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Imperial Guard Doctrine: Hovercraft Squadrons

4K views 31 replies 8 participants last post by  Pierced53 
#1 · (Edited)
I've had this idea for quite some time, but it wasn't untill a few minutes ago that I decided to make up some rules for it. I'm looking for suggestions, critisism or even spelling, wording and grammar corrections... I'm also taking suggestions for a name, preferably something that fits the mythological beast theme that IG vehicles seem to follow. (Basilisk, Hellhound, Chimera, Griffon, Hydra etc. etc.)

Imperial Hovercraft, requires doctrine Restricted Troops: Hovercraft Squadrons

Doctrine Hovercraft Squadrons
Hovercraft Squadrons: This doctrine replaces Sentinels with Imperial Hovercraft as a Fast Attack option in a Imperial Guard Army. Imperial Hovercraft may not be placed in Command Platoon Support Squads.
*insert fluffy explanation as to why this regiment use hovercraft instead sentinels*


x Hovercraft Squadron x

Pts... Front Armour...Side Armour...Rear Armour...BS​

60......11...................10.................10.................3​

Type: Fast, Open topped.

Crew: Two Guardsmen

Squadron: A Hovercraft squadron consists of 2-3 Hovercraft.

Weapons:
The Imperial Hovercraft is armed with a twin-linked Heavy stubber but may be upgraded to carry one of the following weapons: twin-linked Multilaser at +20 points or a twin-linked Autocannon at +25 points. The Imperial Hovercraft comes with a Hunter-Killer Missile like the one described in the Vehicle Upgrades section of Codex: Imperial Guard. (One shot Krak missile with unlimited range)​

Options:
Imperial Hovercraft may not be given the following upgrades: Armoured Crew Compartment, Smoke Launchers, Camo Netting, Extra armour, Mine Sweeper, Pintle Storm bolter, Pintle Heavy Stubber or Track Guards.​

Special Rule: Hovercraft
Hovercraft are designed to hunt enemy guerilla and provide protection for Imperial supply convoys and as such are rarely seen on the frontlines. However in times of need they are sometimes called in to provide reinforcements on the main battlefield.
To represent this all Hovercraft must start in reserves if the scenario permits. However, because of their speed, Hovercraft get +1 to their reserves roll.

Manuevering a hovercraft at high speed is a tricky buisness. Therefore in order to represent this a Hovercraft that has moved 12" or more are limited to 45 degree turns untill they have slowed down.​

Special Rule: Amphibious
Hovercraft treat all water features as clear terrain when they move.​

EDIT1:
The idea behind the Imperial Hovercraft was to make a veichle about the strenght of an Imperial Guard Sentinel, but more foruced on the role of a light tankhunter. Thats why it's fot fewer weapon options than the original sentinel in exchange for superior movement and frontal armour. I belive however that these advantages are canceled out by the penalties in the Hovercraft rule and the increased number of points used to field the darned thing.

If you think something is to cheap or to expensive pointwise just say so. Though I would appreciate it if you said more than 'X is to expensive your idea sucks.'

EDIT2: Formating and spelling errors.

EDIT3: Added the Amphibious special rule as suggested by MikeTehFox over MSN. Makes sense, it's a hovercraft after all.

EDIT4: After talking to Mike a bit more, I think I should explain the reasoning behind the points costs. First, lets take a squad of three Cadian Pattern sentinels, like my Hovercraft the Sentinels are equipped with Autocannons. These three sentinels are 150 points and on average will hit with three shots. For 150 points you can get two hovercraft with twin-linked autocannons, who like the sentinels will hit with three shots on average. So the autocannon accuracy is the same, but the hovercraft has better armour and speed, but there is three sentinels and only two hovercraft.
Secondly, I belive that the custom rules that I made up aswell as the pointcost makes up for the increase in firepower(Hunter killer missiles). The hovercrafts have more penalties and cost more and come in lower numbers. They do not posses the Sentinels ability to split into squads of 1, so pointwise I think they're okay.

EDIT5: Changed the hovercraft rule so that the hovercraft must now move in a straight line after having gone at high spreeds. In addition, I also lowered the side armour to 10(from 11) to further the penalty of being able to move fast. Now after a fast move it will be easier for the opponent to get a shot at the hovercraft's side armour because the player owning the hovercraft cannot turn the side with the highest armour value against whatever gun that he deems to be the biggest threat.
And now that the side armour value has been lowered there isn't really a need for the 'fragile parts' part of the hovercraft rule since str 4 weapons can glance on sixes anyway. Thanks to MiketehFox for these suggestions.

