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A question regarding the Only War logistics system. A squad has a rating of 10 or so when they start out, but if a Commissar were part of the squad, wouldn't that bump the squad logistics rating up to 50 (Commissariat level) or is the squad commissar not like that and not allowed to do so?

I think it would go off of the commissar's rating, it doesn't seem to mention anything about averaging it out, or how commissars won't use their influence for their squad's goodies, or anything that makes it seem like you have to use the lower rating. But then it doesn't seem to really give direction as to how to go about it...

As an aside, how have you found Only War? I just got my hands on the rules, and they seem interesting. Now to get my friends into it/hope the store I'm moving close to plays...

Yeah, figured as much, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone chimed in to say that the PC commissar isn't like the other commissars and blah blah blah.

So far I'm enjoying it a lot though, I'd love to see more regimental background though.

I think the next book will have more regimental backgrounds, Tanith included apparently.

Yeah, could do without those, they belong in the novels, not on the tabletop or whatever imho.

 BrookM wrote:
Yeah, could do without those, they belong in the novels, not on the tabletop or whatever imho.

To a certain extent I agree, but they will serve a purpose for those who lack the imagination or flexibility of some of us and allow them to enjoy the game to an extent that they otherwise couldn't, by being able to relate to their character when they otherwise couldn't.

But I do get what you mean. I'm knocking together a regiment to trial with my friends, a drop-reconnaissance unit, light and fast. It is just too much fun to make up your own, too much of a chance to play god.

Which regiments are you most interested in?

Mechanized seems to be the best of all things really. An infantry squad but with access to a somewhat powerful vehicle? Seems like the best way to go about things, plus it's always fun to take the big toys away from time to time through fuel shortage or the players being too rough (or inept) at handling it.

We'll see I guess, I'm leaving regimental creation to them.

The rules for a squad's Logistics Rating are laid out on page 161. Essentially, all squads start with a base LR 10. You can boost this by taking the Munitorum Influence talent, and the GM can add to or subtract from your LR depending on how well the squad performs in the campaign.

Table 6-1 appears to just be examples to indicate what sort of other personnel might merit what Logisitics Rating. If it were the case that you looked up the highest ranked officer on the chart, then the starting LR of 10 would make no sense. Every squad has an NCO of some sort, and so would have a LR of at least 15, possibly as high as 25. The table is also not referred to, AFAICT, in the rest of the rules text.

And from a background perspective, a random commissar assigned to a random squad wouldn't be able to bring the full weight of the Commissariat behind getting his squad some shiny toys. They should make do with what the Emperor provides.

Æscholt wrote:And from a background perspective, a random commissar assigned to a random squad wouldn't be able to bring the full weight of the Commissariat behind getting his squad some shiny toys. They should make do with what the Emperor provides.

I think in theory, he should be able to (who says "no" to a Commissar?) ... but simply wouldn't do it.

The rules are in place for a reason, and a Commissar should enforce, not bend them.

After all, each item unjustfully acquired will be missed elsewhere. Stop compromising the war effort, or are you a traitor?

This isn't about breaking the game by getting flash kit.

 Lynata wrote:

The rules are in place for a reason, and a Commissar should enforce, not bend them.

After all, each item unjustfully acquired will be missed elsewhere. Stop compromising the war effort, or are you a traitor?

One could argue that it isn't bending the rules nor unjustly acquiring items, instead ensuring that their mission will be completed in the Emperor's name. Like much in the 40k lore and RPGs as a whole, it comes down to perspective

motyak wrote:One could argue that it isn't bending the rules nor unjustly acquiring items, instead ensuring that their mission will be completed in the Emperor's name. Like much in the 40k lore and RPGs as a whole, it comes down to perspective

Yet the Requisition rules are used for equipment which High Command does not believe to be necessary for accomplishing the mission, otherwise they'd have given it to the squad by themselves. The Logistics system is for the stuff that the soldiers would like to have. I'm sure that each and every squad in the Imperial Guard would try to make a case about how they really need carapace armour rather than flak. It'd certainly give them a greater chance to complete their mission. As would handing them plasma guns or power armour. You see where I'm going with this?

If it were my game, I'd probably make it a sort of minor challenge for the players to deceive their Commissar PC regarding fancy nonstandard gear, like by coming up with an excuse about how they were actually supposed to receive it and how the Munitorum acted on its own and sent them this stuff... rather than admitting that you've been haggling with other troopers.

Matter of interpretation, I guess.

