The history & legacy of Warhammer 40k organized play: from grassroots beginnings to global circuits, an evolving game fostering passionate competitive communities.
Another Long War Two-Fer is HERE: Keep those hobby muscles strong with this week’s webcast and the latest exciting podcast of table-top wargaming awesomeness mostly centered around Warhammer 40k.
Episode 488
Show Summary:
This week, the crew talks about the future of Warhammer 40k and some uncertainty around it! Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- 00:30–05:17 — Event update: Bourbon & Bolters is nearly sold out, with hefty VIP swag (Game Envy, Monument Hobbies, Elrik’s, Spikey Bits mystery boxes). The goal is to rotate premium locations and themes in future years.
- 08:07–10:16 — News roundup: “Bathtub” leak of the new Imperial Knights codex sparks analysis. GW is pivoting previews again: no LVO preview expected; look to Warhammer Day in mid-October for bigger reveals.
- 10:41–11:48 — Drukhari timing & expectations: Last 10th-ed codex likely Q4 for Drukhari, but frustration remains over Finecast holdovers and desire for a true range refresh (e.g., long-teased characters).
- 12:17–16:43 — Value pressures & 3D printing: With the Knight Defender at $195, Rob highlights $8 STL add-ons that recreate the new options, arguing the value equation is shifting and speculating on why GW hasn’t embraced official STLs.
- 17:13–19:20 — Engagement between editions: GW leans on frequent paper updates/balanced patches to keep interest up while big releases slow; community is wary of campaign “gimmicks” with short shelf life.
- 19:57–22:01 — Balance whispers: Orks may see fixes; Death Guard still performing; Knights are in a strange spot. Updated “best third-party minis” content is drawing strong interest.
- 22:28–26:18 — One Page Rules: Announces first plastic starter; 3.5 rules in open beta with quick-start access and printable standees/STLs. Hosts praise the transparent, community-driven testing model.
- 28:31–31:52 — MCP notes: New Q4 Spider-verse boxes incoming; shout-out to creative terrain workflows. MCP’s size-based LOS and labeled terrain heights are lauded as tournament-friendly.
- 33:19–34:31 — Event operations: Long War Doubles at LVO won’t use the new “comeback”/challenger cards, after consultation with TO circles; details via their Linktree/Discord.
- 36:28–54:39 — Organized play history: From GW GTs and ’Ard Boyz (big points, no paint scores) to BAO/ITC standardization. Debate over the decline of hobby/sportsmanship scoring, the “Soviet gymnast” coaching era, and the internet’s role in instant “expertise.”
- 1:00:44–1:01:33 — Points level Q&A: Unlikely return to 1500; even if points dropped, model counts would likely be tuned to stay similar for business reasons.
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