My campaign and art thread

[ilovethenids]

Well, after a LONG hiatus I've decided that I may end up getting back into 40k, depending on whether or not I can find people in my area who are willing to join in on my mission to create a continuous narrative with an advancing plot that is influenced by the outcomes of campaigns. One of the key things that I will be using to set my campaigns apart from the average ones is that I will be using my knowledge of planetary science, biology, and lore to represent actual characteristics of the planets/settings that each game takes place in. For example, on a planet with little to no atmosphere, Tyranids would not be able to take any FMCs (and depending on the vehicle, other factions might be limited in what flyers they can take). However, Tyranids would be able to adapt to counter such an issue of course, and perhaps create new bioweapons or adapt existing organisms to compensate.

The first campaign I've written is pretty simple; it follows my custom Hive Fleet as it consumes its first planet, a biologically diverse world called Exsteron (as a first planet, I figured it would go for a planet that would give it the biggest yield), which happens to have an Imperium surveillance outpost. The next campaign will be either on a Mercury-like planet (haven't worked out the details other than that there would be very little diversity in biological terms, but the sheer mass of the thermophilic cyanobacteria/archaea would compensate for that), or on a moon somewhat like Titan.

I've also learned a bit more about ZBrush and 3DS Max, and recently created a basic Carnifex model using the former. It's not all that great, but it's just gonna take up space on my hard drive so I'm not planning on doing anything more with it. I've considered uploading it as an obj in case anyone wants to take it and work with it, but there has been no interest in that so I've left it be.

[Bot]

Lookin' good.

I might start a Tyranid video game project up soon. Would you be interested in joining in?
The sculpt is pretty cool, but would you be able to do a low poly version too? So you can bake a normal map to the low poly version and have it work in a game engine? If the topology is good too, we could rig it, skin it and have it animated.

[ilovethenids]

I might be, depending on how serious the project gets. I'm already part of a video game development team right now, but I could possibly spare the time depending on the details. I actually had an idea for a Tyranid centered video game a while back, where the player would be a Lictor that lands on an Imperium world with no contact from its Hive Fleet, and basically you would have to wreak enough havoc (like what the Deathleaper did) so you attract a Hive Fleet. There'd be a system somewhat like Prototype where you can eat victims' brains to learn more about the prey and stuff. I abandoned the idea since I don't have any experience with any other aspects of game design.

I have been trying to do a lower-poly version of this one, it has been topologized for animation to some extent although I can't seem to get the details of the high poly limb subtool projected properly onto the low-poly version. I'm honestly not all that great with ZBrush, so I don't know how helpful I'd be, but I could at least try. You'd probably need someone else with ZBrush to take the model and make sure everything looks decent and is optimized as well.

Also, I've come up with an idea for the second system my Hive Fleet will devour. It's 10.6 light years away from Exsteron, and the star is 1.49 solar masses. One of the settled planets in the system is a scorched, volcanically active world that is .30AU from the star. Despite this, there is lots of native life in the form of extremophilic microorganisms (cyanobacteria and archaea, specifically) that grow in massive colonies near fissures/cracks in the crust. Also, due to its close orbit to the star the planet is tidally locked (and a thin atmosphere of .3atm means that heat transfer through wind would not be extremely efficient), and at the poles of the planet there are craters with areas that never see sunlight. In such areas it can get to subzero temperatures, where psychrophilic microbes thrive. The Imperium harvests ore/metals from the planet and sends the materials off to Forge World. There is also a moon similar to Titan in the system, where the Imperium is taking advantage of the vast amounts of hydrocarbons to use for flamers, fuel, etc., which they also export to other worlds. I'm thinking that the Tyranids would consume this world so they could break down those organic molecules to such an extent that they could fix the carbon/hydrogen in those organic molecules similar to how planets "fix" CO2.

After that, I've decided to "skip ahead" and say that at least a dozen other planets of similar size and biomass yield were consumed by Laelaps, since I don't want to be playing the exact same scenarios over and over again. The next target will bring Laelaps into conflict with a Space Marine chapter, although the specifics haven't been decided yet. The target planet is 1.12 earth masses, but orbits a red dwarf star (although still in that star's habitable zone). The frequent flares that the star undergoes means that any life on the surface needs to be extremely tough and/or have intelligent way to protect itself from the damaging radiation brought about by such events. I'm thinking that it would be a recruiting world for some chapter due to the likely increased strength of the recruits and the fact that they'd need to be resourceful to survive on such a world. Plus, I think coming up with a gameplay mechanic to represent the danger of solar flares would be fun!

