With the release of the much anticipated Blood Angels and Tyranid FAQ as well as the uproar caused by the ommission of a page from the Daemon Hunters Codex PDF I really wonder about the state of things.
The rules give us the means to play a game. They are there to provide balance and a clear manner in which to build strategy. You and another player can enjoy a nice contest of strategy and tactics. In theory anyways
Apparently people are getting creative in their interpretation of the rules. From Fire prisms still being able to contribute their beam despite a weapon destroyed result to Zoanthropes in a brood only needing one psychic test and don't even get me started on how some people interpret Necron "we'll be back" rules. Power gamers, munchkins, Beardy Gits have always been around but some of this stuff is getting out of hand. This, to me anyways, seems like it is violating the spirit of the game. Granted the FAQs solve rules questions but GW seems to be pretty lazy and inconsistent as of late when it comes to interpreting the rules.
Gav Thorpe Actually posted on his blog about this topic. He wondered why Americans are so obsessed with getting rule questions clarified and third party judging of the rules. This to me was light shed on how the GW guys across the pond think. They speak of tournaments and campaign weekends. They talk about how they solve their own issues and they don't understand the need for arbitration. Gav actually went on to defend himself as a games designer saying "it was his job to eliminate any obvious abuses". Basically somebody was calling out the design team about the loopholes people find to abuse the rules and make broken lists, IE Lash Sorcerers and daemon princes and the Allies rules that allow Imp guard to do the mystics trick. Apparently the designers were shocked people would do this, but Gav downplayed any shock that was expressed by the design team. I don't think the designers or writers have been out of the studio in the trenches as of late. The tournament circuit seems a lot harsher here than in the UK so I had to ask. Gav have you been on the forums lately?
There are weird and scary ways people are building lists and interpreting the rules. I think a big portion of these people have lost touch and have gotten so competitive they forget we play this for fun. The tournament circuit is pretty harsh and is above and beyond the level of cheese you may find at your local hobby store.
I play with a great group of players and we are competitive and do well, most of the time, when we play in a tournament. In fact we had some nice team games today which included a nice BBQ out in front of the store thanks to Farseer Rerolls and Samsquanch Monster. Much fun was had by all and we had some fun playing. You can't get so set to win you throw out the spirit of the game.
Ok rant over. SO what do you think? Rather than me preach and ramble on chime in give your two cents.
While you do that I will write up some more tactics articles and start writing about my new Dark Eldar.
Until then...............................
BLOOD RUNS, ANGER RISES, DEATH WAKES, WAR CALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
