Rackets
RAW ✔️ The Book of Judgement, p72
All Rackets in a Law and Misrule Campaign are unique. The gangs that control them will benefit from them in many ways. As a result, competition for certain Rackets can become very intense as a campaign progresses. This section gives an overview of what each Racket represents and details the bonuses the Racket grants to the gang that holds it.
Guilder Bonds
Several of the Rackets in the Law and Misrule campaign represent bonds between the Merchants Guild and a gang. These are indicated by the phrase 'Guild Bond' being included in their title. If you have a copy of Necromunda: The Book of Peril, gangs with Guild Bond Rackets can choose to substitute the Hired Guns gained as part of the boon with a Guild Entourage (see page 33 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril) appropriate to the Guild Boon.
Racket Boons
Each Racket grants the gang that controls it a benefit called a Boon. This Boon might be income, an additional gang member, an increase in Reputation, a piece of rare or unique equipment or a special rule. A gang receives the benefits of a Racket's Boon so long as it holds that Racket. Once the Racket is lost to another gang, the Boon is lost.
Income Boons
If a Racket grants the gang that controls it income, the gang adds the amount of credits shown to their Stash when generating income after all battles, including the battle in which it was won.
Recruit Boons
Some Rackets grant gangs new fighters, Hired Guns or Hangers-on as recruits to the gang. These recruits incur no cost to recruit but do add to the Gang Rating and Wealth value. Additionally, gang composition rules must be adhered to when recruiting fighters granted by a Boon. 'Free' means you pay no credits to hire the fighter, it does not allow you to ignore gang composition rules. Any gang fighter recruited from the gang's House List has no cost to recruit, but any equipment that is not part of the fighter's basic cost must be purchased at the normal cost, or supplied from the gang's Stash when taking on fighters. Any Hired Gun recruited as a Boon has no cost, and will remain with the gang for as long as they control the Racket that grants the Boon.
Equipment Boons
The gang adds the listed equipment type to its Stash. It is gained in the Post-battle Actions step of the post-battle sequence, immediately after the battle in which the Racket was won and can be distributed amongst eligible fighters during the next step of the same post-battle sequence. If the Racket is ever lost then so is the equipment type as it can no longer be maintained without the expertise present within the Racket.
Special Boons
The Boon grants a unique benefit to the gang that holds the Racket. The benefit follows the rules listed in the relevant entry for the Racket. If the Racket is ever lost then so is the benefit.
Linked Rackets and Enhanced Boons
All Rackets have a number of linked Rackets listed in their entry. These represent linked areas of activity that enhance the operation of a Racket. Running smuggling routes out of the hive is much easier if you also have a bond with the Toll Guild, for example. Controlling linked Rackets grants the gang the Racket's Enhanced Boons.
If they control one linked Racket, the gang gains the Enhanced Boon listed for having one linked Racket. If they control two linked Rackets, the gang gains the Enhanced Boon listed for having two linked rackets.
An Enhanced Boon is in addition to a standard Territory Boon. So a gang will gain all of the Boons listed for controlling the Racket and for controlling linked Rackets. The exception to this is Income. A gang will claim the highest Income Boon available, not all of the Income Boons available.
For example, the Narco-distribution Racket grants an Income Boon of D6x10 credits. If a gang also controls Out-hive smuggling Routes and Ghast Prospecting, they gain the Income Boon listed for having two linked Rackets, which is 3D6x10.
Gaining and Controlling Rackets
The gaining of Rackets is at the heart of a Law and Misrule Campaign. Racket is gained by winning a battle that has a Racket at stake. The only other way of gaining a Racket is if two players agree to trade one in exchange for a Captive.
Where Is The Line Between Good and Bad?
The keen eyed will notice that with a few exceptions there are very few Rackets that cannot be controlled by either Outlaw or Law Abiding gangs. You can have an Outlaw gang of Genestealer Cultists with a Water Guild bond, just as you could have a Law Abiding Enforcer gang controlling the Cold Trade. This is deliberate and reflects an underlying truth about Necromunda – what is 'legal' has more to do with control and power than it does with notions of objective morality. It is the wishes and interests of those devoted to the Pax Helmawr that matters more than the wellbeing of the indentured workers that dwell within the underhive.
Rackets
Narco-distribution (Ace of Hearts)
Chem-elixirs and narco-distillations flow like rivers through the shadows of Necromunda.
Linked Rackets: Out-Hive Smuggling Routes, Ghast Prospecting.
