The Game

These rules below were intended to allow the Ankh-Morpork City Watch to be used in Games Workshop's Mordheim* skirmish-in-the-city type game or Warhammer and were designed with the help of Tom Lynch.

* I have a Mordheim group based on The Hogfather.

Since these rules were first issued I have lost contact with Tom but found others with a similar interest. I now have expanded these rules and included more for Warhammer battles and these rules can be found by clicking on the box below..

Original rules left for nostalgic reasons - please click on box above for current thoughts and ideas.

The development of the Characters

Basic Uniform and Weapons:

The basic Watch uniform is a chainmail shirt, iron breastplate, iron and copper helmet. They have carried at various times, a night stick or oak truncheon, regulation seven foot pike or halberd, crossbow and short sword, and various methods of signaling. As the armour and weapons were originally taken from the armoury on a "if it fits wear it" basis, there should not be a set standard uniform.

All the Watch therefore have chain mail and breastplates classed as light armour giving a save of 6+, unless stated otherwise. Some characters like the trolls, golem, etc. don't wear armour but have been given a natural save, Detritus also has a +1 when wearing his elephant armour.

Normal weapons for each character are a sword, halberd/spear and a crossbow unless stated otherwise. The only exception is Colon who has a longbow rather than a crossbow.
The night stick/oak truncheon is considered to be too small to count as a weapon for games purposes. If the scenario requires the taking alive of suspects when the "concussion" rules are used any watch figure is assumed to have these weapons whether or not they are actually on the model.

A combination of Spear and Halberd rules have been devised for the Watch and any true military trained type groups armed with a halberd. - It is used as a spear when charging/ed in the first round of combat and so the model strikes first, and as a halberd in further rounds where it confers a +1 strength bonus (and -1 to save as most will now be S4 hits). The +1 strength bonus is only available in the first round of combat if the model has the higher initiative.

In Discworld there are no guns or black powder weapons of any sort. No ill treating of swamp dragons either.

(If there is an assassin band one can be armed with The Gonne, 24 inch range, D6 shots per turn, S4 and -2 save. Can fire at any/all targets in LOF but must nominate target(s) and sequence for all 6 possible shots before rolling for actual number available. Cannot return to the same target. (The Gonne has no effect on trolls or golem. Detritus stopped five bullets with only minor abrasions!). Can fire every other turn with a maximum of 4 firings per game. -1 to hit if moves and fires.

Characters:

None human characters have been changed a little because Pterry's ideas of non-humans are different to Games Workshop's. In the main however if a character is only named in a book they have the basic Games Workshop stats.

Characters include any named member of the Watch who has served with Vimes and Carrot regardless of whether or not they are still a member or even still alive, so you can play any period you wish.

Points:- Points have been worked out by altering a formula from an early edition of Warhammer and classing the characters as champions etc. of their various races. In addition the following have been taken into account.
Zombies and Skeletons cost so little, cause fear and are immune to psychology so no added value to Visit. Trolls are based on trolls and no points adjustment made for the loss of regeneration and vomit attack because they have gained the thump attack. An Ogre was taken as starting point for Dorlf and a Dragon Ogre for the Librarian.
I think the points given work but if due to playing with the Watch you feel the values are wrong please mail JAK at ufo@area51b.freeserve.com.uk

Figures: should be modeled with all their weapons but do not have to have truncheons, bells, paddles or pigeons. Pigeons can only be used once each so a note must be kept of when they are used.

Mordheim Skirmish Scenario:

It is suggested that the Watch should patrol a predetermined course on the game board, particularly if there is a lot of housing on it. They would patrol in twos, and other than Carrot and Angua; and Nobby and Colon; it must be a mixed race pairing.
Due to the great size of Ankh-Morpork it is unlikely that more than 3 or 4 of the Watch patrols would be in the district of the city a game was being played in. It is left to you and your opponent to agree how to work out the pairings and numbers of patrols based on the points values given. You might want to use a single Watch patrol as a random type event.

