40K: Space Marines – Be Careful What You Wish For…
We’ve all read the rumors, and seen the pictures. Has Games Workshop finally given Space Marine players what they have been begging for for a decade?
First of all, go catch up here:
OK, now that you’re back – I have a bold statement to make.
Games Workshop Listened to Us
For over a decade (probably since the amazing Index Astartes – First Founding series came out in White Dwarf during 3rd edition, people have been clamoring for one thing. They wanted to embrace the fluff. While most of us have multiple armies, or at least dabble with Allies, the faction that ties almost every one of us together is the Astartes.
Perhaps Games Workshop’s single most genius decision was their ability to let players make their own Space Marines. With so many to choose from, and a universe of a thousand chapters out there, there is a chapter for every type of player. From the goody two shoes Ultramarines, to the desperate Scythes of the Emperor, to the unfortunate Lamenters to the ferocious Space Wolves, to the quasi-heretical Relictors – no matter what you were looking for in background and theme, you could probably find a Space Marine chapter that fit your personality like a glove. Still not good enough – then just invent your own.
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| Sometimes we all make bad choices… |
Two codices ago Games Workshop tried to give players the ability to make their own chapter rules with the well intentioned but uneven doctrine system. It was a real shame as the system just needed minor tweaks to be balanced. But at least we all got the chance to have what we all crave, not just backstory, but RULES that define us on the battlefield.
Fast forward to now… Everything we are hearing about this upcoming book looks like we are about to get out dream come true, multiple chapter tactics, with nice charts defining EVERY First Founding Chapter (and their Successor Chapters). Suddenly we have our wildest dreams made real. If that’s not enough, most of the First founding Chapters are getting supplemental codices as well, so at a minimum that means new artefacts and warlord traits, with the possibility of a new unit or two.
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| CSM Players still miss it… |
But a part of me feels sad for our wayward brothers – the Traitor Legionaires who HAD LEGION RULES 2 codices ago.. How is it that in one fell swoop GW is putting out a book that will cover in background AND rules customized options to cover 1000 Loyalist chapters, while our CSM brothers shoulder on with one monolithic book when there are only EIGHT TRAITOR LEGIONS to cover?
Like they say – two steps forward – one step back. Tell me about your favorite Chapter and why out of all the others you chose to make it yours.
