6th Edition Leaked Rule Set Movement Phase, Part Two.

 
I talked LA Battle Bunker regular Travis Solomon into writing about the leaked 6th edition rule set.  Now it seems that the rule set is an early play test rule set, where a lot of ideas were thrown at the wall to see what stuck.   So the final rule set is probably somewhat more simple than the leak, but it is worth taking a deep look at this rule set as a lot of gamers loved the direction.  So Travis is taking a crack at explaining it to those of us who don't want to actually read the whole thing!

 

The Movement Phase - Part  II

Now that I’ve covered how certain Unit Types move, I'll cover the Movement Phase a bit closer, and detail what actions you can perform and the different types of actions they are.

First off, The movement summary, not gonna go into too much detail but it’s the same as we are used to, just reworded, the same.

First are Mission Objectives.

Checking Objectives comes at the start of the Phase and before anything else happens, and your units have to endure a whole Game Turn to complete an objective.

Next, comes placing Reserves, and as in the rules now, they come before moving any other Units, and can act normally as if they were on the table the turn before.

Now before I go on, I should mention Restore Formation.

Restore Formation sounds exactly as it sounds, you restore any Unit that has lost its Coherency and counts as a type of Consolidation, that happens out of the Consolidation Phase, and is also regarded as a Free Action, and also it does not replace normal Move Actions!

Now continuing on…to Move Actions.

Single Move Actions are given Squad by Squad until all Squads are done moving.  So here is the List of Move Actions.

Turn [Type-Move, Disembarked] The Unit using this Action does not move but turns on the spot, and still counts as Stationary.

Combat Moves [Type-Move] The Unit Moves its MV and enables them to Shoot afterwards, and cannot perform Stationary Actions until it regains Combat Readiness in the Consolidation Phase.

Run/Cruise [Type-Move] The Unit can move up to TWICE its MV but cannot use any Shooting or Stationary actions.

Now that’s pretty basic for the Movement phase, but I’m not quite done.  There is also the Assault Movement Action.

Charge [Type-Move ,Assault, Combat] The Unit  can Charge up to TWICE its MV, but cannot perform any Shooting or Stationary Actions, until they regain Combat-Readiness assuming the combat only lasts one Turn.

Engage [Type-Move, Assault, Combat] The Unit can Move its full MV and is barred from using Stationary Actions.

And that’s it for Assault Actions, now Ill cover Special Actions that have changed from what we are used to already.

Fleet [Foot, Claw, Hoof, Wing, ECT.] The Fleeting Unit adds 2” to their MV, So Infantry would move 8” and run 16”

Rage: If there is an Enemy Model within 12” of the Unit they have to take a Ld Check and if they fail they have to  make a Charge Action towards the closest visible Enemy Unit. The Unit suffers a -1 for every model lost.

So that’s it, I left out a chunk or rules, but they are Verbatim from the 5^th Ed Rules so I don’t think that they need to be mentioned.

I shall cover the Assault phase next and Thank you so much for reading thus far!

The Rumor Mill: 6th Edition starter set to be Dark Angels vs. Chaos

 

75Hastings69 is a poster on Warseer, and has posted some "confirmations" as to what the 6th edition Warhammer 40,000 Starter Set will be.  You can read the entire thread (with everyone chiming in on what they think) here.

Now Hastings seems to be pretty good with his 40K rumors.  He is located in Ireland, so proably knows a chap or two at GW in Nottingham.  Here is what he said on Warseer:

I don't know if the spine images are anything to do with DA, 6th starter or the 25th year of 40k but I do know that most of the stuff posted is correct. 6th starter does indeed feature DA and the forces of chaos, including a nice plastic chaos dread.

...I want to point out that I am only confirming the starter as DA vs chaos NOT the DA & CSM codex release dates. The next 40k releases are :- 'nids, SW, necrons (all models only no codex).

