The problem of exclusive supplements may sneaking up on us faster than a subterranean sandworm folks, let’s take a look.
First we saw the Exalted court of House Terryan as an ‘exclusive datasheet’ that basically cost $800 to get (or you can click the link for a free scan of it).
Then we saw the new Space Marine Command Tank release hit over the weekend as an ‘exclusive’ to Warhammer World, and now another supplement the Blood Oath has surfaced as well.
So within two weeks we have three new ‘exclusive releases’ and that’s starting to cause quite a stir (and rightly it should).
There’s two sides to this coin the first being if you’re going to spend the money to get these items you’re going to want to play with them right? But what about ‘Joe Gamer’ that doesn’t have access to the same rules you do? He probably won’t want you to play with them if he can’t get them, or at least look at them.
But what may be worse about these rules are what the heck are tournament or league organizers supposed to do?
What do we allow now?
Do we allow the new rules if players provide copies to the organizers ahead of time?
I think at the very least when you step up to the table against any opponent that you have a social contract to have a good game of Warhammer with them, so clearly explaining what you have and how you’re using it is in order.
Sportsmanship is a two way street here, and I feel we should invest just as much effort in making sure our opponents are having just as good of a time during our games as we are.
Seems like now, more than ever, it’s time to be excellent to each other!
#BringingSportsmanshipback
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