EDIT6: Increased both autocannon and multilaser costs by five points.(From 20p --> 25p and 25 -- > 30p)

EDIT7: Wording corrections.

EDIT8: As a compromise between MiketehFox's and closet_anarchist's(Now Forger of Civilization) suggestions the hovercraft no longer has to fly in a straight line. It is now allowed to make turns of 45 degrees after having completed a move of 12" or longer.

EDIT9: Added Smoke Launchers to the restricted vehicle upgrades. I just thought that the powerful fans that drive the hovercraft would disperse the smoke to quickly for it to be of any use, since hovercraft are required to maintain a cushion of air under them else they land.

EDIT10: Added 30p lascannon as a weapon option. Changed some fluff in the hovercraft rule.

EDIT11: Lascannon removed. Added a twin linked heavy stubber as the standard weapon and increased the base pointcost to 60 points to compensate. Lowered the cost of remaining weapons by 5 because I thought the entire craft was becoming to expensive.

EDIT12: Typos.
 
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#2 ·
I believe hovercrafts run counter to IG fluff. On page four of the IG codex it says grav-vehicles were outlawed after the Horus Heresy according to the earliest volumes of the Tactica Imperium.
 
#3 · (Edited)
The Imperial Hovercraft utilises the same principles as the Space Marine Land Speeder. A huge fan blow air under the vehicle and creates a cushion of air that the chassis "glides" upon. SoI wouldn't call it anti-grav. Far from it.
Unlike Eldar and Tau veichles who are held up by somehow negating gravity(atleast that is what anti-grav technology sounds like it does to me.) instead hovercraft are heal above ground by a stream of air.
Forumula 1 cars are given their small "wings" at the front and back of the to prevent them from flying when the air is rushing under it.

EDIT: Tried to clear things up a bit. My first explanation wasn't that good. A couple of typoes fixed.
 
#4 · (Edited)
A) Land Speeders DO NOT work like today's hovercrafts, A SM LS uses an anti grav dive to keep it off the ground and jets to make it move forward.

I think your dealing too much with custum special rules, you should try this:

HoverCraft

Type:Fast, Open Topped, Tank
Weapons:
a) TL Multilaser
b) TL Autocannon
--Hunter Killer Missile
Front Armor: 11
Side Armor: 11
Rear Armor: 10
BS: 3
Special Options:
-Open topped
-Amphibious

x Hovercraft Squadron x

Pts.....Front Armour.....Side Armour...Rear Armour...BS
55......11...................10.................10 .................3

Type: Fast, Open topped.

Crew: Two Guardsmen

Squadron: A Hovercraft squadron consists of 2-3 Hovercraft.

Weapons:
The Imperial Hovercraft must have one of the following weapons: Twin linked Multilaser at +30 points or a twin-linked Autocannon at +35 points. The Imperial Hovercraft comes with a Hunter-Killer Missile just like the one described in the Vehicle Upgrades section of Codex: Imperial Guard. (One shot Krak missile, unlimited range)

Options:
Imperial Hovercrafts may not be given the following upgrades: Armoured Crew Compartmen, Cemo Netting, Extra armour, Mine Sweeper, Pintle Storm bolter, Pintle Heavy Stubber and Track Guards.

Special Rule: Weak Belly
The Hovercraft takes dangerous terrain test instead of it immobilizing on only a 1, it now becomes immobalized on 1 or 2.

Special Rule: Amphibious
Hovercraft treat all water features as clear terrain when they move.


*Pant* *Pant*

There, thats my take on you HoverCraft Squadrons.

Mike
 
#6 ·
I dont get why there is the 11 on frontal armour. It isn't open topped like the land speeder (which is 10 all around, mind you) and is quoted as being fragile.
 
#8 ·
I know in game terms something 'amphibious' can't actually go underwater but isn't that what the word means? What I'm trying to get at here is that if it's opened topped, how would it go under? The crew would be drowned. :p Perhaps removing the open-topped rule would make it better/more realistic. (Omg I can't believe I just said that while talking about 40k :huh: .)
 
