"WH40K 7th: Any "New" Forces in the Mix?" Topic

I find myself hoping that the latest, long-anticipated () edition of 40K will bring back some old factions (pre-3rd ed.). Which is a truly sad and naive hope.

I certainly don't frequent the big GW fansites, but I was hoping someone here might know a little something?

I follow Bell of Lost Souls which keeps good tabs on all things GW and there hasn't been any chatter about a new faction. The 7th boxed set is rumored to be Blood Angels and Orks.

Nothing new. In fact I seem to remember them discontinuing something.

I think GW is in full on panic mode. People are leaving 40k in large numbers.

Full on panic mode all the way to the bank.

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GAW is currently at mid 500's but has had peaks out to 800 in the last year. That is a volatile stock and not a sign of underlying health.

GW unlike many companies has the issue that their grassroots support could reach a low enough level that their customer base pretty much collapses overnight (not enough local gamers to regularly get a game, no gaming groups to induct newbies into "the GW hobby").

They do very little direct advertising to new customers, and several recent video game projects that would have lead to a new injection of customers have fallen through (and what recent success they have had isn't on the scale of Dawn of War).

It is my understanding that their profitability in recent years has been due to "efficiencies" and raising price despite a drop in customer numbers.

The GW management in the US has also been closing successful "full service shops" that had only one employee (the manager), but had gaming tables for the loyal customers and a table for demo games for new customers/gamers. The word is that the management is moving to a small hole in the wall shop with smaller square footage (less cost), but no room to place games or intro games. They are shutting down the new gamer/customer base. That is not a long term viable strategy.

There is always a contingent claiming GWs eminent demise. While I have stopped being a customer for some time their two main games 40K and Warahmmer Fantasy seem well and hale in my neck of the woods. However, there are more robust competitors now. Warlord Games for one has taken the historical gaming into a market model that appeals to the GW customer. Flames of War as well tends to pull on GW's customers and they recently took over the DUST franchise which clearly has much in common with a game such as 40K. Then there is Privateer Press which may or may not pull as much but it does seem to be popular in some segments and sure does like to match the GW model for price. Add that there are now quality less expensive options for the fantasy market such as Wargames Factory and Manic. I would be remiss if I did not mention the Reaper Bones figures which has been nothing but brilliant in its marketing.

All that stated I simply do not recognize the current version of either 40k or Warhammer Fantasy Battle. While I still hold onto my 40k out of nostalgia it rarely gets played. And currently I am looking to unload most of my GW fantasy in order to pursue other interests.

The 7th boxed set is rumored to be Blood Angels and Orks.

There was a blurb in the latest White Dwarf that they are going to refurbish the current Dark Vengeance boxed set with the new rule book some time down the road.

I agree with Peterx. Shifting from larger stores with gaming space to a smaller store with no play space is a bad plan.

The rumor I heard, they were doing new IG, Arbites and Ad Mech units/models. A cyber-Gothic over-the-top hi-tech Combat Mess Kit Repair unit for each of those forces. Each trooper will be armed with a chain sword, sonic wrench, and a Power Sword {no ranged weapons, who needs'm ?!}. With the options of adding a Ginsu steak knife set or a can of WD40 for the leaders and robed tech priests. I mean … can it be any sillier then any of the other 40K stuff ?! LOL !!!!

Why is there even a 7th Edition at all? We just got 6th edition two years ago. Why another so soon?

That is the big question Steve. I think some folks have clocked it to just 23 months between editions. Other companies release errata or updates, GW just publishes another huge book for us to buy.

I've said the same elsewhere, but 6th is the last for me. With $50 USD buck hardcovers for codices and the latest info being that the box set won't include the complete rules this time (I used to pick up the boxed set rulebook used to keep up) I'm just not willing to drop $185 USD to keep my 2 armies playable in a game myself and my club members rarely play anymore. At least one of my other club feels the same way.

One more thing.
West Siiiiieeede!!!!

Why is there even a 7th Edition at all? We just got 6th edition two years ago. Why another so soon?

6th edition needs either a major revision, or a surgical alteration, depending on who you ask. GW made too many changes to the game over the course of 6th edition.

There are numerous problems with 6th edition – namely rules exploits and broken combinations of units with special powers creating so-called unkillable "Death Star" units. The quickest way to fix these would be to change the Allies matrix to eliminate the Battle Brothers alliances that enable the broken combos.

However GW is also making some major revisions to other aspects of the rules to rebalance the game – these changes would be rather cumbersome to implement through errata. No doubt people would still complain if they released an intermediate rules update supplement like the 40k version 1.5 Battle Manual that immediately preceded 2nd edition.

As for how this all came to pass – there are 2 causes – GW's lack of proper playtesting and the mistaken assumption that players would respect the background material, and the universal wargamer tendency to extract every ounce of advantage allowed to them by the rules.

I'm just not willing to drop $185 USD USD to keep my 2 armies playable in a game myself

Depending on what armies you play, you might not need to buy a new Codex any time soon. The next updates are going to be the Orks and then Blood Angels or Space Wolves, as these books were last updated in 4th and 5th editions respectively. After that, it will be Dark Eldar and Necrons as they are the only other armies which didn't receive updated 6th edition books. As for whether GW will try to squeeze in 7th edition updates for every Codex, we will have to wait and see.

Really guys, what verision of rules you play among your crew shouldn't be dictated by any one but you & your crew … I'm sure GW/FW won't send Commissars to purge you as heretics …

I'm sure GW/FW won't send Commissars to purge you as heretics

Speaking of Commissars, they have that "It's for your own good" rule where they automatically execute Imperial Guard psykers who suffer Perils of the Warp.

With the new rules introducing Daemonology powers for almost all psykers, they should FAQ the COmmissar rules to have them execute any Imperial Guard psyker who summons daemons!

Why is there even a 7th Edition at all? We just got 6th edition two years ago. Why another so soon?

Because there are many things in 6th Edition that suck and gamers aren't buying up the large overpriced models that GW is trying to push.

I'm just not willing to drop $185 USD USD to keep my 2 armies playable in a game myself and my club members rarely play anymore

Think about some of us who have 5 or more armies; I have Dark Angels, Guardians of the Covenant, Eldar, Imperial Guard & Orks for 40K.

Just to get the Codexes for them I am looking at $350 USD-$400 plus the nearly $90 USD+ for the Rulebook.

So around $500 USD in total.

Just can't afford to do this anymore.

What are "Guardians of the Covenant"?

w.

Spinoff Chapter of the Dark Angels.

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