8th Edition and the Astra Militarum

We have been getting lots more hints and looks at the new edition, including a tease of the new Imperial Guard, though I will point out nothing really of substance was in the tease other than "Units you haven't used will be good" sort of things.  However, enough is starting to coalesce to start really looking at the new edition through the Imperial Guards lense.

Sly Marbo is Back

Well, sort of a surprise today.  GW, due in no small part I'm sure to community pestering, has brought back Marbo.  I think most of us long time Guard players have fond memories of this lone warrior.  Now he is different with some good and bad here.

8th Edition: Vehicles are Dead, Long Live Vehicles!

Obviously today going to take a look at vehicles and how they are looking with the new edition.  As the title suggests, old vehicles are dead, but we have new ones.  While I personally liked the rules for vehicles, the changes presents opportunities and advantages over the old vehicle rules.  Keep in mind this is what we know so far.

8th Edition Psychic Phase

Today, we got a glimpse at the psychic phase.  The psychic phase is arguably the phase that needs the strongest look and needs the most improvement.  Thankfully, the changes so far are going in the right direction.  Though there are still a few things up in the air, they have hinted at more things as well that are a welcome change.

8th Edition Rules Confirmed

Sorry for the lack of posts, been gone and tax season for my business has taken a lot of time.  But There really hasn't been a lot to talk about.  Until now.  In case you missed it, GW did a Q&A on their FB page on the new edition.  The video is still up here.  The video and a few more posts this week have started to clear things up and give us more details of what is in store.  They are being coy on the release date, but did mention they will be talking more about the new edition at warhammer fest next month, so I doubt its coming in the next few weeks but likely release is early june.

New 8th Edition Rumors

Some new rumors have come, and to be honest not to sure how accurate, but that might be more from me not wanting to believe than it being ridiculous. Also I am going to be out of town till sunday, so this is just good timing for me to talk about it before I head out.  Some salt is needed, but it may turn out to be close to the mark.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Deployment in Depth

For today going to discuss an alternate counter deep strike tactic.  In principal it is similar to bubble wrapping, but works different enough to be its own thing.  This tactic is less effective than bubble wrapping against Drop pod armies though can still be utilized.  This is best against armies that don't have a way to mitigate scatter when deep striking.  Your goal with this deployment is to give your opponent a lot of bad options and significantly increase his chances of a deep strike mishap.

8th edition and future 40k

Looking at the last year, and what we know about the near future, 40k is heading for change both narratively and mechanically.  Disclaimer, I am not privy to any insider information so this is my thoughts based on what has happened and what we know so far, trying to fit pieces of the puzzle.  This is my speculation and most will probably be incorrect, but I like thinking about this and hearing what other people think.

Krak Grenades vs Melta Bombs

A little bit of a rant today, but also some tactics.  I missed upon my first reading the changes for grenades in close combat against vehicles and MCs.  If you are not aware, the main rule book FAQ has ruled that you can only ever use one grenade/melta bomb in close combat per unit.  This is a huge nerf for armies that do not rely on strength to destroy vehicles in close combat.  What is also frustrating is that this wasn't really a needed nerf, as the armies that relied on it are not the main close combat threats to vehicles.  It is what it is.

Batrep: Astra Militarum vs Chaos Marines 1850pts

Got a game in yesterday, and apologies my camera died so only got crappy pictures from my phone, switched things up and played the cadian battle group.  My opponent was playing chaos space marines using black legion and a traitor legion formation.  We played maelstrom mission 5, keeping our objectives secret, hammer and anvil deployment.  I got to deploy first and go first, he reserved most of his army.

Guest Hobby Post: Lasgun/Small Arms Conversions

Today, going to do a guest post, as I got sent in some great conversions using the various small arms and Imperial Guard bits available.  A few a bit advanced but nothing too hard either.  This is from Mad Hawky, and I'll have his info he sent me in italics to distinguish my words from his.

8th Edition News drops from Adepticon

Well our first big news regarding the upcoming changes to 40k have dropped from Adepticon.  Not only rumors but also new Death Guard models have been revealed and Mortarion has pretty much been confirmed as the next Primarch (daemon obviously).  As far as 40k, it is looking that we are going to get some Age of Sigmar rules, but also a return of rules from Older Editions of 40k.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Nork Deddog

To continue with the Ogyrn theme, I'll be going over the Ogryn special character, Nork Deddog.  Like all the special characters in the codex he is highly priced, but for what he does I think he is not too highly priced, unlike some (looking at you Straken).  He can be taken in a CCS as an upgrade, and brings some interesting things to the table

Astra Militarum Tactics: Ogryns and Bullgryns

Ogryns and Bullgryns, the overcosted elites of the IG.  Ogryns especially, they are expensive, have crappy armor, and no real way to get into close combat.  Bullgryns, while not being the most points efficient unit, have some actual uses, they are better in CC than Ogryns, and are more survivable and can actually help your army out.   I still think both need a pts reduction, but one is at least usable.

Gathering Storm: Character Analysis

With the gathering storm series at an end, I want to go back and to take a look at the Imperial Characters again and go over the strengths for an Astra Militarum or Tempestus army.  There are quite a few good options and a couple are just ok, but workable.  I won't go into details of each statline or special rules as I have already done that in previous posts.

Which Imperial Guard Codex Was the Best

For a little fun, going to look back through time and see which of our beloved codex was the best.  Now this might be contentious for some, but really its fun to look back and see how the army has changed over the years.  Despite the first few IG codex's we really haven't been plagued with bad books, at least when taken on their own.  My personal favorite probably will surprise a few, but at the end of the day its a personal choice and its not all about which book was the Strongest game wise.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Orders

Orders.  The fundamental cornerstone of the Imperial Guard.  Without it, the guard is just a bunch of mortals armed with angry flashlights and protected my reinforced cardboard.  With it, an unbreakable wall of armor and flesh and unstoppable light.  Mastering orders will bring victory, and it is no easy task to do this, as your army and situations will change, and how you apply your orders will not be the same every time.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Imperial Agents Shenanigans

The somewhat recently released Imperial Agents book has some little gems inside it for the Imperial Guard to consider.  For the most part, there is nothing too special with the Sisters or GKs, and the deathwatch is ok, but I'd rather go the allied detachment route for DW than the detachment in the book here.  That being said there are a few choices that are strong consideration.

Armageddon Shadow War: Necromunda Reborn

GW said that there was going to be many things to come in the near future and here is our first teaser of things to come.  Armageddon shadow war is going to be a boxed game, similar to their other recently released boxed games that have been pretty darn good, that is a skirmish game set in the hives of Armageddon.  Sound familiar?  Well if you are new to the hobby, GW used to have tons of specialist games, but discontinued them a while ago, with them only returning in the last year or so.  Necromunda was one of the most popular, set in the myriad hives of the Imperium, with small gangs fighting over turf.  It was a small skirmish game.  This appears to be its spiritual successor.

Gathering Storm III: Rise of the Primarch Rules

Moving on to the rules section, this book has the least amount of rules, but only slightly.  It has three characters and a few formations and a detachment.  A little less than Fall of Cadia as it had one more detachment.  This book has a little for the fallen and grey knights, but the big detachment is for the Ultramarines and the Primarch.