The upcoming 40k Chapter Approved 2021 is making some big changes to matched play and GW just previewed some of them!
Warhammer Community just unveiled a series of upcoming updates and how competitive games will change. Secondary objectives have been a quick way to pull ahead in games, so they have received a ton of scrutiny this time around.
There were a few core objectives that people took almost every game. They asked some playtesters their thoughts on the changes and what that means for your upcoming games.
We have the pricing for this book and the rest of the AoS releases this week already as well here: 40k Chapter Approved 2021 & Kragnos Pricing CONFIRMED!
Chapter Approved 2021 Making Big Updates
The Grand Tournament 2021 Mission Pack focuses on the core secondary objectives, replacing some and bringing a greater degree of parity throughout the various categories. Overall, it represents a different type of change from the ‘first turn mechanic’-centric ones seen in the January mission update.
We think this is a good move because most factions only had three objectives that were actually useful. So with the changes, we hope it will let people feel a little freer to actually choose different objectives. Let’s check out what ones will be changing.
Investigate Signal
Of particular note, there were quite a few secondaries that were difficult to achieve from a timing perspective, despite being interesting choices. An example of this is the change from Investigate Sites to Investigate Signal.
Now, you can start to perform the action if enemy units are within 6″ and score if you can clear the centre by the time the action completes at the end of your turn. These sorts of changes can appear subtle, but they have major impacts on the breadth and depth of scoring opportunities presented across the game.
This is a nice little change that will make it actually much more usable. This stops the enemy from sending a super cheap unit forward to keep you from using the action, if you’re sure you can take them off the objective, you’re good to go.
No Prisoners
One of my favourite changes is the new secondary objective No Prisoners, which replaces Thin Their Ranks.
No Prisoners counts the Wounds characteristic of destroyed models as long as they aren’t a Vehicle, Monster, or Character. This gives so many options when fighting against the tougher armies out there, like Adeptus Custodes and Death Guard, which offer more kill points for each model removed from the table.
Get All Four Assassins For 50% Off Now!
Against high-wound armies, this really becomes viable. So even if you can’t remove a ton of minis, you can still score plenty of points. Since there are so many high wound armies out there now, this is a really good change.
Retrieve Octarius Data
The new version of Deploy Scramblers, the evocatively named Retrieve Octarius Data, is also great for opening up more possibilities. Getting extra points for completing the objective in multiple table quarters is more reliable than the previous all-or-nothing proposition, but also requires a greater degree of coordination and strategic thinking.
Fast-moving, low wound count skirmish units such as Swooping Hawks and Pteraxii go up in value with the larger emphasis on completing actions. Vehicles and Monsters are also on the rise since they no longer provide kill points for No Prisoners. The meta is ripe for innovation as new possibilities emerge.
It looks like they are trying to bring in more variety, and changing secondaries is a great way to change the game up without forcing giant changes. They don’t say much on how exactly you will get more points, but it seems like a decent change.
They also mention the fact that bring it down is going to be changed, so big minis will actually be more viable, so maybe we’ll see more giant minis on the table.
What do you think about the changes so far? Do you like the idea of changing secondaries?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today! You can also support us on Patreon and get ad-free access to the site, plus a ton of minis that helps support some of the best creators out there!
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
