Centurion mode

[Rangaman]

I have heard bits and pieces about a "Centurion-mode" that limits armies to mainly infantry and walkers, sounds like a fun way to de-escalate alot of the big guns my gaming group are used to.

 

Does anyone have any information on where I can find the rules for this and has anyone had any first hand experience playing 30k this way?

[Saphrael]

I've heard the guys on the Eye of Horus podcast talking about them a lot. If you don't listen to that podcast you should.

 

I checked their show notes and found this link to Centurion rules. Don't know who originally produced the rules, but I did check the link to the .pdf and it's safe.

 

Enjoy!

[Rangaman]

Cool, thanks for the links. I have never heard of the podcast before so I will have to check it out!

[Fangbanger]

Great podcast and really great way to play. I would even say I prefer it to my multiple spartan 3k list

[Purge the Daemon]

I've seen it before and I think it works well for legion on legion battles (though maybe movement 8 over 6 might be nice for it).

 

The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is some armies thematically really need bikes jetbikes to okay around with. Like a ws army I don't really think as a legion works as a foot slogging alternative and I feel that's just a bit fluff restrictive.

 

Also some armies like custodes who without vehicles bikes just can't bring guns seems meh to me but maybe can work but on a 6×4 is a bit much to just walk.

[Fangbanger]

Jetbikes and bikes are a part of centurian...

[apologist]

This mode of play interest me a great deal. It sounds like it'd provide a great spectacle, with more emphasis on the regular marines.

[Lachdannan]

Thanks for the link. Did hear about this mode from a friend, and we will try it out. An I fully recommend Eye of Horus podcast, top quality and banter.

[Rangaman]

I'm actually really excited to try this out now! Made a list up for funsies and all, mass infantry is definitely something I don't see very often in 30k...usually bulk tanks (of which I am also guilty) or lots of flyers, so this would clear the slate for us.

[Charlo]

Love the EoH guys and Centurion is basically like "3rd Edition" the game mode. Very very cool.

[Oxydo]

One problem is that there are on restrictions on Quad Mortars, and they are much worse than most of the vehicles they restrict/ban especially against foot slogging infantry.

[Jimm]

Good timing on this, me and a few friends are planning a 2v2 using this for something a little less power mad.

Only thing I wasn't sure about was the inclusion of 0-1 leviathans, I think it could play better with none but looking forward to my game. Just planning on 2k of troops and Contemptor joy!

[Purge the Daemon]

Jetbikes and bikes are a part of centurian...

They are part but limited to 1 squad each at 2000.

[Kizzdougs]

Remember guys, Centurion Mode is just a bit of fun, so if there are any rules you don't like, just change them :tu:

 

It's about taking units that you might not usually consider when writing a list. It allows you to build some fluffy lists that might not usually be considered 'viable'. If you love the idea of a massed horde of World Eater Despoilers or an infantry heavy Death Guard army with heavy support squads Centurion Mode might be perfect for you.

 

I've seen it before and I think it works well for legion on legion battles (though maybe movement 8 over 6 might be nice for it).

The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is some armies thematically really need bikes jetbikes to okay around with. Like a ws army I don't really think as a legion works as a foot slogging alternative and I feel that's just a bit fluff restrictive.

Also some armies like custodes who without vehicles bikes just can't bring guns seems meh to me but maybe can work but on a 6×4 is a bit much to just walk.

Bikes, Attackbikes and Jetbikes are 0-1 choices so you could have a squad of each. Obviously that's not enough for a full WS army, but you could supplement those three squads with some landspeaders and come up with a pretty fluffy army.

 

One problem is that there are on restrictions on Quad Mortars, and they are much worse than most of the vehicles they restrict/ban especially against foot slogging infantry.

Quad Mortars and all artillery are a 0-1 choice, so you can only ever take a max of 3 mortars. Plus Centurion Mode is about fun and fluffy games, anyone playing that kind of game should be able to self-regulate enough to not max out on the most powerful units.

 

Good timing on this, me and a few friends are planning a 2v2 using this for something a little less power mad.
Only thing I wasn't sure about was the inclusion of 0-1 leviathans, I think it could play better with none but looking forward to my game. Just planning on 2k of troops and Contemptor joy!

If you don't think Leviathans should be allowed just agree with your opponent not to take them. A couple of close combat Cortus Contemptors should be able to put a Leviathan in the ground anyway. Not to mention Landspeaders with grav...

[Aramis K]

I'm glad this has a name. I like to play this way. I built my force for this, infantry led by consuls and the odd walker. No deathstars, no transports, no tanks, just fire and manuver in the mud and rubble.

[Arminius_Warbringer]

This is the ultimate dream for a Death Guard player. A friend of mine is just dying to get me to play his DG this way in order to nix all of my army strengths(vehicles, pods, fliers maneuverability, etc) while amping his legions strengths to the max(termies, not hurt by terrain, flamers galore, and the ability to turn terrain into toxic waste pools from jump). He acts like this is what all of Europa plays anymore and that I am missing out on the new rage.

