Homebrews on the Tabletop - Alternate Librarian Power List

Though this is primarily a fluff blog, I am a gamer as well as a writer. I don't buy into the whole competitive tournament scene; I prefer to play casual games with friends and family. I don't mech up, razorspam, or run with the latest codex just because it's better.  However, I do fancy myself something of a homebrewer, and  like to create custom characters, units, and powers for my homemade Chapter. Now I know that "homebrew fandex" in this game is almost always synonymous with "broken POS that nobody would play against," but I'd like to think that the things I create aren't all that bad. Whenever a new book comes out, I try to reexamine my homebrew stuff, make tweaks as necessary, and keep my stuff just a little bit behind the power curve.



So, with that disclaimer out of the way, here's a list of alternate, Mars-themed powers for a Librarian of the Iron Hands. They would probably fit just as well with an Iron Warriors sorcerer or Daemon Prince.

Coax Machine -
This power is used during the shooting phase. Target any vehicle (friend or foe) within 12 inches. When it hits, roll 1d6 and add your Leadership value. If the total is greater than your target's front Armour value, you may rotate that vehicle up to 90 degrees and move it up to 6 inches in a straight line. You may not Tank Shock in this way. All normal movement rules (such as dangerous terrain) apply. This distance is included when resolving assaults against this vehicle until the start of your next turn.

Backbite -
By casting his power into the weapons of his foes, the Librarian is able to turn the enemy's own bullets against them. Even Tyranid ammunition creatures grow confused, seeking sustenance in the flesh of their own weapon-symbiotes. All the shooting weapons of one non-vehicle enemy unit within 18" of the Librarian have the Gets Hot! rule until the start of your next turn.

Encumber -
The librarian creates a zone of super-high gravity around the enemy. This causes soldiers to drag their feet and engines to groan in protest as their load suddenly increases tenfold or more. This power can target any enemy unit within 18" of the Librarian. That unit is treated as though moving through difficult, dangerous terrain until the start of your next turn.

Hands of Iron -
This power hardens and sharpens the weapons of the Librarian and his allies, allowing them to tear through even the armored sides of vehicles. This power is used at the start of the Librarian's assault phase. The Librarian and his squad gain the Rending special ability for all their close combat attacks (note that this includes even power weapons and power fists).

The Emperor's Protection -
The Librarian channels his will through his psychic hood to calm the Warp in a small section of the battlefield. This can be used to protect a friendly squad from psychic attack, or to deny a foe the fruits of a witch's labor. Use this during your move phase after the Librarian has moved. One unit within 24" gets a 3+ save against all psyker powers, friendly or enemy, until the start of your next turn.