with the Emperor. From this he draws great strength, courage and self-assurance, enough to make the Champion seek out the most fell of the Emperor’s foes and deal them death in bloody mêlée.

An extract from the Mythos Angelica Mortis (M36), Appendix CXVI “Honorifics of the Legiones Astartes”.

(Use profile and cost listed in Codex Black Templars)

Unit Composition:

• 1 (Unique)
  

Unit Type:

• Infantry
  

Wargear:

• The Armor of Faith
• The Black Sword
• Bolt Pistol
• Frag Grenades
• Krak Grenades
  

Special Rules:

• And They Shall Know No Fear
• Combat Tactics
• Always An Independent Character
• Chapter Tactics
• Chosen of the Emperor
• Slayer of Champions
  

Chapter Tactics: If you include the Emperor’s Champion then all units in your army exchange the combat tactics special rule for the Stubborn universal special rule. If more than one character in your army has the Chapter Tactics special rule, you must choose which version will apply.

Always An Independent Character: The Emperor’s Champion always fights as an Independent Character and may never lead, join or be attached to any squad.

Chosen of the Emperor: The Emperor’s Champion does NOT use up an HQ slot on a Force Organization chart, so you may still pick your two HQ choices as normal. In addition, the Emperor’s Champion fills a role normally performed by Company and Chapter Champions, so an Avenging Lions army may not include those characters in Command Squads or Honor Guard squads.

The Black Sword: One of the most fearsome weapons of the Avenging Lions, the Black Sword is a truly deadly weapon in the hands of the Emperor’s Champion, capable of tearing armor and flesh with equal ease. The Black Sword is a relic blade.

The Armor of Faith: Per Codex Black Templars

Slayer of Champions: Per Codex Black Templars

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

My main question is about whether or not you would allow me to use either/both of these characters in play against you. Are the points costs fair?

The cost of the Emperor's Champion is the same as in the Black Templars codex. I changed the Black Sword's rules to a relic blade, which has the same Str effect, but reduces my overall Attacks by 1. He is also without the Crusader Seals and precludes the use of Company/Chapter Champions. In games where I'm not allowed to use the Emperor's Champion, I can always substitute the model for a Captain, Company Champion, or Chapter Champion (as long as the wargear allows). Overall, this version is weaker than the official one and I probably could have applied a cost reduction, but that might not have been looked upon rather skeptically.

The cost of the Captain is based around +15 points for master crafting (x2), the Boarding Action Elite rule, the Parry rule, and the Sword of Thane being Rending. The Boarding Action Elite rule isn't really that much of a benefit in normal games, but I wanted to tie the character in with the expertise in boarding action that the Chapter has. The Parry and Rending elements were intended to buff him a little in assault, which is where most players will tell you that Captains need to be. He's not as good as a Captain with a Power Sword, so the cost comes out to +20 points for all three of these last elements. That might be too high, but I think it's in the ballpark.

I made the Sword of Maximus Thane and its background up, but the character was a real Chapter Master of the Imperial Fists Chapter as described in the novel Space Marine by Ian Watson.

All in all, my goal is to create flavor characters rather than characters that will make or break games.

Worst-case scenario - I am not allowed to use either of these characters and have to use Lysander or Kantor instead in order to get the Chapter Tactics I've picked. Both of those characters are far better than the ones I made up.

[ChaosLord Leon Enaek]

I would happily play against your Captain, although I'm not sure if using a Black Templars unit to add your Chapter Tactics is as easy as it looks, balance wise. Perhaps if he came with only a single oath that replected the nature of the Chapter, so that the presence of the Emperor's Champions brought this archtype to the fore, as oppossed to the BT Champions that enhance a 'lesser' oath of their Chapter...

But as a champion of the scribblings that birth Captains such as these, I must say I love the rules and background I've seen for Sitalkes, good show!

Just my tuppence worth.

[Ioldanach]

My short answer to the suggestion to give the EC a vow is "no". I've really based the concept off of the 3rd edition rules and fluff. The vows of the Black Templars are an institutional practice, regardless of their current rules linkage with the EC. While the AL have vows and oaths of their own (I imagine that pretty much every Chapter of Space Marines does), they don't practice vows in the same way that the Black Templars do. Also, this keeps the cost of the character low. I wanted to have a fluffy character (the AL are descended from the BT and Rogal Dorn), but wanted to keep him low key. If I start adding special rules to him, there will be a perception that I'm tailoring his abilities to my army list in order to maximize potency, and I would probably do that in reality (even if subconsciously). As it is, I have a "balanced" character (by GW standards, which is as official as it gets) that isn't game-breaking. In fact, I've toned him down slightly from the official version by changing the Black Sword to a Relic Blade. It's still a +2 Str power weapon, but he doesn't get the additional attack in assault. Ultimately, he looks like an updated version of the 3rd edition Emperor's Champion. I want to keep him low key. My vision of him right now is that he's a battle-brother of the Chapter that has the visions that were described in the 3rd edition codex. He doesn't really enhance the army in any way from a rules perspective (I briefly considered and then rejected an idea to make him inspirational to his brethren).

 

I'm glad you find the Captain acceptable. I really need to flesh his background material out, and converting the mini will be fun. Whenever I get around to actually converting and painting, I'll provide updates in my blog.

 

Despite me rejection of your suggestion on the EC, I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!