Legiones Astartes – Zardu Layak
- Zardu Layak 180 Points
The Crimson Apostle, The Thrice-Born, The Binder of Souls, The Voice of the Unspeaking
UNIT COMPOSITION: 1 ZARDU LAYAK
• May include up to 2 Anakatis Kul at +60 Points per Model.Zardu Layak’s true name is lost to time but he took the name he now bears some time after his Legion’s punishment at Monorchia. He came to be known as the Crimson Apostle for his fiery raiment and the scalding blood in which he daubed his armour. Suffused in dark powers that he uses to destroy minds and bodies, Zardu Layak walks his bloody path accompanied by hulking bodyguards, the Anakatis Kul each corrupted by the warped xenos blades bestowed upon them by their dark master.
| LD | CL | WP | IN | |||||||||||
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | LD | CL | WP | IN | SAV | INV | |
| Zardu Layak (⌀32mm) | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||
| Zardu Layak (⌀32mm) | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 2+ | 4+ |
| Anakatis Kul (⌀40mm) | 10 | 9 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||
| Anakatis Kul (⌀40mm) | 8 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3+ | - |
WARGEAR
Zardu Layak
- The Azurda Char’is
- Bolt pistol
- The Panoply of Flame
- Frag grenades
- Krak grenades
Anakatis Kul
- Anakatis Blade
- Plasma pistol
TRAITS
- Traitor
- Word Bearers
- Psyker (Zardu Layak only)
SPECIAL RULES
Zardu Layak
- Hatred (Loyalist)
- Binder of Souls
Anakatis Kul
- Bulky (2)
- Feel No Pain (5+)
- Explodes (6+)
- Fear (1)
TYPE
- Zardu Layak: Infantry (Unique, Command, Malefic)
- Anakatis Kul: Infantry (Champion, Malefic)
WARGEAR
The Azurda Char’is
It is unknown how the Crimson Apostle acquired this potent artefact, or by what hidden lore he has modified it to his usage.
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| The Azurda Char’is | |||||||
| The Azurda Char’is | +1 | A | +2 | 4 | 2 | Force (D) | Psychic |
The Panoply of Flame
The Panoply of Flame serves both as a war banner and as a weapon to turn on Zardu Layak’s enemies, his warp gifts allowing him to mould the unclean flame the Panoply now produces by will alone.
The Panoply of Flame gives the Controlling Player an additional point of Combat Resolution.When resolving a Combat in the Resolution Sub-Phase of the Assault Phase, score 1 Combat Resolution point for the Unit that includes a Model with the Panoply of Flame.
Anakatis Blade
These occult blades reek of unholy, warp-spawned power and their forging may well have pre-dated human life. Dark and coiling entities have been trapped within the blades, entities that whisper promises of untold might and power, but such promises are only bought at a terrifying price to both body and soul.
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Anakatis Blade | |||||||
| Anakatis blade | I | A | S | 3 | 2 | Breaching (6+), Phage (S) | Psychic |
SPECIAL RULES
Binder of Souls
As an acolyte of Erebus, Zardu Layak’s mastery of malevolent warpcraft is unparalleled.
Zardu Layak has specific Psychic Powers.A Model with this Special Rule gains the Soul Binding Psychic Power and the Breach the Veil Psychic Power.
SOUL BINDING
(Psychic Power, Curse)
Focus: The Focus of the Power must be a Zardu Layak Model.
Target: The Target Unit must be an enemy Unit in the same Combat as the Focus Model.
Duration: If successfully Manifested, the effects of this Psychic Power last until the end of the Make Final Pile-in Moves Step of that Combat.
(Psychic Power, Curse)
Zardu Layak has long since mastered the art of shackling the will of another, binding it to his own and turning enemies into unwitting thralls.
Trigger: The Active Player may choose to Manifest the Soul Binding Psychic Power in the Assault Phase, at the start of the Declare Weapons and Set Initiative Steps Step of the Fight Sub-Phase.Focus: The Focus of the Power must be a Zardu Layak Model.
Target: The Target Unit must be an enemy Unit in the same Combat as the Focus Model.
Duration: If successfully Manifested, the effects of this Psychic Power last until the end of the Make Final Pile-in Moves Step of that Combat.
Process
- Once the Focus and Target Unit have been decided, the Target Unit’s Controlling Player makes a Resistance Check for that Unit.
- If the Resistance Check is failed, the Controlling Player of the Focus Model can select one Model with a Willpower Characteristic of 7 or less from the Target Unit.
- For the Duration of this Psychic Power, the selected Model is considered to be under the control of the Controlling Player of the Focus of this Power.
- If the Resistance Check succeeds then there is no further effect.
Leadership (LD) – The Leadership Characteristic is primarily used to resolve Checks to determine when a Unit will stand its ground or flee. For more details see the Combat Resolution Rules. When a Model’s Leadership Characteristic reaches 0, any Check it is used to determine the Target Number for automatically fails with no Dice rolled. However, a Unit that includes one or more Models with a Leadership of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make a Panic or Leadership Check suffers no penalties.
