We’ve heard a lot about the Arks of Omen – and Abaddon the Despoiler’s profane plans for the galaxy – but the big draw of this series of new expansions is the nail-biting Boarding Actions game mode.
Taking place in the cramped corridors of drifting space hulks, orbital stations, and other embattled voidcraft, this new take on Warhammer 40,000 sees small armies fighting desperate close-range battles in tight confines, around deadly corners, and through chokepoint doors.
Boarding Actions use the same core rules as Warhammer 40,000 – but in these treacherous conditions, many of the rules you’re used to will undergo some vital changes and adaptations. We’ll be having a look at how to build your armies – or Boarding Patrols – in the coming weeks, so for now we’re joined by Rich Butler from the Warhammer Studio team to go over the fundamentals.
Rich: We approached Boarding Actions with a goal of making the minimum amount of changes required to the core rules, for the maximum amount of impact in player experience. It was really important that Boarding Actions felt like a truly distinct experience to the main game, without actually requiring the player to learn a whole boatload of new rules.
In fact, by streamlining what you do compared to regular Warhammer 40,000, Boarding Actions is a far leaner game.
Walls and closed doors are more than just a visual obstacle in Boarding Actions. When judging distances between two models, you’ll have to measure all the way around them, no matter how close two miniatures are in a straight line. This may seem natural for movement, but it’s also the case when line of sight isn’t needed, such as aura abilities and psychic powers.
Rich: The rules changes in Boarding Actions are all about representing the tactical challenges faced by combat forces on a space ship. For example, how do units interact with doors that can be open or closed? How do inspiring auras interact with sheer walls? How does visibility work when shooting through a packed corridor?
These rules force squads to engage each other in dangerous situations, unable to take pot shots from the safety of another room. In fact, while many kinds of weapon can normally be fired beyond your line of sight, this is expressly forbidden in Boarding Actions.*
Hatchways can be opened and closed with an action, so it’s important to keep an eye on where they are. Infantry waiting in ambush around a corner might suddenly find themselves within range of deadly abilities when a door swings open.
The corridors are often so narrow that two soldiers would struggle to walk side-by-side – a challenge that’s only compounded by the chaotic press of battle. Drawing a bead on your preferred target is nigh-impossible with other bodies in the way, so gunners will need to think carefully about their positioning.
You can only fire upon a unit if a straight, unimpeded line can be drawn directly from the shooter’s base to the target’s. Other models will block your shooting – friend or foe – so make sure you don’t pack your own troopers into lines of fire. This gives tough units with large bases – like Aggressors and Tyrant Guard – a new role as mobile cover for their squishier comrades.
Walls and corners and closed doors also provide cover, making chokepoints a key part of Boarding Actions. Games have an exhilarating ebb and flow, as armies carefully approach defended locations before violence erupts in a fierce struggle for control.**
Rich: These small changes add up, and in combination with radically different mission maps and the limitations introduced for Boarding Patrol list building, players have a fresh new Warhammer 40,000 experience without needing to learn an entirely different game.
The new mode also pares the list of available Stratagems right down to a handful of key options – initially allowing just for Command Re-roll, Counter-offensive, and Insane Bravery. Later books will introduce an arsenal of Stratagems for each faction – and even some sub-factions – starting in Arks of Omen: Angron.***
There’s plenty more to go into, from Overwatch changes and new actions to mission plans and terrain effects, so be sure to check back in the coming weeks to find out more about the Arks of Omen.
* Fire a mortar indoors and see where it gets you.
** You could also run around like a hooligan and charge everything you see. Gork would be proud.
*** Enhancements like Relics and Warlord Traits are also getting a reset, with Boarding Action-specific Enhancements on the way for everyone.