40K: Don’t Fear The Gunline
The Death of ‘Deepstrike’ is a big, scary change for a lot of those melee-centric armies out there and Gunlines are coming back in fashion. Should melee units return to the shelf to gather dust or should they welcome the return of the static gunline?
We’re living in a Post-FAQ world and the meta game of Warhammer 40,000 is shifting all around us. Melee units that used to rain from the skies and ‘Deepstrike’ at the heart of the enemy now have to wait until the second turn to drop in to be as impactful as they once were. Gunlines are making a comeback in a big way and the dreaded ranged ‘Alpha-Strike’ is looking like it’s the only viable option. But is that really the case or are folks just having a knee-jerk reaction?
Gunlines Hurt
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear – Gunlines are going to hurt. With the absence of a generic ‘Deepstrike’ threat lots of folks are going to fall into the “I guess I’ll just have to shoot you off the board” mentality. Plenty of armies already functioned like that already and playing a melee-centric army was tough in 8th. Being able to drop in a massive threat and get a first turn charge was nice while it lasted. Now those same armies are going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what’s viable and what’s not.
But it’s not the end of the world for melee units.
Death Company are one example where they can still pull off the first turn charge. Forlorn Fury, for example allows a Death Company unit to move the unit before the game begins.
Then there is the debate about how Upon Wings of Fire and Decent of Angels would work as a combo in the first turn – but that’s at least one unit that will be able to mix it up. And if you do it right, those Death Company will be able to punch a pretty mean hole in that Gunline.
So if I “Da Jump” on First Turn is that not the same as Upon Wings of Fire or ???
There are also other units in the game that suddenly became hidden gems in a new Gunline heavy meta. Slaanesh Daemons, as another example, can be down right terrifying for a Gunline.
The Locus of Swiftness allows Slaanesh Daemons to Charge even if they Advanced. Seekers of Slaanesh get a massive 14″ move BEFORE Advancing. And their Warlord can get an extra 3″ to their basic move, too. A Keeper of Secrets moving 15″ turn one + Advancing and then charging seems pretty good in my book! Plus all those extra CPs you saved by not ‘Deepstriking’ opens up some more room for Stratagem Shenanigans.
Suddenly, I really want a new model for the KoS.
A couple of Slaaneshi Daemon Units smashing into a Gunline is going to be bad news for that Gunline. It’s not an auto-win, but hey, it can open up the chance to get other units in there.
That’s Not All, Folks
There are several other units that can close that gap, too. Things like Alpha Legion Berzerkers, or Warptime powered Daemon Prince, Genestealers sling-shotted by the Swarmlord or heck the entire Genestealer Cult Army are still tools in the shed – and there ARE more. You just have to look for them.
I think the biggest change for melee-centered armies is going to have to be the mindset. There has a to be a shift away from “All Deepstrike, All The Time!” to “How can I use my vanguard units to cause the biggest disruption so the REST of my army can mop-up?” You’re going to take losses rushing in – but you’ve got to make them count. How you do that is what is going to make you successful or Swiss Cheese.
And don’t forget – there’s always Turn Two…
How are you shifting your melee-centric force to deal with the reduction of ‘Deepstriking’ vs Gunlines? Or are you joining the Firing Squad?
