[DW] The Desolation of Innocence (RPG OOC Thread)

[Mazer Rackham]

Hello all.

 

This is just a thread I picked up from some comments in another PBP game, where someone thought it would be fun to take Deathwatch ruleset, and go down tight corridors to certain doom.

 

In my mind, this amps up the gameplay of Space Hulk to another level, because you have an actual, not AI director and have far more options available to you as a player in terms of abilities and skills to help PC's survive the onslaught.

 

This is an exploratory thread, mainly to discuss if such a thing is viable, or worth the time in doing.  It would be very action heavy, but with the GM being involved, could also spark moments of genuine intrigue.

 

My premise would be that all players would start from Rank 4, with certain GM improvements, and access to Terminator wargear, and sufficient Requisition to arm with preferred or slightly off-piste equipment (such as the Dark Angels Plasma Cannon).

 

Of course, the team could be composed from any of the Deathwatch classes/Chapters allowed across the books, but it could easily be a single Chapter using the same rule/advance tables for that Chapter.  (Deathwatch table is removed).

 

Thoughts?

 

EDIT: I will keep this post edited with changes or proposed characters so we have a repository of sorts as we go along, for when we come up with ideas.

 

So far we have:

• 1 x Librarian - Necronaut
• 1 x Apothecary - Lysimachus
• 1 x Techmarine - Machine God
• 1 x Chaplain - Trokair

Special rules/exceptions:

• Only Devs can take Heavy TDA weapons
• Only Assaulters can take TDA CCWs
• 1 Blackshield only, strict GM generation.
• Cataphractii and Tartaros are available in limited quantities.
• Players will begin at Renown Rank: Famed
• Players will have 50 Requisition to buy weapons (Subject to change)
• Players will not need to Req their TDA
• PC's will receive Our Hands Bring Death and Hypnogogic Induction.

Enemies:

 

Various - the current leaning is a Space Crusade/Space Hulk feel, with almost anything being on the menu:

• Genestealers (MoX)
• Orks (MoX, TGT)
• Necrons (TOR)
• Maybe Eldar (There was a Space Crusade expansion with them)

Edited May 28, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

You know me, if I have time to spare when this aproches live I'd be intrested in taking part.

[Mazer Rackham]

I take it you think it's worth doing then! :)

 

Any thoughts on it in particular to carry forward?

[Necronaut]

You dog! This sounds great!

[Lysimachus]

I think it sounds great fun, being able to take all the cool kit that you often don't ever reach! :D

 

Personally, I think it would probably make sense to stick to DW rather than one Chapter, as it gives more options and more hooks for characters to interact? (Although I suppose different Classes within a Chapter could provide the same?)

 

But I'm pretty sure in the 40k DW Codex you can take full DW Terminator squads, so there is fluff precedent?

[Mazer Rackham]

Yeah, absolutely, I mean one of the greatest things about the DW RPG ruleset is how flexible it is.

 

Anybody have anything they'd particularly like to see in such a campaign, or any ideas to go forward with it - possible problems etc?

[Lysimachus]

I think the great thing about exploring a random Hulk that turns up would be that you could include almost any enemy, not just 'stealers?

 

You could even go as far as old fashioned Space Crusade for your Enemies... Chaos Dreadnoughts, etc...

 

 

I wonder if it would probably work better as a one shot type of thing, keeps it simple? You take what you want (in terms of stats, kit, abilities) up to the level set by the GM, but you know that you won't be getting further xp to spend later?

 

I guess the trick might be how much focus on combat there is, but still include some other bits? Some character types are obviously more killy than others, but you want everyone to be able to shine! :D

Edited May 26, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Mazer Rackham]

I think the great thing about exploring a random Hulk that turns up would be that you could include almost any enemy, not just 'stealers?

 

You could even go as far as old fashioned Space Crusade for your Enemies... Chaos Dreadnoughts, etc...

 

Yes, was thinking this very thing!

I wonder if it would probably work better as a one shot type of thing, keeps it simple? You take what you want (in terms of stats, kit, abilities) up to the level set by the GM, but you know that you won't be getting further xp to spend later?

 

Again, very much so - one shot scenarios over a campaign, similar to the video and board games.  I think xp progression would be curtailed, yes, but I'd be open to exploring options on it, since that aspect of the game incentivises player investment - since they already have access to a lot of the shiny toys.  Not sure.

 

I guess the trick might be how much focus on combat there is, but still include some other bits? Some character types are obviously more killy than others?

 

Indeed so.  The difficulty would be in keeping it fresh and balanced for the Front Line and Support Classes.  That could be offset by their weapon choices somewhat, giving them a touch more balance (and then of course obvious scenarios based on Specialties that GMs use in the normal game structure).

 

One-shot nature and narrative breaks would help deal with player (and GM!) fatigue as well.

Edited May 26, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[BadgersinHills]

Sounds like a great idea. 

