Image by DeMarchese

By BobK and Keats

This codex updates the kroot mercenaries list to take into account the disappearance of minor psychic powers & change of codex style, and also adds to its variety enormously enabling most races to hire any of the forces described as mercenaries. Although this list does not cover every single possible mercenary unit, it does cover those units most likely to be present in a mercenary army, to minimise the potential abuse of being able to take the best from each mercenary army’s codex.

If anyone decides to collect an army of mercenaries, please send us a pic as we reckon such an army would look awesome, provided that they all share some sort of marking to show that they are on the same side.

“Do not reject out of hand the mercenary. Consider that each one of these scum is worth three to you: one more on your side, one less on your foe’s side, and one more worker in your ordnance smithies.”
Magnate-General Constantine Beaumont,
231st Viscount of the Argentium IV General Staff

Allies:

Allies of Convenience: Chaos Space Marines, Dark Eldar, Eldar, Imperium, Necrons, Orks, Tau Empire

Desperate Allies: Chaos Daemons

Come the Apocalypse: Tyranids

 

Special Rules:

Bounty Hunters

The warlord of a mercenary detachment may place a bounty on an enemy unit at the beginning of the owning player’s turn. This bounty remains even if the warlord is slain later on. All mercenary units gain preferred enemy against that target from that point on. However, if a mercenary unit succeeds in killing that target it immediately and permanently falls back as if it had failed a morale check until it leaves the table. Vehicle units must move towards the nearest friendly table edge and leave the battle as soon as possible. The warlord is then free to nominate a new target with another bounty.

I Strengthen My Kin

If a kroot shaper is included in a squad, he and the rest of his squad (including krootoxen but not kroot hounds) may take one of the following upgrades:
Bold: The unit gains +1 Ld. Cost: +1 Point/Model
Chameleonic: The unit gains Stealth. Cost: +1 Point/Model
Fast Reflexes: The unit gains +1 I. Cost: +1 Point/Model
Nocturnal: The unit gains the Night Vision ability. Cost: +1 Point/Model
Ork Hybrid: The unit gains +1 T. Cost: +2 Points/Model for single-wound models, +5 points for models with more than 1 wound. This adaptation affects the base toughness that determines whether an attack causes Instant Death due to being double the toughness of the target.

Summary:

HQ: Kaptin Badrukk, O’Shovah Commander Farsight, Rogue Trader, Master Shaper, Mercenary Captain, Freebooter Kaptin, Corsair Prince, Shas’El Commander
Elites: Headhunter Kindred, Stalker Kindred, Knarloc Rider Herd, Shaper Council, Ratlings, Ogryns, Scout Sentinel Squadron, Heavy Weapons Squad, Flash Gitz, Nobz, Warbikers, Lootas, Wyches, Mandrakes, Vyper Squadron, Scourges, XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team, Stealth Team, Pathfinder Team, XV88 Broadside Battlesuit Team, Sslyth Pack
Troops: Kroot Carnivore Kindred, Scavenger Kindred, Infantry Squad, Veterans, Ork Boyz, Kommandos, Rangers, Kabalite Warriors, Striker Team, Breacher Team
Fast Attack: Vulture Kindred, Rough Riders, Stormboyz, Reavers, Gun Drone Squadron, Loxatl
Heavy Support: Greater Knarloc Pack, Leman Russ, Looted Tank, Fire Prism, Hammerhead Gunship
Lord of War: Freeblade

HQ

HQ: Kaptin Badrukk
Same as Kaptin Badrukk in the Ork Codex

Unique

Independent Character

If Kaptin Badrukk is included then Warbikers may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Lootas may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Looted Tanks can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: O’Shovah Commander Farsight
Same as Commander Farsight in the Tau Empire/Farsight Enclave Codex

Unique

If Commander Farsight is included then Pathfinder Teams may be changed to Fast Attack choices, XV88 Broadside Battlesuit Teams may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Hammerhead Gunships can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Rogue Trader
Same as the Ordo Xenos Inquisitor in the Inquisition/Imperial Agents Codex

If a Rogue Trader is included then Scout Sentinel Squadrons may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Heavy Weapons Squads may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Leman Russes can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Master Shaper
WS 4 BS 3 S 4 T 3 W 3 I 4 A 3 Ld 9 Sv 5+ 60 Points

Unit Type: Infantry

Wargear: Kroot rifle or Bolt pistol or Shuriken pistol, Close combat weapon, Frag grenades

Special Rules: Independent Character, Mark of the Favoured Child (4+ Invulnerable Save), Stealth, Acute Senses, Move Through Cover, Infiltrate, Fleet

Options:
• Replace Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points, Flamer for +6 points, Meltagun for +13 points or Plasma gun for +15 points.
• Replace Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points, eviscerator for +25 points or witchblade for +30 points. If a witchblade is taken the master shaper counts as being a Mastery Level 1 Psyker with access to the Divination psychic discipline.
• Take melta bombs for +5 points.
• Take wings for +15 points.
• If no wings are taken, may purchase up to 2 kroot hounds for 5 pts/model.

