Warhammer 40K: ‘Boarding Actions’ Have Some Rules Curveballs Coming
Games Workshop is introducing Boarding Actions soon and with it come some interesting changes to the core rules. Get ready for some curveballs.
We got a preview of the Boarding Action rules this week and they look interesting. I appreciate the small tweaks and the design philosophy of “same core rules, but with alterations.” That allows veterans to pick-up and play the game without having to relearn everything. And it allows for new players to start with the same base-line that they can take between a game of Boarding Actions and Warhammer 40,000 propper.
So what are some of these new curveballs that GW is throwing in the mix with Boarding Actions? That’s what we’re here to look at today.
Boarding Actions – Similar… But Different
“Rich Butler: We approached Boarding Actions with a goal of making the minimum amount of changes required to the core rules, for the maximum amount of impact in player experience. It was really important that Boarding Actions felt like a truly distinct experience to the main game, without actually requiring the player to learn a whole boatload of new rules. “
When playing a game with the Boarding Action rules, it’s important to remember you’re playing in the tight and narrow corridors of a Space Hulk or other ship (like an Ark of Omen). They aren’t meant to be very tall. Walls and corridors are claustrophobic — to represent that GW changed up some of the movement rules. But it’s not just movement…
“Walls and closed doors are more than just a visual obstacle in Boarding Actions. When judging distances between two models, you’ll have to measure all the way around them, no matter how close two miniatures are in a straight line. This may seem natural for movement, but it’s also the case when line of sight isn’t needed, such as aura abilities and psychic powers.“
Emphasis added. Aura’s will have to respect the walls and doors, too. That’s already going to be a nice change of pace. And there’s more where that came from.
“Hatchways can be opened and closed with an action, so it’s important to keep an eye on where they are. Infantry waiting in ambush around a corner might suddenly find themselves within range of deadly abilities when a door swings open. “
The idea of having to worry about doors and walls as they can cut off Auras or really redirect movement is exciting. No more worrying about a unit just jumping or climbing over and getting a charge off through a building — you’ve got to go around in this game.
That can help create some exciting situations in regards to ambushing and shooting. But it also creates some more challenges to overcome in terms of coverfire and LoS blocking for friends and enemies.
This LoS change is really going to shake things up. You can’t shoot through friends either. That means you are really going to have to be careful with positioning. Covering fire and also body-blocking will be a real thing in Boarding Actions.
“You can only fire upon a unit if a straight, unimpeded line can be drawn directly from the shooter’s base to the target’s. Other models will block your shooting – friend or foe – so make sure you don’t pack your own troopers into lines of fire. This gives tough units with large bases – like Aggressors and Tyrant Guard – a new role as mobile cover for their squishier comrades.”
I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Melee units are going to very popular and actually viable, too! Just in time for those World Eaters to arrive…
There are more changes coming to Boarding Actions so expect more Stratagems and more options for your games. Personally, I could do without more Stratagems at this point but these are specific to Boarding Actions so I’ll give them a pass.
GW is going to showcase even more rules changes in the future, too. Stay tuned for more ways the game is changing with Boarding Actions.
