First up Mr Tactical Dreadnought armour ...
http://www.retribution40k.net/DS/termi.jpg
Report form YAKFACE on the DAKKADAKKA forum.
HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 40K SEMINAR:
(this includes the private questions that I was able to ask Jes and Gav)
* Someone asked if with the advent of the TVR and the TAR it seemed
like they were tyring to reduce the amount of CC in 40K. Gav and Jes simply
replied "yep" in unison.
* Gav made a point to say that it's not that they were trying to make
CC impossible, just that it should be harder to accomplish put provide more
devestating results.
* In the seminar Gav was pressed as to what he meant about assaults
being more devestating and he kinda just avoided the question.
* Later, I asked him for more information and he said that a squad
which runs after losing combat will now be wiped out again. However, there
is still no sweeping advance per se (they don't want to give CC units extra
movement again). Instead, to rundown a fleeing unit has something to do with
Initiative. He didn't elaborate.
* The rumor about Fearless troops getting extra wounds for being
outnumbered is true, although I forgot to ask if you get armor saves from
the wounds (sorry).
* I asked Gav as to why he happened to know so much about 4th Ed. He
said that he's been filling in the last few weeks to help get things
finished since Andy left (no comment as to why he left, of course).
* I also asked Gav if the current BA, SW, DA, etc. mini codexes would
be wiped out immediately when the new SM codex came out. He said that the
new codex will work backwards compatible with these mini-dexes until the new
codexes come out.
* The new SM codex will have the chapter traits system, but this will
not be so dramatic as to allow you to make your own BA chapter. Gav said
that you would be able to make a chapter on the way to becoming BA, but not
there yet.
* The new "big 5" (quote from Gav) of the SM are Ultras, BA, DA, SW &
Templars (ick!). All these codexes will get a full '64 page' codex
eventually, that will not require the basic SM codex (Ultra codex) to use.
They will be totally stand-alone.
* Ultramarines will get their own chapter specific metal miniatures to
make the Ultras "cool" again. Those are the concept sketches we've seen on
Dakka already. There was no word on whether these models will have special
rules or just be cool models.
* Jes Stated that there would be Ork modular vehicles, but that it is
a massive undertaking (because of the amount of part swapping, it'll be like
sculpting three plastic kits at once).
* There is no set release dates for the next codexes (or even a set
order). Jes strongly hinted that the two armies in the box set would be the
first to get new codexes.
* Jes said that Forgeworld will almost certainly release the crashed
shuttle (from the box set) as a full kit. The shuttle's concept sketch is
amazing. The shuttle almost looks like an Imperial Eagle from the top view.
* The plastic Wave Serpent picture we've seen online IS the official
model. This straight from Jes's mouth.
* The Plastic Carnifex is done. Also, a new metal Ravener is finished.
Both had concept drawings available. Both look amazing. The Carnifex is much
more hunched over. It's like he's so big he can't stand all the way up. But
he has a smaller, more vicious head that curves back up (the overall shape
of the carnifex is kinda like a giant termagant). The Carni's middle arms
are practically dragging on the ground. It also looks like Old One Eyes big
giant claws will become standard on the 'fex. The new Ravenar looks more
like a giant Ripper Swarm (a little closer to a Tyranid warrior with a tail,
than the wierd snake looking thing it looked like before).
* In Jes's sketchbook, there was also a concept sketch for an Imperial
Guard officer towncar (it says specifically for forgeworld, though). It's a
little kooky, but pretty cool. It's like a convertible Rolls-Royce for
Officers, with a little 41st millenium flair (six wheels, a few metal tubes
coming out of the engine, etc).
* Now some bad news. The screening rumor is totally true. No more
screening. And if your unit fails the Ld test to target any unit, then they
just have to fire at the closest unit. I don't understand how this can work
with armies like the Imperial Guard, but Gav attested that all armies have
been playtested with the new rules and are totally viable. (I'm still quite
skeptical. . .but I continue to hope for more info I don't know about).
* Someone asked about the imbalance of the new Rapid Fire rules vs.
current Assault weapons, and whether Assault weapons would still allow you
the charge bonus, even if fired. Gav said no to this. He said that the
benefit of assault weapons is that you could still move, shoot, and assault
with them. As opposed to Rapid Fire weapons, which if you move and
double-tap, you apparently cannot then charge. Seemed like a pretty weak
response, especially considering Eldar guardians who don't want to charge
after firing their assault weapons!
* The 40K rulebook will be sold seperately from the starter set. It is
a hardbound book. The starter set will have the full rules, but will not
have the hobby and modeling section that the regular rulebook has. It costs
$40 for a ton of miniatures and terrain. Sounds like a good deal. No word on
what the rulebook by itself will cost.
* There will be a special edition rulebook sold in December for
collectors. It will have a special cover, a metal tin case and will be
wrapped in a 40K standard! They guessed it would probably be around $100.
* The rulebook will have a glossary (everyone cheered at that).
* They had the infamous Genestealer 3-up on display (with the Termie
3-Ups, too). I asked Jes if this was a resculpt of the picture we have seen
online. To my shock he said no. I can safely say that the picture we have
seen is horribly misleading. The Genestealer does NOT have a monkey head and
giant arms. The miniature is in fact pretty darn cool looking, and when
shrunken down should look badass. Yes, I'm not sh*ting you. The genestealer
picture online is just TERRIBLE.
* The Terminator 3-ups look quite dynamic compared to the old models,
but besides that look remarkably similar, which is fine IMO. Jes said that
plastic Chaos termies are not on their way anytime soon, but will eventually
make an appearance.
More from RCHOU
some more stuff:
The SM traits system will mostly be veteran skills and organization
differentiation. The book itself will focus heavily on Ultramarines.
All changes made from 3rd to 4th edition will be available online.
They plan to deal with the Eldar as one big race. This means Exodites,
Harlies, and DE will all be revamped at the same time. They werent sure how
they were going to organize this, and even said a gigantic 200 page codex
with all Eldar was under consideration. (Though they said that would be
HIGHLY, I repeat, HIGHLY unlikely.) Jes specifically mentioned how he did
not want "Eldars with white hats, and Eldars with black hats." They want to
show how enigmatic the Eldar race is.
The new plastic terminators are based on the old models. Jes basically tore
them apart and added green stuff here and there to make them bigger and more
dynamic. They look gorgeous, nonetheless.
(esim. WH)
