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Hey all

I just completed my 87 page codex for Gaunt's Ghosts. I'm extremely proud of this - it's fully formatted to the 6th edition codex visual and organizational standards and it's the culmination of a couple weeks continuous effort - and I mean that literally.

This codex includes:

- History of the Sabbat Worlds Crusades

- A full force organization slot of units unique to the Tanith First and Only, set apart from choices in Codex: Astra Militarum. The changes to the Tanith First and Only vanilla list makes it so you don't even need to rely on special characters to have a completely different flavor of gameplay.

- All your favorite characters and very specific, detailed and well-considered rules for their use. Many different kinds of character combinations to suit any players preferred style of play, from simple to complex.

- Crusade allies - field Narmenian armour, Vitrian Dragoons, Phantine Thunderbolts and the Risen Saint herself!

I hope you guys enjoy! I put a LOT of hard work into making this to a standard of excellence. I think I can safely say this is the BEST Gaunts Ghosts codex ever made.

The updated version has on top of the original version many, many fixed errors as well as some refined balancing to rules and pts costs throughout the army and some clearer explanations as to how some rules work. If you have downloaded the original version, I highly suggest deleting it and re-downloading this one. On top of that it is 6 megs smaller!

This is going to be so cool.

I hope the vitrians' armor doesn't have complicated rules.

Oh wow I am excited.

Actually, I dedicated four pages to Vitrian glass!

Just joking. It's just carapace armor that grants stealth during night fighting.

Let me know what y'all think. I put a fair bit of work into it and am eager for feedback

OK, starting at the start of the rules, things I would suggest altering.

Tanith Combat Instinct - A nice idea, but what happens if the enemy unit contains I3 and I4 models? Do the Tanith mysteriously jump to I5 suddenly? Its not clear. I'm in favour of dropping the rule in favour of Hammer of Wrath rather than trying to figure it out, personally (they're good ambushers, but their knife-fighting training is better represented by WS4)

Desperate Champion - This doesn't make much sense as a blanket rule for all Tanith characters. Other armies have units MUCH more likely to have this rule than the Tanith who don't. Also, giving everyone Precision Strikes kind of makes for insane amounts of book keeping, and takes away the specialness of the special units like snipers.

Gereon Survivor - you should specify that the warp charges are only generated in the enemy turn. They're more resilient to psychic powers, they don't let friendly psykers cast more!

Woodsmen of Tanith - appears to be missing the actual rule, but I'd assume it were something like universal Outflank or rerolling the Outflank die? Or MtC I guess

Warlord Traits look cool - I'll break down the unique special rules they grant when I find them.

Vitrian advisor rules are way too complicated and, honestly, unnecessary.

Volpone Rivalry: I don't understand how this works, please make it clearer.

Phantine Orders: Sounds reasonable.

and, thats all I have time for this morning.

Its actually amazing the amount of work you've put into this. Must have taken forever! Well done my friend. Apart from the issues mentioned above, the only other thing i would do personally would perhaps be a slight points increase for some of the named characters. I get its meant to be fluffy, but if you field the whole bunch, thats an awful lot of special rules to be keeping in mind. But other wise, just stunning. I can see this getting used within my local IG group. I'll be sure to tell everyone about it

Upstanding Stallion wrote:
Its actually amazing the amount of work you've put into this. Must have taken forever! Well done my friend. Apart from the issues mentioned above, the only other thing i would do personally would perhaps be a slight points increase for some of the named characters. I get its meant to be fluffy, but if you field the whole bunch, thats an awful lot of special rules to be keeping in mind. But other wise, just stunning. I can see this getting used within my local IG group. I'll be sure to tell everyone about it

Thanks for the kind words Stallion. I'm extremely appreciative that you'll get people to read my fandex,

It'll be my intention to write a new version of the codex after some time has passed. I've already made all the obvious error fixes in the .doc file (there is maybe a dozen cosmetic errors, and two non-cosmetic errors). Between then and now I'll release an errata and FAQ, but I'm waiting for a little bit more feedback. I know of two non-cosmetic errors and a few rules which people have asked clarification on. But I'm going to wait until I have more feedback before I release something like that, so I can confront as much confusion as possible.

Also, I'm looking for additional help, if anyone's wanting to contribute to the project:

- Gaunts Ghosts fan art. I'm looking for things which are not too caricature, at least as realistic as the character art in the characters section. I am willing to accept submissions of art that is somewhat abstract, but preferably art which has no writing on it (unless the writing is in the art, like a phrase on a badge, or graffiti on a wall or something along those lines). Some of the picture use in this codex is from Games Workshop or Black Library publication; I'm willing to replace any of these with fan art submissions. I'm willing to accept any submission for the few characters who do not have pictures.

