Goatboy’s Warhammer 40K: Metawatch – Sticking With Your Army
Goatboy here and I am terrible with sticking with armies. But let’s go over the pros and cons.
I play different lists every time I head out to an event. Part of it is my hobby ADHD that just has me thinking of some unique model to build a list around. The other part is just I don’t get to play a ton. This leaves me with way too much time to think about armies, lists, and interactions. So I just jump ship.
Decisions, Decisions
So why am I talking about this? Well, I think there is something to be said about just mastering your army. Figuring out each piece where you don’t need a cheat sheet to actually play the game. I am hoping with all the numbers ov events coming back this year, that I can play more than 2-3 and thus I can maybe break my army shifting habit a bit.
Of course, this all could be moot when Chaos Space Marines finally come out but it feels like that is going to be a whole lot longer of a wait right now. So what do I even play? Do I go with an army that is simple enough to master? Or do I try to figure something out unique that might win me a few games? Do I go with something cool? It is all part of the process when figuring out what you need to master. I have seen a lot of other players/youtuber’s/bloggers talking about sticking out with a list. Not going for best overall of the ITC but instead go for best army. It is one of those awards that seems doable if you pick the right army and are willing to travel to a few of the big ones.
Do you pick an army that is not popular but can let you win games? Do you go with something that could get a sweet update soon enough or at least won’t get hit with the nerf bat?
Beware the Nerf Bat
The nerf bat is always a threat if you go for something good. Right now expect some point changes to be coming to Custodes, a new Nid Book is coming, and Harlies are going to take a hit. From there Tau are most likely going to be looked at so sticking with those 4 good books means your super good list might take a beating that makes you not want to keep playing them.
Or it makes trying to get best-of that particular army hard as a lot of “good” players will bring them to the tabletop and thus wreck your chances to reach the top of the ITC. It is the dance you always have to worry about when trying to think how your ITC season will pan out.
Going with a Sleeper Faction?
It is probably why if you are wanting to win this type of award I would pick something not nearly as new as the current top armies. Instead, pick a “sleeper” faction new enough to compete, but so new it’s been nerfed hard. Currently, I am tempted to try and do well with a Speed Freeks list as it will be a unique army that has some simplification to allow myself to maybe master it. Plus it is full of pieces that I don’t think will get hit with a nerf bat even though it is a newish army.
The next 2 events I will play my Custodes as I finish client work and begin building up the Speed Freeks. I got most of the pieces and bar a few changes depending on my mood – I should be able to get this ready. Will it be worth it? Most likely as it will finally give me a chance to master something. I talked about how I jump around and without Chaos really keeping me locked in I feel a little bit lost at sea.
Prepping for Adepticon
What do you think about sticking with something for most of the season? Do you normally do this with your yearly events? Do you try and chase a top 8 showing and maybe get a chance to surprise people with the best list? Does the constant threat of a change keep you from chasing the Meta Dragon?
Just some thoughts as I get ready to go back to Adepticon for a Team event after being away from 5+ years. Kids, life, and covid will do that to ya and I am excited to head to Chicago. I am also trying to plan out the other events I get to go to this year with the Texas events and of course a few outside the state ones. I want to do at least one GW event but will see if I can squeeze in 2. It is exciting to be playing more again and hopefully I can figure something out and just stick with it instead of creating cheat sheets to keep me honest.
How often do you jump armies?
