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Halo fans rejoice! a Covenant codex for your gaming pleasure. It is only recently written, and i would love some experienced feedback please. i am open to constructive criticism and i realise that this codex will either be really tough or really weak, but i would like to make it as balanced as possible.

Version 1.8
UPDATED version .7 to .8
-tweaked formatting a bit
-added an "Unggoy Command Group" that makes Grunts better- this is aimed to allow people to take dedicated Unggoy armies that make grunts more useful
-moved Jackal Marksmen to Elites
-removed "Short Circuit" form Energy Pistols and replaced it with an overcharge ability so that certain units can fire the overcharged shot of an Energy Pistol (but grunts cant, for obvious reasons)
-fixed up some errors with the special rules

The Icons are cool. Rules are well written and reflect the fluff nicely.

Spiker and Brute Shot should also count as a Close Combat weapon.

Plasma Mortar should be S 9 AP 4, Ordinance 1, 48" range

Carbine shouldn't have Overload, Plasma Pistols should.

Add a special rule, Blood Rivalry, that prevents Elites and Brutes from being in the same unit.

The Shipmaster should cost more; he easily outdoes the Space Marine Captain, who costs the same and has the same role.

Chieftain should have 4 Attacks.

Gravity Hammer should count as a Thunder Hammer

Give the Phantom and Spirit the option to count as Open Topped as long as they move at Combat Speed(flying with hatches open)

Add an option for AA Wraiths, Prowlers and Specters(make them identical) Brute Choppers, and Grunts piloting Ghosts.

I love you for doing this.

every thing is to cheap in points, noone will play you

The weapons are way underpowered. A Scarab Cannon is a S7 Ap3 Blast, and it's an Apocalypse-only unit? Seriously?

FREAKIN AWESOME CODEX. Now add some pictures. lol

Why are Brutes WS 3, and Elites BS 4? In the games the Brutes are definitely better at close combat than regular Marines (aka "Guardsmen") and Elites are very good shots.

I couldn't find the rule for the Plasma Pistol "Circuit", though I'm guessing that's the 6 glances rule.

I feel the Plasma Rifle should be Str 4, because they're pretty darn strong in the game, especially compared to an Assault Rifle or a Plasma Pistol, but that may just be my opinion.

Shouldn't the Overload rule be named Overheat?

Perhaps an option for the Jackals to overcharge their Plasma Pistol shots, but not be allowed to fire them next turn.

Maybe an idea for the Drones is that they do not suffer dangerous terrain roles when dropping into terrain, because if you watch them ingame they don't have any trouble at all dropping into tough places, and don't go careening into the ground like a person with a Jump pack does. Although maybe they shouldn't be allowed to assault, because ingame I don't think I've ever experienced one charging at me with his weapon, I'm always the one deciding to go after them in CC.


These are just some suggestions I've got because I feel that this codex is a great idea, but needs some improvements to follow the game more closely! I hope you take the time to think about/make changes about what me and other people have suggested!

Drones have definitely assaulted me; one of the most horrible things about Tsavo Highway was the Drones jumping on my Chopper.

Anyway, I think that Drones should have Jet Packs, because that fits their style way better. They're always popping out of cover, shooting me, and popping back in.

I'd say make the Gravity Hammer a Str 10 2 handed power weapon that strikes at Initiative. It's not slow enough to be a Thunder hammer with the Init 1, but the gravity field cares not about armour. Maybe give it the Thunder Hammer's 'causes shaken on glances and pens' too. Might need to be more points, but eh. It's a frikkin' Gravity Hammer!

I don't think it should strike at initiative simply because every other big ol' hammer in the game counts as a Power Fist of some sort. A thunder hammer makes the most sense here.

You guys are giving me nostalgia. I'm gonna go play Halo 1.

It'd make it Unique. Maybe not at Initiative, but certainly not Init 1. They're big and slow-ish, but not that slow, since most of the "weight" of the impact is from the gravometric flux. Maybe at -1 or -2 Init? Or can't benefit from Furious Charge's Init Boost?

