Category Archives: Xenos Rampart Rules

28mm Goblin tank

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A Goblin Tank is a chaotic masterpiece of crude engineering, far removed from the precision of human or elven war machines. These ramshackle vehicles are typically cobbled together from scavenged metal plates, mismatched wheels or tracks, and whatever other junk goblins can lay their grimy hands on.

Expect asymmetrical designs, belching smoke from unstable power sources, and a general air of impending structural failure. Adorned with jagged spikes, crude blades, and frantic goblin graffiti, they embody the destructive ingenuity of their creators.

Crammed within these precarious contraptions is an overeager, underqualified crew of goblins. Coordination is a foreign concept; instead, a cacophony of shrieks and frantic gestures guides the tank’s erratic movement. Drivers wrestle with controls while gunners haphazardly aim their volatile weaponry. These expendable crews often throw themselves and their tank into the most dangerous situations, viewing the vehicle as a temporary, explosive home before its inevitable destruction.

The weaponry mounted on a Goblin Tank is as improvised as its construction. Forget accuracy; these are tools of mayhem. You might find oversized ballistas launching flaming projectiles, dangerously unstable flamethrowers, or multiple haphazardly placed guns firing a mix of scrap and actual ammunition.

Close-quarters combat is assured with crudely fashioned ramming spikes and “choppas.” These weapons are notoriously unreliable, prone to jamming, overheating, or simply falling off during the chaotic advance.

On the battlefield, a Goblin Tank serves as a mobile source of shock and awe – or just plain shock. It barrels forward, spewing smoke and fire, aiming to break enemy lines through sheer, unpredictable chaos.

Even if it doesn’t achieve a decisive breakthrough, its very presence is a potent distraction, drawing enemy fire and attention away from other goblin forces. Ultimately, a Goblin Tank often meets a spectacular end, whether through enemy action, internal malfunction, or the sheer, explosive exuberance of its goblin crew.

I picked the tank up at a bring and buy, not sure why, but it does look kinda cool. It is from a 3D print that I found here.

A second carrier tomorrow.

Xenos Rampart (11) – Primitive Infantry

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After twelve units and twelve days later, my Ascalabotean (climbers) Army is finally finished. The numbers of units grew over that time but I am happy both with how they have turned out and how quickly I have been able to get them done, especially considering that a Watchtower, a 20mm Arab Army for “Men Who Would be Kings” and a 28mm Stuart tank have also been finished during that time!

The large planet of Tonitrua Lacertis has the largest but also the most primitive population. Living in small tribes the primitives are protected from the many predators by the “Alveare Domini”, a large-like predator that roams the surface in search of prey, but seems to also have a psychic link and almost a mother-like instinct to protect the Tonitrua.

The war-like Tonitura are only more than happy to assist the other species in defending the planet and moons of Ascalabotes, but will not travel “off system” as they hold their land and the “Alveare Domini” in such reverence they will not leave them. Those that have been forced to do so have died as a result of severe psychotic episodes, often taking many of their own countrymen with them.

Primitive infantry are numerous, cheap and are extremely difficult to stop.

With the army now finished (we all say that don’t we), here is how they look altogether:

This gives plenty of variety with everything from monsters to “modern” heavy infantry in full battle armour.

There is enough units to run both an army from the Military Elite with “modern” troops lead by a Psycher from the Military Elite, and a native army lead by the battle hardened “Tuthruck”.

I really like how the Wargames Atlantic Lizardmen have come out and will probably get two more boxes to field another three more native units. Not that useful in games terms, but at just four of the twenty-four points of the army, sixty of them will be difficult to deal with.

Xenos Rampart (10) – Scouts

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Some Tonitrua had progressed further along the evolutionary lifecycle and had developed the use of the common language and with their innate hunting skills were excellent scouts and recon unit

Recon units are lighter than Light Infantry and are not very well equipped to take on enemy infantry.

Their main role is to infiltrate behind enemy lines, ambush, and harass enemy units with sniper rifles.

When threatened they are best advised to disappear as stealthily as they appeared.

I nhave decided not to upgrade this unit but could be given Counter Sniper Training, Sniper teams and Veteran upgrades that would make them superb in their role but quite expensive at 7 points.

Unit Leader

Tomorrow the last of the tribal units although two more Horde units will follow down the track.

Xenos Rampart (9) – Heavy Infantry 3.

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The last Heavy Infantry unit is quite different. War Leader “Tathruk” is astute and does not believe in putting all of his Lacerta eggs in one basket! With the other Heavy Infantry designed for close combat this one has superior shooting capacity,

With their Sniper Assault Rifles (SAR) they have armour piercing rounds (reduces enemy armour by 1) 1 point, and Heavy Weapons (6’s counts as 2 hits when shooting) 2 points, for a total of 5 points.

