GW just previewed a ton of new rules changes for popular wargear and weapons across all the 40k factions in 9th Edition!
We’ve been seeing datasheet updated for weeks and largely, it’s been inconsistent and full of typos. On that note, however, GW just announced some clear changes that are on the way to weapons in 9th Edition. Jumping into the details from Warhammer Community, here’s what on the way.
GW Previews 40k Rules Changes To Popular Weapons
Compiling all of the Flamer-profile weapons, they’re all going to 12″ base. Even Hand Flamers. That’s going to make GSC Acolyte Flamer Squads even more potent.
Melta Weapons Special Ability Changing
All Melta weapons have had their special ability to reroll damage within half range to now D6+2. This makes the overall potential damage higher than ever possible, but you could still roll low and do a measly 1+2 damage (minimum 3 within half range). The Multi-Melta in particular had its shot output doubled which is also nice.
Heavy Bolters, Hunter-Killers, & Other Melee Weapons
The Heavy Bolter’s new profile has also been officially previewed, although this is one that we’ve known about for a very long time. With their damage output being doubled, Retributors are looking extra spicy.
Likewise with the Hunter-Killer missile. It’s been bumped up to S10 which is nice.
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Another weapon we’ve known about for a while is the Astartes Chainsword. Because it’s so massive and being wielded by an armored super soldier, GW decided to tack on -1AP. This is going to be especially brutal in units like Death Company and Assault Intercessors.
For the Power Axe, Power Maul, and Power Sword there’s another +1 Strength tacked on which is going to be insanely useful. Bladeguards. Assault Marines, etc. will be wounding most other ground units on 3’s for example, and Blood Angel variants will be wounding on 2’s!
Perhaps the Biggest Change of All-The Storm Shield
The Storm Shield is getting changed across the board. Ditching the 3++ for a 4++ and +1 Armor Save, it’s debatable on whether this is a nerf or a buff. As Terminators and Custodes will technically have a 1+ Save, they’ll still fail on a natural 1. Plus, the 4++ invuln makes things like Smash Captains so much squishier.
Side note: Custodes have been rolling a bunch of dudes with Storm Shield but that’s because these updates haven’t hit yet. It’ll be interesting to see what Custodes lists run once their shield also goes from a 3+ to a 4++/1+.
We assume all these will take place when the new Space Marine codex releases in just a few weeks from GW’s comments on a previous post:
when Codex: Space Marines arrives in October, every other unit that utilises the same wargear – regardless of Faction – will get their weapon profiles upgraded accordingly.
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What do you think about all of these changes? Are they for the better? Is the Storm Shield update a nerf or a buff?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
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About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