The Watch are only able to deviate from their patrol route when in action or if summoned. If not in a direct line of sight help can be summoned by:-

Shouts: which can be heard within a 6" radius regardless of obstructions, housing etc..,
Bell: carried by all Watchmen while on duty, can be heard within a 12" radius.
Pigeons: can fly 24" per turn. A street officer can carry a maximum of two. They can only fly to the Watch House or to a designated officer. If it is necessary to sent a pigeon to a gargoyle he will only successfully read the message on a D6 roll of 1, otherwise he has a quick meal of the pigeon and the un-read message and as a consequence will take no further action for the next two turns.
Semaphore: messages can be passed to any other officer or via the Watch House tower provided there is line of sight between them. Officers signal with 2 white table-tennis type paddles. (If the Watch House is off the playing board a marker, at least 2" higher than the highest building, should be placed on one edge of the playing table to check for LOS.)
If the Watch is surprised they do not have time to ring the bell or signal as well as draw their weapons and so can only shout for help.

Warhammer Battles:

If you intend to actually fight the battle in Jingo and your opponent is opposed to you using the following rules/points it is suggested that the City Watch group of the Ankh-Morpork army is made up of equal numbers of Dwarfs with crossbows and Humans with bows and a human command group that can be modeled as Vimes, Carrot and Visit with point calculated by the normal system. This should give you a flavour of the Watch in action even if your humans will be a little slower than normal. Your opponent may even relent and allow you to use a Troll!

Members of the Watch

Points costs include weapons stated and additions for "natural" armour saves.
Other than Carrot's sword no member of the Watch may carry a Magic Item.

Captain/Commander/Duke Sir Samuel Vimes

Vimes as leader is classed as an Human Mighty Hero/General.
Light armour, sword, the Official Truncheon kept in a special pocket sown into his breeches can be used as a mace - special rules "Concussion" and Burleigh & Stronginthearm Crossbow: normal 30" range but Strength 5, and has +1 BS when he uses it. No halberd.

Points 110

Errol

Errol stays in base to base contact with Vimes, In actual fact could be held, sitting on shoulder or hiding behind Vimes and so cannot be targeted. Vimes can fire him instead of his crossbow as he wishes either in his turn or when accepting a charge. Breath attack 6" range, 1" wide in straight line from front of Vimes. Hits any target on this line on D6 of 3+ and causes a S4 hit on all hit. Errol need 2 turns rest before he can flame again, but can still explode. If Vimes dies he explodes causing D3 S5 wounds to anyone in base to base contact with himself or Vimes.

Points 25

Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson

Carrot although he is not the leader is a natural leader. Because of his dwarf background he has the combined statistics for a dwarf and human general but with a lower Ld.
Light Armour. Carrot's sword is not strictly magic, but he did put it through a stone pillar, so he has The Sword of Heroes. Against T5 or above he gets +S3, 1W = D3W. He is known to forget the safety catch on his crossbow so D6 roll of 4, 5 or 6 if he wishes to use it. No halberd.

Points 165 plus 60 for the sword.

Lance-Constable Delphine Angua von Uberwald

As female fighter

Light Armour and sword. No halberd or crossbow, its bad enough leaving a pile of clothes and armour never mind weapons as well.

Frenzy: See the rulebook. Angua only gets the benefits of being in frenzy in wolf form
Rules for Weres: Angua starts the game as a human and is subject to Frenzy. While in Frenzy at the start of each turn including the one she becomes frenzied, roll 2D6. If you roll more than her Ld (7) she can change to her were form if she wishes. Once she is a wolf remains so while in frenzy.
When no longer in frenzy roll 2D6 at start of each turn. Needs a roll of equal or less than Wolf Ld (5) to return to human form.

As wolf with a collar.

Wolf champion. Ld raised to 5 as Angue's human side is not quite in full control.
Frenzy: See the rulebook
Causes Fear: See the rulebook
Fear of Fire within 4", includes magical fire.

Angua can dissuade any animals from attacking her patrol group, whether she is in wolf or human form. They have to pass their Ld test to attack and suffer a -1 to hit in all rounds of any combat with them.

Points 95 for the pair.

It is assumed that her partner(s) pick up her clothes and sword for when she returns to her human shape.

Corporal Cecil Wormsborough St. John Nobbs

Nobby is short and is basically a coward, he will hit anyone so long as they are unconscious first. Because of his build he is based on a goblin rather than a human or dwarf.
Light armour, sword, halberd, morning star: +1 strength in first round of combat, a Burleigh and Stronginthearm Crossbow: normal 30" range strength 5, and has +1 BS when he uses it.

Points 25

Option:-Leo da Quirm's rocket launcher. 40K missile launcher with 4 frag rockets. range reduced to 36". Can only have one missile weapon.

