ISSUE 32

May 2011
 SUBMISSIONS: Warp Rift Table of Contents
All types of articles are desper- Editorial g
ately needed to keep this publi- Navis Nobilite 3
cation alive. In some cases,
High admiralty 4
submission includes placement
on the web at: [Link]- Lexicanum: bfg rules and tactics g
[Link]. Please include a
Tactical Command: It's not so bad: using the tyrant 5
note with your submission if
you would like this clarified. Ships Database: Spacefleet ships in BFG: Imperial support ships 6
Submission via e-mail implies Encyclopedia gothica: Fleet engagement variant 10
approval for publication.
COVER CREDITS: The Forge: bfg modeling and painting g
SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO:
Dry Dock: Black SHip Conversion 12
This image started out as a 3D modelling assign-
horizon@[Link] or
ment for school. I wanted to depict the a small Sensor Readings: bfg fan fiction and scenarios g
warprift@[Link]
flotilla of Imperial ships. The battlecruiser and her
Void Stalker: BattleFleet Limante, part II 15
escorts, here plying the void, dangers lurking every- Please register your support for
where in the dark. this publication. Download your
by Alex Eigner, [Link] copy from the official web site:
[Link]/
archive/bfgmag/
THE WARP RIFT TEAM:
Aaron Dickey Vaaish, Editor Discuss and Talk about Warp Rift
at the following location:
Roy (Horizon) Amkreutz Void Stalker II
Warp Rift Forum
Iain (Cybershadow) Watcher in the Dark
Ray Bell Admiralty Read the Warp Rift Blog for news
Reg Steiner Tyranid War Veteran updates and extra material here:

Jack Watling Magician Warp Rift Blog

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Model Photos Gothicomp Participants From the Nexus Publishing House:

Additional Artwork Xeones Warp Rift is not endorsed, nor does it endorse, Games Workshop, and it is not an official publication of Games Workshop. Any words, phrases or images are used without
permission and no challenge is intended as a result of such a usage, including the use of these words, phrases and images without the appropriate symbols of copyright. Addi-
Contributing Authors David Hscocks, Tom Moseley tionally, these pages – including content, design and images – are copyright (except where copyright should infringe other such rights). Licensed names, images and logos are
Dan Lee, Mangozac, Bryan McMahon copyright their respective companies or authors. No part of these pages may be ‘borrowed’ or reproduced, and no articles or rules should be considered ‘official in any way.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 2

Navis Nobilite
Welcome back! as well as another great conversion by Mangozac, this time
of an Inquisitorial Black Ship. We also have part two of the
It's been a busy couple of months here
Spacefleet to BFG conversion covering the Imperial support
as we prepare for the release of Warp
ships.
Rift. This issue has been especially dif-
ficult to prepare because we haven't Unfortunately, we are unable to bring you any news on the
received submissions for several of the status of the 2010 Compendium updates that were sent to
sections. Since we don't have full time Games Workshop by the High Admiralty a few months ago.
staff writers to prepare articles for us, We're hoping that something happens pretty soon because
we really do rely on the community to the update is much needed and provdies a slight expansion
produce content for us to publish each of the BFG ships and rules.
issue. If you've got some fluff or ship For those of you who might not be familiar with the update
designs or perhaps a tutorial on paint- I'm talking about, it's available from the link we've provided
ing and modeling we'd love to have it! here until Games Workshop approves them for posting to
Feel free to drop us the article and we'll the main website: [Link]
put it in.
Going back to the previous topic of submitting articles,
Another way you can help the maga- another item we are always on the look out for are battle
zine is by submitting your ships and reports. It seems that there are only a few that get posted
fleets to Gothicomp. It's already been to begin with, but battle reports are a great way to find out
another year and the competition is about how the different fleets perform and how the new
open for submissions until the end of ships and rules changs from the Compendium hold up. If
July! It might not seem like a big thing, you've got battle reports we'd love to get them and photos
but those images provide the magazine make them even better!
with a large selection of ships to use in
articles throughout the magazine. Thanks for reading,
Aaron (Vaaish)
I'd also like to apologize for an error in
Warp Rift issue 31. We had incorrectly
listed the author of Battlefleet Limante
as Bryan McMacho. His name should
have been listed as Bryan McMahon.
Sorry about that!
This issue has some good stuff with
the final part of Battlefleet Limante, an
alternative rule set for fleet engage-
ments, and a Tactica on using the Tyrant

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 3

High Admiralty
Welcome to one of my off the cuff rants; lances to 45cm makes the Hades better at far more useable. The Dauntless Dictator
this one is about making your own ship lance support than the new ship meaning squadron is one of the great hidden gems
stats for your fleet. both ships have advantages over the other in the Imperial fleet, both complimenting
beyond cost. each other impressively well.
First things first: you'll have to decide
why your ship exists! This rings true for The most common 'conversions' are Impe- Putting a fair value to your new ship isn't as
background and the actual predesigned rial and Chaos capital ships where combing easy as buying upgrades or individual parts
elements of the fleetlist. Filling a tactical the different plastic weapons can give at a set price. Take the nearest ship class in
hole in a fleet list is pretty much always new [Link] keep in mind you could the fleet the ship belongs to and compare
a bad idea! This includes things such as increase/decrease speed (including AAF them. It is important to compare to ships
a 'cheap' carrier in an Imperial fleet, or distance), turrets, armour and hits. Chang- within the parent fleet list exclusivly and not
an armoured prow in a Chaos fleet. It is ing turning (including minimum distance to those in other fleets, as one ship class can
better to pick an existing ship class and before turning) should only really be a be considered more valuable depending on
then alter its stats into a new class. There downgrade. the other options and ship classes available.
is no reason why the two classes have to How much better or worse is your ship to
It is usually best to have the dramatic
be linked in the background but some- that of its closest counterpart? Keep in mind
changes as down grades so as not to risk
times it does help. that fleet role is more important than similar
over powering your ship. If you do decide
ship stats! This should give you a good start-
Now consider why anyone would use to upgrade one of these characteristics one
ing point for value.
your ship and whether this would stop of the others should be decreasedto com-
them from using a different class they pensate. For example giving an Imperial There are a few hidden rules to follow when
otherwise would. For example having a Dauntless class light cruiser a 6+ prow and designing a new ship. Battle Cruisers and
Chaos Heavy Cruiser based on a Hades reducing its turning to 45* to compensate. Heavy Cruisers should always cost more
but replacing some of its WB's with launch or equal to the most expensive Cruiser in
An important factor which is quite often
bays. The Hades and this new ship would the fleet and visa versa; no cruiser should
overlooked is are there any advantages to
fill the same supporting gunboat roles cost more than a BC or HC. No capital ship
squadroning with existing classes to gain
with their lances but the new ship can should have all armour ignoring weapons, if
an otherwise unrealised advantage? For
offer launch bay capacity to other carriers you can help it (the AM Gothic with a Nova
example having extra armour or shields
and so can still use lock-on special orders Cannon is one of the only exceptions). No
will make them useful on point, protecting
just as you would usually with a Hades. ship should be slower than 15cm!
a weaker ship. Even being exremely cheap
So this is effectively just an upgrade for can give better leadership to a squadron! An All the best in your future endeavours,
a Hades that, beyond imposing a steep existing example is high leadership torpedo RayB HA
points increase, would make it obsolete. Dauntless variants squadroning with lower
Consider reducing the stats in some way leadership Dictators. The 'token' firepower,
to make both choices viable and differ- the weak broadsides of the Dauntless and
ent. Reducing the range of the dorsal Dictator, can be combined into something

