Warpath II Rules

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F

uturistic

Squad�Based Warfare

CORE RULEBOOK

BY ALE

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The Corporation . . . . The Corporation . . . 44

The Marau

The Maraudersders . . . .. . . 66

The Forge Fa

The Forge Fathersthers . . . .. . . 1212

The Veer-m

The Veer-mynyn . . . .. . . 1212

THE RULES

THE RULES . . . .. . . .2020

Models and Units .

Models and Units . . . .. . . . 2121

Stats . . . . Stats . . . 2222 Unit Leaders . . . . Unit Leaders . . . 2323 Line of Sight. . . . Line of Sight. . . 2323 Initiati

Initiative Phaseve Phase. . . .. . . 2424

Activatio

Activation Phase. n Phase. . . .. . . 2424

End Phase End Phase . . . .. . . .2525 Move . . . . Move . . . 2626 Unit Interpenetration . . . . Unit Interpenetration . . . 2626 Halt Halt . . . .. . . 2626 Move Move . . . .. . . 2626

Move At The Double . . . . Move At The Double . . . 2626

Charge . . . . Charge . . . 2727 T Terrain errain . . . .. . 2828 Shoot. . . Shoot. . . .. . . 3030

Moving and Shooting . .

Moving and Shooting . . . .. . . 3030

Melee and Shooting . . . . Melee and Shooting . . . 3030

Pick a Target . . . . Pick a Target . . . 3030

Determine Firing Models

Determine Firing Models . . . .. . . 3030

Check Range. . . . Check Range. . . 3030

Firing and Hitting the T

Firing and Hitting the Targetarget. . . .. . . . 3030

Damaging the Target . . . . Damaging the Target . . . 3131

Take It Out! – Independent Fire. . . . Take It Out! – Independent Fire. . . 3333

Melee

Melee . . . 34. 34

Determine Attac

Determine Attacking Models king Models . . . .. . . 3434

Attacking and Hitting the Ta

Attacking and Hitting the Target. rget. . . .. . . 3434

Damaging the Target . . . . Damaging the Target . . . 3434

Regrouping Regrouping . . . .. . . 3535 Disrupted Disrupted . . . .. . 3535 Nerve Nerve . . . .. 3636 Results Results. . . .. . 3636 Games Design:

Games Design: Alessio Alessio CavatoreCavatore Graphic Design:

Graphic Design: Sean TurtleSean Turtle Photography:

Photography: Ben Sandum,Ben Sandum, Warwick Kinrade Warwick Kinrade and Chris Palmer and Chris Palmer Thanks to:

Thanks to: all of the users on the all of the users on the Mantic forums, Ma

Mantic forums, Matt Gilberttt Gilbert,, Stewart Gibbs, Josh Roberts, Stewart Gibbs, Josh Roberts, Dyl

Dylan Owen... oh yes, and Ronnie tooan Owen... oh yes, and Ronnie too!!

2

www.manticgames.comwww.manticgames.com

Credits

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Armoured Units

Armoured Units . . . .. . . .3838

Armour Movement

Armour Movement. . . .. . . 3838

Collisions

Collisions & Overruns & Overruns . . . .. . . 3939

Shooting Against A

Shooting Against Armour rmour . . . .. . . 4040

Armoured Units Shooting . . . . Armoured Units Shooting . . . 4141

Melee agains

Melee against Armoured Units. . t Armoured Units. . . .. . . 4242

Nerve Tests for Armoured Units. . . . Nerve Tests for Armoured Units. . . 4444

Ordnance . . . . Ordnance . . . 4545

Heroes and Monsters

Heroes and Monsters . . . .. . 4646

Transpo

Transportsrts. . . .. . .4646

Special Rules. . . . Special Rules. . . 4747

Armour Special Rules . . . . Armour Special Rules . . . 5050

Weapons Special Rules . . . . Weapons Special Rules . . . 5151

Reinforcements . . . . Reinforcements . . . 5252 Picking a For Picking a Forcece . . . .. . . 5555 Timed Games Timed Games . . . .. . . .5858

THE ARMY LISTS

THE ARMY LISTS . . . .. . . .6060

Corporation army list

Corporation army list . . . .. . 6060

Army Spec

Army Special Rules ial Rules . . . .. . . 6060

Infantry Infantry. . . .. . . . 6060 Marines Marines . . . .. . . . 6060 Marine Veterans . . . . Marine Veterans . . . 6161 Rangers . . . . Rangers . . . 6161 Heavy Weapon Heavy Weaponss. . . .. . . 6262 Enfor

Enforcers - Strike Unitscers - Strike Units. . . .. . . 6262

Enforcers - Assault Units

Enforcers - Assault Units . . . .. . . 6262

Striders

Striders . . . .. . . . 6262

Enforcers - Suppression Units . . . . Enforcers - Suppression Units . . . 6363

Ordnance . . . . Ordnance . . . 6363

Armour.

