Goatboy’s 40k: GW Previews, Future, and Grimdark Thoughts
Goatboy here again and wow was that GW preview interesting. Beyond just seeing new models it gave me a lot of insight into what I expect to see in the upcoming months of 40k.
Its a weird time as we are about to finish off all the original codex books and look forward to what might be a forward advancement of the storyline. This is where I think will see a lot of the new 40k for the year. This continue move of the narrative which brings about what might you ask? New Heroes, Villains, and forced army building.
May the Purple Father guide your passage.
Heroes & Villiains
We’ll start with the idea of seeing more Heroes and Villains. The newest things shown at the GW event were a crap ton of characters. Yes they were mostly for GSC – but there were a few things that showed up for other armies. Also look at the latest release that brought about a new character model for your army – the Slaanesh Herald. This year is going to be big push for the clam shell/combo packed character. Right now GW can really only push “new” armies with larger waves of options. Sure you can put out a new unit or two attached to a Campaign – but the easiest push for something new to buy is to throw out a 30-40 dollar clamshell pack with a single page of rules.
You give it some interesting auras, different game play abilities the army might need, and viola you got a nice little seller. Heck throw it in with some other kits you got extras and you all of a sudden have a box people want. Beyond just the release of new plastic crack – I like the idea of introducing some new abilities into the armies. I think there is going to be a big push for multiple layered auras to come to the game and most armies in general. This is just beyond the whole – reroll 1’s we see in most things. I think this type of game add on seems very easy to build, good for the army, and overall pretty good for the game.
You want it – don’t lie!
Genestealer Cults
How much do you want to bet all the GSC guys do all kinds of odd stuff for your army. Between more tactical information, better hitting power, or just something to mess with your opponent. I also wonder if these guys will end up showing up in Elite slots instead of the dreaded HQ choice. I could see a lot more of these showing up as ways to split apart some of the force HQ options and help fill out something like a Brigade or other detachment options. This idea of a character storm seems to fit right up there with the idea of 40k being full of Heroes and Villains – doing all kinds of awful things. It also leads up into building other Triumvirate boxes that the fan boys will love to grab, split apart, and try to use in their game or two.
Have you accepted Abbadon as your Lord and Savior?
Marines – Good & Bad
Besides the character storm the other big thing is I think will see a few books redone – most likely Marines and Chaos Space Marines – and instead will see Campaigns try to bandaid some usefulness into the books themselves. Points can only do so much as we all know if it is pretty crappy – having more on the table doesn’t make it good. So without doing things like that we can only look at ways to shoehorn in some extra rules, extra stratagems, and maybe generate some new interests for an army build or two.
Obviously we know Abaddon is coming – which most likely means he is bringing a few characters with him we have read in the books. I think that jumping Horned Skull face guy might be that Sorcerer he likes to use. You know the one – he has his own ship, seems like a jerk, and most likely is planning to give a really crappy secret santa gift. Beyond that how about that Khorne Daemon Prince that went toe to toe with the Saint and was a pain in the butt? It would be amazing to see another prince model that can look different from the other “comic” book style grinning jerk faces we see on the table top. I get the feeling will have some epic fights with Marenus on a battlefield as while I love me some Abbie – he doesn’t need to be on the level a Primarch is. Of course I just really want a Chaos Lord like Character that isn’t crappy.
I’m actually ok…really!
Speaking of kind of bad characters – Haarken Worldclaimer isn’t as terrible as everyone thinks he is – it is just that his rules don’t really matter. Every one of them is a good ability in a different game. Sure you could do some crazy leadership things with FW Butcher Cannons, some Slaanesh Spells, and other options – but then what the heck are you trying to do? I just really wish this guy was a basic Chaos lord with the regular Rerolls and then mix in some Exalted Champion thing for reroll wounds for Rapter guys. All their wounds – including shooting stuff as that unit really shoots better than it tries to assault. Also – why the hell does he have a spear that he can’t fit in close combat with? Can you do something like he hits from 2 inches away? Or like when he charges he can skewer foes and have them locked in the ground (-1 or 2 to their attacks or something?). I think there are a ton of ways to make the guy who can’t move through a doorway good.
Onto Lists
Alright – as we get closer to LVO I keep thinking of different lists. There is nothing new coming out to change my thoughts so most likely will throw out two ideas on Friday to see what people think. One is pure Death Guard and the other is a Mixed Chaos Space Marine list. They utilize some Cult troops as while I want to win all my games – there is no way I can win, max out my points, and keep fun through 700+ players at LVO. It is just asking a lot and my brain is there to get away for the weekend. Plus I can say I will hopefully win more then lose with some Zerkers or Plague Marines.
This guy needs to cut back on the 10w40
Anyway – I am so stoked to see these new releases especially the chunky Admech guy. A buddy loves him some Admech and having a new figure with as much character as this one shows is amazing. Plus we can only hope the Killteam release actually creates a strong matched play environment that is balanced, fast, and fun. We shall see. But heck – let my beep boop vest wearing mutha trucka try to sell me a pager or two.
~ What are you most excited about from this weekend’s reveals?
