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Made in gb
Dakka Veteran




Battle Protocols (Updated)
Spoiler:
In accordance with the Machine Cult's ancient ban on synthetic intelligence, the mechanical soldiers of the Legio Cybernetica are not equipped with true minds of their own. Instead, every step taken by one of these venerable automatons is governed by a pre-selected array of biotechnological doctrina wafers, fusing brute-force selection calculations with true cybernetic instincts.

Each unit with this ability gains additional abilities depending on which Battle Protocols are active for it. At the start of the first battle round, before the first turn begins, choose which Battle Protocols are active for each unit with this ability.

Each unit always has two active Battle Protocols; one Permission Protocol that offers a benefit to the unit, and one Restriction Protocol that limits the unit’s behaviour.

Permission - Conqueror Protocol
With the Conqueror Protocol active, data surges through the techno-organic channels that govern the automata’s combat subroutines and tactical priorities, heightening its close-range reflexes to a clockwork razor of deadly precision.

  • You can re-roll charge rolls made for this unit.
  • Models in this unit have a Weapon Skill characteristic of 2+.
  • Models in this unit do not suffer the penalty to hit rolls incurred for firing Heavy weapons against a unit they are in Engagement Range with.

  • Permission - Protector Protocol
    The robot’s sensory network whirrs with encelaphic bandwidth as the Protector Protocol takes hold, rangefinders and guidance systems weaving together reams of targeting information into a blazing net of inescapable firepower.

  • Models in this unit have a Ballistic Skill characteristic of 3+.
  • Each time an enemy unit declares a charge against this unit, it can Hold Steady or Set to Defend.
  • If this unit Remained Stationary in your previous Movement phase, it is eligible to perform Heroic Interventions as if it had the CHARACTER keyword.

  • Permission - Bulwark Protocol
    The Bulwark Protocol directs perimeter analysis and defensive positioning, locking each automaton into carefully calculated screening patterns that shield vital systems from hostile fire - whether its internal electronics and servos, or the technicians who guide it in combat.

  • Improve the Save characteristic of models in this unit by 1 (models in this unit cannot have a Save characteristic better than 2+).
  • This unit is eligible to perform Heroic Interventions as if it had the CHARACTER keyword.
  • This unit has the following ability: Bulwark Protocol (Aura): While a friendly <FORGE WORLD> CYBERNETICA DATASMITH is within 3" of this unit, each time a ranged attack targets that model, it is treated as having the benefits of Light Cover against that attack.

  • Permission - Aggressor Protocol
    Ancient terrain-mapping profiles spring to life in the robot’s machine-mind, the Aggressor Protocol shaving the smallest inefficiencies from every mechanical motion as it guides each maniple forward in perfect unity.

  • Each time you make an Advance roll for this unit, roll D3+3 instead of D6.
  • Each time this unit Advances, until the end of the turn, models in this unit can shoot ranged weapons they are equipped with as if they had the Assault type instead of their normal type (e.g. they can fire a Heavy 2 weapon as if it were an Assault 2 weapon).
  • This unit is eligible to declare a charge in a turn in which it Advanced or Fell Back.

  • Restriction - Predator Protocol
    The Predator Protocol offloads decision-making responsibilities onto the organic components of the robot’s slave-brain, awakening instincts cloned and cultivated from the war-beasts of ancient Terra.

  • Each time this unit moves (excluding Falling Back, pile-in and consolidation moves), it must end that move at least as close to the closest enemy unit as it was at the start of the move.
  • This unit cannot Fall Back unless the Aggressor Protocol is active for it.
  • At the end of your Charge phase, if this unit is eligible to declare a charge, it must declare a charge against the closest eligible enemy unit.

  • Restriction - Errant Protocol
    To free up additional thought-space, the Errant Protocol halts the usual suppression of doctrinal taboos and incomplete objectives coded into each automaton’s numina-chips, leaving them haunted by long-forgotten directives.

  • Each time this unit moves (excluding pile-in and consolidation moves), it must end that move at least as close to the battlefield edge that was furthest from this unit at the start of its move.
  • In your Shooting phase, each time this unit is selected to shoot, models in this unit must target either an eligible enemy unit which is closer to the battlefield edge that is furthest from this unit, or an eligible enemy unit within 6”.

  • Restriction - Surveyor Protocol
    The automata’s layered authority-collars go slack under the Surveyor Protocol, giving free reign to the earliest instructions of acquisition and investigation carved into their shem-de-silica.

