Warhammer 40K: The Mystery of Psychic Awakening’s Rules

Let’s talk about how rules-heavy Psychic Awakening will be.

Psychic Awakening is the next big thing coming down the pipeline from Games Workshop. It’s a massive, multi-book expansion to the game that promises to involve and affect every faction. GW has really been touting the importance of this event – saying it’s as, or more, important than any other event so far, even the Horus Heresy. However, it remains to be seen if the book will have much effect on the game or just on the lore. Let’s take a look at what we know and what could be coming next.

What We Know About The First Book

So far we don’t know a ton about Psychic Awakening, but we have been given hints about the first book. This book, kicking off the whole shebang, involves Eldar, Drukahri, and Ynnari; and will likely include Harlequins as well. While the book is no doubt going to be packed with tons of lore we so far only know of some limited rules that might be in it. So far, GW has announced three new plastic sets coming with the book:

• New plastic Howling Banshees
• New plastic Incubi
• New plastic  Jain Zar
• We can also pretty safely assume a Drukhari character is coming, likely Drazhar the Master of the Incubi to mirror Jain Zar.

All of these new units come with updated and tweaked rules to one degree or another. For the Howling Banshees at least we know the new rules are pretty in-depth, with six exarch powers to choose from and at least one new stratagem. They’ve also hinted that Ynnari Howling Banshees might have their own new rules.

Limited Change?

So all of that is undeniably nice – with old, outdated models getting excellent new sculpts and refreshed rules to make them more appealing. And yet based on what we’ve seen, the rules changes don’t seem groundbreaking. If this is most, or all, of the new rules then we could expect each army to get in essence one new or redone unit and one new or redone character with models and rules, including some stratagems for them. While single models/units CAN have a significant effect on the game (such as a Knight or Guilliman), they are the exception rather than the rule. The fact is that one unit and one character getting reworked per faction is unlikely to have a major impact on the game, just like the new units in Vigilus 1, Calgar and his Victrix Guard, had no real impact.

Could There be More Change Coming?

So the big question that is out there now is: are more rules coming in Psychic Awakening? If the books follow the Vigilus format, we could see a lot more change. Alongside a few updated units, the books could include:

• More specialist detachments, with warlord traits, stratagems, and relics.
• New traits, stratagems, and relics independent of a specialist detachment.
• New terrain with rules for the factions.
• Some kind of army-wide special rule- akin to Space Marine Tactical Doctrines.
• Expansion of sub-factions- such as was done with Renegade Chapters and the Black Legion in Vigilus 2.

In addition to that, it’s pretty likely that we will get the usual slew of missions and environment rules that tend to be ignored by the competitive crowd. While these bits can be fun, they tend not to affect the overall game. Those aside, any of the other options would help to shake up the game.

Be Vigilus 2, not Vigilus 1

In 8th we’ve seen two new campaign books, Vigilus 1 and 2. While both followed a somewhat similar format, they had vastly different effects on the game. Vigilus 1, while cool, had very little impact on the meta or the game overall. It introduced some underwhelming units and some decent to bad specialists detachments. While the book’s specialist detachments have seen play, the ones used mainly reinforce already powerful armies, rather than actually shaking things up.

Vigilus 2, on the other hand, had much more of an effect on the game. It introduced a slew of new and updated units. It was a more focused book and gave a real boost to a faction. It had its slew of Specialist Detachments, some of which actually helped define meta lists and it offered new ways to play Chaos Marines. Of the two, it’s had a lasting impression and impact. If the Psychic Awakening books want to shake up the game, it’s Vigilus 2 that they should be modeled on, but for now, we will have to wait and see what comes.

Let us know how much you think Psychic Awakening will shake up the game, down in the comments! 

Author: Abe Apfel

Abe is that rare thing, an Austin local born and raised here. Though he keeps on moving around, DC, Japan, ETC., he always seems to find his way back eventually. Abe has decades of experience with a wide range of tabletop and RPG games, from historicals, to Star Wars to D&D and 40K. He has been contributing to BOLS since almost the start, back when he worked at and then owned a local gaming store. He used to be big into the competitive Warhammer tournament scene but age has mellowed him and he now appreciates a good casual match. He currently covers 40K tactics and lore, as well as all things Star Wars, with occasional dabbling in other topics. Abe remains in mourning over the loss of WFB to this day.