Sergeant Frederick Colon

Light armour, sword, halberd and longbow: range 30" strength 3.
Lucky arrow: Colon considered himself to be a "marksman" so once per battle, he can use his lucky arrow, which raises his BS to 5 and its S to 5 for that million to one chance.

Points 40

NOTE: If both Nobby and Colon are being used they must work together, keeping within 2-4". They must pass Nobby's Ld to approach an enemy if they are on their own and pass Colon's Ld if you don't want them to purse a defeated enemy. If Colon is not in play Nobby normally partners Angua.

Librarian

He is a tough character on a par with Carrot and the trolls. A mixture of the best statistics from ogres, trolls and the highest level wizard have been used with an increase movement of 8 when not on the ground. No restrictions on moving over obstacles or climbing walls etc.

Frenzy: See the rulebook
Bite and Claw attacks.

A level 4 wizard. Immune to all magic. Can receive cards to dispel magic but not cast spells.

The Librarian is a law unto himself and will go where he wants as he investigates crime in his own way. He cannot be summoned, he just follows a group who happens to be going in his general direction, possibly unknown to them.

He does not go out looking for a fight but follows 2" behind any of the others members of the Watch at ground or rooftop level, either choice or random dice roll decision. He will normally only attack if he himself is attacked. If the group he is following is attacked or attacks, the enemy must pass a roll on the lowest Ld of its group. If they fail one of them spots the Librarian and uses the 'M' word. The Librarian will then charge in a state of frenzy and joins with his followed group. If the 'M' word is not used the Librarian will go to nearest other Watch group not engaged in combat for help and will follow them (It is assumed that he will know the Watch patrol patterns and will therefore know where to go even if they are out of sight). If he leaves a group and all the others are engaged in combat he will return to the Watch House. If the Watch House is off the board he is out of the game when he crosses the edge of the board. If unattached always moves last. Any group can link up with an unattached Librarian by being within 2" as they move past him, he will then follow on his move.

Points 155

Lance-Constable Detritus

Troll Hero. Made tougher, after all there is only Carrot that can hurt him. At one period he wore Elephant armour and a cooling helmet. Only weapon is a bolt thrower/crossbow.

Causes Fear. See rulebook
Subject to stupidity if not wearing cooling helmet: See rulebook
Bolt thrower range 48" strength 5 -1 per rank damage D4 no save
Elephant armour. (save 5+ if normal Watch armour)
Fists, optional single thump attack: See below.

Points 487 +30 for bolt thrower

Option: Once per game can fire a bundle of arrows. The bundle burst into flame in flight. Use a flamer marker with the point facing away from Detritus placing circular end over as many of the front rank as possible, including the nominated target. All touched by template suffer a S4 fire hit.

Constable Flint

Troll champion

Causes Fear. See rulebook
Stupidity: See rulebook
Fists, optional single thump attack: See below
Club with nail in it. "Concussion"
Is usually paired with Buggy

Points 216

The Other Trolls: Constable Morraine; Lance-Constable Bluejohn; Lance-Constable Bauxite; Lance-Constable Coalface; Lance-Constable Chert

Causes Fear. See rulebook
Stupidity: See rulebook
Fists, optional single thump attack
Club with nail in it. "Concussion"

If Chert is on Traffic duty (His patrol route must be wide streets only) he can use his yellow painted iron and steel triangles as:-
a) a shield giving +1 to his save.
b) to disable (clamp) any wheeled vehicle on D6 roll of more than 1.

Points 67 each

Discworld Trolls
Trolls do not regenerate.
All Trolls have the option of a single thump attack with +2 strength and +2 WS, causing D3 wounds with a -3 to save.
Detritus' thump +3 to WS & S, D6 wounds and -4 save.

The 1999 Watch Diary says that all trolls can have siege crossbows but for games purposes only Detritus has one - unless your opponent is mad enough to allow this.

Probationary Constable Buggy Swires

Light armour, Badge shield and adapted paper knife sword.
Small Stature: -1 to hit, including against auto hit magic weapons (which are therefore 2+), and can only be attacked by one model per unit (a steed, if it is cavalry) but will of course impede the progress of the entire unit.

