A few weeks ago, I interviewed David Annandale, one of Black Library’s more recent new authors. He made (some short stories aside) an impressive Black Library debut with Yarrick: Chains of Golgotha. Now, his first full Warhammer 40K novel is here. Black Library already released the eBook for the Space Marines Battles novels The Death of Antagonis. As I still do most of my reading in the stone-age format of dead trees, I’ll probably wait for the paperback from Amazon.
One of the things I remember from the interview was that David Annandale was building himself a small Black Dragons Space Marines army. This got me thinking on how one might approach using Black Dragons in a “fluffy” way for Warhammer 40K 6th Edition.
Black Dragons art from Black Library – Yes, they are Loyalists, despite the ‘dragon-ified’ Aquila
#1 – Cursed Founding Space Marine in White Dwarf 279
The obvious start, I believe, would be to go back to the time (Warhammer 40K 3rd Edition) and place (White Dwarf) when Black Dragons Space Marines did have official rules.
The Black Dragons first major appearance was in a ‘Chapter Approved’ on the Cursed Founding Space Marines in White Dwarf 279, back in 2002 (which is easy to catch on eBay).
Other Cursed Founding Chapters in that White Dwarf were ‘The Minotaurs’, ‘The Legion of the Damned’, ‘The Lamenters’, ‘The Flame Falcons’ and ‘The Sons of Antaeus’.
As was custom back in those days, the ‘Chapter Approved’ had a few special rules for all Cursed Founding Space Marines and for each of the cursed Chapters in particular.
General rules (back than) for all Cursed Founding Space Marines were:
- Ill-Fated: Cursed Founding Space Marines did not have ‘And They Shall Know No Fear‘ and could not use Drop Pods (which, I guess, were tempting their bad luck too much!)
- Outcasts: Armies made from Cursed Founding Space Marines could not use Imperial allies (a rule that would be usable again in 6th Edition). Inversely, one could add a small allied force of Cursed Founding Space Marines to another Imperial army (as ‘Allied Detachment in 6th Edition terms), though they must start in reserve as Unseen Allies.
- Unseen Allies also made Cursed Founding Space Marines (as Allies) prone to disappear again). For each allied Cursed Founding unit on the table, one had to roll a D6. On a roll of 1, the unit would move 2D6 to the closest table-edge and, if possible, leave the battle.
There was also a unique psychic power for Cursed Founding Space Marine Librarians (forcing moral checks on enemies within 12″) and two new unit types: “Cursed Knights” (who did not display they marks of the curse on first sight and get back ATSKNF) and “Abominations” (who had gone of the deep end with their curse, becoming fearless close-combat savages).
The Black Dragons in particular could add Ossific Blades to each assault squad model, turning them into Dragon Claws squads, which benefited from a 3rd Ed. variant of Rending.
There was also a short little conversion article (complete with pics of unpainted Space Marine minis in the White Dwarf!), essentially recommending people to glue parts from the Tyranid Gaunt sprue to Space Marine miniatures to represent the Dragon Claws’ blade-like bone protrusions.
Black Dragons Space Marine bone protusion
#2 – Black Dragons Space Marines in 6th Edition
Replicating the things that make Black Dragons unique isn’t as easy in Warhammer 40K 6th Edition, unless you (and your gaming group) are fine with simply house-ruling your own stuff. Even those White Dwarf rules from 11 years ago would likely need some tweaking. An additional 5 pts. per model for gaining Rending at the expense of ATSKNF is likely not 6th-Edition fair.
Variant 1 – Blood Angels – The Cursed
[...] the Ossmodula zygote of the Black Dragons functions in an abnormal way causing the growth of bony crests on the head, and blade-like protuberances from the forearm and elbow. Like the Death Company of the Blood Angels, warriors inflicted with such abnormal developments are formed into a separate fighting unit. Known as the Dragon Claws, they sharpen these additional protrusions to a killing edge, [...]
- White Dwarf 279
Though the Black Dragons are (unlike Lamenters) not a Blood Angels successor, the Blood Angels codex is an obvious choice, not least because the old White Dwarf article itself compares the two. Blood Angels are also the archetypal ”cursed” Space Marines in Warhammer 40K.
Pro
- Using Death Company to represent ‘Dragon Claws’
- Lots of Assault Marines in the army
- Apothecaries also play a big role among the Black Dragons
Cons
- Cannot loose ATSKNF (except for Red Thirst)
- No precedent for Black Dragons having fast vehicles
To do
- Don’t take Drop Pods
- Don’t take Imperial Allies
- Don’t take obvious Blood Angel units (e.g. Sanguinary Guard)
Variant 2 – Chaos Space Marines – Beyond the Pale
It is even rumoured that the Black Dragon Apothecaries deliberately encourage such growths, even going as far as to knowingly implant aberrant zygotes into some initiates. This is exceptionally dangerous, and the practice is forbidden bz Imperial edict, but old traditions die hard as the ferocity of the Dragon Claws is much valued by the Chapter Masters.
- White Dwarf 279
For obvious reasons, Black Dragons are a chapters that pushes the boundaries of Imperial (Inquisitorial) tolerance. With no Drop Pods, few Imperial allies, no ATSKNF and mutations all around, it seems worthwhile to take a look on the other side for rules: Chaos Space Marines.
In fact, most of it works well. The one thing giving me headaches would be the new Champion of Chaos rule (random boon table and all).
Ironically, the old 4th Ed. Chaos Space Marines codex would have probably worked even better.
Pro
- No ATSKNF
- Berzerkers would make decent Dragon Claws
- Drop Pod and Allies restrictions build-in
Cons
- Champion of Chaos rule is hard to justify (4th Edition CSM Codex would’ve worked better)
- Missing some loyalist equipment (e.g. Assault Cannons, Whirlwinds)
To do
- Don’t take Marks of Chaos
- Don’t take obvious Chaos units (e.g. Fiends, Daemon Princes)
A Black Dragons Space Marine
Of course, the two variants above are but short brainstorming ideas. Most likely there are other interesting variants to get the Black Dragons on the table (Space Wolves perhaps?).
If you have some cool “counts-as” ideas to make Black Dragons work in the spirit of the fluff (soon to be expanded with The Death of Antagonis) and/or the old White Dwarf entry, I’d love to hear it!
Z.