Crimson Dusk

Rules for tabletop skirmish or platoon level battles with armies of miniature
soldiers in a science-fiction or an ultra-modern setting.

by Duncan Thompson
 Crimson Dusk

Introduction 3 Melee 18
Getting Started 3 Melee Weapons 18
What you will need 3 Wounding 19
Scale 4 Winning a Melee 19
Model Characteristics 5 Vehicles 20
Skill Tests 5 Movement 20
Re-rolls 5 Vehicles and Rough terrain 20
Sections and Personality Models 6 Vehicle Locomotion Types 20
Section Coherency 6 Passengers 21
Reorganising Sections 6 Collisions 21
Personality Models 7 Vehicles in Melee 21
Turn Sequence 7 Vehicles as targets 22
Winning the Initiative 7 Bikes as Targets 22
Line of Sight 8 Wrecked Vehicles and Crew 23
Confusion 8 Vehicles shooting 23
Action Points 9 Typical Vehicle Profiles 23
Movement 9 Vehicle Equipment 23
Running 9 Monstrous Creatures 24
Moving through difficult terrain 9 Buildings 24
Going to Ground 9 Extra Equipment and Abilities 25
Shooting 10 Psykers 31
Most Pressing Target 10 Using psychic powers 31
Hitting 10 Concentration 31
Concealment 10 Common powers 31
Aiming 10 Biomancy 32
Multiple targets and dividing shots 11 Pyromancy 32
Overwatch 11 Kronomantic 32
Wounding 12 Telekinetic 33
Hard Cover 12 Telepathic 33
Removing Models 12 Army Selection 35
Hits and Personality Models 12 Restrictions 35
Reaction Tests 14 Army Traits 35
Return Fire 14 Points Values 36
Pinned 14 Infantry Points Values 36
Suppressed 14 Extra Equipment and Abilities 38
Heavily Armoured Targets 14 Weaponry 39
Weaponry 14 Points Values 37
Weapon traits 14 Vehicle points values 41
Weaponry Profiles 16 Monstrous Creatures Points Costs 42
Extra Ammunition 17 Missions 43
By Duncan Thompson
Many thanks to all those that have helped putting this project together.
See more at www.crimsondusk.webs.com

2
 Crimson Dusk
Crimson Dusk
The sun sets on the dead and dying
casting a crimson glow to the scene. The
victors pick their way through the carnage,
the odd shot here and there giving the last
rites of the fallen soldier. The sun finally
sets, the Crimson Dusk has gone.
Welcome to Crimson Dusk. A fun and
exciting tabletop game, using model
soldiers to represent your armies you can
clash against your friends to win mastery
of the tabletop. Where will you go with
your games? To the stars of the galaxy
battling on some unknown moon as rival
systems settle their differences? To the
blasted wastes of a post apocalyptic world
where only the strongest survive? To the
third world war, where USA invades China
and the Arab Union retaliates by invading
Europe? Or will you create your own
setting, and let your imagination run free?   What you will need
These are some of options left to you by
Crimson Dusk.
Crimson Dusk is a wargames rule set for
tabletop games. These exciting rules cover
actions from skirmish level to platoon level.
Command your troops onwards as you
confront enemy forces, design your
armies, and equip them with a myriad of
weapons. Crimson Dusk is a rule set that
allows you to take whatever models you
have in your collection, in any scale and
use them in wargames. The rules contain
full listings for how to design your troops
and set points cost to them so you can
compete against your friends for mastery
of the tabletop. And the great news is that
the rules are entirely free to download and
share.
Getting Started
The main point of Crimson Dusk is to have
fun. When having a game it helps to have
3 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
plenty around to sustain you, a good
supply of drinks and pizza is essential if
playing all day. If youʼve played Wargames
before you may have all ready found out
that collecting and painting miniatures can
take much more time than actually gaming
with them, collecting and painting is a
huge part of the hobby, and there are
plenty of good websites and books around
to help you out, so we wonʼt waste time
writing anything about that side of the
hobby here. One of the advantages of
Crimson Dusk is that it allows you to
create your own army out of whatever
models you have at hand, or whatever
models catch your fancy, even combining
models from a variety of sources or even
converting and making your own models.
Having your won totally unique army is
incredibly satisfying. Creating a
background, history and personality of
these models is an equally satisfying part
of the hobby, and one which any gamer
should not deny themselves.
In addition to your miniature army youʼre
going to need a few extra things:
• Dice
• Measuring
• Tape
• Playing surface and terrain
Finally, you will need an opponent and
some time. A small scale skirmish will take
about two hours, whilst a full scale battle
consisting of a few hundred figures could
take the best part of a day.
Miniatures
Youʼre going to need an army of
miniatures, you could of course just use
paper counters, but whereʼs the fun in
that? There are a huge number of
manufacturers who make all sorts of
different models in a variety of different
scales, from the small 15 mm (or even
smaller) to large 54 mm. Just as these
 Crimson Dusk
different miniatures can look vastly
different, and one of things Crimson Dusk
aims to do is to allow you as the ultimate
commander of these troops is to design
and create your army as you wish, to
choose its strengths and weaknesses and
to use the them to the armies best
advantage. Each model will have a points
value attached, which you can work out
later, this allows armies of the same total
pointʼs value to be roughly equally
matched to give opponents a challenging
game with approximately equal forces. A
game will often feature two equally sized
armies for example set to 1000 or 1500 or
more or less points. Each player can then
select the models they want to use and
can select them up to the maximum points
value chosen. Skirmishes can have as few
as a handful of models each side, whilst
large games can have hundreds of models
each side.
Dice
Crimson Dusk uses a 10 sided dice,
numbered 1 to 10 and is referred to in the
rules as a D10. It is used to work out how
effective your shooting is, how your troops
react and all manner of other things. These
can be found in many wargaming shops or
on the internet. You should also be aware
that some D10 are number 0 to 9, which
case just count the 0 as 10 and youʼll be
fine.
Measuring Tape
A measuring tape is pretty essential, they
can be got almost anywhere and the rules
are designed to be able to be used in
either inches or centimetres.
Playing Surface and Terrain
You need a surface to play this can be
anything from the floor to a kitchen table to
a specially built wargaming table. Your
games can be played over any table size,
though a table at least 4ʼ by 4ʼ or 120 cm
by 120 cm is recommended, and larger
games should be played on larger still
surfaces. A green (or whatever colour you
like) cloth can be spread over the table or
you can purchase flocked sheets that give
the effect of a grassy field. On top of this
you can place some scenery; this adds to
the gaming experience and makes for
more tactical challenging and enjoying
games. Hills, forests, rivers and buildings
give something for your model warriors to
fight over and something to use as cover
when the shots start flying. For a good
tactical game it is recommended that your
terrain covers between a quarter and half
the board, with reasonable spaces
between terrain pieces.
Part of the enjoyment of the hobby is
making your own terrain, hills can be made
from polystyrene from DIY shops and
buildings can be constructed from foam
board, cork flooring tiles or thick card.
Woods and trees can be bought from
Railway modeling shops or made from
wire and flock. Again there are lots of good
books and websites around, or just check
out the Crimson Dusk website.
Scale
These rules are designed to be used with
a variety of different scales to make the
most of your existing model collection. All
distances in the rules are referred to as
ʻunitsʼ, these units are suggested as being:
15 mm – 1 unit = 15 mm / ½”
20 mm – 1 unit = 20 mm / 1”
25/28 mm – 1 unit = 25 mm / 1”
These can be varied as seen fit or to fit
other scales. As a rule of thumb is to use
the height of the model as the length of a
unit, but for it to be something easy to
work out, for example for 54 mm
miniatures 1 unit would be 50 cm or 2”.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 4

