GW just hid how the new 40k character targeting rules will work in 9th Edition in a short preview. Check out the changes and how it will impact the game now
Warhammer Community dropped a short preview focusing on Sisters of Battle. However, in that preview was a Look Out, Sir! rule that shows extremely different wording from the current character targetting rule. Let’s dissect this.
GW Hides New 40k Character Targeting Rules in Preview
Currently, character rule applies if they are under a wound threshold and aren’t the closest unit to the enemy. Obviously, some units like Scout Snipers and Eliminators get around that, which makes sense. However, we’ve all had games where there’s a character miles away from anyone else, but because a small Scout squad is 3″ closer and in the open, you can’t see that Smash Captain getting ready to ruin your day. It just looks dumb and leads to frustration.
I think the largest challenge players will face in the new edition is the change to the Look Out, Sir rules, which requires more careful positioning of your Characters for them to benefit from the same level of protection.
Well, here’s the new rule. It seems like the character protection is going to become even more conditional. Similar to the way the character rule works in AoS, it only triggers when the character is standing close to other friendly units. However, unlike AoS where all you get is a -1 to hit, you just flat-out won’t be able to target the character.
Vehicles, Monsters, and squads of 3 or more models will make your character untargetable. This makes way more sense because now, because your characters will actually have to be “lost in the commotion of the fight” which was their mentality by making it so characters weren’t targetable in the first place. While it’s a bit more conditional, characters should still be adequately protected in-game without the silliness of having a dude in the open, but still technically being totally safe.
With this now added to the book of rules revealed for 9th Edition, do you think characters in horde armies are going to have a field day on the tabletop? Will Snipers become even more important? Will positioning in elite armies like Custodes be critical?
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About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials:@RealmbrushPainting
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.