Armour. . . .. . . 6464

Heroes And Monsters

Heroes And Monsters . . . .. . . 6565

Weapons

Weapons . . . .. . . 6565

Marauders army list . . . . Marauders army list . . . 6666

Army Spec

Army Special Rules ial Rules . . . .. . . 6666

Infantry Infantry. . . .. . . . 6666 Grunts Grunts . . . .. . . . 6666 Fraggers. . . . Fraggers. . . 6666 Jumpers. . . . Jumpers. . . .. 6767 Rippers. . Rippers. . . .. . . . 6767 Stunts. . . . Stunts. . . 6767 Stunt-Bots Stunt-Bots . . . .. . 6868 Armour. Armour. . . .. . . 6868 Ordnance . . . . Ordnance . . . 6868

Heroes and Monsters. . . . Heroes and Monsters. . . 6969

Weapons

Weapons . . . .. . 6969

Forge Fathers army list . . . . Forge Fathers army list . . . 7070

Army Spe

Army Special Rules cial Rules . . . .. . . 7070

Infantry

Infantry. . . .. . 7070

Steel W

Steel Warriorsarriors . . . .. . . 7070

Thorgarim

Thorgarim . . . .. . 7171

Stormrage V

Stormrage Veteranseterans. . . .. . . 7171

Godhammer Veterans . . . . Godhammer Veterans . . . 7272 Valkyr . . . . Valkyr . . . 7272 Brokkr Brokkr . . . .. . 7272 Forge Guard. . . . Forge Guard. . . 7272 Ordnance . . . . Ordnance . . . 7373 Armour. Armour. . . .. . . 7373

Heroes And Monsters

Heroes And Monsters . . . .. 7474

Weapons

Weapons . . . .. . 7474

Veer-myn army list . . . . Veer-myn army list . . . 7575

Army Spe

Army Special Rules cial Rules . . . .. . . 7575

Infantry Infantry. . . .. . 7575 Night-Crawle Night-Crawlersrs . . . .. . . 7575 Stalkers Stalkers . . . .. . 7676 Nightmares . . . . Nightmares . . . 7676 Scourgers Scourgers . . . .. . 7777 Ravenous Horde . . . . Ravenous Horde . . . 7777 Ordnance . . . . Ordnance . . . 7777 Gougers . . . . Gougers . . . 7777 Shredders Shredders . . . .. . 7777 Armour. Armour. . . .. . . 7878

Heroes and Monsters. . . . Heroes and Monsters. . . 7878

Weapons

Weapons . . . .. . 7979

Other Rac

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T

he galaxy is burning.

The malevolent human

Corporation is expanding

its sphere of inﬂuence, annexing

more and more star systems to

its territories, bringing every

alien civilization it can under

its control. Or, if this proves

impossibl

e,

exterminating them.

The Corporation’s strategy is to

The Corporation’s strategy is to make contactmake contact

with alien civilizations and dazzle them with

humanity’s superior technology [Note: Only

27 species have so far been encountered

that possess higher understanding of the

sciences than the Corporation]. Appearing as

benefactors, Corporation diplomats will offer

massive technological help to these planets:

new forms of power, transit, communication

and all the beneﬁts a thousand year old

technologic

technological society al society can bring.can bring.

Very few peoples turn this down.

Offered membership “as equal partners”

in the Great Galactic Co-prosperity Sphere,

these new worlds will at ﬁrst be optimistic

and proud of their status, but over time they

discover the truth. Their societies undergo

massive, traumatic change, overthrowing

whatever customs and governance they

once possessed in return for the bland,

pan-galactic culture of the Corporation. Worse,

galactic culture of the Corporation. Worse,

what is initially offered free in the spirit of

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common sentient interest does not remain

so for long. Soon the incorporated culture

will be dependent on Corporation goods and

services, and bled dry to pay

services, and bled dry to pay for them.for them.

Turned into little better than puppet

states, these slave-societies are drugged

by the cheap, get-rich-quick attitudes of

Corporation culture, and will gladly devote all

of their planets’ resources to enriching the

Corporation and the few local bureaucrats

that run the business for it,

that run the business for it, while the majoritywhile the majority

of the population plummet into a state of

poverty and servitude.

This form of cultural imperialism

This form of cultural imperialism takes time,takes time,

and it does not always work. Sometimes the

most primitive culture can see through the

baubles the Corporation offers to the truth.

Other times, a civilisation may be too savage,

too advanced or just too damn alien to risk

bringing in to Man’s great galactic family.

In these cases, the Corporation will deploy

its considerable military might. Full-scale

invasion and subjugation has been the fate

of many, even complete annihilation if a race

proves too troublesome.

Well trained and equipped with the best in

military technology, Corporation Troopers

are worth scores of the warriors of less

advanced cultures. The Troopers’ armour is

often invulnerable to the natives’ weapons,

leaving them free to mercilessly mow down

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scores of the enemies with pulses from scores of the enemies with pulses from their laser weaponry. Indeed, a great many their laser weaponry. Indeed, a great many Corporation recruitment videos glory in Corporation recruitment videos glory in human troops slaughtering spear-waving human troops slaughtering spear-waving “savages” for the betterment of the cosmos. “savages” for the betterment of the cosmos. If they encounter heavier resistance, the If they encounter heavier resistance, the Troopers can bring the awesome ﬁrepower Troopers can bring the awesome ﬁrepower of their tanks and walkers to bear. In dire of their tanks and walkers to bear. In dire circumstances an expeditionary commander circumstances an expeditionary commander may petition Corporation Central to unleash may petition Corporation Central to unleash their most specialised force – the feared their most specialised force – the feared Enforcers – who will quickly dispatch even Enforcers – who will quickly dispatch even the most stubborn of foes.

the most stubborn of foes.