Cool (CL) – The Cool Characteristic is primarily used to resist Statuses. For more details see the Rules for Tactical Statuses. When a Model’s Cool reaches 0, any Check it is used to determine the Target Number for automatically fails with no Dice rolled. However, a Unit that includes one or more Models with a Cool of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make a Cool Check suffers no penalties.
Willpower (WP) – The Willpower Characteristic is primarily used for Checks made for Psychic Attacks or Powers. For more details see the Rules for Psychic Powers. When a Model’s Willpower Characteristic reaches 0, any Check it is used to determine the Target Number for, automatically fails with no Dice rolled. However, a Unit that includes one or more Models with a Willpower of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make a Willpower Check suffers no penalties.
Intelligence (IN) – The Intelligence Characteristic is primarily used for Checks to activate certain Wargear items and Rules. When a Model’s Intelligence Characteristic reaches 0, any Check it is used to determine the Target Number for automatically fails with no Dice rolled. However, a Unit that includes one or more Models with an Intelligence of 0 but uses a Model with a higher value to make an Intelligence Check suffers no penalties.
Movement (M) – The Movement Characteristic is primarily used to determine how far a Model can move during the Movement Phase, with higher values denoting an ability to move further (see Moving Units). If a Model’s Movement Characteristic is reduced to 0, then the Controlling Player may not move, Rush or otherwise change the Model’s position on the Battlefield regardless of any other Rules that may affect it until its Movement is changed to a value greater than 0.
Weapon Skill (WS) – The Weapon Skill Characteristic is primarily used to determine a Model’s ability to attack during a Combat in the Assault Phase, with a higher value making it both easier for the Model to make attacks and more difficult for opponents to do so (see Melee Hit Tests). If a Model’s Weapon Skill is reduced to 0 then that Model cannot make attacks in a Combat (if the Hit Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test). Enemy Models whose attacks target a Model with Weapon Skill 0, or a Unit whose majority Weapon Skill is 0, treat the Target Model as though it had a Weapon Skill of T to determine the Target Number for any Hit Tests required.
Ballistic Skill (BS) – The Ballistic Skill Characteristic is primarily used to determine a Model’s ability to make attacks during a Shooting Attack, with a higher value making it easier to succeed at attacks (see Ranged Hit Tests). If a Model’s Ballistic Skill is reduced to 0 then that Model cannot make Shooting Attacks, even if no Hit Test is required or it would have otherwise automatically succeeded due to the use of a Special Rule.
Strength (S) – The Strength Characteristic is primarily used to determine the effectiveness of Wound Tests inflicted by Melee Weapons, with a higher value making it easier to inflict wounds. If a Model’s Strength Characteristic is reduced to 0 then any Wound Tests made that would use that Characteristic or for any Melee Weapon automatically fails and no Dice are rolled for it (if the Wound Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test).
Toughness (T) – The Toughness Characteristic is primarily used as part of Wound Tests, with a higher value making it harder for attacks to inflict wounds on a Target Unit or Model. If a Model is reduced to 0 Toughness then all Wound Tests made targeting it are automatically successful and no Dice are rolled (if the Wound Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to have been automatically activated as part of the Test).
Wounds (W) – The Wounds Characteristic is primarily used to determine a Model’s capacity for receiving Damage during a Battle, with a higher value allowing a Model to sustain more damage before it is removed from play. When a Model’s Wounds Characteristic is reduced to 0 that Model is Removed as a Casualty, see the Rules for Casualties here.
Initiative (I) – The Initiative Characteristic is primarily used to determine the order in which Models make attacks during Combat, with Models with a higher Initiative Value making attacks before those with lower values. For more details, see the Set-up Move Distance for the Assault Phase. When a Model’s Initiative Characteristic is reduced to 0, then that Model will generally be forced to attack after other Models, but suffers no other penalty.
Attacks (A) – The Attacks Characteristic is primarily used to determine the number of attacks a Model may make in a Combat, with the value of the Characteristic indicating the number of attacks that can be made (see Melee Hit Tests). When a Model’s Attacks Characteristic is reduced to 0 then that Model may not make any attacks as part of a Combat.
Armour Save (SAV) – An Armour Save is used to attempt to negate wounds suffered by a Model. When a Model’s Armour Save is at its minimum value of ‘-’, that Model may not make Armour Tests.
Invulnerable Save (INV) – An Invulnerable Save is used to negate wounds that would normally ignore or bypass an Armour Save. When a Model’s Invulnerable Save is at its minimum value of ‘-’, that Model may not make Invulnerable Tests.
Range (R) – This Characteristic determines the maximum distance, in inches ("), at which attacks may be made with a Weapon. A Weapon with Range 0 or ‘-’ may not make attacks as part of a Shooting Attack.