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 4

TACTICAL COMMAND

IT'S NOT SO BAD: USING THE TYRANT by DAVID HSCOCKS

In this article I will be refuting the claim made by many that the less than torpedoes at point blank range. Note that the Tyrant’s the Tyrant a valuable anti-Eldar asset. Remember, scoring any hits
Tyrant class cruiser is a waste of points and should be avoided at all weapon battery strength is important as if it was any lower, it does on Eldar ships is an achievement, so make sure you take the ships
costs. I believe this claim is made by those who fail to understand not guarrantee to knock down the enemy’s shields, from most arcs that makes a hit more likely! Team up your Tyrants with Dictators
the role the Tyrant is designed to play in an Imperial fleet. of fire anyway. and you will have a versatile and resilient anti-Eldar fleet.
Many people say that the Tyrant class cruiser is “able to take on Another use for the Tyrant is against Eldar. It is the only basic Impe- I hope that this article will convince people to give the Tyrant
several roles but be master of none”, Adam Brown in Admiral’s rial Cruiser with longer than 30cm range weapon batteries. Even another go, in the roles it was truly intended for, rather than the
tactics (pg2) (available as a pdf on the Games Workshop site). though the extra range is minimal, and when not upgraded, a bit role people seem to have assigned it without fully considering the
This is to say that such people believe that it is neither a premier puny, even one hit on an Eldar cruiser can be fatal due to their logic and reason behind their decision. When used as a member of
line breaker, such as the Lunar class, nor is it a useful long range fragility. Most Imperial cruisers will never get the chance to fire, a carefully constructed team (fleet), the Tyrant is a valuable asset.
gunship, such as the Vengeance class. If it is compared to such unless the Eldar player is careless. Due to the Tyrant’s extra range, When it is picked for other reasons it will not work. Good Luck!
vessels in such a manner then this is undenaible. If one wishes to the chance of scoring a hit is propprtionately more likely, making
regard the Tyrant in such a way then this is a perfectly valid claim.
However, it is my belief, from experiance, that the Tyrant has a
more productive use, when taken without upgrades that is. If
you remember that the Imperial ships need to be used as a team
to bring out their full effectiveness then the design of the Tyrant
makes more sense. Chaos vessels are excellent individual vessels,
and do not need to work as a team to bring out their effectiveness
(although teamwork always helps). If you couple a Tyrant with a
Gothic class, then its superior weapon batteries can work with the
Gothic’s lances to cause greater damage. But, people say, a Domi-
nator can do this task better.
Not so, as the Tyrant has torpedoes, which when fired with the
Gothic’s torpedoes produce a strength 12 salvo, enough to score
several points of damage off the average Chaos cruiser. Then,
the Gothic- Tyrant weapon battery/ lance combo can be used to
efficently finish it off, whilst they reload their torpedoes to attack
another ship at close range, something a Dominator cannot do
with a nova cannon. Given the nova cannons reduced effective-
ness since the game’s inception, this factor is an important one,
the liklihood of a nova cannon causing significant damage is much

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 5

SHIPS DATABASE

SPACEFLEET SHIPS IN BFG: IMPERIAL SUPPORT SHIPS by TOM MOSELEY

This article covers Imperial support ships, it would have CASTELLAN SHIELD SHIP 160 points all ten are knocked down the ship will suffer an automatic
covered Eldar too but I’ve been a bit slack. There were a critical hit to the shield generator. Ships within the field can
few very interesting ships added to the Imperial fleet that fire out with no problem; however firing at another ship
weren’t warships but could greatly increase the offensive or within the field will take down the Castellans shields first.
defensive potential of the ships around them. I guess young- Note that castellans cannot come within 15cm of each other
sters would call them buffs or something along those lines. while they both have their shields raised, one will shut down
If Space fleet had been fully developed I imagine all the races if this happens, controlling player gets the choice over
would have been given something like the Imperial ships, which. The ship may also perform an emergency shutdown
but support for SF was canned before the other races got of the shields at any point during the firing phase before
fully developed fleets, or in the case of orks and chaos any dice are rolled for any given salvo, however they may not be
fleets at all although chaos could use traitor Imperial vessels. turned on again until the end of the next firing phase.
This part is going to be a lot iffier in terms of point values as Only one Castellan may be included per 1000 points of ships
most of these ships have abilities that either don’t currently (not including the Castellan itself)
exist in BFG or employ existing abilities in a different way.
You’ll see what I mean.
Goliath Factory ship
Castellan shield ship GW already has a BFG conversion for this as the forge tender
and for once it’s actually better and more interesting than
This has been given an official conversion as a boring old the original ship, however for completeness I’ll give this one
freighter, a travesty that I feel I must rectify. In space fleet a go. You could also use it as a heavy transport or super
this was a very useful ship, especially when paired with the heavy fuel transport. The original was a gigantic process-
ironclad. While it had virtually zero offensive capabilities ing plant that would pick up raw material X from wherever
the Castellan had a massive number of shields that could Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets
and process it on the journey and so arrive full of refined
be raised again at full strength if turned off for a turn, very Light Cruiser/6 25cm 45° 10 5+ 2
product Y. Theoretically this could be anything but the rules
useful compared to the other ships shields that stayed down
Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc always assumed plasma fuel, which could be dumped as a
once hit. Unfortunately if all its shields were knocked down
Weapons Battery 30cm 2 All Around last ditch defence effort. It didn’t even have any shields for
it exploded. It was amazingly nippy in space fleet but I’m goodness sake.
going to leave it at standard light cruiser speed.
Notes: The Castellan is a marvel of ancient force field technology that can provide an almost impenetrable shield It starts with eight blast markers worth of fuel and can jet-
The castellan extends the protection of its shields to any ship wall. Unfortunately these days the Mechanicus aren’t quite the wizards the techs of the Dark Ages were and the gen-
erators have a tendency to explode if overloaded. However when paired with a few Ironclads it can take the beasts tison as few or as many as it likes any time during its move
within 15cm, even enemies that get within that distance. All into the heart of the enemy to unleash their fusion cannons without them being cut to pieces by lances on the way. to the rear of the vessel. The blast markers can be arranged
hits count against the Castellans shields first (though the no more than 3 wide in a manner of the players choosing.
armour value of the target ship is used to determine hits). If Each blast marker takes down a shield if a ship runs into

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 6

GOLIATH FACTORY SHIP 40 points GALAXY TROOPSHIP 65 points

Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets
Light Cruiser/6 15cm 45° 1 5+ 2 Light Cruiser/4 15cm 45° 1 5+ 2

Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc
Weapons Battery 30cm 2 All Around Weapons Battery 30cm 3 All Around

Notes: Very evidently not a warship, the goliath is stuffed to the gills with various raw materials and manufactoria. Notes: These gigantic troopships were used in the early days of the Imperium, taking four whole regiments worth of
Other than its pitiful weapons batteries the goliath can jettison its plasma fuel. While they may not be a lance strike conscripts and training them in the weapons and tactics of the Imperial Guard on the journey. They are less popular
a million tons of exploding plasma fuel is enough to ruin anyone’s day. now that the space lanes are not as safe as they were in the glory days of the Imperium as their poor defensive capa-
bilities and large ‘cargo’ capacity means the loss of one of these is a great loss to the guard.

it, producing a normal blast marker. Unlike normal blast marker Galaxy Troopship shops so that the ship could pick up recruits and have them trained
plasma fuel causes one point of damage on a D6 roll of 4 or more and armed by the time they reach the warzone.
The simplest use of this is as a standard BFG super heavy troop
if a ship has no shields and will destroy any ordnance on a roll of
transport but I want to try and emulate the way it worked in Space While the ship based combat stats are nothing to write home
4+. The points value listed here is a nominal figure using Smother-
Fleet. Originally the Galaxy was said to carry up to four regiments about the boarding value is five times the number of hits due to the
mans formula, but really this should only ever be used as part of a
and to also carry extensive training facilities and weapons work- number of regiments on board, plus the standard crew compliment
scenario. of naval personnel and highly experienced guard instructors.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 7

Although not intended for boarding actions it can engage in STALWART FRIGATE 35 points of extreme importance needs an escort from the system
them and they count as an attacking transport in planetary jump point to orbit.*
assaults. The Stalwart has a points value of 20 for the ship and 15
for the blind field, for a total cost of 35 points. However
Stalwart Frigate they may only be used in defensive missions and their
Converted to BFG and given the name Tarask merchantman by numbers should be restricted in a way that is related to
GW this was originally a much more useful little vessel in Space the assets being defended e.g. one per two transports
Fleet. It was a non warp capable escort ship designed to escort or similar.
freighters from the jump point to their final destination and
protect them from pirates. Although lightly armed they pro- Constellation Targeting ship
duced a “blind field” that could not be fired through and had an The Constellation is absolutely packed to bursting with
effect similar to a holo shield when under attack itself. sensors and targeting computers that some sections
The Stalwart is a relic of the dark age of technology, a number of the Mechanicus believe are the best humanity ever
were found in systems reunited with humanity during the great made. The constellation links into the targeting cogita-
crusade. As warp travel ceased during the age of strife these tors of friendly ships and gives them greatly improved
little vessels were still useful for in system use and were retained targeting data and fire control.
in working order where larger warp capable vessels became a As a result of this all friendly ships within 15cm get a 15cm
waste of resourceas. The ship projects a field of EM interference range bonus to all weaponry and the negative shift on
for hundreds of thousands of kilometres around it, making it im- the gunnery table is only applied over 45cm rather than
possible to target an object through the field. Unfortunately for over 30cm.
the ship itself the enemy can usually work out the position of
Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets Also any one weapon system (not ordnance) may re
the Stalwart at the centre of the field, although the field itself
does alter its dimensions slightly to help hide the ship. The Stal-
Escort/1 20cm 90° 1 5+ 1 roll misses as if it was on lock on orders. Each separate
warts own weapons are unaffected by EM fields generated by line on a ship datasheet counts as a separate system,
Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc
Stalwarts in the same squadron but other squadrons of Stalwarts e.g. A Tyrant class cruiser could elect to re roll its port
Weapons Battery 30cm 2 All Around
will affect them and while it is theoretically possible, the Impe- side 45cm range battery or its port side 30cm battery; it
rium lacks the technology to interface the cogitators of Stalwarts Notes: The Stalwart is mounted on a large base to represent the radius of the blind field, with a smaller circle drawn
could not re roll both. Neither could it re roll both port
and other vessels so any different types of vessel in the same
on to represent its own threat range. No ship except the Stalwart itself and other Stalwarts in the same squadron and starboard 45cm batteries. However, a Dominator
may fire through the blind field. The enemy may target the Stalwart itself though, but batteries take a negative shift
squadron as a Stalwart cannot fire through the blind field. on the gunnery table and the Stalwart gains a 2+ save against ordnance and lance strikes and doubles the number could re roll its port batteries as it is only one weapon
of D6 rolled for the leadership test taken to ram. system, represented by one line on the data sheet. This
This kind of cloaking technology is found almost nowhere else
in the Imperium, and where it is found it is almost always of *This background means you would not really be able to use them much
xenos (usually Eldar) manufacture, so human technology of this fluff wise, I just wanted to make up something appropriate; this is way
beyond current Imperial technology, a real dark age relic. I imagine
type has worth beyond measure to the Mechanicus. As such any admiral losing one of these would be better off dying in heroic
fashion against the enemy rather than return to face the wrath of the
the Stalwart is only found on a couple of major forge worlds, mechanicus.
notably Bakka and Graia and are only used when something Maybe you could have them as rogue trader vessels that are equipped
with bought or looted Eldar technology if you wanted a backstory that
made them a bit more common.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 8

will stack if the ship is already on lock on orders to give one weapon The constellation does not affect ordnance and benefits from its should be noted that these are rare ships and you may only include
system 2 rerolls. Against Eldar the constellation negates the nega- own special abilities, so although listed as 30cm the weapons bat- one Constellation per full 1000 points of fleet.
tive shift on the gunnery table and the Eldar save against lances is teries have an effective range of 45cm.
reduced by one, however the range and re-roll effects are lost, as The constellation costs 25 points for the ship and the special abili-
the sensors and cogitators are working at full capacity simply to ties cost another 25 points for a nice round 50 points. However, it
target the Eldar normally.

CONSTELLATION TARGETING SHIP 50 points

Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets

Escort/1 15cm 90° 1 4+ 1

Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc

Weapons Battery 30cm 3 All Around

Notes: Filled to bursting with targeting cogitators and sensors, the Constellation has little room for engines, shield
generators, weapons or armour and as such makes a poor combat ship but its ability to enhance the combat effec-
tiveness of the ships around it make it an incredibly valuable tool in the Imperiums arsenal.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 9

