The Rise of Bolt Action? GW's Souring Taste

GW's Souring Taste

First, let me say this, GW is a big company and a big company's job is to make money especially when it has as many stock holders as GW has. In this pursuit, once stocks were starting to turn downward due to slacking sales two years ago, GW began the current product blitz that we have been living with ever since. They throw products at us and hope some of them stick and that we will buy them: new codices, supplements, books, models, lords of war, formations, etc. The faucet was opened full bore and the flow hasn't stopped yet.

So many new codices and formations have arrived and in such a short time that it has become a crazy soup we had to swim through to try and remember and to understand all the new rules/models/formations. Of course this appeals to some 40K players and I am happy for them. Then again, there is the others that just gave up trying to keep up.

With so many new models, including Forge World, being released - often with ever increasing price tags, that the game looks almost unrecognizable at times. Don't get me wrong, GW does sell fantastic models, top-notch in the industry today, but $400 for a new Tau super suit? Prices of normal models aren't getting any cheaper either.

Then there is Age of Sigmar. I was stoked for when it at first came out and bought a starter box. Then the AoS model blitz began and the sticker shock hit! Again, the models are AMAZING but five models for the price of a Terminator box? I'm left wondering how in the world any of those newbie wargamers that bought into the starter box would stick with a game that costs about 10 bucks per model? That is insanity.

While I still want to play 40K, (I love my Khorne, Space Wolves and Guard), I have serious doubts as to the future of the game if it continues on this current course. To a layman like me it appears that GW is flooding it's players with too much - too much of everything. When that happens things will eventually hit a critical mass and the whole system will come crashing down. I think I have hit my personal critical mass. GW is starting to taste sour, I have no more desire to be taunted into throwing buckets of money into the newest formation/super model of the month. Nope. No more, I feel dirty and used. Critical mass achieved.

What Can GW Do Differently

Well for starters, if GW would just slow down their crazy release schedule that would make a world of difference. If we saw a new codex every three months I think that would be a great pace for the game. And please, limit those nonsense formations! Back them down, make them fewer, too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

Rules wise GW could probably do with a much needed rulesbook diet, slim down those rules to a quicker, streamlined format and throw out the clunkier rules that slow down the game. Throwing less dice during the game is a good start. And what about getting rid of that rule where you have to remove the models closest to the shooting unit? It is much more efficient to just pluck out a model instead having to determine which is closest and such.

Oh and the prices. Heh. I understand GW has top quality models and part of the price goes into the making of the model but come on! We all know $10 per model is not realistic. I think as hobby people we will buy those expensive models we want (and we do) but give us time to buy them before throwing at us the very next week even more things we can't live without. We don't want to have to mortgage our houses to hobby with you GW, don't make us feel dirty and used like some crazy crack fiend being led down the path or ruin by a drug pusher.

The Rise of Bolt Action

Don't know if anybody else has noticed in their area or on the interwebs, but it seems to me that Bolt Action is a rising force in the wargaming scene. I think this is because of several factors:

• 40K-like rules. Makes it very easy for 40K players to pick up the game mechanics and this is significant because a fair majority of wargamers are familiar with the 40K system.
• Easy on the wallet. A rulebook, an army book, order dice and a 1000 point army will cost you maybe $225.
• Fewer rules. The game is more streamlined than 40K and cuts down on rule confusion.
• Uses points. From what I understand Bolt Action is the only historical wargame using points to ensure balanced games - or competitive games if that is what you like. Bolt Action lends itself easily to tournament play.
• Huge model selection - Not only are the models much cheaper but they have a vast selection to chose from.
• A shared game turn - Unlike 40K's rigid 'your turn, my turn' mechanic, Bolt Action turns consist of both players randomly activating units with order dice all in the same shared turn. IMHO, this is a more challenging and modern way to play a wargame.
• No gotcha units/formations of the month - You aren't going to be seeing any super models/formations because there weren't any in WWII. Want to see a nazi super robot with a freak'n laser beam on it's head? Nope. Not going to happen.
• Established interwebs community - Bolt Action has been around for about 3-4 years now and it has an established community you can jump right into. Of course it isn't huge like the 40K community but enough is there to keep you informed and entertained.
• It's history - This points mileage might vary for some, but for those that enjoy history, especially WWII, you are in for a treat - Bolt Action will look and feel amazing on the wargaming table.

