Xintao | 22 Apr 2017 6:33 a.m. PST |
From Warhammer Community Website A new edition of Warhammer 40,000 is on the way!To many of you, this will be an awesome surprise. To others, an exciting confirmation of what you already suspected. For all of you, we're sure it heralds questions aplenty. Here then is an FAQ* that answers a few of them. For more news and information over the coming days and weeks, make sure you check out warhammer-community.com where we'll be running daily articles on all things Warhammer 40,000. There'll be news, there'll be rules previews, there might even be some pictures of new models… Is my army still valid? Yes, it certainly is! You'll still be able to use your army in the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. All current armies will be supported with new rules. Can I still use all my models? Yes. Every Warhammer 40,000 miniature we sell today will be usable in the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. What's more, they'll be supported with new rules, which will be available from the get go in handy, low-cost books. Even Forge World models? Yes, even all of your Warhammer 40,000 Forge World models**. Wait, did you guys blow up the universe? Nope. This is very much still the Warhammer 40,000 setting you know and love. Now, that's not to say we won't see the story advance – there's some pretty epic stuff ahead! You can certainly expect to see the story arcs that began in the recent Gathering Storm campaign books continue to unfold with plenty of exciting developments to look forward to… How can I get the rules? We're going to make it easier than ever to get your hands on the rules and start playing. The core rules for the game will be free, and you'll have several options on how you get your hands on the full rulebook. Watch this space for more. Have you dumbed down 40K? Not at all. We've made it easier for new people to enter and get to grips with the basics. At the same time, we've made sure you can add as much depth and complexity as you like – there's some fantastic new gameplay elements coming. What we've done is reexamine every aspect of the game, and made plenty of improvements, many based on the gaming community's feedback and suggestions. If you play today, this game is recognisably still Warhammer 40,000. What happens to my codexes? The rules in our current range of Warhammer 40,000 codexes aren't compatible with the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. These books will be going off sale very soon. If you do want to pick any up, now's the time – as all of the great hobby content and background information will be as valid as ever. What's in the new starter box? A new starter box? That'd be exciting! I guess we'd fill it with some awesome new miniatures… (come on, we can't spoil all the surprises for you!) Are you getting rid of points? Not at all. There will be a full points system, for use in matched play – one of three ways to play covered in the rulebook. What do you mean "3 ways to play"? We realise that people like to play Warhammer 40,000 in different ways. 3 broad systems are covered in the new edition: 1) Open play is the most flexible, and easiest to get started with, allowing you to use any miniatures you like. 2) Narrative play is where you can refight the iconic battles of the 41st Millennium, or create your own campaigns and sagas. 3) Matched play is designed for more balanced and competitive games, ideal for gaming clubs, leagues and tournaments. However you want to enjoy playing Warhammer 40,000, there will be rules for that. Why should I not just stick with current Warhammer 40,000? This is the version of Warhammer 40,000 you've been asking for. We've listened to your feedback, and we really believe that this is the best Warhammer 40,000 has ever been. Will the rules be updated annually (ala, the General's Handbook)? What a great idea! We've had such a fantastic response to our community-led approach with the Warhammer Age of Sigmar rules updates that we're committed to doing the same for Warhammer 40,000. You'll be able to submit your questions and queries on the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page and we'll make sure we continue to evolve the game as feedback rolls in. I haven't played 40K in a while… Welcome back! The new Warhammer 40,000 is easier to learn and quicker to play, but still has all the tactical, strategic and narrative depth you could want from a game set in the incredibly rich setting of the 41st Millennium. It's going to be easier than ever to get started, and more fun than ever to master. Why should I trust you? Come on! This is New Games Workshop™ Seriously though, everything we're talking about now is just an extension of all the community engagement work we've been