#10 · (Edited)
I gave it armour 11 at the front for two reasons, the first one was to make it a bit different from the space marine land speeder, even though there are several differences already I can't shake the idea of my hovercraft getting compared to the SM landspeeder.
I also, with all the disadvantages I've given it I thought it best to give it something on the plus side, which is why I gave it a front armour of 11 to make it immune against bolter fire against the front. If there is anything i've learned to hate as a Imperial Guard player, it is bolterfire against the side armour of my chimeras who glance it on an armour penetration roll of 6. By giving in front armour 11 the player will not have to worry about str4 weapons aslong as the front it turned against the enemy.

And as said by Mike, amphibious vehicles can move over land and water with little to no speed reduction(particulary in case of hovecraft who aren't affected at all since they do not accually touch the water but fly above it on the cushion of air generated by the fans.
 
#11 ·
I acutally like it. I think their need to be a mod though. How about instead of having to move in a straight line how about a 90 degree arc. I also think that you should be able to add the enhancements if you make the thing not fast, more of a support vehicle. Then be able to add a turret with another heavy weapon.
 
#12 · (Edited)
The original idea was that after a high speed move, movement would be impaired by limiting the craft's turning arc. However, after a lengthy discussion with Mike over MSN I agreed to change it to the way it is now thinking I might be using to many custom rules for it. Seeing as I am not the only one who thought of this I will modify the rules again. 90 degrees seems a bit to much to me though, so I will make a compromise of yours and Mike's suggestion and put the line right in the middle - at 45 degrees.

As for another heavy weapon I am not sure what you mean. English is not my first language.
I wanted to make my hovercraft different from the space marine landspeeder. Their pointcosts and number of weapons is balanced against how effective the same number of points in Sentinels would be able to accomplish. So for now, I don't see any reason to add another heavy weapon to them.
Looking at the armaments available to them, the autocannon or the multilaser in addition to the hunter killer missiles, I belive that if my hovercraft are ever used they will be used as anti-veichle units, taking shots at the side and rear armour of a vehicle when facing MEQ armies. Against non-meq armies they might serve as anti-infantry.
However, if another heavy weapon was to be added, what would that be? A heavy flamer or heavy bolter? Perhaps even a heavy stubber?

EDIT: Saw a typo. Can't bother to find the rest. :p

EDIT2: I saw this in the Imperial Guard forum, if people belive that hovercraft are not suited for the Imperial Guard fluffwise, how would say... a military form of a beachbuggy work? I can't say I like this idea myself, but if enough people think that would be better I'll change it. Despite it going against the original idea.
 
#13 ·
Sorry I meant a hovercraft verison, that is akin to a chimera, with a pair of twinlinked weapons, a turret with a single heavy weapon, can take upgrades (heavy armor...), is slower than the one you said, but is effected by an the rules. Basically something that is mobile fire support. I am very sorry if I'm unclear, if I need to elaborate differently or explain myself I will not mind doing so.
 
#14 ·
Hmm, well any such craft would be more like a replacement for the Chimera than for the Sentinel, but I see what you mean. You are accually not the first one to suggest making it a transport. In the IRC chat we had a short discussion about making it a transport for small units of Stormtroopers(6-8 of them) and make it slower, add a bit of armour and another weapon choice. Probably remove some of the restricted vehicle upgrades aswell.
However as I said, making these into transports would go rather far from the original idea that I had, which was a replacement for the Sentinel that I dont like at all.

I suppose we could make the doctrine allow a hovercraft Chimera replacement and make up some rules for that, though I think that would make the doctrine to different from the others in the IG codex, seing as it allows two new units to be choosen.

Oh and this is for those who don't think Hovercraft should be in the Imperial Guard because it doesn't fit in with their fluff. I find this opinion to be self-contradicting since the codex says several times that the entire diversity of the Imperium is encompassed in the Imperial Guard. Now surely atleast one of the million worlds that belong to the Imperium might be using hovercraft. I Hovercraft are probably much more useful that Sentinels in swamps or wide open plains, on frozen glacier or open tundra. In the swamps the Sentinel will get it's legs stuck and on the plains the huvercraft will have lots of room to use it's superior speed.
 
#15 ·
No. I mean a heavier verison of the sentinel, that has about the same number of weapons as a chimera. More like a pair of heavy weapons that can shoot and have armor.
 
#16 ·
Ah, see what you mean now but personally I don't agree about giving it that much firepower. It's meant to be a small veichle not much stronger than the sentinel. I might make pintle heavy stubbers/storm bolter an option to increase the firepower a bit, but adding another heavy weapon... nah - I don't like that idea. It's already got either a twin linked multilaser or autocannon aswell as a hunter killer missile. That's enough for me.
 
