Cenric the Unerring

[Chengar Qordath]

Cenric the Unerring

"Anything less than absolute perfection is failure. I have no tolerance for failure." - Cenric the Unerring

 

Unlike many of his brethren who he sees as having fallen into indulgence and indolence, Cenric chooses to demonstrate his devotion to Slaanesh through the fanatical pursuit of perfection. For Cenric, there is no such thing as "sufficient" or "good enough;" his only satisfaction comes from achieving absolute perfection in warfare or whatever other diversion he chooses to pursue. Self-indulgence would profit him nothing in his effort to make himself the perfect warrior.

 

Cenric's relentless pursuit of perfection often proves problematic for the other forces under his command. While he has had some success in driving the Chaos Marines and cultists under his command to new heights of skill, he is also viciously vindictive to any subordinate who fails to meet his inevitably impossible standards. His perfectionism can occasionally drive him to seemingly irrational bursts of violence, such as when he obliterated an entire squad of his own men for being a few dozen meters away from their assigned position (the fact that the squad was under heavy artillery bombardment and merely moved into cover was, to Cenric's mind, an irrelevant detail).

 

While Cenric lacks the ability to create labyrinthine plots exhibited by many devotees of Tzeentch, his fixation upon obtaining perfection often manifests itself as an obsessive attention to detail that allows him to craft intricate and detailed battle plans that account for every conceivable variable. When all goes according to plan, Cenric's warband is capable of launching intricately coordinated precision strikes that efficiently and systematically destroy his enemies. His planning abilities have allowed Cenric to secure enough victories to draw many warriors to his banner, despite his exacting requirements and difficult personality.

 

Cenric's eccentricities have occasionally borne unexpected fruit, such as during his raid on the Palthrax system, where his refusal to countenance any errors that resulted in collateral damage turned much of the populace against their far less careful Imperial masters. This did not spare most of the world's inhabitants from a grisly end at Cenric's hands; he had no objection to civilian casualties, merely an objection to accidental civilian casualties.

 

Despite his devotion to Slaanesh, Cenric rarely utilizes the services of the Noise Marine cults or many of the other more fanatical followers of the Dark Prince, as he believes that their pursuit of sensation makes them an unpredictable element that can disrupt his carefully laid plans and hinder his pursuit of martial perfection.

 

Cenric the Unerring

Cenric the Unerring

6

5

4

4

3

6

3

10

3+/4+

Cenric {HQ}.......... 200 points

Infantry (unique)

1 Cenric the Unerring

Power armour Plasma Pistol Black Rapier Frag and Krak Grenades

Mark of Slaanesh Deadly Precision Perfectionist You Have Failed Me Independent Character

 

Black Rapier: A jet black blade unmarked by the even the slightest blemish or imperfection. This unusual blade is sharp enough to cut through even the thickest of armors with ease, and capable of striking with almost impossible precision. The Black Rapier is a close combat weapon with the Rending rule, which rends on a roll of 4+.

 

Deadly Precision: Cenric is a master at precisely placing his blows even in the midst of a furious melee. Cenric's controlling player allocates all wounds that he inflicts in close combat. In addition, Cenric's skill with this blade is so great that he can easily parry any attack directed against him, even attacks from ranged weapons. To represent this, Cenric has a 4+ invulnerable save, which increases to a 3+ in close combat.

 

Perfectionist: Cenric demands nothing less than absolute perfection from both himself and the forces under his command. Cenric and any models in the unit he is attached to may re-roll any ones when rolling to hit; Cenric will simply not allow such abject failure to occur.

 

You Have Failed Me: As befits a perfectionist, Cenric has absolutely no tolerance for failure on the part of his subordinates. Any unit that has a model within 12" of Cenric must re-roll any failed morale or pinning tests after removing a single model from their unit as a casualty to represent Cenric unleashing his wrath upon the unit.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Pretty good, might be a tad expensive, but better too much than too little.

 

Like how You Have Failed Me encourages the use of MoS Chaos Marine squads instead of Noise Marine squads.

