As a Byzantium player, I love the changes. Historically, the Byzantine Empire was very cavalry obsessed, so it is nice to see that more reflected on the board.
For Polish, quick assessment as someone with at least 30-40 games with this army: - The Clash and Terror of the East - good changes but these were in the previous FAQ so nothing new in 2024 - Hold The Line - more useful overall. Hard to explain briefly why, but in terms of modern scenario design (being exhausted = bad for objectives/scoring) as well as the nuances of this army it's preferred by me. Old version had zero impact against shooting - new version (with Rare) makes the unit very hard to hurt. New version lets me turn spear levy into unkillable bunker while letting my HW warriors swing away at attackers. Upgrade outside maybe one or two ultra-niche situations. - Szlachta - 'better' but unbelievably expensive and also a subtle nerf - old version could be used by mounted warriors and Warlord, now HG only. I preferred the old version, though even that was already prohibitively expensive and often went unplayed. Warlord being able to charge without a Saga die was a great choice for the old version - now that's off the table. - Voivode - hard nerf. This ability let me activate 5 units (including 2-3 levy) for ANY type of activation. This got played every turn (unless zero rares). New version just sits idle most times. Now competes directly for UC with Specialists. Old version did not. New version is restrictive (have to remove a fatigue if they have one); old version gave option (want to move or charge or shoot even though you have a fatigue? Go ahead!) Severe downgrade, unless you like to just run a bunch of heavy weapons warriors I guess. - Squires - not 'changed', but massacre point FAQ in rulebook 2024 is a boost to this. Sadly now worse than the hated Ordo who get the amazing Enlist ability and retain their own Rare-based mass activation power.
Oh, Monty, you sweet summer child, thinking the community would be reasonable with the interpretations of whether brought back models count as dead... (no, I'm not salty at all) But this is all very exciting. I think I got at least 2 new projects from this FAQ alone...
This whole FAQ just feels like they gutted the personality of some factions, namely the Spanish. It’s really a shame. It feels like balance for tournaments changes which, if true, is really disheartening because that tends to be when most games start to decline and I would hate to see my fav game fall in to the trap of appeasing competitive players at the expense of theme and personality….
Re: javelins
I tend to use the free shots woth my Welsh after moving a unit within the 'M' javelin range.
Roger that!
As a Byzantium player, I love the changes. Historically, the Byzantine Empire was very cavalry obsessed, so it is nice to see that more reflected on the board.
Great to hear! Thanks for chiming in!
All the Viking players waiting for when they can resurrect sacrificed models.
Very much so. I know I am salivating from the mouth at the idea (I guess a replacement for Ragnarök... for all that it's fun, it's so very swingy)
Oh man, I can't believe we didn't think about this! Seems like a fair hunch and would certainly give the faction a little oomph!
For Polish, quick assessment as someone with at least 30-40 games with this army:
- The Clash and Terror of the East - good changes but these were in the previous FAQ so nothing new in 2024
- Hold The Line - more useful overall. Hard to explain briefly why, but in terms of modern scenario design (being exhausted = bad for objectives/scoring) as well as the nuances of this army it's preferred by me. Old version had zero impact against shooting - new version (with Rare) makes the unit very hard to hurt. New version lets me turn spear levy into unkillable bunker while letting my HW warriors swing away at attackers. Upgrade outside maybe one or two ultra-niche situations.
- Szlachta - 'better' but unbelievably expensive and also a subtle nerf - old version could be used by mounted warriors and Warlord, now HG only. I preferred the old version, though even that was already prohibitively expensive and often went unplayed. Warlord being able to charge without a Saga die was a great choice for the old version - now that's off the table.
- Voivode - hard nerf. This ability let me activate 5 units (including 2-3 levy) for ANY type of activation. This got played every turn (unless zero rares). New version just sits idle most times. Now competes directly for UC with Specialists. Old version did not. New version is restrictive (have to remove a fatigue if they have one); old version gave option (want to move or charge or shoot even though you have a fatigue? Go ahead!) Severe downgrade, unless you like to just run a bunch of heavy weapons warriors I guess.
- Squires - not 'changed', but massacre point FAQ in rulebook 2024 is a boost to this. Sadly now worse than the hated Ordo who get the amazing Enlist ability and retain their own Rare-based mass activation power.
Thanks for the assessment! :)
Oh, Monty, you sweet summer child, thinking the community would be reasonable with the interpretations of whether brought back models count as dead... (no, I'm not salty at all)
But this is all very exciting. I think I got at least 2 new projects from this FAQ alone...
Hehe! Glad to hear!
SHhh - LYA- KH - TA, its easy( or just call it nobles)
Thanks for the tip!
This whole FAQ just feels like they gutted the personality of some factions, namely the Spanish. It’s really a shame.
It feels like balance for tournaments changes which, if true, is really disheartening because that tends to be when most games start to decline and I would hate to see my fav game fall in to the trap of appeasing competitive players at the expense of theme and personality….
Thanks for chiming in!