Friday, September 6, 2013

Games Workshop Hates Xenos (and prediction)

It is the morning of the 6th ed Space Marines Codex launch.  Some already have the codex.  Others are picking it up at their gaming store at midnight (/waves hand).  Others still are waking up at some God awful hour before 10 am Sat morning to get to their store to buy the latest crack, cheese, useless book, whatever you want to call it.

Message from me to me.


JJ typing, some of you may know I hate Space Marines.  They get all the coolest toys.  They get the lowest point cost to damage output in the game.  Really it comes down to the nepotism GW has towards their men in power armour.

Before I begin this rant at 1:49am Thurs night/Fri morning.  Let's remind everyone or provide a refresher course over the last three codexes.  I say three because Dark Angels was the second codex introduction to 6th ed.  Which some may remember purchasing the Nephilim Jetfighter the same night the codex was released.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Three codexes we can remember them.  Chaos Daemons, Tau and Eldar.  We don't need to belittle each others intellect by pointing out the blatantly obvious.  Or even asking them to google shipment issues of models, even codexes not being available on the release date.  We've read those forums, blogs and other forms of typed diarrhea.  What we know from going to our gaming stores and reading online is that as the Xenos codexes were released the models became more infrequent.  In some cases the codexes didn't arrive at the store.  Personally that was very upsetting.

Now there are many proponents that will happily, gleefully, even cheerfully say "GW has learned from the poor release of the last three codexes.  They prepared for Space Marines," or  "Yes shipping problems happen.  GW can't be held liable for shipping companies not getting the package to the store on time," even "GW admitted there was an issue with models and attempted to compensate for higher density markets while regrettably letting other markets not get product."  I will not bore you with more examples when you've heard and read them all.  Let's shift the topic to possibly, admittedly not so, a lighter subject than GW hates xenos.

GW LOVES Space Marines.  Much the same way I Love Ronan Harris.  My Love will easily/reluctantly admit my screaming that to him at every concert.  GW LOVES Space Marines so much that I'm not the first nor the last to mention that there will be no shortage of codexes or models (/shudders at the thought of anyone buying those disgusting Centurian models), hell even psychic power cards.  I called my FLGS (Favourite Local Gaming Store) on Tues and asked the chief in charge Dave to pre-order Codex Space Marines.  His answer "Of course."  We know each other.  Quick tangent.  As a customer it is your duty to treat the places you patron with respect.  Off that tangent.  I forgot the psychic cards until last night.  Called and talked to the new guy, don't remember his name, and asked to pre-order the cards.  GW LOVES Space Marines.  Reason I put that in again is because it is the evening/dawn before our new crack release.  Yet I am 100% confident that I will get the codex and cards tonight at midnight.  Hell I'm willing to make such a claim as to say if I don't get the cards I will abort all current self-projects and move to Orcs for the remainder of the year.  Which I've told many people that Orcs will be the last army I collect.  Because I Hate Orcs that much.

Who's with me that there will be no magical Space Marine shortage?  Who believes that Space Marines will suffer the same fate as Tau and Eldar?  Who is so disconnected from our reality of 40k that they believe the models they want won't be available?

There is no argument that Space Marines are GWs bread and butter, even toast and jam.  Despite the blogsphere saying xenos are more popular than ever on the table.  Hell even the blogger that inspired me to start a blog Natfka has mentioned it will be good to Space Marines back on the table.  If I had my way GW would choke on the lack of sales of their powered armour and wonder why nothing happened this weekend.  Those aware of GWs website last weekend was temporarily down.  This has been reported on many blogs including Natfka's.  I went there to check out prices only to be Space Marine Blocked, akin to Cock Blocked which some would say is less painful or Orgasm Blocked (which apparently is fatal in specific situations).  Was more than a little happy when I saw that GW website was down "due to maintenance."  Yeah maintenance as in "Please throw hard cash at your screen while we enjoy your feeble attempts to buy paper."  Won't go into why we trade paper which we attribute value for paper which we deem is more valuable to us.  That is an entire different topic which requires a different post and forum all together.  Getting back to the point.  If you believe GW doesn't LOVE Space Marines and there will be a shortage I invite you to your FLGS at midnight or whenever they open Sat morning to see the barely manageable chaos that is Space Marine 6th ed release.  Oh, bring cash because like many of you I'll be practically drooling all night til that codex is in my grubby paws.  Let's use a quote from Metallicas former bassist: "Yes, We Sell Out --- Every Seat In The House" Jason Newstead.  F you, Jason!  Much like Henry Rollins.  After angrily typing up my 'First Impressions' of the Space Codex I'll very quickly be in the bathroom angrily showering my filthy carcass for selling out.