[ilovethenids]

I did a quick playtest by myself a couple nights ago and realized that the game was basically a one-sided massacre. Afterwards, a change I made was to Tyranid deployment, instead of allowing them to deploy anywhere on the board, I made it so that they have to deploy at least 6" from any Outpost terrain. I didn't want to make it too much farther because then it might be favoring the AM player rather than bringing it into balance, but if the results are the same I will consider increasing that amount - I haven't playtested with this new change yet, so hopefully at some point I will be able to do so. I'm also using a homebrew codex, where Lictors are 5 points more expensive per model, and have +1WS (although I may remove that), +1T, and +1Sv), the Tyranid Prime has +1A and is 40 points cheaper, Deathleaper is 15 points more expensive, has -1WS, +1W, +1A, and +1Sv, Genestealers are the same, but the Broodlord has the Inhuman Strength rule from the 4th ed dex such that his attacks are resolved at AP2. Also charge distance is 6 + D6" instead of 2D6" but that is applied for all factions since it not only seems best to reduce reliance on blind luck but also it makes it easier to playtest.

www.dropbox.com/s/iiqum78l3p5zujr/The%20Laelaps%20Incursion.pdf?dl=0

Let me know what you think, if there are any changes you think should be made. Also, if anyone would like to help me come up with ideas for battles/scenarios I'd love to hear them! At some point later on I hope to have some actual art in the book, akin to the stuff in Forge World Imperial Armour books, so maybe if this all goes well and things seem to progress I'll end up looking for people to do that

[ilovethenids]

Luckily I've got a friend I've been getting into 40k, and he and I played the first scenario together a few days ago. We both agreed that some of the rules needed to be adjusted, and so we will be testing the new version sometime soon, but instead of rolling for first turn we'll play twice - one game where the nid player goes first and one where the AM player goes first. We may then play a third game as normal to use for writing the narrative portion of the campaign book, as I am basing it on what happens in the battles. After that we will work through and play the rest of the missions in the same way.

I am still looking for artists who would be interested in making content for the book, so please let me know if you'd be interested!

[ilovethenids]

Damn, it's been a LONG time since I updated this! Things have changed quite a bit since then - due in part to the new edition, but I wanted to share what I have, because I would like to continue developing the narrative, and the campaign(s).

I have gotten rid of Exsteron, because I couldn't come up with anything unique or fun to continue that narrative. Instead, I have finished the narrative for a campaign involving the Proxion system, taking place on two worlds. One world is actually a moon, with an environment analogous to modern Titan. The other is a planet that is somewhat similar to Mercury. In both, the forces of a custom Astra Militarum regiment are pitted against Tyranids, though in the latter sub-set, they are actually fighting a Genestealer Cult. I have written the mission rules (though some have had to go through several changes as 8th dropped), but I have not done anything to the old army lists, as the codex for AM only just dropped, and the nid one has not dropped yet. Here is a .pdf copy of what I have so far:
The Death of Proxion

Once that was finished, I started work on a second campaign narrative, in which Hive Fleet Laelaps consumes the homeworld of my own chapter of Space Marines, the Emerald Serpents. Their homeworld orbits a red dwarf star, which is prone to violent flare events, and I have incorporated that into the rules I have written thus far. However, I have not finished the narrative or the missions yet, as I am trying to decide exactly how I want to proceed.
The Fall of Rivicto

As I've noted, I like to actually use scientific principles (ie planetary science, biology, etc.) to create unique scenarios, and so one of the main things I am trying to do is have my Tyranid army lists strongly reflect the environment they are fighting in (ie the most efficient type of organisms for that environment). For example, you may notice that the lists on Jana consist largely of flying creatures - the thick atmosphere and low gravity mean that flight would be extremely easy, and the Tyranids have taken full advantage. However, now that Shrikes are not gonna be in the codex, that presents me with an issue. I know I can still use the Index rules, but Shrikes have no models (and their lack of inclusion in the codex suggests to me that there are no immediate plans to make models for them), and FW no longer makes the wing conversion sets. Thus, I either need an alternative (a good fluff-based alternative) to the Shrikes in those lists, or I will need to figure out a way to make them that looks good and does not require a great deal of modeling skill (I am not good at conversions). Suggestions and/or advice are appreciated!

[ilovethenids]

One issue I am currently having is figuring out how to give the Dactylis its own niche that isn't filled by the Exocrine or the Tyrannofex, while not being overpowered. I'm thinking that perhaps instead of Heavy 6 (given the strength and damage characteristics of the weapon, and the ability to fire twice, 12 shots at that strength, AP, and damage with 2 dice and choosing the highest would be way too OP). Still, not entirely sure and would love some suggestions.

[Zod42]

Nov 20, 2017 15:42:22 GMT ilovethenids said:

One issue I am currently having is figuring out how to give the Dactylis its own niche that isn't filled by the Exocrine or the Tyrannofex, while not being overpowered. I'm thinking that perhaps instead of Heavy 6 (given the strength and damage characteristics of the weapon, and the ability to fire twice, 12 shots at that strength, AP, and damage with 2 dice and choosing the highest would be way too OP). Still, not entirely sure and would love some suggestions.