This also confirms what Blood of Kittens said the other day:

The release schedule for 40k 2012 is…

April-May: Dark Angels/Fallen
June-Aug: 6th Ed
Oct-Nov: Chaos Space Marines

Just to be fair, in the same thread, Hastings says 

BTW I'd also like to say the "leaked" 6th is a crock of **** an elaborate and well written crock but a crock non the less.

And that isn't what Beasts of War just said the other day (read about it here).

Oh, the joy of rumors!  But I am putting my hard earned cash on Hastings.  Things are seeming to slide into place.  And what is best about this for GW is that it will drive players who desperately want their Chaos Dreadnoughts to be plastic, to buy them up.  I see an expanding market for Bitz on eBay!

Alec

Black Library releases "Know No Fear" trailer and preview.

"Know No Fear" is the next of the Horus Heresy books.  And Black Library has released information on what is one of the more important battles leading up to the Assault on Terra.  

From The Black Library:

Unaware of the wider Heresy and following the Warmaster’s increasingly cryptic orders, Roboute Guilliman returns to Ultramar to muster his Legion for war against the orks massing in the Veridian system. Without warning, their supposed allies in the Word Bearers Legion launch a devastating invasion of Calth, scattering the Ultramarines fleet and slaughtering all who stand in their way. This confirms the worst scenario Guilliman can imagine – Lorgar means to settle their bitter rivalry once and for all. As the traitors summon foul daemonic hosts and all the forces of Chaos, the Ultramarines are drawn into a grim and deadly struggle in which neither side can prevail.

You can read an extract in PDF form here.

And here is the rather weak video trailer.

I am a total geek about the whole Horus Heresy series and have re-read the first four.  About to start again on "A Thousand Sons".  They really are amazing books, though some better than others.  I just finished "Deliverance Lost" and it was both very cool and revealing, and ultimately unsatisfying.  Still worth the read.

Alec

Are Dark Angels the next 40K release? 6th edition rumors.

 
So the thing everyone is talking about today is the Dark Angels possibly being the next codex, maybe even the army in the 6th edition boxed set fighting Chaos!  Why? 

Turns out the last two White Dwarfs have spines that make up the beginning of an image, which people say looks very Dark Angel-like.  Is this foreshadowing of things to come?

Well, as always, the rumors are all broken at Blood of Kittens .  Here is what TastyTaste there has for us:

As I am sure most everyone has discovered by now: GW has done something actually very cool. They have made a little Cypher (hint…hint) on the bindings of each White Dwarf so far this year. With two issues so far a figure is starting to take shape.

So I think with this little rumor gift from GW I want to reiterate something I have been reporting for the last year or so. Along with knowing now that the 6th box set is done and in production I want to clearly state what has not changed since the release of the Grey Knights.

The release schedule for 40k 2012 is… 

April-May: Dark Angels/Fallen

June-Aug: 6th Ed

Oct-Nov: Chaos Space Marines

There is no Tau, no Black Templars, no Eldar. I want this on the record so strike me down if I am wrong! I am only re-reporting this schedule because I think people have been lead astray by all the false talk of other codices.

I also want to go on the record saying that the Chaos Space Marine codex will not be two books. That was an old rumor from about 5 years ago that got resurrected last year for some infernal reason.

As well another reminder that 6th ed leak pdf is a not the real deal!



Of course, apply the usual dosage of salt to this rumor!

Alec

Zeppelins?

Rich Ditzler is a gamer and scratch-builder who has done some interesting scratch-builds. He uses Zeppelins as Valkryies/Vendettas.   While perusing his blog this caught my eye and so I am reprinting one of his articles here.

 

From Rich:

Well, I spent a lot of time, and a lot of effort to get my lovely zeppelins done for the Mechanicon '10 in (West Chester, PA). I had spend a lot of late evenings, adding fiddly bits to the models and painting, painting, painting. So much so I made myself sick from lack of sleep and probably too much caffeine.

Well what for? Why go through all of this trouble? To make overly complicated models that a handful of people will ever see? I could say I make the models because no one else has. I could say I just want to see if I could make it. should I just say I do it for the gamer groupies? Actually I did it for the first two reasons. (There are no such thing as gamer groupies) I make the models to see if I can realise, what I think is a cool idea, into something you can touch and appreciate.

