40K: 5 Formations We Won’t Miss In 8th
Formations are going away in 8th and there are a few we are GLAD to see go.
With the news and confirmation that dormations are going away, we wanted to take a step back and look at the 5 formations we loved to hate on. Some of these were universally loathed, others – well, just chalk it up to personal preference.
Librarius Conclave
Special Rule:
Empyric Channelling: At the start of the Psychic phase, you can nominate one Librarian from this Formation. If you do this, the nominated Librarian has access to any psychic powers known by other Librarians from this Formation within 12″ until the end of the phase; however, other Librarians from this Formation within 12″ of the nominated Librarian cannot manifest psychic powers until the end of the phase. Furthermore, when the nominated Librarian makes Psychic tests this phase, he will harness Warp Charge points on a result of 3+ rather than 4+ if there is one other Librarian from this Formation within 12″, or 2+ rather than 4+ if there are two or more other Librarians from this Formation within 12″.
Why we won’t miss this one: With the changes to Psykers, we don’t know how big of a problem this formation would be in 8th, however, for all the nonsense it caused it 7th we’re happy to see it go away.
Omniscient Oracles Formation
Special Rule:
Knowledge of Past, Present, and Future: Kairos Fateweaver and the Lords of Change from this Formation can re-roll any rolls of 1 when making Psychic tests, To Hit, or To Wound rolls. In addition, whilst all models from this Formation are on the battlefield you can choose to re-roll any failed attempts to Seize the Initiative and any Reserve rolls.
Why we won’t miss it: Because multiple Lords of Change that can re-roll 1’s all game is just not fun to play against. Oh and the re-rolls on seize and reserve are just icy on this blackbird pie.
Cyclopia Cabal
Special Rule:
Shroud of Deceit: At the start of each of your Psychic phases, select one model from the Cyclopia Cabal to lead it in a dark ritual. That model can attempt to manifest the Shroud of Deceit psychic power, below. For each other Sorcerer from this Formation that is within 12″, add one dice to the Psychic Test – these dice do not cost any Warp Charge points.
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Why we won’t miss it: Look, this might have been the best formation CSM had, but still – it’s just a bit too good in terms of getting those psychic powers off. Again, just like the Conclave from above, it might not be as bad in 8th. Still, we aren’t going to miss seeing this one on the tabletop.
Riptide Wing
Special Rule(s):
Coordinated Attacks: In the Shooting phase, add 1 to the Ballistic Skill of a Riptide from this Formation if it shoots at a unit that has already been shot at this phase by any other Riptide from this Formation.
Networked Reactors: Each Riptide from this Formation that is within 6″ of another Riptide from the Formation can re-roll failed Nova Reactor attempts.
Riptide Hailfire: Once per battle, this Formation can make a Riptide Hailfire attack. If it does so, any units from this Formation that did not move in their Movement phase can shoot twice in their Shooting phase, making each attack at a different target if desired. Carry out the shooting attacks separately, one after the other. The unit cannot move in the Assault phase of the same turn. If a model uses Ripple Fire in the turn in which it makes a Riptide Hailfire attack, it can fire the relevant weapon four times rather than twice.
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Why we won’t miss this one: There is a reason it was called “Codex: Riptide.” That reason is this formation. The down side is those models are pretty cool, so we will miss seeing them – but we will NOT miss this formation at ALL.
Battle Demi-company Formation
Special Rule(s):
Objective Secured: A unit with this special rule controls Objective Markers even if an enemy scoring unit is within range of the Objective Marker, unless the enemy unit also has this special rule.
Tactical Flexibility: If your army contains one or more Battle Demi-companies, you can choose to enact the Tactical Doctrine once per game. When the Doctrine is enacted, all models in your army with the Chapter Tactics rule that are part of a Battle Demi-company are affected.
Why we won’t miss this one: Really, it’s not just this formation. It’s the fact that if you take TWO of them you get to take advantage of the Gladius Strike Force Detachment which nets you a bunch of other stuff. But mostly it’s those dirt cheap (ie, free) Objective Secured units.
Bonus: Manufactorum Genestealers Formation
Special Rules:
Hit & Run
Unsuspected: Models from this Formation that are deployed within a Building or Ruins using the Infiltrate special rule can be set up within 6″ of an enemy model.
Why we won’t miss this one: Look – I’m a Tyranid Player. I won’t miss this one because I never used it. Why? Because it was such a TEASE. Genestealers are not what I’d call “good” in the Tyranid Codex but this formation almost made them worth it. But, when you can’t assault if you get first turn and you’re within 6″, that just means you’re going to get shot to bits. “Oh just deploy in cover” you say – sure, but they don’t have assault grenades so that means they are striking last. I’m sure that 5+ save will allow them to make it to the bottom of the initiative to get those swings in…I hate this formation. Good riddance.
Besides, Genestealer Cults did it better…
What formations are you glad to see gone with 8th Edition on the way?
