Are they planing to make The chaplain class in a future book? it will be great.

Ravenwings666 said:

Probably. They have to have some new specialties in Rites of Battle. Scouts? Dreadnoughts? Chaplains? What else could they offer?

I don't see any good reason not to introduce Deathwatch Chaplains who have had some oecumenical inter-faith training. Perhaps even Marines who have no home chapter but who get raised by the Deathwatch, recruited from the Ecclesiarchy. Without them - who watches over the Marines spiritual well-being?

Alex

The main rule book has a line (not sure of the page as I don't have my book in front of me) that mentions Deathwatch Chaplains, so I assume they'll be in a future supplement.

It seems highly likely that Chaplains will be included in 'Rites of Battle' as an alternate advancement option.

ak-73 said:

Possibly Sternguard and Vanguard Veterans? Not sure how they would work it. Maybe a branch from Tactical and Assault marines?

As of now they have the cookie cutter marines as specialties but who is not to say that they may make Rune Priest an entirely different class than librarian; or continuing the space wolf example, blood fang pack member instead of assault marine. There are quite a lot of distinctive titles they could use to make specialties very specific to each chapter. Such as apoths for blood angels being Sanguine Priests, and so on.

I wouldn't worry about lack of specialties in the future, if they want to go very lengthy down that road they can.

I would hope for Chaplin and sternguard etc to be advancements for high level characters sort of Acension classes for space marines who had completed tactical marine etc techmarine could have master of the forge as a higher level route , others could have captain as an option etc

Here is an idea for a chaplain I came up with. I was kinda thinking the litanies were like the Emperors Blessings the SOB get. And I wanted seperate prayers for each. The quote is from the deathwatch book and the background is from lexicanum Chaplains-

" Chaplins are mighty warriors and truly inspirational leaders.Their duty is to the spiritual welfare of the brethren, on and off the battlefield. Many of the sights a Space Marine must witness and many of the fell beings he must face are so infernal that the soul of an ordinary man would be seared to ashes.The ministrations of the Chaplains ensure that Space Marines remain pure of heart, armouring their souls with unshakable faith."(pg 83 DW)

Their Power Armour is
black and often incorporates Imperial skull iconography, most commonly in the
form of a skull-shaped helmet. Most Chaplains wield a Power Weapon that takes the
form of a mace and is called a Crozius Arcanum. They are also equipped with an
Imperial holy symbol known as a Rosarius. Individual Chaplains are assigned to each
company (From Wikipedia)

Chaplins are mentioned in deathwatch in this paragraph and that is about it. I will attempt to construct a fair specialty to represent them.

Chapter Variations

As each chapter has its own distinct cult, the specific roles of Chaplains
can vary from Chapter to Chapter. The most notable differences in the roles of
Chaplains of different Chapters are as follows:

Dark Angels

Although the Dark Angels
have normal Chaplains, above the company level organization of the chapter are
Chaplains known as Interrogator-Chaplains, who form part of
the Inner Circle. Their primary task is hunting down the Fallen, their damned brethren, and forcing
them to repent. This involves torture. This highly confidential mission makes
Interrogator-Chaplains a secretive and somewhat sinister lot. Once a member of
the Fallen has been captured, it is the duty of the Interrogator-Chaplains to
force the prisoner to confess and repent. Those who repent are spared further
torture and receive a painless death. Those who hold to their innocence are
exorcised of their sins through excruciation and death.

Blood Angels

The Chaplains of the Blood
Angels chapter constantly watch their brothers for the onset of the Black
Rage. Only the Chaplains can communicate successfully with those unfortunates
who have succumbed to the Rage and so lead them in battle as the Death Company, fearsome
warriors whose demise is assured. They also care for those who completely
succumb to the Red Thirst, and are rumoured to look after those who
are locked away on their homeworld, Baal.

Space Wolves

Within the Space Wolves, the Wolf Priests fulfill both Chaplain and Apothecary
roles. They minister to both the spiritual and physical well-being of their
brethren, and are completely responsible for all parts of the recruitment and
indoctrination of new Space Wolves. As a result, individual Wolf Priests can
regularly be seen traveling across the surface of Fenris, watching the proud natives for those who show
the potential to become one of the Imperium's mightiest warriors.

(from lexicanum.com) Based on this information the chaplain specialty may not apply to Dark Angels, Blood Angels or Space Wolves with out special considerations. The Chaplain specialty I am going to write with be the basis for most chaplains, I will work with you if you really want a wolf priest ect.

Death Watch Chaplain

Starting Equipment- Crozius Arcanum 2h melee hammer.
dmg 2d10+1 Impact quality (double str bonus) considered powered and sanctified.

Book of Liturgies- Religious song book with the holy litanys,liturgies and practices.

