Gaming: Ciaphas Cain 40k Rules Playtest

Hey guys,

So my buddy DiGriz and I are fairly avid fans of Sandy Mitchell’s lucky Commissar, Ciaphas Cain, and his smelly buddy, Gunner Jurgen. Now, I’m all for writing up fun characters, playing Forge World characters and rules, etc., so we sat down last night and wrote up a set of fun rules for Ciaphas Cain and Jurgen. Set up similarly to Creed and Kell, you don’t have to run these two together, but they’re set up so you’ll want to.

My biggest point I stressed to DiGriz while we wrote these two up was that they needed to fill and unfilled niche in the Guard codex. He’s based on a Lord Commissar profile, but having Commissar Yarrick in the book, he needed to fall in between your run-of-the-mill Commissar Lord, but not encroach on Yarrick’s God-like demeanor.

Ciaphas Cain, Hero of the Imperium: 140 Points

WS BS S T W I A LD Sv

5 5 3 3 3 3 ¾ 10 4+

Unit Type: Character (Unique)

Wargear:

Hot-Shot Laspistol

Master-Crafted Chainsword

Frag and Krak Grenades

Carapace Armour

Special Rules

Aura of Discipline: 6” use his LD for morale, pinning, and orders.

Stubborn

Independent Character

Eternal Warrior

Inseparable: If purchased together, Ciaphas Cain and Gunner Jurgen create a unit themselves. These two still count as Independent Characters, but they must stay together if they join a unit.

Gunner Ferik Jurgen: 55 Points

WS BS S T W I A LD Sv

3 4 3 3 2 3 1 8 4+

Unit Type: Character (Unique)

Wargear:

Meltagun

Frag and Krak Grenades

Carapace Armour

Special Rules

Psychic Blank: Jurgen is a blank, and therefore nearly invisible in the Warp. Jurgen counts as having a Psychic Hood that works within 6” of him. Additionally, Jurgen’s Blank ability makes Psykers around him uneasy, or worse. All Psykers (Friend or Foe) in the same combat as Jurgen must take a Leadership check at the beginning of the assault phase, and on a 2 or 12, suffer Perils of the Warp. The Psyker may still make Psychic Powers in the Assault Phase normally.

Inseparable: If purchased together, Ciaphas Cain and Gunner Jurgen create a unit themselves. These two still count as Independent Characters, but they must stay together if they join a unit. In addition for Jurgen, he may only be purchased if Cain is in the army, and does not count as a HQ choice.

Dedicated Transport:

Ciaphas Cain, if accompanied by Gunner Jurgen, may take a Salamander Command Vehicle for 55 Points (from Imperial Armour 1, pg. 142). For posterity’s sake, the Salamander is equipped with a Pintle-Mounted Storm Bolter and has Extra Armour (to represent Jurgen’s Driving Ability).

DESIGNER NOTES

I feel like these rules represent Cain and Jurgen fairly majorly. Cain’s Summery Execution rule has been removed, which increased his points a little bit. Eternal Warrior takes care of his lack of Invulnerable Save. His Hot-Shot Laspistol and Master-Crafted Chainsword represent his increased abilities with his weapons without upping him to a stupid WS/BS 6.

As for Jurgen, he was a very interesting character to do. We wanted to represent his Blank ability, but seeing as a lack of Psychic defense is a key balancing factor for the IG, we gave him a toned down Psychic Hood. Like REALLY toned down, and I’m still worried it’s a little much. The biggest thing with Jurgen is he’s still a Veteran Statline, but over 50 points. A little expensive, yes, but compliments Cain rather nicely.

We would love some feedback here guys! Like I said, I feel like these two are fairly balanced, but not having a chance to playtest yet, I’m not sure if there’s something I missed!

Have a happy holidays guys, hope everything’s joyous and happy!

Granesh