ENCYCLOPEDIA GOTHICA

FLEET ENGAGEMENT VARIANT by DAN LEE

These are alternate rules for the fleet engagement scenario. Rather Instead of deploying ships or squadrons, deploy numbered tokens
than picking a formation and then being forced to deploy your (secretly noting on your roster which numbers corresponds to Ship Size Sensor Range
ships separated across the board (in a way that frequently looks which ships or squadrons) anywhere along your table edge. You Strike Craft Base contact

nothing like your chosen formation), in this scenario you choose may also deploy an extra decoy token for every three ship/squad- Escorts 30cm

how you are trying to approach the enemy and then deploy ac- ron tokens. Tokens use the following profile (regardless of your Cruisers (all varieties) 30cm

cordingly. You can attempt to use stealth to sneak up on your fleet rules): speed 15cm, turn 45 degrees, moves as a cruiser, no Battleships 30cm

enemies’ fleet, use long range patrols and reconnaissance to foil weapons, cannot be attacked by your enemy. Note that you cannot Space Stations (all varieties) 50cm

sneaky tactics, or deploy in a convoy, forsaking stealth but also squadron anything other than escorts as the resulting massed Note on mimic engines: if a token is revealed and it has mimic
keeping your fleet together. energy signatures would be unmaskable. engines it is automatically assumed to pass the leadership test to
Tokens can be removed and replaced by the ship or squadron allow it behave normally. This replaces the normal rules for mimic
FORCES they represent in one of two ways. At the start of your turn, you engines in this scenario.
Both fleets are picked to an equal points value. may remove a token and replace it with your ship or squadron (all
squadron vessels should be within 10cm of the marker), ensuring Picket: Your fleet sends out its escorts and strike craft ahead. This pro-
BATTLEZONE they have the same facing as the marker. They may then move, vides a better chance of foiling stealth approaches but does force your
shoot, etc. as normal for the rest of the game. fleet to spread out.
Fleet engagements could happen anywhere. Setup celestial phe-
nomena in any mutually agreeable manner. The second way to reveal markers is for your enemy to get close Deploy your ships using the deployment zones given below. Your
and pass a leadership test. If, after an enemy ship has moved, it is ships can each face in any direction. You can also, as a single de-
SET-UP within sensor range (see table below) of a marker it may make a ployment, place as many strike craft as you are normally allowed to
leadership test (with any applicable re-rolls allowed) for each token launch. If you do so, all of your carriers begin the game empty and
After determining who is the attacker and who is the defender,
within range. If it passes then the token is removed and replaced must reload ordinance before they can launch any more. Table
each player must select to use either stealth, a picket, or a convoy
as described above. If the test is failed then the token remains. In diagram is on the following page.
to engage the enemy. If both players pick stealth the attacker uses
revealed by the enemy, revealed ships/squadrons must take a lead-
stealth and the defender uses guard down (they have been taken
ership test (only re-rolls from the ship/squadron are allowed). If the Convoy: Your fleet stays together so that each ship can support the
by surprise by their swifter opponents). If both players pick picket
test is passed, the ship/squadron behaves normally for the rest of rest. This leaves you vulnerable to fleets trying to sneak up on you, but
the defender uses picket and the attacker must use guard down
the game. If it is failed, the ship/squadron has no shields or turrets gives you the most control over your deployment.
(the more defensive fleet establishes their picket lines earlier). In
(or any fleet equivalents) until the start of its next turn, but may Deploy your ships up to 30cm from your board edge. All ships must
any case, players take it in turns to deploy ships or squadrons, start-
then behave normally for the rest of the game. face the same direction, though you may choose which direction
ing with whoever rolls lowest on a d6.
that is. All ships must deploy within 10cm of a previously deployed
Stealth: Your ships power down and drift towards the enemy. This is
ship (not counting the first one, obviously).
very much a gamble. If it pays off, your enemy will not be able to react
to your presence until your fleet is right on top of them. If it fails, your
ships may be caught with their shields down; literally.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 10

Guard Down: Unfortunately you have been taken completely by sur- you to it, or you tried to form a picket against a fleet that was much
prise before you could deploy your fleet properly. more defensively orientated and they formed their battle line first.
Deploy your ships on your table half, at least 30cm from any table The rules in general should open up some interesting tactics. They are
edges. All ships should face the same short table edge chosen by likely to enforce the differences between high attack rating fleets and
you. All ships should be placed, wherever possible, at least 15cm low attack rating fleets, rather than diminish them, as more aggres-
from any other of your ships (not counting members of their own sive races will be able to use stealth much more successfully but more
squadron). defensive fleets can form pickets much more readily.

FIRST TURN
After deployment both players roll a d6. The player with the highest
leadership admiral receives a +1 bonus to this roll. The player with
the most escorts receives a +1 bonus, and the player with the
fastest ship receives a +1 bonus. The winner of the dice roll may
choose whether they go first or second. Re-roll ties.
Your opponent's table half
GAME LENGTH
The game lasts until one fleet is fully disengaged or totally
destroyed.

VICTORY CONDITIONS
Both fleets score victory points as normal. To win, a player must get
more than 10% of the game size in points than their opponent. E.g.
in a 1500 point engagement, you must score over 150 points more 15cm Escort and strike craft deployment zone
than your opponent to win.

Designers notes: The stealth rules work on the assumption that the 15cm
stealth ships will want to reveal at about 50cm, so they can move in
and attack within 30cm. Sensor ranges were chosen so that a ship
can also move and possibly detect as ship at about 50cm, hopefully
keeping things relatively balanced, while still giving faster ships an
30cm 30cm
edge as patrol or infiltration ships. Cruiser and battleship deployment zone
The guard down deployment can heavily penalize a player, but this
is intentional. It can only occur to you in one of two ways: either your
fleet tried to sneak up on a much more aggressive fleet and they beat
Picket deployment table set up

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 11

DRY DOCK

BLACK SHIP CONVERSION by MANGOZAC

Hi BFG fans! Well I again find myself writing an article for Warp Rift inspiration from the Space Marine Battlebarge with regards to its I then set to work cutting up styrene loosely until I started to create
at the bequest of its excellent editor Vaaish. He was very fond of a side fins and prow. From the rules I knew I had to represent the an approximate form I liked.
commission project I did at the beginning of the year and asked if Blackship’s superior characteristics: high speed, heavily armoured
I would write up a brief Dry Dock article on it. So I hereby humbly and heaily armed. Initial Construction
present my second Warp Rift article detailing the conversion of a Once the donor plastic Imperial cruisers had arrived I assembled Since I had experience creating weapons batteries I decided to
pair of Imperial cruisers into Inquisitorial Blackships. the main hull (sans drive tubes and horizontal wing piece) and begin work on them very early on. The block is simply some lami-
About six months ago I was approached by a European BFG fan chopped off the prow. From there I could decide exactly how to nated 1.0mm styrene sheet with strip styrene built up over the
who had seen some of my BFG scratchbuilding work and asked proceed with the project and decided that there would be 7 resin top for detailing. I used a lot of 1.0x1.0mm styrene strip on this
if I could build him on commission a pair of Blackships. The brief parts for the conversion: project.
was simple and used a picture of a model created by Rob Hender- • Engines and horizontal wings The engines were blocked out by selecting some telescoping
son for a rules PDF, however I was given pretty free reign to come
• Port and Starboard vertical fins styrene tubing cut to size and mounted around a drive shield/fin
up with whatever I deemed appropriate. Since I had to build two
between them. To represent the power of the engines I opted for
copies I decided that I would create the Blackships as a set of resin • Two large sized weapons battery modules (each taking the space large, long drive tubes that extended right forward to under the
parts which I could use to convert a pair of standard plastic Impe- of two normal weapon modules). bridge.
rial cruisers.
• Prow (with integral launch bay) For the prow I cast up a pair of side fins from my previous Zeus
Unfortunately since this project was a commission I didn’t docu-
• Bridge Light Cruiser project and mounted them either side of a piece of
ment large parts of the construction process, so the WIP photos I
rectangular cross section styrene tube which would ultimately be
do have do not begin until the project was well established (they’re
the prow launch bay.
actually the photos I sent to the client to ensure he was happy with
the direction I was taking).
The more scratchbuilding I do the more I’m convinced that anybody
can do it, so long as they have three things:
• The right selection of tools
• The right selection of materials (particularly styrene extrusions)
• Patience

