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I have decided that I need a project to keep me occupied during the holidays and while reading a thread on a new race, in that thread, TrollPie mentioned a race idea.

TrollPie wrote:
What I would lurrrrv would be an army of geneticly engineered clones that has a ridiculous model count-about 3 points for a basic troop- and specialises entirely in flame weaponry. Something like this for a basic troop:
Hatchling squad-60pts

ws..bs..s..t..w..i..a..ld..sv
.1...1...2..2..1.2..1..5..6+
Drake
ws..bs..s..t..w..i..a..ld..sv
.2...2...3..3..1.3..1..8..6+

Composition: 20 Hatchlings

Wargear:
Flamey thing:
Range:....Str..AP..Type
template...3...6..Assault 1

Options:
May be accompanied by:
Drake-5pts
Up to 30 additional hatchlings-3pts

I'm not good with making up rules (or fluff), so sorry if it's ridiculously overpowered or stupid, but take THAT blanket 4+ save!

Special rules:
Stubborn (drake only)
Cloning: Hatchlings have highly unstable genes that divide randomly, often causing the entire creature to split in two in highly stressful situations, including the heat of battle. At the end of each round, role a d6 for every 5 hatchlings in the squad. For every 6 rolled you may add an additional hatchling to the squad.

Just an idea for what I think could be a truly unique race and statline. I'm not good with making up rules (or fluff), so sorry if it's ridiculously overpowered or stupid, but take THAT blanket 4+ save!

I however figured something like

Hatchling Squad 75pts
Contains
15 Hatchlings
Statlines:
Hatchlings
WS3 BS3 S3 T3 W1 I3 A1 LD7 SV6+
Drake
WS4 BS3 S3 T4 W1 I3 A2 LD8 SV6+

Wargear:

Fusionfire: Str3 AP6 Type:Template

Thornthrower: Range: 18 Str3 Ap6 Type: Assault 2

Options:
May add up to 15 more hatchlings at 5 points each.
May add Drake at ??? points (does not come with wargear)

Drake may take:
Twinlinked Thorn-Thrower at ? points
Fusionfire at 0 points
Thorn-Thrower at 0 points

You must Choose between Fusionfire or Thornthrowers for the hatchlings, all of them must have the same weapons.

Please notify me about balance because I've never done something like this before.
More to come...(Including Fluff)

They seem to just be better guardsmen.

Is the basic equipment for the hatchlings the thornthrower?

You choose between them of the Fusionfire. (For The Whole Squad)

You should defo increase the price then, 15 templates? way overpowered for only 75 points

I like it. 15 templates though - automatically hitting!

If the average template covers 3 marines (let's be conservative) that's 45 hits.
At 5+ to wound, you're getting ~15 wounds!
3+ saves - that's still... ~5 MEQ deaths. Staggering.

I love it personally. It would be better if the attacks were poisoned, that would just be lolsworth.

I think with a bit of polishing this has some potential, a great start for sure. Get some fluff up and this will improve tenfold.

Is that sarcasm? More up tomorrow.

Looks good, and I just realised how overpowered those troops would be if you had priced them at my original points...and included that muliplying rule...and how stupid the original fluff idea was, you know, with the GM clones. Oh, and I posted the same line twice. I really need to double check my posts...
But you've fixed that, and it seems fine now.

There's still the problem of auto hitting, however Tek you're forgetting most of them won't be able to fire due to the templates covering friendly models.
But maybe they could be allowed to do this, and hit ALL intervening models. Essentially making them kamikaze troops, if they ignore friendly fire casualties for the purposes of moral tests. That would be hilarious.
But a bit stupid.

Oh, and are you using Dragon-themed fluff for them?
And maybe they could be one of the existing minor races. The Bhargesi look promising-a race so violent the mighty Imperial military avoids them entirely. And they only have 2 sentences on them in the BRB, so there isn't really any limits on what they could be.

you're going to run into the same problem as flamers of tzeentch. you take minimum squads because only so many can actually hit them without hitting you.
unless you can actually line up all 20 or 30 some fusionfires in a single line, you arent getting quite as many templates as people are cringing from.

I had an idea for a special rule called "Fusionproof" that made them resistant to fusionfire and I had the idea of a armor plate that granted it as well as "Slow and Purposeful".


Automatically Appended Next Post:
FLUFF!!!

All right, so you see I was considering how to keep the dragon theme, all right? So I figure, where do these things come from? Genetic modification seemed obvious, so I went with Techpriests modifying humans. Why? I thought, Void Dragon.Next, I thought, what about other troops? And I (weirdly) thought "ILLUMINATI!"

