I've had some rather good quality time with the new Rule Book, and I do think it's put together very well; everything is sectioned off appropriately, I don't feel like I have to search very hard for the specific rule that I'm thinking of.
Don't get me wrong with what I'm getting to here, I have no real complaints about the new system. Rather, I think it looks quite polished and am looking forward to testing it out with my usual gaming group. Work's been rather busy lately, so I haven't had too much time.
Vehicles. I'm not going to get into the mathhammer of it all, but vehicles appear to be a bit more durable. No more popping tanks with glancing shots. All of this sounds right, even if it means ditching my Eldar Vibrocannons... So, our vehicles have become more durable ... but there was another detail that caught my eye, which specifically relates to Space Marine Vehicles... The change in "Defensive Weapon" classification.
Defensive Weapons used to be anything S5 and under. Now, it's anything S4 and under. The distinction doesn't have much effect on any of the xenos, but for Space Marines it is a very specific distinction: Heavy Bolters. Heavy Bolters are S5, meaning they are no longer Defensive Weapons.
Talking just about tanks here, if you do not move you can fire all weapons. Up to 6" (combat speed, now) you can fire one Main Weapon and all Defensive Weapons. 6"-12" (cruising speed) you cannot shoot. If your vehicle is "fast" everything moves up a category.
Back in 4th edition, a Predator could move 6", shoot its Main Weapon (the turret) and both sponsons (if you took Heavy Bolters). Now, to get the same effect from your Predator, you will have to sit still. One of the reasons I liked the Predator was its ability to maintain heavy fire from all three weapons while also moving about the battlefield (albeit at 6"). With this gone and the Predator being limited to move or fire (or move with one gun), I have to wonder if it is worth it anymore. I'm not sure, but I've bought a Land Raider just in case it's not. Hey, if I'm going to be sitting still and shooting, might as well make it a Land Raider.
Something else that's been affected by this? Ravenwing. Remember those cool Landspeeder Tornadoes? The ones with a Heavy Bolter and an Assault Cannon? Yeah, the only way you can fire both weapons in one turn is by moving 6" or less, since you're a fast vehicle. Not much of a 'speeder' anymore. Moving up to 12" will force you to choose between firing off your Assault Cannon OR the Heavy Bolter. With this change, I'm considering more standard Landspeeders and less Tornado upgrades. I already have one Tornado built, but I don't think I'll build anymore.
Anyone find any that I missed? How about all you filthy xenos, have the vehicle rule changes affected you much? (Tyranids not invited to this party as they have no vehicles... and can't control themselves in social settings. There, I said it.)
Were you kicked by a Tyranid as a small child? Just kidding, I hate them too...
ReplyDeleteI think this was the biggest surprise in the new rules for me. This affects not only strategy, but vehicle option selection. I'm sure it will work out in the end, but it seems to neuter a lot of tanks. Can I put lasguns in the sponsons from here on out? At least they'd still get to fire!
I wonder if the new vehicle strengthening goes hand in hand with the new TLOS (you can almost always see them now, there aren't many places left to hide anymore) and the new rules for assaulting vehicles (always hit on the rear armour)?
ReplyDeleteVehicles can get cover saves now but if they weren't increased in durability then they would certainly be useless on the tabletop with the other changes to 5ED.
Just a thought.
Inner Geek: The Land Raider Crusader looks interesting to me. Side sponsons are Hurricane Bolters (S4) so it's very similar to your idea of lasguns in the sponsons :P ...although then you still have to choose between the Multimelta or the TL Assault Cannon.
ReplyDeleteRon: Agreed, if not for the durability buff, we'd feel the assaults more. But the new TLOS and gaining a cover save doesn't seem that much different to me than the old "Hull Down" rules. If there is a difference, it appears only minor to me.