Planning
As stated above, the primary inspiration for the design came from
the Blackship rules PDF, however I also perused the internet and
found a couple of other Blackship conversions. I also drew heavy

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 12

Progress still intended to scratchbuild a custom one inspired by the Kar Bridge MkII
Duniash bridges on the Rogue Trader Cruiser.
Like I said earlier, scratchbuilding is all about patience. BFG models Actually, calling it a MkII implies that I actually designed some-
have lots of repetitive details so you have to just get into a zone and The picture to left shows one of the two vertical side fins. Obvi- thing. But I didn’t. At this point I wanted to get the project finished
keep layering on more levels of styrene strip/rod. The next picture ously the two fins are mirror images so two had to be made. and after rummaging around found that one of the plastic Chaos
shows how significant progress was made all over, including the Making mirror duplicates of parts is a real pain, but is easier if they bridges looked perfect. Some slight cutting and filing later and the
side fins. At this point I was still using a stock imperial bridge but are made simultaneously. For example the main parts of the fin is project was done! I also mounted some Chaos lance turrets along
made from two sheets of styrene glued together. To ensure that the dorsal to round out the armaments.
the two fins are as closely mirrored as possible I lightly glued two
sheets of styrene together (ensuring that the glue bond would be
easy to break later) and cutout the two fin piece shapes. The shapes
were sanded to the correct shape and made sure to fit correctly. By
then breaking the glue bonds I had two of each piece needed for
the fins which were then glued together as required for the two
mirrored fins.

The Bridge
The bridge was the part I had been putting off for most of the
project, but eventually I had to tackle it. I began building a box
shape that would fit over the mounting block for the standard
bridge and ended up with an interesting design:
After consulting with some friends however I became convinced
that my new bridge design just didn’t suit the Blackship aesthetic.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 13

Resin Casting
The project wasn’t quite over yet – the client wanted two ships so
I had to take all of my scratchbuilt parts and mould them up! This
was done using single part split moulds in silicone, with the parts
cast in grey tinted resin. Casting is a massive topic in itself so I’m
not going to go into any details here.

Finished Product
These are the photos I sent to the client before posting him the
completed models. Suffice to say he was very pleased with the
result! Notice how I had swapped the Lance turrets back to the big
boxy type – that was at request of the client.

Conclusion
Another successful project and another happy customer! I was
very happy with how the design turned out. I don’t know if the
client has painted them up yet but perhaps we should pester him
for a showcase for next issue of Warp Rift!
With these articles I write long past completion of the detailed
project I often find I don’t have pictures of many parts of the
process, leaving things feeling a little incomplete. I’m planning to
commence one of my next BFG projects with a Warp Rift article in
mind, so hopefully will be able to give a very complete pictorial
description of the process.
For any questions or further information feel free to contact me or
the other mad keen modellers on the Resin Addict forum at http://
[Link]/forum/
Thanks for reading!

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 14

VOID STALKER

BATTLEFLEET LIMANTE, PART II by BRYAN MCMAHON

Having returned to port after successfully engaging a local pirate

cartel fleet and exterminating its’ hidden base, the XIXV Cobra flo- PLANETARY SURVEY: TIA
tilla returned to a hero’s welcome. Medals and celebrations were his first child who later went on to explore most of the uncharted portions of the Sector
after he passed on.
passed around as freely as the wine. An unfortunate side effect of
the festivities would manifest itself in the following weeks as the Planetary Capital: Tia's Favor.
entire watch post, save one man, was planetside enjoying the fes- Named for the famous summer home where Tia Limante spent her rare down time relax-
ing and being a normal person again. She was not present often but when she was it was
tivities: one man who was asleep at the console. Thus the Ork fleet recorded to be a hive of activity organizing for the next excursion or spreading infor-
was able to pass the outer and inner sensors without detection, mation gathered from the last one. She was to eventually settle down long enough for
several children to be born and to continue the exploration of even more of the outward
and launch their Roks towards the fourth planet in the system. rim of the Galaxy. Their names are not recorded officially, though much speculation
surrounds weather she really had children at all since no blood relatives survive to this
The System of Rienea, and the Planet Timiothy were about to receive day to support the claim.
a rude awakening to the Ork threat now bearing down on their
Defensive Capabilities
homes. The launch of the Roks triggered warning klaxons inside
A score of ground based defensive silo's give complete coverage to orbital defenses
the stations aging the systems. As general quarters was sounded. against bombarding hostiles. Half a dozen ground air strips provide air support to sup-
all crews raced to their ships. The Mechanicus beseeched their press any invaders already on planet and to sally against any incoming drop ships.
vessels to awaken for war with all haste and the planetary guard Fourteen defensive platforms hover watchfully around the world as it plays host to the
Sector Command station and its subsequent orbital dock yards. Nearly two dozen instal-
mobilized to defend its citizenry and protect their only star port. No
lations liter the area around the planet not including those stationed around the other
one in the sector had encountered Orks before and the subsequent planetoids in the system.
failure to stop the first wave or even inflict a single enemy casualty
Military Presence: Alpha
was devastating to morale. The soldiers feared their attackers were Tia: M Class planet. Fifth planet from star XF572AI.
Satellites: None recorded. Tia hosts the only full strength cruiser squadron within the entire sector and training
invincible instruments of some unknown powers’ wrath they had installations for recruits as well. This system is the most heavily guarded in the entire
Biosphere, secondary: 42km.
awoken during their celebrations. Realizing the defender’s tenuous region. Any enemy who dared to tread here would soon regret that decision.
Biosphere, primary: 14km.
position, the Fleet sallied from their docks in an attempt to prevent Gravitational category: Delta (0.8 Terran standard) It also plays host to the training grounds for the 4th Escort Carrier Battle group, so there
is no shortage of attack craft to help repel invaders. With the ordinance factories planet
reinforcements from deploying via Teleportas to overwhelm the side providing support, potential enemies have good reason to avoid this system.
History
beleaguered defenders on the surface.
Colonized before the Dark age of technology by famous Explorator Limante and his crew Culture
Julima Gregacy, Flag Captain of the combined XIXV and VIKM de- when their ships finally gave out to the stress's put upon them by the rigors of exploring It is a good thing the Tau don’t exist any where near this sector of space, as the two
so far from their launch point. Coming to rest on what is now known as the Northern share similar belief systems regarding how to live one's life. Due to the decision of the
stroyer groups, ordered that no torpedoes be fired before closing continent, though at the time it was a simple chain of islands, they set about making a Inquisition and later Primarch Guiliman, to leave the Heresy a mystery to these people,
to within just 100,000 kilometers for fear of them being dragged home worthy of his name. any overt exposure to xenos races usually end with peaceful cooperation and often open
into the atmosphere and causing more damage to their home From this small beginning humanity spread throughout the world and made several trade routes. Though at one time this was not the case. Early on the people were encour-
colonies on the other planetoids within the system to procure minerals not able to be aged to fear these races and openly attack them, but lacking Escilsiarcy guidance they
world then the enemy was inflicting. He planned on the initial soon reverted to their normal habits.
sustained within the gravity well of this world. The first recorded use of the name Tia
salvo baiting the Orks into leaving the atmosphere and giving was shortly after they set up a comms relay upon the world and sent back information
pertaining their discoveries while traveling the starts looking for a home. Named for Thought of the day: Blessed be the mind too small for doubt.
chase. There, his faster vessels would keep just ahead of the enemy

