Based on all of the material published about the fickle Chaos Powers in the GW universe, I felt it a little bizarre that BFG simply threw it out an airlock and allowed a ship to simultaneously be pledged to Khorne and Tzeentch. Therefore, when the time came to run a campaign for a bunch of people who are all enthusiastic fans of the W40k universe, I felt this matter had to be addressed. These followed.

In essence, these rules replace the existing “Marks of Chaos” as mentioned on page 128 of the printed Battlefleet Gothic rulebook. The reasoning behind these rules is to bring BFG back into line with the older Chaos fluff (from a time when it was less about “take whatever”, i.e. the previous codex) in which the Gods rarely work together, and certainly would not have a single unit or ship be pledged to more than one simultaneously.

I always saw a Mark of Chaos as the first step towards Daemon Prince-ness, a unique thing which identified someone to their favoured deity – rather than a simple brand or symbol which powers you up (as BFG wants to portray it as.) Once you’re Marked, your patron deity then bestows his power upon you rather than you seeking it from somewhere else at the same time.

Also, I’ve seen some great Plague Ship conversions which deserve a lot more than a simple “Mark of Nurgle – +1 Hit and Immune to Boarding,” especially in campaigns given the absurd superiority of the “Space Marines” appeals compared to the “Forces of Chaos” one.

Implementing these rules

Campaigns

Gifts of Chaos can only be taken if a ship is Marked with a certain god. Any subsequent “Marks” mentioned in the rulebook should be read as “Gifts” and a roll on the following tables made. In addition, Chaos fleets may now attempt to Mark a ship or bestow Gifts on a marked ship as an Appeal, with a difficulty of 6+.

Single Battles

Any Marked ship which would normally be allowed to take additional Marks should instead take Gifts of the relevant god at the prices below. Ships which take one Mark may also take a single Gift.

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