Campaign Rules

The Dirtside Turf War Campaign: How it works

Following the release of Gang War 4 and the update to Campaign rules, the Dirtside campaigns are being reviewed and updated to reflect.

The Dirtside campaign uses a variant on the “Dominion” campaign from Gang War 4 . You gain Territory, Credits (Money), Reputation and Experience for playing games that can be used to expand territory, improve your gang and purchase new equipment.

The Dirtside Campaign is the war for control of "Zone 9", the poorest region of Dirtside City which has had a sudden goldrush as rumours of untold riches have been discovered in the ruins of the collapsed building Magna Petrum. The Gang that succeed in controlling Zone 9 shall be able to delve the secrets of the sector spanning corporation Magna and take advantage, gaining great prestige for them and their House or cause.

Zone 9 is a ruin with all sorts of human citizenry and ne'er do wells eking out an existence. Factions represented are House Orlock, Goliath, Escher, Van_Saar, Delaque and Cawdor Genestealer Cults,(Found in March 2018 White Dwarf) Chaos Cult Gangs (Found in April 2018 White Dwarf), Native Renegade gangs. Mercenaries and other gangs not mentioned here are represented by the "Venator Gang rules" (Found in May 2018's White Dwarf). A compilation of rules and erratas can be found here

Starting a Gang

Everyone has 1000 Credits to spend on a Gang at campaign start.

Game Rules 

Necromunda Games use the standard Necromunda rules, with the official and Yaktribe FAQ's (please message me about this).
Necromunda GW FAQ
GW Chaos Cult Rules
GW Genestealer Cult Rules

House Rules

TBC

Playing the Campaign

The Zone 7 Campaign is a deliberately brief and bloody campaign, giving everyone an opportunity learn the game and the rules. 

The Zone 9 Campaign is designed to run in phases. The two major phases are:

1. The Occupation Phase
2. The Takeover Phase

The Occupation Phase is the point all gangs are taking unconquered Territory, the Takeover Phase is where all gangs are trying to take over each others territory.

The last thing to mention is Downtime. Downtime is the period where gangs recover, gather more fighters and lick their wounds. Downtime will be called in periods as yet TBD

Playing a Game

Much of the Dirtside Campaign rules are taken from the Dominion Campaign in Gang War 4. It is recommended that players follow most of the Pre and Post battle sequences within the Campaign section

Pre Battle Sequence

1. Make a Challenge and Stake Territory
2. Buy Advancements and Recruit Hired Guns
3. Determine Scenario
4. Setup the Battlefield
5. Choose Tactics Cards
6. Announce Territory Boons
7. Choose Crews
8. Deployment

1. Make a Challenge and Stake Territory

For a battle to be fought one player (Player 1)challenges another (Player 2) or battles is allocated by the Arbitrator.

Occupation Campaign Phase: During the Occupation phase of the Campaign, battles are automatically over unclaimed territory – it is not possible to challenge for claimed territory until all unclaimed territories are taken.

Takeover Campaign Phase: During the Takeover phase of the Campaign, players Challenge for each others territory. Player 1 nominates a territory of the Player 2's they wish to challenge for and stakes one of their own territories they wish to gamble. A Player 2 may refuse, accept, or “Up the Stakes”. If a challenge is refused, Player 1 automatically gains the territory challenged for (Please note this does not occur if an opponent cannot play, please use common sense). If Player 2 elects to Up the Stakes, they pick one of the attacking players territories and one of their own to add to the pile, Player 1 may choose to Accept or Refuse, if they refuse they lose their initial territory but not the one nominated in the Upping of the Stakes.

Rescue Missions

If one player has captured anothers players fighter(s), the captured fighter's player may issuea challenge to play the Rescue Mission scenario. If the challenge is accepted, then the Rescue mission scenario is automatically used for the battle. If the player holding the Captive refuses the challenge the automatically forfeit the Captive. No Territory is staked in this battle the captured fighter is effectively the stake. Also note the Stakes cannot be raised when rescuing captured fighters.

2. Buy Advancements and Recruit Hired Guns

Each player can now spend Experience to purchase advancements (see page 16 of “Gang War”). If both players wish to do so, the Gang with the lowest Gang Rating, goes first, purchasing any advancements they wish and then the second player does the same. If boths players have the same Gang Rating, roll off, the winner choosing whether to go first or second.

Once Advancements have been purchased, players can spend Credits to recruit Hired Guns. Again, if both players with to do so, the lowest Gang Rating goes first.