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 15

and lure them to the picket line formed from the vessels who had one else on board. Not even the Mechanicus priests could tell them "Sir they are undamaged and moving to support us against
missed the Ork approach. The frigates, Truth’s Light and Golden anything about the ship they didn’t already know. Looking out his the incoming ordinance wave. Our torpedo spread has been
Pillar, were waiting powered down alongside the escort carriers view port he watched with joy as the torpedo volley was sent on neutralized. Sir, multiple new unknowns moving in on our
Random Fate and Long Arms. The carriers would appear as harmless its way. His cybernetic hand twitching again, he looked down at it location mark, 4879 by 9012. They were hiding behind our
transports on sensors and would register little threat to observers. for just a moment reflexively before his ship shuddered under a satellite sir." The worry in his voice came through loud and clear
The destroyer group would move past this trap and hit both flanks sudden and large impact. despite the machinery twisting of his words.
simultaneously. Having fallen from his feet he scrambled to regain his footing when "Understood, order the Regin to pull off and make for the ren-
A fair plan, but as the age old adage goes. No plan survives contact the comm crackled to life. dezvous point as ordered, we will draw enemy fire and assist
with the enemy... in their escape. Ignore any reply from the Regin and reload the
"Sir, return fire from the enemy ships! Fires on multiple decks
### tubes. What is the status of the other wings?"
and shields down! Weapons systems are minimal and we have
incoming attack craft, what are your orders?"
"Come about to heading 5489 mark 3982 and prepare a full His own voice continued to remain calm, despite his thoughts
salvo." The ship’s captain barked into his comms unit. running wild in near panic. His survival instinct was kicking in fully
Keying the unit again his voice came steady and calm, "Return
now and wanted to rescind his order and to tell the Regin to remain
fire as best you can, prepare defensive turrets to repel their
A strangled metallic reply came back moments later, "Course ad- where it was as he withdrew, but he couldn’t bring himself to say
assault and what is the status of the Regin?"
justed sir, awaiting fire order on your command." it. To damn a pristine ship and crew to suicide when it was now
re-keying the comms unit he seated himself back into his command obvious that even a surprise attack was unable to catch them off
The next few tenuous seconds ticked by with a pace so slowly only
chair and strapped himself down so that didn’t happen again. guard, was sheer idiocy.
the seconds ticking by on his watch reminded him time was still
going forwards. The captain removed his cap and wiped his brow
on his sleeve as he waited for the given firing point to be reached.
These invaders, whatever they were, could be defeated. You simply
had to use more ordinance then normal against them.
Commander of the Triumphant and her sister ship Regin's Pride,
both Cobra class destroyers, he knew the deadly effect of a torpedo
volley at close range from several past experiences. This time it
should work as well. Reaching down to the comm unit he flicked
the key and gave a low growl into it. It was reasoned that since
the enemy was unknown any activation keywords could be inter-
cepted and reused against the fleet at a later time so only sounds
were issued, with the Regin's Pride using a small bird call as its order
to launch.

"Order received and carried out Captain." came the strangled

metallic reply.

His Flag Captain had been with him for nearly 20 years on this
vessel, and they both knew its character flaws and quirks like no

