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So possessed are terrible. 26 points, no more attacks than a 13 point CSM(BP + CCW). No more survivability than a 13 point CSM against non AP3. No grenades. Str5 and possibly shred(who needs to reroll 2+ to wound against IG). You can mark them, but those marks are super expensive.

So how about, for each model in the unit at the beginning of the game, make a roll on the chaos boon table and apply it to the entire unit. Ignore spawndom, DP and duplicates(perhaps bloated as well). A bunch(half) of the boons would be totally useless(+1BS, +1str shooting weapon, EW, 11-16, 21-23, 64-66) but a 5 man unit would get 5 rolls. A 10 man unit would probably get 5 somewhat useful minor buffs.

It would make possessed useful and fun. Very chaotic and random, like the fluff. It would also make use of the chaos boon table which is otherwise a terrible mechanic.

That would be an absolute nightmare to keep track of...

 Heartless wrote:
That would be an absolute nightmare to keep track of...

because it all happens pregame it wouldnt be so bad. You roll them all at once and then it applies to all models in the unit. As half the results give no bonus you arent going to have too many adjustments. Considering that CSM can easily field 10 champions, each either the own gifts, mutations, and that they can forever changing in the process of the game I dont think one squad also having buffs is that much of a problem

It helps to have flash cards for each unit. I start with the base stats for the champion and edit as needed throughout the game

 Exergy wrote:


because it all happens pregame it wouldnt be so bad. You roll them all at once and then it applies to all models in the unit. As half the results give no bonus you arent going to have too many adjustments. Considering that CSM can easily field 10 champions, each either the own gifts, mutations, and that they can forever changing in the process of the game I dont think one squad also having buffs is that much of a problem

However, you'd have to remember which model got which boon and for many of them (i.e Fleet, Stubborn etc.) would be absolutely useless and the relatively useful ones such as the +1WS would only apply to one model unless you got lucky.

All that I feel this mechanic would add to the codex is more time-wasting. Possessed would be fine if you just removed the random element to them and let them choose which ability to apply.

 Heartless wrote:

 Exergy wrote:


because it all happens pregame it wouldnt be so bad. You roll them all at once and then it applies to all models in the unit. As half the results give no bonus you arent going to have too many adjustments. Considering that CSM can easily field 10 champions, each either the own gifts, mutations, and that they can forever changing in the process of the game I dont think one squad also having buffs is that much of a problem

However, you'd have to remember which model got which boon and for many of them (i.e Fleet, Stubborn etc.) would be absolutely useless and the relatively useful ones such as the +1WS would only apply to one model unless you got lucky.

All that I feel this mechanic would add to the codex is more time-wasting. Possessed would be fine if you just removed the random element to them and let them choose which ability to apply.

which is why i stated that each boon would apply to the WHOLE squad. so if one model got +1 WS the whole squad would be WS5. If one model got +1 strength, the whole squad would be str6.

I think the Possessed is fine, they just need cheaper everything. Like, cheaper model cost and cheaper marks. Vessels of Chaos is a pretty cool special rule and a Possessed squad with MoK or MoS could be terrifying for the right cost.

This idea seems very RNG. One game you might get +1 to saving throws and re roll failed saving throws, the next you get fleet and +1 BS.

RNG is the enemy of tactics. Tactics is about managing risk and things like this are just too random imo.

I'd run it for a game. It'd be a fun game, but I don't think it'd be a fix for the unit as a whole.

I feel this is fine, infact i would say they get a 1 pregame boon roll per model - like you mentioned. I would only exclude deamon prince, and leave spawn as a option as one chosen one could become a spawn. Keep all marks if they had any; thus allowing you to have a mixed unit of spawn and chosen. The extra wound one also seem right, but apply it to the entire unit, and stop at 2 rolls of it. And i would play that every day of the week!

 Exergy wrote:
So possessed are terrible. 26 points, no more attacks than a 13 point CSM(BP + CCW). No more survivability than a 13 point CSM against non AP3. No grenades. Str5 and possibly shred(who needs to reroll 2+ to wound against IG). You can mark them, but those marks are super expensive.

So how about, for each model in the unit at the beginning of the game, make a roll on the chaos boon table and apply it to the entire unit. Ignore spawndom, DP and duplicates(perhaps bloated as well). A bunch(half) of the boons would be totally useless(+1BS, +1str shooting weapon, EW, 11-16, 21-23, 64-66) but a 5 man unit would get 5 rolls. A 10 man unit would probably get 5 somewhat useful minor buffs.

It would make possessed useful and fun. Very chaotic and random, like the fluff. It would also make use of the chaos boon table which is otherwise a terrible mechanic.

