Reanimation Protocols (R40k)

There's always a need for some enemies to be able to regenerate whilst in the thick of combat isn't there?  What good science fiction game or setting doesn't have instances of (often) baddies coming back from the near-dead and rejoining the fray?  Space zombie robots anyone?

13/7/18 Update: a couple of slight tweaks, simplifying things a little more and adding some additional Counter action options.  I'll regenerate the related game card in due course.



Rogue Planet doesn't have an existing mechanism that simulates those same traits, but it isn't too much of a stretch to introduce some house rules that introduce a new Action and tweak the use of the Energy Pool some.

I haven't thought too much about the Credit cost of this ability - I suspect that simply simply increasing the cost of the Unit's Armour might suffice e.g., a Light Armoured Model with Reanimation Protocol Trait would be costed as Medium Armour but without the Medium Armour-related bonuses e.g., 2 Energy Points.

Units subject to destruction as per a Critical Success are wholly and utterly eliminated and remove the model from the current game; otherwise, a Unit with the Reanimation Protocol Trait is played as follows.

Destroyed Models* are laid on their side.  Such Models can attempt a (new) Reanimate Action for which a Skill Check is taken.

*I've deliberately employed the term "Model" and not Unit because Reanimation can be applied to Models within a Group.

Multiple Actions can be used to buff the Skill Check, subject to the Unit's usual consecutive Action limits i.e. Leaders can expend up to three Action Points when attempting a Reanimation, providing a +2 Buff; otherwise only by up to the usual +3 buff ceiling i.e. expending 4 Action Points would still only provide a +3 Skill Check buff.

Skill Check results:

• A Reanimation Critical Success allows the restored Model to be activated during the current Turn instead of the subsequent Turn, but otherwise subject to the usual Activation-related restrictions.
• A Total Success restores the Model and the Unit can be further Activated during the subsequent Turn.
• A Partial Success restores the Model, the Model can be further Activated during the subsequent Turn and the opponent is awarded a free, uncontested standard Move.
• A Failure eliminates the Model unless an Energy Point is expended to keep it in play.  If an Energy Unit is used, the Model remains downed and further attempts to reanimate can be made during the current or future Turns, subject to the usual Action restrictions. In any event, the opponent is awarded 2 uncontested standard Move Actions.  
• A Critical Failure eliminates the Model and provides the opponent with 2 uncontested standard Move Actions.

The Reanimate Action may be countered with Op Fire, Intercept, Disengage or (something new since inventing this Action) Op Strike.

Reanimated Models in base contact with an Enemy is automatically designated as Engaged.  The enemy may Shoot or Charge unanimated or reanimated Models and any Melee Attack is against their DEF and attempts to Disengage still need to be Skill Checked.

With respect to a restored Model belonging to a Group:

If Group coherency has been broken, the Model must perform a free Action at the end of the player's Turn to rejoin the main body of the Group.  That Model may be attacked, but may not attack nor counter until it has rejoined its Group.  The free Action must be a Move or Disengage Action, which can be countered.  Should the Group be struck by an attack that 'spills over' damage-wise to include the reannimated Unit, the reannimated Unit is also once again destroyed.