[Mazer Rackham]

Thanks Badgers - feel free to drop your oar in with any critique or a character...! 

Edited May 26, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

Do you even need to ask Mazer - you've read my signature

[Machine God]

Baggsy Techmarine!

[Mazer Rackham]

What programs do the clever people use for the battle maps?

 

EDIT: Just a note, someone already has (tenuous) dibs on Techmarine!

Edited May 26, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Lysimachus]

I work out a map in something simple like Paint (I've got a file of pics of the painted necromunda tiles that I can copy, rotate and put together as a background, then add shapes to make walls, etc.)

 

Then I import that pic into PowerPoint to add player characters, Enemies and other stuff that need to be movable.

 

 

Edit: All Mol's idea, though. I probably shouldn't have included myself in the question... :P

Edited May 26, 2022 by Lysimachus

[Machine God]

Dibs are universal - School to 40K

[Mazer Rackham]

Cheers for the tips - Mol's a clever chap.  Those are very easy to use tools.

 

I'll have a pick and pluck at bits and bobs and see what can be done.

 

@ MG, wise words my friend.

 

I'm chatting to a player about their options, and I encourage ideas here from anyone who is interested, but this could be a few weeks off - especially with site realignment, but that's fine.

 

I've just had my recent Alternative WW1 Historical Fantasy book manuscript back from my editor.  *Cracks Knuckles*

 

And war just got declared. 

[Xin Ceithan]

I see you have the Techmarine position already covered. Nothing to do for me here then :) 

Also, I’d never be able to figure out a way to put a Servo Arm in TDA plate that doesn’t look totally ridiculous.

[Mazer Rackham]

I see you have the Techmarine position already covered. Nothing to do for me here then

Also, I’d never be able to figure out a way to put a Servo Arm in TDA plate that doesn’t look totally ridiculous.

 

I haven't liked that post because we have many more roles to fill.

 

Damage assessor, designated driver, Quantity Surveyor, Loss Adjuster...

 

Think Space Hulk: Think Big!

[Lysimachus]

I don't know what you've decided regarding specific Chapter vs Deathwatch... but if you go DW, I'd love to throw in a Marine Adamant or an Emperor's Blade...

 

No idea or preference on Archetype... though if it were a Marine Adamant, they tend to send their Skalds (trainee Techs and Apothecaries) to the Watch as they have a -slightly- easier time getting on with strangers? So, maybe a squad Medic?

[Xin Ceithan]

I liked this … because .,,  I like this. 

So it’s probably time to send in … the Metamarines!  

[Mazer Rackham]

Yeah, we'll roll with Deathwatch.

 

Gird your loins, warriors.

 

Bah!  And now when I need them, I'm out of likes!  Can't have anything in 40k!

 

EDIT:  So far we have:

• 1 x Librarian (probably)
• 1 x Apothecary (proposed)
• 1 x Techmarine slot is now available, (but MG was next on the list being fair - sorry Xin!  Maybe it's time to break out of being typecast?)
• 1 x Chaplain (Proposed).

That's the specialists filled, as far as I am concerned on a first come first served.  I will consider a second non-libby specialist if someone comes up with something really interesting.

 

 

 

Or unless some fool can persuade me into two squads...

 

 

 

We now have room for:

• Tacs
• Assault
• Devs

Now! Fight amongst yourselves for my amusement!

Edited May 27, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Machine God]

A Xin Ceithan Techmarine (if He is able to). If he wants it, I can take the Draak X3

[Xin Ceithan]

I am certainly NOT fighting anyone to portray (err, moan, lurk and then vanish) a THIRD loyalist Techmarine :p 

Mmh, Dips  on a Praevian in any unannounced HH game possibly ;)

 

( of course  if you are feeling totally insane and looking for a spectactor event…I might be persuaded to  bring in  the Warpsmith leading the OTHER boarding party looking for the Artifact on this pile of space junk … ) 

[Mazer Rackham]

So...

 

An antagonist....could be useful.  It would certainly add to the Space Crusade vibe, and raise the stakes a little more in certain scenarios, with a different foe to face.  Not much Chaos bashing going on in the Nook at the moment.  Not a bad idea...

 

I'd be careful to avoid PVP though, that's a given.

 

EDIT: Just an FYI, I'm minded to keep the really tasty stuff in the province of the Devs (Assault Cannon/Heavy Flamer/Plasma Cannon/Multi Melta) to keep them competitive for killyness.

 

I may adjust this on the fly for balance or awesomelulz.

 

EDIT 2:  I'm in dialogue with a player about a Blackshield.  It never crossed my mind anyone would ask, so just going forward, I'd only really want one.  Apologies for any inconvenience, this has just snowballed a little!

Edited May 26, 2022 by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

Drawn and torn between a White Scare Ebon Keshig type, a Space wolf (maybe even wolf priest) and a Salamander (melta specialist or hammer/shield Firedrake style).