Firepower (FP) – This Characteristic is used to determine how many Dice are rolled when making attacks with this Weapon. A Weapon with a Firepower Characteristic of 0 may not be used to make attacks of any kind.
Ranged Strength (RS) – This Characteristic is used only during Wound Tests or Armour Penetration Tests for attacks made using ranged Weapons. If a Weapon has a Strength Characteristic of ‘0’ or then any Wound Tests made for it automatically fail and no Dice are rolled (if the Wound Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test).
Armour Penetration (AP) – This Characteristic is used to determine if a Model Hit by attacks made with a Weapon may make an Armour Test. Like Saving Throws, lower values are more valuable for this Characteristic. When modifying the Armour Penetration Characteristic the same Rules are used as those for modifying Saving Throws.
Damage (D) – This Characteristic determines how the Wounds or Hull Points Characteristic of a Target Model that fails a Saving Throw after sustaining a wound from a Weapon is modified. A Weapon with a Damage Characteristic of 0 cannot inflict Damage on a Model, regardless of the Weapon’s other Characteristics or Special Rules.
Rules and Special Rules
The term Rule refers to any instructions that allow Players to resolve game actions as part of a Battle, covering all of the interactions between Models and Units (such as moving, Shooting and making Assaults). All of the material in the Principles of Combat, Rules of Battle and Battles in the Age of Darkness sections of this book are considered to be Rules. Special Rules modify how a Rule works, but do not present new basic game instructions, and in this book are mostly found in the Armoury of the Age of Darkness section. In all cases, Special Rules take precedence over Rules where the two present differing instructions.
Traits
Traits are a special kind of Characteristic, one which all Models have but which confers no inherent Rules or benefit on its own. Instead, Traits are used by other Special Rules and effects to target specific Models and apply benefits or penalties. The most common Traits are those for Allegiance and Faction, which are possessed by almost all Models. Allegiance requires that each Model have either the Loyalist or Traitor Trait, and most Models will gain one or more Traits based on the Army List from which they were selected.For example, a Legionary selected from the Imperial Fists Faction and selected as part of a Loyalist Army would have the Loyalist and Imperial Fists Traits. On their own these Traits have no effect on the Model’s Characteristics, Points cost or other features, but Rules that target Imperial Fists or Loyalist Models will apply their effects to the Model.
In addition to Models, Weapons can also have Traits. These are usually different to those possessed by Models, but are used for the same purposes. Weapons will commonly have Traits that define the type of Weapon it is or a specific type of usage. For example, a bolt pistol has the following Traits: Assault, Bolt. These identify which ‘family’ of Weapons it belongs to for any Rules that might only affect ‘Bolt’ Weapons and notes that it can be used for attacks where only ‘Assault’ Weapons may be used.
While they appear similar to Characteristics, it is important to note that Traits never have a ‘value’ attached to them. Furthermore, Traits cannot be modified in any way by another Special Rule or effect during a Battle, unless a Rule specifically states it affects a Trait.
Pistol
Compact and deadly, pistols are ideal weapons in close quarters. They lack the sheer range of larger weapons, but can be brought to bear with impressive speed and are no less deadly than their larger counterparts.
A Model may attack with two Weapons that have the Pistol Special Rule.During Step 3 of any Shooting Attack, a Player may choose to have a Model under their control make attacks with two Weapons rather than one if both Weapons have the Pistol Special Rule.
Bolt pistol
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Bolt pistol | |||||||
| Bolt pistol | 12 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | Pistol | Assault, Bolt |
Shooting Attacks
A Shooting Attack is the process by which a Unit makes a coordinated series of attacks targeting an enemy Unit.In order to make a Shooting Attack for a Unit that has been selected during the Attack Sub-Phase, as part of a Reaction or for any other Rule or Sub-Phase that requires a Shooting Attack to be made, the following procedure must be followed:
As part of the Rules for conducting a Shooting Attack, the term ‘Attacking Unit’ will be used to refer to the Unit whose Models will be making attacks as part of that Shooting Attack, while the term ‘Attacking Player’ will be used to identify the Player that controls the Attacking Unit. The term ‘Target Unit’ will be used to refer to the Unit that is selected as the Target Unit for the Shooting Attack.
Blast (X)
Some weapons trade precision for indiscriminate destruction, high explosive impacts that can devastate a wide area. From artillery shells to high energy blasts, such weapons are popular tools of destruction on the battlefields of the Horus Heresy.
Attacks made with the Blast (X) Special Rule use a Blast Marker to determine how many Hits are caused.When making attacks with a Weapon that has the Blast (X) Special Rule, before any Hit Tests are made, a Blast Marker must first be placed to determine how many Hits may be inflicted by the attack. The Player making the attack must place the Blast Marker indicated in brackets as part of the Special Rule so that the hole in the middle is entirely over the Base of any one Model in the Target Unit. Once the Blast Marker has been placed, the Player making the attack must make a Hit Test for the attack, and each Model from the Target Unit that is fully or partially under the Blast Marker will suffer 1 Hit if the Hit Test is successful.