A system that has been cleared of hostile A system that has been cleared of hostile indigenous aliens is ripe for re-colonization indigenous aliens is ripe for re-colonization by the humans that form the largest part by the humans that form the largest part of the Corporation’s population. More often of the Corporation’s population. More often than not they too are oppressed as they strip than not they too are oppressed as they strip the place of its

the place of its natural resourcnatural resources.es.

From its ancient beginnings in the Solar From its ancient beginnings in the Solar System, the Corporation has spread like a System, the Corporation has spread like a malignant cancer across the galaxy, covering malignant cancer across the galaxy, covering entire sectors in its tyrannical rule and entire sectors in its tyrannical rule and suffocating any attempt to live free of its suffocating any attempt to live free of its clutches. Their expansion continues, but the clutches. Their expansion continues, but the galaxy is a big place. The Corporation is not galaxy is a big place. The Corporation is not the monolithic entity many think it to be, and the monolithic entity many think it to be, and suffers tensions between the great Houses suffers tensions between the great Houses and Companies that comprise it. Many a and Companies that comprise it. Many a House has had its trading right revoked House has had its trading right revoked and had to quickly move their assets out of and had to quickly move their assets out of a system they previously owned under the a system they previously owned under the supervision of an Enforcers ‘peacekeeping’ supervision of an Enforcers ‘peacekeeping’ force. And all those pampered, rich men force. And all those pampered, rich men who debate and bicker in the sterile halls of who debate and bicker in the sterile halls of Corporation Central share one, deep-seated Corporation Central share one, deep-seated fear: that sooner or later the Corporation will fear: that sooner or later the Corporation will meet its match in the unexplored expanses meet its match in the unexplored expanses of deep space…

of deep space…

Corporation Weapons Team Corporation Weapons Team

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These elite warriors exist to enforce the will

of the government – they answer solely to

Corporation Central, meaning, in actuality,

the Council of Seven. Comprised of superior

soldiers, equipped with some of the best

technology in the galaxy, the troops of the

Enforcers are few in number, but each is

worth a score of lesser men. In ﬁrepower

they are matched only by the Forge Fathers,

while in combat they are as deadly as the

wild Marauders. Their loyalty to Corporation

Central is absolute. Unmatched in the galaxy,

the Enforcers are the elite of the elite, the

armoured right ﬁst of Corporation Central.

Very little is actually known about the

Enforcers. They were ﬁrst created in the

wake of the Mandrake Marauder rebellions,

as a replacement for those treacherous

companies of aliens under Corporation

Central’s direct command. Corporation

Central does its best to keep the Enforcers’

recruitment, equipment, disposition, overall

numbers, organisation and membership

conﬁdential. In a galaxy as large as ours, this

is nigh on impossible, and there are certain

matters that are readily apparent to an

observer, nevertheless the

observer, nevertheless the EnforcEnforcers remainers remain

shrouded in secrecy.

THE ENFORCERS – A SECRET ARMY

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W

herever there is war you

will ﬁnd the

will ﬁnd the Marauders.

Marauders.

Hulking, muscled alien

brutes who revel in combat,

Marauders are employed as

merc

mercenaries by all

enaries by all the major

the major

powers in the galaxy. For a

Marauder chieftain, it does not

matter who you ﬁght

matter who you ﬁght or why, only

or why, only

how much you can pay.

“Marauder” is not the name these creatures “Marauder” is not the name these creatures have for themselves, in their own, simple have for themselves, in their own, simple tongue they are “Orx”, but Marauder suits tongue they are “Orx”, but Marauder suits them well. When peace reigns, Marauders them well. When peace reigns, Marauders become a menace to civilisation, turning become a menace to civilisation, turning to piracy and looting when they can ﬁnd to piracy and looting when they can ﬁnd no paymaster. Marauders can be found no paymaster. Marauders can be found everywhere, from the most densely everywhere, from the most densely populated core systems to the depths of populated core systems to the depths of interstellar space. In the wilder reaches interstellar space. In the wilder reaches of the galaxy, away from the Corporation of the galaxy, away from the Corporation Core Worlds, it is said that there is not an Core Worlds, it is said that there is not an

Marauder Army Marauder Army

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asteroid belt or moonlet that does not house asteroid belt or moonlet that does not house a pirate nest of these violent creatures. It is a pirate nest of these violent creatures. It is not unusual for Corporation scout fleets to not unusual for Corporation scout fleets to travel to an unmapped system only to find a travel to an unmapped system only to find a Marauder pirate lord has been there before, Marauder pirate lord has been there before, and tense ship

and tense ship battles are often the outcomebattles are often the outcome in these situations.

in these situations.

It was not always so. Until less than three It was not always so. Until less than three centuries ago, the Orx were conﬁned to a centuries ago, the Orx were conﬁned to a cluster of twenty or so systems halfway cluster of twenty or so systems halfway toward the spinward end of the Sagittarius toward the spinward end of the Sagittarius arm. At the time, this was right at the very arm. At the time, this was right at the very edge of Corporation territory, and

edge of Corporation territory, and even todayeven today the area remains far from the bustling heart the area remains far from the bustling heart

of human civilization. Forty or so worlds of of human civilization. Forty or so worlds of various classes were claimed and scheduled various classes were claimed and scheduled for colonization by

for colonization by automated reconnaissanautomated reconnaissancece drones of the Klandax Company. Signs of drones of the Klandax Company. Signs of low level sentient life activity were recorded low level sentient life activity were recorded on these planets, but this in itself was not on these planets, but this in itself was not unusual. A Grand Settlement Fleet of some unusual. A Grand Settlement Fleet of some 300 ships, including a portion of Klandax 300 ships, including a portion of Klandax Company’s own military, were dispatched. Company’s own military, were dispatched. For Klandax, it was a great shame they had For Klandax, it was a great shame they had not invested in

not invested in more sophisticated drones.more sophisticated drones. Fleet scout teams made landfall on Fleet scout teams made landfall on Caprisiam IV, and began to survey sites for Caprisiam IV, and began to survey sites for

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an initial colony that would serve as base of

operations for further activity in the sector.