Models characteristics
Just as real people have different abilities,
so our little models do. Each model will
have a profile such as the one below; this
defines how good the model is at various
things.
Mv Mr Rg As
Human 3 3 3 3
The first characteristic is its ʻMovement
Rateʼ or ʻMvʼ. This is how fast the model is
and is used to determined how far the
model can move.
The next value is its Morale. This can be
range from between 1 and 5. 1 being the
lowest and 5 the highest. Civilians will
normally be rated as 1, irregular troops
militia or conscripts as 2, regular troops as
3, Veterans as 4 and elite and special
forces as 5. The models morale is used to
determine how well the model responds to
psychological pressure.
The next two values are Ranged attack
ʻRgʼ and Assault attack ʻAsʼ. These two
values are used to work out how effective
the model is as hitting a target with ranged
weaponry for ʻRgʼ or at close quarters for
ʻAsʼ. These values also range between 1
and 5
Defence or ʻDfʼ is used when the model is
on the receiving end of an attack and is
used to determine how well the model can
avoid being hit.
5 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
Crimson Dusk
The final characteristic is it Armour value
(Av), the armour value used to determine if
the model takes a wound. Below are some
typical Armour Values:
Unarmoured human – 4
Flak armour – 6
Carapace – 8
Df Av
Powered armour – 10
3 6 THAS (Tactical Heavy Armoured Support)
– 12
There can also be various special rules
and abilities. Some models can be noted
as ʻPersonalityʼ, these are special models
that have a variety of different rules for
them. Other examples of special rules can
be: Brain-dead, fanatic, Non-com and are
listed later. For the purposes of the rules a
single personality model also counts as a
section.
Skill Test
At certain points a model or section can be
required to make a skill test. This can take
different forms dependent on the test
required, it could be a Morale test for
example in which case roll a D10 and add
the modelʼs morale or ʻMrʼ value to the
score with any other modifiers that may
apply, if the result is 10 or higher the model
has passed its test. It could be a Rg, As, or
Df test in which case add the relevant
value in stead of its morale. A natural ʻ1ʼ is
always a fail, a natural ʻ10ʼ is always a
success for all tests except damage rolls.
Re-rolls
Crimson Dusk often requires you to re-roll
a dice. This can be a failed dice or a
passed dice, either way you may only ever
re-roll a dice once in your favour.
 Crimson Dusk
Sections and Personality Models
All models are either organised into
different ʻsectionsʼ or are personality
models. A section is the basic combat unit
in an army with the soldiers trained to
operate together as a single entity. In real
life armed forces sections are sometimes
referred to as squads or units. Personality
models are free to move on their own,
whilst any other models must move
together with their section. A single vehicle
counts as a section by itself as covered by
the section of the rules on vehicles.
Section Coherency
Models organised in a section must be
ʻcoherentʼ with each other, this means that
the models must stand within 2 units of
another model in the same section. For the
section to be coherent the models must be
in a continuous chain of coherent models.
Sections may not be less than 4 models.
Sections that fall below 4 models in a
section will be confused the following turn
as explained later. After the section has
spent a turn being confused, the section
must take a morale test to be able to
operate again normally, if the section fails
it remains confused.
Example of Section Coherency:
This section is out of coherency as even
though A,B,C and D are in coherency with
each other and E and F are in coherency
with each other, the space between A and
E makes them out of coherency as they
can only be a maximum of 2 units away
from each other.
Reorganising Sections
Under battlefield conditions it can be
necessary to alter section formations,
either joining 2 formations that are under
strength due to casualties or to split a
HMG team off to give covering fire, as
such so can our models. A personality
model may join 2 or more under strength
units together to form a new section, but
they must pass a morale test to do so.
These sections must both be in coherency
with either the personality model or with
each other; though the personality model
must be in coherency with at least one of
them. If the morale test is failed then the
section suffers from confusion until its next
turn, but following that is considered to be
joined together. The new section now
counts as being at maximum strength for
the purpose of pinning tests.
A personality model in coherency with a
section may also split some models off, for
example a HMG team, these models must
remain in place but otherwise may act
normally. Each section now counts as a
different entity, taking each their own
morale tests and such like, and requiring
to be activated separately. To re-unite the
section the split off models may move at
full pace, running if desired, towards the
ʻmotherʼ section, the models may not do
anything else other than move until they
are in coherency again with the parent
section. A personality model may take
charge of split off models forming a new
section based around him; he may not
leave this new section if it is less than 4
models, though they may still be re-united
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 6
 Crimson Dusk
with their parent section as described
above. These models may be united with
other models as above to form an entirely
new section if they are more than 4. A
section which has had some models split
off may not be joined with another section
or split off more models before the whole
section has been re-united.
Personality models
As mentioned earlier Personality models
operate some what differently than other
models. Firstly they are exempt from the
unit coherency rules. Though they may
choose to join a section at any time by
being in coherency with it, the controlling
player may claim this at any moment, even
during an opponents shooting phase. Until
the controlling player says that the
personality is not part of the section at the
start of one of their actions or the section
they are with actions then it will be
considered to be part of this section for all
other purposes.
Some personality models also have a
ʻcommand bonusʼ which can be noted
such as CB +1, this means that the
personality model can help by modifying a
sectionʼs morale test roll that is within
coherency with the personality model.
Turn Sequence
A game is divided into a sequence of
turns. In each turn, players take turns to
activate one of their sections or personality
models. Once all of the models have been
activated, any models in melee on all sides
may fight and once that is done then a
new turn will start and the players will take
it in turns to activate each one of their
sections again. A turn is divided into
several phases, the first phases is the
initiative phase.
Winning the Initiative
To determine which side has takes the
initiative, an Initiative roll is made at the
7 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
start of each turn. Roll a D10 for initiative.
The initiative roll is modified by the playerʼs
quality rating and the command bonus of
the highest ranking model in their forces.
Taking the quality value and command
bonus of any one model these two values
are added to the D10 roll. This model must
be on the table and not pinned or
suppressed, confused or in melee. The
player with the highest result wins the
initiative that turn. In the event of a tie, re-
roll the dice. The player with the initiative
may select a section or personality model
to be activated. The section or personality
model may belong to an opponent as long
as the opposing unit is held on ʻholdʼ or is
not confused. Once a section or model is
activated, they will perform all their actions
using their Action Points. These Action
Points enable a model to move, shoot and
perform other activities. Models that are in
melee are an exemption from the initiative
phase and activation round and are
activated simultaneously at the end of the
turn. Models that move into melee during
their turn and have AP left are considered
to pause until the end of the turn when the
melee is resolved.
When the activated models have used all
of their AP or have entered into melee, the
opposing player may now activate one of
their own sections or personality models
and complete its actions. Play alternates
between the players until there are no
more models left to activate on either side.
Once there are no more models to activate
or all the models are in melee, then
whatever melees there are, are resolved
as explained later. Once the melee(s) are
resolved the turn has been completed and
the next turn will start with rolling for
initiative and so the process continues.
Often there will be an uneven number of
sections on each side; when there are an
uneven number of sections per side, one
 Crimson Dusk
player may run out of sections or models
to activate whilst their opponent still has
unactivated sections and models. In this
case, once the player with the least
number of models to activate has activated
all of their models that can be activated,
play passes to their opponent and they
can activate any of their remaining models
until there are no more left to activate and
play will then pass to the melee phase.
Sometimes it can be advantageous to wait
to see what your opponent is doing so you
can react to it. This advantage goes to the
player with the least number of unactivated
sections or models at the start of the turn.
This player may hold a section or
personality model on ʻholdʼ, this means
that these models donʼt get to use any of
their AP until their opponent is finished with
moving all of their models. This can be
very advantageous when a section is well
out of LoS; the section can come out of
hiding and fire without fear of retaliation or
at least for that turn!
Line of Sight (LoS)
At certain times models can only react to
what they can see. Each model can see
any other model or part of the tabletop that
isnʼt blocked by intervening terrain, smoke
or some other object. When a model can
see an object it is referred to as being in
ʻLine of sightʼ or LoS. If an enemy model is
hidden from view from your model behind
say a building then the enemy model is
considered to be out of LoS. Sometimes
the easiest way to check this is to actually
get down and try to see the tabletop from
the models own viewpoint, otherwise a
long tape measure or ruler can also help.
Models in woodland are considered visible
to other models outside the wood if their
base is within 3 units of the edge of the
wood, though a model canʼt see through a
piece of woodland even if it is less than 3
units wide. Models in woodland can see
other models in woodland if they are within
3 units of themselves. Any section,
whether friendly or enemy, that is not gone
to ground will also block LoS to all other
enemy models that are directly behind
them; though if a section that is gone to
ground wonʼt block LoS as long as the
section behind them is not also gone to
ground.
Models in woodland, scrub or other such
terrain are counted as being ʻconcealedʼ.
This means that they are more difficult to
target as they are partially hidden from
view though not entirely.
Confusion
A battlefield can be a very disorientating
place to be, with noise all around,
misunderstood orders, and rapidly
changing events. Sometimes a section will
be noted as suffering from confusion.
Whilst confused the section may not
advance towards any enemy in sight, nor
may they fire. If engaged in assault they
will break off at the earliest opportunity.
Action Points
Action points (AP) are used to determine
how quickly a model can act. Each model
has 2 AP to use each turn; these can be
used to move, to shoot, to go to ground or
to do a variety of other things. If one model
in a section uses an AP for an action then
the whole section is also considered to
have used an AP, even if it is just a single
model that moves or shoots for example.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 8
 Crimson Dusk

Movement engaged in melee. If the section fails this

To move the use of 1 AP allows the model
to move up to its Mv value. This movement
can be in any direction. Models that move
in base to base contact with an enemy
model are considered to be in melee as
described later.
test it may use another AP to try again until
the section has no remaining AP or
decides to do something else instead.
Sections that have gone to ground may
only move 1 unit for each AP instead of
their normal movement allowance.

Running Models that have gone to ground in

Models with an AV of 7 or less can ʻrunʼ
this means that they move at double their
movement allowance, whilst doing so they
may not be ʻgone to groundʼ (as described
below) and anyone targeting them until
they are next activated may re-roll any rolls
to hit as the model is only interested in
moving forwards as fast as possible and
are not interested in avoiding incoming
fire. Even if they move more than 10 units
any running models will not count as being
concealed.
concealment giving terrain as described
above are considered to be ʻhiddenʼ and
not ʻgone to groundʼ - they go even deeper
into the terrain hiding themselves
completely from view. Hidden models may
not be targeted by any enemy models
further away than 12 units, however as
soon as the hidden models fire they are no
longer considered to be hidden but are just
concealed.

Moving through difficult terrain

If the model is moving through difficult
terrain the model halves its Mv value
rounding up as long as it is moving
through that terrain. Difficult terrain can be
terrain such as close woodland or
scrubland, scree, marsh or water features;
this isnʼt an exhaustive list but is used as a
guideline. The players should agree what
the terrain represents and if it is difficult
terrain before the game begins.

Going to ground
As mentioned above a section can also
use 1AP to attempt to ʻgo to groundʼ, if the
model is in the open it dives to the ground,
uses natural folds in the terrain, curb
stones, etc. The section must be at least
12 units from any enemy in LoS and have
an Av of 8 or less (more heavily armoured
models are just too bulky to go ground).
The section takes a Df skill test if the
section passes the test then it counts has
having gone to ground until the controlling
player decides otherwise or they are

9 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk
Shooting
Most models are equipped with some sort
of ballistics weapon and may use as many
AP as they have each turn to fire these
weapons as described below, each AP
used for shooting allows the model to
shoot once as described below. Models
may only attempt to shoot and hit other
models that are in line of sight and within
the maximum range of their weaponry.
Most Pressing Target
Models will also more often than not
attempt to shoot at the most pressing
target, as such each section can only
shoot at the nearest enemy infantry
section in LoS unless it passes a skill test.
If it passes a skill test then the section can
elect to shoot at any target in LoS. Models
equipped with weaponry with an AT value
may ignore infantry and elect to shoot the
nearest vehicle or model with Av 10 or
higher without taking a skill test.
Hitting
Once the section has elected its target it
needs to see if it can hit the target. The
table below shows the minimum roll on a
D10 needed to hit the target. The dice roll
required is dependant on the quality of
both the shooter and the target, the better
the quality the shooter the more versed
they are in shooting a target, the better the
quality the target the better they are
making themselves less of a target.
Horizontal lines represent the attacker and
the vertical lines represent the target, e.g.
a model with Rg 4 striking a model with Df
2 needs a 6 to hit, whilst a model with Rg 2
striking a model with Df 4 needs a 8 to hit.
Rg/ 1 2 3 4 5
Df
1 7 8 8 9 9
2 7 7 8 8 9
3 6 7 7 8 8
4 6 6 7 7 8
5 5 6 6 7 7
Concealment
Models that are obscured from the view of
the shooter, either by going to ground or
by being in concealment giving terrain
such as woodland, behind a hedgerow,
etc. or have moved over 10 units in their
previous activation are much harder to hit.
These models count as being ʻconcealedʼ.
As a result when targeting any of these
models any hits must be re-rolled and only
hits resulting from the re-rolled dice count,
thus it is very difficult to actually hit higher
quality troops who have gone into cover.
Aiming
By taking time to be sure that the shot is
on target can increase the chances of
hitting significantly. Models with a weapon
with a RoF of 1 or less can spend an AP to
ʻaimʼ; if the model then shoots with the AP
directly afterwards they may re-roll any
failed rolls to hit. This can be carried over
to the following turn if necessary. A moving
platform makes taking careful aim very
difficult as such a model on a moving
platform can not ʻaimʼ.
When aiming at troops in concealment,
then you effectively get 2 re-rolls, and
could be a little confusing. However, it is
actually quite simple. When rolling to hit
concealed enemy with models that have
aimed, first roll to hit, then because they
have aimed re-roll any misses, then taking
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 10
 Crimson Dusk

all the rolls that have hit re-roll them to see into overwatch, but to do so there must be
if they have hit the concealed enemy. For no enemy models that are in LOS and that
example, 5 models with Rg 3 that have are also within maximum range of the
aimed shoot at some models with Df 4 that weapon that is used by the majority of the
are concealed. They roll 5 dice and get 2, models in the section, i.e. you may ignore
4, 5, 8 and 9 getting two hits. They then re- the rules for shooting beyond maximum
roll the 3 missed dice (2,4 and 5) and get range for this and also ignore a light
3, 6 and 8 which together with the previous machine gun, grenade launcher or other
2 hits gives them 3 hits. As the targets are odd weapons in the section. Whilst an
concealed they then have to re-roll the hits opponents section is activated a section
and so roll 3 dice and get scores of 1, 6 that is on overwatch will fire 1APʼs worth of
and 10 giving them a result of 1 hit. shooting at the first target that comes
within LOS and maximum range, the
When aiming at troops that have ran then opponent will then pause moving their
only one re-roll of misses counts and so section at the end of its current AP whilst
you the effect of aiming at running troops this shooting is worked out, rolling to hit
is wasted. and wound as normal and pinning if
necessary, the section may then continue
Multiple Targets and Dividing Shots to be activated if possible.
Sections will often have a mixture of
weaponry and not all of it will be useful for
shooting at the same target, for example a
unit of 6 warriors have 5 equipped with
assault rifles whilst the last has an RPG;
the RPG would be wasted firing at some
opposing soldiers, whilst the assault rifle
would be wasted shooting at a tank. A
player may elect to divide a sections
shooting between multiple targets, but
most name which weapons are shooting at
which targets and roll each set separately
so there can be no confusion. If the shots
are divided in such a way that they target
models that are no the most pressing
target as noted above, each group of
models must take a skill test or they will
fire at the most pressing target.