Hits on Other Units
If any Models from Units other than the Target Unit are fully or partially covered by the Blast Marker, then a new Fire Group must be created for those Hits and set to one side. Continue resolving the Shooting Attack on the original Target Unit, and once that Shooting Attack has been completely resolved begin a new Shooting Attack to resolve those additional Fire Groups generated for Units other than the original Target Unit.
If any Models from Units other than the Target Unit are fully or partially covered by the Blast Marker, then a new Fire Group must be created for those Hits and set to one side. Continue resolving the Shooting Attack on the original Target Unit, and once that Shooting Attack has been completely resolved begin a new Shooting Attack to resolve those additional Fire Groups generated for Units other than the original Target Unit.
If the Hit Test is unsuccessful then no Hits are inflicted and the Player making the attack must make a Scatter Roll for the Blast Marker. Once a Scatter Roll has been made for the Blast Marker and it has been moved, one Hit is inflicted on a Unit for each Model from that Unit that is wholly or partially covered by the Blast Marker.
Hits can be scored on both friendly and enemy Units by attacks using the Blast (X) Special Rule. Hits inflicted by Weapons with the Blast (X) Special Rule are allocated in the same manner as other Hits, regardless of which actual Models were under the Blast Marker and the Blast Marker may not be used to inflict Hits on specific Models.
If a Fire Group includes multiple attacks made with the Blast (X) Special Rule, do not place multiple Blast Markers. A single Blast Marker is placed using the Rules detailed above, and a Hit Test is made for each attack in that Fire Group. For each successful Hit Test, one Hit is inflicted for each Model from the target Unit that is fully or partially under the Blast Marker. If any Hit Tests are unsuccessful then, after any Hits made by successful Hit Tests are counted, a single Scatter Roll is made for the Blast Marker, regardless of the total number of unsuccessful Hit Tests. For each Hit Test that was unsuccessful, one Hit is inflicted on a Unit for each Model from that Unit that is wholly or partially covered by the Blast Marker after the Scatter Roll has been resolved.
Initiative Modifier (IM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Initiative Characteristic to determine that Model’s Combat Initiative. A Weapon with an Initiative Modifier of 0 forces the Model attacking with it to set their Combat Initiative to a value of 0. Furthermore, a Weapon with an Initiative Modifier of ‘1’ imposes no modifier to the Initiative Characteristic of a Model.
Attacks Modifier (AM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Attacks Characteristic to determine how many Dice are rolled when making attacks with this Weapon. A Weapon with an Attacks Modifier Characteristic of 0 may not be used to make attacks during the Fight Sub-Phase. Furthermore, a Weapon with an Attacks Modifier of ‘A’ imposes no modifier to the Attacks Characteristic of a Model.
Strength Modifier (SM) – This Characteristic is applied as a modifier to a Model’s Strength Characteristic to determine the Strength used to make Wound Tests in Combat. A Weapon with a Strength Modifier Characteristic of 0 automatically fails any Wound Tests during the Fight Sub-Phase and no Dice are rolled (if the Wound Test could have triggered a variable Special Rule, then that Rule is considered to automatically fail to activate as part of the Test). Furthermore, a Weapon with a Strength Modifier of ‘S’ imposes no modifier to the Strength Characteristic of a Model.
Fall Back – All Models in the Unit gain the Routed Status if they did not already have it. Units with the Routed Status must then make an immediate Fall Back Move.
LOCKED IN COMBAT – If the Assault Sequence ends and at least one Target Unit has neither been forced to Fall Back or been entirely Removed as Casualties, then the Units involved remain in place with at least one Model from each Unit in Base-to-Base Contact with an enemy Model. These Units are ‘Locked in Combat’ and may not be selected or moved in the Movement Phase or selected to make Shooting Attacks in the Shooting Phase. They may be selected during the Fight and Challenge Sub-Phases of the Assault Phase by the Active Player, but may not make a Charge or otherwise be selected in the Charge Sub-Phase.
Detonation
Designed to be carefully attached to a target and blast precise holes in the thickest armour, these cumbersome devices are ill-suited to open war. However, when a vulnerable target can be isolated in battle, there are no better tools for piercing its protection.
Weapons with this Special Rule can only attack Vehicles and immobile Models.A Weapon or attack with this Special Rule may only be selected during Step 2 of any Combat in the Fight Sub-Phase if the Unit making attacks is only Locked in Combat with enemy Units composed of Models with the Vehicle Type and Models with a Movement Characteristic of ‘0’ or ‘-’. If a Unit is Locked in Combat with any enemy Units that include any Models that do not have the Vehicle Type or a Movement Characteristic of ‘0’ or ‘-’ then no Model may use a Weapon or other attack that has this Special Rule.
A Weapon or other attack with this Special Rule may also be used to make attacks targeting a Model with the Building Type or a Terrain Piece that has a Toughness or Armour Characteristic.