doing over this last year and a half. We've learned a lot from you guys and gals, and we've tried really hard to make sure everything you've asked for is included. And if we've missed something? Drop us a line on the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page and let us know. We'll make sure your requests are given proper consideration. Where can I find out more? We'll be running daily articles on the run up to release on warhammer-community.com. Every aspect of the new edition will be covered, from rules, to new miniatures and advancements in the setting. I love it. I want it. When can I have it! Really soon. You'll be playing the new Warhammer 40,000 this year. We'll let you know when we have more news on an exact release date. Stay posted. For the latest news, follow us on the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page, or subscribe to our newsletter. What do I do now? Now's the time to start getting your army ready. With the addition of 3 ways to play, there are now more ways to build your collection than ever before. Open play frees you from all constraints, so now's the time to just pick a model you've always wanted and paint it up. For you narrative players, why not start theming your collection around your favourite battle? Just like many of you, we want our armies to be fighting fit for matched play in the new edition. That's why you'll be able to read daily articles on the Warhammer Community site that will tell you all about the new rules, great units to include and tactics for every army. |
Beowulf | 22 Apr 2017 7:06 a.m. PST |
Free bookÉ This is a sure sign of the coming apocalypse…;-) |
ccmatty | 22 Apr 2017 7:12 a.m. PST |
I actually feel a little lost. I loved 40k for so long. Then got tired of the updates, price increases, strange looking models, etc. Got into 30k with Forgeworld miniatures, but then had same feeling of being slowly bled to death with cost. I have been away for a while now and feel completely out of touch with the game. I have so much invested in the game that I want to find a way back into it. However, really want to find a way back in. Where can I go to get up to date information that is not rumor-based? Xintao – do you mind sharing where you got this information? Thank you. |
ccmatty | 22 Apr 2017 7:18 a.m. PST |
Ooops. I see it was the Warhammer community site. I will go there too. |
The Beast Rampant | 22 Apr 2017 7:56 a.m. PST |
My guarded optimism is getting less guarded all along. These all sound like Good Things. Especially stepping back from slavish emphasis on balanced-point forces, and stupidly expensive codexes (sic). This is truly a huge change from the GW I've come to know and hate. |
Wretched Peasant Scum | 22 Apr 2017 8:16 a.m. PST |
They're re-branding themselves New Games Workshop™? As in: "Come back baby. I've changed. I swear. It won't be like the last time. Or the time before that."? I think it's too late for me. |
Eclipsing Binaries | 22 Apr 2017 8:26 a.m. PST |
When do you think mithmee will comment? |
castellan | 22 Apr 2017 8:26 a.m. PST |
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RTJEBADIA | 22 Apr 2017 8:31 a.m. PST |
Free rules might finally force me to retool some minis to be a passable 40k force. Especially if GW stores/players are cool with some off the shelf 28mms ;) |
The Beast Rampant | 22 Apr 2017 9:02 a.m. PST |
As in: "Come back baby. I've changed. I swear. It won't be like the last time. Or the time before that."? You're implying that this kind of "turned over a new leaf" attitude has happened before. I'd like to hear when that supposedly occurred. When do you think mithmee will comment? be patient, I'm sure it will be worth the wait. |
Deeman | 22 Apr 2017 9:11 a.m. PST |
I want to believe, but they are the Ike Turner of game companies. |
Weasel | 22 Apr 2017 9:35 a.m. PST |
The last two editions were quite good from my reading, I'm sort of excited about this |
nazrat | 22 Apr 2017 10:04 a.m. PST |
"They're re-branding themselves New Games Workshop™?" Considering that the next line they write starts with, "Seriously though…" I'd say no, they are not re-branding themselves anything. They are obviously (to most) joking. |
ROUWetPatchBehindTheSofa | 22 Apr 2017 10:48 a.m. PST |
The 'new GW' comment shows a considerably larger amount of self awareness than they've shown for awhile (and far more than a lot corporations will ever show). |
Pictors Studio | 22 Apr 2017 11:37 a.m. PST |
Dorn and Perturabo are right on the cover picture or whatever it is of the next book. I'll reserve judgement until I see the rules but it looks like we are in for some really awesome new models. |
Weasel | 22 Apr 2017 11:42 a.m. PST |
They've been on a pretty steady course for a few years now, trying to be more in tune with the older customer base |