Overwatch
Sometimes models will occupy a good
defensive position or know that the enemy
is out there and closing in on them. In
these situations it can be advantageous to
settle down and prepare to fire at the
enemy at the first moment they show
themselves, this is referred to as
ʻoverwatchʼ. The model can use 2AP to go

11 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk
Wounding
Once hits have been determined, we need
to know if the hits cause any damage, i.e.
whether the hit is a slight hit that does no
serious damage or if the hit is deflected by
armour. Each model has an armour value
(Av), e.g. 8, and each weapon has an
armour penetration value (P) e.g. 4. When
a hit is scored the shooting player rolls a
D10 adds the P value, if the result is higher
than the targets Av then a the model is
killed and removed, if the result is equal or
below then the model shrugs off the hit
and carries on as normal.
Hard Cover
Models that are in hard cover, such as
behind a brick wall or such like not only
gain a bonus for being concealed but also
gain an Armour (Av) bonus from the wall.
Before the game all players should be
agreed what terrain gives an Av bonus and
how high a bonus it gives. Below is a table
of typical values from typical terrain pieces.
Terrain Av bonus
Brick wall +2
Sandbags +2
Earth bank +3
Concrete wall +4
Trench +5
Bunker +6
Steel Bulkhead +6
Removing Models
The owning player may choose which
models are removed from a section, as
long as they are both in LOS and in range.
This may mean that section leaders or
special weaponry is the last part of a
section to die, this can be seen as the rest
of the section picking up a dead
crewmanʼs weaponry and continuing firing
or some other such thing.
Hits and Personality Models
It can sometimes happen that a section
contains several personality models, who
may also have different armour values.
When working out damage in cases were
personality models are present, first
allocate as many hits as there are models
in the section to the section, then allocate
one hit to each personality model present,
rolling to damage with their own Av. If there
are still hits then repeat the process and
so on. Hits that cause damage and lead to
removing a model are worked out as
normal.
For example, a section of 6 models
including one model with an LMG is
accompanied by a personality model takes
9 hits. 6 hits are first allocated to the
section, 1 hit is then allocated to the
personality model and the remaining 2 hits
to the section again. The hit against the
personality model does no damage, but
the section takes 3 damaging hits. The
player controlling the section may remove
3 models from the section of their own
choice, leaving 2 normal models, a model
with an LMG and the personality model.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 12
 Crimson Dusk
Reaction Tests
Coming under fire can be a nerve racking
experience, and it is instinctive to get out
of harms way, duck down and not move
forwards into the fire. Each section that
comes under fire and receives at least one
hit must take a ʻReaction Testʼ. (Note it is
hits that count, not misses). The player
shooting may choose when their opponent
should take the reaction test, this can be
either immediately after the shooting has
been resolved or at the end of the turn, but
before melees are resolved. This can
result in some reaction tests being taken in
the middle of the turn, others in the middle
of a models movement and shooting and
still others once everyone has finished
moving.
Any section that must take a reaction test
needs to take Mr skill test; any personality
models that have joined the section may
apply their CB bonus. In addition to this
dice roll an extra dice if
* the section has received at least one
casualty that turn,
* and/or if the section is under half strength
* and/or if there is only one model in the
section (this is not applicable to
personality models).
* the section was pinned last turn
* the section was suppressed last turn roll
two extra dice
Certain weapons can also cause extra
dice to be rolled.
If the section fails one or more Mr skill
tests then the section will respond in some
way. If it fails one roll the section will
ʻReturn Fireʼ; the section can otherwise
act as normal but when shooting will shoot
at nearest target as if they had failed a test
to not shoot at the most pressing target.
If the section fails two or more tests then
the section is considered ʻPinnedʼ. A
pinned section will ʻgo to groundʼ if it is in
13 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
the open. In addition the section can not
move towards any visible enemy during its
activation and will ʻreturn fireʼ as above if it
shoots.
If the section fails three or more tests then
the section is considered ʻSuppressedʼ. A
suppressed section will ʻgo to groundʼ if it
is in the open or if it is in cover it will
remain where it is, either way the section
can not move at all during its next turn and
has only one AP during its next activation
and will shoot at nearest target as if they
had failed a test to not shoot at the most
pressing target.
If the section is in or behind concealment
giving terrain then you may re-roll the
lowest dice, though if the second score is
worse you must abide by that score.
Heavily Armoured Targets
Having a thick plate of armour around you
can be very comforting especially when
faced with incoming small arms fire, such
as powered armour and THAS are largely
immune to small arms fire. As a result
sections where all the models have an Av
of 10 or higher (including the effect of any
hard cover) ignore shots with P2 or less for
the purposes of having to take reaction
tests.
 Crimson Dusk

Weaponry dice and select the highest score.

All weapons have different rates of fire, Once the centre point of the shot is
penetration abilities, or other effects. As established measure out a circle
such each weapon also has its own profile, with a radius of ʻxʼ units around the
for example: blast point, any model in this radius
is automatically hit. Sections hit by
blast weaponry will always take a
Weapon Rng RoF P Special
reaction test regardless of if any
Rifle 35 1 2 models are hit or not.
• Heavy (x) – these are often support
weapons such as heavy machine
The first characteristic is its range ʻRngʼ;
guns, artillery, etc. These weapons
this is the maximum effective range of a
require ʻxʼ number of models to
weapon. Weapons can fire beyond this
move and fire them, once moved it
range, but loose affectivity as described
also will take the full team ʻxʼ AP
earlier. The next characteristic, RoF, is its
before the weapon is ready to fire
Rate of Fire; this is how many shots you
again. These weapons can be
get for 1 AP. If the RoF is negative this is
moved by less then the required
how many AP you need for 1 shot, these
number, but for each model less
action points must be continuous and can
than its heavy value add 1 to its
not be used for something else. The last
heavy value and when fired by less
characteristic is its armour penetration
than the required number reduce its
value or P value, this is used to determine
RoF by 1 for each model less than
whether hits from this weapon wound or
ʻxʼ.
damage the target. In the final box, • Flame-thrower (x) – These weapons
marked special, can be a variety of other
are used some what differently to
special effects, such as whether the
other weapons and can be terrifying
weapon explodes, whether itʼs a pistol or
to face. Mark the first target within
heavy weapon; the effects of these are
the maximum range, the flame-
described below:
thrower can now make a jump of up
• to 2 units per ʻxʼ, this can be in any
Pistol – can be used in melees as a
direction, but must remain in the
hand weapon. Thus if a model has
maximum range of the weapon. To
both a pistol and a sword it will
determine whether the weapon hits
count as having two hand weapons
these targets take a single Rg skill
in a melee.
• test to hit if you succeed then you
Blast (x) – These weapons work
have hit all the targets and resolve
slightly differently than other
wounds as normal; ignore to hit
weapons, nominate a target model
modifiers for being concealed. A
or point instead of rolling to hit as
model can be hit repeatedly by
normal instead roll a D10 and
focusing 2 or more ʻjumpsʼ on a
subtract your Rg. If the result is 0 or
single model; roll to hit and to
less the projectile lands on target. If
wound for each hit as usual. Any
it is 1 or greater then the projectile
unit which takes a hit is at least
has missed and the centre point of
automatically pinned.
the blast scatters result number of • AT (x) – Anti-tank weaponry. These
units in a random direction. When
weapons are specialised in taking
targeting a concealed model roll 2
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 14
 Crimson Dusk

out armoured targets and are target. Any targets always count as
typically good against heavily being concealed.
armoured targets, when wounding a • Move or fire - If this weapon is
target with an Av higher than 10 or mounted on a vehicle the vehicle
any vehicles or buildings must be stationary in its current
(regardless of their Av) use the AT action point to fire this weapon.
value instead of the normal P value
to rolling to damage. For targets
with an Av of 9 or less and that
arenʼt vehicles use the normal P
value.
• Hail – these weapons fire a hail of
shot and ignore the effects for the
target being concealed.
• Pinning – A section targeted by
these weapons must roll an extra
dice when they take a reaction test.
• To hit (x) – some weapons are
notoriously hard to shoot and have
an additional minus to hit modifier.
Some weapons such as sniper rifle
are fitted with scopes and make it
easier to hit and have a positive to
hit modifier. These modifiers are
applied to the models Rg whilst
shooting with this weapon up to a
maximum of 5 and a minimum of 1.
Thus a Rg 3 model shooting a
weapon with ʻTo hit (+1)ʼ would
count as having Rg 4 whilst
shooting that weapon.
• Move and fire – these weapons are
designed to be shot on the move. A
model equipped with one of these
weapons can as part of a single
action point use it for moving and
shooting, but they will always count
their Rg as being 1 when they do
this. Any shooting will take place
from where the model finishes its
movement for that action point,
rather than at the beginning or
during its movement.
• Indirect – A friendly model in LoS of
both the weapon and the target can
direct the weapon to fire indirectly
even if the weapon canʼt see the

15 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk

Basic Weapons: Weapon Rng RoF P Special

Weapon Rng RoF P Special
Flame 8 1 3 Flamethrower 3,
Pistol 12 1 1 Pistol, Thrower move or fire
Move and Fire

Heavy 12 1 2 Pistol, Platoon Support Weapons:

Pistol Move and Fire Weapon Rng RoF P Special
Machine 12 2 1 Pistol, To hit -1, Heavy 2,
Heavy 35 1 8
Pistol Move and Fire Blast 1
Blaster
Rifle 35 1 2 Heavy 2, Pinning
MMG 40 3 2
Shotgun 20 1 2 Hail Heavy 3, Pinning
HMG 45 3 3
Assault 25 1 2 Move and Fire To hit -1, Pinning,
Heavy 50 2 4
Rifle Heavy 2
Bolt Gun
SMG 20 2 1 Move and Fire Heavy (2)
Auto 60 1 6
Cannon
Bolt gun 20 1 3 To hit -1, Pinning
Blast 2, Heavy 2,
Heavy 45 -2 3
Thrown 8 1 3 Blast 1, Indirect,
Mortar
Grenade Move and Fire Move or Fire
Flamethrower 5,
Heavy 12 1 4
Bow 15 1 1 To hit -1 Move or Fire,
Flame
Heavy 2
Thrown 10 1 1 To hit -1 Thrower
Weapon Heavy 2
Laser 60 -2 10
Cannon
Section Support Weapons:
Weapon Rng RoF P Special Heavy Support Weapons:

RPG 50 -2 3 AT (8) Weapon Rng RoF P Special

Light 35 1 3 Blast 1, Heavy 1, Grenade 40 2 3 Blast 1, Heavy 3

Mortar Indirect Machine
Gun
LMG 35 2 2
Missile 80 -2 3 AT 10, Heavy 2
Grenade 25 1 3 Blast 1 Launcher
Launcher
Rail Gun 100 -2 6 Heavy 5, AT 11,
Panzer- 20 1 3 At 8, Heavy 1 Move or Fire
Faust
Tank 80 -2 4 AT 8, Blast 1,
Blaster 20 1 8 To hit -1 Gun Heavy 5,
Move or Fire
Plasma 25 1 6
Rifle Artillery 200 -4 4 Heavy 5, Blast 2,
Piece Pinning, Indirect,
Sniper 40 1 3 To hit +1, Move or Fire
Rifle Pinning, Heavy 1

copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 16

 Crimson Dusk

Extra Ammunition These grenades have Blast (2) P 3 and

Some weapons can be given extra types
of ammunition.
Tracers
These bullets may be used in LMGs,
MMGs or HMGs and allow the shooter to
ignore the to hit re-roll for shooting at a
moving target.
Tank Buster Ammo
If a hit from this weapon causes the
vehicle to roll on the vehicle damage table
then you may force your opponent to roll 2
dice and apply the highest. Only weapons
with an AT value may be equipped with
this extra ammunition.
Different types of grenade
Smoke Grenades
These are used instead of normal grenade
ammo, and has the range and RoF of the
firing weapon. Smoke grenades have Blast
(2) and no P value. Once the hit point is
established leave the template in place
until the beginning of your next turn. The
template can not be shot through or out of.
AT7. Once the hit point is established
leave the template in place until the
beginning of your next turn. Models cannot
voluntarily move through the template.
Flash-bang – used instead of normal
grenade ammo, and has the RoF of the
firing weapon. These grenades have Blast
(2) and no P value. Any model hit counts
as being confused during its next turn.
Vehicles will also be effected if the thrower
can pass an Rg skill test; if the vehicle is
effected it can only move straight ahead,
but may decelerate if the controlling player
wishes.
Heat Seeking Munitions
RPGs, Missile Launchers and
Panzerfausts, may be equipped with heat
seeking munitions. This special
ammunition searches for and strikes
towards heat sources, this has the affect
that when a weapon fitted with these
munitions shoots a vehicle it ignores to hit
re-rolls for shooting at a fast moving target
and for firing from a moving platform.

Gas Grenades
These are used instead of normal grenade
ammo, and has the range and RoF of the
firing weapon. Gas grenades have Blast
(2) and no P value. Any models caught
under the template will only have one AP
next turn as they cough and choke on the
gas.

Tanglefoot Grenades
These are used instead of normal grenade
ammo, and has the range and RoF of the
firing weapon. Tanglefoot grenades have
Blast (3) and no P value. Any models
caught under the count as being in difficult
terrain for the whole of their next turn.

Incendiary grenade or Molotov cocktail

These can only be thrown grenades.