In any way, after re-reading the rules, it appears that Logistics rating is a squad thing, and it can only be increased either by purchasing the Munitorum Influence talent or by increasing their fame. Even when a single player character - such as the Commissar or the Sergeant - makes a Logistics test, he will still use the squad's rating, regardless of the higher rating associated with their station. So, strictly going by the RAW, it's a clear "no" about using the Commissar's LR. Though it should be no surprise that a difference of a whopping 500%(!) shouldn't depend on one of the players picking a specific class.

Again, this isn't about breaking the game and attempting to gain high-end kit for the squad for feths sake.

I'd say no, your squad doesn't count as 'The Commissariat', because that's just daffy. You're a squad, Commissar or no. You start at the low logistics level and that's it.

Der Fuhrer has spoken!

Just say your commissar is very Cain-esque, and requisition stuff at that level anyway

Nah, I know you aren't doing it for gain (you did say that twice), it is just an option if that player takes that path

No, feth Cain, besides its Jurgen that does all the magic and receives zero credit!

It was never about getting more kit than required for a mission, though I am a bit more at ease now about other, less reputable players being commissars and abusing any perceived power they had hoped to find there. There's still the whole "Summary execution" ability that's pretty daft in what it does, but I think that's one I wont be using.

Daft? I think it is a hilarious rule.

'I just promoted your comrade! Fight harder!'

Wouldn't you?

And summary execution had to get in there somewhere, it is better than him offing whoever was unlucky enough to choose sergeant at character generation

Yeah, but shooting the buddy of someone about to die, thus magically motivating him not to die just yet? "Shove off comrade medic, I am now also doctor who hands out fabulous prizes in .75 format."

Well, beats the Dawn of War motivation I guess, shooting a squad member resulting in certain buffs. If that were the case the squad would burn through comrades in no time at all.

Yeah, I thought it would make more sense to activate upon badly failed fear tests or something like that. I can see the issue with 'What a coward, he is near eviscerated! Now your comrade's death will galvanize you! What, your guts are still hanging out? Well...the Emperor protects'

Yeah, that might've worked better, or not. I'm not a writer after all. Also, changed the thread title a wee bit to keep the jackals away.

I have a question in regards to Operator, how important is 'put that out!' as a comrade order do you think? I'm thinking of buying it as my first advance after the first mission, but I'm worried I'll burn to death beforehand...along with the rest of the guys in my vehicle

How big is the chance that a vehicle catches fire? Also, what kind of vehicle are we looking at?

It is only 6 results over 4 charts, so I guess I'd have to be unlucky. And it'd be chimera chassis probably, since it'll be the squad's first mission I can't see us getting a russ or anything. We are also drop troops, so that limits the chances of us getting real heavy armour.

If you are going with drop troops I'd personally say give them a Drop Sentinel as the heaviest of support weapons or have a Valkyrie shuttle them to locations, fuel and flight range permitting.

Granted, the missions are very eager in giving the PC's a Chimera at every turn, but it doesn't really mesh well with the drop trooper package.

Are there rules for a Valkyrie? I keep looking and can't find it

 motyak wrote:
I have a question in regards to Operator, how important is 'put that out!' as a comrade order do you think? I'm thinking of buying it as my first advance after the first mission, but I'm worried I'll burn to death beforehand...along with the rest of the guys in my vehicle

I made sure fire damage is decidedly lethal. Leave your tank alight for too long and BOOM. Putting out fires inside (or even outside) vehicles is of paramount importance.

And no, there aren’t any rules for Valks. No aircraft in the book, just tanks.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 motyak wrote:
I have a question in regards to Operator, how important is 'put that out!' as a comrade order do you think? I'm thinking of buying it as my first advance after the first mission, but I'm worried I'll burn to death beforehand...along with the rest of the guys in my vehicle

I made sure fire damage is decidedly lethal. Leave your tank alight for too long and BOOM. Putting out fires inside (or even outside) vehicles is of paramount importance.

Thanks for that. I'll be sure to blame you when we die a burney horrible death.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
And no, there aren’t any rules for Valks. No aircraft in the book, just tanks.

Ok I thought so. You may not be able to say, but are rules for fliers likely to show up later? Or not

Chances are the Valkyrie will show up in the Hammer of the Emperor source book a.k.a. the shop book.

 BrookM wrote:
Chances are the Valkyrie will show up in the Hammer of the Emperor source book a.k.a. the shop book.

By shop book you mean the one which is full of items and what not? The 'Inquisitors Handbook' of the series if that makes sense?