Where is the value in Apocalypse? Sure playing larger games of Warhammer 40k is cool, but only if the hobby dollars are worth spending right?
As many of you know, I am a huge Apocalypse fan. I love anything to do with large-scale games, which is part of the reason why I love Adeptus Titanicus so much. It’s probably one of the most underrated games you’re not playing.
But anyway, I wanted to take a second and break down the value of the new Apocalypse rules set to other similar products out there to see if it was worth MY hobby dollars this summer.
Here’s my comparison of the Apocalypse rules box to some other recent rules boxes we’ve seen.
40k Apocalypse Rules Box $100
This is the cornerstone of Apocalypse. You’ll have to get this box in order to play the game. Inside, there will be command assets, dice, some punch-out token to help you keep track of what’s going on with your units, and the manual on how to play (that looks to be softcover).
Adeptus Titanicus Rules Box $60
Looking at Adeptus Titanicus, you’re getting:
- a sprue of templates
- field assets (which are the little buildings)
- dice
- stratagem cards
- command terminals for your Titans
- transfer sheets
- weapon cards
- a hardcover rulebook
While you still are learning a new game, just like you would with Apocalypse, this box comes with an actual plastic sprue of accessories and a hardcover book. Plus there are about the same amount of cardboard trackers, and slightly less actual cards to play (but still ones that a necessary for that game itself). All this for $40 less than the Apocalypse rules set.
Stars Wars X-Wing 2.0 Conversion Kit $42.50-$50 Depending on Faction
While this is a different tabletop brand all together it’s still kinda relevant. It’s more of a conversion kit to make your X-wing ships compatible with the 2.0 version of the game. Very similar to Apocalypse which “converts” you existing 40k models for use with the new system.
Going into the Start Wars Conversion kit(s), this has everything you need to convert your ships and bring them up to date with 2.0’s rules.
It has:
- 4x Plastic Medium Ship Bases
- 4 x Medium Plastic Pegs
- 43x Ship Tokens
- 37x Maneuver Dials
- 23x Dial ID Tokens
- 84x Ship Cards
- 162x Upgrade Cards
- 2x Condition Cards
- 8x Turret Arc Indicators
- 23x Other Tokens
As you can see from the layout pictures above, the X-wing conversion box looks to have similar amounts of contents terms of material. However, it’s the cheapest of all three and gives you at least a similar amount or more of in-game supplement content. Cost is $50-$60 less than the 2019 Apocalypse rules set.
Apocalypse Is For Players That Already Have 40k
Sure, GW is coming out with boxes of entire detachments and we will definitely be seeing these getting bought off the shelves, as the value is very straight forward. However, for the most part, players who would be playing Apocalypse in a lot of cases may already have a 40k army.
The whole appeal for the game is to allow 40k fans to throw all their models onto the table at one time. So, in theory, the biggest seller to get hobbyists, both old and new playing Apco, should perhaps be the rules box itself.
But is there value in just the rules set for $100, or could you to play larger games of 40k with all your models without it?
Let’s take a look at some pros and cons from the rules previews themselves
Pros
- New edition is accessible and familiar to hobbyists new and old alike
- New edition is accessible on release day, and as long as GW offers it for sale
- Free Datasheet downloads
- Designed to “play faster” those previous editions
- Key rules changes to keep players engaged (alternating activations, end of turn damage resolution)
Cons
- Leaning another game systems to play basically 40k
- No points values. All power level style lists
- The system does not support games with large numbers of players (a staple of most Apoc games of the past)
- Requires new rules set, a new sided dice, movement trays, potentially new command cards, and optionally the datasheets packs for your faction.
Either Pro or Con
- Armies have to be fielded in detachments (by power level). If you don’t have a detachment this may be a “con” to you as you can’t just “field what you have” like the previous editions.
From the comparisons above feel free to make the call if 2019’s Apocalypse is for you. We’ll be back soon with some ideas of how you can play “Apocalypse” without learning a ton of new rules or buying any new supplements.
So what do you think about the price on Apocalypse’s rules? Will you be getting into the game when it drops? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
Hobby On, Battle On!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
