31 Aug 2010

Trunk Monkey

15 hours ago I uploaded this link Trunk Monkey on my Iron Hands blog and on DiceRolla as well and added a comment about "Lets make some house rules for the use of the Trunk Monkey." the vid will make you laugh out loud.

10 comments:

  1. Despite the many great things about 40k, there is a distinct lack in the game of Trunk Monkeys. What's up with that? I think it's a brilliant idea to attempt our own correction of this oversight by Games Workshop, thank you for proposing this undertaking, Derina.

    My initial thoughts are to represent Trunk Monkey 40,000 either as a vehicle upgrade, or else as an actual deployable model. I wonder though if it would be better to first figure out which armies have access to such cutting-edge simian technology. What do you think? Imperium only, or have some xenos developed their own TMT (trunk monkey technology)? While it may be a bit crude for Eldar tactics, I imagine they might find its exotic nature appealing. I believe Tau pragmatism would certainly appreciate the utility of such a potent weapon. Indeed, there is much to consider....

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  2. I just realized that if TNT was invented in the year 2010, that means in the 40k universe it is almost 38,000 years old! Therefore the Trunk Monkey would be incredibly ancient and revered as a most holy relic from ages past. Trunk Monkey predates even STC technology!! Imagine the lengths the Adeptus Mechanicus and their allies would go to recover such a rare thing. A quest worthy of the Iron Hands, perhaps?

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  3. Or likewise, something for the Iron Warriors to corrupt. A possessed Trunk Monkey would be truly a terror!

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  4. Imperial and chaos only I think tho the orks might want to do a trunk squig. (with the same stats)

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  5. Trunk Monkeys are single-use weapon systems employed on Imperial vehicles as a last line of defense against infantry assault. When activated by the simple push of a button, a trained simian assassin is released from the specially fitted vehicular compartment and moves to intercept the attacker, ideally taking its chosen target by complete surprise. The shock involved in seeing a comrade struck down in such an unexpected way often affords the Trunk Monkey enough time to attack again as those nearby look on dumbstruck, unable to fully comprehend this awful new horror of war. To the relief of those who survive this attack, Trunk Monkeys almost always run off in search of a safe hiding place to await the end of battle, munching on tasty fruit before being collected by their grateful crew.

    Although not officially sanctioned by the Imperial Guard, this improvised defensive mechanism is being utilized more and more by armoured and mechanized regiments as word spreads of its value from the mouths of tank crews thankful to be alive. Due to the increased availability of those components required for its construction, Trunk Monkey defense systems tend to be most common amongst regiments hailing from jungle and death worlds and in those serving on such planets for extended amounts of time. Soldiers skilled in the capture of suitable creatures for use as Trunk Monkeys can make a lucrative business trading stock to tank crews desperate for the additional protection. They risk execution for such illicit business should their Commissars find out, but to many in the Guard that is simply an accepted fact of life and so Trunk Monkeys grow more popular every year.

    Unfortunately for the Imperium, it is not only those forces loyal to the Emperor who have learned to appreciate the utility of a creature armed with a heavy pipe protecting one’s rides. Recent reports indicate that Chaos Maine and Traitor units have been seen using possessed monkeys in a similar fashion, as well as minor daemons specifically summoned for such terrifying purposes. Just as troubling, agents from the across the galaxy have noted a rise in stature and power for those Ork squig herders offering to upgrade their tribe’s trukks and wagons with their latest inspiration, the fearsome Trunk Squig. If this new threat is not stopped immediately, the Imperium will surely face an even darker future.

    TRUNK MONKEY - 15 points, one use only.
    Vehicle upgrade available to all Imperial, Chaos, and Ork units with an AV rating.

    Trunk Monkey Attack: When assaulted in close combat, any single attacking model (chosen by the owner of the vehicle) will be wounded on a D6 roll of 2+, with saves allowed, before resolving its attacks.

    That Was Unexpected: If the initial Trunk Monkey attack successfully wounds its target, one additional assaulting model will also be wounded on a 2+, again with any armour or invulnerable saves allowed and resolved prior to the second targeted model’s attacks. The same model cannot be targeted by both Trunk Monkey attacks, regardless of whether or not the first model survives, but is otherwise free to target whomever the controlling player wishes.

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  6. So that's what I've come up with for the vehicle upgrade idea, submitted for your review and consideration. I know some things are worded poorly as I can already see that I lost track of my pronouns in that last sentence. Oh well, that's why it's only a first draft. ; ) Let me know what you think, I'm sure the mechanics and points cost will need refinement. Meanwhile I'm going to start thinking about how to represent Trunk Monkey as a deployable model.

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  7. Oh good, I'm glad it made sense. This trunk monkey idea was based on the Tau upgrade, Flechette Discharger, which is listed at 10 points. I always have the most trouble trying to decide on a fair points value so I don't know if 15 points is too cheap or okay. Even though it's one-use only, the ability to place a wound on at least one attacking model of your choice seems like a fairly potent option. What do you think about limiting Trunk Monkey to a maximum of one per army?

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  8. 2 per army and the trunk monkey must be displayed on the Vehicle.

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  9. Sounds good... WYSIWYG all the way!

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