Path to Terra

[WallEye]

I hope this is the right spot for feedback on this idea. I should note that i've read the detailed heresy era ruleset, but consider that more as for experienced players and my idea is a little less ambitious. I'll draw heavily from it for the legion lists i believe, but the missions are much more complicated (in a good way) than i'm going for.

 

A few people i know are getting into 40k at the moment (although some are longtime gamers like myself) and so we're planning a campaign that will allow us to build a new marine army (or utilise an existing one) in an escalation environment based on the Black Library books we're all fans of.

 

Now just redoing the main battles of the Heresy is not going to fit the bill so we're thinking of doing a Path to Terra campaign based around small units of marines separated from their parent Legions when the Heresy kicks off. The general plan is set out below. Considering there are more HH gurus here than most other sites, i'd love to get some feedback and ideas.

 

Path to Terra

-Loyalist and Traitor Legions will fight small scale battles over approximately 10 strategic locations on way to Terra from Ultima Segmentum and the Isstvan system.

 

-The missions will recreate forgotten battles between far-flung units of Astartes, separated from their Legions when the Heresy began, allowing for loyalist remnants of traitor legions, early attacks on units not fully aware of the Heresy’s commencement or initial battles between small expeditionary units of marines.

 

-These units are tasked with disrupting or facilitating Horus’ drive on Terra, either expressly through assaults on strategic locations, or simply through protecting vital assets.

 

-None of these battles in of itself will stop the war, but any small disruption of an enemies plans could be the tipping point that turns victory into defeat or defeat into victory.

 

-Each battle will contain strategic goals to be met, with strategic points being awarded for a win (3), or a draw (1 each). The total points will be tallied at the end of the campaign and will link to certain narrative elements based on the individual victories, defeats and stalemates encountered through the campaign.

 

-Battles will be primarily infantry based, with a heavy emphasis on themed lists based on an approved unit selection list for each Legion.

 

-Escalation is recommended with earlier battles being smaller (around 750 points) and steadily increasing to whatever suits the players, although given the lack of elite and heavy support choices that fit the theme, 1500 points may be an appropriate upper limit.

 

-The location of the battles will be charted out and reflect the forces of Horus drawing closer to Terra.

 

-Missions will reflect the escalation mechanic with earlier missions being related to small hit and run or lightning raids. As the Heresy draws nearer to Terra, each sides forces will coalesce closer to that end point.

 

-A final optional siege of Terra, with modifiers based on the strategic points accrued through the campaign can be fought to close the campaign.

 

Example missions will include:

- Attacking unsuspecting loyalist garrisons that could become a danger to the march on terra if left to attack Horus’ rearguard.

 

- Seizing munitions depots from either side to deny or secure additional newer marks of armour, heavier weapons or ammunition resupply

 

- Destroying communication hubs to deny the enemy their use

 

- Punishing or protecting populations of worlds who have declared their allegiance to the Emperor or Horus

 

- Capturing orbital stations guarding stable warp gates, high value worlds or resupplying fleets

 

As for set-up each player will choose a legion (and faction) and build a list based on that legion. Each mission will form a round, with players able to either play a combined round (2v2 etc) or standalone games that will be merged into one overall faction result (win, loss or draw)

 

Some general feedback as well as suggestions for other mission styles would be more than welcome. Given the campaign is as much about theme as gaming, it'd be nice to get some cool fluffy mission ideas, including defensive bonuses or attackers getting the benefit of surprise attacks worked into them. I think that some rounds will be balanced, some will be skewed one way but balanced by others being skewed in reverse. Kinda like home ground advantage. Getting a win away from home will be hard, but a massive plus in the overall campaign.