I myself did the old Armorcast Dactylis conversion when that was a thing. I have been considering custom rules as well, and my inclination is to make it like the Exocrine (with stats and Weapon Beast), but make it artillery (like the Biovore). I was thinking of keeping it simple and firing a Heavy Spore Launcher (that would have a blast/miss of a Mucolid).

Dactylis (draft) PL 10 150 Points (plus 36 Points wargear)
M  WS  BS  S   T  W   A  Ld  Sv       Remaining W   WS   BS    A
6"  *     *   7   8  12   *   6   3+         7-12+          4+    4+   3
                                                        4-6             4+    5+   D3
                                                        1-3             5+    5+   1

Powerful Limbs   Melee S User; AP -2 D2
Heavy Spore Mine Launcher  Range 48" Heavy 1 (Can be fired at target not visible to the unit)

Instinctive Behavior

Heavy Spore Mine Launcher: Each time it hits the target, roll a D6. 1 = no damage, 2-5 = D3 Mortal Wounds, 6 = D6 Mortal Wounds. Miss = place a mucolid spore mine within 6" of the target but more than 3" from any enemy. Placed mucolid cannot move or charge this turn.

Weapons Beast: If the Dactylis does not Move, it may fire twice.

Death Throes: if killed, roll a D6. On a 6, each unit within 3" receives D3 mortal wounds.



Just my 2 cents.

[ilovethenids]

I like the idea, the only issue is that I am mainly looking for something that would specialize in anti-fortification type roles (hence why I gave the weapon a "melta" type rule against any buildings or fortifications). However, given that I cannot really seem to figure out how it would be better than a Rupture Cannon T-fex in the scenario without being OP, and without being overspecialized (ie being only useful in one scenario and then never seeing action again), I may just scrap the idea altogether.

However, I am working on a cool idea for an adapted Hive Tyrant - not really a new unit or any new rules, more like a hybrid between the rules of a Trygon and a Hive Tyrant, with the appropriate points cost (ie costing as much base as a winged Hive Tyrant, while still retaining a ground-HT movement stat) - the benefit is that it gets the subterranean assault rule.

[ilovethenids]

Right now I am having trouble designing a Tyranid list for the second to last scenario - in this scenario, the Space Marines are basically trying to buy their forces some time to bolster internal defenses. Basically, the Fortress-Monastery is protected by a massive void shield, and the Tyranids could not get in conventionally, so what they are doing is burrowing into the lava tubes found in the mountain the Monastery is built upon (a long-extinct volcano), and expanding them to weaken the foundation of the fortress, which would lead to structural collapse in the areas where the void shield generators are (thus taking the shield down). I need it to be fluffy, and obviously fit the scenario. I've included the Space Marine list to show what the 'nids would be facing, and what I have so far. I don't mind changing the Space Marine list up a little bit (right now it is at a weird number of points, so I wouldn't mind reducing it a bit to make it even or something - it sits at 2343 now)

Advice is appreciated!

SM List:
Vanguard detachment:
Captain Nathaniel
Equipped with a Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield.
Lieutenant Omniel
Ironclad Dreadnought with ironclad assault launchers.
Brother Claudius
Dreadnought.
Brother Kastor
Dreadnought
Terminator Assault Squad
Squad of 10 Assault Termintaors. 5 with thunder hammers and storm shields, 4 with twin lightning claws. Sergeant is equipped with twin lightning claws.
Terminator Squad Nazarius
Squad of 10 Terminators. 1 is equipped with an assault cannon, 1 with a heavy flamer. Sergeant is equipped with a power sword.
Battalion detachment:
Chaplain Alexis
Chaplain equipped with a combi-plasma.
Lieutenant Jonus
Lieutenant equipped with a combi-plasma and a chainsword.
Tactical Squad (4x)
Tactical Squad with 1 heavy bolter and 1 flamer. Sergeant is armed with a chainsword and storm bolter.
Assault Squad (2x)
Squad of 5 with one flamer.

Here is what I have for the Tyranids so far:
Battalion detachment, Jormungandr rules

Tyranid prime w/boneswords and deathspitter
Broodlord
"Burrowing" Hive Tyrant [stats of a HT but cost of a flying HT, but can use the Subterranean Assault rule to enter play] with 1x TL brainleech devs, and MRCs

15 genestealers w/3 acid maw (2x)
3 warriors with boneswords and deathspitters (2x)

5 raveners with rending claws (3x)
The Red Terror

Trygon (2x)

[ilovethenids]

Managed to figure it out - Emerald Serpents list is at 1986, nid list is at 1997.