17 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk
Melee
It can happen that the best when to win a
combat is through an up close and
personal close combat or melee. When a
model moves into base to base contact
with an enemy model it is considered to be
in melee. Once all models have been
activated and any reaction test are taken
then any melees are worked out. Any
models in a melee will get to strike each
turn, if they are not killed before they get a
chance. In the turn that contact is made
the model that made the contact will
always strike first, whilst in subsequent
turns the models with the highest As will
strike first. If both models have the same
As, they will strike simultaneously. To see if
the model hits its opponent use the table
below, which shows the minimum roll on a
D10 needed to hit the target. The dice roll
required is dependant on the quality of
both the attacker and the target, the better
the quality the attacker the more versed
they are in close combat, the better the
quality the target the better they are
making themselves harder to hit.
Horizontal lines represent the attacker and
the vertical lines represent the target, e.g.
a model with As 4 striking a model with Df
2 needs a 6 to hit, whilst a model with As 2
striking a model with Df 4 needs a 8 to hit.
As/ 1 2 3 4 5
Df
1 7 8 8 9 9
2 7 7 8 8 9
3 6 7 7 8 8
4 6 6 7 7 8
5 5 6 6 7 7
Troops that have been pinned will often
react a little slower, so models attacking an
enemy that is pinned may re-roll any failed
dice rolls to hit for that turn. The basic to
hit roll is assuming the model is attacking
with a knife, bayonet or an improvised
weapon such as a chain, pickaxe or
wretch; models equipped with specific
close combat weapons such as swords,
axes, spears, etc. may add 1 to their ʻAsʼ
up to a maximum of 5. Models equipped
with a close combat weapon or pistol in
each hand may have 2 attacks and so may
roll an additional dice, if both attacks hit
then you may choose which weapon you
will use to wound with, i.e. if attacking with
a pistol with P3 and a Power Sword with P
4, you can choose to roll to damage with
the power sword for both hits.
Models that are behind an obstacle, such
as a wall or fence or just inside a wooded
area when contact is made have a distinct
advantage against the models moving into
contact, as they have the obstacle to help
defend them and make them harder to hit.
Models that are behind an obstacle when
contact is made force the attacker to re-roll
all hits in the same way that being in
concealment forces re-rolls to hit. This
happens until the model behind the
obstacle loses a combat and the enemy
model is considered to have made it over
the obstacle or they move from the
position after a consolidation or pursue
move (see more later).
Hits can only be scored on models that are
either in base to base contact or are within
2 units of the model, this can mean that all
the hits must be focused on a few enemy
models, whilst the majority of the enemy
section can go unscathed.
Melee Weapons
Once hits have been determined rolls to
damage should be taken as described
later. Each model is assumed to have a P
value of 2 in melee unless noted in its
special rules, models equipped with a
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 18
 Crimson Dusk

double handed weapon gain an extra point
to their P value (e.g. they will generally
have a P value of 3). Chain-saws, light
sabres, power swords axes and such like
add an extra 2 to their P value. These are
able to be combined together, so that a
really mean melee fighter with a double
handed power sword could get a bonus of
+3 to its P value. Note that chain-saws are
almost always used double handed but
even still they do not gain a +3 bonus, and
count as improvised weapons so donʼt
gain a to hit modifier.
Wounding
Once hits have been determined, we need
to know if the hits cause any damage, i.e.
whether the hit is a slight hit that does no
serious damage or if the hit is deflected by
armour. Each model has an armour value
(Av), e.g. 8, and each weapon has an
armour penetration value (P) e.g. 2. When
a hit is scored the shooting player rolls a
D10 adds the P value, if the result is higher
than the targets Av then a the model is
killed and removed, if the result is equal or
below then the model shrugs off the hit
and carries on as normal.
Winning a Melee
Melee can be an event that makes or
breaks a battle, with the victors streaming
after the losers or consolidating on an
important position. At the end of the melee
count up the number of kills each section
has caused, the side which has caused
the least more of kills must take a Mr skill
test, which can be modified by personality
models as normal. If this test is failed the
section will fall back D10 units and will be
confused next turn. The loosing side can
also ʻchooseʼ to fail the Mr test and as
such choose to leave combat as above.
The victors may then choose to pursue
D10 units after them, if they roll equal to or
higher than the losers they catch them
before they can escape and all models
remain where they are and each of victors
gain a free automatic hit on the losers. If
the victors roll lower than the losers move
the losing models the score indicated by
the dice directly after the victors and the
victors the score indicated by their dice
directly after them. This can mean that the
victors engage a new enemy section, if so
the victors will count as having made
contact in the melee next turn. The victors
may also decide not to pursue if they can
pass a Mr skill test and can consolidate
instead; to consolidate the section may be
moved up to 1 APʼs worth of movement in
any direction. Sections may not use a
consolidate move to contact a new enemy.
Sections may voluntarily break off or may
have to break off if they are confused and
follow the rules as above. If neither section
has broken off, then all models not in base
to base contact may move as if they had
up to 1 AP starting with the victors. If there
were no models still in base to base
contact this can mean that the sections
that were in melee together no longer
counted as being melee if no other models
make contact with this follow up move and
as such are free to act normally in their
next turn.

19 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk
Vehicles
Vehicles are often featured on battlefields
from simple motorbikes used in
reconnaissance roles, to the commanding
officers run about to Armoured Personal
Carriers (APCs) to large battle tanks.
These rules cover how these vehicles
operate in our tabletop battles.
Movement
Like infantry all vehicles have 2 action
points for movement, however how they
use them is a little different. Each action
point can be used to move the vehicle up
to its Movement Value ʻMvʼ. However it can
only use 2 action points if it was moving in
the previous turn, i.e. if the vehicle was
stationary in its first turn then in can only
use 1 Action point in its second turn, and
then 2 action points in its third turn.
Vehicles though faster than infantry are not
as manoeuvrable. This means that
vehicles can not change direction during
its movement, but only after it has moved.
So a vehicle must move directly forwards
or backwards first, then it may change
direction by up to an angle of 90°, then
using if it is able it may move forwards or
backwards using its second action point.
Vehicles and Rough Terrain
Sometimes vehicles will cross terrain that
is harder going than a firm grassy field or
road. This could be a patch of soft sand, a
river, an area of dense vegetation or
something entirely else again. Vehicles
moving through rough terrain have a
chance of bogging down on a D10 roll of 1,
2 or 3 bogged vehicles stop immediately in
the middle of any rough terrain pieces they
are crossing. The crew may attempt to free
the vehicle by passing a skill test. Vehicles
may also attempt to cross obstacle that
could cause a collision, work out any
damage from the collision first before
moving the vehicle further. Obviously
some terrain pieces can not be crossed by
vehicles such as woodland, large rock
outcrops, thick walls, etc. The players
should agree before the game begins what
terrain pieces can be crossed and what
canʼt.
Vehicle Locomotion types
All vehicles will be noted as having
different modes of locomotion:
Wheeled – Roads and firm terrain are
easier to move over than other surfaces
and as such add 5 to their Mv when
moving on these surfaces.
Half tracked or off road – these vehicles
only become bogged on a roll of 1 or 2.
Roads and firm terrain are easier to move
over than other surfaces and as such add
2 to their Mv when moving on these
surfaces.
Tracked – these vehicles only become
bogged on a roll of 1.
Hover – These vehicles ignore any water
features or soft terrain (such as soft sand
or snow) they move over.
Anti-Grav – As these vehicles float above
the surface of the ground they are able to
move over any terrain pieces not higher
than 2 units with out any penalty.
Bikes - can be any of the above forms of
locomotion and in addition they may
change direction once before they move
using any action points.
Walker – Walkers are usually slow,
however they are very nimble in
comparison to other forms of locomotion.
This means they may change direction
once before they move using any action
points and they can cross linear obstacles
up to half their height without any penalty
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 20
 Crimson Dusk
or risk of collision. Walkers are limited to
having a maximum Mv of 5.
Passengers
Vehicles have a transport value such as 4,
this means that the vehicle can carry up to
4 passengers other than the crew that
drive and man its weapons.
Models can board a vehicle in their
movement turn if the vehicle does not
move that turn by moving up to the vehicle
or if they do not move and the vehicle uses
a maximum of 1 action point of movement
and stops within 2 units of the models.
Passengers may only enter and exit a
vehicle through any doors, hatches or
openings represented on the model and
must be within 2 units of one of these
openings.
Models can get off in the same manner, or
they can jump from a vehicle moving at
any speed - though if getting off a moving
vehicle they take damage with a P value
equal to the vehicles speed. Sections must
travel together if possible. If itʼs not
possible for one vehicle to carry the whole
section then 2 or more vehicles may
transport the section but these vehicles
must remain within 5 units if possible. If
the vehicles donʼt remain with 5 units of
each other then the vehicle must move
with so that they are within 5 units or the
section they are carrying will count as
being split and will be confused for the first
turn they get off the vehicle.
Passengers may also ride on top of
vehicles if space looks reasonable (all
players in the game should judge if it looks
reasonable and preferably before the
game starts). The vehicle may not move
more than 8 units in a turn otherwise the
passengers fall off and receive damage as
above. Also when shot or in a collision
each hit the vehicle receives will also hit
one of the passengers on top i.e. the shot
causes 2 hits one on the vehicle and one
on a passenger.
21 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
Collisions
If a vehicle collides with another object
with an Armour value ʻAvʼ at least equal to
its own it will take damage with a P value
equal to the combined speeds of the
vehicles involved in its previous activation,
or if it is currently activated its current
speed, whichever is highest. For example
the car with Av 10 moved 15 units last turn,
but after only moving 5 units this turn it
collides with a wall with Av 14, it will then
take damage equal to a P value of 15. If it
was to collide with a car with a speed of 10
then both vehicles would take damage
equal to a P value of 25 (10+15).
Bikes work differently in a collision as the
rider is more vulnerable by not being
sheltered behind the body of the vehicle. If
a bike is involved in a collision any riders
on the bike will also take damage from the
collision as if they were also hit. This may
be in addition to any damage caused from
the damage table.
Vehicles in melee
Vehicles do not fight in melee in the
normal way. A vehicle may attempt to ram
infantry, to do so move the vehicle its full
movement, if it touches any infantry
models, move the models to one side to
allow the vehicle to pass if they can roll 10
or higher by rolling a d10 and adding their
ʻDfʼ, if not they are hit by the vehicle. If the
vehicle hits then work out damage as if it
was a collision. If any of the models were
on overwatch they may fire as normal
when the vehicle comes into range.
Models may engage a stationary vehicle in
melee and will hit automatically and work
out damage as normal but add 3 to the
models P value. Models engaging a
vehicle that has moved equal to or less
than its Mv in its previous activation will hit
f they can roll 10 or higher by rolling a d10
and adding their ʻAsʼ and work out damage
as normal, but without the +3 bonus for the
vehicle being stationary. If a vehicle is
 Crimson Dusk
moving higher than its Mv value it canʼt be
hit.
Bikes work differently in a melee as the
rider is easily accessible and bikes are
more fragile. Bike may not attempt to ram
a model and if they do so any riders on the
bike will also take damage from the
collision as if they were hit too. However a
bike may make a hit and run attack, driving
by a single model and rolling once to hit as
normal for each rider, resolve the hits as if
it was a normal melee, but add 2 to the P
value as the model has the speed of the
bike behind the attack. The model being
attacked may also strike back as normal.
Vehicles as targets
All vehicles count as having Df 1 when
shot at. Roll to damage as normal for
infantry. If the vehicle is damaged it
accumulates damage equal to the P value
of the damaging weapon, though weapons
with an AT value use double the AT value.
This is cumulative with any other damage
the vehicle takes, if this takes the vehicles
cumulative damage over its ʻDamʼ value
then the vehicle is wrecked. If wrecked
whilst moving greater than 1 action points
worth of movement it will make a move
directly forwards equal to its Mv value; if
moving equal to or less than 1 action point
worth of movement the vehicle will come to
a stop where it is. When a vehicle takes
damage all sorts of things can go wrong
with it, therefore each time the cumulative
damage goes over 10, 20, 30, 40, etc. the
owner of the vehicle must roll on the
following table (also referred to as the
vehicle damage table):
D10 roll
• 10 – add an additional D10 to the
cumulative damage and roll again
on this table, if a second or third or
fourth 10 is rolled add an additional
D10 to its damage and roll again
• 9 – Engine damaged – the vehicle
will come to a stop as if it was
decelerating and canʼt move again
for the rest of the game. Anti-grav
vehicles will crash to the ground
and need to roll again on this table
in addition.
• 8 – Traction gear damaged. The
vehicles Mv is halved rounding up
• 7 – Crew hit, in its next turn the
vehicle has only 1 AP and the
vehicle can not fire as the crew
have to deal with an injured
comrade.
• 6 – Weapon Destroyed. One
randomly determined weapon on
the vehicle is hit and destroyed. If
the vehicle has no weapons ignore
this result
• 5 – Driver stunned, the vehicle can
not turn next turn, but may continue
at is present speed or may
decelerate as normal.
• 3 or 4 – The vehicle veers to the
side. Roll a d10 1-5 turn the vehicle
45° to the left; 6-10 turn the vehicle
45° to the right.
• 1 or 2 – crew stunned; one
randomly determined crew member
in charge of a gun may not shoot
that weapon next turn. If the vehicle
has no weapons ignore this result.
Flame-throwers and blast weapons that hit
an open topped vehicle will also affect any
crew caught under the blast – roll to
wound the crew as well.
Vehicles never take reaction tests.
Bikes as targets
A bike doesnʼt offer a great deal of
protection from bullets. Any model riding
as a passenger on a bike will also be hit as
if it was riding on top of the bike, i.e. the hit
will hit both the bike and a crew model.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 22

