Explaining the shift to 11th Edition: we break down Chaos, the Armageddon Starter Set launch, rules previews and conspiracies.
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The Long War: Episode 511
Article Table of Contents:
Show Summary:
This week, the crew covers the new 11th edition rules previews. Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- (09:00) The crew argues that printed Warhammer 40k Codexes have become a rough buy because rules can be outdated before the book even hits shelves. Rob floats the big conspiracy: Games Workshop’s new Combat Patrol companion and upgraded 40k app might be a test run for shifting Codexes into more evergreen lore, hobby, and army-guide books while the rules live digitally.
- (10:43) They discuss rumors of a new 40k app feature that could let players view an opponent’s rules on a game-by-game basis. The hosts like the idea, but they’re wary of GW turning a good feature into a weird half-measure instead of simply offering full digital rules access through a clean subscription.
- (15:31) Another 11th edition theory: customization may be moving away from individual wargear tinkering and toward detachment-building. With detachment points, disposition, mission/terrain interactions, squad-leader upgrades, and mix-and-match themes, the “build-a-bear” army flavor could come back at a higher strategic level.
- (17:40) Age of Sigmar gets attention with the new Cities of Sigmar Cogfort, though the $210 price and unclear Sigmar roadmap have some retailers and players cautious. The hosts also call out strong AoS model design, especially Arasmus Zhan on his bizarre glyphwing beast.
- (19:30) The upcoming Vostroyan Made to Order wave gets discussed, with a warning that MTO pricing can land close to eBay collector prices. They debate whether the models are metal or Finecast, with the hosts leaning toward metal based on prior MTO releases.
- (24:04) Hobby retail news gets a quick roundup: Stevens International Distribution has shut down after nearly 50 years, Battle Foam is running a 25% off sale, Monument Hobbies’ OneStep paints release May 18, Squad Marks has new terrain footprint options, StarCraft shipping starts May 25, and Squidmar’s new Kolinsky sable brushes include a Willy Wonka-style golden ticket promo.
- (29:58) The Chaos 11th edition faction focus gets picked apart, with the hosts stressing that every preview is still floating in a vacuum until the full edition rules land. The Cabal of Chaos detachment looks spicy for Heretic Astartes psykers and Demon Princes, especially with ways to grant the Psyker keyword.
- (34:02) The Iron Warriors-coded Devotees of Destruction detachment gets mixed reviews. Heavy now allowing up to three inches of movement is better than standing still, but Wyatt argues that rules that reward limited movement can still be a trap in a game where exposed units usually get picked up fast.
- (36:33) The jump-pack style detachment, Murder Talon Raiders, keys off Battle-shocked or below-half-strength enemy units. Since the 11th edition, Battle-shock may persist until cleared; this could matter more than it does in 10th, but the hosts aren’t sold until they see how often units actually fail those tests.
- (42:32) Daemon detachments too, including Lords of the Warp and Warp Tide, but some rules look oddly limited because Greater Daemons are excluded from certain character buffs. The episode closes with the hosts expecting more concrete 11th edition reveals by the end of the month.
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