 

Deadly Precision's a fun rule, will make him last longer since hidden power fist's will be gutted.

 

Not sure about him having a Plasma Pistol - a gun which explodes 1/6 shots doesn't seem all that "perfect"!

[Chengar Qordath]

Wasn't sure if I was overcosting him a bit, but being able to snipe models in cc is a pretty nice ability.

 

Don't forget that since he re-rolls ones his plasma pistol actually only has a 1/36 chance of blowing up. Also, the number of pistol options out there for Chaos Marines is fairly limited, especially since I'd like him to a 12" pistol to match up with the range of his "You Have Failed Me" rule. It seems fitting that his aura of fear/command matches the range of his weapons.

 

Actually, I just had an interesting thought for the character. Instead of his current plasma pistol and custom sword, bump him down to bolt pistol and chainsword, and then give him a special rule that makes both his weapons rend on a 4+ to represent his skill/precision. Having a guy who aspires to be the perfect warrior go into battle with basic wargear to make it clear that every bit of his deadliness comes from personal skill rather than just having a really nice sword does seem like it would work for the character. Would also make nudging his price down a bit justifiable.

[Lord_Jaschk]

Awesome character, I like the perfectionism thing :)

[Bannus]

Great write-up with some well thought out rules. The only thing I think I would object to is the I6. It just says "I want my character to have a chance to kill your character before you get the opportunity to hit back". I think that I5 is high enough.

[Chengar Qordath]

Great write-up with some well thought out rules. The only thing I think I would object to is the I6. It just says "I want my character to have a chance to kill your character before you get the opportunity to hit back". I think that I5 is high enough.

I6 is standard for a Chaos Lord with a Mark of Slaanesh though.

[Bannus]

Ooops - it has been a little bit since I looked at my Chaos 'dex. It does seem a bit unsporting, though.

[Chengar Qordath]

Ooops - it has been a little bit since I looked at my Chaos 'dex. It does seem a bit unsporting, though.

Chaos doesn't believe in good sportsmanship and giving the other side an even chance to win.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Well, the I6 doesn't seem to be doing much for them, I don't believe I've ever seen a list with a Slaaneshi Lord :P My guess is that it's purely a matter of scale. An expensive HQ model is only justifiable in larger games, and in larger games one model with I6 doesn't make that much of an impact.

 

Whoops, missed the bonus to the Plasma Pistol.

 

The Chainsword/BP thought does sound pretty neat, and there's precedence for it with the grey knight guy with the daemon sword. It'd be fun to give the "default" weapons some time in the limelight. On the other hand, Chainswords/BPs seem very blunt/brutal, dunno how that'd fit in thematically.

 

Deadly Precision is pretty powerful, but seems to function more in a defensive sense than anything else? It'll protect Cenric when he's attacking a mid-level combat unit with 1-2 special weapons, but provide little protection from bigger stuff. It's not quite like the Vindicare's precision, who can reach out and touch a different unit each turn.

 

The Parry Inv. seems a little strange alongside the allocation bonus, since it seems to represent him simultaneously having preternatural offense and defense? Seems a might over the top, fluffwise. Maybe just have him rely on his ability to stab the most offensive and I6 attack before most opponents.

[Chengar Qordath]

Well, the I6 doesn't seem to be doing much for them, I don't believe I've ever seen a list with a Slaaneshi Lord :D My guess is that it's purely a matter of scale. An expensive HQ model is only justifiable in larger games, and in larger games one model with I6 doesn't make that much of an impact.

It also bears mentioning that higher than five initiative is a lot more common than it used to be before some more of the more recent 5th edition codices (GKs with Halberds, special characters like Mephy and Celestine, and so on).

 

The Chainsword/BP thought does sound pretty neat, and there's precedence for it with the grey knight guy with the daemon sword. It'd be fun to give the "default" weapons some time in the limelight. On the other hand, Chainswords/BPs seem very blunt/brutal, dunno how that'd fit in thematically.