So it goes like this, Illuminati see small group of semi-renegade techpriests. They say "Join Us!" The techpriests say "Why!?" So they say, "We know the truth of the Omnissiah!" Then the techpriests say "No Way!" and the Illuminati prove the "Void Dragon" thing. I'm tired, so please use the logical connection here. Sorry.

That rule sounds decent. S&P is a fair price to pay for bathing enemies in flame.

As for the fluff, sounds good to me. What about a name? I've been thinking something like,
Apostles of the Dragon?
Wardens of the Truth?
Lords of the Void?

Maybe the Techpriests were driven mad with greed and used masses of implants and heretical gene modification, in their attempts to become like the Dragon of Mars.
But I'm not too sure about the Illuminati. In the background they were always mainly concerned with hunting down Sensei and reviving the Emporer.

Here's a good source for names:
http://www.20000-names.com/dragon_names.htm

As for other creatures, here's some ideas I thought of:
Troops:

Drake Squad-7 points each

Composition: 10-30 Drakes

As in OP, have options for:
Diamond Claws (rending in CC)-3 points per model
Tough Carapace (4+ armour)-2 points per model
Fusionproof Armour (grants Fusionproof & Slow and Purposeful special rules)-free

Elites:

Drakons-45 points each

The mutated abominations known as Drakons are the shock troopers of a horde, found on the leading edge of an assault where their monstrous strength and endurance, coupled with their uncanny intelligence crushes all resistance. Formerly low-ranking Techpriests, they now devote their lives to cleansing the galaxy of enemies of the Dragon, to the extent of modifying their genetics to resemble their omnipotent Omnissiah.

WS.BS..S..T..A.W.I.Ld.Sv
.4...4....5..5..3.2.5..9..3+

Special Rules:
Stubborn, Fusionproof (aren't affected by Fusionfire weapons and Fusionfire weapons may fire through them)

Unit composition: 3-10 Drakons

Wargear:

Flesh Burner Claws (Power Sword)
Twin-Linked Fusionfire

Options:
May replace TL Fusionfire with:
TL Thornthrower-free
Hellfire Spitter-10 points per model

Hellfire Spitter:
Range..S..AP..Type
.18".....5...2...Assault 2

Fiendire Spitter-10 points per model

Fiendfire Spitter:

Range..S..AP..Type
..12"....8..1...Assault D3, Melta

May replace Flesh Burner Claws with:
Crushing Claws (Power Fist)-5 points per model
Claws of the Omnissiah (Inflict Instant death)-10 points per model

May take:
Bionic Wings (move like jump infantry)-5 points per model
Scales of Mars (2+ armour save)-5 points per model
Aura of the Void (5+ invulnerable save)

HQ

Pendrakon: 100 points

Pendrakons were once mighty Techmarines, noble disciples of the Omnissiah. That was a long time ago. They have now completely given up their humanity, mechanical wings and lung-implanted flamers grafted to their once human forms and their genetics changed beyond recognition. In battle they command swarms of Drakes and Hatchlings, their battle prowess terrifying to behold.

WS..BS..S.T.A.W.I.Ld.Sv
..5....4...6.5.4.3.4.10..3+

Unit type: Monstrous Creature

Special rules:
Stubborn, Independent Character, Fusionproof

Wargear:
Incinerating Breath:

..Range.....S..AP...Type
Template*.6...3.....Assault 1
*Works the same as the Hellhounds' flamer

Aura of the Void

May take:
Bionic Wings-20pts
Replace Incinerating Breath with a Macro-Hellfire Spitter-10 points
Scales of Mars-5 points
Adamantium Claws (strike at S9 I6)-10 points
Claws of the Omnissiah-15 points

Macro-Hellfire Spitter:

Range.S.AP.Type
..24"...5.2..Assault 3

Macro-Fiendfire Spitter:

Range.S.AP.Type
..18"...8.1..Assault D6

Be accompanied by up to 5 Drakons (removes IC special rule)-45 points each



More Ideas
Heavy Support

Herensuge squad-similair role to Carnifexes: takes down heavy targets
SC: The Leviathan-extremely powerful all-rounder, good short range weaponry but is best in assault
Jormungand squad-similair to Deamon Princes: can be customised for most roles

HQ
SC: Astarot the Chief-mega Pendrakon

Elites
Nidhogg squad-infiltration & CC unit, similair to Genestealers

Fast Attack
Nilakanta- MC for short ranged fire-power, moves like a fast skimmer and is powerful in assault but has low initiative

This would actually be a sort of "alliance" between the The Cult Of The Dragon(The Techpriests) and the Illuminati. So the codex would be like:

