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- Need Pricing Help and Advice on Custom Character (Field-Major Decker) *UPDATED May 28th*  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Hi guys.

My brother and I recently decided to liven our 40k games up by creating custom special characters to lead our armies (IG and Tyranids respectively).

We set ourselves a couple of guidelines in doing so:
- The character's entry must be based on an existing HQ choice (not a Special Character), and yet be creative (ie, no clichéd Mary Sues, silent badasses, benevolent/malevolent extremes, etc).
- Any custom special rules must fit the character's backstory (so no ruling purely for advantage).
- The character must be fairly-priced (both of us have to reach a unanimous decision).
- The character must not be OP (ie, powerful enough in some way to suck the fun out of a game, such as a Nidzilla that even Heavy Bolters can't wound).
- Both characters will have the "Preferred Enemy" USR against the opponent player's army, as our forces fight a lot as part of their fluff, and we want to represent that rivalry on the tabletop.

Anyway, here's mine:





Character's Backstory and Rules:

- Field-Major Lexus Decker, the Hero of Bahr -


Character's Backstory:

Spoiler:




Stats and Rules:

Spoiler:







NOTE: Most of you guys are 40k veterans, and I'd really appreciate some feedback on the fluff and rules, especially suggestions about potential points costs and balancing issues. Is anything OP? Have I overlooked something that could cause conflicts or problems later?

Please leave constructive criticism. I know there's a fair bit to read, but I'd really appreciate it.



THANKS IN ADVANCE!


This message was edited 11 times. Last update was at 2011/05/27 20:42:45




"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in fi
Tail Gunner




Finland

I think the character is good, I like the story a lot. I calculated around 75 points for the commander
(5 for +1BS, 5 for+1 Ld, 15 for improving order range, 15 for weapon (4 Rending attacs while assaulting and 2 str 4 shots), 10 for outflank, 10 for COs modifying Ld, 15 for stubborn 12" bubble and 5 for Preferred enemy)

I'm not familiar with Tyranid codex, which I assume this is to be fielded against, so can't really tell how effective he might be.

Overall, I like it

Rules issues I saw: Cultivator of free Thought doesn't allow for comissars of either standing. I assume this is intentional as comissars aren't known for allowing thinking, free or otherwise, as that would most likely distract from actual fighting. Ld 9 with this rule and stubborn means that I cant fail a Ld test, which might make this a bit too powerful. Put in a banner for reroll and you need to roll a 12 twice in a row to fail a Ld test.
On using I instead of Ld: Why? at I3 i get 50% chance of success, with Ld 7 I get 66%. As I said, I don't know if t'nids have some way of reducing Ld, but if they don't, this option is largely useless.

I'd make bodyguards 10 or 15 in addition to the normal upgrade.

 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Thanks for taking the time to reply mate, I was beginning to think nobody would see this thread.

Kallimakus wrote:I think the character is good, I like the story a lot. I calculated around 75 points for the commander
(5 for +1BS, 5 for+1 Ld, 15 for improving order range, 15 for weapon (4 Rending attacs while assaulting and 2 str 4 shots), 10 for outflank, 10 for COs modifying Ld, 15 for stubborn 12" bubble and 5 for Preferred enemy)

Kallimakus wrote:I'd make bodyguards 10 or 15 in addition to the normal upgrade.

I like your reasoning... tbh, pricing was the aspect I was most worried about.

Are you establishing these costs in relation to other special characters?

Kallimakus wrote:Rules issues I saw: Cultivator of free Thought doesn't allow for comissars of either standing. I assume this is intentional as comissars aren't known for allowing thinking, free or otherwise, as that would most likely distract from actual fighting. Ld 9 with this rule and stubborn means that I cant fail a Ld test, which might make this a bit too powerful. Put in a banner for reroll and you need to roll a 12 twice in a row to fail a Ld test.

It doesn't include Bone'eads, Penal Custodians, Overseers, Commissars, other Company Commanders, Commander Chenkov, etc; basically any leader of equal rank to Decker, or whom I thought would be too stupid, dogmatic, or reliant on discipline and order to convert their way of thinking.

