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I wanted to personalize my own Shadowsword and so created the following rules for it. I'm planning on using it for my Imperial Guards and Space Wolves. Thus, I'm developing 2 different rulesets for it. This one is for the Imperial Guard version.







COLONEL STRAKEN'S SKULL LEADER


Background:
Skull Leader is a prototype super-heavy tank designed by the Adeptus Mechanicus for the Catachans to be used in jungle warfare. The first and only one designed thus far was "loaned out" to Colonel Straken due to his string of successes in battle. The main concept behind the shadowsword was greater firepower combined with the ability to ignore/minimize the cover provided by the multitude of vegetation found in these types of lush environments.

Skull Leader was used for the first and only time at the battle for Vartol City by Colonel Straken. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in the fight, but that was more due to a flaw in its design than any damage that it had sustained in the heat of battle. However, before going down, Skull Leader was able to taking down 2 enemy super-heavies, thus turning the tide of battle into Straken's favor.

Currently, the wreck which was once Skull Leader has been reclaimed, it's battle data analyzed and its body being re-worked. However, the tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus are still trying to solve the riddle which is it's design flaw. One day, it will be back out on the battlefield and that day may come sooner rather than later.


Points: 700

Unit: 1 Skull Leader

Type: Super-heavy Tank

Structure Points: 3

BS: 3(4), Front: 14, Side: 13, Rear: 12

Transport: Straken and his command squad must start the game off in Skull Leader. For transport purposes only, Skull Leader counts as open-topped. No other unit may be transported by Skull Leader. The cost for Straken and his unit is not included and must be paid for separately.

Weapons and Equipment:
- Battle Auspex (see below)
- Dozer Blades
- Hull-mounted Shadowsword volcano cannon
- Two sponsons, each with one lascannon and either a twin-linked heavy flamer or a twin-linked heavy bolter
- Hull-mounted twin-linked heavy bolter
- Targeter (+1 BS)
- Searchlight and smoke launchers

Special Rules:

Battle Auspex: The Adeptus Mechanicus took the Battle Auspex of the Land Raider Prometheus and ported it over to this tank in order to improve its performance in a densely-packed terrain environment. Skull Leader has the Night Vision special rule, and reduces any enemy cover saves by 1 (i.e. 4+ becomes 5+ etc) against attacks from it.

Command Tank: Skull Leader is used as a mobile HQ. All Imperial Guard units within 24" of Skull Leader may re-roll failed Morale checks.

Mobile Command Vehicle: Straken may still issue orders from Skull Leader. Range is measured from any point of Skull Leader's hull. Moreover, while Straken is embarked, his Cold Steel and Courage special rule is also measured from Skull Leader's hull.

Overcharged Cannon: Skull Leader may direct all power from the tank’s formidable reactor to be directed to its main gun. If Skull Leader does not move, it may fire its Volcano Cannon twice in the following Shooting phase (at the same target or at different ones). However, the strain on the tank is so great that it risks damaging it's reactor. Before firing, it must roll a D6 (it need do this only once even if it fires 2 shots). On a roll of 2, it suffers a glancing hit. On a roll of 1, it suffers a penetrating hit and may not fire at all that turn. In any event, if it suffers a gun shaken or destroyed result, the result takes effect after it has fired (unless the roll is a 1).




So let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

Doesn't really fit with Straken's fluff about him being a gun-ho infantry man, he doesnt strike me as the type to hide in a Shadowsword, also a Hellhammer would be more useful to Catachans.

BTW Nice Shadowsword

Good rules, with an even nicer model! However, you would want to rephrase the Battle Auspex, as some RAW freaks would say that the "double negatives" in the rules would in face boost their cover save. "Reducing by -1" is the same as adding 1.

BenManicom wrote:Doesn't really fit with Straken's fluff about him being a gun-ho infantry man, he doesnt strike me as the type to hide in a Shadowsword, also a Hellhammer would be more useful to Catachans.

BTW Nice Shadowsword

I wanted to fit the tank to a special character a la Fortress of Arrogance and felt Straken was a cool character to build it around. I left it as open-topped so that Straken could still assault out of it. Even though he's an infantry man to the core, it could still be reasoned that he's hitching a ride on it until he's close enough to disembark and then do his thing. Thanks.

I also have a hellhammer and could probably adapt these rules to it. Maybe call it "Hammer-Time"? Gotta think up a name for it.

Valkyrie wrote:Good rules, with an even nicer model! However, you would want to rephrase the Battle Auspex, as some RAW freaks would say that the "double negatives" in the rules would in face boost their cover save. "Reducing by -1" is the same as adding 1.

Ok. Changed. Thanks. Ironically, I just cut and paste directly from the Land Raider Prometheus' entry.