Warhammer 9th edition

[Rogue]

So for those who are not in the know, there is a new edition that has dropped for Warhammer 40K. That's right folks, we are now in the 9th edition. As what they did the previous edition they have produced a free PDF of the rules that you can find here:

https://www.warhammer-community.com/...Sx1R8sU7cQ.pdf

The new starter box set is going to be Space Marines of the Primaris variety(shocking I know) and Necrons. I have not fully read the rules so I am not going to comment on what I think about it.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

Thank you! Been tied up for a couple of years, now trying to catch up!

[Rogue]

You and me both actually. Now that I have some time to myself I can finally get some painting done, when I am not on places like warseer.

[MadHatter]

well then then i shall be three. I am not sure I like all the changes. Especially since without Initiative my weak Banshees no longer get to strike first. And i am not sure how effective they might be on the table top.

I see the marines now have primus and have all kinds of flying stuff now. I have not seen thier new codex so i do not have any real judgement. But from a glance it just screams to me; Power creep so marines are the most powerful thing now. play nothing else.

[Rogue]

It's worse than you think for the marines. Only if you play "Primaris" do you get all of the cool new toys. "Firstborn" Marines(the old marines that you know and love) seem to have frozen themselves in time at around the 7th edition. So they have a few flyers that were added to their list, but that is it. I have two chapters of old school marines, Crimson Fists and a homemade chapter that I am fleshing out. I for one won't be going the primaris route at all. Their models don't appeal to me, I don't like the story line of them, and I don't like what I have seen so far from them game-wise.

As far as the Banshee's I would wait until you get a codex out on the Eldar first. Primaris Marines were not the be-all end-all, and I doubt that they will continue to be as well.

I did get a chance to read the rules a few months ago, and the best way that I can describe it is "watered down." That can be a good thing in that you don't really need to remember much for the rules, but if you are looking for more detail in your game, then you may be disappointed. I would prefer to get a few games to pass final judgement, whenever that happens.

[MadHatter]

I agree. I am not a fan of the new primaries marines. And have no plans to add them to my marine army. And if the firstborn go the way of tome kings then I will stop buying marines.

I am still learning the 9th edition game. But I would prefer to return to the old school rules. lol I am sure that is the feeling of all the old timers.

[Rogue]

Playing previous editions is gaining in popularity these days. I for one refuse to play AOS and will only play the 6th edition of WFB, with a very few amended rules from the 7th.(See the link to classichammer in my sig for more details) As far as a previous edition of 40K, I prefer the 5th edition with again a very few amended rules from the 6th. As stated earlier, I really do want to play a few games of the 9th before I completely write it off.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

The new blast rules appear to be the result of the Big Gun GW honcho's rolling too many ones, and not wanting to spend money manufactoring and stocking templates again.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

The 5 inch vertical unit coherency/ engagement range, sounds like a defense against striking scorpions, wraithblades materializing on the floor above your troops!

[Thingol of Iyaden]

Hey Rogue, I'm curious as to how you work with eldar using 5th edition rules?

[Commissar von Toussaint]

Thanks for the link!

I gave up being "current" years ago, but I'm interested to see the state of the game.

One thing that immediately stands out is GW's continued tension between trying to simplify the rules while maintaining massive unit types, all of which have to be differentiated in some way from each other.

It sounds like they are trying to keep the "generic special rule" thing going and apparently two wound troopers are now a thing. Huh.

I'm not sure what the point of the morale rules are, other than to inflict additional "kills." There doesn't appear to be a rally mechanic, which is sad because it was always fun to have a unit rout early and then do a timely rally to help save the game.

I guess this means I'm now officially seven editions behind the curve. I started with 2nd, did the upgrade to 3rd but burned out before it became 4th and went back to 2nd.

Think of all the money I saved in rule books over the years!

[Thingol of Iyaden]

As some one who has kept buying them. You have saved close to $900 USD. The "General special rule" has been replaced with "Key words" and Stratagems,

[Thingol of Iyaden]

As an example; the Dark Reaper exarch still has the "Crack shot" ability, but can replace it with one of six others ( add 6 inches to range for the unit's reaper launchers, or exarch can target a character, etc), or pay 1 command point for the stratagem and once per battle, exarch can "Fast shot", just like old times!

[Commissar von Toussaint]

As an example; the Dark Reaper exarch still has the "Crack shot" ability, but can replace it with one of six others ( add 6 inches to range for the unit's reaper launchers, or exarch can target a character, etc), or pay 1 command point for the stratagem and once per battle, exarch can "Fast shot", just like old times!

Here again we see the tension between GW's need to sell ever more models and the difficulty of keeping the rules from becoming too complex for anyone to know if they work (let alone balance properly).

Looking back at 3rd as it transitioned to 4th, that was definitely a factor in my dropping out. It was (and still is!) possible to have a very good grasp of all six armies of 2nd edition. I was able to keep up with 3rd, but the new armies (Dark Eldar, Tau, fleshed-out Necrons) plus the sub-armies for the old Chaos, Imperial and Marines, made it really difficult to keep up with what was going on.

I like the use of armor save modifiers, and the system as a whole seems more intuitive, but there still seems a lot of needless dice rolling. Why not just double Advance (i.e. "running") movement rates? Why not test for a squad (two dice, one time) and they either stay or run?

GW seems oddly addicted to compressing as many dice rolls into the game as possible and I'm not sure why. Random doesn't mean fair, it means randomly distributed unfairness.

[Rogue]

Hey Rogue, I'm curious as to how you work with eldar using 5th edition rules?

Perhaps we need to setup an thread on playing 40K in older editions. To answer your question, I really need to review the book and see what I would add or augment. One of the rules that would help from the 6th would be Overwatch. Outside of that, I really don't know as Eldar was not an army that I played in the 5th. If you have any other ideas, I am all ears.

On a different note, I live in NC which is too far for the usual game, but I do(or did) end up in your part of the world from time to time.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

Personally, feel that rolling dice for charge distance is done for two reasons: First, It panders to those who "test" their dice, and use only high rollers; Second, It keeps GW immune to copyright lawsuits. Otherwise it doesn't make any sense, but has persisted for so long.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

Sorry, coffee pot is still perking away, but yes a separate thread for an "Ideal" 9th or 10th rule set. Might be wise!

[Thingol of Iyaden]

I like being able to purchase/ outfit my troops to match their opponent (2nd ed.). The Force org chart in the big rulebook should only apply to space marines and IG, all others should have one tailored to them, and example would be the craft world eldar supplement for 3rd ed..

[Thingol of Iyaden]

If eldar are to remain IG equivalent then 4th edition's treatment of warlocks. Specifically, as you purchase a unit of guardians or support batteries. You have the option to upgrade the unit with a warlock (ie, the warlock is apart of the unit cost). Note: Due to the usual forgeworld/GW interactions the wraithseer is a warlock equivalent.

[Thingol of Iyaden]

6th edition's Autarch's weapon list needs a ranger long rifle added. After all the rangers have a phoenix lord even thou not "Aspect" warriors. Next, undoing the multi edition wrongs such as, returning Maugen Ra back to being a harlequin phoenix lord, giving dark reapers a phoenix lord with a 60 inch range launcher, exodites and harlequins need their heroes/ leaders.