This army won first place in Best Appearance at Mechanicon 2010. The guys have a great convention and I am very grateful for it. It is THE old school tournament for warhammer 40,000. The gaming garage guys rock and really care about the event and the people who attend it. It really reminds me of the old Grant Tournaments Games Workshop used to put on. I make my stuff and care about my armies to share them with others at the one tournament I go to each year. (I make the time to go to this event!)

The responses I get from my fellow tournament goers was fantastic. Hearing people actually appreciate the work I put into the models is really why I did it. I love catching up with guys I have seen over the years, relaxing for the weekend and playing a few 40k games. The army even preformed well for me. I got a 3-1-1 record. Soon it will be time to get ready for the Cabin Fever event. (which the guys in Harrisburg run) I will be the guy to make it happen, so it will be my turn to host the festivities and see what you guys can do.

 

25th Anniversary Model on advance order

The 40K 25th Anniversary model is up for advance order at the Games Workshop website.

From Games Workshop:

Warhammer 40,000 - 25th Anniversary Model

To celebrate the 25th Birthday of Warhammer 40,000, we've released this special edition miniature based on the Space Marine Captain from the front cover of the Rogue Trader rulebook. Many wargamers will remember the iconic picture of the Crimson Fist Space Marines fighting for their lives against the Orks, with bullets and explosions dominating the backdrop of the piece. This miniature represents the Captain from that piece of artwork, clad in Mark VI armour and armed with a plasma pistol and power fist (complete with severed Ork head). Remember though, this piece is only available while stocks last (and they will almost certainly not last long), so make sure you order yours now!

This pack contains one Warhammer 25 Year Anniversary Model. This model is a finely detailed resin cast miniature supplied as seven components (including a fully detailed base piece), and comes with one 25mm round base and one 60mm round base. This miniature is supplied unpainted and requires assembly - we recommend using Citadel Super Glue and Citadel Paints.

Due to high demand, each Citadel Finecast product is limited to five (5) per customer.

 

 

The 6th Edition 40K ruleset leak is real...just early

So the guys over at Beasts of War have gotten more insight into the leaked 6th edition ruleset and it is fascinating.  And it is also what many have said, that the leak was an early play test.  That we will see SOME of what is in there, but much will change.  And I think that makes a lot of sense since the rule set was a bit complex (though VERY well received by gamers). 

I really urge you to check out the Beasts of War website.  It is certainly the slickest looking gaming site out there and covers every aspect of gaming.  

From Beasts of War:

Yes… you heard that correctly. After a lot of digging and snooping around the inside of the great citadel (or should that be Citadel) that is Games Workshop, we have some very interesting news about t

The 40K Heretics Rulebook is Real… Only it’s Not!

Yes… you heard that correctly. After a lot of digging and snooping around the inside of the great citadel (or should that be Citadel) that is Games Workshop, we have some very interesting news about the so-called Heretics 40K Rulebook… or the 6th Edition Leak for those with little flair for the dramatic!

It turns out that this is in fact an actual early version of the 6th Edition rules… but not quite. Apparently the Design department were let loose on the 40K system… they were allowed to try anything they fancied… we’re told that nothing was off the table. This “no-holds-barred” version was then edited down with the truly unworkable ideas removed and those that could prove to be exciting or contentious left in to be play-tested… so was born the Heretics 40K Rulebook!

This version was sent to trusted play-testers. Who like all trusted minions… were turned by the promise of power… or in this case internet notoriety and likely splurted the document all over the web!

I actually found this explanation to be not just more plausible (than the lone gunman theory) but a real breath of fresh air from the ‘Ivory Citadel’, and to me at least it shows a high level of innovation within the design team, and also shows that there is no shortage of ideas knocking around in there.

Word has it the design team had a real blast with this iteration of the rules (loved it apparently) but spotted alot of potential for asshats to ruin it for everyone else with unbalanced lists etc.