Equipment:
Lasgun: As in codex Imperial Guard

Fusionfire: Str3 AP6 Type:Template

Diamond Claws: give rending in CC

Tough Carapace: gives 4+ armor save

Fusionproof Armour: grants Fusionproof & Slow and Purposeful special rules

Hellfire Spitter: Range 18' S5 AP2 Type: Assault 2

Flesh-Burner Claws: Power Weapon

Crushing Claws: Power fist

Void Claws: Inflicts ID

Fiendfire Spitter: Range 12" S8 AP1 Type: Assault D3, Melta


Macro-Hellfire Spitter:

Range.S.AP.Type
..24"...5.2..Assault 3

Macro-Fiendfire Spitter:

Range.S.AP.Type
..18"...8.1..Assault D6

Adamantium Claws: strike at S9 I6

Incinerating Breath:
..Range.....S..AP...Type
Template*.6...3.....Assault 1
*Works the same as the Hellhounds' flamer

Army List:
HQ:
Pendrakon: 100 points

Pendrakons were once mighty Techmarines, noble disciples of the Omnissiah. That was a long time ago. They have now completely given up their humanity, mechanical wings and lung-implanted flamers grafted to their once human forms and their genetics changed beyond recognition. In battle they command swarms of Drakes and Hatchlings, their battle prowess terrifying to behold.

WS..BS..S.T.A.W.I.Ld.Sv
..5....4...6.5.4.3.4.10..3+

Unit type: Monstrous Creature

Special rules:
Stubborn, Independent Character, Fusionproof

Wargear:
Incinerating Breath
Aura of the Void

May:
Take Bionic Wings-20pts
Replace Incinerating Breath with a Macro-Hellfire Spitter-10 points
Take Scales of Mars(2+save)-5 points
Take Adamantium Claws -10 points
Take Claws of the Omnissiah-15 points

Elites:
Drakons-45 points each

The mutated abominations known as Drakons are the shock troopers of a horde, found on the leading edge of an assault where their monstrous strength and endurance, coupled with their uncanny intelligence crushes all resistance. Formerly low-ranking Techpriests, they now devote their lives to cleansing the galaxy of enemies of the Dragon, to the extent of modifying their genetics to resemble their omnipotent Omnissiah.

WS.BS..S..T..A.W.I.Ld.Sv
.4...4....5..5..3.2.5..9..3+

Special Rules:
Stubborn, Fusionproof (aren't affected by Fusionfire weapons and Fusionfire weapons may fire through them)

Unit composition: 3-10 Drakons

Wargear:

Flesh Burner Claws
Twin-Linked Fusionfire

Options:
May replace TL Fusionfire with:
TL Thornthrower-free
Hellfire Spitter-10 points per model

May replace Flesh Burner Claws with:
Crushing Claws (Power Fist)-5 points per model
Claws of the Omnissiah (Inflict Instant death)-10 points per model

May take:
Bionic Wings (move like jump infantry)-5 points per model
Scales of Mars (2+ armour save)-5 points per model
Aura of the Void (5+ invulnerable save) -3 points per model

Troops:
Hatchling Squad 75pts
Contains
15 Hatchlings
Statlines:
Hatchlings
WS3 BS0 S3 T3 W1 I3 A1 LD7 SV6+
Drake
WS4 BS3 S3 T4 W1 I3 A2 LD8 SV6+

Wargear:

Fusionfire: Str3 AP6 Type:Template

Thornthrower: Range: 18 Str3 Ap6 Type: Assault 2

Options:
May add up to 15 more hatchlings at 5 points each.
May add Drake at ??? points with Fusionfire.

Drake may take:
Diamond Claws (rending in CC)-3 points per model
Tough Carapace (4+ armour)-2 points per model
Fusionproof Armour (grants Fusionproof & Slow and Purposeful special rules)-free

The Hatchlings have Fusionproof Armor and Fusionfire

Drake Squad-7 points each

Composition: 10-30 Drakes with Fusionfire

May take:
Diamond Claws (rending in CC)-3 points per model
Tough Carapace (4+ armour)-2 points per model
Fusionproof Armour (grants Fusionproof & Slow and Purposeful special rules)-free

Believers-6 points
Believer-WS3 BS3 S3 T3 W1 I3 A1 Ld8
True Believer-WS3 BS4 S3 T3 W1 I3 A1 Ld9

Composition: 10-30 Believers

Wargear: Lasgun, Flak Armor, CCW and Frag Grenades

Options: May take a True Believer for 7 points
One Believer for each ten may take: Flamer, GL or Sniper Rifle for 5 points
One Believer may have a meltagun for 10 points or a Plasma Gun for 15 points

I will have the whole thing up soon.