Large numbers of natives were recorded,

but these appeared primitive in the extreme.

While the ﬂeet surveyors started their work,

contact with the natives was attempted by

renowned exobiol

renowned exobiologist Dr Jogist Dr Jan Friers, workingan Friers, working

under license directly for Klandax. Friers

was widely regarded as a safe pair of hands,

having already participated in ﬁrst contact

with four alien species. He

with four alien species. He was accompaniedwas accompanied

by a half company of Corporation Troopers,

so despite the alien’s savage nature,

Klandax’s expeditionary commander Prakal

Mitrandesh was conﬁdent things would

go smoothly.

Within half an hour of approaching the ﬁrst

native settlement, Friers was dead. The

natives had attacked in force, ambushing

the Corporation representatives. Although

they took many casualties, the natives had

killed twenty-three other men, despite

their primitive weaponry. Captain Martello,

commanding, described warriors of

unparalleled ferocity, simple metal blades

punched through his men’s sophisticated

armour by dint of their massive strength

alone. Martello insisted they had been

tricked, that the natives had drawn them

in to talk simply to assess them. They’d

learned precisely two things: One, that the

natives called themselves “Orx”, secondly,

that they were extremely aggressive.

Martello was disciplined for abandoning the

bodies and equipment of his men, and a

suborbital ﬁghter was launched to destroy

the settlement.

Four hours later, an Orx force, carrying

Corporation weaponry, attacked the surveying

team and wiped them out. Commander

Mitrandesh had the remainder of Friers’

exobiology staff declare the Orx hostile, and

set about a campaign of extermination.

The genocide took six weeks and cost

Mitrandesh quarter of his ﬁghting men. Still,

the planet was clear. Sector colonisation

headquarters were established, and the ﬂeet

moved on to the next scheduled world.

The same thing happened there. And then

again. And again.

What Klandax’s probes had not revealed

was that this promising world cluster was

infested with these Orx. How they spread

is unclear, although it has been surmised

that the Orx once possessed a higher level

of civilization, or were employed as another

culture as warriors – their cleared worlds

exhibit extensive, ancient ruins.

Mitrandesh soon realized he had not

enough men to pacify the entire region, and

reluctantl

reluctantly applied y applied to Corporation Central to Corporation Central forfor

military aid, forfeiting Klandax’s sole claim

military aid, forfeiting Klandax’s sole claim toto

the territory.

Enter General Klimt. Named “The White Devil

God” by the Kathradny [extinct], Klimt wasted

no time in extirpating the Orx from their

ancient worlds. But Klimt was impressed by

his foe. Wave after wave of howling savages

would literally throw themselves at his

lines, doing enormous damage before being

gunned down.

By this time Corporation intelligence had

gained a grasp of the Orx language, and

so Klimt hit upon an idea. He had several

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hundred Orx captured, and once they were

subdued, made them an offer.

And so the ﬁrst battalion of Orx auxiliaries

were trained using Corporation war-doctrine.

As they were as happy to ﬁght each other

as the corporation the worlds were soon

cleared, and Klimt forced Klandax into an

embarrassing handover of the new colonies

to Klimt’s own masters in House

to Klimt’s own masters in House Antigone.Antigone.

Klimt’s scheme was so successful that

Orx were employed for decades as shock

troopers all over the Corporation.

But the Orx learnt their lessons well.

A century later, during the Mandrake

Secession War, an entire Orx auxiliary

Secession War, an entire Orx auxiliary legionlegion

turned on their masters, seized control

of a ﬂotilla of spaceships and scattered

themselves across the galaxy.

The Marauder civilization was born, a new

breed of space-faring Orx. Although most

Orx auxiliaries were immediately liquidated

on news of the Mandrake Betrayal, the

Corporation and its enemies still make

frequent use of these brutal but very

frequent use of these brutal but very effectiveeffective

troops as mercenaries – the reasoning being,

it is better to have them ﬁghting with you,

than against you.

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T

he ancient and proud

culture of the Forge

Father

s has

managed to

retain its independence from

the Corporation while others

have fallen. Masters of science,

artisans beyond compare, the

Forge Fathers are the only aliens

to trade with the

Corporation on

anything approaching even terms.

While they are far fewer in numbers than

humans, the Forge Fathers are renowned

across the galaxy for their grasp of advanced

technology. They are one of the only species in

known space whose weaponry and spacecraft

are more powerful than those of the Corporation.

Their battle-suits are nigh-on impregnable, the

destructive capability of their thermal guns is

of tremendous magnitude, not to mention the

incredible rate of ﬁre and penetrative power of

their solid-shot weaponry. In the ﬁeld of space

warfare, they are unsurpassed. Their ships are

much like they are: slow, massive, resilient to

damage, and armed to the teeth.