If a Master Shaper is included then Knarloc Rider Herds may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Shaper Councils may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Greater Knarloc Packs can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Mercenary Captain
Same as the Lord Commissar in the Astra Militarum Codex

If a Mercenary Captain is included then Scout Sentinel Squadrons may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Heavy Weapons Squads may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Leman Russes can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Freebooter Kaptin
WS 5 BS 2 S 4 T 4 W 2 I 3 A 4 Ld 9 Sv 4+ 55 Points

Unit Type: Infantry

Wargear: Gitfinda, ‘Eavy Armour, Slugga, Stikkbombz, Choppa or Shoota.

Special Rules: Independent Character, Furious Charge, Mob Rule, Waaagh!

Options:
• The Freebooter Kaptin may replace his choppa with a big choppa for +5 points or a power klaw for +20 points.
• The Freebooter Kaptin may replace his slugga with a shoota/rokkit kombi-weapon, shoota/skorcha kombi-weapon or twin-linked shoota for +5 points or a snazzgun for +10 points.
• If a snazzgun is taken it may be given any of the following upgrades: More dakka for +5 points, Shootier for +5 points and Blastas for +5 points.
• The Freebooter Kaptin may replace his slugga and choppa with mega armour for +35 points.

If a Freebooter Kaptin is included then Warbikers may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Lootas may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Looted Tanks can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Corsair Prince
Same as the Autarch in the Eldar Codex

If a Corsair Prince is included then Vyper Squadrons may be changed to Fast Attack choices, Scourges may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Fire Prisms can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

HQ: Shas’El Commander
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

If a Shas’El Commander is included then Pathfinder Teams may be changed to Fast Attack choices, XV88 Broadside Battlesuit Teams may be changed to Heavy Support choices and Hammerhead Gunships can be taken as Heavy Support choices.

ELITES

Elites: Headhunter Kindred
Same as the Kroot Carnivore Squad from the Tau Empire Codex except that:

The kroot gain Poisoned Attacks, Fleet and have frag grenades for +2pts/model.

The unit also gains the following options:
• The Shaper may replace its Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points or Flamer for +6 points.
• The Shaper may replace its Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• The Shaper may take melta bombs for +5 points.

Elites: Stalker Kindred
Same as the Kroot Carnivore Squad from the Tau Empire Codex except that:

The kroot gain Shrouded, Ambush, Fleet and have frag grenades for +3pts/model.

Krootoxen may not be taken.

The unit also gains the following options:
• The Shaper may replace its Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points or Flamer for +6 points.
• The Shaper may replace its Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• The Shaper may take melta bombs for +5 points.

Ambush: The kindred may be deployed via deep strike into a piece of area terrain. If this results in them scattering outside the area terrain then reduce the distance scattered until it is within the area terrain. Ignore the normal penalty for deep striking into dense terrain and deploy the unit as normal. The kindred may assault on the turn that it appears.

Elites: Knarloc Rider Herd
Same as in the Imperial Armour 3 Book

Elites: Shaper Council
WS 4 BS 3 S 4 T 3 W 3 I 3 A 3 Ld 9 Sv 5+ 22 Points/Model

Unit Composition: 3-5 Shapers

Unit Type: Infantry

Wargear: Kroot rifle or Bolt pistol or Shuriken pistol, Close combat weapon, Frag grenades

Special Rules: Stealth (Forests), Move Through Cover, Infiltrate, Fleet

Options:
• Replace Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points, Flamer for +6 points, Meltagun for +13 points or Plasma gun for +15 points.
• Replace Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• Take melta bombs for +5 points.
• The entire squad may take wings for +10 points/model.
• If no wings are taken, may purchase up to 10 kroot hounds for 5 pts/model.