Make it so that any gifts of mutation that the Champion takes apply to the unit. Aaand there you go!

Also making them cheaper would be nice as well.

They should have Scout and perhaps Acute Senses so they can actually fulfil their fluff "tracker" role without relying on Master of Deception.

And one of the mutation results should be changed to Rending so they have a non-zero chance against walkers.

 Vladsimpaler wrote:


Also making them cheaper would be nice as well.

as they are now you could drop their point cost from 26 to 21 and they would be balance, but still no fun and not useful.

What I suggest with 1 mutation for every member applying to the whole squad would still not make them terribly powerful but they would be very random and very fun.

You make 2 Rolls on the Boon Chart, rerolling double results and Spawnhood/Deamonhood, the whole unit gets the benefits of the rolls.

They are equiped with 2 CCW, or they can buy a Pistol for +1pts, they have nads.

They have the Scout special rule.

"Deamonic Rampage", when the Champion wins a duel and roll on the Boons table, the whole unit benefits from the roll.

Points stays the same.

I say they should get a Mark of (whatever) as standard and be able to swap for any other mark for free (except Chaos Ascedent). From a fluff perspective, it has to be one of the Bog 4's Daemons possessing them, so they should get the appriate mark.

 Slayer le boucher wrote:
You make 2 Rolls on the Boon Chart, rerolling double results and Spawnhood/Deamonhood, the whole unit gets the benefits of the rolls.

They are equiped with 2 CCW, or they can buy a Pistol for +1pts, they have nads.

They have the Scout special rule.

"Deamonic Rampage", when the Champion wins a duel and roll on the Boons table, the whole unit benefits from the roll.

Points stays the same.

that could work, less random but probably more useful

I used my possessed for the first time with the new codex last night and they did really well. I had a unit of 8 with the mark of khorne, icon of wrath and 2 boons on the champ (I got +1 wound and fleshbane) on foot and they killed their points worth whilst only losing 3 possessed the whole game. I think I might use them more often.

 edbradders wrote:
I used my possessed for the first time with the new codex last night and they did really well. I had a unit of 8 with the mark of khorne, icon of wrath and 2 boons on the champ (I got +1 wound and fleshbane) on foot and they killed their points worth whilst only losing 3 possessed the whole game. I think I might use them more often.

300 points for 8(9 with the lucky boon) 3+ save wounds?

I don't have a chaos army but I do love the idea and models of possessed and would definately have a unit if I did.

I like the idea of having the unit roll on the boon table before the game and apply it to the whole unit.

Suitably chaotic and could be awesome or could be rubbish. Perfect for possessed imo.

GW seem to be going for the random element to chaos right now, especially with daemons getting random tables for daemonic gifts. That was an unexpected change to be sure!

yeah I feel like you could get something absolutely ridiculous though by having a roll on the chart for each model, if I take 20 models that's an extremely OP group that would function as an uber grimdark Paladin unit, +1W, +1save, reroll saves, comes stock with 5++ and who knows what for when they're in CC they would absolutely kill anything in the game short of AV13+ (unless they got rending) for only 26 pts each? compared to like 35 for a basic termy? just being realistic here but 1 for each is too much.

I like the idea of "Daemonic Rampage" giving boons gained by the champion to the entire squad, this way if you wanted to you could give the entire squad at the start of the game 2 boons, which in that case could still be awesome (2+ reroll) or terrible while lowering the chance of the awesome occurring. Game changing? depends on how many you brought and thus, how much you gambled with.

Also it would be kinda cool if Daemon Princes caused fear/warp in a 12" radius or something and gave a bonus to Daemonic CSM. Fluffwise it would just be the warp rift spilling out from his powerful body or something

I don't know much about possessed fluffwise but it'd be funny if they had an infiltrate rule called "they were there the whole time" and they only appear when you move them or on a modified deny the witch roll based on distance to as they are covered in a shroud of darkness or something

Well there was a time in 3rd Ed, before the Hainesdex, where Posseseds rolled 3 times on their Deamonic chart.

if you where lucky the whole unit whas moving 12 like jump infantry, have their 3+ become 3++, and all count has having Power weapons...

In Haines Dex, there profil was similar has now, but you could buy your Mutations, and thus choose it.

Because of my WE list restrictions, i had no acces to Raptors, and so my Posseseds, where all with wings, 25pts a model for Khorne Flying Posseseds, but man did they do their job right.

I don't have to speak of the Gavedex Posseseds...

Actual Possedes can be good, but thats a bit of a "IF", you do the right thing.