Buff Orpington | 22 Apr 2017 12:38 p.m. PST |
Stepping back from stupidly expensive Codices? Hmmm? How long will it last? |
Sargonarhes | 22 Apr 2017 12:54 p.m. PST |
What version is this now? 8th edition or is this 9th? |
Pictors Studio | 22 Apr 2017 1:10 p.m. PST |
It is 8th. Not too bad for 30 years. |
roving bandit | 22 Apr 2017 1:44 p.m. PST |
Even with the "lower priced books", I still hope they take the AoS approach and offer free datasheets/unit profiles linked to each product. Hope the codex is now just a collection of their with fluff etc added like the Battletomes and not a requirement to play. |
Coyotepunc and Hatshepsuut | 22 Apr 2017 2:38 p.m. PST |
I like their Eldar models. I still have one of my Eldar armies. If I could add some Kroot mercenaries to them, that might lure me back close enough to look at the new rules. If there will be many players when I move. |
robert piepenbrink | 22 Apr 2017 2:54 p.m. PST |
Hey, optimists! It doesn't say "we're giving up on codices." It says "The ones you've already paid for won't be any use with the new system." Begin the countdown now for the coming of the new ones. |
Capt Flash | 22 Apr 2017 3:28 p.m. PST |
I'm pretty excited. I really hope they don't dispense with the various templates. I expect the sourcebooks will be inline with the AoS books but the campaign books may be pricey. |
The Beast Rampant | 22 Apr 2017 3:48 p.m. PST |
If they want to make their money on the campaign books, fine. But it is counter-intuitive to make pricey army books. If that's something of a loss-leader, relatively speaking, that's the route they need to go. Entry into The Hobby needs to be made easier on the wallet. |
nsolomon99 | 22 Apr 2017 5:35 p.m. PST |
The news is certainly more promising than it has been in a while. My 13 year old is desperately hoping for a simpler, easier way to wargame a universe and background he adores and has immersed himself in. I am cautious. The "dark years" for GW, when Tom Kirby held the reins and choked their growth, alienated their customers, emasculated their creative engine, misread the market and pumped oxygen to competitors to flourish are still not far behind us. All that pompous nonsense about "our real customers are model collectors" and "we're not a wargames company we're a model company" is still only too fresh!! I have already used him as an example of what not to do for the tech company marketers I teach. The extraordinary blunders of his disastrous leadership will live on in printed texts at Marketing & Management faculties for years. The new CEO does indeed seem to be trying to turn things around, re-engage with their customer base, reverse the disastrous decisions but I believe Tom Kirby still sits on the Board or has close links at Board level! So I am cautiously optimistic. |
nsolomon99 | 22 Apr 2017 5:49 p.m. PST |
The new is certainly more promising than it has been in a while. My 13 year old is desperately hoping for a simpler, easier way to wargame a universe and background he adores and has immersed himself in. I am cautious. The "dark years" for GW, when Tom Kirby held the reins and choked their growth, alienated their customers, emasculated their creative engine, misread the market and pumped oxygen to competitors to flourish are still not far behind us. All the pompous nonsense about the "we're a model collectors company not a wargaming company" and the "stuff the wargaming customers, we dont need them" attitude is still very fresh The new CEO does indeed seem to be trying to turn things around, re-engage with their customer base, reverse the disastrous decisions but I believe Tom Kirby still sits on the Board as the non-executive Chairman! So I am cautiously optimistic. |
MacrossMartin | 22 Apr 2017 9:32 p.m. PST |
So what if there's new codicies? When has there been a new edition of a GW main rules system without new army books, etc? The intent seems to be to reduce the entry cost, entice back old hands, and let players decide for themselves the style and manner in which they play. The basic rules will be a free download, and I suspect we'll see free army lists (fluff-less codices?) for download too, given GW's practice with AoS. I have not played 40K in more than a decade, not because of any hatred for GW, nor even their pricing policies. (Ebay and club swap meets are your friends!) but simply because the rules lost all their charm for me in their more recent editions. This all seems very promising. As long as it doesn't turn out to be nothing but cunning marketing spin, some old friends might be coming out to play in the near future… |
Weasel | 23 Apr 2017 8:52 a.m. PST |
Breaking backwards compatibility will be an advantage for everybody. |