Or make it use a Small Blast template, touching the base of the model with it, for the Attacks.

Oh, and it'd be hilarious if you could roll a d6 every time someone shot a Rocket or threw a Grenade at you, and on a it went back and hit them instead.

Everything seems a bit undercosted. Defanetly needs playtesting and I would up costs by at least 25% across the board.

So much RESPONSES! I am so happy

Valkyrie wrote:The weapons are way underpowered. A Scarab Cannon is a S7 Ap3 Blast, and it's an Apocalypse-only unit? Seriously?

well, i figured it shouldnt be too powerful because it is a blast that drags. it has the potential to to hit a bunch of models with a fairly powerful attack.

Your Friend Doctor Robert wrote:
Spiker and Brute Shot should also count as a Close Combat weapon.
the spiker is one-handed so the Brutes use a CCW with it anyway, but i suppose the brute shot could count as one.

Plasma Mortar should be S 9 AP 4, Ordinance 1, 48" range
Which Plasma Mortar? I messed up the names a bit so the Wraith has the 'Plasma Mortar' when it is meant to have the 'Heavy Plasma Mortar'. will fix
Carbine shouldn't have Overload, Plasma Pistols should.
hmmm..... true, it would help the elites get around the overload thing. and i removed overload from plas-pistols because can you imagine how many 1's a grunt squad would roll when shooting? dont want TOO many units to be unable to shoot next turn.
Add a special rule, Blood Rivalry, that prevents Elites and Brutes from being in the same unit.
Thought of this- a grunt squad cannot include both a brute and an elite and elite/brute leaders cannot joing units that have brutes/elites respectively.

The Shipmaster should cost more; he easily outdoes the Space Marine Captain, who costs the same and has the same role.
fair enough.

Chieftain should have 4 Attacks.
ok.

Gravity Hammer should count as a Thunder Hammer
i think i will make it count as a thunder hammer with some changes.

Give the Phantom and Spirit the option to count as Open Topped as long as they move at Combat Speed(flying with hatches open)
ooh, good idea!

Add an option for AA Wraiths, Prowlers and Specters(make them identical) Brute Choppers, and Grunts piloting Ghosts.
already can upgrade Wraiths to have Fuel Rod Batteries, giving them the Anti-Air rule. I plan to include Specters and i suppose prowlers as well. Brute choppers are the same as ghosts, and you can just have brutes riding ghosts if you have a brute-only army. wat would be the point of having grunts pilot ghosts? they are worse than the elites that usually do it.

colour is my response

grayspark wrote:Why are Brutes WS 3, and Elites BS 4? In the games the Brutes are definitely better at close combat than regular Marines (aka "Guardsmen") and Elites are very good shots.
brutes arent so much "better" than "able to smash everything" so they arent skilled. they are brutal and unsophisticated, reflected in their extra A, T and asssorted special rules. but i suppose you are right about the BS thing.

I couldn't find the rule for the Plasma Pistol "Circuit", though I'm guessing that's the 6 glances rule.
oh, myh bad. the Short Circuit rule is supposed to have a *** thing next to it leadng you to the special rules listed underneath the weapons list.

I feel the Plasma Rifle should be Str 4, because they're pretty darn strong in the game, especially compared to an Assault Rifle or a Plasma Pistol, but that may just be my opinion.
they are tough, but are they as tough a a miniature rocket that can blow an arm off or a chest into pieces in one shot (bolter)? they really arent that much better than a Lasgun, Autogun or other strength 3 weapons.

Shouldn't the Overload rule be named Overheat?
true lol, i will fix.

Perhaps an option for the Jackals to overcharge their Plasma Pistol shots, but not be allowed to fire them next turn.
the short circuit rule handles whenever someone overcharges a pistol shot. maybe i should reserve it for jackals though.