As for the CO thing... wow, I can't believe I wrote that.

Will change it in a sec.

Kallimakus wrote:On using I instead of Ld: Why? at I3 i get 50% chance of success, with Ld 7 I get 66%. As I said, I don't know if t'nids have some way of reducing Ld, but if they don't, this option is largely useless.

Under normal circumstances, yes, the ability is pretty pointless, but plenty of entities in the 40k universe are able to reduce a squad's Leadership. Thus, Guardsmen (Initiative 3) will always have at least a 50% chance of understanding an order (representing them undertaking the action of their own accord if communications fail).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/03/28 18:10:05




"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in gb
Worthiest of Warlock Engineers






preston

I like the rules. not O.P. but quite fair and balanced.

Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Updated OP.

master of ordinance wrote:I like the rules. not O.P. but quite fair and balanced.

Thanks, appreciate it.



"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in us
Homicidal Veteran Blood Angel Assault Marine





I love the custom Lasgun, and I ESPECIALLY love the custom rules for the commander. "Lateral Thinking", the names really make you think this guy has some true talent here at commanding.

 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Thanks mate.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/04/13 15:53:11




"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Been away for a bit, but just updated some of the rules in the OP. Reduced his command and stubborn radii.

I figured that he might need to be a little more balanced; as he can issue 3 orders per turn (less than Creed though, and only at 12"), helps certain units with morale/order tests, lets infantry Outflankers re-roll, and has the same effect as a Commissar on nearby units (6" though).
Plus, he brings some pretty lethal weaponry to the table (special lasgun, Hellguns, GLs).





I mean, I know he's only an unimportant custom character, but I want him to be fair nonetheless.

Anyway, still need some help revising the price.



"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in ie
Whiteshield Conscript Trooper




Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland.

See this is really the kind of stuff GW should be doing to different Codex's. You've created a unique character that provides a specialist niche with interesting rules and tactical potential while at the same time delivering fluff that was quite frankly a joy for me to read. I have a particular dislike of 'nids in the lore so it's good to see a non S.M or ''uber'' unit built around fighting the Tyranid.
The one and ONLY issue I have is with the lack of A.P on the Las-Carbine, considering Decker is aimed at combating 'nids, wouldnt even a token A.P value make more sense??
Otherwise good show mate good show. =D



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By His Will It Shall Be Done... 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Lord Commissar Bokhari wrote:See this is really the kind of stuff GW should be doing to different Codex's. You've created a unique character that provides a specialist niche with interesting rules and tactical potential while at the same time delivering fluff that was quite frankly a joy for me to read. I have a particular dislike of 'nids in the lore so it's good to see a non S.M or ''uber'' unit built around fighting the Tyranid.
The one and ONLY issue I have is with the lack of A.P on the Las-Carbine, considering Decker is aimed at combating 'nids, wouldnt even a token A.P value make more sense??
Otherwise good show mate good show. =D
Thanks man, appreciate it.

I'll make the gun AP6. Might scratch up some images like in my other threads.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/05/26 03:08:56




"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Ok, updated OP!

Figured I might as well rustle up something easier on the eye.



"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
Made in gb
Lord of the Fleet






London

They're very nicely designed rules, but I have two queries:

1: I would think that the Commander would have better armour than the regular Guardsman, a.k.a Carapace Armour.

2: You need to clarify the profile of the Las-Carbines. Does the Sniper rule apply only to the Heavy option or for both, as with the way you've written it it can be interpreted both ways.
   
Made in au
Hurr! Ogryn Bone 'Ead!




Western Australia

Don't a lot of special character have Flak Armour though? I know that default Company Commanders do.

Oh, and yeah, the gun is Assault 2 OR Heavy 2, Sniper. So he can either fire it as an assault weapon, or as a sniper weapon.



"Authoritarian dogmata are the means by which one breeds a submissive slave, not a thinking, fighting soldier of humanity."
- Field-Major Decker, 14th Desert Rifles

 
   
 
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