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 16

"Sir the other wings have meet with the same resistance we kidney. He struggled to raise his right arm and its bolt pistol to History: The Battle for the Sector
have, but some have obtained some minor success. Count exact retribution but a large leather boot sent him sprawling and
The neighboring sector, Iniant was corrupt to the core; the common
of 5 enemy vessels apparently crippled and a dozen lightly wrenched the weapon from his side.
citizenry deluded into thinking their rituals and sacrifices were for
damaged. Capital ships moving from far side of the Satellite to He raised his head feebly unable to comprehend the shouts and the God Emperor, but were instead feeding the infernal powers of the
cut off our own escape route, but they are allowing the Regin screams from below. Surely his men could beat back this foe, he had Dark Gods. These rituals continued for many centuries almost com-
to escape unmolested." killed two himself, he thought. Looking up he could see the other pletely unchecked by the Imperium at large. When a response finally
two limping back towards him, not dead after all. The last one came, however, it was far greater than those allied with the Ruinous
The flag captain’s own relief mirrored his own. At least some one
grinned at him wickedly with a gaping mouth containing large powers could defend against. Thus they chose to flee to the weakest
would survive this debacle to continue to struggle against this
rows of fanged teeth. nearby sector: Limante. They chose this sector due to the fractured
invader.
lines of command and the lack of battleships since the Choas fleet
His hairs stood on end and his every nerve tingled, having used a "Death to da Umies!" it roared as it raised a large metal cleaver.
managed to escape with a captured Retribution class.
teleporter on several occasions, he knew the signs well. He quickly
unstrapped himself and slammed his hand down on his command The last sound Flag Captian Gregacy’s heard was the wet snap of The Chaos forces began to prey on shipping lanes and take advantage
override button. The boarding warnings went off all through the bone as the clever impacted his skull. of the upheaval surrounding the initial incursion by the Orks on the
ship, and he drew his pistols to prepare to meet the attack on his opposite side of the Sector. They never anticipated what was going to
vessel personally. The first wave appeared right in front of him. 3 happen on the final raid as they activated their warp space inhibitors
brutishly large humanoids with ramshackle armor scraps attached ORK CHARACTERS: before setting off for the Eye.
at random places, one wearing a mop bucket on his head, if it could Warboss Fizalbomstik
Through some strange cosmic coincidence, the warp inhibitors were
Warboss Fizalbomstik is the overall commander of the encroaching WAAAAGH-
be defined as a he within its own species. boosted beyond comprehension for a few moments dragging all
HH during the present conflict. Replacing a rather stupid Warboss, even by Ork
His twin bolt pistols boomed off of the inner sanctums walls and standards, Fizalbomstik has transformed the unruly mobs of Boyz roaming ships in the sector traveling through the warp directly to the waiting
around the nearby stars into a respectable WAAAAGHHH. Unfortunately, a
behind him the hissing of hatch releases told him the astropath rare moment of introspection led him to conclude the ships he had just aren’t big
chaos forces. Luckily, most ships were not in range to be brought the
was coming to join him shortly. His rounds impacted the back of enough for a Boss of his standing. The smaller ones put out a lot of Dakka, that’s full distance and, although they were confused, they were unharmed
true. But nothing says Boss, like three or four dozen Kroozers backing you up and
the closest one and sent him sprawling across the deck and into and resumed their courses after finding their bearings.
where better to get them than from those pesky ‘umies!
the wall, he didn’t move. The other two turned and with a loud He engineered the recent upsurge in violence around the sector in an attempt to Things were not so fortunate for the Chaos fleet, however, because
yell ran at him with giant cleavers raised. He split his aim and draw away enough ships from Sector Command that he can attack this vital station a sizable contingent of Imperial vessels were en route to stop the
and still have enough of his Boyz alive to keep on fighting the rest of the Hummies
fired again, both stumbled back from the hits to their torso's but afterward. He currently resides aboard his kroozer, The Invincibalz which has been Ork incursions from penetrating deeper into the Limante, and were
resumed their charge at him again. His third shots hit the left at- modified to carry Killa Kanz instead of boarding torpedoes and includes several pulled to a single location. Admiral Rea quickly established himself
Mad Meks to keep everything in perfect working order, at least by Ork standards.
tacker in his waist while the right was struck on the shoulder. Both as the leader of the ad-hoc fleet and ordered battle lines be formed
continued charging. Mad Mek Tinkawitdats against the Chaos forces. These worshipers of the Ruinous Powers
Using the typical Ork process of just building something without understand- had tied up several flotillas sent to defend the beleaguered worlds
Behind the attackers the command deck's lift was rising and he ing how it works, Tinkawitdats has come up with a surprisingly large amount of
could hear the shouts of support from his command staff, but paid successful experiments. The biggest so far is a hidden base station that the Orks whose defenders were failing. The Chaos forces would pay dearly for
in Limante can limp back to just in case they happen to run into a fight tougher the lives they had unwittingly doomed.
them no heed. He re aimed both shots at the right one this time
than their rather considerable estimation of what they can handle. The station
and caught him in the middle of his abdomen and where its heart doubles as a construction yard where he can tinka with all sorts of gidgits and From the start it was apparent that the Chaos fleet had a serious ad-
should have been if it were human. This one tumbled back to the gazmos.
vantage against the mostly escort Imperial fleet. This didn’t dissuade
wall as well, but the last one swung its cleaver for his left shoulder He is currently stationed aboard the Kroozer Imawat? implementing his latest the impromptu battle group from joining the fray. The only light
and bit deeply into his side. The captain let out a strangled yell of ideas for better shieldzing.
cruiser to be pulled with the rest of the Imperial ships, the Haloius,
pain as the clever finally stopped below his rib cage just above his

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 17

was sent away from the battle in an attempt to escape the inhibitor There aren’t many "Free Merchants" or "Rouge Traders" in the sector
field and relay the group’s position to Sector Command and make Roll Effect who haven’t been press ganged into regular military cargo runs. Roll
them aware of the incursion by the forces of Chaos. 2–4 Failed as normal
on the normal table for any transports and do not subtract one from
their Leadership roll.
The Chaos Warmaster Tikoas, champion of Nurgle, had chosen a
most unusual battlefield to conduct his raids. In between two black 5–7 -5cm speed next turn. Desperate times
holes, there existed a small corridor of space several million kilo- As ammunition and attack craft become increasingly hard to come
meters wide that was safe for travel. This narrow gap was called the by, great care was taken in rationing these precious resources lest the
Weapons Battery and Lance strength halved. Double
"Lucky Run" by local traders because it was by luck alone one navi- 8 fleet runs out at a pivotal battle. When reloading Ordinance subtract
torpedo strength. No effect if ship doesn't have torpedoes.
gated this lane successfully. Many who tried were crushed merci- one from each subsequent roll you make from your Leadership value
lessly by the opposing gravity wells. Tikoas chose to battle in this Launch bay strength halved the turn. Add the unmodi- for the purposes of Reloading Ordinance only.
narrow lane, ensuring the superior firepower of his fleet wouldn’t fied launch bay strength to your Weapons Batteries total.
9
Example: An Emperor adds 4s side but can only launch two Home Field Advantage
need to be divided to hunt any victims attempting to escape.
markers per side. Re-roll if ship doesn't have Launch Bays. Due to the ad-hoc nature of most fleet patrol routes under normal
When the Imperial battle groups were disgorged from the warp they circumstances, most fleet commanders find themselves in new terri-
May not use Brace for Impact on your opponents turn. +2
quickly gathered themselves before Tikoas’ own forces could attack, tory almost every sortie. However, in Battle Fleet Limante most ships
10 LD for Reload Ordinance checks in your next turn. Re-roll
the Warmaster was given pause. Was this a gift from Grandfather if ship doesn't have ordinance stay relatively near to their home base and sent out only to those areas
Nurgle or was it a test of his abilities? Regardless of his superior posi- within their local space. This does prevent capital ships from operat-
tion, the sheer numbers arrayed against him would no doubt provide ing together in large clashes but it allows crews to become familiar
One re-roll on one Weapons Battery or Lance dice for a
a true test of his mettle. 11 with the surrounding region. Battle fleet Limante players may move
single ship in this squadron for this turn only.
one piece of terrain after both fleets have been set up but before the
Using Battlefleet Limante in BFG first turn has commenced. The object cannot be moved within 15cm
Repair one damaged system without a repair roll neces-
of another terrain piece already on the table. Solar flares cannot be
Due to the lack of supplies and the general complexity required to 12 sary and deny your opponent the bonus for your fleet
being on Special Orders. moved to a certain turn; these stay random.
build capital ships, cruisers are limited to one cruiser or two light
cruisers per 500 pts in any Battle Fleet Limante list. Battleships Campaigns
or grand cruisers may never be taken by a fleet using Battlefleet Escorts are king! Due to the fact that most ships stay close to home rather than form
Limante. With so little help from any ship yards, you must make do with what- into larger war fleets in this part of deep space, campaigns with Bat-
ever motley collection of vessels can be scraped together in a short tlefleet Limante are limited to Raiding missions and may not use of
When making a Special Orders check with Capital ships in Battle
period of time. Any admiral you purchase can be put into an escort the Space Marine appeals chart.
fleet Limante, roll for each ship or squadron as per the rules found in
squadron without penalty. Experience levels among the crew of
the BFG Rulebook. If you fail a check, you may continue to attempt Re-Rolls
Escorts and Cruisers are better than many other fleets. When rolling
Special Orders, but use the following chart instead. (Yes, sometimes Re-rolls may be purchased at the prices listed below:
for Leadership values, roll on the following table for all ships.
a captain does something you wouldn’t do when under his own ini-
tiative... that’s why he isn’t in command yet!) Roll Leadership Value Number of Re-rolls Price
1 7 One Re-roll 50 pts
2–3 8
Two Re-rolls 100 pts
4–5 9
6 10 Three Re-Rolls 150 pts