Maybe an idea for the Drones is that they do not suffer dangerous terrain roles when dropping into terrain, because if you watch them ingame they don't have any trouble at all dropping into tough places, and don't go careening into the ground like a person with a Jump pack does. Although maybe they shouldn't be allowed to assault, because ingame I don't think I've ever experienced one charging at me with his weapon, I'm always the one deciding to go after them in CC.
good point. however preventing someone from charging is very prohibitive and simply unfair really.


These are just some suggestions I've got because I feel that this codex is a great idea, but needs some improvements to follow the game more closely! I hope you take the time to think about/make changes about what me and other people have suggested!
i plan to

Anvildude wrote:It'd make it Unique. Maybe not at Initiative, but certainly not Init 1. They're big and slow-ish, but not that slow, since most of the "weight" of the impact is from the gravometric flux. Maybe at -1 or -2 Init? Or can't benefit from Furious Charge's Init Boost?

Or make it use a Small Blast template, touching the base of the model with it, for the Attacks.

Oh, and it'd be hilarious if you could roll a d6 every time someone shot a Rocket or threw a Grenade at you, and on a it went back and hit them instead.

hmmm.... maybe it is a thunder hammer that strikes at -1 I value. maybe it should have a number of A equal to the amount of models in base contact with it? since it charges in swinging the hammer around, smashing anyone close to it. i love the rocket deflection idea lol.


also, i have been contemplating merging Jackals and Grunts into one squad, called a Covenant Infantry Squad or something like that (anyone got any ideas?) and having a separate "Grunt Horde" which can have like, 15-30 Grunts and 1-3 Elites/Brutes who are like cannon fodder. the Infantry Squad would have 5-10 Jackals, 10-20 Grunts and 1-2 Elites/Brutes who do the serious fighting.

before i post an update could you guys tell me what you think of that idea?

If you were a fit girl i would kiss(and probably do more) you for this.
if not id slap you on the back and say good on you for doing something ive been thinking of for years.
THIS IS AWSOME.
when do you do the human version-marines and spartans.

Blackhoof wrote:So much RESPONSES! I am so happy

Valkyrie wrote:The weapons are way underpowered. A Scarab Cannon is a S7 Ap3 Blast, and it's an Apocalypse-only unit? Seriously?

well, i figured it shouldnt be too powerful because it is a blast that drags. it has the potential to to hit a bunch of models with a fairly powerful attack.

Even so, it's a lot more powerful than S7 Ap3. Remember that bit in Metropolis where it just stands there and annhiliates the Scorpion tank in an instant? I doubt S7 would be able to do that, and considering that it's grossly underpowered compared to other Apocalypse units, I would make it something like this.

300pts
WS2 BS3 S10 AV13/13/12 I3 A4
Structure Points: 3

Transport Cap: 15
Counts as Open-Topped for purposes of occupants firing.

Weapons
Hull-mounted Scarab Cannon
2 Plasma Cannon Sponsons
Turret mounted Plasma Array

Scarab Cannon
R48" S10 Ap2, Ordnance 1, 7" Blast, Primary Weapon

Plasma Cannon
R18" S5 Ap4 Heavy 4

Plasma Array
R72" S7 Ap4 Heavy 6, AA Mount

Options: May take wargear allowing Deep Striking, etc as per the Codex.

Updated
Changes Made:
-Gave Elites an BS4 and WS3 and Brutes WS4 and BS3
-Merged Jackals and Grunts into a Covenant Infantry Squad
-Made a Grunt Meatshield unit that has a number of special rules reflecting their role
-Renamed Skirmishers Marksmen
-Adjusted various points costs
-Upped the BS of all Elite-driven vehicles
-Gave Spirits/Phantoms the ability to move at combat pseed and allow passengers to fire as if it was open-topped
-Adjusted Scarab rules and points
-bunch of other stuff but forgot

enjoy!

Really good just a few things.
1 Hunters have Fuel Rod guns
2 THIS IS FRIGGIN AWSOME
3 on your front cover the jackal is carrying a hunters sheild. jackal sheilds are round.

