Custom40k - Homebrew with alternate activation, huge customisation, support for all models

[a_typical_hero]

Custom40k

 

Introduction

 

1. What is Custom40k?
Custom40k is a complete, ready to play homebrew ruleset for Warhammer 40.000 that has been in development over the past 2+ years and became the default system to play for my local group of about ~15 people. The rules aim to modernise, streamline and rebalance the "classic era" rules (3rd - 7th edition) while supporting all models GW ever made for all armies and bringing back army and model customisation via extensive armories for all factions.

 

2. What are the key differences to current 40k?
- Alternating activation: Each player only activates one unit at a time, which leads to less downtime and less lethality.
- Backwards compatability: Every model that GW released for Warhammer (and will release in the future) is playable and supported with rules.
- Balance: Since its inception, Custom40k has been finetuned over 100+ games to ensure that all units are playable and have a purpose in the game. Points are calculated using a unified points calculator. Balancing for a game like 40k is an ever ongoing endeavour, but I'm doing my best to keep all armies and units on an even level.
- Huge customisation: Where GW has a strict "No model, no rules" policy, "Customisation" is the name of the game. Each faction features their own, ever expanding armory full of options for character models, units and army composition. Kitbashing and creativity is explicitly desired.
- Old school systems: Armor Values for vehicles and the Force Organisation Chart are back.

 

3. What do you need to play Custom40k?
Apart from the regular things for a normal game of Warhammer, what you need in addition are so called "Command tokens". Command tokens are used at the beginning of every battle round to determine what actions a unit may be allowed to do during its activation. While we 3d printed our own tokens for this, a suitable replacement would be a simple deck of cards for each player. You need four different cards (hearts, diamonds, spades, clover) as there are 4 different commands.

 

Downloads

 

Core Rules
- Core rules (English) / (Deutsch)
- Missions English
- 3D printable tokens and token box (Link)
- Planetary Assault (Campaign system) (English)
- Escalation (Lords of War for all factions) (Englisch)

 

Army Rules
Adeptus Custodes (English)
Adeptus Mechanicus English
Adeptus Sororitas (English) / (Deutsch)
Assassins (English)
Chaos Demons (English)
Chaos Space Marines (English) / Deutsch
Dark Eldar (English) / (Deutsch)
Death Guard (English) / (Deutsch)
Eldar (English)
Grey Knights (English) / (Deutsch)
Genestealer Cults (English)
Horus Heresy Codex Supplement (English) / (Deutsch)
Imperial Guard (English) / (Deutsch)
Inquisition (English)
Leagues of Votann (English)
Necrons (English) / (Deutsch)
Orks (English) / (Deutsch)
Space Marines (English) / (Deutsch)
Tau Empire (English)
Thousand Sons (English)
Tyranids (English)
World Eaters (English)

 

Quick Start / Recommendations for your first game
- Game size: 2500 points per player.
- Table size: 72"x48".
- Mission: Take & Hold (see "Missions" under Core Rules)
- Ignore "Features of the ..."  entries from the armory for now and instead use the datasheets as is.
- Go easy on vehicles for both players, as the wounding system used for them can be surprising for newer players who never experienced older editions.