Getting back to the Dark Angels codex.  Does anyone remember product shortage when it was released?  My store, Fantasy Flight, didn't have any.  Now daemons, tau and eldar.  It only got worse as the deeper GW went with the xenos.  For daemons FF received plenty of plastic.  Tau: some normal units no Riptides.  Eldar: not even the codex.  I can smell the BS in the air that Space Marines will land without an issue.  I look forward to handing Dave a bottle of cider while he stands behind boxes of GW Space Marine crap wondering where's Toto.

It is 2:26am Thurs night/Fri morning let's close this post appropriately.  Thank you GW for the quick releases of codexes.  I've always dreamed of this since second ed.  Please don't take thunder away from Eldar 6th ed.  I know it's in your nature.  Please resist it this one time.

Oh, prediction.  Almost forgot that.  Master of the Forge will still allow dreadnoughts to be pulled from Elite and Heavy.  Whereas codex after codex has not been given something similar.  Which don't get me wrong is ideal for my next, well tenth, army.  Six dreadnoughts in drop pods coming down in turn one making the opposing player wanting to change their diaper.  Now that is what I'm talking about.

Space Marines please die in a fire, eat a knife and drink razor blades.  Do something other than push codex creep further.  Resist your nature scorpion.  Don't string the fox as it swims you across the river.

p.s. requesting feedback from you 40k'ers.

Regarding the accents on the Wave Serpents.  What do you think.  Yellow or Bone for panels?  Bottom hull is desert highlighted bone.


slainte mhath

24 comments:

  1. Good rant. Personally, I enjoyed reading it as a space marine player: I know we get special treatment. There will be shortages though: the stores will be packed with space marines at opening, and empty at mid day! That many people want then! And one last note: I will be picking up the centurions (not tomorrow though, at a later date) and I aspire to convert them to look sexy and gorgeous and beautiful and delicious and sexy: just to prove the whole Internet wrong.

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    1. 17yearoldhobbyist, I don't believe those models can be improved. Look forward to seeing you do it.

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    2. It may not be soon (going to college, finances will be tight) but I will definitely get some for Christmas, at the latest. Don't get me wrong though, it's only the devestator ones I want to improve. I think the idea that the assault ones could move at the same initiative as terminators, to be laughable! The assault ones don't look like an assault unit, however I feel that the devestator a could work!

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    3. Maybe the devastator ones would work. Have to get rid of those heads and put some helmets on them. Assault ones look ridiculous. The tri-bit grinder on their hands. Really? Gross.

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    4. The centurions come with helmets! I'd never use the bare heads because they looks ridiculous on models that big

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    5. I can't see any soldier going to war in 40k without a helmet. Doesn't make sense to me.

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  2. Eh, we will see how they compare to xenos power-wise I guess. Doesn't really feel like they are getting that many different things.

    It will be at least somewhat interesting that different chapters will have different chapter tactics, and how that will affect how the army plays.

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    1. We'll find out about the Grav-weapons tonight, Suijin. As of right now they make no sense to me. Wounds based on save yet AP 2. Brain kind of breaks a little.

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  3. Space Marines have been GW's Cash cow for years. Always have been, always will be. GW will make every single effort to make sure that everyone that wants models gets them. This is like their Christmas morning.