Wrecked Vehicles and Crew
When a vehicle is wrecked any crew that
come with the vehicle are also considered
to be killed. Any passengers need to make
a Df skill test in order to survive. Any
survivors must be placed within 1 unit of
the wrecked vehicle at its final resting
place.
Vehicles shooting
All the vehicles weapons may shoot while
it is moving. Once a vehicle has completed
any movement it wishes to make with that
action point, it may then shoot any
weapons mounted on it. The weapons on
the vehicle can only shoot in the arc that
the weapon is able to traverse and roll to
hit with the crewʼs Rg. Remember though if
an action point was used for moving then
any weapons shoot from a moving vehicle
count as if they are targeting concealed
models. In addition if a vehicle moves
more than 5 units in an action it may not
shoot with that action as it is too busy
moving to shoot, and the motion of the
vehicle makes hitting anything more or
less impossible.
Typical Vehicle Profiles
Below are some typical profiles for some
typical vehicles. These values can be
modified as seen fit for the actual vehicle
involved and should also include the
Crewʼs Rg and the form of locomotion.
Name Mv Av Dam
Car 8 8 15
Truck 6 8 25
Bike 10 8 5
APC 6 11 35
Tank 5 14 50
23 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
Crimson Dusk
Vehicle Equipment
There is also a list of equipment available
to vehicles.
Stabilisers
This device stabilises the weapon to make
it more balanced for shooting from a
moving platform. Fitted to vehicle mounted
weapons. It allows to firer to ignore the
effects of firing from a moving platform.
Twin-linked weapons
Simply two weapons linked together to
give a higher volume of fire. Any twin-
linked weapons add 1 to the weapons
RoF.
Turbo
Once per game the vehicle can move
twice its Mv for one action point.
Auto-pilot
Some vehicles are equipped with a simple
artificial intelligence device that can take
over if the driver becomes in capacitated.
When the vehicle suffers from a driver
stunned result on the damage chart or if
the vehicle gets effected by a flash-bang
grenade then the auto-pilot can take over
and allows the vehicle to function as
normal next turn though with only 1 AP.
When the vehicle suffers a crew hit result
then the auto-pilot can shoot one weapon
with Rg 1.
Trans-
Ablative Armour
port
This vehicle is fitted with additional armour
4 plating and has a padded interior in an
attempt to minimise the effects of any
10 damage it receives. When rolling on the
damage table for the first time during the
1 game for this vehicle, you may ignore the
effects of any result of a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
8
0
 Crimson Dusk
Monstrous Creatures
Some Creatures are really huge. These
models is will take a lot of punishment to
bring them down and can carry burdens
that would be impossible for a normal
creature. The model doesnʼt necessarily
have to be a monster; it could also be a
single manned heavy suit of battle armour,
like a Mecha, Ma.K or something similar.
The model must be at least 2 units in size
to be monstrous. Monstrous Creatures will
have a profile very similar to a normal
model, however under its special rules it
will be noted as being ʻMonstrous (x)ʼ,
where ʻxʼ is a value.
When a monstrous creature is hit roll to
damage as normal, though weapons with
an AT value will always use the AT value
regardless of the monsters own Av. A
monster that is wounded doesnʼt
necessarily die from the first or umpteenth
wound it takes. If the monster is wounded
it will accumulate damage equal to the P
value of the wounding weapon, though
weapons with an AT value use double the
AT value. This is cumulative with any other
wounds the monster receives; if this takes
the monsterʼs cumulative damage over its
Monstrous (x) value the monster is finally
dead.
For every 5 points of damage the monster
has it will count as one model for the
purposes of carrying heavy weapons, as
they are also much stronger and able to
carry heavy weaponry more easily than
their lesser compatriots. For every 5 points
of damage the model has it will be able to
count as one model. So a model with
monstrous creature (10) would be able
carry the equivalent of a heavy 2 weapon
without problem; whilst it would carry a
heavy 3, as if it was heavy 1. If the
monstrous creature has over monstrous
(20) and the gun fighter skill it may count
basic weapons (apart from grenades) as
pistol weapons for the purposes of this
skill.
Monstrous creatures may also be
equipped with various vehicle special
items as noted under the vehicle rules. It
may also be given various extra training,
abilities and skills as noted under the rules
for working out the points costs of models.
A monstrous creature also has a P value of
4 in melee; this can be further augmented
by weaponry.
For the purposes of Reaction tests,
monstrous creatures ignore any hits of P3
or less.
Buildings
Buildings are hit and damaged as vehicles,
though donʼt roll on the vehicle damage
table, roll on the following table:
• 10 - Add D10 the cumulative
damage
• 8 or 9 – One randomly determined
section or personality model in the
building is automatically pinned.
• 6 or 7 – One randomly determined
model in the building is also hit by
the shot – work out the damage
immediately.
• 1 to 5 - some nice piece of furniture
now has a non-decorative hole in it!
A typical house might have an Av of 14
and a Dam of 60, a wall Av 14 and a Dam
of 15 for each 3 unit long section and a
bunker an Av of 18 and Dam of 60.
Models may enter and exit buildings
through doors, a door that is the same
width as a models base may allow 2
models to enter or exit per AP, a door twice
as wide as the base may allow 4 models to
enter or exit per AP. Models may also enter
through windows, but it costs 1 AP to get
through a window.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 24
 Crimson Dusk
Extra Equipment and Abilities
Extra equipment and Abilities is a list of
items and skills available to your troops.
They are divided into Standard issue,
Special Issue and Secret Issue lists, the
reason for this is explained under the Army
Selection section.
Standard Issue
Communicators
Any personality model equipped with a
communicator can communicate with one
section per turn that is also equipped with
a communicator and allows the section to
use the personality models CB bonus even
if they are not in LOS or coherency.
Dispersed Formation
These troops are trained as light infantry
and thus use a more spread out formation
than regular troops. They count as being in
coherency when up to 3 units away from
each other. Note both models must have
this in order to be considered as being in
coherency with each other.
Gas Masks
Models equipped with gas masks can
ignore the effects of Gas grenades.
Gun fighter
The model can shoot 2 pistols at the same
time, effectively doubling their RoF with
pistols; however this comes at a price
when shooting with two pistols they also
count as targeting concealed targets. May
not be combined with ʻscopesʼ.
Medi-pack
The model is equipped with sophisticated
medical gear that can heal a grievous
wound on a comrade. Sections that
include at least one model with a medi-
pack may re-roll one dice when taking a
reaction test.
25 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
Photo-chromatic visor or goggles
Certain forms of eye protection have a
quick reaction to blinding lights, darkening
instantly before any blinding flashes can
affect the wearer. Any model equipped with
these are immune to Flash-bang
grenades.
Riot or Combat Shield
The model can only use pistols, grenades
and melee weapons when equipped with a
shield, however when in a melee the
model may force their opponent to re-roll
any hits as if they were behind an
obstacle; though this continues to have
effect even after a combat is lost.
Savage assault
The model rolls 2 dice as its basic attacks
in melee for the first turn of each melee
only. So if the model also has an extra
close combat weapon then it will roll 3
dice; if this is the case at least one dice
must be assigned to each weapon if they
have different properties.
Weak
This is not really extra training, but a lack
of physical ability; the model is rather
scrawny in comparison to many others and
struggles in a melee to deliver powerful
blows. In melee it is counted as having a
base P value of 1; this can be further
augmented by weaponry as normal, but it
can not wield double handed weapons.
Special Issue
Amphibious
These models have long been used to a
semi-aquatic existence and can move
through water features just as easily as
over land features.
Battle-hardened
These troops may re-roll the lowest dice
when taking a reaction test. The second
 Crimson Dusk
score stands even if it was worse than the
first.
Bionics/Cyborg
It is quite common that troops that have
been severely injured get damaged body
parts replaced by bionic limbs. Some go
even further and choose to augment all
their troops with bionics, so much so that
they become more machine than human.
A model with bionics or that is cyborg can
bear heavy objects more easily than would
normally be possible, and as a
consequence the model reduces any
equipmentʼs heavy rating by 1 and
increases the models P value in melee by
1.
Camouflaged
These models are in ʻgilly-suitsʼ or some
hi-tech equipment that mimics a
chameleonʼs skin. Anyone electing these
models as targets always counts as having
Rg 1 for the purposes of rolling to hit them.
Combat Drugs
There are many forms of drug, few of
which are medicinal; many are recreational
and a few give heighten reactions and
sense. It is these last category that we see
on the battlefields of Crimson Dusk, of
which there are a number of variations.
Each drug comes as a single dose, that
may only be used once per game.
Hast - Once per dose the model counts as
having one extra AP and in melee will
strike before any other models.
Slaught - these drugs turn the user into a
homicidal maniac. Once per dose the user
use the user can roll an extra dice in
melee to attack.
Calmers - Once per dose the model when
shooting a weapon with RoF 1 counts as
having Rg 5 and counts as shooting at a
target that ran (i.e. may re-roll missed to hit
dice)
Spacers - At the start of the turn before
any models are activated, you may use up
to one dose of spacers per model. During
the following the turn the model may
ignore the first failed dice for reaction tests
and may re-roll the dice to see in they fall
back if they lose a combat.
