2012 releases

[simonbeard]

We had a rumour thread running from the start of October, and some single rumours about VC way before that.

Whoops. I retract my statement, and replace it with the following:

We had some Vampire Counts rumors earlier in 2011, and a thread running since October. So, there's really no room for wildcards. It's a good thing we have a thread for collected rumors for the rest of 2012, otherwise it might be hard for people to find all the different rumors that are flying around (as that may have happened to some people with the Vampire rumors last year, although I can't imagine who...). Thanks for keeping us on target, Darnok!

[Starchild]

What I don't get is why the Dark Angels will be in the starter box when they're barely a viable army at the moment, let alone for a beginnner. It would take quite an experienced player to use DA effectively, especially against another power armored force. It doesn't make sense to put them into the box as is without some work first, otherwise the box set is just going to be broken.

Not to mention, darn frustrating for players pulled in to start Dark Angels only to be curb stomped by all the BA, GK, IG, etc. armies. That would be a major factor for new players to leave 40k before barely getting started!

[althathir]

Not to mention, darn frustrating for players pulled in to start Dark Angels only to be curb stomped by all the BA, GK, IG, etc. armies. That would be a major factor for new players to leave 40k before barely getting started!

Most new players get curb stomped, and it seems like when groups start at the same time codex choice seems to matter less (Other than a lot of people have trouble with nids when they're new). Regardless the rumoured contents for DA seem good enough, that people will make it work.

[AkimboGogurts]

Most new players get curb stomped, and it seems like when groups start at the same time codex choice seems to matter less (Other than a lot of people have trouble with nids when they're new). Regardless the rumoured contents for DA seem good enough, that people will make it work.

The Dark Angels codex is so bad right now for new or experienced that the only way to play is to field an entire company of terminators and land raiders, even then victory is scarce for most players. I really doubt they're going to put an exclusively deathwing army in the starter box anyway. They really do need to bring them up to date before releasing them as an entry army.

[samiens]

Because the starter is designed to look cool and get people playing, not provide a neatly balanced intro army to 40k tournament play- GW, probably quite rightly, know that the majority of their customer base don't care for such things.

The big selling points are the models and background- gothic robed marines, in a market saturated with burly marine types, visually sells it as 40k over another sci-fi game. Add in the special relationship between DA and Chaos and You get a strong insight into 40k background.

Of course, if you then a few months later chuck ot an uber codex everyone with their neglected stated set models might be tempted to start DA- win-win if it works!

[simonbeard]

The Dark Angels codex is so bad right now for new or experienced that the only way to play is to field an entire company of terminators and land raiders, even then victory is scarce for most players. I really doubt they're going to put an exclusively deathwing army in the starter box anyway. They really do need to bring them up to date before releasing them as an entry army.

That may be true, I don't know. But this certainly isn't the place to discuss it (since it's not a Dark Angel's codex thread). There's already a rumor about what's in the starter box: Dark Angels and Chaos Legions, and there are no DA codex rumors for 2012. Until we hear otherwise, we're just going to have to deal with not all of the armies being up to date all the time. Ask your friendly neighborhood Dark Eldar and Wood Elves players, they should have some pointers for dealing with it.

[AkimboGogurts]

That may be true, I don't know. But this certainly isn't the place to discuss it (since it's not a Dark Angel's codex thread). There's already a rumor about what's in the starter box: Dark Angels and Chaos Legions, and there are no DA codex rumors for 2012. Until we hear otherwise, we're just going to have to deal with not all of the armies being up to date all the time. Ask your friendly neighborhood Dark Eldar and Wood Elves players, they should have some pointers for dealing with it.

I didn't mean for it to turn into a codex discussion thread, that's just where it ended up going. Sorry. I was just wondering because as of this thread in most rumors/predictions for 2012 releases were mysteriously lacking of any attention to DA. It just seemed logical that they would try to update DA before including them in the starter kit.

[MajorWesJanson]

Given the predicted contents of the starter, they can easily be run with the older DA book, or generic Codex: SM.

[Azzy]

What I don't get is why the Dark Angels will be in the starter box when they're barely a viable army at the moment, let alone for a beginnner. It would take quite an experienced player to use DA effectively, especially against another power armored force. It doesn't make sense to put them into the box as is without some work first, otherwise the box set is just going to be broken.

A) Because they'll be "pretty". B) Your assumptions are based on the current rule set... 6th edition, and the FAQs that bring armies in line with in, may change that entirely.

