Dark Machine

A Dark Machine is included in each player’s Order of Battle and is used as a tool to protect Artifacts that are not currently assigned to a unit. The Power Rating of a Dark Machine unit does not count against a player’s Order of Battle Supply Limit; however, an Active Dark Machine will have a Power Rating, and that Power Rating will count toward the battle limit when mustering an army. Dark Machine units are treated as Fortifications, but do not require a separate detachment to be included in battle. Dark Machine units exist in two states, Active and Inactive, that correspond to two separate datasheets available HERE.

Active State

If a player wishes to utilize their collected Artifact’s Aura abilities, said Artifacts must be placed within the Dark Machine at the start of the battle. Calculate the Dark Machine Power Rating following the description on the datasheet

Inactive State

Any Artifacts housed within an Inactive State Dark Machine have no effect during battle, unless retrieved from the Dark Machine by an active unit.  An Inactive State Dark Machine has a Power Rating of 0. Friendly units must complete Disassemble and Retrieve two times to remove Artifacts from an Inactive Dark Machine. Friendly units subtract 1 from any rolls made when completing Smash and Grab.

Artifact Retrieval

Disassemble and Retrieve

This method of retrieval varies depending on FACTION keyword alignment between the Dark Machine and target unit.

Friendly Unit - Stratagem

At any time during your turn, select one unit, excluding VEHICLE and MONSTER units, that shares a FACTION keyword with and is within Engagement Range of a Dark Machine unit, spend 2 CP to remove 1 Artifact from the Dark Machine and assign it to this unit. This Stratagem may be used once per turn.

Enemy Unit - Action

This action may be performed by any unit, excluding VEHICLE and MONSTER units, that does not share a FACTION keyword with the Dark Machine unit. Begin performing this action at the end of your Movement phase while within Engagement Range of a Dark Machine. This action is completed at the end of your turn if the unit remains in Engagement Range. If successfully completed, roll one D2 and remove up to that many Artifacts of your choosing from the Dark Machine. Assign the Artifact(s) to the unit that completed the action. You may spend 2CP to immediately perform Save the Artifact with this unit.

Smash and Grab

This action may be performed by any unit, excluding VEHICLE units. Perform this action at the end of your Movement phase by rolling 3D6 if within Engagement Range of a Dark Machine unit. If the result is higher than the Leadership characteristic of the Dark Machine, the action is successfully completed. Upon completion of the action, roll one D6 - the following results apply to the unit that completed the action: