

This project seeks to fill that gap. While the 1st and 2nd editions saw a wide variety of expansions and many hobbyists have further expanded upon the game, this project will limit itself to Space Marine Terminators versus Genestealers. A sister project to this one (three guesses as to the working project name) is in the works, and that expansion will shift to Space Marines in power armour, and maybe some other things. This project, however, will remain fairly limited in its scope in order to reduce debate, preserve balance, and ensure quicker progress.
A note on the project name - I've changed it from "The Space Hulk Project" to "Indomitus" after the familiar pattern of tactical dreadnought armour. My reason for doing this was to use something other than "Space Hulk" in the project name so that the products we develop can have distinct titles, while preserving a name association with the actual game. The name, however, doesn't necessarily imply that we'll create rules for the different variants of tactical dreadnought armour. We might discuss creating rules for the Tartaros and Cataphracti patterns, as well as any other patterns that Games Workshop/Forge World might develop, but that discussion (if it happens) will take place later. The name is also (bastardized?) Latin for "indomitable" and I think that adjective is appropriate for a fan-based project intended to provide continued support to a great game that has, unfortunately, not received continued attention from its publisher.
Regardless, all of the products we develop will still require players to have/use Space Hulk 3rd edition.

The Space Hulk game is a closed system. Many people view it as a simplified system (compared to standard Warhammer 40,000), but a close analysis reveals that the game effects are, in terms of combat, largely due to the fact that the results are based on a limited application. The weapons of the Space Marines only have to deal with Genestealers, and the attacks of the Genestealers only have to deal with Space Marine Terminators. There are some definite map-based limitations (movement and facing), but the outcomes of Space Hulk combat are relatively close to their standard Warhammer 40,000 versions (albeit with a few minor differences). It isn’t really possible to substitute one side (or both sides) with any other type of model found in the full range of Warhammer 40,000 armies and preserve game balance. Substituting the Genestealers with, say, Eldar while retaining Space Marine Terminators would create a whole range of changes, including the effectiveness of shooting and close assault, the use of the timer, etc. This game will preserve that closed system.
The Space Hulk game also presents fairly generic rules for Space Marine Terminators. While the Blood Angels are used in the game, the rules don’t include the special Blood Angels rules found in standard Warhammer 40,000. This allows players to substitute any Chapter for the Blood Angels without change (though Chapters such as the Black Templars who don’t have Librarians, will find certain missions in the campaign to be impossible to perform). This expansion will, likewise, allow for substitution of any Chapter in place of the Blood Angels. We'll expand upon the hero choices available to the Space Marine player in order to allow for full substitution and updating of those earlier missions/campaigns that fall within the scope of this project (i.e., we're going to add Captains and Chaplains). The exceptions to this, of course, is the Grey Knights, but we’ll save them for a later addendum to this project.
Players desiring to have more variety and flexibility in their game play really ought to look to the Zone Mortalis expansion from Forge World, perhaps combining those rules with the Kill-Team rules found in Battle Missions. This project is intended to be a somewhat limited expansion to the official Space Hulk 3rd edition rules.

OTHER SITES & PARALLEL EFFORTS
At this point it is important to mention the fact that similar efforts have been conducted by various other sites and individuals. In fact, most of them have probably come up with something that will bear more than a little resemblance to what we create. What I'd like is for us to refrain from consulting the work of others as we conduct our initial development, though it would be wise to cross-check later to see how others have done things and if they've done anything differently that we might incorporate as an improvement to our own initial work. Ultimately, the intent will be to identify every site we find that has conducted similar work and, if we compare their work to ours, especially if we incorporate some of their work into ours, give them their due credit. At the very least, we will identify them in the final products. Ideally, I'd like to check with the site/project leaders to secure their permission before we do that. I have found, however, that many of those sites/projects are long forgotten and defunct, which is unfortunate. Perhaps our efforts will be more enduring (at the very least, the broader nature of this site will ensure survival beyond the lifespan of this project ). I'll probably create a discussion in which we can compile a list of other sites/individuals that have conducted similar projects, with links to each in order to facilitate comparison and coordination. I'll also provide a permission status for each, identifying when I've contacted them and whether or not they've given permission to list them in our finished products. Naturally, if anyone indicates that they'd prefer that we don't refer to their material and don't list them we will respect their wishes (and this is part of the reason I'd like everyone to avoid going out and looking at what others have done and bringing it here).

- basic rules - adding Captains and Chaplains, substituting Chapters
- variant rules - Chaos Space Marine Terminators
- variant rules - alternative weapons/wargear loadouts for heroes (allowing for models such as Logan Grimnar, Darnath Lysander, etc. to be used)
- hobbyist showcase - player's Space Marine Terminator miniatures

- identify missions
- basic rules - expanded terrain/battlefield features based on the selected missions, and perhaps others (ventilation shafts, etc.)
- update the missions for 3rd edition
Note that I'm going to contact GW Legal to see if this portion of the project as acceptable. If they tell us to pull back, we'll probably turn this portion into the development of a new campaign (I would hope to get at least six missions for this).

- creating supporting files (tiles, doors, counters, etc. - many of the older missions added elements that aren't included in the basic 3rd edition rules)
- customizing bases and the resources available for purchase and conversions that can be incorporated to enhance the appearance of models used in Space Hulk
- customizing and expanding upon the tiles from Space Hulk (2D renditions for printing as well as commercially available terrain kits, maybe even purpose-built tables/boards)

Note that this will also be covered in my correspondence with GW Legal, and if they tell us not to update the old missions we'll shift our focus to the development of new campaigns/missions.
Once all of this is done, I'll put it together into products that can be downloaded for free from the Bolter & Chainsword. The intent is to have versions that can be printed as well as versions for eReaders, requiring different formats (because we all hate having to scroll around on eReaders in order to view the full page). Each campaign will be published as its own book, while one-off missions will be collected in compilations.
Stage 4 and the hobbyist showcase (Terminator models for the game) are really envisioned to be continuous and enduring, with members uploading new missions/campaigns and pictures of their models for use in Space Hulk over time. The B&C will compile these on an irregular basis, creating downloadable files that players can use for their hobby enjoyment.
All Project: Space Hulk products will be available for free download from the Bolter & Chainsword.

One important note: We won't be providing the rules/missions that were part of the 3rd edition release. I know that the limited nature of this release means that some players don't have access to the game, and that is unfortunate. However, the Bolter & Chainsword respects GW's rights to the game and will not violate those rights. This will limit the accessibility of this project, but the Wrath of Angels sister project is intended to provide those players that don't have access to 3rd edition Space Hulk with a similar gaming experience. That project will be initiated once this one is in Stage 4 (so please be patient if you don't have Space Hulk).