Last weekend saw the first major tournament using the new edition of Warhammer 40,000 – the Tacoma leg of the US Open Series. Almost 400 players made their way to Washington State in the Pacific Northwest to participate.*
This was one of the first times we’ve had a chance to see the new game in action at a large-scale event. Stu from the Warhammer Studio was there as an honorary Lord Solar to oversee proceedings, and we’ve got this interview dispatch from the tournament floor.
While current popular factions put up a strong showing as expected, some eventualities had not been foreseen – not least the fact that the Adeptus Custodes finished first and second. Their prodigious durability and close-range combat skills gave them a significant edge when wrestling over objectives, and with mortal wounds being a favourite tool in the arsenal of the Aeldari and Imperial Knights, the Custodes’ Aegis of the Emperor detachment ability paid for itself 10 times over.
The winning army list made great use of the Agents of the Imperium to squeeze some cut-price bodies into an otherwise points-heavy faction. Exaction Squads are ideal for holding back-field objectives with their respectable 4+ saves,** and come in at just 35 points for five – less than the price of a single Custodian – which stands in stark contrast to the huge ten-model Custodian Guard icebergs that proved impossible to shift.
Finally, the Callidus Assassin crept in to sow discord through opponents’ command networks, using Reign of Confusion to deny access to critical Stratagems by increasing their cost. With Command points in fairly short supply in the new edition of Warhammer 40,000, doubling the price of a simple Command Re-roll can throw an almighty spanner in enemy plans.
As Stu mentions, the Studio are watching these results – and in particular the win-rate percentages – very carefully, and will be looking to make more targeted changes where necessary. The change to Aeldari Fate dice has already made an impact, as have points increases for overperforming units. Underperforming factions are definitely on the list for attention soon, so watch this space.
* With many more attending for other systems including Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, and Kill Team.
** Even on a frail Toughness 3 human body, carapace armour goes a long way.