Elites: Ratlings
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex

Elites: Ogryns
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex

Elites: Scout Sentinel Squadron
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex

Elites: Heavy Weapons Squad
Same as the unit from the Infantry Platoon in the Astra Militarum Codex

Elites: Kommandos
Same as in the Orks Codex

Elites: Nobz
Same as in the Orks Codex

Elites: Warbikers
Same as in the Orks Codex

Elites: Lootas
Same as in the Orks Codex

Elites: Mandrakes
Same as in the Dark Eldar Codex

Elites: Wyches
Same as in the Dark Eldar Codex

Elites: Vyper Squadron
Same as in the Eldar Codex

Elites: Scourges
Same as in the Dark Eldar Codex

Elites: XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Elites: Stealth Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Elites: Pathfinder Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Elites: XV88 Broadside Battlesuit Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Elites: Sslyth Pack
Same as Court of the Archon from the Dark Eldar Codex except that:

Only Sslyth may be taken.

TROOPS

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Kindred
Same as the Kroot Carnivore Squad from the Tau Empire Codex except that it gains the following options:

• The Shaper may replace its Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points or Flamer for +6 points.
• The Shaper may replace its Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• The Shaper may take melta bombs for +5 points.

Troops: Scavenger Kindred
Same as the Kroot Carnivore Squad from the Tau Empire Codex except that:

The kroot rifle is replaced with a fighting stave and frag grenades. This unit is distinguished from kroot carnivores by adding close combat weapons on their backs or daubing blood on their faces and blades.

Fighting Stave Range – S +1 AP 5 Type Melee, Two-handed

The unit also gains the following options:
• The Shaper may replace its Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points or Flamer for +6 points.
• The Shaper may replace its Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• The Shaper may take melta bombs for +5 points.

Troops: Infantry Squad
Same as the unit from the Infantry Platoon in the Astra Militarum Codex

Troops: Veterans
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex

Troops: Ork Boyz
Same as in the Orks Codex

Troops: Flash Gitz
Same as in the Orks Codex

Troops: Rangers
Same as in the Eldar Codex

Troops: Kabalite Warriors
Same as in the Dark Eldar Codex

Troops: Striker Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Troops: Breacher Team
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

FAST ATTACK

Fast Attack: Vulture Kindred
Same as the Kroot Carnivore Squad from the Tau Empire Codex except that:

The kroot become jump infantry, gain Hit & Run and have frag grenades for +4pts/model.

Kroot hounds and krootoxen may not be taken.

The unit also gains the following options:
• The Shaper may replace its Kroot rifle with one of the following: Storm bolter for +5 points or Flamer for +6 points.
• The Shaper may replace its Close combat weapon with one of the following: power weapon for +15 points or eviscerator for +25 points.
• The Shaper may take melta bombs for +5 points.

Fast Attack: Rough Riders
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex

Fast Attack: Stormboyz
Same as in the Orks Codex

Fast Attack: Reavers
Same as in the Dark Eldar Codex

Fast Attack: Gun Drone Squadron
Same as in the Farsight Enclave Codex

Fast Attack: Loxatl
Loxatl: WS 6 BS 3 S 5 T 5 W 3 I 3 A 3 Ld 8 Sv 3+ 40 Points/Model

Unit Composition: 1-3 Loxatl

Unit Type: Beasts

Wargear: Loxatl flechette blaster, Frag grenades

Special Rules: Move Through Cover, Stealth

Loxatl Flechette Blaster: Range: 18″ S: 3 AP: 5 Type: Assault 2
Special: Rending, Pinning

HEAVY SUPPORT

Heavy Support: Greater Knarloc Pack
Same as in the Apocalypse Book except that:

Its unit type is Monstrous Creature and it has the Scout rule.

May only be taken if the army includes a Master Shaper.

Heavy Support: Leman Russ
Same as in the Astra Militarum Codex except that:

May not be taken as a squadron.

May only be taken if the army includes a Rogue Trader or a Mercenary Captain.

Heavy Support: Looted Tank
Same as in the Orks Codex

May only be taken if the army includes Kaptin Badrukk or a Freebooter Kaptin.

Heavy Support: Fire Prism
Same as in the Eldar Codex except that:

May not be taken as a squadron.

May only be taken if the army includes a Corsair Prince.

Heavy Support: Hammerhead Gunship
Same as in the Tau Empire/Farsight Enclave Codex

May only be taken if the army includes a O’Shovah Commander Farsight or a Shas’El Commander.

LORD OF WAR

Lord of War: Freeblade
Same as Renegade Knight from the Imperial Knight Codex