Huron Blackheart is coming, and he is not a problem you solve politely. So, if Calgar and Eldrad are “busy,” you improvise.
Better yet, you build the hero you actually need. And honestly, making your own champion feels very 40K. As the article puts it, if help is unavailable, make it yourself.
The Core Idea: Build a Champion for Any Faction Campaign
Crucible of Champions, included in The Maelstrom: Lair of the Tyrant, is a character creator for Warhammer 40,000. Moreover, each faction gets straightforward rules for cooking up heroes with weapons and abilities. These are built for piratical Raid and Ruin campaigns and narrative Crusades too. However, Imperial and Chaos Knights are excluded, since their big hitters are already Characters.
Step One: Archetype, Then Optional Specialism
It starts with an archetype, which sets stats, keywords, abilities, and points. For example, you can make a Space Marine officer for Tacticus units. Alternatively, you can build an Ork Warphead who can take Psychic gear.
Then you may choose a Specialism, which tweaks stats and keywords, and can change join options. For instance, a Craftworld Warleader can take a Cameleoline Cloak for Stealth and Infiltrator. Consequently, they can also join Ranger units. Still, you might not always have a valid Specialism, and that is fine.
Step Two: Abilities and Weapons, Then Go Wild With Conversions
Next you must pick an ability, and these define your champion’s “job” on the table. So, you can lean into repairs, anti-psyker tech, morale buffs, or sneaky play. For Tau-style trickery, Cunning Ambush helps mess with enemy deployment reads.
Finally, you choose weapons, and options can expand or tighten based on earlier choices. Better yet, your first two weapons are free, and extras cost 5 points each. Therefore, weird loadouts become a hobby challenge, not a penalty.
Examples From Grand Narrative 2024 Converted Lords of War
Rogue Trader Kristovahl Dynost III uses Martial Agent plus Rogue Trader Specialism, and can join Voidsmen or Breachers. Also, Backroom Deals grants Infiltrators, mirroring her teleporting artifact. Then she packs a power sword and two flashy pistols.
Glitcha da Psykamekk starts as a Hordeboss with Top-tier Gubbinz for the MEK keyword. Meanwhile, Kustom Force Field gives his unit a 4+ invulnerable save versus ranged attacks. So, he rocks a kustom mega-blasta and a power snappa.
Zar Tahyed becomes a Sorcerous Champion, since no mortal cult boss archetype exists. However, Dark Zealotry adds 1 to his unit’s Wound rolls, which screams preacher energy. Then he takes an axe of dismemberment profile plus a balefire tome.
In the end, these rules work in any 40K game if everyone agrees, which is the whole point. So, if you have a wild conversion, give it rules and a legend.
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