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Feedback is welcome as these are the rules my group uses and it wont hurt my feelings. However a lot of work was put into this! If you are looking for some kind of spark to set off your imagination for Apoc then I suggest you read this, Im fairly proud of all of our work over the years

This topic is about many different things. First off I run large scale year long Apocalypse campaigns that are heavily modified in order to promote a more balanced and fun experience for all. Second I love narrative stories that make battles have a purpose beyond the usual kill each other.

Over the many many games I sat down and came up with the problems of Apoc or why people cant seem to enjoy it. With lots of feedback from my players I pretty much figured out that the core of Apoc was fine or the theory I should say. Big battles with few restrictions is great, however, as with anything the devil is in the details and so much of the game breaks at higher point levels and people who do absurd things. Granted, my play group doesnt have people who run totally unrealistic lists like 25 warbosses on bikes but we also dont use fluffbunny lists when we come to kill each other

As I said this thread is many things, part rules, part campaign and part fiction but I dont think anyone wants to read 3 different threads (Probably not even a single lol)

For the rules portion I broke down the major changes into a few categories

Objectives
Assets
Fliers
5th edition rules (Unfortunately the most bemoaned rules of 5th are a huge problem in apoc)

When designing the changes I always keep 2 things in mind.. SPEED and FUN. The game has to be fast and it has to be enjoyable. (I recommend a judge and dont let people who start fights play)

I added almost a dozen new assets for different races and more importantly designed a few to specifically help infantry actually accomplish something. In addition I reworked how almost every asset worked to fix any issues I found with them

Feel free to check out the rules in the link below. The flier rules are almost totally rewritten and the races used in my campaigns have all new upgrades and models for fliers.
Apocalyse Redesigned Rules
Redesigned Strategic Assets

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Besides rule designing the part I love the most about Apoc is the ability to craft wonderful narratives and indepth battles. The size of the game lends to some great storytelling and epic battles

If youve read my Rikal IV series (Listed below) then you will happy to know that the mission BATTLE #2 will be in this latest campaign. The original battle #2 was our least fun fight so I decided to omit it and with some retconning we're going to redo it.

For this campaign Ive developed a new battle system dubbed Battle Synergy (or BS). What this means is that we've gone to having multiple smaller battles going on at the SAME time, each having their own unique objectives and storyline but certain objectives provide a Synergy Bonus if your ally on the other board captures the required objective.

After each battle the players keep track of which objectives they captured and then those results carry over to the final team battle of the weekend. Each objective you capture gives a unique bonus and to prevent one side doing TOO well and getting all the bonuses... the teams are swapped

If youre interested in how it really works check out the missions below
Onslaught - BA vs Orks mission
Shadows in the Dark - Tau vs Orks mission
No Surrender.. No Retreat Team Battle Mission

Here is a recap!

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Welcome to the third campaign in our gaming group's modified apocalypse style battles.

To recap, the first campaign revolved around the Blood Angels and their fight for survival upon Rikal IV against the Orks. Joined in battle by the Tau and further threatened by traitor legions the Blood Angels were ultimately able to prevail. The planet was saved but as a very high cost

The second campaign saw conflict upon a world near the Imperium's fringe. Inquisitor Mason and his armies were in pursuit of Xenos.. more specifically a large force of Tau that threatened imperial interests all throughout the sector. Normally he would not bother himself with such reports as the Tau were inferior in virtually every way and posed very little threat.. but these were the heretics that aligned themselves with the Blood Angels on Rikal IV whom he considered tainted.

As Mason prepared to engage his enemy the farseer Yin'eth of the Biel Tan craftworld was already aware of the danger that was coming. If what he saw in his visions came true then it would not only be the imperium that would suffer. Swiftly the best of his warriors descended upon the planet to assist the beleaguered imperial forces who were not prepared for the sudden appearance of a massive tribe of Feral Orks that called the planet home.

Apparent to all was the sense that not all was as it seemed as the Orks fought with abilities far beyond their capabilities. Weapons that were able to kill the greenskins were shrugged off as if they were protected by some unnatural force. In the final days of the campaign Caravello and his renegade 5th company launched a devastating spearhead assault and cleared the way to the ancient artifact that the voice in his dreams told him must be reclaimed.