The Hunters seem to be a little weaker in the defense department than they should be. I might give them Termie equivalent saves. Those things are loaded with armor and tough to kill

actually, hunters have a more powerful fuel rod gun capable of firing a linear beam OR a blast. they are similar technology, but simply tougher.

also, true, but that is the best picture i could find that fitted the criteria i wanted.

hmmmm.... you have a point, but there toughness is handled by their high T and many wounds. they can Turtle and become very tough to kill (just like in-game) but they have many exposed places that armour doesnt protect.

I'd say that Hunters should have Slow and Purposeful and a 2+ armor save.

Also, their Fuel Rod Gun behaves a lot like the Scarab's main gun, shooting a solid beam of energy.

In Halo ODST, they showed they can switch between Fuel Rod Guns and the Beam version, but generally one fires theirs on a Beam mode and the other on bombardment. This might be a matter of personal preference, though

Still, 4+ seems a bit weak for a creature supposedly fitted in armor of the same material used to make Covenant Battleships. How about they get a 3+ armor save making them very tough but not the toughest so that it represents the chinks and weak points in a hunter's armor you can fire at while Terminator armor is fully enclosed. People can still take the Reinforced shield upgrade for a 2+ save

ok, it will go in the next update.

A phantom has can carry up to 24 troops and a single wraith or two ghosts! Look in the mini book things that come with the games.

The supercarrier is completely overpowered.

For 15 points more than an Emperor, you get a ship that has 4 more damage points, 3 more shields and turrets, and can launch 10 bombers immune to turret fire? That ship should be at least 500 or more points.

Plasma torpedoes should just be torpedoes, but maybe with the ability to make a single 45 degree turn each ordnance phase.

In fact all the BFG ships are overpowered. s5 40 cm lances? That's insane. You need to raise costs a LOT or tone down these ships if you even want to dream about getting a game.

@Luna: i wanted to have a large distinction between phantoms and spirits so that people would actually have a choice instead of just picking phantoms all the time. hence, spirits can carry more troops and vehicles but phantoms have more armour and weapons.

@Chris: thank you for being the first person to comment on the BFG fleet. i shall increase costs in the next update.

The BFG fleet isnt really that bad but i agree that the plasma torps need some special rules rather than just being guided missiles or bombers.
Id say a strength 1 torpedoe salvo that inflicts d6+1 hits if it hits and inflicts critical hits on a 5+


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The hunters "turtle" should give it a 4+ cover save.
GK will massacare Hunters with a 4+ invun...
think psycannons


Automatically Appended Next Post:
oh and a 3+ save. if a guy in tank plate can have it then so can a load of alien worms in spaceship armour. FNP and double damage from flamer weapons to. oh and relentless.

Hunters should have a 3+ Armor save, Turtle granting 4+ cover save, Vulnerable To Blast/Templates, and Relentless, agreed.

Your Friend Doctor Robert wrote:Hunters should have a 3+ Armor save, Turtle granting 4+ cover save, Vulnerable To Blast/Templates, and Relentless, agreed.

Why Vulnerable to Blast/Templates though? I know they are actually a colony of organisms but isnt that rule mainly for hordes of weak little critters like Necron Scarab Swarms. I would think ruleswise Hunters would function like a normal model.

master of ordinance wrote:The BFG fleet isnt really that bad but i agree that the plasma torps need some special rules rather than just being guided missiles or bombers.
Id say a strength 1 torpedoe salvo that inflicts d6+1 hits if it hits and inflicts critical hits on a 5+

Really? So it's fair that for the same price as a Lunar, a Covenant player can get a ship that has better shielding, better turrets, and better weapons?

interesting read, I would recommend dropping the # of special rules by 1/3 to 1/2. Just to many to keep up with. Also, alot of squads just have to many options. Brutes are also underpriced (I can't think of any unit with T5 thats under 23 points.)