Warmachine Hordes: V3 Gameplay Verdict
I got to play my first big con of MK3 last week since Lock & Load and it was awesome. Here’s what I discovered.
I wanted to share some thoughts of what the new edition has to offer and some of the big changes that have come to warmachine hordes.
Texicon was the first new edition of Warmachine/Hordes in Texas. I was able to go to this great event and try out the all new war. Here are some of my takeaways from the new edition.
MEASURING
Premeasuring killed Warhammer Fantasy for me. I was playing fantasy since 4th edition and when 8th went to premeasure I only stayed in because of the friends I had made playing the game. I wasn’t that excited to hear the same for the new edition of Warmachine-Hordes but, I still wanted to give it a chance.
After playing about 30 games since Lock & Load I think I was wrong.
The problem Warhammer Fantasy had was not only did it get rid of static charge distances it introduced a random element to charges. However, Warmachine rules are some of the tighest ever and don’t give models random charge distances. Warmachine/Hordes game always strive to be a very clean game to play.
There shouldn’t be arguments over whether a model is in range and with premeasuring this is 100% alleviated. You can easily agree with your opponent before you make a move if you can accomplish something or not. No longer do you risk wasting an activation. This helps newer players, but it makes veterans even deadlier.
FOCUS
Warmachine I believe gained a big buff. Lists that would have never been viable in the previous edition are now being talked about. Jack spam was left to very few specific casters and now it is a possibility for almost all casters. The power up rule of receiving a focus really opened up list creativity and jack effectiveness. It might not be something to be excited about if you were primarily a Hordes player but, it makes lists more and more unique.
I am all for anything that pulls some creativity into the community. I always hated cookie cutter lists or the label of this is “THE LIST”. With more jacks on the field it really freshens up the community so far.
RULES
Grievous Wounds is now a thing. Before randomly denying Tough was really the only use for this corner case. Not any longer!!! Now warjacks and warbeasts are fearing these models as much as a troll. Alten Ashley was a popular model at Texicon and for good reason.
Throws are easy now. Throws are nasty and easy to figure out. You either go directly away or throw at a model. No scattering if you do it at a model. Also the melee range buff makes the Kraken and Sepulcher the gun slingers of the Iron Kingdoms able to throw models with 4″ reach.
Focus and Fire is not the end of the world. I was really worried about Vicktor. But, now that I can spend a focus to prevent some damage even low armor casters have a little less to fear by being set ablaze. Random damage is more manageable with the focus damage prevention but, higher POW attacks are even deadlier.
Slams and Tough. Slams knock you down before you are damaged so no tough roles. Meaning force hammer and slams in general can make tough models really sad. Tough in general took a pretty big nerf. If you can prevent knockdown it might still be useful to go heavy in tough but, it no nearly as annoying as before.
~Have you checked out the new rules of Warmachine and Hordes BoLS? Please share in the comments below.