Critical Shot
The model is an expert marksman, able to
put the shot where it will do the most
damage. When rolling to hit with a ranged
weapon then on a natural roll of 10 on the
first dice roll the model doubles its P value
(though not AT value) for that shot.
Critical Strike
The model is an expert close quarterʼs
fighter, able to put the blow where it will do
the most damage. In melee when rolling to
hit on a natural roll of 10 on the first dice
roll the model doubles its P value for that
hit.
Die hard (x)
Models with this ability can ignore the first
ʻxʼ times that they are killed; they simply
keep on going as if nothing happened.
Leave the model where it is, though it will
be considered ʻconfusedʼ until its next
activation. This can not be combined with
ʻToughʼ.
Elite Forces
These troops are trained to operate as
highly mutually supportive teams, often
due to their expertise in smaller groups
than other troops. As a result the minimum
section size for these troops is not 4 but 2
models.
Evade
These models are combat masters,
making having learnt the way of avoiding
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 26
 Crimson Dusk
hits in combat; they are harder to hit in
melee and so always count as being one
higher in Df in melee up to a maximum of
5.
Fanatic
These frothing lunatics can re-roll the
reaction test. This ability is passed on to
any section the model joins. Note medi-
packs, combat drugs- spacers, and
models with ʻEmboldenʼ will have no effect
on these models.
Fearless
Count suppressed as pinned. They also
ignore ʻFearsomeʼ models and count
ʻTerrifyingʼ as ʻFearsomeʼ instead.
Fearsome
This model is a fearsome model that
causes fear in its enemies. Models wishing
to move into melee with this model must
pass a morale skill test to do so. If the test
is failed the model remains where it is and
does nothing with that AP. If the fearsome
model wins a combat the enemy must re-
roll the Mr skill test to see if the section
breaks from combat if it passes first time.
Fearsome models ignore other the effects
of other models with fearsome and treat
ʻTerrifyingʼ models as being fearsome.
Furious assault
The model rolls 2 dice as its basic attacks
in melee. So if the model also has an extra
close combat weapon then it will roll 3
dice; if this is the case at least one dice
must be assigned to each weapon if they
have different properties.
Good sense
These models have a very good sense of
self preservation and are harder to hit in
ranged combat and so always count as
being one higher in Df when shot at up to
a maximum of 5. When targeted by a
27 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
weapon with scopes it will then count as
having Df 2.
Hit and Run
These troops are trained to strike hard and
then get out again. Regardless of whether
they win or pass the Mr test to see if they
fall back these troops may always choose
to leave combat and will fall back D10
units and will not be ʻconfusedʼ next turn,
their opponents may only consolidate.
Holofield
The model has a special disruptive field,
which blurs the models outline, making it
hard to see and spot. The model always
counts as concealed even in open terrain,
and if in covering giving terrain always
counts as being hidden (though may be
targeted if they fire) without needing to
take a Df skill test to be so. It does not
need to go to ground to gain any of these
benefits and can not gain additional
bonuses by also going to ground.
Infiltrate
Some troops are trained to stealth to
advance close to their enemy before
attacking. After deployment you may move
these models forwards equal to twice their
Mv, as long as their final position is out of
LOS of any enemy on the table.
Jump Packs
The model counts as having Mv 6. It can
also leap over intervening terrain and so
ignore movement penalties for this terrain,
though if the model starts or stops in
difficult terrain it must take a Df skill test to
avoid colliding with a tree branch or
something similar. Treat this as a collision,
i.e. the model as it is moving fast will suffer
damage with a P value of 2.
Mounted
These models are mounted on horses or
some other alien ridding mount. They
 Crimson Dusk
count as having Mv 5 and may add 1 to
their As up to a maximum of 5. However
they can not ʻgo to groundʼ or be ʻhiddenʼ
nor can they be equipped with any ʻheavyʼ
weaponry.
Powered Armour
This is a form of heavy armour that under
normal circumstances would be much too
heavy to bear and use in combat, however
the armour is fitted with power systems
that assist the wearer in their movements.
The level of protection offered is immense
in comparison to normal body armour, but
that is not only where the benefits end.
Powered armour also allows the wearer to
bear heavy objects than would normally be
possible, and as a consequence a model
wearing powered armour reduces any
equipmentʼs heavy rating by 1 and
increases the models P value in melee by
1.
Refractor Field generator
Carried in a small device, these fields
provide additional protection by refracting
the energy of incoming projectiles. If the
wearer fails an armour test, you may re-roll
the dice once. However bulky equipment
interferes with the field and so may not be
used by models with Av 10 or higher or are
monstrous creatures.
Scopes
There are many forms of scopes that help
a marksman target their mark better, from
inferred scopes, laser scopes and even
more advanced equipment. This must be
attached to a specified weapon, and may
not be used in conjunction with move and
fire weaponry or weaponry with an RoF of
greater than 1. All models targeted by this
weapon count as having Df 1.
Steadfast
These troops will fight on with dogged
determination and will refuse to give
ground to their enemy even when
seemingly beaten. If all the models in a
section have this rule and loose a combat
they may re-roll the Mr skill test to see if
they fall back.
Strong
This model has bulging biceps, and is able
to deliver a blow much strong than most
other normal creatures. In melee it is
counted as having a base P value of 3; this
can be further augmented by weaponry as
normal.
Suspensor
A weapon may be fitted with a suspensor;
these are small anti-grav devices that
make the load lighter to bare. Any weapon
fitted with a suspensor raises its heavy
value by one to a minimum of 1. A weapon
can only be fitted with one suspensor.
Tank Hunter
Troops with this training are specialists in
taking out armoured vehicles. When rolling
on the damage chart, a model with this
skill can force their opponent to re-roll the
dice if they choose, though they must
abide by the second roll even if it is worse
than the first. This may not be combined
with weapons using ʻTank Buster Ammoʼ.
THAS (Tactical Heavy Armoured Support)
This is the latest development of heavy
powered armour. It forms a robotic
skeleton around the wearer, and supports
massive thick armour plates. These plates
are typically even heavier than the plates
that form powered armour. In addition to its
protective abilities THAS also has the
ability to allow heavy weapons to be
carried more easily. This means that a
model carrying a heavy weapon halves it
Heavy (x) value rounding down and
increases the models P value in melee by
1.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 28
 Crimson Dusk
Thermal Detonator
These are small thermonuclear demolition
devices often used by assault engineers to
blow bridges and other field structures,
though they are equally useful to blow
enemy armour if you can catch it. Models
equipped with this may use them against
objects and vehicles; they then count as
having P 12 whilst hitting the object or
vehicle.
Tough(x+)
The model is extra tough and if wounded
and killed the model leave the model on its
side where it is. It will struggle back to its
feet and carry on fighting normally at the
start of its next turn as if nothing happened
on D10 roll of ʻxʼ or higher. This can not be
combined with ʻDie Hardʼ.
Secret Issue
Air-strike.
This model is able to call in air support.
Once per game before initiative is rolled
you may declare that you are calling in an
air-strike. Once all models have moved
you may roll to hit any enemy model on
the table that is in LOS of the model with
either an Artillery Piece or 2 Missile
Launchers, the air-strikes counts as having
Rg of the model, but always count as
engaging a target that is concealed,
whether the target is concealed or not. A
model may have multiple ʻAir-strikesʼ, each
allows a single air-strike, this represents
more aircraft being available for the model
to call in.
Brain-dead
The galaxy is full of many strange things,
some say the dead walk again, others that
machines as intelligent as us and cold as
ice stalk the shadows and others tell of
strange cults where the members are
drugged and oblivious of their own safety.
These models have long since stopped to
29 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
think about theyʼre own safety and as such
never have to take a reaction test.
Commissar
These hearts models use violence for
discipline. This can only be applied to
personality models. When a section they
are accompanying fails a reaction test they
may kill a model to restore order. Remove
one model and take the reaction test
again, but only roll one dice.
Deflector field generator
This device creates a bubble of force
around the model, absorbing the energy of
incoming objects. Any model within 5 units
of a model with a refractor field reduces
the P value of any hits they receive by 1,
down to a minimum of 1.
Distortion field generator
This device casts a field around the model,
creating a hazy effect making it difficult for
the enemy to get a good shot. Any model
within 5 units of a model with a distortion
field counts as being concealed.
Embolden
Shouting stirring words, giving
encouraging shouts, this model enables
his comrades to keep on fighting when
others would despair and run. If the model
can pass an Mr skill test then any section it
is accompanying may re-roll all the dice for
their reaction test. Note it may not use this
skill on itself if it is alone. Models with
medi-packs and the effects of using
Combat Drugs - Spacers will have no
effect on this section whilst this model is
accompanying it as they too get caught up
by the moment and rhetoric. Only
personality models may have this skill.
Heroic
This can only be applied to personality
models. They are the stuff of legend and
can re-roll a single dice each turn, but the
 Crimson Dusk

