Hey guys! Let's dive into the awesome world of Warhammer 40,000's 9th Edition Crusade system. If you're looking to forge epic narratives and watch your army grow from a ragtag band into a legendary fighting force, then Crusade is definitely for you. This article provides some essential advice for building and managing your Crusade army, ensuring you have a blast on your journey to galactic conquest. We'll cover everything from choosing your starting force and understanding Requisition points to developing your units and navigating the challenges of the narrative campaign. So, grab your dice, your rulebook, and let's get started!
Understanding the Crusade System
The 9th Edition Crusade system offers a fantastic way to play Warhammer 40,000, focusing on narrative campaigns where your army evolves and changes over time. Unlike matched play, which emphasizes balanced competition, Crusade is all about telling a story. Your units gain experience, earn upgrades, and even suffer lasting injuries, making each battle feel significant. Understanding the core mechanics is the first step to Crusade success, so let's break down the key elements.
Requisition Points (RP)
Requisition Points are the lifeblood of your Crusade force. They're like your campaign currency, used to add units to your Order of Battle, upgrade existing units, and heal battle scars. You typically start with a certain number of RP (often 5), and you'll earn more as you play games and complete Agendas. Managing your RP effectively is crucial, as it dictates how quickly your army grows and how well you can adapt to the challenges ahead. Think carefully about where you spend your points; a shiny new unit might be tempting, but healing a veteran squad with valuable experience could be the wiser choice. Some Requisitions are cheap and effective and some are expensive but can give you an edge on the battlefield.
Order of Battle
Your Order of Battle is essentially your army roster in the Crusade campaign. It lists all the units in your force, their experience level, upgrades, and any Battle Scars they've acquired. The Order of Battle is a dynamic document, constantly changing as your campaign progresses. Keeping your Order of Battle organized and up-to-date is essential for tracking your army's growth and planning your next moves. Make sure you clearly note any upgrades, traits, or relics your units have, and don't forget to record any Battle Scars they pick up along the way. Trust me, you don't want to forget that your prized Dreadnought now has a tendency to malfunction at critical moments!
Agendas
Agendas are special objectives you choose before each battle, providing additional goals beyond simply winning the game. Completing an Agenda earns you experience points for your units, Requisition Points, or other benefits. Choosing the right Agenda is a key strategic decision. Consider your army's strengths and weaknesses, the mission you're playing, and your overall campaign goals. Some Agendas might focus on eliminating specific enemy units, while others might reward you for holding objectives or performing certain actions. A well-chosen Agenda can significantly boost your army's development, while a poorly chosen one can leave you struggling.
Experience and Unit Development
One of the most rewarding aspects of Crusade is watching your units grow and develop over time. As units participate in battles and complete Agendas, they earn experience points. Accumulating enough experience allows a unit to gain a rank, unlocking powerful upgrades and abilities. This is where your units truly become unique, reflecting their battlefield history and the challenges they've overcome. Investing in your units' development is crucial for long-term success in Crusade. A squad of seasoned veterans with carefully chosen upgrades can be far more effective than a larger force of inexperienced troops.
Battle Scars
Of course, war is a brutal affair, and your units won't always emerge unscathed. Units can suffer Battle Scars, representing permanent injuries or other negative effects. These can range from minor inconveniences to serious debuffs, impacting a unit's combat effectiveness. While Battle Scars can be frustrating, they also add to the narrative depth of your campaign, highlighting the risks and sacrifices of war. Dealing with Battle Scars is an important part of Crusade management. You can sometimes use Requisition Points to heal scars, but sometimes you'll have to live with the consequences, adapting your tactics and strategies accordingly.
Building Your Crusade Army
So, you're ready to start your Crusade, but where do you begin? Building your Crusade army is a fun and strategic process, requiring careful consideration of your faction, play style, and long-term goals. Let's explore some key considerations for assembling your starting force.
Choosing Your Faction
The first step is, of course, choosing your faction. This is a crucial decision, as it will shape your entire Crusade experience. Consider your personal preferences, your existing model collection, and the play style of each faction. Do you prefer the overwhelming firepower of the Imperium, the brutal melee prowess of the Orks, or the cunning strategies of the Aeldari? Each faction has its own unique strengths, weaknesses, and lore, so choose one that resonates with you. Remember, you'll be spending a lot of time with this army, so pick a faction you genuinely enjoy.