- Model submissions. I'd like to put up a full series of Gaunts Ghosts models. I'd prefer submissions of custom-built squads and characters rather than those models which GW released. It's not that I don't like them, I do, and I will include photos of them at length. But I'd like there to be more "fresh" content and less repetition. I'm looking for two kinds of photos: clear photos of the front and back of the model with a flat-toned background (white preferably), or dramatic shots of Tanith units on a well designed board, and if possible fighting enemies (of any kind, from Blood Pact to Necrons, it's all good). In the latter case I'd like the picture to only include the models and the terrain; no room as well. If you want to take a photo that shows what's around the board, please make sure the background is plain white. I'll relace the background with some kind of sky.

- Battle Testing / battle reporting. I'm desperate for this. I cannot test this codex enough. I want you to come up with any kind of list: imaginative, fluffy, competitive, over-powered, super-cheese, varied, excellent, weak, inclusive of many heroes, noninclusive of heroes, allied with Crusade Allies, and allied with any codex army. Let me know how the battle goes, how individual units perform, whether or not certain rules enhance/degrade the match, what's over powered, what's under powered and what works really well and when.

- Editing. I'm looking for anyone who is willing to receive the (eventually) updated .doc file of this codex and give it a full edit, hunting out and fixing every spelling or grammar error they find.

- Content creation. anyone who thinks they can write better content, or who can come up with good and interesting rules for characters or units I have not included may offer them to me via PM or via e-mail at spencerferri@yahoo.ca. For example - I was considering writing rules for the Outrider Bikes they used in one book. I didn't, in part because they were only used once, and in part 'cause I couldn't write any decent content for them because there was so little information on them. I'm also looking for people who are willing to come up with content to make this codex relevant to the game expansions such as Apocalypse.

 Furyou Miko wrote:
OK, starting at the start of the rules, things I would suggest altering.

Tanith Combat Instinct - A nice idea, but what happens if the enemy unit contains I3 and I4 models? Do the Tanith mysteriously jump to I5 suddenly? Its not clear. I'm in favour of dropping the rule in favour of Hammer of Wrath rather than trying to figure it out, personally (they're good ambushers, but their knife-fighting training is better represented by WS4)

Desperate Champion - This doesn't make much sense as a blanket rule for all Tanith characters. Other armies have units MUCH more likely to have this rule than the Tanith who don't. Also, giving everyone Precision Strikes kind of makes for insane amounts of book keeping, and takes away the specialness of the special units like snipers.

Gereon Survivor - you should specify that the warp charges are only generated in the enemy turn. They're more resilient to psychic powers, they don't let friendly psykers cast more!

Woodsmen of Tanith - appears to be missing the actual rule, but I'd assume it were something like universal Outflank or rerolling the Outflank die? Or MtC I guess

Warlord Traits look cool - I'll break down the unique special rules they grant when I find them.

Vitrian advisor rules are way too complicated and, honestly, unnecessary.

Volpone Rivalry: I don't understand how this works, please make it clearer.

Phantine Orders: Sounds reasonable.

and, thats all I have time for this morning.

In the case of Tanith Combat Instinct, Tanith I only ever rises in relation to an enemy on the same initiative step. You can almost consider Ghosts who have I3 fighting against I3 models to be on initiative step 3.5; it's like the webway, a middle-reality that's not quite step 3 but not quite step 4.

On desperate champions I'm in part agreeing and disagreeing with you. You make a good points about Precision Strikes, I may remove that from the rule. Also it cheapens all other characters who have the precision strikes rule. As for other armies having that rule as a greater priority, I'm not sure. That may be true of Tau characters, but with them they'd be even more likely to just decline the challenge. "When in close combat, do not be in close combat" is their motto. And the Tyranids wouldn't really have any challenging sense of honor - but they don't have many characters which are attached to units that are swarms. So it's not relevant to them. Orks love personal combat, and though they lack honor, they enjoy the challenge of being the big boss able to crump anyone on their own. Space Marines, Chaos, Eldar, Dark Eldar and the Imperial Guard all have a sense of honor or commitment which works differently than the Tanith's cut and dry "kill or be killed" combat style. Consider that Chaos champions must be seen doing great things to be honored by the Gods, or Dark Eldar champions seek the thrill of devouring heroic souls while not splitting them with their brothers. Eldar could be like that, but they have a strong sense of honor and they deny themselves certain pleasure to hone skills, skills which are tested in challenges. Necrons don't have many characters, and they do have a sense of (insane) law and credo.