 

He is all about fixing the game so he has every advantage he can think of prior to the game, yet raves about how fair, uncompetitive, and laid back he is and how he plays purely for the narrative and the love of the game. Lol he then loads his lists full of op or most potent stuff and them claims he isn't in it to win it. Anything you bring is op to him too. Gotta love him!

 

I do like the idea in general but I will never have a go at it with DG as the opposing army against RG. Lol. Novel idea but purely situational.

[Marshal Rohr]

This is essentially how I've been building my army. Very excited to see it as a larger idea and lends itself well to using the BaC and BoP boxes to introduce people to the game. 

[Kizzdougs]

This is the ultimate dream for a Death Guard player. A friend of mine is just dying to get me to play his DG this way in order to nix all of my army strengths(vehicles, pods, fliers maneuverability, etc) while amping his legions strengths to the max(termies, not hurt by terrain, flamers galore, and the ability to turn terrain into toxic waste pools from jump). He acts like this is what all of Europa plays anymore and that I am missing out on the new rage.

 

He is all about fixing the game so he has every advantage he can think of prior to the game, yet raves about how fair, uncompetitive, and laid back he is and how he plays purely for the narrative and the love of the game. Lol he then loads his lists full of op or most potent stuff and them claims he isn't in it to win it. Anything you bring is op to him too. Gotta love him!

 

I do like the idea in general but I will never have a go at it with DG as the opposing army against RG. Lol. Novel idea but purely situational.

That's like saying that you'll never play against Death Guard in Zone Mortalis (where they are even more powerful)... maybe just give it a go. If you don't like it you never have to play it again

 

I recon that the Raven Guard would do pretty well in Centurion games.

Infiltrate is no joke when your opponent can't hide their infantry inside transport vehicles... First turn rapid firing Sniper Vets, Plasma Support, Seekers and Mor Deythan squads (with Fatal Strike) sound pretty good to me. Also, if you take the 'Decapitation Strike' Rite of War the re-roll to see who goes first/deploys first gives you an advantage in the alpha strike game. If you win the roll you can decide to deploy/go first and then essentially null deploy (except for jump infantry, bikes, jetbikes, and terminators). Your opponent then has to deploy their entire force (unless they have infiltrators too, unlikely with the DG). Once your opponent has deployed you can then deploy all of your infiltrating units to counter your opponent's deployment (to take advantage of your alpha strike capabilities), and then you still have the first turn...

Add to that the 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' special rule (Preferred Enemy Independent Characters) and your opponent has to be extremely careful where they deploy their Characters and accompanying units/bodyguards.

 

You can still out manoeuvre him with Jetbikes, Outriders, Attack Bikes, Land Speeders, Javelins, Assault Marines and Dark Fury squads. If your opponent likes to take a lot of Chem-flamers, maybe consider using a couple of Cortus Contemptors to lock them down in combat.

 

 

Also, Centurion style games seem really thematic for the XIXth Legion.

 

 

Regarding your friend's attitude: Every gaming group has at least one member that never acknowledges the OP things that they run, but is always crying about the apparent OP nature of their opponent's army. 

[Charlo]

Iron Hands have really good tanks.

EC can win a combat without killing anyone.

World eaters are all insane in combat.

Night Lords overwhelm people with swarms.

 

Basically, all legions have some nice advantages and disadvantages and prefer a certain battlefield, just like in the fluff!

 

He is certainly not fixing the game to his advantage. As others have said plenty of legions can do well in this format for sure! Just look at Sons of Horus... Death Dealers is even better when you're only fighting infantry!

 

Play the guy and ensure you bring some nice plasma support squads or some long range volkite to make him fail those 2+ saves. Stay away from his Chem Flamers etc.

 

Nothing is unbeatable and if your opponent is tailoring for a specific condition then make sure you are prepared for that!

[Gorgoff]

Iron Hands have really good tanks.

EC can win a combat without killing anyone.

World eaters are all insane in combat.

Night Lords overwhelm people with swarms.

 

Basically, all legions have some nice advantages and disadvantages and prefer a certain battlefield, just like in the fluff!

 

He is certainly not fixing the game to his advantage. As others have said plenty of legions can do well in this format for sure! Just look at Sons of Horus... Death Dealers is even better when you're only fighting infantry!

 

Play the guy and ensure you bring some nice plasma support squads or some long range volkite to make him fail those 2+ saves. Stay away from his Chem Flamers etc.

 

Nothing is unbeatable and if your opponent is tailoring for a specific condition then make sure you are prepared for that!

I second that.

There are a LOT of legions who love to play infantry only.

But I guess Custodes are kings in that setting. ;)

 

Oh, and by the way:

"Iron Hands have really good tanks" sounds like an awesome Heavy Metal song.

"IRON HANDS *dang dangdang*

HAVE REALLY GOOD TANKS *dangdangdang*.

[Athrawes]

Love this idea, I'm gonna try to get in a game with my Thousand Sons.

[Fangbanger]

you gotta remember it's just a version of how to play guys. You can adjust it how you see fit but the overwhelming feel should be infantry heavy and that's the idea. otherwise, just play normal games?