I'm sure I missed some good points but that is off the top of my head.

Check out this excellent guide if you are interested: Guide to Bolt Action for 40K Players.

Coming Soon in 2016

WOLVES DEN WARGAMING

Wolves Den Wargaming Link

Battle Video Reports and more!

40K Hobby: 40K, Bolt Action and a Cat!

Hobby Progress, The September Edition.

Hmm, been a slow month here on the ACW blog but in the real world lots of things have been getting done though, just not much I wanted to talk about. Personally, I have been pondering the current state of 40K and it's near future. The more I ponder the more I have doubts about it because to my perception 40K as a game has reached a critical mass. The game has changed considerable in just a couple of years and is now bloated with new rules, added complexity, more source books, more models, more formations and the big, shiny gotcha units/formations being introduced all the time. You have to be a danged rules expert just to be competent in a tournament these days with so much information that must be retained. I'm fearful that the entire system is going to collapse upon itself before too long from player fatigue. With such a high learning curve and ever increasingly pricey models, how on earth are new people going to get interested in sticking with this game? 

Anyway, I might write an article about my feelings on this mater later, for now check out this insightful article as it pretty much falls into line with how I have been feeling of late about the state of the 40K as a game.

Don't get me wrong here, I still want to play casual 40K games and I still have plans of bi-weekly video battle reports once the game room is done. I'm just worried about the current trends and I have a bad feeling about the future of this venerable game. I do hope that the feeling is unfounded.

The Road to Glory Narrative Campaign

My Summer 40K League was meant to be a casual gamer's event and it was a success, some people still couldn't help being competitive but we know whom those people are in our club and we expect it so we do not hold it against them because we still like them. Heh.

Next up I am planning a casual narrative campaign to kick off in October. Interest in it is good so I am not complaining. It has me thinking that 40K players are wanting casual events, maybe this is the new trend with players because of all the bloated rules/models nonsense going on that I was talking about?

Check out the beginnings of the campaign here.

40K Hobby Progress

On a happier note, Khorne dawgs! I finished up 10 more dawgs for my Redstone Rumble list. From opening the box to finishing all 10 models it took me about a month - that is super fast for me!

Here is the link to the excellent video tutorial for painting these dawgs. 

So this is what I saw when taking photos of the flesh hounds.
Emilou: "Meow."
Translation: "Daddy, why are you giving those models more attention than me?"

Pay attention to me!

 Bolt Action Hobby Progress

Yes, progress is happening with my American army in Bolt Action. I have the core of my platoon pretty much put together except for the Lieutenant and his attendants.

Let me tell you this, as 40K players we have been spoiled when putting together our infantry models which have only a few parts. These bolt action models have many parts: body, arm options, weapon options, belt accessory parts, backpack options, head options and other accessories. I suppose all these parts is because of historical accuracy, which is a great thing. But sometimes getting those danged arms to fit and glue just right with a weapon can be a real frustrating deal, I had to just walk way a couple of times. Luckily, you get better with it the more models you build.

Personally, I think next year will be a big year for Bolt Action as a game and for my interest in it. Delving into a new hobby is an exciting thing.

Anyone interested in Bolt Action and it's mechanics (it is a lot like 40K but with far, far less clunky rules) check out these Norwegian guys video battle reports at Tabletop Battle and +Tabletopbattle , they will teach you a lot about the game just by watching them play. I enjoy their battle reports so much I decided to support them by becoming a monthly patron.

Please forgive the not so good pics below, I was in a hurry.

First squad

Second squad

Third squad

Sniper team and bazooka team.

