As we step further into 9th Edition 40k, more of you out there may be playing your first game- check out these 5 top changes so you don’t mess them up!
We’ve seen the full rules released for 9th Edition for a while now. As the community has had time to read and digest all of the new tweaks, here are our picks for the top 5 game changes for 9th Edition 40k, which are critical you don’t miss the next time you play a game.
1. Look Out, Sir! Character Targeting Rules
The way units can target characters in the Shooting Phase is changing. While, your dudes with plot armor will still be protecting from ranged weapons, it a lot more conditional…
For targeting characters, things have also changed. Now, you check for two conditions to be met on whether a character is targetable. If they are 9 or fewer wounds as well as being within 3″ of a unit with 3+ models or a Monster or Vehicle and not the closest model, you can’t shoot at them.
Too often, players had games where a Smash Captain would be dropping in as an outlier on a battlefield. But, because an Infiltrator squad was 3″ closer (but still nowhere near the Smash Captain) the Captain was safe. To reign things back a bit, characters basically have to actually be “lost in the crowd” in order to not be targetted. It’s more conditional but perhaps fairer.
2. Strategic Reserve Placement Gets Better As The Game Progresses
In 8th Edition, you can bring just about anything in reserves more than 9″ away from turn two onward. However in 9th Edition, as the game goes on, your options of bringing in units from Strategic Reserves will be dependent on the game round.
Here’s the chart for an easy reference.
3. Know Your Cover & Terrain Types
9th Edition has gotten a lot more complex in terms of terrain so before your first game, you’ll want to talk the game board over with your opponent and declare what’s Light and Heavy Cover AT MINIMUM. There are a variety of other terrain types that make the game more complex as well.
There are some rules that are just defined “as giving the benefit of cover” in 9th Edition as well. So what kind of cover do those units get? Well, for sake of ease, GW has laid out the details saying any kind of generic cover bonus without being in a terrain feature is treated as light cover. This just means +1 to armor saves against ranged weapons.
In terms of ignoring cover, you’ll have to read what the attack unit’s datasheet says carefully. For example, the Imperial Fists Chapter Tactic says it ignores benefits to saving throws. However, we’ve also seen some terrain cause a -1 to hit. In that case, the Imperial Fist Chapter Tactic wouldn’t ignore that.
4. You Have to End Within 1″ of Targets Declared As Part of Charge
Starting with your units that are eligible to make a Charge move, unless otherwise stated, you can only charge with a unit that is within 12″ of an enemy unit and did not Fall Back or Charge. You still roll 2D6 as always with one key change being made when you check to see if the charge is successful or not.
Now, You have to end within 1″ of ALL units you declared as a Charge target.
We’ve all been there in 8th Edition. One unit was close but a unit you really wanted to get into melee with was a risky number of inches away. You’ve probably said, “I’ll declare both as a charge target and if I roll low, I’ll at least make it into one of your squads”. Well, you can’t do that anymore. You have to end within 1″ of all of your declared targets or the charge fails.
5. The Priority For Fighting in Melee Has Changed
As always, chargers fight first under normal conditions. But now, whoever’s turn it ISN’T, will get to select a unit to fight with first after all the Chargers have gone. In 8th, the charging player currently attacks with all the charging units and then gets to pick another one to fight with that’s already locked in combat before the other player gets to. This is going to be a small, but critical change to account for when you’re considering where to charge and what to fight in 9th Edition.
There are plenty of other minor tweaks to the game that you’ll have to face in your first game. Things like Combat Attrition and gaining a CP in the Command Phase. but hopefully, these five highlights have been a solid reminder to slow down in your next game of 9th Edition.
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What do you think about these top 5 game changes to 40k? Are there any changes you think may be more important?
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.