And there you have the crux of the issue the design team face, they could probably create a massively fun game at the drop of the hat, and simple folk like me wold love them dearly for it, but alas there is a whole other side (some say dark, Darrel says only!) to our hobby and that is the competitive win at all costs play.

So, fun as they may be, they’re not the final (or indeed likely to be anything like the complete) rule set for 6th edition… but what were we told about the actual 6th Edition Rules?

Well some really interesting stuff. For a start here’s what will not be included from the Heretics Rulebook:

Evasion Values are Out – well this was a given… I’m sure every Dark Eldar player was praying for the day that their skimmers and flyers didn’t fall over in a stiff breeze, but that’s not all. Our Man in Havana has told us that Dark Eldar players will be very pleased with the 6th Edition updates.

Could that mean an overhaul of the skimmer rules… could it mean more deadly flyers?

Of course it could mean one, both or neither. However, more robust transports would make the Dark Eldar much more deadly… so keep your eyes peeled for more revelations.

The Turn Sequence will remain the same – The biggest shake-up and the one that would mean a rewrite of Assault weapons and the death of certain “shooty armies” ( Tao ), was the turn structure that put charging/melee before shooting. I would say it was unrealistic, but in a world of extra-terrestrial and supernatural horrors, where mankind has moved to the stars… that’s probably a bit redundant.
Anyway… the turn structure will remain the same as it is now.

No Unit by Unit Activation – Yup that was pretty disappointing for me, (but who knows everything we have been told could well be misinformation too!) I was sooo looking forward to faster more intricate games with that option.

Gargantuan Creatures will remain with Forge World & Apocalypse Games – That’s right… probably no supersized tanks and critters for the main rulebook… but does that mean we won’t get any Aracknarok-sized monsters?
 

Well it hasn’t been ruled out, and as Land Raiders are already that size, it’s doesn’t take a genius to think we’ll be getting more big kits.
In fact that was one of the discussions… we all like to gripe about GW prices.

However, it was explained that GW are investing all the time in new kits, new moulds, more people (sculpting team is largest its ever been apparently) and a bigger and better gaming experience… you can take that at face value if you wish… but if it means more plastic kits (and fewer Finecast), and more big bad creatures and machines is it worth it?

So who will be writing this new 6th Edition Rulebook I hear you cry?

Well as you can imagine the creation of a new rule set of this scale is a team effort… but some poor soul has to captain this vessel… so who is it?

Well… that really is top secret and even we couldn’t get the name (and you can’t use thumbscrews these days!)… but we did find out who it isn’t.

So here are a few names who might be involved, but won’t be the lead writer… Matt Ward, Robin Cruddace and Phil Kelly… but if not one of them… then who?

Will you need an update to your existing Codex when 6th Edition launches?

We’re told that the new rule book was written to take into account the latest releases and so there’s no need to post a massive errata.
However, we know that there are many codices that need a revamp. So I’m very sceptical that there will be “no need for an FAQ”.

Although I’m always prepared to be proven wrong.

So, there you go… that was an interesting conversation… and it doesn’t stop there.

We got some more great bits of info that we’ll be able to share with you… but not quite yet… you’ll need to be patient.

However, until then… feel free to speculate all you want… or post a question. Perhaps we can call a few guys and see if we can get you the inside track.

Big caveats on this guys, in that while we’re confident that the contents of the article are accurate you are relying on our sources, and… well… there could be many ways in which it may not be accurate (not necessarily deliberate by a source either!) so take it that its just part of the business these days that while we do our best, there are no guarantees!

All of that aside, is the Heretics 40K Rulebook good enough, different enough to warrant a following of its own? (I’m so tempted its unreal!)

BoW Warren

Forgeworld New Releases - Necron Scarab Swarms and Ork Weapons

NECRON SCARABS SWARM

Canoptek Scarabs can be found scurrying hither and yon through the vast and dusty halls of a Necron Tomb World. Seemingly mimicking the behaviour of organic invertebrates, a Scarab’s only purpose is to break matter down into energy. On the battlefield, swarms of Scarabs are unleashed both as expendable assault waves and to latch on to and destroy enemy armoured vehicles.
The Necron Scarab Swarms kit, contains 12 finely detailed multi-part resin Canoptek Scarabs – enough models to build three swarm bases. Models designed by Will Hayes. This kit is available to pre-order now for despatch from the 10th February.