The fluff for believers is that they believe in the ideals of the Illuminati

The Zoat wrote:The fluff for believers is that they believe in the ideals of the Illuminati

You mean the 40k Illuminati or the "real" Illuminati? Because the 40k Illuminati are cooperating with Eldar, hunting down Sensei and there main goal is the rebirth of the Emporer and the preservation of mankind. Creating an army of traitor Ad Mech seems the opposite of what they'd do.
Oh, and they've been possessed by daemons and expelled them from their body, which is awesome.

The believers ARE Illuminati "Initiates'.

To help out with the flamer idea I thought up a fairly elegant solution IMHO.

If there is more than 1 flame template in the squads (aka more than 1 model left) then the flamer changes to range 8 inches, place the flame template so that the narrow end is closer than the broad end and no part of the template is more than 8 inches from a model in the squad. For every 2 models in the squad after 2, the template gets stronger.

So if you have 8 models left, you have an 8 inch hellhound style template that is s3 base + 3 str for 6 additional models, or s6. If you have 16 or more models, you would be s10 ap6.

This is much more managable than placing 20 seperate templates, and it still encourages you to have bigger squads.

If you dont want the squad to be able to hurt vehicles, then change the template to set to-wounds, starting at 6+ to wound and improving as above to 2+.

I don't understand what was just proposed.

Are you familiar with how hellhound flamers work?

I actually like this a lot. It has potential. You would need loads of models though. Like, hundreds upon hundreds. And WYSIWYG? Oy. A nightmare.

The Zoat wrote:The believers ARE Illuminati "Initiates'.

OK. Sorry if I sound pedantic, but to get in to the Illumiati you need to allow yourself to be possessed by a daemon, then force it out through sheer willpower. The vast majority are destroyed; the survivors wouldn't suit being a cheap, expendable model.

The Zoat wrote:I don't understand what was just proposed.

Basically, like a hellhound flamer (if you're not familiar, it's a flamer template that you can place a few inches away from the model, with the thin end closer to the model than the wide end), except with shorter range and it can only be used if you have over 1 model left in the squad. Then you add +1 strength for every 2 models in the squad. IMO I agree with making them like that to avoid having to place 50 templates, but the strength is a little OP. I would make it every 5 models, to a maximum str. of 8 at which point you can place another template with the rest of the models.

Samus_aran115 wrote:You would need loads of models though. Like, hundreds upon hundreds. And WYSIWYG? Oy. A nightmare.

Welcome to the proxie patrol.

No, I mean like well, guardsmen who have "seen the light".

The Zoat wrote:No, I mean like well, guardsmen who have "seen the light".

Ah, I see. That makes more sense.

I have an idea for some close-range fire support:

Fast Attack
Nilakanta Pack-75 points each

Only the most devout Techpriests of the Adeptus Mechanicus may raise a Nilikanta. Taken from the genetic material of a fanatical Believer, they are heavily modified as they grow in heretical laboratories, until at the size of a pinprick they are injected in to a human host to grow naturally in their wombs. The host does not survive, as their spawn consumes them shortly after birth.
In times of war the Nilakanta swoop across the battlefield like dragons of old, sending fire from their maws upon enemies of the Omnissiah and spitting death out of bionic cannons implanted beneath their grotesque wings.

Unit composition: 1-3 Nilakanta

WS.BS.S.T.W.I..A.Ld.Sv
..4...4..7.5.3.2..2..8..3+

Special Rules:
Ariel Assault: Nilakanta may move and shoot like fast skimmers, and gain the 4+ cover save for moving flat out.

Wargear:
2 Thorncannons:
..R..S.AP..Type
24".4..6...Assault 6
Incinerating Breath

May replace 2 Thorncannons with:
2 Hellfire Spitters-free
2 Fiendfire Spitters-free

May take:
Scales of Mars-5 points
Aura of the Void-5 points

Good. Also, an idea for a rule is this:

Stolen Vehicles:
This army may take any imperial guard or space marine vehicle, to a total maximum of 4.

New Concepts! (Kinda need help from Trollpie)

Failure: Something like a daemonhost or daemon prince, not sure for one or the other.


Some kind of Space Marine like unit.

Cybernought: Cybernetic Dragon-Dreadnought

What sort of Illuminati hq choice could we put in?

The Zoat wrote:New Concepts! (Kinda need help from Trollpie)

Failure: Something like a daemonhost or daemon prince, not sure for one or the other.

Some kind of Space Marine like unit.