Racket Boons
Income: The gang earns D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang treats Chem-synth, Medicae Kit, Stimm-slug Stash, and any weapon with the Gas or Toxin trait as Common.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Out-Hive Smuggling Routes (Two of Hearts)
Everything that passes in and out of the hive is checked, authorised and stamped by official process… except when it isn't!
Linked Rackets: Ghast Prospecting, The Cold Trade.
Racket Boons
Income: The gang earns D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Ghast Prospecting (Three of Hearts)
Ghast is the single most precious substance on Necromunda, the secret source of Lord Helmawr's wealth.
Linked Rackets: Out-Hive Smuggling Routes, Caravan Route Control.
Racket Boons
Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, three fighters in the gang gain a dose of Ghast each battle for free.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 4D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
The Cold Trade (Four of Hearts)
The Cold Trade is the traffic in forbidden devices, bought from off-world. Some surface in the depths of the underhive, and command a grand price to those who value them.
Linked Rackets: Out-Hive Smuggling Routes, Spire Patronage.
Racket Boons
Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, one member of the gang may have a single item from the Xenos Weapons section of the Black Market for free.
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang treats items from the Xenos Weapons section of the Black Market as Common.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Life Coin Exchange (Five of Hearts)
Anyone can be killed if you are willing to pay the coin.
Linked Rackets: Whisper Brokers, Corpse Guild Bond.
Racket Boons
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang may recruit two Hive Scum or one Bounty Hunter Hired Gun for free, including their equipment, prior to every battle.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Special: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, all of its members gain the Fearsome skill.
Xenos Beast Trafficking (Six of Hearts)
From spire menageries to underhive fighting pits, alien creatures are always in demand.
Linked Rackets: Out-Hive Smuggling Routes, Blood Pits.
Racket Boons
Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang Leader may be equipped with either a Grapplehawk or a Gyrinx Cat from the Black Market free of charge.
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang treats Grapplehawks and Gyrinx Cats from the Black Market as Common.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Special: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang earns 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Whisper Brokers (Seven of Hearts)
More valuable than jewels and more elusive than clean water, knowledge is true power.
Linked Rackets: Life Coin Exchange, Peddlers of Forbidden Lore.
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this racket, the gang may choose an additional D3 Tactics cards in the pre-battle sequence.
Enhanced Boons
Special: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, when challenged, the gang may choose the Racket that will be at stake in the battle, even though it would normally be chosen by the challenger.
Special: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, when challenged for a Racket the gang controls, make an Intelligence check for the gang Leader. If the check is passed, the player of the gang may choose to play the Ambush scenario instead of rolling. They are automatically the attacker.
Corpse Guild Bond (Eight of Hearts)
The Corpse Guild is always looking for agents to help them secure more merchandise for the flesh grinders.
Linked Rackets: None
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang can control no other Guild Bond Racket.
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, and if the gang is Law Abiding, it forms an automatic alliance with the Corpse Guild and may always add a Corpse Harvesting Party to a crew during any pre-battle sequence (see page 36 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril). Alternatively, or if this Racket is controlled by an Outlaw gang, the gang may recruit one Bounty Hunter and up to two Hive Scum for free during any pre-battle sequence, including their equipment.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income. The result of the roll is increased by 1 for every other Racket the gang controls.
Slave Guild Bond (Nine of Hearts)
A good pit fighter can fetch a high price in the underhive and it falls to the agents of the Slave Guild to seek out potential sources.
Linked Rackets: None
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang can control no other Guild Bond Racket.
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, and if the gang is Law Abiding, it forms an automatic alliance with the Slave Guild and may always add a Slaver Entourage to a crew during any pre-battle sequence (see page 38 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril). Alternatively, or if this Racket is controlled by an Outlaw gang, the gang may recruit one Bounty Hunter and up to two Hive Scum for free during any pre-battle sequence, including their equipment.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income. The result of the roll is increased by +1 for every other Racket the gang controls.
Promethium Guild Bond (Ten of Hearts)
Those in service to the Promethium Guild can expect a 'warm' reception should they fail to execute their duty.
Linked Rackets: None
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang can control no other Guild Bond Racket.
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, and if the gang is Law Abiding, it forms an automatic alliance with the Promethium Guild and may always add a Pyromantic Conclave to a crew during any pre-battle sequence (see page 35 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril). Alternatively, or if this Racket is controlled by an Outlaw gang, the gang may recruit one Bounty Hunter and up to two Hive Scum for free during any pre-battle sequence, including their equipment.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income. The result of the roll is increased by +1 for every other Racket the gang controls.