second result is binding even if it was

worse than the first result.

Psychic Null
This model is a psychic null and is able to
drain the power out of nearby psykers.
This ability may not be given to a model
with the psyker ability. The model counts
as having the psychic ʻNullʼ power and
when taking that test will count as having a
psychic level of 5. In additional any
psychic within 6 units of this model, friend
or foe, will collapse and be confused if
they roll a 1 or 2 on their psychic test,
rather than a 1 as normal.

Terrifying – this model is not only fearsome

but also absolutely terrifying. Models either
activated or moving within 5 units for these
models must take a skill test of freeze in
terror for a whole AP. Models wishing to
move into melee with this model must pass
a skill test to do so. If the test is failed the
model remains where it is and does
nothing with that AP. If the fearsome model
wins a combat the enemy may not use the
CB of any personality models and must re-
roll the Mr skill test to see if the section
breaks from combat if it passes first time.
Terrifying models ignore other the effects
of other models with ʻfearsomeʼ and
ʻterrifyingʼ.

Transfix
Some creatures are able to transfix their
prey before they strike, others are able to
transfix their opponents by use of sonic
waves. Whatever the means of transfixing
all enemy modes count as having Df 1 in
melee against a model with this ability.

copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 30

 Crimson Dusk
Psykers
Under the Cold War both sides begin to
research into the abilities of the human
mind, to try to find the 6th sense; this was
the first scientific recognition that people
arenʼt always as they seem. In earlier
times these people were referred to
witches, shamen or by a multitude of other
such names. Now they are most often
referred to as ʻpsykersʼ, and are most often
seen as being a part of the natural
evolution of humanity; though there are
still many that see them as being witches
and unnatural. There are many different
types of psyker, these different types are
referred to as their ʻnatureʼ and can range
from the ability to altered bodily matter, to
ignite something at will, or from the ability
to play with time to reach into peopleʼs
minds.
Each psyker has a psychic level between
1 and 5 and each will have a specific
nature; this is typically referred to in the
models profile as something like Biomancy
(2), this would mean the psyker nature is
Biomancy and has a psychic level of 2.
Within the natures are a series of different
powers or a range of different effects and
difficulties. Psykers will have access to all
the powers in their given nature. Each
ʻpowerʼ has a difficulty rating e.g. fireball 7,
and an AP value. The AP value is how
many AP it takes to use the power. To use
a power roll a D10 add the modelʼs
psychic level, if the result is equal to or
more than the difficulty rating of the power
it is used successfully; this is referred to as
a ʻpsychic testʼ. If it is less the psyker has
failed to produce the power. However if the
roll is a ʻ1ʼ the psyker has collapsed of
exhaustion and counts as being confused
until the end of its next turn, the power can
still work even if the psyker collapses from
exhaustion if the psyker even on a 1
manages to pass the psychic test. Psykers
31 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
can not normally use their powers in a
melee unless stated.
Concentration
Psykers can spend an extra AP in addition
to the required AP needed to use the
power in order to concentrate. By
concentrating the psyker can then re-roll
the psychic test if they fail the first time.
Common powers
Every psyker has access to these powers
regardless of their nature.
Null - difficulty – (-), AP – 0
The psyker is able to battle another psyker
and counter their energies. If an enemy
psyker uses a power within 6 units or the
power has an effect within 6 units of the
psyker, they may attempt to null it. Both
psyker models roll a D10 and add their
psychic level, the player to get the highest
wins. If the enemy psyker wins or itʼs a
draw the power goes ahead as normal, if
your psyker wins the power is nulled and
has no effect.
Thunder-hand – difficulty – (7), AP – 1
The psyker weaves a glove of mental force
around their arm lending extra power to
their attacks. If the psyker starts their turn
in a melee they can use this power before
any hits are made, the psyker counts as
having 2 weapons with P4 in melee.
Mental Bolt – difficulty – (7), AP – 1
The psyker sends a bolt of mental energy
at one enemy within LoS, it counts as a
weapon that automatically hits with P3 and
a range of 18, and it can not be used over
its maximum range to gain extra hits for
the purpose of forcing a reaction test.
 Crimson Dusk
Biomancy
Is the ability to alter anything that has a
biological nature. It is able to reach in and
change things at a cellular level. Many
biomancers find work as ʻhealersʼ were
often their ability is hidden behind rituals
and superstition.
Heal wound – difficulty – (10), AP – 1
The psyker reaches out to cure a grievous
wound on a comrade, focusing their
mental energies they steadily manage to
re-knit the wound back together and the
comrade returns to action. If successfully
used the power allows one model that was
in unit coherency and killed during the last
turn to ʻreturn to lifeʼ.
Life Shield – difficulty – (9), AP – 1
The psyker toughens the bodies of the
guys around him, making them more
resistant to hurt. If successfully used the
model and any section it is in coherency
with gains the tough (10) special rule or
adds 1 to their existing tough value.
Life Force – difficulty – (11), AP – 2
The psyker strengthens the bodies of the
guys around her, making them more
resistant to pain. If successfully used the
model and any section it is in coherency
with gains the tough (9) special rule or will
add 2 to their existing tough value.
Choke – difficulty – (9), AP – 1
The psyker reaches out their making a
clutching motion; the enemy feels their
neck tightening as the struggle for air. If
successfully used choose any model
within 8 units, if used the model is
immediately removed as a casualty.
Pyromancy
Pyromantic psykers are perhaps the most
destructive psykers around as they are
able to produce fire at will. Pyromantic
psykers are often the most distinctive and
easily recognisable psykers - they have a
tendency of showing off and having string
tempers, and often red or ginger hair.
Pyromancy psykers also have an innate
resistance to fire, as such they halve the P
value of any fire based weapons used
against them down to a minimum of 1.
Fireball - difficulty – (7), AP – 1
Conjuring a ball of fire the psyker throws it
at his enemies. Range 18 P3 Blast (1) roll
to hit as normal.
Fire Blast - difficulty – (8), AP – 1
Conjuring a fountain of flames the psyker
shoots it at her enemies. The psyker
unleashes a blast of fire; it has a range of
18 and a P value equal to the difference by
which the psyker passed the test + 1 and
has Blast (2). Roll to hit as normal.
Firewall - difficulty – (9), AP – 2
The psyker causes a thick wall of fire and
smoke to erupt in front of her blocking the
enemy from sight. Place a marker 8 units
long within 12 units of the psyker. No
model may move or shoot through this
until the start of the players next turn.
Fiery Fists - difficulty – (8), AP – 1
Forming balls of fire about his hands and
lays about him self in a fury of fire. If the
psyker starts their turn in a melee they can
use this power before any hits are made,
the psyker counts as having 2 weapons
with P5 in melee.
Kronomantic
Kronomats or kronomantic psykers have
the ability to play with time in a localised
sphere, either slowing it down or speeding
it up. They used to often be found in
amusement arcades where their powers
allowed them to win big. All kronomantic
powers are AP 0 this means you can
simply say when you are using the power
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 32
 Crimson Dusk
whilst the model is activated and donʼt
need to spend an AP to do so.
Time pause – difficulty – (5), AP - 0
The psyker pauses time long enough to
gain a second to get the shot dead on
target, if the model shoots with their next
AP they gain add 1 to their RoF If the
psyker starts their turn in a melee they
may roll an extra dice to hit.
Time field – difficulty – (10), AP - 0
The psyker plays with the flow of time
around her enemies causing time to run
slower for them than the rest of the world.
The psyker causes a blast (3) template
within 24 units; any model within this
template must halve their AP points next
turn rounding up.
Haste – difficulty – (10), AP - 0
The psyker plays with the flow of time
around his friends causing time to run
quicker for them than the rest of the world.
The psyker causes the section they are
with to move through time, for the rest of
the turn they gain an extra AP.
Telekinetic
Telekinetic psykers have the ability to
move things by will power alone. They
have often been found in circuses and
shows were their perform enabled them to
hide their power in full view.
Sphere of safety – difficulty – (8), AP - 1
Creating a bubble of force around her self
to protect her, the bubble forces anyone
close by to be pushed backwards away
from her. The psyker causes a bubble 2
units centred on themselves; any models
within this bubble are immediately pushed
back to the edge. Any model pushed back
is confused next turn. If the psyker starts
their turn in a melee they can use this
power before any hits are made.
33 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
Flight – difficulty – (7), AP - 2
Gathering himself up the psyker leaps into
the air and flies to a new vantage point.
The model may move up to 15 units in any
direction.
Shield of Force – difficulty – (9), AP - 1
The psyker creates an almost physical
shield in front of him, protecting him from
harm. The model gains the tough (9) skill
or if it already has it adds 2 to its tough
skill. The power can be used at the start of
the turn if the psyker starts their turn in a
melee.
Hail – difficulty – (7), AP – 1
The psyker throws a hail of whatever small
objects are at hand (or thought) and
throws them at the enemy with a range of
18, and P of 2 and ʻhailʼ, it will hit
automatically.
Telepathic
Telepaths can reach into the minds of
people and implant thoughts and ideas.
They often become leaders by lacing their
words with telepathic suggestions, their
will irresistible and encouraging their
followers to insane feats. They can also
frequently be found as wash out afraid of
human contact as they struggle to shut out
the thoughts of others.
Blur mind – difficulty – (9), AP - 2
The psyker delves into the minds of the
enemy and muddles their thoughts.
Choose one enemy section within 18 units;
this section is confused next turn for its
next turn.
Hallucinate – difficulty – (9), AP - 2
The psyker fooled the enemy into thinking
they have seen their enemy closer than
they are. An enemy section within 24 units
believes it sees a section close to them,
during their next turn they must test to
avoid firing at this imaginary section by
 Crimson Dusk

passing a skill test otherwise their shooting

has no effect.

Invade mind – difficulty – (12), AP – 2

The psyker takes over the mind overriding
their own willpower to make them do
things they otherwise wouldnʼt. The psyker
takes control of a single enemy model
within 18 units during your opponents turn
and can make them do anything other than
something that would directly result in their
injury or death, e.g. the may shoot their
comrades, move into the open but not
shoot themselves or jump of a cliff, etc.

Embolden – difficulty – (9), AP – 1

The psyker strengthens the resolve of her
comrades, enabling to keep on fighting.
The psyker mustnʼt be pinned or confused
them selves. If the power can be used pick
a friendly section that is either pinned or
confused within 12 units the section no
longer counts as pinned or confused.

copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 34

 Crimson Dusk
Army Selection
One of the core principles of Crimson
Dusk is the ability to play with whatever
models you have. So one way of playing is
to just use whatever models you have at
hand, scibble downs some profiles and
have some fun. However, this can lead to
a bit of an arms race and another way to
play is to use these army selection rules.
These rules allow you to build slightly
more balanced forces to play with each
other, making the game more of a tactical
challenge than who has the best, most and
biggest troops.
Making your army, deciding what you
want, maybe even writing a background
story for it is a very rewarding process and
can be a great deal of fun, especially if you
regularly play against someone and you
can see how your armies develop and
change with time.
Restrictions
In order to balance out the different forces
as a starting point there are a number of
restrictions - no one for example wants to
play against 3 tanks all with Av 15 regularly
or someone how takes 15 HMGs. These
restrictions can be changed through the
trait system that weʼll come to in a short
while, but first the restrictions. Each army
may have:
* 1 section support weapon and 1 extra for
every full 10 models.
* 1 platoon support weapon for every full
15 models
* No models may be equipped with heavy
support weapons
* 1 vehicle or monstrous creature and 1
extra vehicle and monstrous for every full
20 models. Note - 2 bikes count as 1
vehicle.
* No vehicle or monstrous creature can
have an Av higher than 11.
* All models bought as a section must
have the same profile and no model in a
section may have a characteristic of 5,
35 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
other than Av- note this does not stop
personality models with different profiles
from joining the section during the game.
* No model may have an Av higher than 9.
* You may use up to a third of your points
on personality models and only
personality models may be psykers.
Personality models may not have section
support, platoon support, or heavy
support weapons.
* Any model may take any common items
or ability from the ʻExtra equipment and
abilitiesʼ list. Personality models may also
take items from the special issue part of
the list. No one may access the secret
part of the list.
It may seem a little complex at the start,
but it doesnʼt take too long to get used to
it.
Army Traits
No two armies need be the same, there is
also a lot of extra items and abilities that
can be used which the list doesnʼt give
access to. Army Traits enable you to
customise your army a great deal. Each
army may select up to 5 traits; these allow
access to different pieces of kit, skills and
other things. Some traits can be selected
more than once and where this applies is
noted under the trait description.
1. Extra Training and Equipment. An army
with this trait may select any one item
or skill from the special issue part of the
Extra Equipment and Abilities and
count it as if it was common. This Trait
may be selected more than once.
2. Heavy Infantry. An army with this trait
allows any models to have an Av of 10
or higher, and ʻpower armourʼ and
ʻTHAS armourʼ becomes common.
3. Heavily Armed. This army may take 1
extra section support weapon for every
 Crimson Dusk
full 5 models instead of 10; and 1 extra
platoon support weapon for every full
10 models instead of 15.
4. Heavy Support. You have access to
heavy support weapons; instead of
choosing a platoon support weapon
you may choose to equip the model
with a Heavy Support Weapon instead.
May not be combined with ʻHeavily
Armedʼ.
5. Mechanised Infantry. Your forces are a
mobile reaction force, able to get to
where they are most needed. Each
section must be accompanied by a
vehicle able to carry them all;
personality models can be joined to
another section in order to transport
them if there is space in the vehicle.
6. Tank Squadron. Your forces are made
primarily of armoured vehicles, where
infantry forms a supporting role. You
may have as many vehicles or
monstrous creatures as you wish,
however only a maximum of a quarter
of your points may be spent on infantry
models, all other points must be spend
on vehicles. If this trait is selected no
further traits may be selected.
7. Heavy Armoured Support. Any vehicle
or monstrous creature can have can
have an Av of 12 or higher.
8. Brain-dead. Well it happens every once
in a while, a hoard of the living dead!
Any model can be Brain-dead.
9. Secret Weapon. An army with this trait
may select any one item or skill from
the secret issue part of the Extra
Equipment and Abilities and count it as
if it was special. This Trait may be
selected more than once.
10. Elite Troops. Any model may have a
single characteristic of 5. This trait may
be selected more than once.
11. Seize the initiative. Your troops are
used to gaining the initiative, often
catching the opponent flat footed; On
the first turn you may re-roll your
initiative dice.
12. Magnificent 7 or 8 or 9 or... Your army
is an army of legendary proportions. All
of your models must be personality
models.
13. Tactical Excellence. Your commander
is a tactical genius and knows when to
call in his reserves and as such you
can hold 2 sections on hold.
14. Storm Troopers. The best of the best,
they have the ability to storm ahead,
making devastating breakthroughs.
Once per game, you can activate a
single section before rolling for
initiative.
15. One Man Army. One personality model
may be equipped with a single platoon
support weapon. This trait may be
selected multiple times.
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 36
 Crimson Dusk

Points Values For Armour values ʻAvʼ we use this table:

Some players like to just play with
Av points Av points
whatever models they have at hand, or a
needed for a specific scenario that they 2 3 8 23
want to play. Most players however like to
have a game were things are as fair as 3 5 9 30
possible. In order that this is possible
Crimson Dusk has a system which assigns 4 6 10 39
points cost to each value in the profile and
for weaponry, equipment and extra skills. 5 9 11 49
This following section will tell you how to 6 12 12 60
work out the points values for your troops,
then you and your opponent can agree to 7 16
play a game using equally sized forces.

Infantry Points Values So taking our example profile weʼd get a

First start by taking the profile that youʼd total points value of 66, this work worked
like for your troops. For example letʼs take out as follows:
this profile:
Mv Mr Rg As Df Av
Mv Mr Rg As Df Av
Human 3 3 3 3 3 6
Human 3 3 3 3 3 6
Points 10 12 10 10 12 12

This average human soldierʼs profile; it

This points cost is for basic section troops.
shows a well trained, professional soldier,
Because personality models have many
so inferior troops will mostly likely have a
more advantages over a section trooper,
worse profile, whilst better troops would
their points cost is increased. For each full
have a better profile. Taking your desired
10 points they cost from their profile add
profile, look at the tables below and find
an additional 3 points. So if our model in
the points cost for each value on the
from the profile above was a personality
profile and add them together.
model we would add 18 points (6 x 3
points) to the original 66 points, giving a
For Movement ʻMvʼ, Morale ʻMrʼ, Ranged
total cost of 84 points for a personality
ʻRgʼ, Assault ʻAsʼ and Defence ʻDfʼ we use
model.
this table:
Value 1 2 3 4 5 In addition personality models can have a
command bonus or ʻCBʼ value. The points
Mv 2 6 10 20 32 cost for this is related to the ʻMrʼ of the
model itself, so if you choose to have a CB
Mr 4 8 12 18 24 value on your personality model use the
Rg 5 7 10 13 15 table below to find the cost.