#17 ·
I like this whole idea, but I do think the fluff is a bit counter guard. I like the idea of a fast "jeep" type vehicle, that would be very similar, but not ampibious. I would also like to see three options for weaponry. Twin linked multi-laser, Autocannon and Lascannon.
 
#18 ·
Diggums Hammer said:
I like the idea of a fast "jeep" type vehicle, that would be very similar, but not ampibious.
I agree. I have always wanted to see the guard have a jeep or hum-v type vehicle. Also the only other thing I have a problem with is that you said these vehicles are for recon and raids and because of that thier put it reserves. I don't see a unit with this resposability beeing put in reserve but rather at the vanguard of an army. In real life a unit with that discription would probably be put very much ahead of the main battle group in order to report back on enemy deployment and things like that (recon) and perhapse harase them a bit before the main battle group arives (raid). But in all I really do like the idea of a new fast attack choise for the guard.
 
#19 ·
Imperial Henchmen said:
Also the only other thing I have a problem with is that you said these vehicles are for recon and raids and because of that thier put it reserves. I don't see a unit with this resposability beeing put in reserve but rather at the vanguard of an army. In real life a unit with that discription would probably be put very much ahead of the main battle group in order to report back on enemy deployment and things like that (recon) and perhapse harase them a bit before the main battle group arives (raid.)
I agree and I do not agree. :huh: These could be used as called in back-up to provide some needed help to the Guard. (Assuming the guard are losing.) To represent this, I just thought up some basic structure for a special rule:

Amphibious(Assuming it will remain this) Assist: A Hovercraft Squadron is used to assist an in-need Imperial Guard unit. To represent this, in any Imperial Guard Movement phase a Hovercraft Squadron may set up 18" away from any friendly unit below 50%. Once a Hovercraft Squadron has chosen which unit it will re-inforce no other unit may be selected. This is treated as reserves, and therefore enters play like so:
Turn 1: 5+
Turn 2: 4+
Turn 3: 3+
Turn 4+: 2+

_________________
Does that sound okay to anyone? It's just a basic idea that could easily be changed and/or developed. :cool:
 
#20 ·
Diggums Hammer said:
I like this whole idea, but I do think the fluff is a bit counter guard. I like the idea of a fast "jeep" type vehicle, that would be very similar, but not ampibious. I would also like to see three options for weaponry. Twin linked multi-laser, Autocannon and Lascannon.
I find it strange that people would say that a hovercraft doesn't fit the IG fluff. I had thought that the very core of the IG fluff was to encompass the wide variety of the many worlds in the Imperium. I suppose my hovercraft could be turned into some form of armed beach-buggy like vehicle I don't like that idea personally. Out of the million worlds of the Imperium there should be atleast one that uses hovercraft for some reason, be it that hovercraft are better to use on the open plains or crossing the many rivers of it's homeworld or whatever.

As for a third weapon option, I suppose I could add a lascannon as an option. I didn't want it at first because I wanted it to have fewer options than the sentinel, now the only difference is the heavy flamer that I don't find that useful on a sentinel. I didn't want to make a doctrine/unit that everyone would pick over the sentinel, but since you're not the only one suggesting it then so be it. I'll add a somewhat expensive lascannon to the weapon options. I'll make it 30p points for now to give some reason as to why you might want to take sentinel lascannons instead.

Imperial Henchmen said:
Also the only other thing I have a problem with is that you said these vehicles are for recon and raids and because of that thier put it reserves. I don't see a unit with this resposability beeing put in reserve but rather at the vanguard of an army. In real life a unit with that discription would probably be put very much ahead of the main battle group in order to report back on enemy deployment and things like that (recon) and perhapse harase them a bit before the main battle group arives (raid). But in all I really do like the idea of a new fast attack choise for the guard.
Hmm, I guess you have a point here. However I want to keep the always-in-reserves penalty because I think its a pretty original penalty. I suppose some changes to the fluff in that rule could be in order. How about saying that it's designed as an anti-guerilla and supply convoy escort unit? That would be a reason as to why it's not very common on the frontlines.