Guild of Coin Bond (Jack of Hearts)
Middlemen and merchants fill the underhive, and the Guild of Coin relies upon its agents to make sure these miscreants pay their dues.
Linked Rackets: None
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang can control no other Guild Bond Racket
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, and if the gang is Law Abiding, it forms an automatic alliance with the Guild of Coin and may always add Toll Collectors to a crew during any pre-battle sequence (see page 39 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril). Alternatively, or if this Racket is controlled by an Outlaw gang, the gang may recruit one Bounty Hunter and up to two Hive Scum for free during any pre-battle sequence, including their equipment.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income. The result of the roll is increased by +1 for every other Racket the gang controls.
Water Guild Bond (Queen of Hearts)
Water is life on Necromunda and it is the responsibility of the Water Guild and their agents to protect it, or extract it from those who would presume to cross them.
Linked Rackets: None
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang can control no other Guild Bond Racket
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, and if the gang is Law Abiding, it forms an automatic alliance with the Water Guild and may always add a Nautican Syphoning Delegation to a crew during any pre-battle sequence (see page 34 of Necromunda: The Book of Peril). Alternatively, or if this Racket is controlled by an Outlaw gang, the gang may recruit one Bounty Hunter and up to two Hive Scum for free during any pre-battle sequence, including their equipment.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income. The result of the roll is increased by +1 for every other Racket the gang controls.
Archaeotech Auctioning (King of Hearts)
Archaeotech is the buried treasure of past ages of Necromunda, and those who buy and sell it can reap fortunes – or lose everything.
Linked Rackets: Proxies of the Omnissiah, The Cold Trade.
Racket Boons
Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, one member of the gang may have a single item from the Imperial Weapons section of the Black Market for free.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income. If a double is rolled, they gain nothing.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income. However, if a double is rolled, they gain nothing.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 4D6x10 credits when they collect Income. However, if a double is rolled, they gain nothing.
Witch Seeking (Ace of Clubs)
Psykers are kept in check not only by the agents of the Imperium, but by hired mercenaries who hunt the hive for those who bear the sign of the witch.
Linked Rackets: Redemptionist Backers, Slave Guild Bond.
Racket Boons
Special: This Racket may only be controlled by a Law Abiding gang. If it is claimed by an Outlaw gang, it is converted into a Wyrd Trade Racket.
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, all fighters in the gang may add the Shock trait to one of their weapons that has the Melee trait for free.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang doubles the bounty it receives for any fighter that is a Psyker, even if that fighter has become a Psyker temporarily due to the effects of Ghast.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang Leader may make an Intelligence check before claiming a bounty. If the check is passed, they identify the captive as a witch and receive double the bounty for them.
Redemptionist Backers (Two of Clubs)
The Cult of the Redemption is not a forgiving creed and its most fanatical supporters often funnel money and equipment to those who are going to pursue its goals.
Linked Rackets: Promethium Guild Bond, Witch Seeking.
Racket Boons
Special: Helot Cult, Genestealer Cult and Corpse Grinder Cult gangs may never claim this Racket. If they gain control of it, it becomes dormant until claimed by a different type of gang.
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, all fighters in the gang may re-roll any failed Ammo checks for any weapon that has the Blaze trait.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Proxies of the Omnissiah (Three of Clubs)
The Tech-Priests of the Machine God watch the industrial enclaves of Necromunda with a careful eye – not only does its hives produce many sacred machines, but secrets of lost technological lore lie buried in their depths.
Linked Rackets: Archaeotech Auctioning, Promethium Guild Bond.
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, all fighters in the gang may re-roll any failed Ammo checks. Additionally, the gang treats all Bionics as Common.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Special: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, all fighters in the gang may add either the Shock trait or the Seismic trait to one of their weapons for free. New weapons purchased later may also be given this Trait. These weapons also gain the Unstable trait. If the gang loses control of this Racket, the weapons that gained these additional Traits lose them.
Gambling Empire (Four of Clubs)
Fortunes are won and lost on the spin of a wheel or the turning of a card but, no matter who loses and who gains, the house always wins…
Linked Rackets: Blood Pits, Whisper Brokers.
Racket Boons
Special: The player of the gang that controls this Racket chooses a suit of cards and then draws a card from a shuffled deck of playing cards. If they draw a card from the suit they chose, they earn income equal to the value of the card (Jack 11, Queen 12, King 13) x 10 credits. If they draw a card from a suit of the same colour, they earn income equal to the value of the card x 5 credits. If it is any other suit, they gain no income.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang's player may nominate a single enemy fighter (but not a Leader or Champion) at the start of the battle. The gang has called in the fighter's debts. The nominated fighter misses the battle.
