Age of Darkness: 2.0 Rulebook (englisch)

Warhammer: The Horus Heresy

In a galaxy far removed from peace, the Imperium stretches across countless worlds, a newborn empire teetering on the edge of ultimate triumph. Yet, as the golden age of conquest reaches its zenith, darkness looms. Horus Lupercal, the Emperor’s Warmaster, has turned against his creator, igniting a cataclysmic betrayal that rends the eighteen Space Marine Legions apart. Once united in a Great Crusade to consolidate all humanity beneath the Emperor’s banner, they are now embroiled in the Horus Heresy — the bloodiest civil war the galaxy has ever witnessed. Superhuman soldiers, encased in advanced power armor, unleash devastating weapons upon those they once called brothers. Where do your loyalties lie in this apocalyptic struggle?

The Game

Warhammer: The Horus Heresy is a miniatures wargame that unleashes titanic armies upon one another in breathtaking tabletop battles. Choose your favored faction, whether it be the noble Dark Angels or the treacherous Alpha Legion. Assemble your own army from a stunning array of Citadel and Forge World miniatures, and engage in tactical warfare that promises deep strategy and exhilarating gameplay.

The Book

This 336-page hardback tome is a treasure trove of lore, illustrations, and background information that paints the far-future setting of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy in vivid detail. It includes comprehensive guides to help you build and paint your collection of miniatures, along with the core rules for reenacting the ferocious conflicts of the Age of Darkness with your own forces. Additionally, the book provides insights into various modes of play tailored for every hobbyist.

AGE OF DARKNESS

The book opens with an in-depth exploration of the galaxy where the wars of the Horus Heresy unfold, from its shadowy past to its brilliant peak, detailing the technologies, factions, armies, and ideals that came to dominate this tumultuous era.

• The Age of the Emperor: Discover humanity's fall and the Imperium's rise. This section chronicles the Age of Strife from which the Emperor emerged, the Great Crusade that sought to unite the galaxy under his banner, and the pivotal groups he established or allied with to support this grand undertaking.

• The Imperium of Mankind: Delve into the structure of the Imperium at the dawn of the Horus Heresy. Learn about the crucial events, figures, and factions that shaped humanity's fate, alongside the significance of the Warp, psykers, and the Imperial Truth — the strict rationalist philosophy imposed by the Emperor during his conquests.

• The Legiones Astartes: Space Marines are more than mere soldiers; they are genetically modified superhumans, equipped with the finest wargear and subjected to rigorous indoctrination that transforms them into ideal weapons of war. This extensive section details the creation of a Space Marine, illustrates the diverse weapons and power armor utilized by the Legions, and offers an insightful examination of each of the 18 Space Marine Legions, including their unique histories, tactics, organization, and the mighty Primarchs who lead them — along with a visual guide to their heraldry and color schemes.

• Additional Factions: The Horus Heresy is not solely a conflict among the Legiones Astartes. This section highlights the various other armies involved in the war, such as the Talons of the Emperor, the Solar Auxilia, and Mechanicum, detailing their roles within the Imperium and their impact on its eventual downfall.

• An Age of Darkness: Witness the Emperor's favored son plunge the galaxy into chaos at the dawn of the 31st Millennium. This section examines the early acts of the Horus Heresy, setting the stage for humanity’s most devastating conflict. It includes a summary of the brutal Isstvan Drop Site Massacre, the Traitor war machine's advances, and the emergence of the cosmic Ruinstorm, through which daemonic entities invade reality.

• Pivotal Events of the Horus Heresy: Navigate an in-depth timeline of the major battles and engagements throughout the Horus Heresy, culminating in the final Siege of Terra. This section provides crucial insights into the positions of the Legions, their enemies, and the deep-seated grudges formed at various points in the war.

PLAYING THE GAME

Learn to wage war in Warhammer: The Horus Heresy on the tabletop with all the essential rules you’ll need to maximize the game's potential.

• Core Rules: Familiarize yourself with the game's general principles, including turns, phases, unit commands, distance measurement, shooting, and melee charges. Understand how Reactions allow players to respond to events even when it’s not their turn.

• Unit Types: The Age of Darkness is filled with powerful heroes and terrifying war machines. This section outlines the use of various unit types, including Characters, Vehicles, and Automata, as well as the unnatural Psychic Powers that can shape the tide of battle.

• Terrain: The galaxy is a treacherous landscape filled with unique battlefields. This section offers rules for incorporating different terrains into your games, such as Barricades, Jungles, and Ruins, along with guidelines for claiming Fortifications and using various Buildings.

• Special Rules: The Horus Heresy features a wide array of soldiers and equipment, each possessing unique attributes. This section provides a centralized roster of all universal special rules governing different units and weapons, from cunning Scouts to explosive Blast weapons.

GAMING IN THE AGE OF DARKNESS

This concluding section offers an overview of the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy hobby, encompassing game setup and army construction.

• Showcase: Discover a photographic showcase featuring seven stunning Legiones Astartes armies from various hobbyists, along with insights on their collection, assembly, and painting choices. It also presents battlefield showcases that capture the cinematic essence of the Age of Darkness.

• Modes of Play: With a variety of gameplay styles to enjoy, this section breaks down the different ways to engage in battles, including Narrative Play, Matched Play, and Open Play, as well as Campaigns and team games.

• Preparing for Battle: This section guides you through the game setup process, including Force Organization Charts for creating your army list, tips for table setup and army deployment, a range of victory conditions, and a selection of missions and deployment maps for standard games.

• Reference & Index: The book concludes with a helpful reference section, offering quick rules summaries for smooth gameplay, as well as an extensive index to facilitate easy rule lookups.

Prepare for an epic saga of betrayal and warfare as you delve into the dark heart of the Horus Heresy. Choose your side and shape the fate of the galaxy!