    While I agree with you completely about Space Marines being their favorite and getting the special treatment, in the end of the day they have to because Space Marines are what makes them the most money.

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    1. Makers, didn't even think of this as GWs Christmas morning. Makes sense. Has GW ever shown a profit break down army by army? I would be extremely interested in that.

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    2. I don't recall the exact amount, but I do remember that a year or 2 ago Space Marines were rumored to have been something like 40%+ of what they sell, so almost half of their business is from space marine models.

      Even looking at their games for an example, I think its like 95% of them are Space Marine based, from some chapter or another.

      Hell they even invented Blood Ravens specifically for that purpose.

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    3. I believe SM are almost half GW business. Will have to do some research. Thanks, Makers.

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  4. Marines are not getting a set of psychic cards as they are just using the rule book ones (nothing online any where either).

    If the DA codex is anything to go buy I don't think the SM codex will tip the boat too much and that Deamons, tau and Eldar will stay on top.

    As for the wave Serpent I think the yellow looks better, and the blues mottle effect looks amazing.

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    1. MC Tic Tac, ok now I feel quite foolish. Of course they wouldn't get deck of cards. grr, thanks.

      You bring up a good point. The Deathwing Knights didn't really impress.

      Thanks for the kind words and feedback.

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  5. Damn you - that bone looks nice with a yellow gem as an accent. I can't choose! I CAN"T CHOOSE!

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    1. I'm glad that indecision when it comes to models affects others besides me, Zab. Never considered yellow gems. Damn you for putting that thought in my head.

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  6. well i for one will not be touching space marines until the wolves get a new dex apart from my chaos army and will now be focusing on dark eldar who wont get a dex for at least 12 months vanilla marines are boring in my opinion. space marines are the heros in our world and unless you a little bit twisted or have been playing a while and need another challenge its logical togive them the most goodies

    El Reevo

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    1. Except for the blatant statement in the Dark Eldar codex about villainy and Tyranids absorbing all life, it seems every army is put in the light of being heroes in our world.

      Space Marines do as many vile acts as other races to not easily consider more heroic than other armies.

      Kudos for Dark Eldar. Much respect. It has been too long since I've used them.

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  7. I can't choose either, I like both the yellow and the bone for totally different reasons. Could you do a fade from bone to yellow?

    Also, regarding the marines. I understand that you were dumping some excess steam into that post, but what are you getting at? Are you saying that you would prefer the Marines to have a product shortage too? Or do you want GW to screw it up again and then get it right on an upcoming xenos book? Regardless of whether or not it is the Marine codex, I want GW to iron out their system so that their recent problems were just a couple isolated screw ups instead of a normal issue.

    I don't wish bad things for other codexes or eager players. Mostly for selfish reasons because I want variety in my opponents. :)
    Besides, my Eldar got a reboot, so I'm fine for another seven years.

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    1. That is a good idea Spellduckwrong, I can do bone fade to yellow on the panels. It can work with my idea.

      A Space Marine codex would be fair. Let's share the strife others have felt since the last three codexes release. Guess where I'm getting at is to not take the wind out of the Eldar sail with the Space Marines release. Perhaps another codex in between Eldar and Space Marines would help me to not be potentially so bitter.

      I Love my Eldar. I hate Space Marines more.

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    2. I don't believe another codex, Space Marine or otherwise, would "take the wind out of the sails" of the Eldar book. Eldar players were given a solid codex. Solid enough that it won't be invalidated by another book. True, the band wagoners may be drifting away sooner than later, but I'm ok with that. I kind of enjoyed it when playing Eldar was rare. Made victory sweeter.

      I would love to see a test panel or two of a yellow/bone fade. Having a highlight on the fade makes more sense to me than a shadow like you had before,

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    3. Completely agree with you regarding playing Eldar was rare and victory being sweeter.

      I think I can do a test panel. Thanks, Spellduckwrong.

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  8. 6 dreadnaughts in pods on turn 1? That would be 12 pods total...How big a game do you normally play?

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