Rosarius- The Ecclisarchal icon. Deathwatch chaplains Rosarius is in the form of a signit ring. It generates a kinetic force field. +1 armour to all areas.

Starting Talents/skills- Performer (singer +20)
Common Lore: Ecclisiarchy
Scholastic Lore: Ecclisiarcy

Special Abilities(choose 1, can spend 500 exp to get both)
Solo Ability

Unassailable Grace (based off the ascended skill of same name)

The Character reacts to attacks so quickly and fluidly that he seems to dance through blade swings and gunfire,knocking bullets from the air and pivoting aside from danger.
The Character may make an additional reaction per round. The character may spend a reaction to knock an incoming ranged attack out of the air with a melee weapon, so long as the attack is from a primitive or thrown weapon.
Additionally, whenever the character charges or runs, all opponents take a -20 penalty to ballistic skill tests made to hit him with a ranged weapon.

Squad Ability

They Shall Know No Fear- When in squad mode all battle brothers in range(30m) are immune to all types of fear including psychic horrors.

Litanies- Choose 2 to start.Litanies are considered a free action and sustained until another litany or something causing the chaplain unable to speak.

Litany of Hate- The Chaplin chooses one type of threat( Xenos, Daemons, Mutants, Heretics) all attacks made by him and anyone in squad mode with him get +20 to all attacks made against that type on a successful performer singer roll.

Litany of Fear- All enemies in hearing range of the Chaplain make difficult willpower check (-20) or loose an action and a reaction due to an overwhelming sense of doom on successful performer singer roll.

Voice of the Emperor- on a successful performer singer roll the Chaplain increases all battle brothers in range (30m) to increase their fellowship by 10 for the duration of the battle. All interactions made by the Chaplain with space marines is increased by 30, for 15 mins after the litany.

Litany of Battle- on successful singer roll the Chaplain increases all memebers in squad mode with him to increase ws and bs rolls by 10 and cohesion of the squad by 1.

Litany of Purity- on a successful singer roll the Chaplain increases the members in squad mode and in range of the chaplain (30m) resistance to influences of the warp,insanity and corruption. All checks made by those members has the difficulty decreased by 1 degree.

Chapter Specific Litanies-start with your chapters litany. It is possible to learn Litanies from other chapters, though they are typically not shared.

Ultramarines

Litany of Ultramar- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll increases all will power and toughness checks made by members in squad range by 10. Marines of the same chapter as the Chaplain have thier wp checks to be instantly successful for the duration of the litany( in the case of poisons it means the poison is still in the body but has no effect until the litany ends, then it will have to be addressed)

Litany of the Favored Son- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll becomes a beacon of hope to all on the battle field whom can see him. The Chaplain begins to glow and all enemys have to make a toughness -10 or become blind for 1 round, Daemons and creatures of the warp get -20. Any foe struck by the Crozius Arcanum have to make wp check at -10 or become stunned. All Space Marines in visible range of the Chaplain recieve a second wind and feel energized granting them 1 free full action to use against the enemy(for attacks or tactical advances).

Black Templars

Litany of Sigismund- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll gets +10 to all ws and dodge, parry reactions when facing an enemy in single combat. If the combat is against another space marine its +20, and if it is another black templar and the chaplain succeeds he is granted Good Reputation (Black Templars) as if he had 50 fel.

Litany of Righteous Fury- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll gives all members in squad mode with the chaplain +20 to all weapon skill rolls when facing psykers, or mutations of the warp. Criticals and Righteous Fury dmg made by Space Marines of the Black Templars against such foes additionally causes them to make a wp -30 or instantly parish.

Storm Wardens

Litany of Glory- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll gets +10 to all ws and dodge, parry reactions.

Litany of the Storm- The Chaplain on a successful singer roll increases all damage rolls made by members in squad mode with the chaplain by 5. Storm Warden marines also get the Energy quality added to the damage, weapons that already have energy quality gets impact quality as well.

Blood-Ravens(Blood Raven chaplains typically curse thier enemy rather then boilster thier own squads.)

Litany of Curses- On a successfull singer roll the enemy squad gets -25 to any will power or toughness tests for the duration of the litany. Hordes suffer magnitude loss = to chaplain's rank.

Litany of Sword and Fire- Enemy is made vulnerable by this Litany. On a successfull singer roll the enemy's AP is considered 1 less to all areas.Any Blood-Ravens with the chaplain and in squad mode with him will receive +5 to damage from all types..

The Following tables are based off of the apothecary,librarian and assualt marines. Some tweaking might be possible in future, especially in the cases of Dark Angel,Blood Angel, or Space Wolf. There is some good work being done on the Salamander and Iron Hand chapters also so possibly in future can include them.