  • Each time this unit moves (excluding pile-in and consolidation moves), it must end that move at least as close to the closest objective marker on the battlefield, or within 3” of an objective marker. If there are no objective markers on the battlefield, this unit must instead end its move at least as close to the centre of the battlefield.
  • In your Shooting phase, each time this unit is selected to shoot, models in this unit must target either the closest eligible enemy unit, or an eligible enemy unit within 12”.

  • Restriction - Warden Protocol
    The Warden Protocol throttles the resources normally allocated to short-term objective nodes, forcing a maniple to default to blindly pursuing the noospheric corona of allied formations.

  • In your Movement phase, you must select units with this active Protocol to move first. This means that units that do not have the Warden Protocol active cannot be selected to move until after all units with this Protocol active have been selected to move.
  • Each time this unit moves (excluding pile-in and consolidation moves), it must end that move closer to the closest friendly unit, or within 3” of a friendly <FORGE WORLD> unit. If there are no other friendly units on the battlefield, this unit cannot move.


  • Replace the Datasmith's "Reprogramming" ability with the following:
    Reprogramming: This model can attempt the following action:
    Field Reprogramming (Action): At the end of your Movement phase, one or more CYBERNETICA DATASMITH models from your army can start to perform this action. When the action is started, select one friendly <FORGE WORLD> AUTOMATA unit within 3" of the model performing the action, and choose a Permission Protocol and a Restriction Protocol, as described in that unit’s Battle Protocols ability. The action is completed at the start of your next Command phase. When it is completed, the selected Battle Protocols become active for that unit, replacing its previous Battle Protocols.’

    Kastelan Battle Robots (Heavy Support, Power Rating 5)
    1-6 Kastelan Battle Robot: M 8"; WS 4+; BS 4+; S 6; T 7; W 7; A 3; Ld 10; Sv 3+
    Increase this unit's Power Rating by +5 for each additional Kastelan Battle Robot it includes. Every model is equipped with: incendine combustor; 2 Kastelan fists; stomping feet.

    Wargear
    Spoiler:
  • Heavy phosphor blaster: Range 36”; Type Heavy 3; Strength 6; AP -2; Damage 1; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, the target does not receive the benefits of Dense Cover against that attack.
  • Incendine combustor: Range 12”; Type Heavy D6; Strength 5; AP -2; Damage 1; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, that attack automatically hits the target.
  • Kastelan phosphor blaster: Range 24”; Type Heavy 3; Strength 6; AP -1; Damage 2; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, the target does not receive the benefits of Dense Cover against that attack.
  • Kastelan fists: Range Melee; Type Melee; Strength +4; AP -3; Damage 3; Abilities: Each time the bearer fights, it makes 1 additional attack with this weapon.
  • Stomping feet: Range Melee; Type Melee; Strength User; AP 0; Damage 2; Abilities: -

  • Wargear Options
  • Any number of models can each have 1 Kastelan fist replaced with 1 Kastelan phosphor blaster, or 2 Kastelan fists replaced with 2 Kastelan phosphor blasters.
  • Any number of models can each have their incendine combustor replaced with 1 heavy phosphor blaster.

  • Abilities
  • Canticles of the Omnissiah: See Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus, pg 84-85.
  • Battle Protocols: See above.
  • Repulsor Grid: Models in this unit have a 5+ invulnerable save against ranged attacks. Each time an invulnerable saving throw is made for a model in this unit against a ranged attack, on an unmodified saving roll of 6, the attacking model's unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
  • Explodes: Each time a model in this unit is destroyed, roll one D6 before removing it from play. On a 6 it explodes, and each unit within 3" suffers 1 mortal wound.

  • Keywords
  • Faction: IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS MECHANICUS, CULT MECHANICUS, <FORGE WORLD>
  • Keywords: VEHICLE, AUTOMATA, KASTELAN BATTLE ROBOTS

  • Points Costs
    Spoiler:
  • Kastelan Battle Robot: 95 points

  • Kastelan phosphor blaster: 5 points


  • Castellax Battle Robots (Heavy Support, Power Rating 5)
    1-6 Castellax Battle Robot: M 8"; WS 4+; BS 4+; S 6; T 7; W 7; A 4; Ld 10; Sv 3+
    Increase this unit's Power Rating by +5 for each additional Castellax Battle Robot it includes. Every model is equipped with: 2 Castellax bolters; mauler bolt cannon; 2 Castellax claws.

