Chaos Corruption
Chaos Rising introduces the concept of Corruption. Each of your heroes (save for the incorruptible Dreadnought, Davian Thule) has their own Corruption Meter along with a new set of special traits and abilities that are tied to it. This meter will be visible on the Squad Screen after the first few missions.
If your Blood Ravens choose to use wargear tainted by the Dark Powers or take actions that show disregard for the very cause they are fighting for, they open themselves to the temptations of Chaos. These temptations are great: by becoming corrupt, you can gain powerful new abilities and destructive wargear. However, there are other wargear items that require an uncorrupted soul in order to use. The most corrupt Space Marines may even turn on their brothers.
The Pure Trait
Each squad has a “Pure” trait, a special bonus they receive so long as they remain uncorrupted (a Corruption level of 3 or less). If a Space Marine reaches a Corruption level of 4, he loses that special trait and gains the first of his Corruption traits. He will only regain his Pure trait if he can somehow reduce his Corruption.
Corruption Traits
Each squad has six Corruption traits that will unlock as its Corruption rises. A trait unlocks every four Corruption points, i.e. at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 points. Corruption can never go above 24, the point at which the Space Marine’s soul is forever lost to the Ruinous Powers. Once fully corrupted, no redemption is possible.
Raising Corruption
Space Marines gain Corruption when they undertake actions that contravene the fundamentals of their duty to Chapter and Emperor. The most common of these activities is deploying to a mission with equipment that has been tainted by the evil of Chaos. Most missions also have special conditions that can cause Corruption, such as allowing fellow Space Marines to die needlessly or failing to slay a foul enemy of humanity. Direct exposure to Warp emanations can also cause Corruption.
Corruption of Command
Your Force Commander is subject to the temptations of Corruption as much as your other units, but as a leader his actions carry additional weight. Indeed, every time the Commander unlocks a Corruption trait, he causes one of your other squads to doubt his judgment, and unless that squad is already as corrupt as your Commander, they will also gain Corruption by deploying with the Force Commander.
Redemption
Lowering Corruption is also possible. Missions also have Redeeming conditions, special objectives that when accomplished will reduce your squads’ Corruption. There are also special redeeming Purity Seals that can reduce Corruption when worn during a mission. The seals represent acts of penance on the Space Marine’s part, such as going into combat with reduced armor or with only limited weaponry.
The Rewards of Purity
Although Corruption has several rewards – new abilities and bonuses – the rewards of Purity are perhaps less obvious. Beyond the squad’s special trait, remaining Pure also means the ability to equip Anointed items. Among the rarest and most potent items in the Space Marines arsenal, these weapons require their wielders to be pure of heart.
Treason Most Foul
The gravest price of Corruption is in the lost bonds of brotherhood among Space Marines. If your squads are tempted by the powers of Chaos, the most corrupt of them may well turn against your Commander.
Manual