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12 Forge Fathers

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The Forge Fathers are a cautious people in

most matters, their

most matters, their technical secrets cannottechnical secrets cannot

be bought, and they take great pains to

conceal the workings of the machinery that

they sell to others. The structure, workings

and habits of their civilization have only

been won by the Corporation at great cost

and effort, as the torture, psychological

conditioning and mental engineering

employed by the Corporation on war captives

work rarely on the

work rarely on the robust psyches of the robust psyches of the ForForgege

Fathers. Were it not for the few disaffected

members of this honourable people willing

to sell their secrets, the Corporation would

know very little about them at all beyond

that which the Forge Fathers wish them to

know. Human spymasters can never be sure

what they have gleaned is disinformation

and which is truth. It is also a sad fact that

there are far more corruptible individuals in

the Co-Prosperity Sphere than in the Forge

Fathers’ Star Realm. Corporation Central

is well aware that the Forge Fathers have a

great deal more information about mankind

than mankind has

than mankind has about the Forge Fathers.about the Forge Fathers.

Although the core of the Forge Fathers’

realm lies coreward to Corporation space,

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they can be found throughout the galaxy. they can be found throughout the galaxy. The great fleets of the Forge Fathers have The great fleets of the Forge Fathers have been plying the heavens for millennia, been plying the heavens for millennia, travelling from system to system, selling travelling from system to system, selling their services. Although dubbed “Trading their services. Although dubbed “Trading fleets” by the Corporation, this is something fleets” by the Corporation, this is something of a misnomer;

of a misnomer; each great Foreach great Forge Father star-ge Father star-caravan centres on one or more Ward Ships, caravan centres on one or more Ward Ships, a mountain of metal and stone bristling with a mountain of metal and stone bristling with weapons. Smaller craft cluster about it, and weapons. Smaller craft cluster about it, and these are multifarious in purpose. Besides these are multifarious in purpose. Besides smaller warships, many are tailored to smaller warships, many are tailored to constructive purpose: geoengineering, constructive purpose: geoengineering, large-scale construction, fabrication, asteroid scale construction, fabrication, asteroid mining or whatever else the clan they belong mining or whatever else the clan they belong to happens to specialise in. Depending on to happens to specialise in. Depending on

what they are engaged to do, a Forge Father what they are engaged to do, a Forge Father fleet can remain in orbit around a planet for fleet can remain in orbit around a planet for anything up to a century before moving on. anything up to a century before moving on. This is but a short time for Forge Fathers; This is but a short time for Forge Fathers; the longest lived in Corporation custody the longest lived in Corporation custody survived one hundred and fifty years before survived one hundred and fifty years before contriving to take his own life. It is suspected contriving to take his own life. It is suspected their natural lifespan is at least seventy their natural lifespan is at least seventy years longer than this, and has been greatly years longer than this, and has been greatly extended by medical means.

extended by medical means.

Relations between the Corporation and the Relations between the Corporation and the Forge Father Star Realm are tense. Military Forge Father Star Realm are tense. Military confront

confrontation between the ation between the two almost alwaystwo almost always go in favour of the Forge Fathers. The Forge go in favour of the Forge Fathers. The Forge Fathers might lack the numbers or

Fathers might lack the numbers or territorialterritorial

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ambition to exploit such victories, but any ambition to exploit such victories, but any trespass into their space by Corporation trespass into their space by Corporation Fleets has been ruthlessly dealt with, while Fleets has been ruthlessly dealt with, while every attempt to incorporate Forge Father every attempt to incorporate Forge Father worlds or clans into the Co-Prosperity worlds or clans into the Co-Prosperity Sphere have been foiled, no matter the Sphere have been foiled, no matter the means employed. The two powers will trade, means employed. The two powers will trade, but these transactions are always done on but these transactions are always done on the Forge Fathers’ terms.

the Forge Fathers’ terms. The activi

The activities of the Forge Fathers are ties of the Forge Fathers are of greatof great interest to the Corporation, not

interest to the Corporation, not least becauseleast because they are capable of planetary engineering they are capable of planetary engineering feats that make the Corporation’s own feats that make the Corporation’s own efforts appear feeble. In par

efforts appear feeble. In particular the Forgeticular the Forge Fathers possess the ability to shift a world’s Fathers possess the ability to shift a world’s

orbit; needless to say this is of great interest orbit; needless to say this is of great interest to Corporation peace contractors. There to Corporation peace contractors. There appears to be a new pattern emerging in the appears to be a new pattern emerging in the activities of the Forge Father trade ﬂeets, with activities of the Forge Father trade ﬂeets, with civilisations earmarked for incorporation into civilisations earmarked for incorporation into the Co-Prosperity Sphere suddenly gaining the Co-Prosperity Sphere suddenly gaining a much higher level of technology. Several a much higher level of technology. Several cultures near the borders of the Star Realm cultures near the borders of the Star Realm have signed mutual protection pacts with the have signed mutual protection pacts with the Forge Fathers, or even allowing themselves Forge Fathers, or even allowing themselves to by subsumed

to by subsumed into the Star into the Star Realm entirelyRealm entirely.. All this is exceedingly irksome to Corporation All this is exceedingly irksome to Corporation Central, but while the Forge Fathers remain Central, but while the Forge Fathers remain preeminent in the ﬁeld of space warfare, there preeminent in the ﬁeld of space warfare, there is little prospect that the situation will change. is little prospect that the situation will change.

