Apr 15, 2010
What point level do you play at? What point level feels just right? We play the game at the point levels we grew up with and as our collections grow, we often slip into playing larger and larger games. There is no problem with playing at any point level; one of the great things about Warhammer 40k is the flexibility. Still what would you consider is the best point value for testing your abilities as a general? What point level works best for tournaments?
The overall purpose of this series is to make the case that 1500 is the optimal way to play Warhammer 40k. Why? Warhammer 40k is the most balanced when played at 1500. The gameplay mechanics of 40k break down the farther you get away from 1500. Things like game length and mech supremacy are less pronounced when you play at 1500. Problems with simple list design go away at 1500. As well playing at 1500 requires more skill than any other point level because making mistakes have bigger consequences. If their was ever a hard-core setting for Warhammer 40k 1500 would be it.
It wouldn’t be a small stretch to say that many American players hardly play or enjoy 1500 games. For the most part criticisms of 1500 are valid. They are valid because they are based on personal preference like a Whopper vs. Big Mac, but which one is healthier for you and 40k as whole? Irrational arguments do exist for true haters of 1500. Not only will this series lay out reasons for playing at 1500, it will also debunk some of the criticisms that detractors use to avoid the real issues.
The detractors of 1500 will continue and by no means will this series change the minds of many players because sometimes it just comes down to your own personal level of fun. The hope is to change your mind just enough so you will give 1500 another look.
So check back every week as we lay another brick in The Defense of 1500.
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I think the main problem with 1500pts is whist most forces can put out a decent list it dose favour of certain forces that have access to the cheaper “super” units. I thinking of IG but their cheap artillery tanks and transports or the unkillable horde of assault troops that ork and bugs can field. Whist at higher point leaves (1750) a balanced force would be able to deal relatively well against such spamming, the limitation means that to get all the base covered you effective only have only or two units able to deal with them. An example would be at 1750pts you would probable have at least four units that where effective anti tank choices, but at 1500pts two is more likely letting the opponent easily eliminate the these threat. It quite hard getting the leave of redundancy right in any list it just seems at be easer at 1750 over 1500pts.
Of course it dose depend on what gets played around you and what attitude your fellow players have. 1500 is a nice point leave in terms of time taken for each game and give a more skirmish feel.
…Then I'm a very disturbed individual…
Makes a change for GW…
What Ben said. If I wanted a skirmish, I'd play Combat Patrol. If I want a WARgame, I play 1750+.
I play 1850, but only because my main opponent plays Necrons, so his army is less fun for him at lower points values.
The table is already getting crowded at 1850, especially with all the transports you see nowadays. Really though you can have a fun game at 2000, I like 1500-1850.
When we were 'techpriesting' we were always told by the designers that 1500 was the 'design target' for 40k. Just as 2k is the target for WFB.
At that level you have a balanced army, but cannot have all the toys you want. Just some of them – and those choices are what make everything else both more difficult and more exciting.
A way to think about it is as income. No matter how rich or how poor a person is, the basic necessities of life in a given area cost the same. Food and shelter don't change if you're rich. You CAN get nicer food or a nicer place to live but those don't help you to survive, they just make you more comfortable.
40k at 1500 is like that. You need your 'basics' of an HQ and two troops. Those cost a certain amount of points. What you have left is your 'entertainment' allowance to do with as you choose. The bigger it is, the more toys you have and the less hard choices you need to make.
Interesting.
I only ever painted 1500 points for my 'crons and they are HUGE fun both to play and play against.