[TrojanWolf]

I can't remember, but were the DA in the starter set rumoured to have actual DA markings and such on them? If they don't - or the details are relatively insignificant - then it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to use the models as any other flavour of SM. Or just proxy anyway. THEN when the DA actually get their new book, use them as DA.

I suppose painting could be an issue, but if GW sells more starter boxes... don't mind me here, I'm just rambling.

[Spell_of_Destruction]

A) Because they'll be "pretty". B) Your assumptions are based on the current rule set... 6th edition, and the FAQs that bring armies in line with in, may change that entirely.

The only problem with the point you make in B) is that a few of the top tier armies are superior marine 'dexes so it's difficult to envisage changes to the system that would benefit DAs which wouldn't benefit BAs or SWs. Whatever happens, Long Fangs will remain significantly superior to Devastators.

But I totally agree with the other point. People are looking at the boxed set through the eyes of a veteran gamer well versed in the competitive mindset of the internet and tourney scene. New players who are naive to all of that probably won't find anywhere near the same disparity in power levels between armies.

[Elios Harg]

I can't remember, but were the DA in the starter set rumoured to have actual DA markings and such on them? If they don't - or the details are relatively insignificant - then it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to use the models as any other flavour of SM. Or just proxy anyway. THEN when the DA actually get their new book, use them as DA.

I suppose painting could be an issue, but if GW sells more starter boxes... don't mind me here, I'm just rambling.

Well if they're the same models as the paint set then yes. They have specifically Dark Angels shoulderpads

[Rick Blaine]

I haven't seen those yet. Can the shoulder pads be replaced or do they have some special clip-on system that makes them incompatible with the rest of the SM line?

[drbored]

I'm still under the impression that it's going to be Chaos vs. Eldar or DA vs. Tau or DA vs. Eldar or Chaos vs. Tau. Or heck, it might even be Tau vs. Eldar. The least likely combination here, in my opinion, is DA vs. Chaos. Chaos Marine Codex is going to be coming out early (according to some solid rumors) and the DA Codex is... not on the calendar. The next rumored 40k Codices are Tau and Eldar, with either of them slotted into January or February. Dark Angels? All we have on them is the White Dwarf spines (which I still believe implies a White Dwarf Codex).

The only way I see a Chaos vs. DA starter set like everyone seems to be holding onto is if Dark Angels get a White Dwarf Codex to update their rules sooner rather than later.

What would you rather have, Dark Angels lovers? Models in a starter set, or a full-fledged Codex?

[Darnok]

I'm still under the impression that it's going to be Chaos vs. Eldar or DA vs. Tau or DA vs. Eldar or Chaos vs. Tau. Or heck, it might even be Tau vs. Eldar. The least likely combination here, in my opinion, is DA vs. Chaos. Chaos Marine Codex is going to be coming out early (according to some solid rumors) and the DA Codex is... not on the calendar. The next rumored 40k Codices are Tau and Eldar, with either of them slotted into January or February. Dark Angels? All we have on them is the White Dwarf spines (which I still believe implies a White Dwarf Codex).

The only way I see a Chaos vs. DA starter set like everyone seems to be holding onto is if Dark Angels get a White Dwarf Codex to update their rules sooner rather than later.

What would you rather have, Dark Angels lovers? Models in a starter set, or a full-fledged Codex?

No idea how you come to your conclusions, but this is crazy talk.

The starter set will be Dark Angels vs. Chaos Space Marines. Believe it or leave it.

[Captain Collius]

That is foolish dude. There is nothing to support your idea only vague suspicions.

HAstings is a respected rumor monger he put forward the idea not us.

Before that particular rumoor came out most DA players myself included expected a 2014 release.

and also what do you think is going too come between those two xenos codicies because if you look at the release history its PA then non so releasing eldar then tau would break that well established chain.

Edit: Darnok beat me to it.

[Navar]

Just to reiterate the starter is DA versus Chaos.

[MarikLaw]

In before mystery image on WD spine leads to a Dark Angels White Dwarf chapter approved.

[Tymell]

In before mystery image on WD spine leads to a Dark Angels White Dwarf chapter approved.

You know, I still don't get why people call it a "mystery image". It's a 12 month process and you can tell from the first two or three what it is.

[Gorbad Ironclaw]

and the DA Codex is... not on the calendar.

I don't see how this would preclude them from being in the starter set at all. In Warhammer it's High Elves and Skaven. Neither of those armies have 8th edition army books, in fact, High Elves being from 2007 is the 4th oldest army book currently in use, and Skavens got a new book about 8 months before 8th so are unlikely to see a new book any time soon (maybe not during 8th at all).