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16

16 W

W

herever mankind has

gone, rats have

shortly

followed. The Veer-myn

are the latest manifestation of

this unwitting partnership.

The armies and dignitaries of the

The armies and dignitaries of the CorporationCorporation

ﬂy through space at many times the speed

of light. Not so the cargoes needed to keep

the Co-Prosperity Sphere trading. Shooting

such mass past the light

such mass past the light barrier is unfeasiblybarrier is unfeasibly

complex and expensive, and so ore, grains,

chemicals, machines, all the many, weighty

things made and shipped throughout space

go at much lower velocity. The bulk haulers

of the Corporation are vast, gigantic vessels

made from hollowed out asteroids that

are pulled across the cosmos by tug craft.

A hauler’s carrying capacity is often in the

hundreds of thousands of megatonnes.

Each one is the size of a city; a maze of

endless holds and storage bays connected

by innumerable lift shafts, corridors, and

conduits. Unless circumstances or cargo

are exceptional, carriers tend to ply the

starlanes between stars close to one another.

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Nevertheless, each voyage takes many

months, sometimes years.

A tug’s crew rarely ventures back into the

hauler, but on occasion inspections are

requir

required, and ed, and so haulers all possess sectionsso haulers all possess sections

where basic life support and an atmosphere

are maintained. At some point in history,

the rat crept into these cold, dark and

inhospitable places, found some warm spot

in which to live and thrive, and it is here that

it evolved.

Who knows when the ﬁrst Veer-myn stood

upright and blinked eyes ablaze with newly

minted intelligence? The transition from

rat to Veer-myn took place phenomenally

quickly; at most, so Corporation science

personnel have it, just under one thousand

years. Perhaps this huge evolutionary jump

occurred because of radiation leaks from

poorly shielded reactors, or because of

cosmic ray bombardment, or perhaps their

race was born from some chemical cocktail,

spilled in the transport caverns of a

spilled in the transport caverns of a forgottforgottenen

ship. More troubling is the idea that their

emergence was no accident at all, that the

Veer-myn were deliberately made…

Whatever caused the change, it forced

the common brown rat to walk upright

and grow many times in size. It gained

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18

opposable thumbs, and a mind to use

them. Language and a vicious society came

quickly, both crude mirrors of mankind’s

own. A new race of space scavengers was

born. With an intelligence close to that of a

man married with the survival instincts and

astounding reproductive rate of the rat, they

quickly spread.

There are Veer-myn everywhere in the galaxy

today. They live deep within the settlements

of many races, from airless colony moons

to continent-spanning mega-cities, and

infest the depths of spacecraft. Wherever

they are, they cause serious problems. Their

spade-like teeth are iron-hard and grow

constantly. They are vital tools to the

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rat-men, but a Veer-myn must gnaw at hard

men, but a Veer-myn must gnaw at hard

materials lest their teeth outgrow their

jaws,

jaws, causing causing agonising agonising pain; pain; a a Veer-mynVeer-myn

can chew through reinforced carbons given

time. Their bodies are host to numerous

unpleasant diseases that they spread from

world to world, the purple pox of Indraxia,

a supposedly quarantined world, somehow

managed to break out from its point of origin

and infect ﬁfteen systems, killing up 25% of

the population of each. The Veer-myn were

duly blamed, and with good

duly blamed, and with good reason.reason.

Most problematically, Veer-myn steal whatever

they can. They take food and water, despoiling

what they leave behind, ruining vital supply

shipments. They have an almost preternatural

understanding of chemistry,

rudimentary understanding of more advanced

technologies, and an enthusiastic if somewhat

haphazard approach to experimentation. They

strip the machines of others to get to the

raw materials they require for their devices,

crippling city sectors or ships, sometimes

with fatal results. To prevent these mishaps,

Corporation spacecraft are routinely scoured

for Veer-myn nests, and there are certain units

of Corporation troopers who spend entire tours

of duty as “rat catchers” aboard those warships

large enough to warrant it. On occasion,

humans cower in reinforced crew quarters

while a ship’s atmosphere is vented into space.

A drastic measure, and not always successful.

There are rare cases of Veer-myn tribes being

bought off to watch over “their” ship, but in the

main they are regarded as unsophisticated

pests and exterminated.

This attitude greatly underestimates the

complexity of Veer-myn society. They are

naturally secretive and appear to possess a

great deal of native cunning, so much so that

rumours of hidden cities of Veer-myn are just

about credible. Less believable are stories of

worlds overwhelmed by masses of verminous

warriors boiling up out of the ground, armed

with bizarre weapons that spit ﬁre and searing

chemicals, or those tales told of the giant,

mutant monsters that ﬁght beside them.

Co-Prosperity Sphere citizens should rest

assured that these are just stories, furthermore

stories that are likely to earn their teller a

late-night call from Corporation Intelligence.

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Warpath is a sci-ﬁ

Warpath is a sci-fi small-action wargamsmall-action wargamee set in Mantic’s fictional galaxy at war. set in Mantic’s fictional galaxy at war. Warpath is a game that is easy to learn Warpath is a game that is easy to learn and fast to play, yet will take time and and fast to play, yet will take time and experience to master. With few and experience to master. With few and simple rules, there is little to get in the simple rules, there is little to get in the way of the fun and slaughter.

way of the fun and slaughter.