Woodsmen of Tanith is a screw-up. I'll be releasing an Erratta and FAQ that'll clear that up when I have more input from all the forums I'm on. Just for your sake, its Move Through Cover for all units.

Vitrian Dragoons rule is definitely a bit overdone. It might be enough to have them using the Over Charged Lasguns, and to simplify the Code of Byhata to only include the bit about always accepting, never declining challenges.

Volpone Rivalry: if there are Volpone and Tanith models within 6" of eachother, they may fire as Rivals. To do so, you must declare so and then declare which enemy unit they are firing at. They must be firing at the same enemy. You then declare one party to fire first - the volpones or the Tanith. The second party may re-roll any to-hit die which did not exceed the Tanith's die.. For example: a unit of five Tanith first fire their lasguns, rolling to-hit: 6,6,6,5,4,4,3,2,1,1. A unit of Bluebloods then fire at the same target, rolling 6,5,5,4,3,2,1,1,1,1. Since the Bluebloods missed four times rolling lower results than the Tanith, they may re-roll those four missed hits. This may seem complicated, but really it just involves remembering the first set of rolls and comparing the second set of rolls to it and selecting the ones which rolled lower then the Tanith rolls. A two-step process to re-roll a few die.

I'm glad you like the Warlord traits. I don't think they're too overpowering, no more or less effective than the warlord traits in any book, but sufficiently Tanith. Same goes with the Phantine orders. I hope you continue to read and appreciate what I did with Flight Commander Jagdea.

Clearly a labor of love, you've put a ton of work into this. As a general comment on game mechanics, I find simplicity is almost always the best feature of a well thought out codex. It's tempting to try and capture every aspect of the fluff in the game mechanic, but I think this codex is somewhat intimidating and would be very confusing for any opponent (particularly the enormous amount of special characters). I recommend looking up the Catachan Codex from 3rd edition, I think it'd help a lot for what you're aiming for. I can send the pdf to you if you don't have it. The 4th edition Imperial Guard codex had semi-regiment rules with regimental doctrines, including for the Tanith, and there's an old chapter approved article from White Dwarf with Tanith rules. I'd recommend looking at those too.

I think less is more, so the best way to incorporate the Tanith might be to focus on a few core mechanics:
- all Tanith infantry units must purchase camo-cloaks at 1 point per model.
- restrictions: no ratlings, ogryns, or vehicles in the primary detachment
- Tanith veterans may outflank. In addition, all outflanking Tanith units may re-roll for what table edge they enter from. On a roll of 5-6, the controlling player may choose either side table edge or the opposing player's table edge.
- Tanith Sniper Platoon, up to three Tanith sniper units (3 models each at 20 points each) may be taken in an elites slot. Each model has a sniper rifle. To represent their extreme marksmanship, Tanith snipers wound on a roll of 3+. They also have infiltrate.

The army special rules are a good example of where you could simplify. Tanith Combat Instinct, Desperate Champions, and Gereon Survivor could be made much simpler, changing points costs as necessary.

- Combat instinct could be "+1I in the first round of combat."
- Desperate Champions could say "nominate up to two characters with this special rule to fight in a challenge."
- Gereon Survivor would be better as "+1 WS, and counts as a lvl 1 psyker for generating warp dice and dispelling psychic powers. This model can not learn, use, or manifest any psychic powers."

6th edition

Pffft, get with the times. Remove all the fluff and take some giant photos of your models to replace it with.

In all seriousness though, ace job man

 TheSilo wrote:
Clearly a labor of love, you've put a ton of work into this. As a general comment on game mechanics, I find simplicity is almost always the best feature of a well thought out codex. It's tempting to try and capture every aspect of the fluff in the game mechanic, but I think this codex is somewhat intimidating and would be very confusing for any opponent (particularly the enormous amount of special characters). I recommend looking up the Catachan Codex from 3rd edition, I think it'd help a lot for what you're aiming for. I can send the pdf to you if you don't have it. The 4th edition Imperial Guard codex had semi-regiment rules with regimental doctrines, including for the Tanith, and there's an old chapter approved article from White Dwarf with Tanith rules. I'd recommend looking at those too.

I think less is more, so the best way to incorporate the Tanith might be to focus on a few core mechanics:
- all Tanith infantry units must purchase camo-cloaks at 1 point per model.
- restrictions: no ratlings, ogryns, or vehicles in the primary detachment
- Tanith veterans may outflank. In addition, all outflanking Tanith units may re-roll for what table edge they enter from. On a roll of 5-6, the controlling player may choose either side table edge or the opposing player's table edge.
- Tanith Sniper Platoon, up to three Tanith sniper units (3 models each at 20 points each) may be taken in an elites slot. Each model has a sniper rifle. To represent their extreme marksmanship, Tanith snipers wound on a roll of 3+. They also have infiltrate.

