GW Announces WH40K 8th edition

[Dai-Mongar]

There's an article on the Warhammer Community site about the new stat lines.

Basically, they're adding a Move stat and dumping the Initiative stat, WS and BS are now straight rolls to hit (3+ or whatever), and a lot of models will be getting more wounds (though powerful weapons will deal multiple wounds worth of damage).

In addition, as previously rumoured, vehicles will now use the same stat lines but with higher values, as stats will not be limited to a maximum of 10. The will also be damage tables for vehicles that reduce their effectiveness as they take wounds.

[Erifnogard]

I didn't have a problem with the concept of what they were doing with Age of Sigmar rules-wise (I hated the new fluff but that was easy enough to ignore).  The thing I absolutely despised was the lack of a viable means to build forces that didn't involve wildly guessing at balance.  I didn't even care if it was a point system or something else but to have nothing at launch was unforgivable for a strategy game.  Thankfully, they seem to have learned that lesson so I look forward to seeing what they do with the new 40K rules.  Heck, I've said for years that they were cutting their own throat by having expensive rulebooks when what they really should be trying to sell is the miniatures.

 

And as others have said, worst case I just play something different if it isn't for me. 

[izzylobo]

10 hours ago, Sergeant_Crunch said:

Regarding per model price, I've got the starter box for the Battle of Vedros on order through the FLGS.  It won't be enough to start a full-sized force, but I get a good start on one at about $2 per figure...and it includes a Dreadnought.  It's basically a repackaging of models from the Assault on Black Reach set.

 

This is the same with the two boxes I'm currently buying/interested in - 

 

Burning of Prospero contains - 2 Champions (Ahriman and Grigor), 30 Space Marines in Mk III armor, a squad of 5 Tartaros-pattern Terminators, a squad of 5 Custodes, and a squad of 5 Sisters of Silence, plus assorted game stuff - all for less than the cost of the MK III Space Marines.  

 

In similar fashion, the Talons of the Emperor box has a Land Raider, a Rhino, a Contemptor-pattern dreadnought, a squad of Sisters of Silence, and a squad of Custodes - for about what the Land Raider and dreadnought would cost together. 

 

And these aren't bargain sprues - they're exactly the same sprues that are in the unit retail boxes, just repackaged. Which is a tremendous value in terms of excess bits, in some cases. 

 

The Start Collecting boxes are also usually very good to exceptionally good deals, depending on exactly what faction box you're looking at.

Edited April 26, 2017 by izzylobo

[Zink]

I'm glad to hear about GW turning things around. They were a big part of my life from the late 80s to the early 2000s and I still own hundreds of their minis. I quit playing their games about 10 years ago because of rules changes, finding others games and mini companies that gave me more bang for my buck and the general nasty attitude that was coming from GW HQ. I'm not an Age of Sigmar fan, either the rules or the looks of the new models but I still occasionally pick up some older Warhammer minis. I have a few 40k armies (squats, imperial guard, armoured company and eldar) but haven't played in years. Not sure if the new rules will bring me back but it's interesting because I wouldn't have to buy a lot to try it out.

[Reaperbryan]

18 hours ago, TheAuldGrump said:

But, agreed, a healthy GW is better for the industry - and the company is looking healthier than it has in a long time.

 

So much truth in this. People often wonder why we're so friendly about allowing discussion of "our competitors" on our forums, showcasing their minis, and allowing their minis in our painting contests. Ultimately, this is why. Because as one rises, so rise we all. The tide carries all boats, great and small. And while some boats may sink and not bring down the fleet, the fleet is strongest when the boats in the lead are hale and strong.

[TheAuldGrump]

7 minutes ago, Reaperbryan said:

 

So much truth in this. People often wonder why we're so friendly about allowing discussion of "our competitors" on our forums, showcasing their minis, and allowing their minis in our painting contests. Ultimately, this is why. Because as one rises, so rise we all. The tide carries all boats, great and small. And while some boats may sink and not bring down the fleet, the fleet is strongest when the boats in the lead are hale and strong.

And the wiser companies in the industry realize this - heck, in one of the Skull & Shackles adventures, Paizo actually suggested a 'competitor's' product over one of their own. (Quotes were needed there because Paizo also sells the competing product - so they still get a cut, making it a win-win situation.)

 

One of the ways the previous CEO had damaged GW was to turn public relations away from the company - via lawsuits, C&D orders, and even blocking a charity book on Amazon in defense of IP they did not own. (This last garnered them international attention, far beyond the gaming industry.)

 

The new head seems to be doing a better job, and to have a better grasp on the business.

 

The Auld Grump

[Lars Porsenna]

Discussion on how weapons work in the new edition: http://forum.reapermini.com/index.php?/topic/74174-gw-announces-wh40k-8th-edition/&page=4#comment-1541408

 

 

Damon.

[Reaperbryan]

35 minutes ago, Lars Porsenna said:

Discussion on how weapons work in the new edition: http://forum.reapermini.com/index.php?/topic/74174-gw-announces-wh40k-8th-edition/&page=4#comment-1541408

 

 

Damon.

your link points to my comment 3 posts above.

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/26/warhammer-40000-weapons/

[Lars Porsenna]

17 minutes ago, Reaperbryan said:

your link points to my comment 3 posts above.