40K Rules: ITC Allows Tithe-Summoned Gliding Bloodthirsters

Hells yes.
Just recently Frontline Gaming had their quarterly ITC rules vote where they allow the players to vote for certain rules changes to be implemented or not. Here is the results of the rule that is making Khorne Daemonkin players rejoice:

Question 11

Khorne Daemonkin: Bloodthirster/Daemon Prince summoning, can they choose to swoop or glide when they enter the game from Deep Strike? If they enter the game “flying,” they must wait 2 game turns before they may assault. Allowing them to choose to enter “jumping” means they enter play on the ground, and wait 1 turn to assault.

Note: they must still swoop when entering the game normally from reserves.

And here is the response from Frontline Gaming's Reece about the results:

" This has been a hot button issue, lately and a classic RAW vs. RAI argument (as are all of the remaining issues). I’m happy to see the community choosing to lend a hand to their KDK friends, and go with the RAI interpretation on this one. Again, this to me shows that folks do not vote in their own self interest. Obviously, 66% of all ITC participants are not KDK players, yet that many were willing to vote for a ruling that benefits them. That’s a good thing, IMO, and it means we as a community care more for doing what we think is fair than what may benefit us, personally. KDK players be stoked! In ITC events you can realistically summon your big boys and have then actually participate in the game! "

Get the full article from Frontline Gaming here.

Note: As of writing this article the ITC FAQ has not been officially updated to include the new Bloodthirster summoning rule.

I'm gonna get you sucka'!

What players does it effect?

This effects everybody that plays with the ITC rules/FAQ, and that includes a large amount of players and tournaments. ITC is probably, without much argument, the largest accepted set of standardized tournament rules for 40K players in America. If your local 40K community does not use ITC then I would say to give them a look over, they provide a rock-solid revised rules base that attempts to create a fair and even 7th edition rule set. ITC isn't for everybody, it places limits on list building and nerfs some of the more powerful rules (D weapons and invisibility for example). One of ITC's best features is that they allow the players to vote on rules changes every three months, how cool is that?

Even if you do not use ITC rules you could look at the vote as an indication of how the community generally feels about the issue overall. Granted, not all local metas are going to feel the same but hopefully by seeing this vote result it will help you, and your local community, make a decision on the 'thrister summoning rule if you guys have been on the fence about it.

How does it effect play?
This is a game changer, it makes summoning a Bloodthrister/winged Prince with Blood Tithe a much more palpable option for Khorne players. No longer do you have to wait two turns before the 'thirster/prince can enter assault, but only one! That's huge. Right off the bat a gliding Tithe-summoned 'thrister can immediately be an asset by contesting objectives (since it isn't flying) and can be a huge boon just by forcing your opponent to spend valuable shooting to kill it. Your opponent has exactly one turn to deal with the 'thrister before it starts to touch things and makes them explode!

How does it effect Khorne Daemonkin list building?
With a now immediate effect on the battlefield, the allure of tithe-summoned 'thirsters/winged princes is tempting once again. Khorne players could shift their lists into the direction of farming Blood Tithe so to summon one, two or maybe even three 'thristers in a game and that can be a real game changer. The Blood Host detachment could be given another chance, despite the hated Possessed tax. That Possessed tax may very well be worth the cost of it now as well as the Artefacts; The Blade of Endless Blood and The Axe of Ruin.

Kor'Lath the Axe of Ruin
This artefact has gone from meh to good overnight. The rules for the axe refers to the Blood Tithe table for summoning rules so obviously, an axe summoned 'thrister will be treated as a Tithe-summoned one.

With the immediate threat of a 'thrister attacking only one turn after jumping out of the axe - this artefact should give your opponent pause when dealing with the Lord/Prince wielding it. Think about it, for 50 points your slain HQ transforms into a gliding 'thrister. Next turn it might be down a couple of wounds due to the axe's Caged Fury rule, but still a 'thrister is a demi-god in close combat regardless and he will destroy what he touches. That means your opponent must do his best to deal with the 'thrister so basically he has to deal with TWO HQs, not just one. The amount of diversion this poop-inducing axe born 'thrister can produce is well worth the axe's weight of points (IMHO) because this 'thrister can NOT be ignored for a turn like before.

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