Only thing is I am not so sure on the loadout for the Hive Serpent. I have it with the TL devs with BL worms, and a pair of MRCs, but not sure that is the best way to go given the list. Should it be more of a ranged beast, or should it stick to CC like the rest of the army?

[ilovethenids]

Well, right now I am working on creating Tyranid and Space Marine army lists for each battle. I've gotten lists for every mission except for the third (defend the laser) and last (evacuation) missions. I could really use some help, particularly with the space marine lists, as I am not an experienced SM player so I do not know all of the best ways to load things out and whatnot (and I don't necessarily know what will work).

I've got some restrictions based on the narrative (though I can edit the narrative, I'd like to avoid having to make massive changes). Here's what I've got so far, based on the narrative:

Battalion detachment:
Captain Nathaniel (TH + SS)
[Need a second HQ]

Company Ancient with Combi-plasma
Apothecary
10-man Sternguard squad w/storm bolters
10-man Sternguard squad w/SI bolters

Nids list will include 2-3 Dactylis, a Tyrannofex (or 2), basically a bunch of monsters bolstered by swarms. Any ideas are appreciated!

[endgame422]

A lieutenant makes sense to me for the 2nd HQ. Making for a clear command structure in your SM list.
If the nids list is MC heavy it would probably be good to give at least a couple of the sternguard some melta or plasma as it takes literally hundreds of bolter shots to take down a single Tfex.
Looks like fun though overall.

[ilovethenids]

Thanks for the suggestions! I made sure that in my full version, there is a lot of heavier firepower. I made a rough draft of the list before I saw your comment, so I had already figured out my second HQ choice. Here is the list as it stands now:

HQ:
Captain Nathaniel - Captain w/TH + SS
Chaplain Alexis - Chaplain with Combi-plasma
TROOPS
Squad Sepharleon - 10 tacticals with 1 flamer and 1 heavy bolter, with a rhino for transport.
Squad Draco - 10 tacticals with 1 flamer and 1 heavy bolter, with a rhino for transport.
Squad Alethar - 5 tacticals with 1 lascannon, with a razorback with twin assault cannons for transport.
Squad Kaelanus - 5 tacticals with 1 lascannon, with a razorback with twin assault cannons for transport.
ELITES:
Company Ancient [needs a name]: Company Ancient with combi-plasma
Apothecary
Sternguard veteran squad with storm bolters
Sternguard veteran squad with SIBs
Company Veteran squad - 5 5th Company Veterans with thunder hammers and storm shields
HEAVY SUPPORT
Squad Kastor - Squad of 5 Devastators with 2 lascannons, 2 plasma cannons, and an armorium cherub, with a razorback w/twin lascannon for transport.
Squad Cadmus - Squad of 5 Devastators with 4 lascannons, with a razorback w/twin lascannon for transport.
Predator - Predator with twin lascannons and 2 heavy bolter sponsons.

List adds up to 2500 points for the 'nids.

[ilovethenids]

Help drafting a Tyranid list for this scenario would be much appreciated! I need help figuring out the proper balance and number of different heavy beasts and whatnot to take down the defense laser, especially with the nasty firepower the Space Marines will be able to bear down on them.

Here is what I have come up with:

Battalion detachment:
Flying Hive Tyrant
One flying hive tyrant with twin-linked devourers with Brainleech worms, monstrous rending claws, and adrenal glands.
Tyranid Prime
One Tyranid Prime with boneswords and a Deathspitter.
Tyranid Warriors
Brood of 3 Tyranid Warriors with boneswords and deathspitters.
Tyranid Warriors
Brood of 3 Tyranid Warriors with boneswords and deathspitters.
Tyranid Warriors
Brood of 3 Tyranid Warriors with boneswords and deathspitters.
Hormagaunts
Brood of 30 Hormagaunts.
Hormagaunts
Brood of 30 Hormagaunts.
Termagants
Brood of 30 Termagants, 10 with devourers.
Spearhead detachment:
Tyranid Prime
One Tyranid Prime with a Deathspitter.
Tyranid Warriors
Brood of 3 Tyranid Warriors with 2 Deathspitters and a Venom Cannon.
Dactylis
Dactylis
Tyrannofex
One Tyrannofex with a Rupture Cannon and stinger salvo.
Tyrannofex
One Tyrannofex with an Acid Spray and stinger salvo.
Exocrine
Biovores
Brood of 3 Biovores.

It is 60 points above the SM list, but since the Space Marines get a chance to inflict mortal wounds on any Tyranid unit entering the battlefield after T1, I figure it may be fair (plus I don't know how under/overcosted the Dactylis are, so I can adjust the cost of those as is necessary).

Thoughts are appreciated!