The final hour approached for all involved as engines of war on both sides devastated the planet. With a strength unseen in a space marine since the great crusades Caravello slew the Eldar's Avatar and claimed the relic for himself. Ultimately the opposing forces fought each other to a stalemate as the Eldar were forced to retreat due to heavy casualties.

Now the third campaign is upon us which is the story of Captain Caravello formally of the 5th company of the Blood Angels. His mind is filled with visions of Sanguinius and his death at the hands of not Horus.. but the Emperor. This perceived treachery festers and warps what he believes to be true until the day he proclaimed that he and his company would no longer be apart of the 'Grand Lie' as he called it. It is he who will restore the honor of the Blood Angels and prove to the galaxy that his chapter stands above all in its righteousness

The same power that traps his mind in disillusions delivers to the Captain clues, evidence and other proof of what he believes and encourages him to go down the path to the truth. He does not see himself as corrupt nor does he follow any of the gods of his traitor kin.. the chaos space marines. Those who broke their oath to the Imperium are heretics deserving of only death. His mission is to find the relic and deliver it to the resting place of his father Sanguinius.. and bring him back to life in order to expose the truth once and for all

So in this third campaign we revisit the world of Rikal IV as the defenders first battle the Ork tide. At first fighting with the Imperial forces on the planet Caravello discovers proof of what he seeks... and in later battles switches sides to fight along side the Orks as Inquisitor Mason learns of the Captains corruption. Unfortunately the merciless and cold Inquisitor later condemns the entire chapter and their allies

In later battles Caravello's quest will be further expanded upon including a more in depth scenario in the 2nd campaign and then in the final battle the Captain attempts to release the entity known to him as 'Sanguinius'.. much to the danger of all

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The opening narrative sequence for the third campaign. Im not a super writer fyi

Alone in his quarters Caravello sat surrounded by darkness that was only pierced by the faint glow of a single candle. A pile of tattered scrolls, worn books and ancient looking papers were piled on the desk infront of him. Furiously he shifted through them as his eyes peered at each before shoving it aside only to be replaced by the next.

"It must be here.. I know it is" The Captain mummbled to himself and held one of the many scrolls in his hands, scrutinizing it. "He told me the proof is here on this planet.. I will find it" again he spoke to himself before bowing his head in prayer.

At that moment there was a knock on Caravello's door as it was then pushed open. Standing in the doorway was one of the Captain's most trusted sergeant's and confidants. It was the quest that united the men more so than any bond of brotherhood could. While destroying the enemy's of the chapter was their duty.. this was their purpose to bring those consumed by darkness into the light.

"Sir.." Valente began his face grim.."The order has been given.. they are here. I have given the command for the men to ready themselves. We will bring the full fury of the astartes down upon the greenskins"

Standing from his chair Caravello gripped in his hand one of the many scrolls as he spoke. "Just as the dream has shown me. Enemies of the Imperium descend upon this world.. for what reason, my friend?" Pacing briefly back and forth he contemplated the recent turn of events. "I do not have all the answers yet.. but they will come as our father has given us the gift of forsight." His free hand clenched as an anger burned within him.. a fire that could barely be contained at times. "Steel yourself against the coming battle Valente for it will not be the last we face. I have found what I've been searching for among these forgotten tomes" Thrusting the scroll into Valente's hand Caravello then turned and walked out of the room

Watching his lord silently Valente studied the scroll that was given to him. "On the eve of victory.. he fought against the traitor turned warmaster.. golden armor gleamed with his righteousness.. in the end he was struck down by he who he trusted the most.. the secret and the treachery entombed forever.. let he who walks the path of true faith find the relic.. and bring salvation to his brethren.." Closing his eyes Valente whispered a silent prayer before rolling up the scroll and placing it back on the Captain's desk

"The relic must be here.. on Rikal" the sergeant thought to himself as he left the room and shut the door behind him.

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In our games we use custom special characters and in the cases of outdated armies such as Tau and Eldar we totally redo the codex from the ground up. Here are some links to all custom characters and units we use [WIP]

Blood Angel Custom Units
Renegade 5th Company Characters
Inquistion Characters

Tau Redux

Biel Tan Eldar Rules

Here are just the rest of the links from above. If you read this far you have way too much attention span for the interwebs

Apocalyse Redesigned Rules
Redesigned Strategic Assets
Onslaught - BA vs Orks mission
Shadows in the Dark - Tau vs Orks mission
No Surrender.. No Retreat Team Battle Mission