Here begins the road to Warhammer 40k 11th edition! Well, I suppose it began with the initial reveal at Adepticon, but shh, this is the first post-Adepticon update post…so there. Games Workshop being their usual self, will be drip feeding us information right up until the edition launches in June. This isn’t so bad, as much as we want to know everything it keeps the excitement flowing.
New models
What about all the shiny new models I hear you cry? Well those too shall be drip fed, at least for a few weeks until they do a full unboxing for the new launch box. In the meantime I’ll include brief sections in these updates about any new models we’ve seen. Today it’s the turn of the Boss Nob and Vanguard Veteran. Personally I think that while the Vanguard Veteran isn’t the most standout model, and is similar to other models that already exist, it is a nice update for the unit and a clean sculpt. The Boss Nob hits in an entirely different way. This is a very Orky model indeed, from the patch job chainsword to the massive gun and ammo feed, it’s everything you could want in an Ork Boss. And let us not forget the detail that may already have taken the crown for cutest model in 11th edition, the baby Squig on his shoulder!
Detachments
Currently you pick a single detachment for your army and that’s that. It usually gives you an army rule, some enhancements and a smattering of stratagems. In the new edition they are mixing things up a little. You get allocated a max number of detachment points, for example in a 2000pt game it’s 3. Each detachment, depending on a variety of factors like how powerful it is and if it’s more targeted at a specific unit, costs a different amount of detachment points. So you can then add as many detachments to your army list as you can afford.
I imagine many strong detachments will be 3 points, so things won’t change much there, but others will be 2, and some really specific ones will be one. So you have a lot of control over what you want to focus on. It will be nice to be able to take and buff your favourite miniatures that are very niche, in combination with a detachment which is better for your army as a whole.
Missions
As mentioned above, detachments are changing, and one of the things added to them all is a Force Disposition. This represents what style of play the detachment leans towards, like defending, taking objectives or killing. The options are, Take and Hold, Disruption, Purge the Foe, Priority Assets and Reconnaissance. For example, a Space Marine detachment for Imperial Fists would likely be Take and Hold, since that’s their whole schtick. And Khornes might have Purge the Foe. At the start of a battle, you’ll pick a disposition from the ones you have available (from the detachments you picked. This will likely be locked in during tournaments when you submit your list) and compare it to your opponents. That comparison generates the mission that you will be playing…not your opponent…YOU. Yes the missions will be asymmetrical unless you both pick the same disposition. I’m excited about this as it will make things more narrative and interesting, rather than killy units ending up sat on objectives for…some reason.
Each mission also includes 3 terrain layouts for you to pick from, unless you want to come up with your own. Secondary objectives are largely the same, except you don’t have to throw away unscored tactical objectives any more when you draw two more. Finally, twists are back as an optional mechanic if you want to mix things up a bit.
All the mission and deployment cards will be in a chapter approved deck, which will be included in the launch box.
What’s next?
They also teased a mystery deck that also comes in the launch box, so I’m eager to find out what that is. The rumourmill says something to do with Combat Patrol, which would be welcome, as compared to Spearhead it really needs some improvements. Until next time everyone