Bolt Pistol's not a huge issue, but I have to agree that for a fast and precise warrior, the rapier seems like a much more fitting weapon than a chainsaw-sword. I was a bit tempted by a Rapier & Main Gauche/Swordbreaker combo. That would also add a bit more support for his boosted cc-invulnerable save.

 

The Parry Inv. seems a little strange alongside the allocation bonus, since it seems to represent him simultaneously having preternatural offense and defense? Seems a might over the top, fluffwise.

I'll probably do some tweaks to his entry; lumping the Parry Inv. into Deadly Precision seems a bit clunky. Might also drop his save vs. shooting to the standard Chaos lord 5++, but giving him a boost to close combat defense seems reasonable considering his write-up as a highly skilled and precise fighter.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Bolt Pistol's not a huge issue, but I have to agree that for a fast and precise warrior, the rapier seems like a much more fitting weapon than a chainsaw-sword. I was a bit tempted by a Rapier & Main Gauche/Swordbreaker combo. That would also add a bit more support for his boosted cc-invulnerable save.

 

I'll probably do some tweaks to his entry; lumping the Parry Inv. into Deadly Precision seems a bit clunky. Might also drop his save vs. shooting to the standard Chaos lord 5++, but giving him a boost to close combat defense seems reasonable considering his write-up as a highly skilled and precise fighter.

Yeah, having a cc-save based on a second weapon would feel less off - random thought, while a chainblade seems weird for a precise stabbing weapon, perhaps his back-up would be a chaingauche? :P Ridiculous in some ways, but could probably parry/distract opponent pretty well (most focusing on the whirring blade rather than the twiggy rapier).

[Bannus]

The Parry Inv. seems a little strange alongside the allocation bonus, since it seems to represent him simultaneously having preternatural offense and defense? Seems a might over the top, fluffwise. Maybe just have him rely on his ability to stab the most offensive and I6 attack before most opponents.

What about having him choose between the offensive ability or defensive ability each combat phase? This could represent him attacking furiously the weaker opponents while cautiously approaching a more dangerous threat.

[Oiad]

You Have Failed Me: As befits a perfectionist, Cenric has absolutely no tolerance for failure on the part of his subordinates. Any unit that has a model within 12" of Cenric must re-roll any failed morale or pinning tests after removing a single model from their unit as a casualty to represent Cenric unleashing his wrath upon the unit.

Loving the fluff details regarding the troops in cover. ;)

 

I have to agree with Rev's original comment about the points cost. I'm gonna go for closer to the 150pt bracket on this one.

 

The only other detail I'd change is regarding the rule quoted above. I'm a bit confused by the phrasing. Do you mean to say that any friendly unit with 12" must take a Leadership test and if the fail it they must randomly remove a model? Or are you saying they automatically removing a model when he's within that distance allows them to re-roll M&P tests? Either way seems interesting.

[Chengar Qordath]

Yeah, having a cc-save based on a second weapon would feel less off - random thought, while a chainblade seems weird for a precise stabbing weapon, perhaps his back-up would be a chaingauche? :P Ridiculous in some ways, but could probably parry/distract opponent pretty well (most focusing on the whirring blade rather than the twiggy rapier).

A chain-swordbreaker seems to be like it would be a very interesting looking weapon.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y8/Chengar/Swordbreaker.jpg

This, but with with a chainsaw attached to the spikes. Best weapon ever.

 

The only other detail I'd change is regarding the rule quoted above. I'm a bit confused by the phrasing. Do you mean to say that any friendly unit with 12" must take a Leadership test and if the fail it they must randomly remove a model? Or are you saying they automatically removing a model when he's within that distance allows them to re-roll M&P tests? Either way seems interesting.

The plan was for a Commissar-esque rule where when there's a morale failure he shoots one of the fleeing men "pour encourager les autres," except instead of only effecting the unit he's attached to it's a bubble equal to his pistol range.