Chaplain Characteristic Advances
Simple Intermediate Trained Expert
Weapon Skill 200 500 1,000 1,500
Ballistic Skill 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Strength 200 500 1,000 1,500
Toughness 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Agility 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Intelligence 200 500 1,000 1,500
Perception 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
Willpower 200 500 1,000 1,500
Fellowship 200 500 1,000 1,500

Chaplain Advances Rank 1
Charm 200 Skill
Interrogation 200 Skill
Autosanguine 500 Talent
Hardy 200 Talent
Resistance(Cold) 500 Talent
Resistance(Heat) 500 Talent
Resistance(Poisons) 500 Talent
Air of Authority 500 Talent
Lore: Common (any) 400 Skill
Lore: Common (any) 400 Skill

Rank 2

Lore:Scholastic (any) 200 Skill
Crushing Blow 400 Talent S40
Beserk Charge 600 Talent
Lightning Reflexes 500 Talent
Sure Strike 500 Talent
Lightning Attack 600 Talent

Rank 3

Interrogation +10 200 skill
Tech Use 600 Skill
Sound Constitution 800 Talent
Catfall 400 Talent
Hammer Blow 1,000 Talent
Meditation 500 Talent
Precise Blow 600 Talent ws40 Sure Strike

Rank 4

Forbidden Lore: Heresy 400 Skill
Forbidden Lore : Traitor Legions 400 Skill
Interrogation +20 200 skill
Disarm 500 Talent

Rank 5

Furious Assault 500 Talent ws 35
Sound Consitution 1,000 Talent
Forbidden Lore: Heresy +10 400 Skill

Rank 6

Disturbing Voice 500 Talent
Crippling Strike 400 Talent ws 50
Good Reputation(Adeptus Astartes) 700 Fel 50

Rank 7
Sound Constitution 1,000 Talent
Combat Master 500 1,000 Talent
Forbidden Lore: Black Library 400 Skill
Scholastic Lore:(any)

Rank 8
Sound Constitution x2 1,000 Talent
Stalwart Defence 800
Whirlwind of Death 1,000
Good Reputation(Ecclesiarchy) 400 -combine bonuses if have Good Rep inquisition Fel 50

Email me if any questions or reply to this wave.

Into the Storm has the Rosarius, its a force field which stops 50% of all blows (roll under)

Cool thanks I just got that book ill have to look at in, looks like I was close with my interpretation though.

I might grab that and use it at some point...although I do have one concern. If memory serves, I think the most amount of "200xp" Character Advances for the original specialties is 3....I think 5 of them is a touch excessive, but that is just this Wolf's opinion.

I think it is obvious that fellowship, willpower and weapon skill should be the low cost attributes. Also a rosarious cannot be a starting piece of equipment, not even if it makes sense for the fluff.

Hadriel said:

By the rules, neither should a Force Weapon be part of starting wargear, and the Librarian still gets it. I fail to see why a Chaplain shouldn't get a powerful defensive piece of wargear as standard when several other specialities get grossly powerful offensive pieces of wargear stock-standard (Force sword and heavy bolter, anyone?)

Rhazagal said:

So the heavy weapon specialist shouldn't get a heavy weapon?

ItsUncertainWho said:

I don't understand why people seek to apply rules meant for non-standard equipment to standard equipment.

Alex

ItsUncertainWho said:

That's not what I said... I'm all for the Librarians getting Force Swords and I like the fact Devastators get heavy bolters. I also agree that the Chaplain should get a Rosarius even if it means bending the Renown-rules.

Rhazagal said:

Librarians don't automatically get hoods, Chaplains shouldn't automatically get a Rosarius.

A Chaplain should start play with a Crozius though.

ItsUncertainWho said:

From a game perspective that makes sense. My group's Runepriest will get his Psyber-Raven on a later rank, for example.

Alex

The only standard equipment that should be added to any Chaplains wargear is the 2d10+10 skulls mounted on or around the Chaplain.

One way of Solving it may be to Have the Rosarius replace the Power armor roll for a chaplain and have it imbeded on thier armor, which I think is right for a few of the chapters not sure about DW. A chaplain needs a rosarius though, since it is proof of offical sanctioning by the Ecclisiarch. Could also just make it a religious symbol.

Also you have to take the fact that this player is limited to melee only and does not have a jump pack so will probably need alittle more protection.

Actually the Crozius would be the badge of office. The Rosarius is just a nice perk.

Why wouldn't a chaplain carry a bolt pistol?

ItsUncertainWho said:

If they did carry a bolt pistol they would fire it while charging into the front I guess, but I really don't see a chaplain firing a heavy bolter from the rear. I thought the Rosarius would be simular to an Inquisitors linking them to the Ecclisarchy.

Nimon said:

I think you mean Rosette, for an Inquisitor. The Inquisitorial Rosette is their big =][= badge that has their codes embedded in them. The Rosarius is a Force Field projector. The Crozius would be the equivalent badge of office for a Chaplain.