Blood Pits (Five of Clubs)
The fighting arenas of Necromunda are stained red with the blood of those who fought there and sing with the roars of the crowd.
Linked Rackets: Slave Guild Bond, Xenos Beast Trafficking.
Racket Boons
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang may recruit up to two Hive Scum Hired Guns for free, including their equipment, prior to every battle.
Enhanced Boons
Special: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, as a post-battle action a Leader or Champion may fight in the pits. Make a Weapon Skill check with a -1 modifier for them. If the check is passed, they permanently gain one random Combat or Brawn skill. If the check is failed, nothing happens. If however the check is failed on the roll of a 1, the fighter suffers one roll on the Lasting Injury table.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Spire Patronage (Six of Clubs)
Hive nobility often take a fancy to a gang from the lower hive, showering them with gifts, and rewarding them like prize pets.
Linked Rackets: Proxies of the Omnissiah, Blood Pits.
Racket Boons
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income if they won their battle.
Enhanced Boons
Equipment: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, all of the gang's Leader and Champions may each have one of the following Extravagant Goods for free: Gold-plated Gun, Exotic Furs, Opulent Jewellery, Uphive Raiments.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang's Leader gains a Caryatid Exotic Beast for free. This Caryatid will not leave its master if the gang loses Reputation, but will leave if the gang loses control of this Racket.
Bullet Cutting (Seven of Clubs)
Bullets, guns and blades are the eternal trade of Necromunda – everyone needs a gun or a blade.
Linked Rackets: Proxies of the Omnissiah, Blood Pits.
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, all fighters in the gang may re-roll any failed Ammo checks. Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang treats all items from either the Trading Post or the Black Market with a Rarity of 9 or below as Common.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Settlement Protection (Eight of Clubs)
Settlements in the underhive vanish all the time. Those who want to survive pay gangs a handsome price to keep others away and their hard-won lives free of the misfortune that comes to those who refuse to pay.
Linked Rackets: Guild Bond (any), Bullet Cutting.
Racket Boons
Recruit: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains one Hanger-on of the controlling player's choice for free.
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Caravan Route Control (Nine of Clubs)
The safe ways through the hive are few and well-worn; control them and you control the flow of slaves and credits.
Linked Rackets: Guild of Coin Bond, The Cold Trade.
Racket Boons
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Wyrd Trade (Ten of Clubs)
Unsanctioned psykers are very dangerous but also incredibly useful. They can break minds, discover secrets and kill with a thought. Harbouring such creatures is dangerous, but also a mark of great power.
Linked Rackets: Peddlers of Forbidden Lore, Whisper Brokers.
Racket Boons
Equipment: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang treats Ghast as a Common item.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Production Skimming (Jack of Clubs)
One of the simplest ways to make a profit in the hive is to skim a little off everything that is made in the forges, stills, labs and mines.
Linked Rackets: Caravan Route Control, Guild Bond (any).
Racket Boons
Income: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang gains D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Income: If the gang also controls both of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 3D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
The Resurrection Game (Queen of Clubs)
The line between life and death is thinner than many think. A little alchemy, a few words, a drop of blood, some technology from the deeps, and those who have fallen can rise again. For a price!
Linked Rackets: Corpse Guild Bond, Peddlers of Forbidden Lore.
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst it controls this Racket, the gang may ignore one Critical Injury or Memorable Death result on the Lasting Injury table per battle. When these results are rolled, the fighter simply goes Into Recovery.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.
Special: Whilst this gang controls both of the linked Rackets, any gang in the campaign may pay this gang to return a dead fighter from the grave. This costs the original value of the fighter (including equipment) +100 credits. Roll 2D6. On a roll of 7-12 the fighter is resurrected and gains the Fearsome skill. On a roll of 3-6 the fighter is resurrected but suffers a permanent loss of 1 Toughness and gains the Fearsome skill if they don't have it already. On a roll of 2, the resurrection fails.
Peddlers of Forbidden Lore (King of Clubs)
There are those who know how to see the future in a pool of water, and speak words that lure the shadows to walk beside them.
Linked Rackets: Wyrd Trade, The Resurrection Game.
Racket Boons
Special: Whilst the gang controls this Racket, the controlling player may re-roll the dice when determining Priority.
Enhanced Boons
Income: If the gang also controls one of the Linked Rackets, the gang gains 2D6x10 credits when they collect Income.