The army special rules are a good example of where you could simplify. Tanith Combat Instinct, Desperate Champions, and Gereon Survivor could be made much simpler, changing points costs as necessary.

- Combat instinct could be "+1I in the first round of combat."
- Desperate Champions could say "nominate up to two characters with this special rule to fight in a challenge."
- Gereon Survivor would be better as "+1 WS, and counts as a lvl 1 psyker for generating warp dice and dispelling psychic powers. This model can not learn, use, or manifest any psychic powers."

I thought a lot about how to go about the game mechanics. As a practicing metalhead, it's always been my philosophy that more is more. More solos, more technical riffs, more complexity, more instrument tracks, more minutes in a song, more content in the lyrics, etc... And I've realized that I've got to go about any project with the same ethic. I knew that there was a lot of Tanith projects, including the one released in Chapter Approved (which initially got me into the Tanith!) Among fan-projects, I think the tendency is to lean more towards characters than some other rules element. I'm among those people who enjoy that kind of effort, but I did try to create a multiplicity of options that could appeal to many different kind of gamers. I think a Tanith list as I've built it with a minimum of characters (even no characters) is competitive.

I realized that I could go absolutely minimalist, which is what you suggest with absolutely fine home-brewed rules borrowing from the Doctrines and editing a few rules to set them apart. But as I was aiming for a complete codex, I had an internal desire to completely define them in that detail. Certainly any complex system is likely to have more problems than any simple system. But anyone could come up with a series of slight changes that would represent the Tanith in broad terms. Another user on Bolt and Chainsword (iirc) mentioned that having so many characters is irrelevant - one simply needs to let the model represent the character and not come up with additional rules which just serve to bog the game down. But that too would defeat the purpose of creating a complete codex, especially where my vision is to set them apart from other playable armies by making an army of heroes and micro-tactics. It is those two traits which I believe give the Tanith the edge other Guard regiments lack. A respect for individualistic value, which can't be accomplished by a slightly modified Imperial Guard codex.

Some of my rules are a little gregarious though. I like your idea for simplifying the Gereon Survivor rule, the way you describe the psyker element is way better and accomplishes exactly what I wanted it to. But the other rules I may not end up changing. For example: I don't think Tanith should get +1 I against Space Marines. That's part of the reason why I wrote the rule the way it is - I want them to have that edge against I3 armies, to give them a kind of tactical flexibility that forces the player to change the way they play against a variety of opponents. I've received additional input on the Desperate Champions rule and I'm considering simplifying that one (especially removing it's granting Precision Strikes).

Thanks a lot for the input though. It's been my experience after releasing this that there are many theories on how best to approach a fan project. My view on it is reminiscent of my broad philosophies on anything. A creation is reflective of the creator, and we seek to identify with that which we seek to create and find ourselves estranged by those things which we don't identify with. That's fine, but I hope you understand that I had to build this codex with my tastes and desires in mind and can only simplify it so far without losing the flavors I sought to taste.

And to Dakkamite, thanks a lot for the kind rules. Thus far I've received the most detailed and valuable criticism from this board and I hope it continues to come my way!

Dude, thats awesome. Added you to my friends list so I don't forget your username.

Anyone know how to get hold of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade background book by Dan Abnett? Its OOP, is the information available online? I'm interested in the Raven Guard's involvement (who are listed by Lexicanum as one of the Astartes Chapters involved in the Crusade) - specifically which Companies and Captains (I use play Third Company, using Kayvaan Shrike or a custom Shadow Captain "Edithae", Shrikes predecessor).

Tanith First and Only would be the perfect secondary army for me - due to the high prices I don't want to start a full sized IG army, but would like a handful of veteran squads as Allies for my Raven Guard (the theme of the TFAO synergizes well with Raven Guard too). Victoria Miniatures has some cool Border World Rangers that might make suitable proxies/conversions.



This Codex might just respark my interest in 40K and prompt me to start 7th Ed.

I heard in passing that Victorian mini's had relevant models, but I didn't see a pic before now. That's totally awesome. My girlfriend and I have talked at length about how to go about making Tanith models (the project will come after our Tanith cosplay we'll put together for the upcoming Fan Expo).

I'm glad you've enjoyed my project. As for the OOP stuff, I got all the info off Lexicanum, the Gaunts Ghosts wiki and the Warhammer 40K wikia, which all have various citations from the Sabbats World OOP book. Alas I don't have it myself. You'll have to sift through those three sources to find out if any info on the Raven Guard involvement is on there.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Sabbat_worlds_crusade

Alas, a cursory search on my part reveals no information. It would seem Dan Abnett never elaborated on the Raven Guard's involvement, and only mentioned that they were involved.

