So...it seems we're all doing this...

It speaks volumes as to the sheer influence 40k has had over the years that it seems we have all been compelled to come out of retirement to comment on the (admittedly scant) information thus far presented on the burgeoning edition.

99 Problemz Biatch

So, I haven't exactly been writing as many articles of late.  I've received mostly positive feedback on the series, so thanks - and I've certainly got a lot of views, which earns me a slightly larger pittance, so thanks again.

Problem is, while I was initially exaggerating somewhat for the sake of the title, I really am finding more and more issues with the game the deeper I delve.

Marine Cost: Brief Analysis.

In my article below, Chumby made the following comment:

"And hey, let them benefit from their armor, it's not like they don't pay for it."

So, I thought we should have a little look at this claim, see to what extent it's the case...

For a baseline, we shall start with Imperial Guard, since they're the best balanced statline, other than of course Marines themselves.  They're cheap, too - and enough things have IG statlines that we can adequately compare points costs and get a decent idea of what exactly Marines do or do not get for free.

A basic Guardsman, as we know, costs 5 points, give or take.  Technically, they don't actually, as that would make the Sergeants free in their squads, but I know most people probably don't agree with me in thinking of it that way...either way, let's just assume that 5 points is a fair cost for 3/3/3/3/1/3/1/7/5+ and a Lasgun.

Well, Marines have a point better in nearly all those stats barring Save, so that's a total of 6 stat upgrades.  If we price these at a point apiece, which is probably a little cheap, our Marine is up to 11 points...not bad, huh?  So, what about equipment? Well, the Marine has a Bolt Pistol, a Bolter, Frags, Kraks - and this is compared to a Lasgun and Frags - so it's going to be at LEAST 3 points worth of gear.  More accurately, a Bolt Pistol is 2 points for a guardsman who has the option, a Bolter commonly 3 points, and Kraks manage to squeeze in at one each - so Marines underpay, at best.

What else? Marines start off with Combat Squads, Combat Tactics and ATSKNF, unless from some variant Codex, but it's a fairer comparison if we only do it in relation to the most common tactical Marines, supposedly the epitome of Marine-hood.

These Marines are 16 points each.  We had one at 14 points, in Flak Armour, and without those rules.  Power Armour, for those GEQs who have the option, costs 8 points.

Since those rules are obviously worth more than a single point apiece (how much would Dark Eldar pay for ATSKHF? How much would Fire Dragons or Orks pay for Combat Squads?!) we know already that the cost is hugely disproportional.

So, no, to answer the original question.

Marines don't actually pay for everything they have.  They'd still underpay for the quality difference between them and IG if they were 22 points each.

Let's get this straight - I play Marines too.  But let's cut the crap and fanboi whining when Marines don't get everything available to Xenos, huh?  Marines get shitloads.

Able Was I, Ere I Saw Elba

REVISED INTRO:
This article was sitting in my drafts section, almost fully-formed, when I stumbled upon it.  I wrote the last two sections today, briefly, but the lion's share of the work was done, and it's a terrible shame I didn't post it back when it was relevant.  I can't even remember the linked articles, and haven't revisited them as it seems a lot less relevant now.  Just though I should finally publish it, since this may actually be one of my better articles, despite almost never seeing the light of day.  Enjoy, and please remember it's about 5th Edition.

ORIGINAL POST:
So, I recently posted a reply in a Comment thread on YTTH (here) listing a bunch of further reading as to why the game is so inherently competitive at points level of below 1500.

Obviously, when I say this, I'm referring to playing at 1k, primarily.  I know that occasionally some people try to play below that, I've seen "Rate my 750 point list!" on forums too many times to be ignorant of the phenomenon, but frankly, you aren't even playing 40k at that level.  You aren't.

Warhammer 40,000 is not a Skirmish game any more.  it's progressed to more of a mid-level engagement thing, with Apocalypse trying to push the boundaries and take it to the kind of scale GW used to be content to represent with the Space Marine/Titan Legions/Epic 40,000/Epic Armageddon games.

When you attempt to turn 40k back into a skirmish game, it simply doesn't function correctly - and I know some people, such as Frontline Gamer, are critical of the way this has meant that 40k has developed into something of a hybrid, a game that aspires to reflect sizable conflict whilst retaining many of the skirmish elements that are the legacy of Rogue Trader... I'm not interested in whether or not the game would be improved by dropping this approach, or simply rewriting it from the ground up  - not at this juncture, anyhow.

A Pathetic Amount of Pitiful Apathy

Well, we've all seen the video by now, we know that GW have FINALLY revealed to the world what everyone with internet access and the ability to read already knew, 6th Edition comes out this summer. They've pulled a little bit of a fast one, moving the date a week forward from the projected date, but given how long it takes them to get into gear I think this was more misdirection on their part to those providing us with rumours than actually plan-changing, the whole VI thing is the kind of thing they thrive on - 'subtle' hints and 'hilarious' "didn't you notice this in this WD photo 3 months back lololol" comments.

The upshot is, of course, that we get the game at the end of this month, and the fact that I have less than a full month of 5e left to enjoy makes it INCREDIBLY difficult to really give all that much of a fuck about the last ever 5th Edition tournament I'll get to play in, on no less than the 23rd/24th of this month.  That's right, Advance Order day will have the blogosphere all abuzz while I'm off playing games of what has suddenly become a stagnant and unthrilling system.

Busy Day/Live Blogging/Ramona A. Stone

Well, there's a couple things I've been falling behind on, mostly due to work - so I'd really like to clear at least a few of them out today, get myself back down to a reasonable workload.

As a result, sadly, this means the post will undoubtedly be scatty and somewhat unfocused.  On the bright side, you should kinda expect that by now. :p

Obviously, Live Blogging is MUCH more fun with other participants, so I'm going to begin in approximately 90 minutes - that gives me time to finish the last mission of Kill Team (Xbox, ofc, not the shitty table-top version) and grab a quick bite to eat, as well as to collect my thoughts and try to make this as efficient as possible.

See you then?

Elves on Dragons, Angry, Angry Elves & Mutant, Scary Elves

So,

I suppose I'm a little bit like Sinsynn in that if I do play a Tabletop wargame, I am immediately attracted to play as an elven faction (In his case, he sometimes goes a tad overboard with his xenos love, but it is something I deeply respect him for). I often ignore the fact that the rules for them may be terrible, disregard the fluff that might dress them up as complete ponces, but I can't get enough of pointy eared freaks.