Krak grenades
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Krak grenades | |||||||
| Krak grenades | -3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | Detonation | - |
Infantry
Infantry units include all types of foot soldiers. Infantry are fairly slow moving, but can cross almost any terrain and make the best use of cover to avoid enemy fire.
Infantry is the most basic Type, and is applied to most Models in the game. A Model with the Infantry Type uses the Core Rules without modification, gaining neither benefit nor penalty. Models with the Infantry Type may Embark and Disembark upon Models with the Transport Sub-Type.Breaching (X)
Designed to pierce the armour worn by heavy infantry, some weapons have gained a fearsome reputation on the battlefields of the Floras Heresy. While many such weapons are rare or temperamental in use, the sheer power of their attacks more than makes up for this.
With a Weapon that has the Breaching (X) Special Rule there is a chance that a Wound Test may result in the Wound ignoring Armour Saves.When any Wound Test is made for an attack with the Breaching (X) Special Rule, if the result of the Dice roll, before any modifiers are applied, is equal to or greater than the value of X attached to this variant of the Breaching (X) Special Rule, then if a wound is inflicted by that Wound Test, that wound becomes a ‘Breaching Wound’.
A Breaching Wound is always treated as having an AP Characteristic of 2 regardless of the Characteristics of the Weapon used to make the attack.
Combat Initiative Score – A Model’s Combat Initiative score is the combined value of that Model’s current Initiative Characteristic and the Initiative Modifier Characteristic of the Weapon used to make attacks for that Model. It determines in which Initiative Step attacks may be made for that Model.
Initiative Step – A Combat Round is made up of Initiative Steps, each of which has a value assigned to it to show the order in which they are resolved. In each Initiative Step, Models whose Combat Initiative score is equal to the value of the Initiative Step may make attacks. Initiative Steps are always resolved in descending order, from highest to lowest. As such, Initiative Step 10 is resolved before Initiative Step 9. Models removed from Combat before the Initiative Step in which they can attack lose the opportunity to make attacks.
COMBAT – A Combat is a reference to two or more Units conducting an ongoing struggle, where at least one Model from each Unit is in Base-to-Base Contact. Outside of the Assault Phase, a Combat is considered one entity and no other Unit may move through it or end a move within 1" of any Model in the Combat. No Unit in a Combat may be the target of any Shooting Attack.
ENGAGED
A Model is Engaged if either:
A Model is Engaged if either:
- That Model is in Base Contact with an enemy Model in the same Combat.
- That Model is no more than 2" from another Model in the same Unit which is in Base Contact with an enemy Model.
Penetrating Hits – For each Penetrating Hit result, the target Unit suffers 1 Penetrating Hit. If available, any Saving Throws or Damage Mitigation Rolls may be made to discard the Penetrating Hit in the appropriate Step of the attack process (see the Rules for Shooting Attacks or Melee Attacks). If not discarded due to a Saving Throw or Damage Mitigation Roll the Model will lose a number of Hull Points equal to the Damage Characteristic of the Penetrating Hit, which is decided by the Characteristics of the Weapon used to inflict the Penetrating Hit in the same manner as wounds.
Glancing Hits – A Glancing Hit inflicts no Damage, however for each Glancing Hit, the attacking Player must roll once on the Vehicle Damage Table in Step 11 of the Shooting Attack process or Step 10 of the Initiative Step process (Players may find it useful to place a marker to remind them of this).
Phage (X)
Vile toxins, exotic radiation and all-consuming chemical agents all sap the abilities of warriors in the field even as they kill them. Most terrible are the effects of phosphex, choking the life and strength from those it touches, or the fleshcorroding properties of the dreaded life-eater virus.
Unsaved Wounds with the Phage (X) Special Rule reduce a Characteristic by 1.If an attack made for a Weapon or Model with this Special Rule inflicts one or more Unsaved Wounds on a Target Unit, then once the Shooting Attack or Initiative Step in which the Unsaved Wound was inflicted has been completely resolved, all remaining Models in the Unit that was the target of the attack must reduce the Characteristic that is the value of X for that variant of the Phage (X) Special Rule by 1 for the remainder of the Battle. Models in a Unit may have any number of different Characteristics reduced by 1 by the Phage (X) Special Rule, but no individual Characteristic may be reduced by more than 1 by the Phage (X) Special Rule no matter how many Unsaved Wounds with any variant of that Special Rule are allocated to Models in that Unit.
Overload (X)
Some weapons are almost as dangerous to the wielder as to the foe. Supercharged powerpacks can explode in combat or volatile munitions can jam or even detonate, all of which can prove deadly to those charged with deploying such weapons.
Weapons with this Special Rule may inflict Hits on the Models making Shooting Attacks with them.When the Controlling Player declares that attacks will be made for a Model using a Weapon or profile that has the Overload (X) Special Rule, any Hit Tests made for those attacks that result in a number that is equal to or less than the value of X attached to the variant of the Overload Special Rule that the Weapon had, before any modifiers are applied to the roll, are Misfires.