HOUSE RULE: Hired Guns are purchased for 50% their total cost for their initial hiring, then 20% per subsequent game. If a Hired Gun is hired, let go, then Hired again, the 50% initial cost must be paid again.

3. Determine Scenario

To determine which scenario will be used, roll 2D6 on the following table:

2D6	Result
2 to 3	The Player with the greater number of Territories chooses which scenario to play. If both players have the same number of Territories, both players should roll a D6, with the player who rolls the highest choosing. If the scenario dictates there is an attacker and a defender see page 53 of Gang War IV or below.
4 to 5	Play the Border Dispute Scenario
6 to 7	Play the Stand-Off scenario
8 to 9	Play the Sabotage scenario
10 to12	The Player with the fewer number of Territories chooses which scenario to play. If both players have the same number of Territories, both players should roll a D6, with the player who rolls the highest choosing. If the scenario dictates there is an attacker and a defender see page 53 of Gang War IV, or see below

Please note, other scenarios outside of the table above may be played if both players agree. The players should then decide whether to play Zone Mortalis rules or Sector Mechanicus rules. If they cannot decide, the player who choose the scenario decides. If neither player chose the scenario, the players should roll off and the winner chooses.

Determine Attacker and Defender

If the game is during the Occupation phase of the Campaign (meaning the battle is taking place over unclaimed territory), players roll off and the winner decides. During the Takeover Phase of the Campaign, the Challenger (Player 1) is automatically the attacker (Unless they own a “Wastes” territory)

Home Turf Advantage

If the scenario indicates that the defender has a Home turf advantage, they gain the following benefits:

• When making a Bottle Test, roll 2D6 and discard the highest
• Fighters add 1 to the result of any Rally Test.

4. Setup the Battlefield

Setup the terrain as agreed, or use the rules within Gang War IV.

5. Choose Tactics Cards

Choose Tactics cards, as per rules in Gang War IV, page 54

6. Announce Territory Boons

Players may have Territory Boons greanted by the Territories they currently hold. Players should announce which, if any, of their Territory boons grant them a bonus that will have an effect on this game. If a Territory boon is not announced, it cannot be used.

7. Choose Crews

Each player chooses a crew for the scenario, using one of the following methods, or an alternative method if one is described in the scenario.

Random Selection (X)

The player randomly selects fighters, equal to the number shown in brackets, using fighter cards or dice, not including any fighters unable to take part the battle.

Custom Selection (X)

The player chooses their crew, selecting the fighters they wish to use equal to the number shown in brackets. If there is no number for the scenario, a player may use their whole gang if they wish.

Arbitrator Selection (X) (House rule)

The Arbitrator selects the fighters equal to the number in brackets. This is only used for special scenarios as part of the Dirtside Campaign

Underdog Bonus

After choosing crews, it will be apparent if one crew is significantly larger and/or stronger than the other, in these circumstances the underdog bonus will apply.

Intervention

If one gang is heavily outnumbered by another, the Arbitrator or by player agreement may cause to tip the odds in the underdogs favour in these circumstances, extra fighters may be added to the gang, or if there are none, the Arbitrator may add additional Hired Guns to the smaller Crew. This is a House rule.

Mentor

There are a number of Dramatas Personae that may appear in a time of need for certain gangs. This is dependant on the actions of the Gangs in question. These are interested parties in Zone 9.

8. Deployment

Deploy as per rules in Scenario or on Page 55 of Gang War 4.

Post Battle Sequence

1. Wrap-up

Each player checks to see whether any of their Seriously Injured fighters succumb to their injuries (See page 50 Gang War 4), and whether they capture any enemy fighters (see page 51, Gang War 4). Any other events that take place “at the end of the battle” are triggered here. Fighters that were recovering have made a full recovery and their “In Recovery” box on the gang roster is cleared, meaning Leaders and Champions become available for post-battle actions once more.

2. Assign/Reassign Territory

The player who won the battle takes control of the Territories staked on the the battle. In the case of a draw fighting for Uncontested territory means neither gang gain control of the territory. In the case of fighting for controlled territory, the territories do not change hands.

3. Receive Rewards

Each scenario shows a list of rewards which the gang can receive, based on their performance during the battle. Any equipment gained is added to the gangs Stash – it can be distributed to fighters in Step 5

4. Collect Income

Each gang collects income from the each Territory they control that generates income, as detailed for that Territory. The total amount of credits generated from each gang's is added to the Gangs Stash.

