Welcome to a new segment here on Spikey Bits, where I go over some rules clarifications and “gotchas” for 5th Edition.
I realize that there may only be less than a year left for this rules set, but there is still tons of time for gaming!
Not to mention a few big tournaments left to attend as well. So let’s get to it shall we?
Today im going to chat a little about cover- not the normal “cut and dry” cover that we deal with in every day, this cover is more sneaky.
You remember that “stealth” universal special rule (USR)? It gives models with this ability +1 to their cover save, which is great for like fortifying ruins with Techmarines and casting shrouding on stuff in there to get a 3+ cover right?
But what it’s not good for is being in the open. For instance you can’t get +1 to you cover save if you are in the open (because you’re not getting a cover save to start with so there is nothing to give +1 to).
Which means that casting shrouding on a Stormraven in the open that hasn’t gone flat out does not give you a 6+ cover save, lol. Don’t get me wrong its great for casting on a ‘raven that’s gone fast so it gets a 3+ cover save, but eventually its payload has to get out. Which means it will be going slower and getting no save.
The new craze of Necrons, Scarabs, do not benefit from stealth either in the open- which has been shocking the heck out of local players when I tell them that. Sorry they are still squishy guys.
After all that- the trick was showing everyone where this rule was, cause lets face it sometimes rules are hard to find,lol. “But I know I read that” turns into, “Oh I guess that was last edition” sometimes.
The stealth rule clarification was actually shown to me, as it was hiding deep in the 40k Rulebook FAQ from this summer.
So keep this in mind when playing your games for the next few months, Stealth doesnt work in the open, RAW.
Anyone have any other good Stealth USR examples, drop a comment! -MBG
Get 20% OFF Bits, and FREE SHIPPING??!! Over at the Spikey Bits Online Store, all bits are 20% OFF, and ship for FREE! We also have reduced shipping for overseas customers, as well as a special rate for shipping to Canada!
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 Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 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 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
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.
