As Warhammer 40k players, we often lose sight of what is happening on the other side of the GW coin namely: Warhammer Fantasy. We forget it exists, we don’t pay attention when new releases happen, let alone the Fantasy rules. As 40k players we really should start paying attention because Warhammer Fantasy has many times given us insight to what GW is doing next.
Another way we better pay attention is through rumors; everyone gets bent out of shape when Warhammer 40k releases are pushed back. February most people thought Daemons were coming, but it turns out that Warriors of Chaos came out instead. GW doesn’t just focus on one game to the exclusion of the other, so it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise when a Fantasy release appears “out of no where”.
Then there is the little 40k rumor, buried inside the Warriors of Chaos army book. Inside you will find the rules for Skullcrushers of Khorne, but when you compare them currently to the Games Workshop website they are completely different.
So what, you might say?
New book new rules right?
Well sure new book new rules, but what happens if those new book rules are only three months removed from old rules first published in White Dwarf!
The November issue of White Dwarf had the Skullcrushers of Khorne released for the first time. In the White Dwarf Skullcrushers of Khorne were fewer points, had better stats, and more upgrades, then all of sudden three months later the new Warriors of Chaos book has them just the opposite! It was a classic bait and switch. So, Fantasy players bought the new unit with its broken rules even given praise in the White Dwarf Battle Report! Living in bliss assuming a non-insane company wouldn’t change the rules a few months later!?! It is not like someone didn’t know the rules were going to be changed…right? Now, Fantasy players have an average unit sold to them under false pretenses, by a miniature collecting company.
What does this have to do with Warhammer 40k?
Two things.
First, what do you think is going to happen to Screamers and Flamers? You know that Daemon update a half-year ago? Rest assured the Nerf Bat is coming to a codex near you very soon. Who cares about balance when you are just going to change the rules anyway in a few months? You already got the poor rube, anyway. We all expect rules to change, in fact we love it, if for nothing else it gives us something to talk about. We expect those rule changes to happen every few years, but not three months!
It also brings up another thing. Have you heard the White Dwarf rumor that they aren’t going to release new models with rules again, like the Deamon update. The rumor didn’t make much sense because of the cash cow White Dwarf rules updates seem to be for GW, but after Warriors or Chaos army book…
The story behind the rumor is someone in the development team got upset with White Dwarf releasing rules. You have to understand that even with all the cross over; White Dwarf is separate from the development team. The White Dwarf team like almost everyone else doesn’t get to see anything new until a few months before release. So, if it happens to be true that White Dwarf is responsible for the update rules inside, than you can imagine the development team not being too happy when book release has big differences.
Personally, I don’t want to believe this rumor, but it is making more and more sense, and the cryptic messages I got from some in the dev team when I posed the question makes me really wonder. I want White Dwarf to actually be worth something, but if they are just going back only pretty model advert, no thanks.
If by chance White Dwarf does continue giving us mini updates than everyone has to get their act together. It reeks of complete hobbyist exploitation at worse or total GW incompetence at best.
Oh and just noticed some good iPad digital products to download….
Warhammer 40,000 Altar of War: Chaos Space Marines
Altar of War missions provide all the information required to play games inspired by the battlefield tactics of the different Warhammer 40,000 armies. This book contains six brand-new missions which you can use instead of the Eternal War missions in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook if you or your opponent has a Chaos Space Marines army, allowing you to wage wars of vengeance, launch a dreaded Black Crusade, or simply unleash indiscriminate carnage on your unsuspecting foes.
Warhammer 40,000 Altar of War: Dark Angels.
Altar of War missions provide all the information required to play games inspired by the battlefield tactics of the different Warhammer 40,000 armies. This book contains six brand-new missions which you can use instead of the Eternal War missions in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook if you or your opponent has a Dark Angels army, allowing you to hunt the Fallen – traitors of the Chapter’s ancient past – or unleash the elite Deathwing and Ravenwing on your foes in all their devastating glory.
For the latest rumors and news join the Rumor Email list and discussion board at…
BoK Rumor & News Group
You can also get updates on all new posts by liking Blood of Kittens on Facebook at…
Like on Facebook
You can also follow BoK on Twitter at…
Follow BoK Twitter
Don’t forget to visit the Church of Kelly for all your Phil Kelly praising needs.
If you have questions or comments your always welcome to email me though Blood of Kittens contact form.
Email Blood of Kittens
Warning
Rumor Has It is rated: mongering for spreading pseudo truthieness through leaks and rumors about Warhammer 40k