[Chengar Qordath]

So, here's the new stat block:

 

Cenric the Unerring

Cenric the Unerring

6

5

4

4

3

6

3

10

3+/5+

Cenric {HQ}.......... 175 points

Infantry (unique)

1 Cenric the Unerring

Power armour Plasma Pistol Rapier and Chainbreaker Frag and Krak Grenades

Mark of Slaanesh Deadly Precision Perfectionist You Have Failed Me 5+ Invulnerable save Independent Character

 

Rapier and Chainbreaker: Cenric goes into battle wielding jet black rapier unmarked by the even the slightest blemish or imperfection, and an unusual short chainblade with a number or barbed spikes along it's back edge designed to entangle enemy weapons. Cenric's skill with these weapons is so great that his invulnerable save increases to 3+ in close combat.

 

Deadly Precision: Cenric is a master at precisely placing his blows even in the midst of a furious melee. Cenric's controlling player allocates all wounds that he inflicts in close combat. In addition, Cenric's skill with this blade is so great that his close combat attacks have the Rending rule, and rend on a roll of 4+.

 

Perfectionist: Cenric demands nothing less than absolute perfection from both himself and the forces under his command. Cenric and any models in the unit he is attached to may re-roll any ones when rolling to hit or to wound; Cenric will simply not allow such abject failure to occur.

 

You Have Failed Me: As befits a perfectionist, Cenric has absolutely no tolerance for failure on the part of his subordinates. If any unit that has a model within 12" of Cenric fails a morale or pinning test, it suffers a single casualty as Cenric unleashes his wrath upon the soldiers who have failed him. The unit must then re-roll it's failed morale or pinning test.

[*Furyou Miko]

Looks good to me. ^^

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

Cenric's feeling pretty good - not ridiculous, not bad, does something different. One thought on the presentation of the rules, though; describing his unique weapons, then having a special rule modifying how he uses those weapons might be a bit confusing to someone giving the rules a quick once-over before a game - maybe reword it so the Chainbreaker's simply an item which grants the 3+, and the Rapier's the item governing the allocation/rending?

 

One thought - might be a fun/characterful limitation on deadly precision that Cenric has to allocate at least 1 wound to the model(s) in the unit which have the most attacks, representing him seeking out the strongest opponents. Then again, could risk overcomplication, especially since a lot of the time those models will be the ones he wants to attack the most anyways.

[Chengar Qordath]

One thought - might be a fun/characterful limitation on deadly precision that Cenric has to allocate at least 1 wound to the model(s) in the unit which have the most attacks, representing him seeking out the strongest opponents. Then again, could risk overcomplication, especially since a lot of the time those models will be the ones he wants to attack the most anyways.

Have to agree that it might be a bit much; I generally try to limit characters to four unique rules/wargear entries. I'm a fan of trying to keep things relatively simple; it makes it less likely I'll make a big mistake somewhere.

[rpnightsend]

I know I'm the first one to bring this up, so maybe its just me, but I'm not sure about rending on a 4+. Its a cool idea, but my problem with that rule is that rends automatically wound also. That means this guy is going to be rolling down monstrous creatures no problem because on a 4+, regardless of toughness, hes wounding and denying them an armor save. Maybe make it a 5+?

[*Furyou Miko]

If a newbie like Crowe can be good enough with a sword to rend on a 4+, then surely a slaaneshi sword--_€#3 7_# 4( 3&1 -_'1!

[rpnightsend]

I feel like we shouldn't be using Grey Knights crunch to defend this... but thats your prerogative.

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

The Daemons character Skulltaker also has the 4+ Rending thing, and that's on a Power Weapon, so one of its few advantages is the improved wounding, so it probably isn't too overwhelming.

[Chengar Qordath]

Like Miko and Tiberius said, rending on a 4+ is far from unprecedented; Crowe and Skulltaker both have it (and Skulltaker even added instant death to the mix). Then you've got all the poisoned power weapons, which are even better since they can get re-rolls to-wound on most non-MCs.