The Dark Angels, custodians of ancient secrets and bearers of unresolved sins, bring a unique flavor to the battlefield with their Oathsworn Campaigns. These bespoke rules offer commanders of the Unforgiven Chapters the opportunity to embark on secretive missions and pursue hidden agendas that reflect the clandestine nature of the Chapter’s operations. With requisitions, bonus agendas, and Inner Circle advancements, the Dark Angels’ crusade forces are equipped to wage war on multiple fronts, balancing the demands of loyalty to the Imperium with the pursuit of their own enigmatic goals.
Secrets Of The Unforgiven Oathsworn Campaign:
The Secrets of the Unforgiven campaign delves into the clandestine operations of the Unforgiven Chapters, challenging commanders to balance loyalty to the Imperium with the pursuit of hidden goals. The unique requisition within this campaign is:
- SECRET QUEST (1RP): Conceals true intentions, allowing commanders to hide their chosen Agendas unitl after gaining XP, ensuring the secrecy of their missions.
Bonus Agendas:
- None Must Know: Demanding ruthlessness, this agenda requires destroying three or more selected enemy units during the battle, reflecting the Unforgiven’s determination to protect their secrets. Rewards 2 Honor points.
- Enigmatic Goals: Emphasizing the value of intelligence, this agenda mandates controlling a secretly chosen objective marker, representing the Unforgiven’s covert operations. Rewards 3 Honor points.
- Interrogation Tactics: Highlighting tactical interrogation methods, this agenda requires destroying enemy characters in melee combat or engaging them closely with Chaplain or Librarian units. Rewards 3 Honor points.
For The Lion! Oathsworn Campaign:
With the return of Lion El’Jonson, the Unforgiven Chapters are inspired to new heights of dedication and resolve. The For the Lion! campaign celebrates their renewed fervor, offering bonus agendas that emphasize the importance of honoring their gene-sire and exacting vengeance upon their foes:
The unique requisition within this campaign is:
- EXEMPLARS OF STOICISM (1RP): This requisition celebrates steadfastness in the face of adversity, rewarding infantry units that endure the horrors of battle without faltering. After a battle, commanders can expend 1 Requisition point to select one INFANTRY unit from their Crusade army that failed a Battle-shock test but was not destroyed. That unit gains 5XP and your Crusade force earns 2 Honor points, reflecting the valor and resilience displayed by the unit in the heat of combat.
Bonus Agendas:
- Slay the Unrighteous: Encouraging aggressive action, this agenda requires destroying enemy units to honor the Primarch and earn 1 exp, and 2 Honor points if they destroyed 3 or more.
- Will of the Lion: Demonstrating devotion, this agenda mandates controlling objective markers to earn additional Honor points for each one.
- Instruments of Vengeance: Focusing on vengeance, this agenda demands destroying enemy character units with Deathwing models to exact retribution and earn up to four Honor points.
Hunt The Fallen Oathsworn Campaign:
To embark on the “Hunt the Fallen” Oathsworn Campaign, players must first complete the “Secrets of the Unforgiven” and at least one other Dark Angels or Adeptus Astartes Oathsworn Campaign. Unlike other campaigns, “Hunt the Fallen” requires players to complete three Bonus Agendas sequentially. Failure to complete any agenda ends the campaign, emphasizing the critical nature of each step in the hunt. Once players successfully complete the final agenda, “Capture the Fallen,” the hunt is considered successful.
- A Trail Uncovered: In the first agenda, players take the initial steps along the trail of a Fallen traitor. Specific battlefield achievements, such as scoring Victory points, positioning the Warlord in the opponent’s deployment zone, and destroying enemy characters, contribute to progress. Completing this agenda requires marking specific achievements multiple times during battles, reflecting the meticulous and patient nature of the hunt.
- Pursuit Across Worlds: The second agenda underscores the relentless determination of the Unforgiven in pursuing their quarry across different worlds. Players must strategically position Adeptus Astartes units in multiple table quarters, demonstrating their commitment to the pursuit. This agenda rewards players for maintaining a widespread presence on the battlefield, aligning with the Dark Angels’ reputation for swift and decisive action.
- Capture the Fallen: The final agenda represents the climax of the hunt, as players confront the Fallen traitor directly. To enact this agenda, players must ensure that their opponent includes a specific Heretic Astartes character model in their army, representing the Fallen quarry. Successfully destroying this model signifies the capture of the Fallen, rewarding players with significant experience and Honor points. The Designer’s Note provides additional guidance on how to engage with this agenda respectfully and collaboratively with opponents.
Inner Circle Advancement: Detailed Review:
The “Inner Circle Advancement” mechanic adds depth and narrative richness to Dark Angels Crusade armies, reflecting their secretive and hierarchical nature. It allows players to promote characters to the esteemed Inner Circle, granting them unique Battle Honours that enhance their abilities on the battlefield. Let’s break down how this mechanic works and its alignment with the narrative feel of the Dark Angels lore.
After completing an Oathsworn Campaign and accumulating sufficient Honor points, players can promote characters to the Inner Circle. Each promotion requires spending a specific amount of Honor points and selecting a corresponding Battle Honour for the character. These Battle Honours are unique and can only be assigned once to a character. Additionally, there are named characters who automatically gain specific Battle Honours when added to the Order of Battle, reflecting their prestigious roles within the chapter.
- Master of the Deathwing (20 Honor Points): This Battle Honour signifies the character’s mastery of the Dark Angels’ 1st Company, particularly in dealing with the Fallen. Exclusive to Terminator Captains, it grants a powerful ability to enhance wound rolls when targeting a specific enemy designated as the Oath of Moment target. This aligns with the lore as the Deathwing specializes in hunting the Fallen, showcasing their expertise and dedication to this task.
- Master of the Ravenwing (20 Honor Points): Reserved for Ravenwing models, this Battle Honour reflects the character’s proficiency in rapid deployment and shock assaults. It enables the unit to declare a charge after Advancing and allows rerolls for charge rolls, emphasizing their swift and decisive tactics. This mirrors the Ravenwing’s role as the vanguard of the Dark Angels, striking swiftly against their enemies.
- Keeper of the Unseen Ritual (20 Honor Points): Bestowed upon Captains of the 5th Company, this Battle Honour highlights the character’s role in preserving ancient Calibanite traditions and providing strategic insight. With this ability, the character can reduce the cost of a Stratagem to 0CP once per battle, showcasing their deep understanding of the chapter’s heritage and tactical acumen.
- Master of Watchers (15 Honor Points): Held by the Master of the 7th Company, this Battle Honour underscores the character’s responsibility for the chapter’s vast network of informants and sleeper cells. It rewards players with additional Honor points at the end of each battle, reflecting the valuable intelligence gathered by the character. This aligns with the Dark Angels’ clandestine operations and their relentless pursuit of the Fallen.
Named Characters in the Inner Circle: Belial, Sammael, and Lazarus, iconic characters within the Dark Angels, automatically gain specific Battle Honours when added to the Order of Battle. This showcases their esteemed positions and unique abilities within the Inner Circle, further emphasizing their narrative significance in the chapter’s lore.
In conclusion, the Dark Angels Oathsworn Campaigns offer commanders of the Unforgiven Chapters a rich tapestry of narrative opportunities and strategic challenges. From concealing their true intentions to pursuing the hunt for the Fallen, commanders can lead their crusade forces with cunning and resolve, earning honor and advancing their characters within the secretive Inner Circle. With requisitions, bonus agendas, and Inner Circle advancements, the Dark Angels stand ready to uphold the honor of the Lion and the Imperium, no matter the cost.
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