 Chaos_Seer wrote:
I heard in passing that Victorian mini's had relevant models, but I didn't see a pic before now. That's totally awesome. My girlfriend and I have talked at length about how to go about making Tanith models (the project will come after our Tanith cosplay we'll put together for the upcoming Fan Expo).

I'm glad you've enjoyed my project. As for the OOP stuff, I got all the info off Lexicanum, the Gaunts Ghosts wiki and the Warhammer 40K wikia, which all have various citations from the Sabbats World OOP book. Alas I don't have it myself. You'll have to sift through those three sources to find out if any info on the Raven Guard involvement is on there.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Sabbat_worlds_crusade

Alas, a cursory search on my part reveals no information. It would seem Dan Abnett never elaborated on the Raven Guard's involvement, and only mentioned that they were involved.

Heres another.

http://40k-heresy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-gaunts-ghosts-project.html




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, your girlfriend is into Warhammer? You lucky git.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Alas, a cursory search on my part reveals no information. It would seem Dan Abnett never elaborated on the Raven Guard's involvement, and only mentioned that they were involved.

Which I suppose is fitting.

We strike from the shadows.

 Shadow Captain Edithae wrote:


Heres another.

http://40k-heresy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-gaunts-ghosts-project.html

Spoiler:

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, your girlfriend is into Warhammer? You lucky git.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Alas, a cursory search on my part reveals no information. It would seem Dan Abnett never elaborated on the Raven Guard's involvement, and only mentioned that they were involved.

Which I suppose is fitting.

We strike from the shadows.

Aye, the less who remember the Raven Guard, the better!

My GF didn't care about 40K for years and years. Then we started reading Gaunts Ghosts together, and then I bought her a Kobo. Now she's finished all the books through to Only In Death and is working on the Crusade anthology book, with only Blood Pact and Salvations Reach. We've played a few matches together, her IG against my Necrons. Turned out to be very lucky for me to find her haha.

I love those minis I'm gonna have to search out those people who've done good jobs making Tanith units.

Thanks to you I think I've just settled on the background for my username's namesake, Shadow Captain Edithae.

My Raven Guard are modeled on the classic most recognisable Company, the 3rd (red shoulder pads).

The current 3rd Company Captain is Shadow Captain Kayaan Shrike. The earliest mention of him AFAIK is 862.M41.

Shrike is most famous for his actions during the Targus VIII campaign against Waaagh! Skullkrak, which invaded the Targus system in 862.M41

The latest known events described in the Sabbat Crusade was around 775.M41.

The Khan Group: 773-775
By the end of 773, the forces of Sek and Innokenti had all but severed the neck of the Imperial thrust, their attacks splitting the Khan Group in two. ...

Thats a period of 75 years between the last known events of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, and the first known reference to "Shadow Captain" Kayvaan Shrike. Therefore, my Shadow Captain Edithae as Captain of the 3rd Company was the predecessor to Kayvaan Shrike and he died sometime during the Sabbat Crusade. Its entirely possible that the Raven Guard fought alongside elements of the TFAO in a covert black ops operation that went unrecorded by history.

Heres my model if you're interested. Hes fully magnetized.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/571235.page

That kind of back-story work would go really well in merging a Raven Guard army with a First and Only allied detachment. Stealther Marines. But if you did that you'd HAVE to field Mkoll. No less could be paired with Space Marine stealters!

I like your model, bro.

Love your work mate, am playing a couple of games on the weekend using your rules to see how they go.

As for the Raven Guard, I think they only get a cursory mention in Guns of Tanith, says that the IG take over the hives proper whilst the Ravens attack the spires. But that is as far as it goes (literally that one line).

Thanks a lot Ingtaer! Let me know how the matches go. I'm eager for the feedback!

Finally got a chance to download and read this, got down to the advisor section before I realized I'd been awake for nearly 24 hours, lol.

If I wasn't so damn tired I'd print this out and have a mock fight, that said, this thing rocks. Well presented, fluff section is exactly perfect for a supplement, and from what I saw of the couple unit pages, they're spot on. Well done man, well done.

Alrighty.

Given the great discussions I've had with people here and on Warseer I've released an updated version of the codex. Besides being 6 megs lighter, all errors have been fixed (as far as I'm aware), all rules work more smoothly and all the pts have been refined with decreases or increases here or there. I'd say too many minor changes to list - just download it and take a look