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 18

You may also purchase commanders for your ship at the prices listed Battlefleet Limante uses ANY Imperial LIMANTE'S JUSTICE (0-1) 200 points
below: Navy list with the following ship entries
added to the fleet roster: Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets
Rank and Effect Price Cruiser/8 20cm 45° 2 5+/6+ Prow 3
Captain (LD 8) 25 pts
Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc
Commodore (LD 9) 50 pts
Furies: 30cm
Port Launch Bay 1 squadron —
Admiral (LD 10 and 1 Re-roll) 75 pts Starhawks: 20cm
Furies: 30cm
Starboard Launch Bay 1 squadron —
Starhawks: 20cm
Port Weapons Battery 30cm 3 Left
Starboard Weapons Battery 30cm 3 Right
Port Torpedoes 30cm 3 Left
Starboard Torpedoes 30cm 3 Right
Prow Torpedoes 30cm 6 Front

Notes: Due to supply shortages and many sabotage attempts by pirates on the dockyards where she was constructed,
the Limante's Justice was changed from a Dictator configuration to something completely original. With the space
made abailable by reducing her weapons batteries and launch bays, torpedo launchers and the targeting equipment
to make them more accurate were installed. Unfortunately, the guidance systems in the torpedoes used up much of
the fuel space and therefore had a tendency to burn out before reaching their target.
This unusual configuration is used rarely because it quickly depetes torpedo reserves. In its only major fleet action,
it crippled four enemy vessels who had come along side her. The torpedoes combined with assault boats over-
whelmed enemy defenses and caused heavy damage allowing the accompanying escort squadrons to destroy nearly
60% of the enemy fleet.

ESCORT CARRIER 45 points

Only one squadron of Escort Carriers may be purchased per 500 points and the squadron may not exceed four ships.

Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets

Escort/1 25cm 90° 1 5+ 2

Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc

Furies: 30cm
Ventral Launch Bay 1 squadron —
Starhawks: 20cm
Prow Weapons Battery 45cm 1 Left/Front/Right

Notes: Using the ruined and modified hulls of existing Escort class ships, this ingenious design bore fruit within
the few patrol fleets active in the Sector. It allows access to the much needed and scarce Attack craft launch bays for
almost all of the sectors sorely outgunned fleets.

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 19

Scenario: Contact! Battlefield: Historical Summary:
This scenario is designed for play on a 6'x4' board. Divide the board Ork ships entered from the planet's edge and from behind the
This is the first recorded action against the Ork menace. It ended in
up into 6 parts. The top left has a 6"x3" asteroid field; the top right asteroids. The Terror ship led the planetary assault and was first to
a full retreat with the loss of both cruisers and nearly all of the at-
has no obstacles. The middle left has the abandoned planet Imego close with the enemy while the Brutes were used to flank and corral
tending fleet as they covered the escape of the transports. There were
V while the middle right has the planet’s only satellite. This satellite Imperial craft towards the closing Kill Kroozer while the Ravagers
no xenos vessels destroyed. Please use the planetary assault scenario
is the starting location of the docked transports. The bottom left has moved to cut off any escape. The Orks used the incoming solar flare
with the following modifications.
a 5"x4" gas cloud; the bottom right has no obstacles. There is a solar to sneak past the outer defenses and disable the weapons platforms
flare present to represent how the Orks masked their approach as orbiting above the planet. They then moved on the unsuspecting
sensor ghosts. Imperial fleet. Slow to sound general quarters, the Divine Judgment
ORK FORCES: was caught and crippled before it could come to full alert. The other
Special Rules:
Kill Kroozer: WAAAAAAGGGGHHH Of doom ships managed to come to battle stations before they were caught by
In order for the transports to leave the dock they must pass a lead-
Warboss: Dagooztuffs, Mega armored Boarding Nobz, LD 7 enemy fire and made a good account for themselves.
ership test using leadership 6. This represents the transports being
The transports quickly broke from the dockyard and quickly made
brought online with minimal personnel. All defending ships start
Terror ship: 'ERE WE GO! towards the jump point. The training squadron Scrubbers attempted
on stand down status except for the transports which are allowed to
Warboss: Movitmagots, Looted torpedo's, Maniac Gunners, LD 8 to clear the way but their path was blocked by Ork ships. The Scrub-
roll immediately. The rest of the fleet must make their leadership test
bers quickly exhausted their ammunition and suffered heavy casual-
3x Brutes: SMASH!, LD7 to come to battle stations and load weapons. While on stand down
ties. Forced to flee or die, they chose to ram their opponents but
status the ships may Brace for Impact and make a single 45* turn.
3x Brutes: KILL!, LD6 caused little damage. Seeing this waste of resources and manpower,
They count as defenses while on stand down and may not move.
the captain of the Aarwa's Bane flanked the enemy forces with little
2x Brutes: What?, LD8 The Divine Judgment suffered a reactor leak just prior to the engage- regard for his own safety and managed to prevent the enemy ship
ment which had not been repaired. Every time the ship moves more from intercepting the two remaining transports.
2x Brutes: Where?, LD7 than 10cm, place a blast marker every 5cm and one on the ship's
The Orks destroyed all Imperial forces except the two transports and
base at the end of its move. This illustrates the reactor shields being
5x Ravagers: Squeee!, LD7 a single Cobra that managed to disengage. After the fight it boosted
unable to compensate for the leak at higher stress levels and using
away to join up with the transports and was destroyed while trying
energy reserves to strengthen the reactor shielding. Successful repair
alert a nearby system of the Ork threat.
ends effect.
IMPERIAL FORCES:
Resilient: Because this is the first contact ORK RIPPER CLASS ESCORT 40 points
Lunar: Divine Judgement, Nova Cannon, LD10 with Orks in this sector, the Imperial weapons
may fail to hit critical systems. All Ork ships Type/Hits Speed Turns Shields Armour Turrets
Dauntless (Torpedo): Aarwa's Bane, LD8
receive a 5+ saving throw against all non Escort/1 20cm 45° 1 4+/6+ Prow —

4x Heavy Transports: Red 5, LD6 boarding damage. This includes attack craft
Armament Range/Speed Firepower/Str Fire Arc
and torpedoes.
Dorsal Gunz Battery 30cm 2 Left/Front/Right
2x Cobras: Tac Patrol, LD8
Both sides reload ordnance with a -1 lead-
Prow Big Boarder 30cm 1 Front
3x Cobra Widowmaker: Scrubbers, LD9 ership penalty applied after all other modi-
fiers. Torpedoes and attack craft are hard to
Notes: The Prow Big Boarder acts just like the Dark Eldar Impaler Module with the exception that it rolls 3d6 and
3x Escort Carriers: Detio, LD8 come by for everyone in this Sector! picks the lowest two dice. If two 1's and a 6 should be rolled the escort has run out of Boyz to throw at the problem
and can not launch the Boarder again.
No Fleet Commander

Wa r p R ift Issue 30, December 2010 20