For Weapons that do not make Hit Tests, such as Weapons with the Template Special Rule, instead roll a number of dice equal to the Firepower Characteristic of the Weapon used to make the attack after the attack has been declared and the number of Models hit is determined. Each Dice that results in a number equal to or less than the value of X attached to the variant of the Overload Special Rule that the Weapon had creates a Misfire. This does not affect the number of Hits on the Target Unit created by this attack.
For each Misfire, the Unit for which the Hit Tests were made suffer a Hit - these Hits must form a new Fire Group or Strike Group, referred to as the ‘Misfire Group’.
Once the current Shooting Attack and any Reactions triggered by it have been fully resolved, the Misfire Group must be resolved. A Misfire Group is resolved in the same way as any other Fire Group or Strike Group, using the Profile of the Weapon used for the Fire Group or Strike Group it was created from. Wounds, Glancing Hits or Penetrating Hits from this Misfire Group are allocated by the Controlling Player, and must be allocated to a Model that made attacks as part of the Fire Group or Strike Group that generated the Misfire Group. If a Hit from a Misfire Group is generated by an attack made by a Model with the Vehicle Type, then it is resolved against the lowest Armour Value from all of the Model’s facings.
Hits, wounds or Casualties inflicted upon a Unit as a result of this Special Rule do not cause Leadership or Cool Checks, and Hits inflicted as part of a Misfire Group do not trigger any Special Rules that take effect as a result of a certain value on a Hit Test.
Army List
Datasheets collatedFaction Rules
• Wargear
Frag Grenades
This class of grenade contains only a small explosive charge, and is intended primarily to disorientate and distract the foe while closing on a fixed position.
Frag grenades can be used to make attacks during the Volley Step.When making Volley Attacks during Step 4 of the Charge Procedure with a Unit that includes at least one Model with frag grenades, the Controlling Player may choose to make a single attack with a frag grenade instead of making a normal Shooting Attack using the following profile:
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Frag Grenades | |||||||
| Frag Grenades | 6 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | Blast (3") | Assault |
Unique
Among the warriors and war machines of the Horus Heresy there are many whose names are known throughout the galaxy. Such heroes, prototypes and icons are rare, and though their power can tip any battle in their favour, they can only be in one place at a time.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Unique Sub-Type:- An Army may not include more than a single instance of a given Model with this Sub-Type. For example, if Model A and Model B both have the Unique Sub-Type then a single Army could include one of Model A and one of Model B, but no more than one of either Model.
- A Model with the Unique Sub-Type or a Unit composed entirely of Models with the Unique Sub-Type may not have any options other than those included on its Army List Profile selected for them.
Transport Capacity – This Characteristic is only used to determine how many Models may Embark upon a Model (see the Transport Rules). Most Models with the Vehicle Type will have a Transport Capacity of 0/-, which simply means that no Models may Embark upon that Model.
Bulky (X)
Transport vehicles are designed to balance armour and capacity, attempting to mount the most protection without compromising how many warriors they can carry. Yet, some warriors are plated in such imposing armour or even spawned in such an aberrant nature that they occupy far more space than any regular fighter. Such warriors are mighty in both power and stature, but prove more difficult to ferry into battle.
Models with the Bulky (X) Special Rule take up more space on Transport Models.A Model with the Bulky (X) Special Rule does not use up 1 Point of Transport Capacity when it Embarks on a Model with the Transport Sub-Type. Instead it uses up a number of points of Transport Capacity equal to the value of X attached to the variant of the Bulky (X) possessed by that Model.
Player
A Player is the actual person moving Models and making rolls, the Player of the game. Battles will include more than one Player, and the Rules will often refer to the Active Player (the Player currently taking their Player Turn) and the Reactive Player (the Player not currently taking their Player Turn, and thus only allowed to interact with the game through Reactions) in order to differentiate between them. Sometimes the Rules will also refer to the Controlling Player, that is the Player that Controls the Unit, Model or other game element the Rule is referring to.
Malefic
Infused with the energies of the Warp and unbound by the normal laws of reality, these creatures ignore mortal concerns. While the ӕther is the source of their strength, when it wanes, such warriors find their forms weakening or even dissolving entirely.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Malefic Sub-Type:- When a Unit composed entirely of Models with the Malefic Sub-Type would gain a Tactical Status of any kind, that Tactical Status is not applied to the Models in the Unit, but instead the Unit suffers D3 automatic wounds with an AP of 2 and a Damage Characteristic of 1 against which no Saving Throws of any kind may be made. Once these wounds are resolved, no Tactical Status is applied to any Model in the Unit.
- Models with the Malefic Sub-Type are not affected by Special Rules that negatively modify their Leadership, Cool, Willpower or Intelligence Characteristics.
