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Running The Campaign

Source: Necromunda Core Rulebook (2023)

The Dominion Campaign is broken down into two main parts, divided by a period of Downtime allowing gangs to lick their wounds and consolidate their strength before the final, bloody confrontation is played out. As a guideline, each part runs for three cycles in which battles are played and victories are tallied. At the end of each cycle (as determined by the Arbitrator), the effects of the players’ battles are applied to the campaign.

The Dominion Campaign is divided into three phases, all of which run for a fixed length of real time:

PhaseDuration
1. Occupation phaseThree cycles
2. DowntimeOne cycle
3. Takeover phaseThree cycles

Each phase is broken down as follows:

1. Occupation Phase (3 Cycles)​

The first part of the Dominion Campaign follows the gangs as they try to increase the number of Territories they control and grow their influence. During this phase, the following rules apply:

  • During the first two campaign cycles of the Occupation phase, Ash Wastes battles take place during the Season of Ash.
  • During the third campaign cycle of the Occupation phase, Ash Wastes battles take place during the Changing Seasons.
  • Only unclaimed Territories may be claimed as rewards for gang battles unless there are no unclaimed Territories (see Issuing and Accepting Challenges).

2. Downtime (1 Cycle)​

During Downtime, gangs have a chance to recover and regroup, taking the opportunity to re-equip, fix up wounded fighters and repair and upgrade vehicles. Exceptionally bold and active players might put their gangs through a special side battle if they just can’t be away from the roar of guns and chainblades for that long.

The Effects Of Downtime​

After their last battle of the Occupation phase, players complete the following steps at the end of the post-battle sequence:

A. Fighters Recover
B. Captives are Returned
C. Experienced Juves and Prospects are Promoted
D. Fresh Recruitment

A. Fighters Recover​

Any In Recovery boxes on the gang roster are cleared.

B. Captives Are Returned​

Any Captured fighters are released. The gang that had Captured them receives half their credits value (rounding up to the nearest 5 credits).

C. Experienced Juves And Prospects Are Promoted​

If any gang contains any Juves or Prospects with three or more Advancements, they may be promoted. Their characteristics and credits value are unaffected, but their Type is changed as described in their fighter entry.

D. Fresh Recruitment​

All gangs gain 250 credits to spend on new equipment from their Gang Equipment List or to recruit new fighters, vehicles and/or Hangers-on. These credits must be spent now and cannot be added to the gang’s Stash. Gangs may supplement these credits with extra credits from their Stash.

3. Takeover Phase (3 Cycles)​

The second part of the Dominion Campaign sees gangs defend their Territories against their rivals, as well as capture those controlled by other gangs. During this phase the following rules apply:

  • During the first campaign cycle of the Takeover phase, Ash Wastes battles take place during the Changing Seasons.
  • During the second and third campaign cycles of the Takeover phase, Ash Wastes battles take place during the Season of Flame.
  • Only controlled Territories may be fought over and claimed as rewards (see Issuing and Accepting).

Winning​

Victory in the Dominion Campaign can be measured in many ways, although simply surviving the fierce inter- gang warfare is an achievement in itself. At the end of the campaign, the Arbitrator awards Triumphs to the players depending on how their gangs have performed during the campaign.

The Arbitrator should have a look at the Triumphs at the start of the Dominion Campaign as some of them require keeping track of how many enemy models players have taken Out of Action or vehicles they have Wrecked, so these will need to be recorded. Likewise, the Arbitrator might like to make the players aware of the different Triumphs at the beginning of the campaign so that each player can decide if there is one or more they wish to try to achieve. Below is a list of the Dominion Campaign Triumphs:

TriumphCriteria
DominatorMost Territories at the end of the campaign.
SlaughtererMost enemy fighters taken Out of Action and vehicles Wrecked across the whole campaign.
CreditorLargest Wealth at the end of the campaign.
WarmongerMost battles fought across the whole campaign.
PowerbrokerHighest Reputation at the end of the campaign.
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Side Battles​

Side battles are special battles fought during Downtime. While most players will be happy with taking a break for a week and getting ready for the Takeover phase, there may be a few who can’t go a week without their fix of gang warfare. To satisfy this need, an Arbitrator can run one or more side battles during Downtime. Side battles are fought after the effects of Downtime are applied.

Side battles should, as a rule, be unusual and have no effect on the campaign as a whole. They are a great opportunity for the Arbitrator to design a custom scenario, to use the Arbitrator tools, or to play some of the narrative scenarios. Models can earn Experience and suffer Lasting Injuries or Lasting Damage from a side battle, but should not gain or earn income, or gain credits or Reputation as a reward for a side battle. Instead, the Arbitrator should create a special reward for the victor or victors of a side battle, such as an unpredictable piece of archeotech, a unique chem, or a custom gang tactic.

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