In Warhammer 40,000 Crusade, your army's narrative is shaped by hard-fought games. Units earn experience (XP), level up through distinct Crusade ranks, purchase upgrades using Requisition Points (RP), and bear the physical and psychological wounds of warfare. Having a clear reference of the core campaign mechanics keeps the administrative overhead low so you can focus on the tabletop strategy.
Crusade quick reference
Here is a breakdown of the core metrics that define your Crusade campaign's economy, limits, and progression:
- Supply Limit: Starts at 1000 points. The total points cost of your Order of Battle cannot exceed this.
- Requisition Points: Starts at 5 RP. You can bank up to a maximum of 10 RP. Gains beyond 10 are lost.
- Battle Tally: The cumulative count of matches played by your Crusade Force.
- Crusade Points: A measure of how upgraded (or scarred) a unit is. Gaining a Battle Honour adds points; gaining a Battle Scar subtracts points.
Unit progression and XP thresholds
Every unit in your Order of Battle starts as a Battle-ready recruit with 0 XP. As they participate in matches and defeat opponents, they accumulate experience. When a unit passes a specific XP threshold, they gain a new rank and can receive a Battle Honour.
| Crusade Rank | XP Threshold | Rules & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Battle-ready | 0–5 XP | Any unit. Starting rank. |
| Blooded | 6–15 XP | Any unit. May choose 1st Battle Honour. |
| Battle-hardened | 16–30 XP | Any unit. May choose 2nd Battle Honour. Non-character cap unless Legendary Veterans is used. |
| Heroic | 31–50 XP | CHARACTER units only. May choose 3rd Battle Honour. |
| Legendary | 51+ XP | CHARACTER units only. May choose 4th+ Battle Honour. |
The Character rank cap
Under current Crusade rules, only units with the CHARACTER keyword can reach the Heroic and Legendary ranks. Non-CHARACTER units are capped at 30 XP (Battle-hardened) and cannot gain further XP or honours, unless you spend Requisition Points on theLegendary Veterans requisition.
Supply limits and roster building
Your Order of Battle lists all the units available to your Crusade force. To keep campaigns balanced and escalatory, the total points value of these units must not exceed your force's Supply Limit. The default starting limit is 1000 points.
When you play a battle, you choose a portion of your Crusade force that matches the agreed battle size (e.g., an Incursion game uses 1000 points). This is called Mustering your Army. Every unit fielded must be taken directly from your Order of Battle. If a unit's point cost changes due to Games Workshop rules updates, you must adjust your Order of Battle to remain within the Supply Limit.
Requisitions and campaign economy
Requisitions are the primary currency for upgrading and maintaining your Crusade Force. Requisition Points are spent between battles to recruit new units, expand your army capacity, modify weapons, or heal battle-damaged veterans.
| Requisition | Cost | When to Buy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase Supply Limit | 1 RP | Any time | +200 points to your overall Supply Limit. |
| Renowned Heroes | 1–3 RP | When adding first CHARACTER or on rank up | Give a CHARACTER unit an Enhancement. Cost = 1 RP + 1 RP per other Enhancement already on the roster. |
| Legendary Veterans | 3 RP | When a non-CHARACTER reaches 30 XP | Remove the 30 XP cap, allowing them to earn Heroic/Legendary ranks (max 6 honours). |
| Rearm and Resupply | 1 RP | Before a battle | Swap wargear on a unit datasheet without changing its Crusade Card state. |
| Repair and Recuperate | 1–5 RP | After a battle | Remove one Battle Scar. Cost = 1 RP + 1 RP per current Battle Honour (max 5 RP). |
| Fresh Recruits | 1–4 RP | Any time | Add models to a unit up to datasheet maximum. Cost = 1 RP + 1 RP per 2 Battle Honours (max 4 RP). |
Out of Action tests and Battle Scars
Table-top defeats have consequences. When a unit is destroyed during a game, they are not permanently lost, but you must take an Out of Action test for them in the post-battle sequence.
Roll a single 1D6 for each destroyed unit:
- On a 2+: The unit passes and recovers with no ill effects.
- On a 1: The unit fails the test. You must choose one of the following options:
- Devastating Blow: Remove one Battle Honour from the unit. Reduce its Crusade Points by 1 (or 2 if TITANIC).
- Battle Scar: The unit receives a lasting penalty. Reduce its Crusade Points by 1 per current Battle Scar.
Permanent removal rules
If a unit has 3 Battle Scars and fails another Out of Action test, you must choose Devastating Blow. If a unit has 3 Battle Scars, no Battle Honours, and fails another Out of Action test, that unit is permanently destroyed and must be deleted from your Order of Battle. Note that Epic Heroes, Swarms, and Fortifications auto-pass Out of Action tests.
If a unit fails their test and you choose to take a Battle Scar, roll 1D6 and consult the table below to determine the lasting effect:
| D6 Roll & Battle Scar | Lasting Penalty & Rules Effect |
|---|---|
| 1. Crippling Damage | Cannot Advance; −1" to Move characteristic. |
| 2. Battle-Weary | −1 to Battle-shock, Leadership, Desperate Escape, and Out of Action tests. |
| 3. Fatigued | −1 OC; unit never receives the Charge bonus. |
| 4. Disgraced | Cannot use Stratagems; cannot be Marked for Greatness. |
| 5. Mark of Shame | Cannot form Attached unit; unaffected by friendly Aura abilities; cannot be Marked for Greatness. |
| 6. Deep Scars | Critical Hits against this unit automatically wound. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting supply limit in a Warhammer 40K Crusade campaign?
A starting Crusade force typically begins with a supply limit of 1000 points. You can increase this by spending Requisition Points.
How do units earn Experience Points (XP) in Crusade?
Units earn 1 XP for participating in a battle, 1 XP for every 3 enemy units they destroy (cumulative), and 3 XP if they are selected as Marked for Greatness. Agendas also award bonus XP.
What are the Crusade rank thresholds?
The rank thresholds are: Battle-ready (0–5 XP), Blooded (6–15 XP), Battle-hardened (16–30 XP), Heroic (31–50 XP), and Legendary (51+ XP). Only CHARACTER units can reach Heroic and Legendary ranks.
How many Requisition Points (RP) can a Crusade force bank?
A Crusade force starts with 5 RP and can bank up to a maximum of 10 RP. Any points earned beyond this cap are lost.
What happens when a unit is destroyed in a Crusade battle?
At the end of the battle, you must roll an Out of Action test for that unit. On a 2+, they recover fully. On a 1, they fail the test and must take either a Devastating Blow (lose a Battle Honour) or a Battle Scar.
This reference is designed to assist players in managing their campaigns. For official rulings, full Requisitions lists, and specific Detachment rules, please consult the Games Workshop Crusade rules. Echelon is an independent campaign tracker and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Games Workshop.