    Wargear
    Spoiler:
  • Combustor: Range 12”; Type Assault D6; Strength 5; AP 0; Damage 1; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, that attack automatically hits the target.
  • Mauler bolter: Range 18”; Type Rapid Fire 2; Strength 5; AP -1; Damage 1; Abilities: -
  • Mauler bolt cannon: Range 24”; Type Heavy 3; Strength 6; AP -2; Damage 2; Abilities: -
  • Lightning gun: Range 18”; Type Assault 2; Strength 5; AP -2; Damage 1; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, an unmodified wound roll of 6 scores 2 additional wounds.
  • Multi-melta: Range 24”; Type Heavy 2; Strength 8; AP -4; Damage D6; Abilities: Each time an attack made with this weapon targets a unit within half range, that attack has a Damage characteristic of D6+2.
  • Photon Thruster: Range 48”; Type Heavy 2; Strength 6; AP -4; Damage 2D3; Abilities: Each time an attack is made with this weapon, an unmodified wound roll of 6 inflicts D3 mortal wounds on the target in addition to any normal damage, and an unmodified wound roll of 1 inflicts D3 mortal wounds on the bearer’s unit after shooting is resolved.[/list]
  • Castellax claws: Range Melee; Type Melee; Strength +1; AP -2; Damage 2; Abilities: -

  • Wargear Options
  • Any number of models can each have 1 mauler bolter replaced with 1 combustor, or 2 mauler bolters replaced with 2 combustors.
  • Any number of models can each have their mauler bolt cannon replaced with 1 of the following: multi-melta; photon thruster.

  • Abilities
  • Canticles of the Omnissiah: See Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus, pg 84-85.
  • Battle Protocols: See above.
  • Repulsor Grid: Models in this unit have a 5+ invulnerable save against ranged attacks. Each time an invulnerable saving throw is made for a model in this unit against a ranged attack, on an unmodified saving roll of 6, the attacking model's unit suffers 1 mortal wound.
  • Explodes: Each time a model in this unit is destroyed, roll one D6 before removing it from play. On a 6 it explodes, and each unit within 3" suffers 1 mortal wound.

  • Keywords
  • Faction: IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS MECHANICUS, CULT MECHANICUS, <FORGE WORLD>
  • Keywords: VEHICLE, AUTOMATA, CASTELLAX BATTLE ROBOTS

  • Points Costs
    Spoiler:
  • Castellax Battle Robot: 105 points

  • Combustor: 5 points
  • Multi-melta: 15 points
  • Photon thruster: 15 points



  • Automatically Appended Next Post:
    This is primarily a proof of concept for the new Battle Protocol rules, as the Castellax are just a separate set of weapon options for the Kastelan; instead of an Incendine Combustor or Heavy Phosphor Blaster, they get a Mauler Bolt Cannon, Multi-Melta, or Photon Thruster, and instead of Fists/Blasters, they can choose between Bolters+Claws or Flamers+Claws. The only change to Kastelans themselves has been to add a "stomping feet" melee weapon, which ensures they're doing D2 even if you go for a ranged build - this is to encourage more varied Protocol use, instead of just picking Protector for ranged and calling it a day.

    The Battle Protocols are the more important part, here; they're now a general rule for all AUTOMATA, rather than something baked into the Kastelan's datasheet, and allow you to choose an upside and a downside; like Doctrina Imperatives, if you got to mix-and-match (and they were per-unit). Or Combat Drugs, if you also had to pick a downside with each drug.

    The four bonuses map roughly to "where you want the robots to be". Conqueror helps you when you're in the thick of combat, Protector is good when you're hanging out at a distance, Aggressor is useful when you need to get somewhere fast, and Bulwark is a solid fallback that helps when you're supporting allies.
    The four downsides are all restrictions on how the unit can behave, which may interfere with getting "where you want the robots to be". Predator means you have to move toward the closest enemy, and charge it if you can. Errant means you have to wander across the battlefield, always moving toward (and shooting at) the furthest point. Surveyor forces you to head to objectives and stick by them, and (since that's not a huge restriction), also limits your shooting to the closest enemies. Warden is the opposite; you have to move toward the closest ally, and since that gives you much more control, the unit also has to move first each turn, meaning you'll need to plan ahead.

    This message was edited 9 times. Last update was at 2021/11/07 12:35:14


     
       
     
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