So i did a quick article about 40k and the new escalation.  Well I picked up the book as I do own a lord of skulls ( I like the model, but had no idea what it's rules were ).  The new Escalation book is ok in terms of format etc.  I did see that certain things in apoc ( from digging on the interwebs)  are not in the supplement.  Most notably are the effects of psychic powers on super heavies.  Was this a plan or an oversight on GW's part? I'm leaning towards overside as it makes some really disgusting things happen during a game ( puppet master a titan! ) .  Other than the omission on the rules. The glaring WTF thing is the once again a unit or 2 in the book that breaks the game.  Don't worry I'll get to D weapons.  The eldar titan is too good for 1k.  It has the ability to stop damage even from D-weapons on a 4+, moves 36 inches, and put down 4large D blasts a turn.  This is why people are having a fit when even considering playing this match.  Just Dumb.   The C'tan is another beast of a unit but not as powerful as a single unit as the Titan. It only moves 12", but it does have access to some sick shooting ( with 2 D weapons possible ).  Still not as bad as the titan.  So I'm going to rank the OP-ness of the units in the escalation codex. Going from broke to ok maybe not so broke. :)

1.  Eldar titan
2.  C'tan ( all forms with D-weapons )
3.  Thunderhawk ( due to D weapons )
4.  IG tank Shadowsword ( the only  IG tank to have a D-weapon ).
5.  Lord of skulls ( has a melee D-weapon )

Now the Titan is by far and wide the standout.  Nothing comes close period.  I rated the Lord of Skulls lowers since it's D-weapon is only in melee.  Lets be honest shooting is king in this edition so it takes a backseat to any shooting D weapon. The others are pretty regular with no worries to be honest.

How to fix this?  Well I think what is going to happen is the supplement will be banned from GT's.  What can happen though is reduce D-weapons to Str10, ap1, ignores cover.  Still bad ass to shoot but does give things a chance to live.   Also add that Super heavies cannot be effected by psychic powers period. Stomp and thunderblitz tables need to be modified to at max allow str 10 ap1 hit.  No remove from play or auto pen.  Holofield can be gotten around by a close combat or ignores cover rules.  Make it a cover save Vs and save everything save.

I think these would make the units still very nasty, but rein them in on the WTF scale.

I did want to play my lord of skulls in a game, but as it's looking it will never happen as I feel the ban for this is coming.   Maybe I'll proxy him as a soul grinder!  A really big grinder :)


Bye, Bye, Escalation you should have had smaller arms