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2013/09/27 06:42:24
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
Recently my friend and I have devised a campaign system that we shall pursue in due course, and we have agreed to create some special units for both of our armies - the Night Lords and the 147th Stalwart Imperial Guard Regiment. For one of my custom HQ's I have devised a Lord General and a hard worn retinue, shown below. Thing is, I need help assuring it's balanced for a tabletop game. I have decided to start at 250 points with the rules below. All comments and constructive criticism is completely welcome!
If any are interested, I made some background too
Spoiler:
Imperial Guard - Lord General Hasten
A Tyrannic war veteran, Lord Hasten has travelled the galaxy in the Emperor's service. Far from obedient of the High Lords that command him, Hasten will often find the most unconventional ways of securing victory, from striking up unlikely alliances to defying Imperial codes of conduct. The High Lords cannot complain, however, for Hasten has more than 150 years of battle experience on his belt, and a 100,000 kill markings on his choicest weaponry.
Hasten began his career in the Imperial Guard as a Guard squad sergeant. Leading from the front, his booming voice and rallying words inspired his men to feats unheard of from standard armed Guardsman squads, and Hasten soon found himself with a squad of die hard veterans, with nothing but stubborn loyalty for their CO and cold steel for their emotions. For ten more engagements Hasten led his men into war, until he was promoted to platoon officer, and then company commander. He was even offered command of a Baneblade, which he firmly denied, saying he had far more faith in flesh than in plas-steel.
Deployed to the Eastern Fringe to fight the oncoming Tyranids, Hasten applied his great knowledge to his tactics and command structure, and beat back multiple tendrils of the hive assaults during the Tyrannic campaign. It is on the Eastern Fringe Hasten has stayed, battling the innumerable terrors that plague the segmentum.
Slowly, however, the years of battle have taken their toll. Flecks of grey adorn Hasten's hair, and his face is wrinkled with all the hundreds of determined expressions that have fitted it. These are just a compliment to the bionic replacements Hasten has had installed over the decades. The majority of his right arm is a bionic, and it is said his heart is half cybernetic after a particularly devastating plasma shot that left him crippled for months. In fact, if compared, Hasten shares a great deal of characteristics with the revered Lord General Castor in their old ages - defiant of their physical waning.
The command squad he leads are also far from fresh soldiers. Bionic eyes can be seen glinting behind Hasten's figure, and some of his personal retinue even have augmented legs to help the stutter along by his side - refusing death. Proudly displaying the colours and symbols of the 147th "Stalwarts", Hasten's squad ensure that they and the rest of the regiment uphold this nickname with honour and carefully placed lasgun volleys. It is even rumoured that Hasten includes some of the surviving veterans of his old Guardsman squad all those years ago. If this is true, then they show no sign of it, for each one of Hasten's personally picked retinue members is just as cold a killer as the next. Regardless of status within the regiment or origin, every single member of the 147th looks up to Hasten as their idol of good will and war, and it is something he shall deliver. Leading from nowhere but the front even in his old age, Hasten will bring hope and respect to his soldiers, but above all, victory in the Emperor's name.
"I do not serve the Emperor, for I serve humanity's well being. But in order to serve humanity, one must first serve the Emperor" - Lord General Hasten, in his speeches to new recruits.
rules here
Spoiler:
Points - 250
WsBs S T I W A LdSv+
Hasten 5 6 4 4 3 3 3 10 4+
Command 4 5 3 3 3 1 1 8 4+
Veteran
BodyGuard 4 5 3 3 3 1 1 8 4+
Wargear (Bodyguard)
Hot Shot Lasgun, Hot Shot Laspistol, CCW, Frag and Krak Grenades
Special Rules (Hasten)
Fearless, Master Officer, Bionic Labyrinth, Preferred Enemy
* Master Officer - Hasten may issue three orders a turn, choosing from any of the orders from Codex: Imperial Guard. Hasten has a command radius of 24, with exemption to his special order below, which has a range of 12:
No Mercy, No Respite! - Hasten rallies any retreating men around him back to battle, and pushes those still fighting to an even greater level of determination. Any friendly units within 12" of Hasten automatically regroup if retreating, even if they are below half strength. In addition, all friendly infantry within range of Hasten gain the fearless special rule for one turn, along with the Move Through Cover and Fleet special rules.
Bionic Labyrinth - Hasten's many augmentations and his steely determination make him far more hardwaring than his frail physique might portray. Successful wounds allocated to Hasten must be re-rolled.
Options - Hasten may swap his Boltgun for a Meltagun, Plasma Gun, Sniper Rifle or Heavy Flamer. He may also swap his power fist for a power sword should he wish to. In addition, the command veterans may equip themselves using the same restrictions as a standard command squad, with the exception that heavy weapon teams may not be taken. Hasten's command squad may also take any of the regimental advisors.
P.S - if anybody has any extra ideas for special units (both Night Lords and IG), I am more than happy to hear them!
G.A
EDIT - apologies for the really shoddy stats table - blame the tablet!
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/09/27 06:43:49
G.A - Should've called myself Ghost Ark
Makeup Whiskers? This is War Paint!
2013/09/27 06:56:15
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
And I don't know, I mean normally I'd say 'swap to a free BS6 plasma or meltagun? Are you crazy?' but you've tacked on 180 points to cover two slightly upgraded bodyguards (who would normally cost 30 points all up), a power fist and a boltgun (I forget their exact pricing, but about 30 together? I think a bit less?), a re-roll to wound rule (this happens after LOS right? You can't allocate to him, force the re-roll, then LOS it, because that'd be silly...) and his changing weapons ability, 2 USRs and special order, and this makes it seem much more reasonable. Really about 120 points for those 5 special rules. The preferred enemy rule, should that be Preferred Enemy (Chaos Space Marines), considering the campaign you guys are going to be playing? Rather than a blanket thing?