Starting Small and Scaling Up
In Crusade, it's generally best to start with a smaller force and gradually expand your army over time. This allows you to manage your Requisition Points effectively and focus on developing your core units. A common starting point is around 25-50 Power Level, which typically translates to a Patrol Detachment or a small Battalion Detachment. Starting small also gives you time to learn the rules and develop your strategies without feeling overwhelmed. As your campaign progresses and you earn more RP, you can add new units, upgrade existing ones, and build your army into a formidable fighting force.
Unit Selection and Synergy
When choosing your starting units, focus on creating a balanced and synergistic force. Consider the different roles you need to fill, such as damage dealers, objective holders, and support units. Think about how your units will work together on the battlefield. A squad of heavy infantry might benefit from the support of a fast-moving transport, while a powerful character might need a bodyguard unit to protect them from enemy fire. Building a cohesive and well-rounded force will give you a significant advantage in your early battles.
Considering Unit Roles and Specializations
Each unit in your army has a specific role to play, and understanding these roles is crucial for effective army building. Some units excel at dealing damage, while others are better at holding objectives or providing support. Think about how each unit contributes to your overall strategy. Do you need a dedicated anti-tank unit? A fast-moving assault squad? A resilient unit to hold the line? Choosing units that complement each other and fill specific roles will make your army more versatile and effective.
Planning for Long-Term Growth
While it's important to focus on your starting force, it's also wise to think about your long-term goals for your Crusade army. What kind of units do you want to add as your campaign progresses? What upgrades do you want to pursue? Having a long-term plan will help you make informed decisions about your Requisition Point spending and unit development. Consider which units are most effective in the later stages of the game and how you can build your army to take advantage of them.
Managing Your Crusade Force
Once you've built your starting army, the real challenge begins: managing your Crusade force effectively throughout the campaign. This involves making strategic decisions about Requisition Point spending, unit upgrades, and even dealing with the consequences of battle. Let's delve into some key aspects of Crusade force management.
Strategic Use of Requisition Points
As we discussed earlier, Requisition Points are your campaign currency, and using them wisely is essential for success. You'll need to balance adding new units to your Order of Battle with upgrading existing ones and healing Battle Scars. There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some general guidelines: Prioritize healing key units with valuable experience, invest in upgrades that enhance your army's strengths, and don't be afraid to add new units when needed, but avoid overextending yourself early on.
Prioritizing Unit Upgrades and Enhancements
As your units gain experience, they'll have opportunities to earn upgrades and enhancements. These can significantly boost their combat effectiveness, granting them new abilities, wargear, or stat improvements. Choosing the right upgrades is a crucial part of unit development. Consider your unit's role and your overall strategy. Do you want to enhance their damage output, improve their survivability, or grant them new tactical options? Some upgrades are universally useful, while others are more situational, so choose wisely.
Dealing with Battle Scars and Casualties
War is a dangerous business, and your units will inevitably suffer casualties and Battle Scars. Dealing with these setbacks is an important part of Crusade management. You can use Requisition Points to heal Battle Scars, but this can be expensive. Sometimes, it's more cost-effective to simply accept the consequences and adapt your tactics accordingly. When units are destroyed, you'll need to decide whether to replace them with new recruits or simply adjust your strategy to compensate for their loss. These are tough decisions, but they add to the narrative depth of the campaign.
Adapting to the Evolving Campaign Narrative
Crusade campaigns are dynamic and unpredictable. As you play games and make decisions, the narrative will evolve, presenting new challenges and opportunities. Be prepared to adapt your strategies and plans as the campaign unfolds. You might face unexpected enemy forces, discover new objectives, or even forge alliances with other players. The beauty of Crusade is that the story is constantly being written, so embrace the unexpected and let the narrative guide your choices.
Maintaining Unit Cohesion and Morale
Finally, remember that your army is more than just a collection of units; it's a cohesive fighting force with its own internal dynamics. Maintaining unit cohesion and morale is important for long-term success. Units that have fought together and survived tough battles will develop a strong bond, making them more effective on the battlefield. Conversely, units that have suffered heavy losses or endured repeated defeats might become demoralized, impacting their performance. Try to foster a sense of camaraderie within your army, and celebrate your victories while learning from your defeats.
Conclusion
The 9th Edition Crusade system offers a truly unique and engaging way to play Warhammer 40,000. By understanding the core mechanics, building your army strategically, and managing your force effectively, you can embark on an epic journey of galactic conquest. Remember, Crusade is all about telling a story, so embrace the narrative, make tough choices, and watch your army grow into a legend. Now go forth, Commander, and forge your own destiny in the grim darkness of the far future!