Warhammer Fantasy- Hold Up the Sky!
Rarkthor is here to play the role of Fantasy Anti-Apocalypse Prophet!
Howdy Bell of Lost Souls readership! I have come today to tell YOU why you can hold up the eternally falling sky that is Fantasy 9th edition and the End Times.
Everyone is familiar with the resolution of the End Times series GW has produced. This may spell a massive rework of the game of Fantasy, but truly, it is not as bad as some may say. Regardless of the changes that may be coming to Fantasy, we, as players, have a few alternate solutions other than rushing to Ebay to quickly liquidate all Fantasy factions that MAY become unsupported. Some of these solutions may be unpopular, and I recognize that. In my mind though, any solution is better than letting my beloved Dwarves and Ogres (both factions reportedly on the end of a severe reduction) rot away in a model case, never to see the light of day.
Solution 1: Take the game into OUR hands.
There have been several systems Games Workshop has produced over the years that have fallen out of support. Two major systems that come to mind are Mordheim and Blood Bowl. When I first heard about these systems, I was surprised to hear that they fell out of support. They are both very fun games! Clearly, I am not the only one who thinks so because both systems have been reclaimed by the community.
There are multiple editions of Blood Bowl, with a huge support system (the NAF) sponsoring tournaments and leagues for players. They have even worked out some modifications and alterations for the rules. NOVA Open hosts a Blood Bowl as part of their system events with its own set of modifications.
Mordheim has three different flavors of rule sets, each with their style of game. Several stores that I have frequented have ran Mordheim campaigns, and one store has hosted multiple Blood Bowl leagues. I haven’t even mentioned the video games!
The rules are published; there isn’t a Fahrenheit 451 style GW book burning being planned. We have all the tools. We can take it and change it to suit our preferences.
Solution 2: Alternate Systems
As time goes on, several other systems have been released that function similarly to Fantasy. Kings of War is coming out with a new edition, and the Hobbit Game features several of the same races and factions. Why couldn’t the models be used for these systems instead?
For those RPG players, the models can easily be used for your games! They are pretty well sized for those types of games. It isn’t a tabletop wargame, but you can still use your exquisite Elf lord as a PC or a NPC. There are even Warhammer Fantasy style RPGs out there available to you.
The game may be changing before our very eyes, but I really don’t think the panic is necessarily a reflection of reality. As wargamers, we are an intelligent and creative bunch. We can work to create a game that everyone will love.
How will you respond to Fantasy 9th edition? What other games have been reclaimed by the community? Comment below! Be sure to check out my blog at www.rarkthorshold.blogspot.com for more of my gaming thoughts.
