Modifiers to Rolls
Especially with Generative Tests, there is a lot of opportunities for modifiers. Most of these will be very straightforward. If a roll requires a plus or minus, it will be written like so:
D6+1, 2D3-1
For these types of rolls, simply math the modifier on the rolled result.
D6+1 generates a number between 2 and 7. 2D3-1 generates a number between 1 and 5.
However, sometimes modifiers get applied to the difficulty of the task. Perhaps a scary monster or Psychic Effect applies a -1 penalty to the testing model’s
Leadership. In cases like these, the modifier adjusts the stat being rolled against, rather than the dice roll itself. This distinction is necessary because modifiers of this sort are temporary, applying only to the test at hand.
In the case of a multiplication modifier, the total score is multiplied rather than added or subtracted. Basic math still.
D6x5 generates a score between 5 and 30, in increments of 5.
This all gets complicated only in the rare instance where a die roll's score is modified by both. In these cases, we do the math that comes first in the chain.
D6+2×3 is a D6 roll plus 2 and then multiplied by 3, whereas D6×2+3 is a D6 roll times 2 and then a 3 is added to that result.
Terms
This section covers certain terminology that occurs throughout these Rules. Namely, the difference between the Terms Triggered and Invoked.
A Triggered thing happens because a set circumstance occurs, such as a model wandering to within the range of a Boobytrap Marker. An Invoked thing occurs because a player or the
GM activates it by expending some sort of resource, such as when a player spends their
CP to enact a Stratagem.
Colors and Emphasis
Throughout these rules you will find certain phrases and words in Bold, that are Underlined, Italicized, or in a different Color. Sometimes they may be in brackets of [One Type] or <Another>. Frequently these different emphases are combined. All of this is deliberate.
We use the
Bold emphasis to denote category headings and stats, such as a model’s
Vitals like
Strength and
Toughness, or its
Aptitude. We also use Bold to single out the names of things, such as the title of Ships like the
[++Intolerance++], [++Redacted++], and
[++Desolation’s Wake++], a model’s keywords like its
<Specialty> and
<Status> such as
<Intercessor>, <Tactical>, or
<Veteran>, and for things with an abundance of subcategories like
Talents, Psychic Powers, and
Weapon-types.
We use
Underline to denote
Abilities that come from a variety of sources, such as a model’s
<Specialty>, its
Talents, and its Chapter of Origin.
We use
Italics to emphasize examples, and to discern the title of a thing as a Spaceship rather than any other type of vehicle.
Different colors are used to indicate very important Categories of things. We use
red for things like
[Factions] and associated
Esteem, although we also use this color to indicate anything involving the survivability and
Injury of models. We use
orange for Bad Stuff like
Animosity and Xenotech.
Magenta for
Corruption and its Threshold.
Relics and other fancy wargear like
Honorifics, Special Ammo Types like Bolter Shells and Sapphiric Plasma, use
cyan. Conditions such as
Shaken, Prone, or Concealed use
yellow.
Brackets indicate [Faction] association and important <Keywords>.
I try to stay consistent with these emphases throughout the rules. All of it is meant to draw the attention of the reader to important and inter-linked ideas.
Stats
There’s a bunch. More than what you are used to if you are familiar with
40k, but about as many as you might expect in your average
RPG. These Stats are separated into Categories for ease of reference. We have
Vitals, Active Stats, Movement, Battlefield Resources, Reputation, Progression, Keywords, Triggers, Traits, Loadout, and
Abilities. Each Category manages a handful of inter-related stats and I hope will help make reading and finding the information easier for players.
I am only going to describe the stats I've added in or modified. Refer to your preferred edition of
40k for the stats I don't cover.
