Crusade Mechanics Overview
XP, ranks, Battle Honours and Battle Scars are the parts of Crusade that a spreadsheet gets wrong. This page covers how each one works and what Echelon does with it for you.
It assumes you already know the basics of Warhammer 40,000.
Experience Points (XP) & Ranks
Units earn XP through battle participation, killing enemy units, achieving Agendas, and receiving Marked for Greatness.
How XP is Earned in Echelon
- Participation (+1 XP): Every unit selected on your mustered roster that participates in a battle gains 1 XP.
- Kill Tallies (+1 XP per 3 kills): Every 3 enemy units destroyed by a unit awards +1 XP.
- Agendas (+1 to +3 XP): Successfully completing selected Agendas awards XP to specified units.
- Marked for Greatness (+3 XP): After each match, select one unit on your roster to receive +3 bonus XP.
Battle Honours & Modifications
When a unit achieves a new Rank, it earns 1 Battle Honour:
- Battle Traits: Custom stat boosts or passive rules applied to squad units.
- Weapon Modifications: Permanent enhancements (+1 Ballistic Skill, +1 Strength, +1 Damage, Armor-Piercing boost) applied to a specific weapon profile on the Crusade Card.
- Crusade Relics: narrative artefacts equipped to Character units (Artificer Relics, Antiquity Relics, Legendary Relics).
Battle Scars & Casualties
When a unit is destroyed during a battle, it is marked as Out of Action:
- Perform a Casualty Test post-battle.
- If failed (roll of 1), select a Battle Scar or lose 1 RP/XP.
- Battle Scars penalize unit performance until healed using the Rearm & Resupply Requisition (1 RP).