Tabletop Spotlight: Let’s Talk Leagues of Votann Nerfs
In this week’s Tabletop Spotlight Adam and Matt talk about the Leagues of Votann Nerfs and show off more awesome board games!
We’ve been doing our Tabletop Spotlight show for a while but have mostly been posting to Facebook. However, we’re now uploading those to our Youtube channel as well. In this week’s episode we have a chat about what the heck happened with the Leagues of Votann and share some more thoughts about those changes.
Votann Nerfs – Needed…But Maybe A Little Too Fast?
In case you missed the big news of the week, Leagues of Votann got a nerf this week from Games Workshop. Personally, I’m a little conflicted about it. We cover this topic in the video but here’s the basics:
The changes were warranted and were kinda of obvious when you read the codex. Abe even did some analysis comparing the Hekaton Land Fortress to the Space Marine Repulsor Executioner. In a 1:1 comparison, it’s clear that one of these things was not pointed equally. Clearly this book was a overtuned, to put it politely.
On the flip side this army isn’t really even out yet. More than half the units aren’t available. The standard codex isn’t available for purchase. And no one has gotten to play with a full 2000 army using these models.
In the video I make the case that while it’s clear that the army has some pretty crazy rules (and that it’s pretty clear just by reading them) I still would have liked to see some hard data to back-up these changes. Games Workshop just went into great detail how they collect and analyze tournament data in Age of Sigmar. They do the same for 40k. So it’s a little strange to see them make these changes based on “intuition” …and some “very loud players yelling on the internet.”
I don’t know why they didn’t do their standard “two weeks later FAQ Update” with this release. Maybe they didn’t want to wait until everything was out (or before anyone had actually bought a 2000 point army) to increase the points? Maybe they were looking out for future Leagues of Votann players interest in terms of money invested in the army? Now a 2000 point army will be cheaper to build (because the points went up). I mean, I don’t actually think that was the case…but the points increases do help the players field a smaller (and thus cheaper) army now.
Oh well. It’s done now! And if you want to learn more about why the Leagues were uh…”over tuned” you can read about it direct from Games Workshop.
This Week’s Featured Products
BATTLETECH: BEGINNER BOX $24.99
BattleTech is the world’s greatest armored combat game, filled with epic stories and gaming experiences to satiate any player: miniatures to RPG play, hobby painting to fiction, and beyond. The BattleTech Beginner Box is the first step on that fantastic journey and includes everything you need to get started: two high-quality miniatures, quick-start rules, a mapsheet, cards to represent your MechWarrior’s unique skills, dice, and more.
RPG Adventurer’s Bag Collector’s Edition (Brown) $149.99
Collector’s Edition (Dragon Brown)
Forged from the spoils of war using techniques from an age long forgotten, the Collector’s Edition RPG Bag is upgraded with the power of Dragon Scales for its exterior. The Collector’s Edition also comes with a collectible metal charm keychain and holographic sticker to mark the exclusivity of your Collector’s Edition RPG bag. Show off your reward with the detachable metal charm that can be taken anywhere.
The Scarlet Keys Investigator Expansion $44.99
Myriad dimensions exist layered over our own. Sometimes, when the barrier between these layers is thin, things creep in from the vast beyond. It is up to those with accursed knowledge to stop such entities from tearing our dimension apart.
The Scarlet Keys Investigator Expansion features six new investigators for Arkham Horror: The Card Game and adds a wealth of new player cards and options for deckbuilding, including new customizable cards that can be upgraded to an investigator’s liking. Support your teammates as the butler, Carson Sinclair; diagnose and treat ailments as the doctor, Vincent Lee; lose tails as the elusive security consultant, Kymani Jones; learn words of eldritch power as the operator, Amina Zidane; capture impossible horrors on film as the photographer, Darrell Simmons; and put together the ultimate task force as the politician, Charlie Kane.
This expansion is a fantastic addition to any Arkham Horror: The Card Game player’s collection, and the cards within can be used to build or enhance investigator decks for any of the game’s scenarios or campaigns.
Mosaic: A Story Of Civilization
Marvel Champions: Mutant Genesis $44.99
The world is always in need of heroes. In order to truly achieve peace, there are times when we must put aside our differences and focus on doing what is right. That is exactly what the X-Men do, and their story is all about their fight to protect a world that hates and fears them. Now, the X-Men have finally joined the fight in Marvel Champions: The Card Game!
As the game’s fifth campaign expansion, Mutant Genesis adds a plethora of classic X-Men characters to the scene, including two new playable heroes, Colossus and Shadowcat, each of which comes with a pre-built deck ready to play from the get-go. Face off against iconic villains, such as Sabretooth, Sentinels, and Magneto, and work together to overcome a fresh batch of challenges. This expansion includes five brand-new scenarios, each of which can be played individually or as part of a larger campaign.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or have only just started playing, anyone who enjoys Marvel Champions won’t want to miss out on Mutant Genesis!
Cyclops $16.99
As Charles Xavier’s first student, nobody is more dedicated to the Professor’s dream of peaceful coexistence than Scott Summers, better known as the hero Cyclops. Armed with powerful optic beams and tactical genius, Cyclops leads his fellow X-Men on their missions as a brilliant field commander. Now, Cyclops leads the charge into players’ games of Marvel Champions: The Card Game! Cyclops is a natural leader and a brilliant tactician, making him a huge asset to any team. With this Hero Pack, players will find Cyclops, his fifteen signature cards, and a full assortment of Leadership cards inviting players to inspire their allies to victory.
For players eager to challenge Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants, they can get started with the Cyclops Hero Pack! This expansion comes with a 40-card pre-built deck, giving players the chance to start playing right out of the box.
Phoenix $16.99
One of the five original X-Men and a powerful psychic, Jean Grey was chosen as host for the cosmic Phoenix Force. As Phoenix, she uses her telepathy and telekinesis to protect mutants and humans alike, but she must always take care to not let the power of the Phoenix Force overcome her. Now, Phoenix blasts her way into players’ games of Marvel Champions: The Card Game! Phoenix is a psionic powerhouse that can draw on the unfathomable power of the Phoenix Force to face down any foe. With this Hero Pack, players will find Phoenix, her sixteen signature cards, and a full assortment of Justice cards inviting them to thwart the villain’s schemes.
For players eager to challenge Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants, they can get started with the Phoenix Hero Pack! This expansion comes with a 40-card pre-built deck, giving players the chance to start playing right out of the box.
Catan: Dawn of Humankind
The first branches of the human family tree sprouted in Africa up to 300,000 years ago. Over the millennia, humans journeyed out, putting down new roots in all areas of the world, evolving, adapting, and innovating as they went.
In Dawn of Humankind, you will guide one branch of the human family to gather resources, migrate, and settle in new areas, all while advancing their technology and culture. The player who is best able to grow and develop their thriving civilization wins!
This fresh and vibrant reboot of the original game The Settlers of the Stone Age is rooted in the classic CATAN gameplay system with plenty of new game mechanisms, strategies, and adventures to discover.
Once again a big shout out to our friends at Dragon’s Lair Comics And Fantasy here in Austin. We couldn’t make this show without them so show them some love!
You can pick up these products this weekend from your FLGS and support your local scene!
