I just posted this in painting and modeling but it really belongs here. The basics are I'm doing an article on civilian vehicles in
40k and the last section has some stats and rules.
Thoughts?
Original thread here:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/391316.page
Using Civilian Vehicles in
40k
The quickest and easiest use is to have them count as something already in the game. Both my armored limo and Dave Taylor's trucks are designed to count as Chimeras. Many people have used jeeps as Sentinels.
Another easy idea that works in every game is to make them terrain. Either model them as damaged or destroyed or just assume they are inoperable/out of fuel. Cars can provide some low cover for infantry models or even tanks. Trucks can block line of sight and become major obstacles. It might seem like a lot of work to make something a rock or wall could do but you'll find they add a lot to the typical battlefield, making it look more realistic and lived in.
They can also be characterful objectives. A supply truck is an obvious prize. An armored limo might have a valuable prisoner on board.
As a house rule or a special scenario you can have neutral vehicles either side can use. Give them stats and place them in neutral territory for either side to take advantage of. This might require stretching the fluff a bit; sure we can all see Guardsmen, Tau or Orks driving a car. Marines might have to rip out the seats or even the roof but I can see it working. Maybe the Eldar have a squad member who's been reading up on primitive vehicular technology. But daemons? Necrons? Tyranids? Maybe there's a civilian driver aboard they can intimidate.
Finally you can write them into a narrative scenario where a VIP or a convoy must make it to friendly lines.
If you play Fantasy Flight Games'
40k RPGs like Dark Heresy you'll probably find a need to include some civilian vehicles for the characters and their foes. This fan article has some ideas for rules:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/31440376/Dark-Heresy-Apocrypha-Vehicles
Rules and Stats for Civilian Vehicles
Below are some thoughts on common civilian vehicles. These rules are not at all exhaustive but offer a starting point on how to use them.
Although the
40k vehicle rules are pretty robust, accommodating everything from Ork buggies to Imperiator Titans but there are some small adjustments to make for civilian vehicles.
As the old Vehicle Design Rules notes they should have armor 9. Most will have armor 9 all around, but 'bulletproof' vehicles will have AV10 or 11.
Most
40k vehicles are tracked or designed for all terrain, they move relatively slowly (just twice as fast a jogging man) but cross broken ground and most obstacles with ease. Civilian vehicles are faster but generally need roads to perform at their best and get bogged down easily when going off road.
And of course most civilian vehicles are not designed to accommodate armored warriors, soldiers in carapace or power armor won't fit in most vehicles.
So I suggest the following rules to simulate the flimsier nature of civilian vehicles.
Road vehicle – This vehicle is designed to run on smooth roads where it can achieve considerable speed. On a road it may move an additional
2d6" (normally vehicles get a 1d6" bonus). However it lacks the off-road and rough terrain abilities of other more robust vehicles. It is immobilized on a 1, 2 or 3 in difficult terrain.
Off Road vehicle – This vehicle has some off-road ability but is not as rugged as tracked military vehicles. It is immobilized on a 1 or 2 in difficult terrain.
Cramped – This vehicle is not designed to accommodate armored warriors and does not have large hatches. It may not transport any model with a save greater than 5+
The Hermes Motors Coupe – 15 Points
Personal cars are an almost unimaginable luxury in the Imperium. The ability to travel anywhere (well anywhere you have a permit for) without being pressed among thousands of other Imperial subjects is a privilege reserved for only the top tier. The Hermes Motors Coupe is a town car is used by mid-ranked officials from one end of the galaxy to the other allowing them to be whisked from work to home in style and comfort. The oversized engine gives them a feeling of power while the narrow windows provide some protection against snipers, petrol bombs and other hazards of daily life.
Armor: 9/9/9
12" move
Transports 5 models
2 access points, 2 fire points
Cramped – this vehicle is not designed to accommodate armored warriors and does not have large hatches. It may not transport any model with a save greater than 5+
Road vehicle – Model G Town Cars are designed to run on smooth roads where they can achieve considerable speed. On a road they may move an additional
2d6". However they lack the off-road and rough terrain abilities of other more robust vehicles. They are immobilized on a 1, 2 or 3 in difficult terrain.
Bullet Proofing (10 points) – A Coupe may mount additional armor for protecting the occupants. This improves the armor to 10/10/9 but reduces the bonus for driving on a road to 1d6" and eliminates the fire points.
The Iron Ox Armored Car – 30 points
Another popular vehicle in all parts of the Imperium is the venerable Iron Ox. This armored car is tough enough to withstand most small arms and has the space to transport both cargo and passengers through rough wilderness and rougher underhives. Properly maintained an Iron Ox can run for centuries. It's not uncommon to meet drivers with Iron Oxen not just older than they are, but older even than their grandparents and great-grandparents.
It can be found on almost any world used to move passengers of every type. Fleets of them line up at spaceports and land train stations waiting to carry visitors to their lodgings. They serve as ambulances for the sick and injured or meat wagons for dead. Designs vary from world to world but the basic cassis is as familiar to an Imperial subject as the Aquila itself.
Armor: 10/10/9
12" move
Transports 10 models
2 access points, 1 fire point
Cramped – this vehicle is not designed to accommodate armored warriors and does not have large hatches. It may not transport any model with a save greater than 5+
Off Road vehicle – Iron Oxen have some off-road ability but are not as rugged as tracked military vehicles. They are immobilized on a 1 or 2 in difficult terrain.
Turret (15 points) – An Iron Ox is often retrofitted with a defensive turret. For 15 points you may mount a turret with a twin linked heavy stubber, heavy bolter or heavy flamer. This reduces the transport capacity to 5 however.
The Salon Royale Armored Limousine – 50 points
Across the Imperium there is one name synonymous with luxury and that name is Royce Benz. And their premier vehicle, the first choice for wealthy merchants, high-ranking officials and visiting off-worlders is the Salon Royale. No other vehicle delivers the comfort, style and security of this armored limousine. The interior of rich Catachani leather brings joy to the senses while the discrete pop-up turret brings relief to the mind.
Armor: 12/10/10
12" move
Transports 10 models
2 access points
BS3
High-quality Road vehicle – The Salon Royale is designed to run on smooth roads where it can achieve considerable speed. On a road it may move an additional
2d6". Due to its high-quality construction and fine Mordian Engineering it is only immobilized on a roll of a 1 in difficult terrain.
Turret – The Salon Royale is designed to offer the finest in luxury and security. All models are equipped with a discreet pop-up turret to deter bandits, assassins and rioters. The turret may be equipped with a heavy bolter, heavy flamer or multi-laser.
Hull weapon – As an additional deterrent the Salon Royale may have a front-mounted heavy bolter or heavy flamer for 10 points.
The Long March Truck 25 points
One of thousands of 3-ton trucks found throughout the Imperium the Long March is a rugged, versatile model used by PDF and Imperial Guard forces as well as civilian companies to move men, fuel, equipment and goods.
Armor: 9/9/9
12" move
Transports 20 models
Open topped
BS3
Off Road vehicle – Trucks have some off-road ability but are not as rugged as tracked military vehicles. They are immobilized on a 1 or 2 in difficult terrain.
The Fjord Motors Land Runner
Fjord Motors is an ancient and revered manufacturing house whose storied history goes back before the founding of the Imperium, some say all the way back to Holy Terra itself. The Land Runner is a classic design capable of going almost anywhere and easily armed to defend itself. Land Runners are common vehicles in wastelands and wilderness areas and often seen in the service of PDF and Imperial Guard units.
The main limitations is the lack of space, the vehicle can carry two seated passengers, a third in the optional turret and two on the running boards. It's more suited for patrols or quick strikes than transportation. However Fjord also makes a longer version called the Land Runner Storm that can carry eight models.
There's a tutorial here:
http://forums.tauonline.org/conversion/8479-gun-jeep-walkthrough.html
Armor: 10/10/10
Fast
Transports 5 models
Open topped
BS3