Pierced53: I kinda like your idea, but I belive the problem has been solved already. Thanks for your suggestion though. :)
 
#22 ·
Kaiser said:
I'm also taking suggestions for a name, preferably something that fits the mythological beast theme that IG vehicles seem to follow. (Basilisk, Hellhound, Chimera, Griffon, Hydra etc. etc.)
Here I have compiled a short list of names of mythical creatures as well as a short description of what they do. Some I thought loosly fit the discription of the unit while others I just thought sound cool. Anyway I hope you like some of these.

Amphiptere - A serpent with wings. Also called Jaculus, a snake that climbs up into trees and flings itself down on other animals that pass by.

Peryton - A deer with wings, that casts the shadow of a man. Originally from Atlantis, they would fly in flocks, and attack sailors near the Strait of Gibraltar. The soldiers with Scipio encountered them, and their weapons were useless against the Perytons, although each Peryton could only kill one man each.

Martlet - A bird with no feet. It catches its food while flying, and therefore is appears never to stand on the ground.

Calygreyhound - The Calygreyhound is a creature from medieval heraldry, it has the body of a deer, the claws of an eagle on its forelegs and hooves of an ox on its hind legs. The Calygreyhound is meant to symbolise swiftness.

Howler - Howlers are four legged sort of dog like creature. They are furless but have tough skin. They are equipped with long claws, and are covered in hard spikes along its back. They live in dark places and are often associated with evil. They are intelligent creatures that haunt in packs like wolves. There tactic for taking down prey is to charge it as a pack then back away then charge it again, they do this until the prey has succumbed.

Bunyip - The Bunyip is a mythical beast from Australia. It originates from the Aboriginal culture. It is a vicious amphibious creature; it is said to have the appearance of a large seal. It is greatly feared as it preys on humans, particularly the more tender flesh of women and children.

Centicore - The Centicore is a four legged beast with two long straight horns that are extremely sharp. It uses these horns much like spears. The Centicore is horse like in appearance but with a chest of a lion and ears that grow in its mouth. The Centicore horns can move and usually has only one facing forward the other is laid across its back.

Girallon - A Girallon is a close relation to the gorilla they are large creatures that are highly aggressive and territorial. The main difference between a Girallon and a gorilla is that the Girallon has four arms, to the gorillas two. Girallons are white or pale gray in colour, about 8ft in height. Girallons attack anything that enter their territory, they tend to live in small packs, with a dominant male been the packs leader.
 
#23 ·
Argus a creature with many eyes; Argus played a prominent role in one of the myths of the goddess Hera

Cerberus Cerberus was the guardian of the Underworld; in myth, he was portrayed as a dog with three heads

Charybdis in Greek mythology, Charybdis was a deadly whirlpool personified as a female monster

Cyclops giant with a single eye in its forehead; the plural form of this word is Cyclopes

Echidna this monster was half beautiful woman and half deadly serpent; she was the mother of many mythical monsters

Geryon the monster known as Geryon had three heads and three bodies; he was defeated by the hero Herakles

Gorgons this trio of terrifying females consists of the sisters Euryale, Medusa, and Stheno
(big ones)

Graiae these "old women" were the sisters of the Gorgons

Ladon dragon who guarded the area where the apples of the Hesperides were hidden

Lamia she was a frightening bogey-woman in Greek mythology

Medusa one of the Gorgons; Medusa is traditionally depicted as a dangerous snake haired woman

Minotaur a deadly denizen of the labyrinth; the Minotaur was a man with the head of a bull

Pegasus Pegasus was an immortal winged horse who played an exciting role in Greek myth

Phoenix the story of the death and rebirth of the mythical creature known as the Phoenix has intrigued audiences for centuries

Python an enormous serpent; she was killed by the god Apollo

Scylla malevolent monster with six heads and twelve feet; in myth, she is often paired with the creature Charybdis

Sphinx in Greek mythology, the Sphinx is a female monster with the head of a woman and the body of a lion

Typhon this creature with one hundred heads was the offspring of Gaia and Tartarus
 
#25 ·
Woah. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Martlet, while I must say that the description is kinda fitting, the name itself doesn't ring that well in my ears. Howler sounds more like a fitting name for a hovercraft but the description doesn't suit to well. Typhon sounded good too, atleast untill I realised that Typhoon is spelled with double o. Personally I kinda like the idea of a Typhoon hovercraft. But I also like the name Spectre which is a form of ghost. Dragonfly was also one of the names that I took a liking to. The dragonfly from mythology was about a meter in lenght and had the jaws to tear the limbs of men. But I was never any good with names myself.
 
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