5. Post-battle Actions (contains House rules)

Each Leader or Champion in the gang can make one of any of the Post Battle Actions, Fighters can only make the “Collect Tribute” and “Medical Escort” Actions.

Trade

The Fighter visits the Trading Post, increasing the gangs chances of finding rare items. This is resolved in Step 6.

Sell to Guilders (and other Actions with Captured fighters)

The fighter can sell any number of Captive Fighters to the Guilders 0 as long as the Captuve's gang has had a chance to rescue them (see Page 51 of Gang War 4). Each Captive is normally worth half their value, rounding up to the nearest 5 credits – thismany credits are added to this gangs stash. The Captive's controlling player should be informed as soon as possible, and must delete the Captive from their roster. Note: The equipment of Captive Fighters are kept by the Capturing gang and added to their stash.

Medical Escort

1 Champion or Leader or 2 Fighters may escort a Critically Injured fellow gang member to the Doc. Pick another fighter in the Gang that suffered a Critical Injury during the battle and pay 2D6x10 credits from the gang's Stash. If the gang does not have sufficient funds, or does not wish to pay the full amount, no roll is made and the fighter dies. Otherwise roll a D6 on the Table found in Gang War 4 (page 56).

6. Update Roster

See Page 57 of Gang War 4

7. Report Results

Report the results of the Battle to the Arbitrator (Michael), who willupdate the Campaign stats. Pertinant information to include is:

• Who fought
• Who won.
• The Mission
• How many fighters went Out of Action.
• Gangs Wealth
• Gangs Reputation.
• Any other details to assist writing up a blog post.

Additional Rules

Trading Territories

The gangs at war in Dirtside are not friends and they wouldn't dream of trading on equal terms with anyone, the loss of face alone among their peers would be devastating. However the same is not true for those from the same House. 

Gangs from the same House/Faction may trade Territories with one another. This can be for other territories or for resources. Either way, when a Territory is traded both gangs must pay 20 Credits which represents the cost of moving their stuff out, drinks and a party which ensures there are no bad feelings between gangs that may be at war the next day.

Late Starting Gangs

Late Starting gangs would normally be at an obvious disadvantage. There will be slightly different rules pertaining to late starters which will be discussed with the Arbitrator.

Genestealer Cults

Implant

A Genestealer cult may attempt to Implant Genestealer strain into a Capture Fighter. To do so, the leader of the Cult must pass an Initiative check, if failed the Fighter is accidentally killed while attempting implantation. After this the Captured Fighter must take a Will Check. If the fighter failed the implantation is successful. The Gang may add the fighter to their roster as a Neophyte, however their stats remain the same. If the Will power check is successful the Fighter has fought off the influence of the Brood mine, for now. The Cult release the Captured Fighter who returns to their House, to either succumb to the Brood mind or go mad. For all intents and purposes in the Campaign the Captured Fighter is dead and is removed form rosters. The Cult gain D6 Experience points which can be spent as they wish.

Native Renegades

Grisly Warning

The Native Renegades rather than Sell or Trade the Captured Fighter may instead make a Grisly Warning out of the victim. The Captured Fighter is gruesomely killed and their flayed corpse left on display in a public location as a warning to others. The Renegade Gang gain +1 Reputation and all Fighters count as having the Fearsome Trait for their next battle. The Gang who the Captured Fighter belongs to gain the Berserker Trait for the next battle against the Native Renegades.

How long will the Campaign Run?

The Campaign will run throughout Term Time and end at the end of Term. There will be a big finale to the Campaign where everyone makes the final attack to lay claim to the territory and the riches of Magna Petrum. Only a small number of Gangs may Challenge for Magna Petrum itself.

Who can Challenge for Magna Petrum?

The final challengers for Magna Petrum will be those that achieve the following Triumphs:

TRIUMPH	CRITERIA
Dominator	Most territories at the end of the Campaign
Slaughterer	Most enemy Fighters taken Out of Action
Creditor	Largest Wealth at the end of the Campaign
Powerbroker	Highest Reputation at the end of the Campaign

Anything Else?

The Sector Corporations and Imperial Organisations are in stalemate over Zone Nine and Magna Petrum, none dare openly make the first move for fear of starting a Corporate war. The rumour mill persists that each are approaching the Necromundan immigrant Houses for their agents to act as their proxies. Everyone is whispering of fabulous opportunities for wealth, with the whisper in the right ears.