Hey! This looks like a great game! I can't wait to try it out with my friends!
I am considering making a Continuum Syndicate warband, and one of my friends is thinking about making an Intergalactic Marshalls one. We were talking about how interesting the special warband rules are, and we came across a rules interpretation problem.
The Continuum Syndicate has the 'Synthetic wrinkle in time' special warband rule, which says that 'all Continuum Syndicate specialists and soldiers sustain their base initiative and movement values as long as their alpha is alive. If the warband's alpha is eliminated, however, they lose -2 initiative and -2 movement for the rest of the battle'.
On the other hand, the Intergalactic Marshalls have the Infamous Reputation special warband rule, which says that 'all enemy soldiers and specialists who are within 18" of the Intergalactic Marshalls' alpha and within like of sight must apply a -2 initiative modifier'.
I understand that the Synthetic wrinkle in time rule cancels the -2 initiative modifier from the Infamous Reputation rule as long as the Continuum Syndicate alpha is alive. Of course, once the Continuum Syndicate alpha is dead, their soldiers and specialists would have a -2 initiative modifier and a -2 movement modifier, plus another -2 initiative modifier when the Infamous Reputation conditions are met. My friend understands that the -2 initiative modifier should be applied, whether the Continuum Syndicate alpha is alive or dead.
Could you please explain the correct interpretation of the rules?
How about movement or initiative modifiers from weapons or relics that the Continuum Syndicate might be using? How would they interact with the Synthetic wrinkle in time rule?
Thanks for your time, and have a happy holiday!
Hey there! Welcome to Star Breach! I think I answered a version of this question in an email last week, but I can see how under this particular situation the warbands’ special rules can be confusing in their interaction. The Synthetic Wrinkle in Time applies how your friend is interpreting it: it doesn’t impact the Continuum Syndicate soldiers in any special way actively and they must still apply modifiers (positive or negative) when necessary. The Synthetic Wrinkle in Time is passive and only means that as long as the warband’s Alpha is alive, all the other soldiers get to use their listed base values for movement and initiative (which are really good values for their cost, relative to other warbands). Those base values, however, can still be modified by all sorts of things, including the “Infamous Reputation” rule. Hope that helps clarify! Enjoy!