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2013/09/27 07:01:05
I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own...
2013/09/27 07:43:52
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
And I don't know, I mean normally I'd say 'swap to a free BS6 plasma or meltagun? Are you crazy?' but you've tacked on 180 points to cover two slightly upgraded bodyguards (who would normally cost 30 points all up), a power fist and a boltgun (I forget their exact pricing, but about 30 together? I think a bit less?), a re-roll to wound rule (this happens after LOS right? You can't allocate to him, force the re-roll, then LOS it, because that'd be silly...) and his changing weapons ability, 2 USRs and special order, and this makes it seem much more reasonable. Really about 120 points for those 5 special rules. The preferred enemy rule, should that be Preferred Enemy (Chaos Space Marines), considering the campaign you guys are going to be playing? Rather than a blanket thing?
Thank you for the better table
yes I understand the bs 6 plasma gun and meltagun, but bs 5 plasma or melta didn't really do any justice to Hasten's 150 years of experience . But does it need changing? or should I increase the points value?
the two slightly upgraded bodyguards are supposed to represent experienced Storm Troopers. The power sword costs 10 points usually, and the fist 15. I included the power sword simply so you could have a faster commander in close combat. Boltgun costs 2 points, plasma and melta 15 .
For the wound allocation thing, I meant when you allocate a wound to Hasten after rolling to wound, due to the 6ed rules of look out sir! and the one that states you must allocate to the closest model. Does that make sense, or does that need changing too?
The preferred enemy rule is all inclusive because Hasten has been everywhere and fought just about everything.
So overall, would you consider him to be balanced? What changes/improvements would you make?
thank you for the feedback
G.A - Should've called myself Ghost Ark
Makeup Whiskers? This is War Paint!
2013/09/27 07:59:37
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
General Annoyance wrote: yes I understand the bs 6 plasma gun and meltagun, but bs 5 plasma or melta didn't really do any justice to Hasten's 150 years of experience . But does it need changing? or should I increase the points value?
Good god no. When I said that I meant I was ready to say 'that's ridiculous', but you've increased the points for power in a very conservative manner. To be honest, a regular CCS with 2 stormtroopers, a powerfist that can be swapped (lets say 20), a boltgun, carapace armour, is 128, leaving 122 for the other upgrades you've created, which I reckon is just fine, if not maybe just a bit too much.
General Annoyance wrote: For the wound allocation thing, I meant when you allocate a wound to Hasten after rolling to wound, due to the 6ed rules of look out sir! and the one that states you must allocate to the closest model. Does that make sense, or does that need changing too?
Nope sounds good, I was just making sure that you didn't intend to allocate him wounds, force a re-roll, then go 'lol, look out sir'. So that sound fine
General Annoyance wrote: The preferred enemy rule is all inclusive because Hasten has been everywhere and fought just about everything.
Ah right, got it. Justifies the points a bit more.
General Annoyance wrote: So overall, would you consider him to be balanced? What changes/improvements would you make?
thank you for the feedback
I think it sounds really good in terms of rules, yeah. It might be a bit expensive, but you wouldn't want to hack too many points off, maybe cut 15-20 at first, then just play a few games and see how he goes? He's a homebrew guy, so there is nothing stopping you and your mate knocking him down a bit more mid-campaign if you figure he deserves to be 5-10 cheaper again, is there?
I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own...
2013/09/27 08:14:50
Subject: Re:Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
Well, since I haven't tested him yet, and you have no objections to the rules I made, I'll try 250 or 240-30 points and see if that is worth it. I've got to take into account that none of the Command vets are upgraded with stuff like special weapons/medi packs etc, so adding those on might bring him up to 270 or 280 (or less if I cut down the base cost) . And yes, we can always change stuff after consolidating what I will find out. I just need my friend to have a Night Lords army that doesn't comprise of Dark Vengeance and I can properly test him .
And just as a second question in my original posts, do you have any ideas on extra units for IG or Night Lords?
G.A - Should've called myself Ghost Ark
Makeup Whiskers? This is War Paint!
2013/09/27 08:20:12
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
Hrrm I'll think about it, what is the background for your regiment? Are they light infantry, mech'd up the wazoo, drop troopers, super religious, stuff like that?
I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own...
2013/09/27 08:54:43
Subject: Custom Lord and IG command squad - Balancing Help Needed!
motyak wrote: Hrrm I'll think about it, what is the background for your regiment? Are they light infantry, mech'd up the wazoo, drop troopers, super religious, stuff like that?
Well, the regiment is more veteranised than anything else. They are a lot like the catachans - they put the well being of their soldiers before serving the Emperor's grace, hence the quote in the background above . Apart from that they are pretty multirole, with a bit of everything. They prefer to keep mobile though rather than static, so stuff like firebases are quite uncommon unless they are in charge of defending a position. Most of the soldiers are footsloggers, preferring to make themselves smaller targets to the enemy. That plus the fact that they are currently fighting the Night Lords on an abandoned research world, Obelis. The deserted research stations and heavy amount of snow and horrid blizzards are quite unfriendly to vehicles most of the time.
That's basically most of it without going into too much detail.
.