Warhammer 40k: Tanks & Monsters are Back!
9th Edition is the time pull all those dusty tanks and monsters off the shelf and get them back on the tabletop. Let’s look at some new rules.
Tanks have had a rough time in 8th. Metal behemoths like the mighty Land Raider were easily neutered by a couple of Ork boys knocking on its side with choppas. Then it had to back up; then they charged it again. This was one of the reasons that vehicles without the FLY keyword faded into the woodwork during 8th. Some of the really big fellows like Knights could still shoot out of combat but they were relatively rare.
A New Day!
But no more. Now GW has given all tanks and monsters the “Big Guns Never Tire” special rules in 9th. Look below:
There’s a lot here. First, vehicles and monsters can now shoot while surrounded at engaged models. Yay! You MUST shoot at those models first, and if they are destroyed, then you can move onto other more distant ones. Finally you have a -1 to hit with Heavy weapons when firing in this manner.
This is HUGE improvement compared to the no firing and retreat options vehicles and monsters currently have. Sure there are restrictions, but overall it’s night and day. I am really looking forward to any vehicles with auto-hit weapons like the Hellhound or Baal Predator. That’ll be fun!
About those Heavy Weapons
But that’s not all. Not only are vehicles able to shoot at units in assult, they can move and shoot more effectively overall. Take a look at the new Heavy Weapon rules:
Yes, now ONLY Infantry models suffer the -1 to move and shoot Heavies. All those vehicles and monsters, flyers and everything else are big and stable enough to move and fire with no penalty. Again, look for more effectiveness from every non-infantry model you have with Heavy weapons throughout the game.
~Which of your vehicles do you think will be most improved?
I can’t wait to drive my Malcador Defenders into the middle of a bunch of Orks! DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA!