Cybernought: Cybernetic Dragon-Dreadnought

What sort of Illuminati hq choice could we put in?

I'm...I'm wanted?

So, I'm guessing a failure is some kind of failed creation? Hmmm..... Maybe some kind of high-risk, high-reward thing? Unpredictable, but powerful... in that case...

Abomination-25? points each

Unit composition: 1-5 Abominations
Unit type: Infantry

Those initiates that fail the torturous modification process become hideous, mutated mockeries of their former selves, more commonly refered to as Abominations by those they face. Their abilities, while unpredictable, are nevertheless potent, and they are often used as linebreakers or in shock assault roles by those they serve.

Abomination:
.WS.BS.S.T..W.I.A.Ld.Sv
..4....3..6.4..1.4.3.7...4+
Guide:
WS.BS.S.T..W.I.A.Ld.Sv
..4..4...4.4..1.3.2.8...4+

Wargear:
Twin-linked Fusionfire or Twin-linked Thornthrower, Daimond Claws

May be joined by a Guide at +20 points

Special Rules:
Unwanted: Abominations take up no FOC slots.

Mutations:
At the start of the game, roll a d6 for each unit of Abominations, and apply the following results to each unit:

1-2: The creatures are infected with immense rage, and gain the Furious Charge and Counter Attack special rules. If a Guide is not present in the unit, they gain the Rage special rule.
3-4: The creatures' weapons are of horrible size and power. Fusionfire becomes Assault D3 and Thornthrowers become Assault 2D3 (so that they're always equal to or better than they would otherwise be)
5-6: The creature is protected by a thick hide of daimond-strong scales, and becomes impervious to small-arms fire. They gain a 3+ armour save and the Fusionproof special rule.

And the Dragonnaught:

Heavy Support:

Herensuge squadron-100 points each
Unit composition: 1-3 Herensuges

Herensuges are a grotesque and mighty combination of technology and bio-engineering. Scaley hides and leathery wings fuse to adamantium implants and advanced weaponry. On the field of war they tower over their lesser brethren, hurling death from terrifying weapons before crushing the enemy beneath steel fists. Some are known to fly above the field, striking down in the heart of enemy lines and seeking out the most dangerous combat they can find. The Imperiums' deadliest land weapons patter of their forms like rain as they tear holes in the enemy strongpoints, through which swarms of smaller creatures can pour through.

Should they be MCs or Walkers? Either way, WS:4 BS:4 S:5 I:2 A:2 and either:
F:13 S:12 R:11 or T:6 W:4 Sv:2+ Ld:8

Wargear:
Incinerating Breath, Aura of the Void, Crushing Claws-Either Power Fist or Dreadnaught close combat weapon

Options:
May take:
Macro-Fiendfire Spitter or Macro-Hellfire Spitter-15 points

May replace Crushing Claws with Hellfire Cannon:
.R...S.AP.Type
48".5..2..Heavy 1, Large Blast
-25 points

May take Bionic Wings

The Illuminati Leader:

HQ

Pindar (An abbreviated version of "Pinnacle of the Draco" and a real Illuminatii rank. Also known as "Penis of the Dragon", wierdly)-35 points
Unit composition: 1 Pindar
Unit type: Infantry

One of the highest ranks within the mysterious Illuminati, Pindars command with unquestioned authority from the rear lines. While they prefer the safety of a bunker or command vehicle, many forego these comforts and lead their armies from the front. Their leadership in these cases can lead the most battle-worn army to victory and their very appearance can cause enemies to rout.

.WS.BS.S.T.W.I.A.Ld.Sv
..5...5...4.3.3.4.3.10.4+

Special Rules:
Fearless, Independent Character, Inspiring Presence: All units within 12" gain the Stubborn special rule.

Wargear:
Laspistol, close combat weapon and Aura of the Void

May take:
-Power sword-10 points
-Power fist-15 points
-Plasma pistol-10 points
-Power armour-10 points
-Pheremone bottle:-10 points
This bottle of mind-influencing drugs gives him unprecedented command over even the most animalistic of creatures. All units within twelve inches of a model with a Pheremone bottle may re-roll failed Moral and Pinning tests.
-Vox Battery:-10 points
A Vox battery provides stable long-range communication to other elements of the army. A model with a Vox battery may bestow the Scouts special rule to any unit on the table, so long as it's under 400 points total cost.

I'm not sure about the Space Marine-like unit. Squads of Techmarines perhaps?

The failure was supposed to be a failed Illuminatus but the Abomination thing's good too.

Also, the Herensuge is a vehicle, I think.

The space marine thing should be some Illuminati Space Marine.