HeySeuss

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

One of the Ciaphas Cain novels has a somewhat similar theme to this, with regard to the state of ill repair, lack of supplies and general asymmetry of forces. The whole story centres around a band of people scavenging what they need, occasionally coming across PDF deposits of ammunition, etc., or Mechanicus shrines, and otherwise gathering whatever makeshift weaponry and transports they can obtain. One of the best in the series, I reckon, because of the fact that it centres around the lack of equipment and the desperation of trying to fight a massive opposing force.

Having read that novel, I reckon can probably help with the theme.

@Ozymandias

That sounds about right. I had a little bit of a scenario inspired by Kim Jong Un's parades and the first step involves grabbing what they need.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

I like this. It's easy to imagine marines in a setting like this as unstoppable paragons of warfare, striding effortlessly through battle as some kind of obvious author insertion. Having us all with faulty kit, limited resources and even more limited ammo is a great idea. It adds much needed peril to characters who normally would be nigh on impervious to harm. Really excited for this and hoping it starts soon.

Is my character in keeping with your rp btw? let me know if kurak needs editing

@Jarrid

He's good to go. And I am going for that sort of dynamic where a small elite force can be overwhelmed if it is not careful and smart. The Blackshields will still be a strike force on foot that can get overwhelmed by superior numbers. They'll have to make up the difference with the element of surprise and violence of action...and, yeah, making wise choices on where to hit so as to pick up the materiel they need to carry on their crusade. I intend to make supplies a real issue. I'd also love help on devising that situation so we can, indeed, keep the fights from being too cupcake.

@HeySeuss I know, hense why I thought the Praevian would be interesting. Having to fight on despite having a broken body, no Automata to back him up and most of his prosthesis falling to pieces. I mean, I get it. Space Marines are absolutely horrifying. I play Dark Heresy, the system where a Scout Marine is tough enough to be a boss and a standard Tactical is big enough to be the final boss. 10 Space Marines, even under-equipped, under-supplied and half-wounded are still enough to take on most planetary defence forces.

So, would a Word Bearers Devastator with a Volkite Culverine or Autocannon be alright?

@mattmanganon

It'll be tough to maintain, but he can always start with one.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

Even a 'bog standard bloke' Space Marine is a terrifying engine of genetic engineering, equipment and training. End of the day, that tactical marine is a scary piece of work in all aspects.

I prefer to go the route of 'work with what you have and make that awesome' here. I also want to leave room for cool kit and things to happen, instead of having characters start out with an Arsenal of Awesome already.

I mean, the Blackshields are pretty much centered around Marines in armor they struggle to maintain with looted equipment that they also struggle to maintain. I want to hold true to that. Also, these characters should, in a sense, be able to carry on a fight with their fists and guile, and I think that needs to be kept in mind as well. Every bolt loosed, every canister of promethium, every grenade thrown is an expenditure of limited supplies. They will have to think flexibly and fight smart.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

Cool with Kraeger Antal, Brenard Volkstan, Ferreus, Bethuel Cortexus, Lyras and Kurak; all of those are good to go.

I'm not feeling a Raven Guard in this scenario, and Merdem Jercul's bio is really underwhelming in comparison to the work everyone else has put into the character sheets. It doesn't have any real context that explains why he'd abandon his legion before Istvaan III and it's actually somewhat out of touch with the subsequent events of the Heresy as well. Since the Raven Guard was shattered at Istvaan III and engaged in an extensive guerrilla campaign, the character wouldn't have to actually have left his legion in order to fight.

The backstory makes little sense.

As to a Praevian, I was going to suggest a techmarine, but realized that one of those would spazz out at the sight of the pariah wargear. I'm not sure I want to go there, preferring to stick to a fairly stock Space Marine type and depending on the player to distinguish them that way.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

@HeySeuss So, how about Praevians and Moritats? Since no Terminator armour, I suspect Dreadnoughts are also out.

@mattmanganon

The blackshields themselves probably hold a lot less regard for their lives than loyalist marines from legions that did not turn traitor. I feel like a Moritat would be redundant here.

Yeah, Dreadnoughts are pretty out.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

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Any thoughts please?

@Dealdric

I'm not really feeling Terminators or Raven Guard here. The first operation involves Rhinos anyway, so it's hard to really do much with Terminators on that plan, and I can't see Blackshield Marauders having the capability to maintain such suits.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

<Snipped quote by HeySeuss>

Up to you, really...sorry, bro.

@Jbcool

Given my druthers, I'd like to see characters leading small groups of NPC's for flexibility. I think a task force of Blackshields is more effective, since they're going up against larger forces and the Horus Heresy -is- large scale.

In the first operation, the Blackshields are their own force, but the Rogue Trader has some troops as well in support. That will be the way of it, really. There will often be a force to support/in support.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

So are we going to go with demi-squads or will the characters themselves be a squad? This is up to you. Just let me know. I want to get started soon.

Blackshields: The Horus Heresy [Warhammer 30K]

@HeySeuss So how exactly are our characters meeting up in this rp? I may have to edit my backstory to reflect appropriately.

@Wraithblade6

Rogue trader is seeking them out in the area of space that he's in and is picking them up along the way. He is headed back to his home planet, where the Governor is serving the Traitors, however.

Two people in a fight to the death. One of them has a wooden baseball bat, the other has a six inch knife. Who wins?

Bat can break. Otherwise, reach advantage, sure.