 

ORK VEHICLE WEAPONS

Ork Mekboyz are unable to resist tinkering with their mechanical creations, in particular bolting on extra weapons until their vehicles bristle with gun barrels. It is debatable if this is to provide additional firepower or simply to give the Ork passengers something to shoot wildly into the air as the trukk, trakk or wagon careens toward the enemy. The Ork Vehicle Weapons Set contains four weapons: a big shoota, twin-linked big shoota, rokkit launcha and skorcha. Models designed by Will Hayes. Each weapon is supplied with a set of optional gunner arms, and can be mounted on any of the vehicles in our Ork range, as well as on the plastic kits available from Games Workshop. This set is available to pre-order now for despatch from the 10th February.

Countdown on Dicebucket?

Most of you know that Games Workshop doesn't allow retailers to have a web store or web cart in order to sell their items online.  It is specifically prohibited by the Games Workshop retailer agreement.  You can get away with it in Canada and The UK, but not in the USA.  Now most retailers don't mess with this.  Because if you get caught, there are serious ramifications.  If GW thinks you didn't know, they will just give you a Cease and Desist Letter.  But, if you are really trying to ignore GW rules, you risk getting banned.  GW will not only stop selling to you, but will make sure the distributors don't sell to you.  Yeah, they can do that.  

So how does Dicebucket get away with it?  They are a big advertiser on Bell of Lost Souls. 

Dicebucket has a shopping cart and advertises Games Workshop products using GW IP, clear violations of the GW retailer agreement.  They advertise a 20% - 25% discount and they have been doing so for months now.

http://www.dicebucket.com/servlet/StoreFront

Recent discussions with Games Workshop were quite revealing.  I asked the GW personnel why was Dicebucket still up if they were violating GW rules.  And while they couldn't give specifics, it seems that they are well aware of the situation and are waiting to have solid information before shutting them down.

You see, Dicebcket is VERY secretive.  They have a private listing for their website, and they don't have a phone number or address listed on their site.  Very crafty, and very shady in my opinion.  Dicebucket is certainly trying to hide their identity.  And they think they can get away with it.  

I am sure they do something to hide their return address on packages.  But will it save them?  No.  Come on, really?  You are dealing with Games Workshop, a $ 200M+ International concern who sued a 2 man outfit known as Chapterhouse Studio.  You think they are going to let Dicebucket screw them?  It doesn't take a genius to figure out who Dicebucket is.  And GW will, and my bet is Dicebucket is gone in 2012.

My two cents.

Alec

Eldar Nightwing Scratchbuild

Andy Hicks from the UK didn't start scratch-building with his Eldar Pegasus super-heavy flyer.  He had practice and here is one of his creations.

From Andy:

1. For this new design of Nightwing I wanted to create something that looks nimble, fragile, fast, deadly and significantly smaller than the bulky Forge World model.

2. The cockpit takes shape. The high, curved tail and the pod-like cockpit echoes the design of the Forge World Dark Eldar Raven Fighter (which looks much faster and dangerous than their Nightwing). As the two Eldar factions have distant, common technological ancestry, I wanted to make my Nightwing at least look vaguely similar to the Dark Eldar flyer.

 

 3. The underside of the cockpit.

4. The underside of one of the wings.

 5. The wings, nearing completion.

 6. The completed Nightwing.

7. The Nightwing on its magnetic flying stand.

 8. Another view of the completed Nightwing.

 9. The underside of the completed Nightwing.

 10. A close-up of the Nightwing's engines.

11. A dorsal view of the Nightwing.

 

 12. A ventral view of the Nightwing.

13. A frontal view of the Nightwing, showing the wing configuration.

 

 14. A rear aspect of the Nightwing and its four engines.

Check out Andy's site for more Eldar goodness.