As 5 7 10 13 15

Df 7 9 12 15 17
37 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
 Crimson Dusk

Medi-pack -
Mr 1 2 3 4 5
Mr 1 2 3 4 5
CB +1 30 40 60 80 90
Points 5 10 20 30 50
CB +2 70 100 140 170 200
Photo-chromatic visor or goggles - 2 points
Riot or Combat Shield - 5 points
If the example we have used above also Savage assault - 10 points
had ʻCB +1ʼ then we would also add 60 Weak - -2 points (minus)
points to its cost, giving us now a total
points cost of 144 points and a reasonably Special Issue
effective leader. Amphibious - 3 points
Battle-hardened -
Some personality models are also
psykers, this ability also has a points cost Mr 1 2 3 4 5
which must be added. This is used for all
Points 5 10 20 30 50
the different natures, but it must be duly
noted. Bionics/Cyborg - 15 points
Camouflaged -
Psychic 1 2 3 4 5 Df 1 2 3 4 5
level
Points 2 4 5 7 10
points 16 20 24 28 32
Combat Drugs
Hast - 10 points
For example if our a model was also had Slaught - 5 points
Biomancy (2) we would add 20 points to Calmers - 5 points
the total points cost, giving us now a points Spacers - 15 points
cost of 164 points. Critical Shot - 15 points
Critical Strike - 15 points
Extra Equipment and Abilities Die hard (1) - 40 points
There is also a whole host of different Die hard (2) - 80 points
extra equipment, skills and attributes that Die hard (3) - 120 points
can be added. These all have a points Elite Forces - 15 points
value like everything else so far, and some Evade - 2 points
are restricted through the Army Selection Fanatic -
rules. Some of the points values for these
Mr 1 2 3 4 5
options are dependant on one of the
modelʼs characteristics. Points 2 4 6 9 12
Common Issue Fearless - 3 points
Communicators - 10 points Fearsome - 5 points
(remember both the personality model and Furious assault - 15 points
at least one member of the section needs Good sense - 3 points
a communicator for it to work) Hit and Run - 2 points
Dispersed Formation - 5 points Holofield -
Gas Masks - 2 points
Gun fighter - 15 points
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 38
 Crimson Dusk

Df 1 2 3 4 5 Df 1 2 3 4 5

Points 10 12 15 18 20 Points 25 30 38 45 50
Infiltrate -
Embolden -
Mv 1 2 3 4 5
Mr 1 2 3 4 5
Points 1 2 4 8 16
Points 5 10 15 20 25
Jump Packs - 30 points
Mounted - 20 points Heroic - 20 points
Powered Armour - 20 points Psychic Null - 5 points
Refractor Field generator - Terrifying - 10 points
Transfix -
Av 2-4 5-6 7 8 9
As 1 2 3 4 5
Points 1 3 4 6 8
Points 2 2 4 4 8
Scopes -
Rg 1 2 3 4 5
Weaponry
Points 2 2 4 4 8 Obviously a model running around without
any weaponry has a rather bleak future,
Steadfast - unless its a melee monster. Below is a list
Mr 1 2 3 4 5 of the weaponry available to our models
together with the weaponʼs points cost. So
Points 2 4 6 9 12 the next step is to decide what weaponry
the model is equipped with. The weaponry
Strong - 10 points given to the model should as closely as
Suspensor - 15 points possible represent what the model has
Tank Hunter - 25 points been modelled with.
THAS (Tactical Heavy Armoured Support) -
25 points Basic Weapons
Thermal Detonator - 15 points
Tough (10+) - 10 points Weapon Basic
Tough (9+) - 20 points
Tough (8+) - 40 points Pistol 30
Tough (7+) - 80 points
Machine Pistol 40
Secret Issue Rifle 60
Air.strike - 30 points
Brain-dead - 30 points Shotgun 40
(may not be given to a model whose
profile costs greater than 70 points) Assault Rifle 60
Commissar - 20 points
Deflector field generator - 50 points SMG 40
Distortion field generator - Thrown Grenade 20

Bolt Gun 55

39 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009

 Crimson Dusk

Heavy Support Weapons:

Weapon Basic
Weapon Basic
Bow 20
Grenade Machine Gun 200
Thrown Weapon 10
Missile Launcher 200
Heavy Pistol 40
Rail Gun 225
Section Support Weapons Tank Gun 200
Weapon Basic
Artillery Piece 200
RPG 100
Extra Ammunition Types
Light Mortar 80
Tracers - 10 points
LMG 100 Tank Buster Ammo - 30 points

Grenade Launcher 80 Smoke Grenades for:

- Thrown Smoke Grenades - 10 points
Panzer-faust 65 - Grenade Launcher & Light mortar - 10
points
Blaster 100 - Artillery Pieces & Heavy Mortars - 15
Plasma Rifle 100 points

Sniper Rifle 100 Gas Grenades for:

- Grenade Launcher & Light mortar - 10
Flame Thrower 50 points
- Artillery Pieces & Heavy Mortars - 15
points
Platoon Support Weapons:
Weapon Basic Tanglefoot Grenades:
- Thrown Tanglefoot Grenades - 10 points
Heavy Blaster 120 - Grenade Launcher & Light mortar - 10
points
MMG 150
- Artillery Pieces & Heavy Mortars - 15
HMG 200 points

Heavy Bolt Gun 200 Incendiary Grenades - 30 points

Flash-bang:
Auto Cannon 150 - Thrown Flash-bangs - 10 points
- Grenade Launcher & Light mortar - 10
Laser Cannon 175 points
- Artillery Pieces & Heavy Mortars - 15
Heavy Mortar 150
points
Heavy Flame Thrower 100
Heat Seeking Munitions - 25 points

copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 40

 Crimson Dusk

Close Combat Weapons

Double Handed Weapon - 15 points Instance for the above vehicle with Mv 6
Chain-saws, power weapons - 40 points and Av 11, we get a cost of 31 points.
The next step is to compare the Av and
Vehicles Points Cost Dam values. The more damage the vehicle
Working out the points costs of vehicles can withstand and the higher its armour
works in a similar way to normal models.
First start by making the profile of the Av 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
vehicle you want for example:
8 35 70 105 175 210 245 280 315 350 385

Name: Rhino APC 9 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 405 450

Mv Av Dam Transport 10 59 118 177 236 295 354 413 472 531 590

6 11 35 8 11 74 148 222 296 370 444 518 592 646 720

Crew Rg Locomotion Points 12 90 180 270 360 450 540 630 720 810 900

13 108 216 324 432 540 648 756 864 972 1080
3 Tracked ???
14 127 254 381 508 635 762 889 1016 1143 1270
Use this first table to compare the vehicles 15 150 300 450 600 750 900 1050 1200 1350 1500
Mv to its Av. The lighter armour the vehicle
has the cheaper it is the make the vehicle
move faster. value the more expensive the vehicle
Mv stands on the vertical, and Av on the becomes. Av stands on the vertical, and
horizontal. Dam on the horizontal.
For for our example vehicle with Av 11 and
Av 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Dam 35, weʼd get a value of 518. This
Mv value is added to the previous value giving
us 31 + 518 = 549.
1 13 16 20 24 29 34 39 45

2 14 17 21 25 30 35 40 46 If the vehicle has any crew carrying

3 15 18 22 26 31 36 41
4 16 19 23 27 32 37 42
5 18 21 25 29 34 39 44
6 20 23 27 31 36 41 46
7 23 26 30 34 39 44 49
8 26 29 33 37 42 47 52
9 29 32 36 40 45 50 55
10 33 36 40 44 49 54 59
41 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
capacity we also have to pay for that.
47 Multiple the Transport value by 5 and add
this to the cost of the vehicle. For example
48 our vehicle has transport 8, so we add 5 x
8 = 40 points, giving us 518 + 40 = 558
50 points. This is the basic cost of the vehicle,
without crew, weaponry, or extra
52
equipment.
55
To add weaponry to the vehicle pay the
58 points cost for the weapon as if equipping
an infantry model with the weapon. There
61 are two ways for a weapon to be manned,
the first is to pay for a fixed crewman to
65 man it, the other is during the game any of
the passengers may man it. For the
 Crimson Dusk

second version only pay the points cost for

the weapon, but it can only be fired if there
Mv Mr Rg As Df Av
are some passengers in the vehicle. For
each weapon with fixed crew you must Alien 3 3 3 3 3 9
also pay for the crew to man the weapon. Soldier
first decide what Rg the crew has, then
using the table below add the points cost Special: Monstrous Creature (15)
for each weapon:
Rg 1 2 3 4 5 From the profile weʼd get a cost of: 10 + 12
+ 10 + 10 + 12 = 54. Then taking itʼs Av
Points 10 14 20 26 30 value of 9 and Monstrous creature value of
15, we find from the vehicle Av/Dam chart
So if we equip our vehicle with a crew it costs 135 points. So the cost of the
manned LMG and Auto Cannon, then we creature is 189 points. Add to this the cost
add the points for the weapons - 100 and of any weaponry and skills to get the final
150 points respectively, and the add the cost of the creature.
points for 2 crew with Rg 3, giving us 100
+ 150 + (2 x 20) = 290 points. Add this to Note Monstrous creatures can not be
the previous cost to get our vehicleʼs final equipped with the following ʻMedi-packsʼ,
cost of 558 + 290 = 848 points. ʻDie-hardʼ or ʻToughʼ.

In addition we can add some of the

following equipment at the points cost
indicated:
Stabilisers - double the cost of the crewʼs
Rg for each weapon fitted with stabilisers
Twin-linked weapons - add half the cost of
the weapon
Turbo - 15 points
Auto-pilot - 30 points
Ablative Armour - 20 points

Monstrous Creatures
Working out the points costs of monstrous
creatures is a combination of working out
the points costs of infantry and vehicles.
Work out the cost of the modelʼs
characteristics using the system for
infantry (but ignore the cost of itʼs Av
value) then double the cost. Then taking
the modelʼs Monstrous (x) value as a
ʻDamʼ value take the creatureʼs Av and find
the cost for them from the vehicle Av/Dam
chart. This is the basic cost of the creature.

For example we have the following

creature:
copyright Duncan Thompson 2009 42
 Crimson Dusk
Missions
Now you have your forces its time to fight
a battle! These missions are designed for
a table at least 48 units square, preferably
48 units by 72 units. Where the table has
unequal board lengths, the players should
set up on the long board edge. The table
should also be well covered in terrain, be
in buildings, woodland, hills, or something
else entirely wild. This terrain should cover
roughly a third of the table to keep the
game interesting and should be placed
fairly evenly on the table to the agreement
of both players.
Once the table is set up both players
should roll a dice, the loser must place a
section on the board in their deployment
zone as outlined above. The other player
now places one of their sections or
vehicles and so on until both players are
finished deploying their sections.
Personality models not deployed in section
coherency with a section must be placed
after the player has deployed all their other
sections or vehicles.
Each force has an objective marker (OM),
this can be a counter, an extra base or a
specially made piece of terrain. The OM
shouldnʼt be larger than 2 units across.
Each player now rolls a D10 and consults
the table below.
1-2 Take and hold – the playerʼs OM is
placed within 6 units of the centre of the
43 copyright Duncan Thompson 2009
board and must be captured and held at all
costs. If the player starts their turn with
forces within 2 units of the OM they win
the game. These forces may not be
suppressed or confused.
3 - 4 Secure - the playerʼs OM must be
secured and taken safely back to your
lines. Once a model makes base to base
contact with an OM they may move with it,
if the player can get it off the board by their
own table edge they win.
5 - 6 Destroy – place the playerʼs OM in
the opponentʼs deployment zone. Any
model can destroy the OM by remaining in
Base to base contact and using 2AP and a
successful skill test (not modifiable) to
destroy it. If the OM is destroyed the
player wins.
7 - 8 Annihilate – the player must destroy
over 50% of the opponents force in pointʼs
value to win.
9-10 Breakthrough – the player starts with
their OM in their deployment zone at least
4 units from a model. Once a model
makes base to base contact with an OM
they may move with it, if the player can get
it off the opposite board edge they win.
If the player achieves the mission objective
then the game stops immediately and
victory points are worked out. To work out
the victory points total up the points cost of
any enemy youʼve killed, and if youʼve
managed to achieve your mission
objective add an additional 33% of the
points value of the game. Whoever has the
highest number of victory points is the
winner.
Even though there are many hours of
enjoyment here with these missions, donʼt
feel restricted by them and feel free to
make up your own missions.