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/04/26/warhammer-40000-weapons/

 

This quoting system in the new forums confuses me...

 

Damon.

[Jeneki]

8th edition already?  Wow I feel so out of the loop.  The last 40k I played was 3rd edition, after a bit of experience with 2nd and Rogue Trader.  Unfortunately, certain key fundamentals in the rules have never aligned with my tastes.

 

But I'm always willing to paint up psycho dudes with guns, and this will undoubtedly bring us more psycho dudes with guns, so bring on the psycho dudes with guns!

[Reaperbryan]

A quick check for editions has Wikipedia say this:

1Rogue Trader (1987)

2Second Edition (1993) 6years

3Third Edition (1998) 5 years

4Fourth Edition (2004) 6 years

5Fifth Edition (2008) 4 years

6Sixth Edition (2012) 4 years

7Seventh Edition (2014) 2 years

So 8th Edition 2017 will be 3 years since the previous edition.

 

A lot of people said that 7th Edition was basically "6th Edition, revised" (or 6.5e) with the primary differences being to fix mechanics that failed to work when applied across the larger game but worked fine in very specific circumstances (standardizing flyers, mostly?). 

 

All of my codexes and books(except 2, I have 2 books from mid 7e for Tyranids) are 5th Edition or third (third having been before I was employed by Reaper!), having been able to use co-workers books for what I needed, and skate by. I'll probably get my own copy of 8th, and let this edition be the one where my co-workers crib from my books, like the halcyon days of 5.

 

Overall I'd say 4 years for a new edition, with the frequency at which new models and new rules come out is not unreasonable. Every few years the new armies and new models need to be reconciled with the larger rulebook, and that's ok by me.  Although it's usually the case that the Edition is only minor tweaks and the overall game has remained the same - sometimes shooting is king, others melee, but mostly, if you played one, you understand the others. 8th seems to be a departure from many time-honored rules, like WS being a flat Target Number now, instead of comparing WS vs WS. (which i support this change. I can't memorize my own army's stat line, using printed sheets, let alone memorize yours too, so literally every die roll I'm asking, "what's your WS? ok, now what's your toughness? and the chart says..." and I think I waste more time reading the book than playing the game. SW:A uses a similar mechanic, but not entirely the same as what they've previewed, and it plays much faster, where I can roll to hit without asking, and then only need to ask about Str Vs Tough to wound.)

[Darkmeer]

The last time I touched 40k was in Second Edition...  wow.  I loved the old models.  Still do.  The old Rogue Trader models and the early metal Orks and Space Marines and early plastics are still some of my favorites (yes, horrendous by today's standards, but I still like them).  I'm a fan of smaller skirmishes myself, RT is probably better for me or something else entirely such as Necromunda or Inq28 (the fan scaledown of the Inquisitor ruleset which was 40mm scale).

 

I am curious what they do with the new edition, especially withthe Fall of Cadia, and what storylines they follow with the Eldar and Dark Eldar storylines...  I follow this all lightly. 

 

Also:  I really appreciate your breakdown above of the editions there @Reaperbryan.  It was exactly the type of breakdown I was looking for.  Thank you. 

 

 

[Reaperbryan]

41 minutes ago, Darkmeer said:

The last time I touched 40k was in Second Edition...  wow.  I loved the old models.  Still do.  The old Rogue Trader models and the early metal Orks and Space Marines and early plastics are still some of my favorites (yes, horrendous by today's standards, but I still like them).  I'm a fan of smaller skirmishes myself, RT is probably better for me or something else entirely such as Necromunda or Inq28 (the fan scaledown of the Inquisitor ruleset which was 40mm scale).

 

I am curious what they do with the new edition, especially withthe Fall of Cadia, and what storylines they follow with the Eldar and Dark Eldar storylines...  I follow this all lightly. 

 

Also:  I really appreciate your breakdown above of the editions there @Reaperbryan.  It was exactly the type of breakdown I was looking for.  Thank you. 

 

 

They just released a very Necromunda-asque 3-10 model per side skirmish game called Shadow War: Armageddon. I've managed to get in 2 games so far, and got thoroughly trounced by the Necrons* and then beating the Genestealer Cult.

 

*although in the post-battle "roll to see if your casualties survived after all" phase, I came out far better than the winner, gaining 2 free advancements for the trouble (I explained them as surgical enhancements made by the Apothecary/Chirurgeon) in addition to my normal 1 free advancement for playing. My Mechanic forces now have hatred: Necron and are better at stealth

[Werkrobotwerk]

20 minutes ago, Reaperbryan said:

They just released a very Necromunda-asque 3-10 model per side skirmish game called Shadow War: Armageddon. I've managed to get in 2 games so far, and got thoroughly trounced by the Necrons* and then beating the Genestealer Cult.

 

*although in the post-battle "roll to see if your casualties survived after all" phase, I came out far better than the winner, gaining 2 free advancements for the trouble (I explained them as surgical enhancements made by the Apothecary/Chirurgeon) in addition to my normal 1 free advancement for playing. My Mechanic forces now have hatred: Necron and are better at stealth

creating your own iron hand straken are you?

[Reaperbryan]

29 minutes ago, Werkrobotwerk said:

creating your own iron hand straken are you?

My Mechanicum forces are far superior to any of the simple Astra Militarum. We're blessed by the Omnissiah.