25th Anniversary Model shown in French White Dwarf

The new French White Dwarf shows us what to expect for the 40K 25th Anniversary miniature from Games Workshop.

Translation:

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rogue Trader, which forever changed the face of miniature wargaming, we're immortalizing in Citadel Finecast the very first star of Warhammer 40k.

The evocative illustration from the cover of Rogue Trader leaves no doubt; in the far future there is only war. In the center of the immage a Crimson Fist captain holds an Ork's head. Juan Diaz has sculpted a miniature based on this Space Marine captain, brandishing his grisly trophy in his power fist, a plasma pistol in his other hand. The kit includes a display base with the proud Crimson Fist standardin in the background. Alternatively you can use a regular base so that the captain can lead a squad of Crimson Fists into the heart of battle.

The Big Game - L.A. Location wrap -up

Well, the Big Game was certainly an amazing event.  We had a smaller turnout for last year, and while I haven't even had the time to total points, we were around 450,000.  But what the game lacked in quantity, it certainly made up for in quality.  Here are some thoughts on the L.A. Battle Bunker game in The Big Game II.

WHAT WENT WELL

1)  The table set up was awesome.  Playing across the 8' width, rather than 4' works perfectly if you offset the tables as we did.  

2)  We had 4 different Battlezones, with a different Xenos race in each one.  So Zone 1 (4 tables) was all Orks.  Zone 2 (3 tables) was Chaos, and Zone 3 (4 tables) was Eldar.  We had a 4th zone that was a single table that was Tau and Necrons.  Everyone liked playing with similar forces. And it gave the game a lot of flavor.

3)  We capped points at 20,000 per person.  And actually, most of us agree even THAT is too many for one person in a timed game.  I know I felt I had too much stuff.

4)  Timed turns are a must and push people along.

5)  I had two helpers who handled registration, pizza, snacks and soda.  That took a lot of stress off of me and made registration go smoothly.

6)  We had prizes for Best Army, Best Scratchbuild, Best Warmachine, Best Titan and Best Unit.  Tom McBride donated prizes and everyone loved it.  

WHERE WE NEED TO IMPROVE

1)  We need to develop a story line for each game.

2)  We need to vary the tables and scenarios.  We have these great bridges and we need to use them to help create interesting table set ups.

3)  Keep focused on the quality of the game, not beating the records.

4)  We need to work on the GLOBAL game.  More locations, more coordination.

One question is why the much lower turnout in L.A. this year?  Well, a few reasons.

First, we didn't allow unpainted models this year and that was about 130,000 points last year.  We felt that if we are going to be the best event of its kind, we needed people to be serious about bringing painted armies.

Second, we had a couple players last year who brought 50-100,000 point armies.  And this year they each brought 20,000 points.

Finally, we didn't have a great turnout from the LA area GW stores, where last year they really pushed the game.

That being said, it was an amazing event, and we had Romeo and Kyle from 40K Radio out and they were awesome and did one of their podcasts at the game.

So, here are some photos (more to follow).


Table 1 (4 - 4x8 tables)  Orks vs. Imperium

Table 2 (3 - 4x8 tables)  Chaos vs. Imperium 

Table 3 (4 - 4x8 tables) Eldar vs. the Imperium   The Clash of Titans

Table 4 (4 - 4x8 tables) Tau/Necrons vs. the Imperium 

I am counting up the results tomorrow, but it was a huge win for Xenos in L.A.!

And we got on Games Workshop's main site:

More to come!

Alec

Dreamforge Leviathan Criusader for sale

 

I have a Dreamforge Games Leviathan Crusader for sale. I just got my amazing Forgeworld Reaver Titan built and painted by Aaron Lovejoy (photos coming), and so I decided to sell my Crusader to help pay for it.  The Crusader retails for $ 375, but I got it at the pre-release price of $ 325.  You can have it for $ 275 plus shipping (which should be no more than $ 10).

 And a size comparison with a Warhound and Reaver:

Alec