- No Model that does not also have the Malefic Sub-Type may join or be joined by a Unit that includes one or more Models with the Malefic Sub-Type.
Trait: Psyker
Many of the Rules for psychic abilities will only be usable by a ‘Psyker’. A Psyker is any Model that has the Psyker Trait on their profile. As with all Traits, the Psyker Trait grants no Rules to a Model in and of itself, nor does it grant any Psychic Weapons, Powers or Reactions, it simply allows a Model to make use of Rules that require a Psyker in order to function, or as a trigger for Rules that target Psykers. For a Model to gain one or more Psychic Weapons, Powers or Reactions, they must either be listed on their profile or selected as options during Army Selection.
Plasma pistol
| Ranged Weapon | |||||||
Ranged Weapon | R | FP | RS | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Plasma pistol | |||||||
| Plasma pistol | |||||||
| - Sustained fire | |||||||
| - Sustained fire | 12 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | Pistol, Breaching (6+) | Assault, Plasma |
| - Maximal fire | |||||||
| - Maximal fire | 12 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | Pistol, Breaching (5+), Overload (1) | Assault, Plasma |
Command
Representing the elite of any army, commanders oversee the disposition of their troops, set strategy for the coming battle and often stand at the forefront of the conflict. The actions of such heroes can change the tide of battle in an instant.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Command Sub-Type:- A Model with the Command Sub-Type may join and leave Units.
- A Model with the Command Sub-Type may Issue and Accept Challenges.
- The Controlling Player of a Unit that includes one or more Models with the Command Sub-Type may use the Characteristics of one of those Models to resolve any Characteristic Checks made for that Unit.
This datasheet has High Command Battlefield Role. Full list of Legiones Astartes units sharing same Battlefield Role follows:
High Command
• Praetor
Hatred (X)
Hatred can be a force as potent as any munition, driving troops to fight harder and more ferociously. The Horus Heresy would stoke old hatreds and spawn many new ones, granting canny commanders ample opportunity to set troops against their chosen foes.
The Hatred (X) Special Rule grants bonuses against enemies of a specific Faction, Type or Trait.When Locked in Combat, or Engaged in a Challenge, with any enemy Models that have the Type or Trait that is the value of X, then all Models with this variant of the Hatred (X) Special Rule gain a bonus of +1 to all Wound Tests made in that Combat.
Fear (X)
Some warriors exude such a terrifying aura that even those hardened by war and death are apprehensive in their presence. Whether this is due to a reputation for cruelty or brutal slaughter or the result of some technological device or psychic glamour makes little difference in the effect it has on the battlefield. Wise commanders will seek to keep their distance and engage such fearsome enemies at range rather than risk their wrath.
Models near an enemy Model with the Fear (X) Special Rule must reduce their Advanced Characteristics.When any Model from a Unit is within 12" of an enemy Model with the Fear (X) Special Rule, all Models in that Unit must reduce their Leadership, Willpower, Cool and Intelligence Characteristics by the value of X. This negative modifier is removed as soon as no Models in a given Unit are within 12" of any Model with the Fear (X) Special Rule. If a Unit would be affected by multiple instances of the Fear (X) Special Rule, the value of X is not stacked and instead the single highest value is used as a negative modifier.
Feel No Pain (X)
Some warriors are so inured to pain and suffering that nothing but the most grievous of hurts will slow their onslaught. The only way to stop such a berserk is to hit them again and again until at last they fall, the toll of their hurts far more than any mortal warrior should be capable of bearing.
Feel No Pain (X) is a Damage Mitigation Test that may be taken in addition to a Saving Throw.A Model with the Feel No Pain (X) Special Rule gains a Feel No Pain Damage Mitigation Test that may be used in Step 9 of the Shooting Attack process or Step 8 of the Initiative Step of the Fight Sub-Phase process to discard wounds allocated to the Model. A Damage Mitigation Test may be made after and in addition to a Saving Throw. The Target Number for a Feel No Pain Damage Mitigation Test is the value of X attached to the specific variant of the Special Rule.
Champion
At the front of any charge and the heart of any defensive line are an army’s champions. These warriors stand ever ready to accept the challenge of their foes and inspire their allies.
The following Rules apply to all Models with the Champion Sub-Type:- A Model with the Champion Sub-Type may Issue and Accept Challenges.
Explodes (X)
Volatile fuel, overpowered reactors or dangerous munitions can cause some war engines to explode when destroyed. Such explosions can prove devastating to friend and foe alike.
A Model with this Special Rule can explode and cause Hits to nearby Models and Units.Before a Model with the Explodes (X) Special Rule is Removed as a Casualty, the Controlling Player must roll a Dice. If the result of that roll equals or exceeds the value of X attached to this variant of the Explodes (X) Special Rule, the Model explodes. Every Unit with one or more Models within 6" of an exploding Model suffers a number of Hits equal to the Base Wounds Characteristic or Base Hull Points Characteristic of the exploding Model. Each such Hit has a Strength of 8, an AP of ‘-’ and a Damage of 1. Once all Hits caused by this Special Rule have been resolved, the Model with the Explodes (X) Special Rule is Removed as a Casualty as normal.
