40K: You Should Be Able To Use Stratagems As Many Times As You Want
Removing the once a phase limit on stratagems could help the game a lot.
Stratagems are one of the hallmarks of 8th Edition. This new concept has helped invigorate the game and fueled much of whats makes 8th unique. Stratagems are a great wayto add flavor and cool rule to the game. Despite the fun they add they are also one of the more controversial parts of the game. Let’s talk about one of the issues with stratagems and how we could fix it.
The Rules
The use of stratagems is limited in two ways. The first is through Command Points (CPs). To use a stratagem, you must pay a certain number of CPs. Since CPs are a finite resource, this severely restricts how many stratagems you can use in any game. The second way is that (in matched play) you are limited to only using each stratagem once per phase. This means no matter how many targets or how many CPs you have, you have a tough limit on the use of each stratagem.
The Problem
So here is my issue with this rule. This rule feels like it is pushing the game towards soup lists and Death Stars. Many units are far better when used in conjunction with a stratagem. In fact, many units only really become good when used with one. However, since you can just use each stratagem once a phase there is little point in taking duplicates of those units. Also since players can only target one unit, they are going to want to make that unit as robust as possible.
Let’s say for instance I want to use Endless Cacophony to make a unit of Noise Marines good. I can take Noise Marines in units of 5-20. I want to maximize my use of Cacophony, so I’m going to take 20. And since I can only target one unit, I most likely won’t even think about taking a 2nd unit of Noise Marines, whats the point? Of course naturally, since I’m sinking so much into this unit, I’m most likely going to put some aura’s near it, and start using Veterans of the Long War on it. Now bam I’ve got a Death Star with out even meaning too.
This mindset also tends to lead to soup armies. Because I can only use each stratagem once a phase, I want to try and get access to as many as I can. This pushes me to try to build lists with three detachments from different Codexes (or at least sub-factions). By getting access to more stratagems I can use more combos in a game. If I play some Cutsodes, I can use their awesome stratagems to buff one and only one unit. So now I can either:
- Take other units that are going to cost me the same as the first unit but be worse.
- I can look to another book, Astra Militarum, and pick something from that I can use Vengeance for Cadia on and so on.
How To Fix It
The simplest solution is just to remove the once a phase rule on stratagems. Stratagems are already very limited by CPs. It takes armies specifically built to generate a large number of CPs to be able to use stratagems in large numbers already. By removing the limit on stratagem use, you would reduce the push to build Death Stars and build soup lists.
In my CSM example, I could now have the option to take 2 ten man unit of Noise Marines. I could then use Endless Cacophony on both if I wanted. While this would be less CP efficient than the one big unit, having two units would give me more tactical flexibility. It might not be the best option, but it would be AN option with pros and cons. Right now doing something like that isn’t an option, and I think adding more options is always good.
An Imperfect Fix
I do understand that this may be an imperfect fix. While I think it would open up the game of late, it could have some unintended consequences. Some stratagems might be too powerful or good to let people use them more than once a phase. An Alaitoc army that could use Lighting Fast Reflexes on every unit in one turn would be very annoying to fight. Though if they did so, they would quickly burn through their CPs. Some stratagems might still be labeled Once A Phase Only.
I can also see how it might make Alpha Strikes Worse. If I can go first and have my WHOLE army shoot twice with Endless Cacophony that will give me a huge leg up. In fact, Alpha Strikes are my biggest worry. Maybe limit stratagem use on the first turn only? I think there is a way to make it work without giving Alpha Strikes too much power.
We Can Make Stratagems Work
Stratagems are a great if imperfect part of the game. They are often the thing I most look forward to seeing when a new Codex comes out. While they still have flaws, I think they can be made to work well. With GW showing a willingness to implement new rules or change existing rules in their Big FAQs we’ve got a real change to see some change.
Let us know what you would do to fix stratagems, down in the comments!
