Goatboy’s 40K – New Rules Beat Us In the Head
Goatboy here, and today I want to look the trends of 6th edition and were we might see it go in the next few releases. These are the things that stick out and really seem to cover how each of the new books seems to have been created.
It really has been a crazy batch of months for this loved/hated game. In fact this has been a really exciting year for releases. I don’t remember a time where we have had such a whirlwind of rules, models, and shifts in the game landscape in a long time.
Overall Drop in Troop Points Cost.
This is pretty obvious as each new book has seen their basic troop drop in points costs. The CSM went to 13 points, the Dark Angel Space Marine also sits at 13 points, each of the Demon basic troops went either to below 10 or right at that lovely mark, and we have the Tau Fire Warrior sitting at 9 points as well. GW still wants troops to be a major part of the game so expect a drop in every future troop choice in the upcoming books. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see 4 point Ork Boyz with a 1 point upgrade for the Shoota. How about some free grots too? I expect the upcoming Marine book to be just the same as the Dark Angel options and the Eldar getting a good drop as well.
The new armies are defined by how efficient their troop choices fill in smaller gaps to allow your larger, and more expensive options to be taken. We all know that this edition has pushed the boxes away and has returned the days of controlled horde actions. I have a feeling whatever new book comes out with the strongest troop option will show itself to be the best. Right now most of the troops are just OK with some of the Demon’s special rules helping make their choices better. I expect the regular Marines to continue to be their showcase army and will see some bs when that book comes out.
1 to 2 Must Take Options
This started with the Heldrake FAQ creating one of the best options in the game. I think you will see this with every book coming out especially when you combine an expensive model with excellent rules. You can see this in the new Broadside (that looks so much better) and how they will be a staple unit in every Tau army. The only new army so far that doesn’t nearly have that “must” buy option is the new Daemon book due to the nature of the army. The book was not too old and a lot of the models were either already replaced in your own armies, or you owned a ton before hand. I won’t even go into the Riptide (awesome model, big hole in the wallet).
So far each book has options that are just must takes in the landscape of 40k. I hope as we see more books start to come out and the overall correct choices start to change as your army morphs to face new threats. I have been changing some of my army lists to reflect some new changes in gaming style. I think assault can be a lot more interesting, especially in armies that won’t be prepared for a quick punch to the bad place.
Allies are a Key to Winning
I think allies are going to be an important factor in creating unique, fun, and effective armies. In fact every new book has created little “good” ally options for every army. Look at the Chaos Space Marines. You can easily take Typhus, 30 Zombies, and a Dragon to create a nice little add on to whatever army would allow stinky zombies and fire breathing mechanical jerks. The Tau will see a lot of use with Tau Battle commander, some Firewarriors, a set of Broadsides (Missiles!), and a Riptide. I know the Eldar will see a lot of Ally love when their book comes out. I have always thought the Tau would love 10 TH/SS termies, librarian, and some marines to back up their greater good options.
I do think GW is thinking of these combos by removing some of the mean options. They removed the ATSKNF from Dark Angel leaders to allow the Prescience combo with IG to be completely terrible. I think Eldar will see some kind of limitation with their own Psychics but will have to wait. I do see little pocket armies being created that you can easily add to any of your forces. I do wish we had that option with Nids. I do hope we see the allied contingent we have heard about with some Genestealer cults. I just worry they will have s$$ty limos driving around and picking up Rhinestone cowboys.
Fliers Becoming More Niche and Less Brutal
I really see two fliers being above and beyond their point costs right now. In fact with the upcoming anti flyer options starting to rear their heads the crutch of flyers will become less and less. Yes we know the Dragon is probably a bit too good. I still think the Night Scythe just has two bad things for it – troop transport option and twin linked Telsa – but it is still probably the best flyer in the game. We’ll see if Eldar get something a bit too nutty but I just think will see most flyers fitting in a small role in your army. They will either be anti flyer or some kind of weird anti troop option most of the time.
Crazy Big MC’s
I think there will be more Monstrous Creature options coming. You can see this with the Daemon book as well as the Riptide moving away from HP‘s and going into an always on, always shooting, monster of doom. I think the MC is an under utilized option and kind of wished that Dreadnought/Hellbrutes had moved towards that direction instead of just using the HP option. I think if Dreadnoughts were MC’s with 4 wounds, T7 they would become a lot more interesting of an option. The Big MC also gives GW a new purchase avenue that fights against some of the other companies big options. Multiple bits, all plastic, and most of the time massive amounts of posablity will ensure they win the big fat wallet hurting game.
Right now each 6th edition codex has shed some light on how GW wants 6th edition to be. Yes the shooting phase will be brutal but each book seems to try and define itself as something different. You have seen less of the boring options from before and a change to small chance “awesome” moments. I am excited about the upcoming releases as I feel I will have to constantly change my army build as people find new little kick ass combos. I know we all have issues with 6th edition at times but with new books coming out almost every month will easily find the army that fits our play style. So far each book has been equal in terms of power and I think if this continues will have a really tight game that is both fun and interesting.
Next week I will start to look at the Tau. I am waiting to get my book due to some needed maintenance (wife’s teeth, eye glasses, etc) so I will get a chance to pour over it. I am not that interested in playing it fully myself – but I do have to admit that Riptide is one hell of a cool looking model. I’ll probably look at it as an ally option (even though 3 broadsides is a kick to your wallet’s ass).
What do you think are the emerging trends in new 40K codexes?