15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 23 Apr 2017 9:55 a.m. PST |
With 8th edition GW is making 40K accessible to the masses once again, a total reboot rather than the incremental revisions we've seen for the past 20+ years. Newbies won't be discouraged because the playing field is now leveled. |
Pontifex | 23 Apr 2017 11:04 a.m. PST |
It's worth taking a close look at the wording: Free CORE Rules. While this is certainly a step in the direction GW needs to pull people back, "Core" does not mean, "You'll get what you need." The market model that a lot of companies are looking at is to make the very basics free, but ensure that you cannot remain competitive or win games with the starting lists the moment that the new, shiny-cool-stuff comes out. This is how Fantasy Flight took over the market with Xwing – they made the rules very cheap compared to the accessories (the Xwing starter box gives a lot for the price), but every new expansion introduced new combinations at a higher price rate than the starter set, and which would soon dominate play and leave practically in the dust anyone who started wanting to play a Spaceship game, and found themselves invested in a metagame in which half the contest is over before the minis hit the table. This is why I started Xwing enthusiastically, but lost interest when it simply became for me the same Collector's Race that CCGs were. Sound familiar? Shadow War: Armageddon has managed to pull me back into dragging out all my old GW minis because the rules were a throwback to something I knew and liked, and now, I can just pull things from my collection and have a game. The fact that most of the army lists have been put out for free, and a standalone rulebook is coming, coaxed me back into it after over 18 years of not caring what GW did one bit. Like Nsolomon99 said, though, the optimism is there, but it's cautious. In my view, GW has LONG run out of second chances, and they have no right to expect any goodwill from the beginning of this new edition – they're going to have to earn it, I say. If they do, and they can, more power to them, and maybe. If not, they deserve critique. Don't forget, though, that GW has noticed what their competition has done. It was just very recently that they pulled their licenses from Fantasy Flight – a company that (despite my distaste for metagaming eclipsing the actual gameplay) skunked GW and showed exactly how to make money and secure a fast, loyal and domineering customer base even in the more competitive market of today, using a good IP and sustainable strategies. Don't be surprised if 40K codices get replaced or supplanted by army cards and such packaged in with the miniatures – it's what everyone else is doing. Eh, I'm starting (starting? Well, continuing) to ramble here, but again, GW is going to have to work a little harder this time after all its shenanigans and practices. Even if they still target the kids… now, those kids are the sons and daughters of people who remember GW's Tom Kirby practices, and are savvy enough to find hundreds of alternatives to get the younglings into the hobby. |
roving bandit | 23 Apr 2017 1:41 p.m. PST |
The AoS models include their Warscrolls in the building guides. Just not much for fluff, if any at all. Not surprised if 40K goes that way too. But as with AoS, it would be nice if the Warscroll PDFs were linked to the model's product page for those who already own said models. |
ordinarybass | 24 Apr 2017 5:13 a.m. PST |
I'll read the new free rules but I'm not expecting much. One page 40k is scratching that itch pretty well and once I get shadow war I think I'll have my grimdark rules needs met. |
Centurio Prime | 24 Apr 2017 5:27 a.m. PST |
This is going to be great. Most of the neckbeard powergamers will probably rage quit, leaving us with a more fun community, just like Age of Sigmar. |
PMC317 | 24 Apr 2017 8:35 a.m. PST |
I'm really stoked, personally! |
ScottWashburn | 24 Apr 2017 9:45 a.m. PST |
I haven't played since 2nd edition, but I still have my Space Marine army. Perhaps I'll download the core rules and see if this sparks my interest. |
Xintao | 24 Apr 2017 10:16 a.m. PST |
I also havn't played since 2nd edition, I have to say my interest is piqued. I did get the Shadow War box set. We'll see how it goes from there. |
Mithmee | 25 Apr 2017 6:08 p.m. PST |
When do you think Mithmee will comment? Why today. First they have gotten me intrigued, but I will just have to wait and see. This is GW and I am not buying into: Come on! This is New Games Workshop But so far they do look like they are really changing up certain things. Key items are: Need to get rid of the UGO – IGO turns this gives one side too much of an advantage. Need to cut down on the number of dice being rolled every turn. Time will tell. |