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Playing WHFB makes one realize how meaningless leadership has become in
Warhammer 40k. I would like to see some of the psychology aspects returned to
40k, specifically fear and terror.

Here are some of my ideas.

Fear: Many things can cause Fear, and it can result in different outcomes. A
model that causes Fear does not suffer from Fear, so if a fear causing unit
charges another fear causing unit, no test is taken, and combat is resolved as
normal.

A unit wishing to charge a fear-causing unit: A model that wishes to charge a
fear causing unit must pass a leadership test. If the test is passed, the charge
happens as normal. However, if the test is failed, the charge is halted, and the
unit does not move to engage the enemy.

A Fear-causing unit charging a non-fear causing unit: When a Fear-causing unit
that charges a non fear-causing unit, the target unit must pass a leadership
test. If the test is passed, resolve combat as normal. If the test is failed,
the target unit will only hit the charging unit on 6's, regardless of their
weapon skill. Preferred Enemy takes priority in this case however.

Defeated and outnumbered by a fear-causing enemy in combat: When a unit is
defeated in combat by a fear-causing unit that outnumbers them, they suffer an
additional -1 modifier to their leadership roll to stay in the fight.

Terror: Some things in the universe are more than just frightening, they are
terrifying. A model that causes Terror automatically causes Fear. A Terror
causing model does not suffer from fear, but a fear causing model will Fear a
Terror causing model. A Terror-causing unit does not suffer from Terror caused
by a model in the opposing army.

A unit wishing to charge a Terror-causing unit must pass a leadership test at a
-1 modifier. If the test is passed, it may charge the model as normal. If the
test is failed, the unit will Flee towards their board edge, and cannot attempt
to rally in their next turn, but will be able to in the turn after that.

A unit charged by a Terror-causing unit must pass a leadership test at -1, after
the Terror-causing unit has moved into contact. If the test is passed, the
combat is resolved as normal. However, if the test is failed, the Terror-causing
model automatically wins combat, and a further leadership test will be required
by the losing side.

Defeated and outnumbered by a Terror-causing enemy in combat: When a unit is
defeated in combat by a Terror-causing unit that outnumbers them, they suffer an
additional -2 modifier to their leadership roll.

Terrifying presence: When a Terror-causing unit is near an enemy unit, that unit
may be overcome with the frightening presencee of it and flee. Any enemy unit
within 6" of an enemy Terror-causing unit  at the beginning of the owning
player's turn must take a leadership test at -1. If the test is passed, theintt
may act normal.
If the test is failed, the unit will flee towards their board edge, and may not rally in their next turn.

Army special rules-
General: Any unit that is Fearless is immune to Fear. Fearless models still suffer Terror.
All Monstrous Creatures cause Terror.
All Psykers cause Fear.

Space Marines: Space Marines Know No Fear, and thus are immune to Fear, but do not cause Fear.
Space Marines still suffer Terror.

Daemonhunters: Daemonhunter units do not Fear Daemons.
Grey Knights and Daemonhunter Inquisitors do not suffer Terror from Daemons, or Daemon Princes.
Daemon hosts cause Fear.

Witchhunters: Witchhunter units do not Fear Psykers.
Arco Flagellants and Penitent Engines cause Fear.

Chaos Space Marines: Daemons, Spawn, and any model with Daemonic Gifts cause Fear.
A model qualifying as a Daemon Prince causes Terror.

Chaos Cults: A model with the Mark of Khorne, Slaanesh, or Nurgle causes Fear.
A model with The Rubric causes Fear, and is immune to Terror.

Tyranids: All Tyranids cause Fear.

Orks: An Ork mob consisting of 15 or more Orks causes Fear. Any mob consisting of 25 or more Orks causes Terror.

Tau: All Kroot cause Fear. This includes Hounds, Krootox, and the Great Knarloc.

Necrons: Flayed Ones and Wraiths cause Fear.

Eldar: Howling Banshees cause Fear.

Dark Eldar: Grotesques, Warp Beasts and Wyches cause Fear.
All Dark Eldar are Immune to Fear, though not all cause Fear.


Any thoughts or comments on how to improve this?

Thanks!

Actually, I like the idea. Brings back some of the 2nd Edition feeling, when the battles where more in depth.

That would be absolutely brutal for IG when playing tyranids. Are there any IG units that might cause fear/terror, like their tanks?

Just a thought.

CK

All tyranids causing fear is a bit much, especially when you add in the Psychic Choir -5 to LD tests!

All the MCs already cause terror, Zoeys and Warriors cause Fear since they're Psykers. I would suggest having Raveners cause Fear, and Lictors cause Terror. But not gaunts, hormagaunts or gargoyles, that's too much.

Imperials should get something. Maybe any tank with AV14 (Land raider, Russes) cause terror, any tank with AV13 causes fear? Dreadnoughts should cause fear, though probably Sentinels should only inspire laughter (hits on 6's due to hilarity of being in CC with one).

Ok, if IG tanks cause fear, how would you resolve a death or glory vs a tankshocking russ?

Maybe Ogryns (and certain abhuman doctrines) could cause fear? At least in the case of ogryn it might give some players a reason to use them.

As far as dreads and fear go, I could see it applying to the Ork, Imperial, and Chaos versions, as well as Killer Kanz.

Not sure if I agree with all Kroot causing fear...maybe just if the unit includes hounds?

While its an interesting idea and I'm for it in general, there is one fairly major problem with doing something like this. It basically makes all the units that are currently immune to leadership rules still immune to leadership rules and totally screws the ones that are not. Its the current rash of leadership 10 units, fearless units, and whole armies that know no fear that make moral such a non-factor in 40k. Adding in a bunch of fear causing units will not really change any of those problems and will just lead to a complete hosing of units that already have to worry about leadership. It could also lead to some really bad situations like the afore mentioned psychic choir getting close to IG squads. OK guys, roll a leadership test at ?5 or break and you can?t rally next turn? yep that means you have to roll snake eyes or your squads run off the board. Yep, and I?m just going to walk down your lines and do this to every squad in your army. Bye bye guys. Similar problems with slaneesh daemon princes followed around by rhinos with doom sirens. Of course this doesn?t hurt everyone out there? there is always armies like marines, chaos, and nids who are already immune to psychology. See what I mean? The whole can?t rally next turn this is also rather harsh. Any unit that breaks for 2 turns is most likely out of the game if not off the board. Sounds like a bit much to me.

Yes, get rid of the "can't rally next turn"... that would just be overly broken.

Also, marines have an amazingly high leadership: let them use it for these tests as opposed to granting them what is essenitally "fearless."