The game system uses an intriguing The game system uses an intriguing unit activation system that will keep unit activation system that will keep both players on their toes and force both players on their toes and force them to make some difﬁcult choices them to make some difﬁcult choices to outwit their

to outwit their opponent. And that’s notopponent. And that’s not all – like all Mantic wargames, Warpath all – like all Mantic wargames, Warpath has been designed to allow you to use has been designed to allow you to use a stopwatch or a chess clock to time a stopwatch or a chess clock to time your moves. As the seconds tick away, your moves. As the seconds tick away,

the pressure and excitement build the pressure and excitement build up, giving you an extra dimension of up, giving you an extra dimension of gameplay and an extra resource to gameplay and an extra resource to manage during the battle.

manage during the battle.

Following the same successful Following the same successful development pattern we employed development pattern we employed with Kings of War, we have decided to with Kings of War, we have decided to release Warpath at a very early stage release Warpath at a very early stage of development. The system, and of development. The system, and particularly the army lists, are still particularly the army lists, are still in need of accurate balancing… and in need of accurate balancing… and that’s where you can help. Please play that’s where you can help. Please play as many games as you can and give us as many games as you can and give us your feedback at:

your feedback at:

www.manticgames.com/Forum.html www.manticgames.com/Forum.html

Measuring Distances

You can measure distances at any time.

The distance between two models is

measured to/from the closest point of

their bases. If a model has no base,

use the closest part of its hull or torso.

The distance between two units is

measured to/from the closest models

in the two units. To avoid confusion,

keep your units more than 1” away from

enemy units at all times.

20

T

Th

he

e R

Ru

ulle

es

s

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In exchange we’ll keep the rules of In exchange we’ll keep the rules of Warpath up to date for free, while we Warpath up to date for free, while we continue with the development of our continue with the development of our apocalyptic mass-battle system, which apocalyptic mass-battle system, which we will unleash upon you in the we will unleash upon you in the not-so-distant future!

so-distant future!

Models and Units

The models used to play Warpath must The models used to play Warpath must be glued on the bases provided with be glued on the bases provided with them or identically-sized alternatives. them or identically-sized alternatives. Most models in the game ﬁght together Most models in the game ﬁght together in groups which we call ‘units’. Each unit in groups which we call ‘units’. Each unit belongs to one of the

belongs to one of the followifollowing types:ng types:

Infantry (Inf)

Infantry units normally consist of five to Infantry units normally consist of five to twenty models, as shown in Diagram A. twenty models, as shown in Diagram A. The number of models that make up a unit The number of models that make up a unit is specified in its Stats (Stats are explained is specified in its Stats (Stats are explained later) and will normally correspond to the later) and will normally correspond to the number of models you get in the boxes number of models you get in the boxes supplied by Mantic. Models in a unit must supplied by Mantic. Models in a unit must at all times be

at all times be in formationin formation, by which we, by which we mean within 5” of the unit’s Leader and mean within 5” of the unit’s Leader and within 1” of another member of that unit, within 1” of another member of that unit, forming an uninterrupted chain of models forming an uninterrupted chain of models (see Diagram A).

(see Diagram A).

Heroes & Monsters

(Hero, Monster)

A Hero or Monster is a unit consisting of A Hero or Monster is a unit consisting of a single model: either a mighty leader or a single model: either a mighty leader or other ofﬁcer (Hero), a large alien beast or other ofﬁcer (Hero), a large alien beast or armoured combat walker or exoskeleton armoured combat walker or exoskeleton (Monster) or even a combination of the (Monster) or even a combination of the two - like a commander mounted on a two - like a commander mounted on a great war-beast (often treated as a Hero, great war-beast (often treated as a Hero, but see individual entries).

but see individual entries).

Ordnance (Ord)

Each Ordnance unit consists of a single Each Ordnance unit consists of a single large gun and sometimes a number of large gun and sometimes a number of crew models too. Any crew models are crew models too. Any crew models are purely decorative and should be arranged purely decorative and should be arranged around the machine

around the machine, and within 1” of , and within 1” of it, init, in a suitably realistic fashion.

a suitably realistic fashion.

Armour (Arm)

Each Armoured unit consists of a Each Armoured unit consists of a single model. They range in size single model. They range in size from mighty battle tanks to smaller from mighty battle tanks to smaller armoured personnel carriers and armoured personnel carriers and include armoured cars and other include armoured cars and other lighter vehicles.

lighter vehicles.

Diag

Diagram ram A –A – UniUnitsts

20 Infantry 20 Infantry t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t tt t t t t t t t t L L 5" 5" 10 Infantry 10 Infantry t t t t t t t t t t tt t t t t t t L L 5 Infantry 5 Infantry Leader Leader Trooper Trooper LL t t t t tt tt 1" 1"

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Stats

Each model in Warpath has a name Each model in Warpath has a name and a series of statistics (for short, and a series of statistics (for short, we call them ‘Stats’) which deﬁne how we call them ‘Stats’) which deﬁne how powerful it is in the

powerful it is in the game. These aregame. These are:: •

• Speed (Spd).Speed (Spd). How fast the model How fast the model moves, in inches.

moves, in inches. •

• To Hit (Hit).To Hit (Hit). The score needed byThe score needed by the model to hit, both with ranged the model to hit, both with ranged attacks and in melee.

attacks and in melee. •

• Attacks (Att).Attacks (Att). The number of diceThe number of dice the model rolls when attacking the model rolls when attacking in melee.

in melee. •

• Defence (Def).Defence (Def). The score the enemy The score the enemy requires to damage the model. requires to damage the model. •

• Nerve (Ner).Nerve (Ner). A combination ofA combination of the model’s courage, training the model’s courage, training and discipline.

and discipline.