Can be carried by Flint and thrown up to 18" into combat by Flint using BS for successful throw/hit. +1 if range under 9". Misses determined by artillery dice. If Buggy lands in a unit or on a warrior he is deemed to have landed safely. He causes D3 wounds with absolutely no save possible (not even magic item) on the person hit even if it is the unit commander (no Look out Sir rule, because they wouldn't spot him), and is then placed in combat with the unit. If he lands on the ground etc. he is rendered unconscious for 2 turns.

A successful landing will result in confusion within that unit or warrior.

1) If Buggy lands on a single warrior, i.e. not part of a unit, they are engaged in single combat if the warrior is still alive. All misses against him become self-inflicted, as Buggy jumps around his opponent's body causing them to hit themselves. If the warrior is killed measure the distance from the warrior back to Flint and devide by 3. This is the number of turns it will take Buggy to return to Flint. He doesn't have to be represented on the board as he is so small as to be invisible.

2) If Buggy lands on a unit roll D6 on this table each phase:

1 Single enemy model loses 1 attack
2 Unit leader loses one attack
3 Unit leader loses 2 attacks
4 Front rank lose 1 attack
5 Front rank lose all attacks
6 Complete Unit loses all attack

Buggy fights one model each phase, either the model he lands on if still alive or any adjacent model of his choise. Obviously one of the front rank is prefered as they are less likely to be able to fight back.

Points 42

Constable Dorfl

A golem similar to a troll but ceramic rather than rock.

Causes Fear. See rulebook
Regenerates: See rulebook
Immune to psychology: See rulebook
Immune fire and lightning, either natural or magical. This includes magic items.
Fists, optional single thump attack with +2 strength and +2 WS, causing D3 wounds with a -3 to save; as Trolls above
Club "Concussion"

Points 115

Acting Lance Constable Cuddy (deceased?)

Light armour, sword, crossbow and 2hd battle axe: +2 strength -2 save. No halberd.

Points 15

Corporal Cherry Littlebottom

Light armour, sword, crossbow. No Halberd.

Littlebottom can use her pigeons as weapons. Max of 2 pigeon actions per turn so cannot send messages and attack in same round of turns with the same bird.
Pigeon ballistic weapons, with 24" range, using BS. Can pick out character in regiment and can be used in addition to crossbow. They can also be used as extra attacks in h2h. Pigeons cause S3 hits.

Points 23 with 2 pigeons

The Other Dwarfs: Lance-Constable Hrolf Pyjama; Corporal Stronginthearm; Constable Lars Skulldrinker; Constable Gimletsson; Constable Glodsnephew; Constable Thighbiter; Constable Hacknee; Constable Fiddyment; Constable Keenside

Light armour, sword, halberd and crossbow.

Points 15 each

The Gargoyles: Constable Downspout; Constable Pediment

Gargoyle, a type of small troll.

Special deployment: Even in non-Mordheim games, the gargoyles can be deployed on the edge of any building, anywhere at all not in combat at the beginning of the game. They also start of hidden
Fists.

Point 25 each

Constable Visit-The-Infidel/Ungodly-With-Explanatory-Pamphlets (Washpot)

Light armour, curved sword, crossbow, halberd.

Causes fear : See rulebook - but must be modelled with pamphlets and banner (suggested slogan Prepare, Om cometh) to do so.

Points 12

Lance-Constable Silas Cumberbatch

Light armour, sword, halberd, crossbow.
Ex town Crier - shouts and bell can be heard 18".

Points 12

The Other Humans: Lance-Constable Ping; Constable Slapper; Constable Lucker

Light armour, sword, halberd, crossbow.

Points 12 each

Constable Reg Shoe

Zombie hero with -1 WS +1 W, Reg went about in Jingo with an arrow through his body so has been given 2 wounds.

Causes fear: See rulebook
Immune to psychology: See rulebook
Regenerates: See rulebook
Break Test: Unlike other zombies, Reg does not collapse when he fails a break test
Light armour, sword, halberd, and crossbow.

Points 43

Young Igor

Recruited to be the Watch doctor. Can restore one wound to a companion per turn, missing a turn between each restore to recover strength and equipment etc. He must be in base to base contact. Restore will work even if it was a killing wound.

Points 40

Wooden Dummy

Recruited by Detritus from outside Corksocks Natty Clothing Co. in MAA.

Any Watch member who is wounded/kill by a missile attack before they have moved or taken any action can be replaced by Detritus's dummy and restart the game again at the Watch House.

Points Free (I've not known this happen yet so if you make the model you can use it if you get the opportunity).