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Malstrain Corrupted Gangs

RAW ✔️ The Book of Desolation, p56

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Why Play A Malstrain Corrupted Gang?​

Over the years since Hive Secundus was destroyed, many gangs have braved its depths in the hope of finding archeotech and wealth to enrich themselves and their House. Tempted by the tales of gangs like the Arclight Devils, who purportedly earned so many credits that they bought up the entire settlement of Shimmer Falls, they venture into the depths of the Underhells – most, however, do not return.

Whilst many gangs are killed by the denizens of the ruins of Hive Secundus, not all who are lost are slain. No-one knows for sure how it happens, some attribute it to the warped psychic pull of the Malstrain Patriarch, but the forces of the Malstrain increase as another gang joins them.

Playing as a Malstrain Corrupted gang allows a player to add some powerful close combat fighters to their gang at the expense of abandoning their House, though for some that cost is worth paying…

Gang Composition​

A Malstrain Corrupted gang follows the standard rules for gang creation (see the Necromunda Core Rulebook) with the following adjustments:

Will Of The Patriarch​

During gang creation a player can decide if their gang carries the Malstrain taint. If they do, they gain the benefits that follow, but are also automatically an Outlaw gang. The following gangs can be Malstrain Corrupted: the six House gangs (Cawdor, Delaque, Escher, Goliath, Orlock and Van Saar), Badzone Enforcers, Corpse Grinder Cults and Palanite Enforcers.

Benefits Of The Malstrain​

A Malstrain Corrupted gang gains the following benefits:

  • The gang Leader may be upgraded to a Psyker.
  • 0-3 Malstrain Genestealers may be recruited as Brutes.
  • 0-1 Malstrain Coalescence may be recruited as a Brute.
  • 0-2 Malstrain Tyramites may be purchased for each Leader and Champion.
  • Any number of Malstrain Brood Scum may be hired.

Note that with the exceptions detailed previously, Malstrain Corrupted gangs retain access to their Gang Equipment lists and use the skill lists applicable to their gang. As an Outlaw gang, the Malstrain Corrupted gang cannot purchase gang-specific Exotic Beasts or Brutes.

Upgrading the Leader to a Psyker: The Leader of a Malstrain Corrupted gang can be upgraded to become a Psyker for a cost of 35 credits. This cost is either paid during the post-battle sequence and requires the Leader to forgo any post-battle Actions, such as Trade or Seek Rare Equipment, and to not be In Recovery, or may be selected when they are recruited. Once the Leader has been upgraded, they gain the Non-sanctioned Psyker rule (see the Necromunda Core Rulebook) and can choose a single power from the Malstrain Wyrd Power list. Thereafter, they count Malstrain Wyrd Powers as one of the Primary skill lists.

Hiring Malstrain Genestealers and Malstrain Coalescence: Malstrain Corrupted gangs can include up to three Malstrain Genestealers and a single Malstrain Coalescence in their gang. These fighters are recruited using the fighter entries in the Malstrain Gangs' Fighters section, though both fighters count as Brutes for Malstrain Corrupted gangs and lose the Gang Hierarchy (X) special rule. Malstrain Tyramites: Leaders and Champions in Malstrain Corrupted gangs can be equipped with 0-2 Malstrain Tyramites each.

Hiring Malstrain Brood Scum: Malstrain Corrupted gangs may recruit Malstrain Brood Scum as if they were part of their gang list.