Special.

Special. A unit’s entry will also list any A unit’s entry will also list any unusual equipment and special rules unusual equipment and special rules that apply to its models.

that apply to its models.

The Stats are presented in a

The Stats are presented in a proﬁle proﬁle asas in the following example:

in the following example:

Forge Fathers, Steel Warriors

Spd

Spd Hit Hit Att Att Def Def NerNer

Steel

Steel Warrior Warrior 4 4 4+ 4+ 1 1 5+ 5+ 9/119/11

Special:

Special: Headstrong. Headstrong.

Dice

In these rules, when we refer to a die or dice, we mean a six-sided die, which

we call D6. Sometimes we also use terms like ‘D3’ (the result of a D6 divided by

2 (rounding up)), or ‘D6+1’ (roll a D6 and adding 1 to the result), or 2D6 (roll two

dice and add them

dice and add them together).together).

Also, if a rule tells you that you need

Also, if a rule tells you that you need to roll 4+, it means you need to roll a numberto roll 4+, it means you need to roll a number

equal to or higher than 4.

Re-rolls

When you are allowed a re-roll, simply pick up the number of dice you are

allowed to re-roll and roll them again. The second result stands, even if it’s

worse than the first.

Roll-off

When called to roll-off, both players roll a die, and then compare their results.

The highest scorer wins the roll-off. Re-roll in the event of a tie.

22

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Unit Leaders

A unit’s Leader is very important, and A unit’s Leader is very important, and should be represented by a suitably should be represented by a suitably imposing model so that he clearly stands imposing model so that he clearly stands out from the rest of the unit. The Leader out from the rest of the unit. The Leader is the commander of the unit, the one is the commander of the unit, the one making the decisions and issuing orders making the decisions and issuing orders to his subordinates and is often used as to his subordinates and is often used as a point of reference. If a unit consists of a a point of reference. If a unit consists of a single model (such as an Armoured unit, single model (such as an Armoured unit, a Hero or Monster), that model obviously a Hero or Monster), that model obviously counts as the ‘Leader’.

counts as the ‘Leader’.

Line of Sight

During the game, you will at times During the game, you will at times need to determine whether one of your need to determine whether one of your models can see another one - normally models can see another one - normally an enemy model that your model (and an enemy model that your model (and the unit it belongs to) intends to charge the unit it belongs to) intends to charge or shoot. Unless stated otherwise, or shoot. Unless stated otherwise, models can see all around regardless models can see all around regardless of the direction they are actually facing. of the direction they are actually facing.

Of course, terrain and other models Of course, terrain and other models can still get in

can still get in the way and hide the way and hide targetargetsts from sight. To determine whether from sight. To determine whether your model can see a target, simply your model can see a target, simply lean down on the table and peek from lean down on the table and peek from behind the head of the model. If you behind the head of the model. If you can see the torso or head of the target can see the torso or head of the target model (ignore weapons, banners or model (ignore weapons, banners or other decorations, limbs, tails, wings, other decorations, limbs, tails, wings, etc.) then your model can ‘see’ it.

etc.) then your model can ‘see’ it.

When checking a model’s line of sight, When checking a model’s line of sight, ignore the other models in its

ignore the other models in its own unit.own unit. YYou can even lie them dou can even lie them down temporariown temporarilyly if you need to (as in reality they might if you need to (as in reality they might be kneeling or even lying prone on the be kneeling or even lying prone on the ground – a safe habit on the battleﬁeld). ground – a safe habit on the battleﬁeld). If you’re not sure whether a model can If you’re not sure whether a model can see a target or not, roll a die. On

see a target or not, roll a die. On a 4+ ita 4+ it can see it, on 3 or less it cannot.

Warpath II Rules

F

F

uturistic

uturistic

Squad�Based Warfare

Squad�Based Warfare

CORE RULEBOOK

CORE RULEBOOK

2

2

2

2

Contents

Contents

Credits

Credits

T

T

he galaxy is burning.

he galaxy is burning.

The malevolent human

The malevolent human

Corporation is expanding

Corporation is expanding

its sphere of inﬂuence, annexing

its sphere of inﬂuence, annexing

more and more star systems to

more and more star systems to

its territories, bringing every

its territories, bringing every

alien civilization it can under

alien civilization it can under

its control. Or, if this proves

its control. Or, if this proves

impossibl

impossibl

e,

e,

exterminating them.

exterminating them.

4

4

4

6

6

6

THE ENFORCERS – A SECRET ARMY

W

W

herever there is war you

herever there is war you

will ﬁnd the

will ﬁnd the Marauders.

Marauders.

Hulking, muscled alien

Hulking, muscled alien

brutes who revel in combat,

brutes who revel in combat,

Marauders are employed as

Marauders are employed as

merc

mercenaries by all

enaries by all the major

the major

powers in the galaxy. For a

powers in the galaxy. For a

Marauder chieftain, it does not

Marauder chieftain, it does not

matter who you ﬁght

matter who you ﬁght or why, only

or why, only

how much you can pay.

how much you can pay.

8

8

8

8

10

10