Finally we get to the tribal units which are the bulk of the army.

Xenos Rampart (8) – Heavy Infantry 2.

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This unit of Heavy Infantry is also equipped with Assault Doctrine (increase close combat by +1) +1 point, and Close Quarters Doctrine (reduced shooting capacity) -1 point, for a total of 3 points.

That makes two Heavy Infantry units that are designed to get up close and personal which befits an army lead by “Tathruk”.

One more Heavy Infantry to follow.

Xenos Rampart (6) – Light Troops and some radical surgery

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Today a second unit of light troops that can also join with the previous post’s Light troops to form a single increased size unit.

Notice anything wrong! I sure didn’t when I was painting it.

Maybe this will help! It just goes to show that when quickly batch painting I am not concentrating on the detail……….OK maybe it is a fundamental goof up!

Fortunately the medical facilities on “Civitas Lacerta” are advanced, and true to his reputation for caring for his men, Tathruk was able to find an excellent surgeon for the radical surgery – one might even say he was a guru! Soon the light trooper was back serving with his squad.

Heavy troopers tomorrow.

Xenos Rampart (5) – Light troops and some.

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Yesterday I indicated that having a missile launcher in Tathruk’s close combay squad was a bit inappropriate so, whilst I have kept the launcher, he has been replaced.

I also indicated that I had some toy crocodiles that I was using as Quitana, a large prehistoric Australian mega fauna, for our Australian pre-invasion games.

I will look for some more to paint up like the Crocosaur, but in the meantime they will do.

when I do them up specifically for this army they will be used for a lesser Xenomorph and will be prodded along by a herder!

Now for the light troops:

These guys are great for seizing objectives and skirmishing but cannot stand up to a heavy or elite unit in close combat or a fire fight.

Tomorrow the second light unit.

Xenos Rampart (4) – more Elite troops

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This time I have gone for another elite unit that has a more traditional style of leadership for the Ascalabotes – a military warlord. I have also attempted to demonstrate how the rules allow you to personalise your units and leaders to create your own back story.

“Tathruk” is not from the military elite, but has come up through the ranks from his days as a lowly officer cadet to now where is leadership, authority, and military prowess are second to none. He bears many scars from his leadership from the front, where he can be found where the fighting is the thickest inspiring his men with his bravery and ferocity.

Tathruk

The squad not only includes Tathruk but “Krok” who carries Tathruck’s personal banner – that of the old rebel alliance. In order to command the Tonitrua there is also “Qrolto” whose bugle allows Tathruk to order and control the primitive Tonitrua without the use of psychic skills.

The unit otherwise fights like any other Elite squad.

Krok

The standard pole comes from the Bolt Action Japanese Infantry sprue.

As Tathruk has no psychic powers, he is unable to control an Alveare Domini, so they cannot be included in an army under his leadership. The military elite would not consider serving under an “academy graduate” not “born to lead” so they cannot be used either.

Qrolto

The bugle comes from the Bolt Action Japanese Infantry sprue.

The army must also include more “Tonitrua” than traditional military units as the military elite are jealous of his victories and do not allocate a large portion of standard military resources to him. The Tonitrua are beloved by him and flock to fight for him as he treats them as “true” Ascalabotes, and not primitive savages.

To give you an example how to represent a war leader like “Tathruk using Xenos Rampart the following is just an idea:

  • you could give the unit assault doctine (3+ to hit enemy) 2pts;
  • Close quarters doctrine (reduces shooting to 4+/12″) -1pts;
  • high powered blades (reduces enemy armour by 1) 1pt;
  • and the Xeno trait of inspirational leadership for 2pts.

This makes them close combat demons with an inspirational leader, but at the high cost of 10pts.

4th member of the Squad with rocket launcher

After consideration I will change this figure as one with a close combat weapon would be more suitable.

5th member of the squad with assault machine gun.

Tathruk should also roll on the Warlord commander Trait table and given his history can re-roll once. Even if the second roll makes him “Craven” or a “Runt’ it must be kept as then is has drunk too much Ascalabotian blood wine the night before!

Helmet made by just cutting the lizard frills of one of the heads.

Tomorrow some Xenos Rampart heavy infantry.

Xenos Rampart (3) – Alveare Domini

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The large planet of Tonitrua Lacertis has the largest but also the most primitive population. Living in small tribes the primitives are protected from predators by the “Alveare Domini”, a large predator that roams the surface in search of prey, but seems to have a psychic link to the Tonitrua.

The Crocosaur comes as a pair of adversaries from Zombicide with its opponent being the Abominape. See post on this.

Tomorrow more on Xenos Rampart.