The Traitor Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
Force (X)
By force of will a trained battle-psyker can channel the eldritch power of the Warp into their weapons and magnify their power greatly. Such power can come at a great cost, and if the psyker’s control wavers, they may be devoured by the very power they sought to chain.
A Weapon with this Special Rule may double a Characteristic with a Willpower Check, but may suffer Perils of the Warp.When selected to be used as part of a Combat or Shooting Attack, a Willpower Check may be made for the Model that will use this Weapon to make attacks. If it is successful then the Characteristic listed as X is doubled (if that Characteristic is AP, then the AP is instead changed to AP 2). If a double is rolled when making this Willpower Check then the Model using the Weapon to make attacks suffers Perils of the Warp.
The Psyker Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
War Engine
The Anathemata Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
Warlord
High Command
Command
The Azurda Char’is
It is unknown how the Crimson Apostle acquired this potent artefact, or by what hidden lore he has modified it to his usage.
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| The Azurda Char’is | |||||||
| The Azurda Char’is | +1 | A | +2 | 4 | 2 | Force (D) | Psychic |
The Panoply of Flame
The Panoply of Flame serves both as a war banner and as a weapon to turn on Zardu Layak’s enemies, his warp gifts allowing him to mould the unclean flame the Panoply now produces by will alone.
The Panoply of Flame gives the Controlling Player an additional point of Combat Resolution.When resolving a Combat in the Resolution Sub-Phase of the Assault Phase, score 1 Combat Resolution point for the Unit that includes a Model with the Panoply of Flame.
Anakatis Blade
These occult blades reek of unholy, warp-spawned power and their forging may well have pre-dated human life. Dark and coiling entities have been trapped within the blades, entities that whisper promises of untold might and power, but such promises are only bought at a terrifying price to both body and soul.
| Melee Weapon | |||||||
Melee Weapon | IM | AM | SM | AP | D | Special Rules | Traits |
| Anakatis Blade | |||||||
| Anakatis blade | I | A | S | 3 | 2 | Breaching (6+), Phage (S) | Psychic |
The Word Bearers Trait is used in the following Legiones Astartes datasheets:
Breach the Veil (Psychic Power, Blessing)
Binding the denizens of the Warp to their will, the Esoterist breaches the fabric of reality, dragging their otherworldly allies onto the battlefield and setting them upon their foe.
Trigger: The Active Player may choose to Manifest the Breach the Veil Psychic Power at the start of the Reserves Sub-Phase of their Movement Phase.Focus: The Focus of the Power must be a Model with the Anathemata Trait and under the Active Player’s control.
Target: This Psychic Power does not have a Target.
Duration: If successfully Manifested, the effects of this Psychic Power last until the end of this Reserves Sub-Phase.
Process
- Once the Focus has been decided, make a Manifestation Check.
- If the Manifestation Check is successful, the Active Player can select one Unit from a Daemonic Manifestation Detachment from the same Army as the Focus that is in Reserves. Reserve Rolls made for that Unit are automatically successful for the duration of this Psychic Power.
Binder of Souls
As an acolyte of Erebus, Zardu Layak’s mastery of malevolent warpcraft is unparalleled.
Zardu Layak has specific Psychic Powers.A Model with this Special Rule gains the Soul Binding Psychic Power and the Breach the Veil Psychic Power.
SOUL BINDING
(Psychic Power, Curse)
Focus: The Focus of the Power must be a Zardu Layak Model.
Target: The Target Unit must be an enemy Unit in the same Combat as the Focus Model.
Duration: If successfully Manifested, the effects of this Psychic Power last until the end of the Make Final Pile-in Moves Step of that Combat.
(Psychic Power, Curse)
Zardu Layak has long since mastered the art of shackling the will of another, binding it to his own and turning enemies into unwitting thralls.
Trigger: The Active Player may choose to Manifest the Soul Binding Psychic Power in the Assault Phase, at the start of the Declare Weapons and Set Initiative Steps Step of the Fight Sub-Phase.Focus: The Focus of the Power must be a Zardu Layak Model.
Target: The Target Unit must be an enemy Unit in the same Combat as the Focus Model.
Duration: If successfully Manifested, the effects of this Psychic Power last until the end of the Make Final Pile-in Moves Step of that Combat.
Process
- Once the Focus and Target Unit have been decided, the Target Unit’s Controlling Player makes a Resistance Check for that Unit.
- If the Resistance Check is failed, the Controlling Player of the Focus Model can select one Model with a Willpower Characteristic of 7 or less from the Target Unit.
- For the Duration of this Psychic Power, the selected Model is considered to be under the control of the Controlling Player of the Focus of this Power.
- If the Resistance Check succeeds then there is no further effect.