Is the 6th Edition the Final Edition?

[Blackcloud6]

Have the WH40K finally stabilized into the final rule-set? This article alludes to that:

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2014/03/40k-6th-edition-sprawl.html


One's thing's for certain, it would be hard to imagine 40K ever having a giant rule altering edition changeover ever again. Its one thing to invalidate a dozen codices, but making $1150 of rules obsolete overnight might make some players a tad bit peeved...


Could it be so? Are we done having to buy the rules and codices over and over? This would be against GW's business model that they have had in place forever. But maybe it is true by the shear volume of rulebooks and that they hardbound this time around.

What do you think?

[Cactus]

By no means do I think this will be the last rule set. We have proven to GW that we will buy, buy, buy whatever they put out so we can keep playing.

[Mr Mystery]

I think the article is referring to the sort of shift we saw 2nd - 3rd.

[coolguyclay]

Some game companies have completely revamped their game rules. Privateer Press redid Warmachine and Hordes into Mark 2 (MK2), with completely new rules for the system and all units, all at once. Wyrd Games is completing the same for Malifaux 2nd Edition. This was done with player community support, play testing, feedback, etc. In general, both have been great successes.

Wizards of the Coast had a similar problem when they announced D&D 4th Edition short on the heels of D&D 3.5. Suddenly all those rules of 3.5 edition people have been buying for years and filling their book shelves would have to be RE-BOUGHT for 4th!

Could you imagine GW saying "we've rethought all the rules, and we'll be re-releasing all the codices soon."? Talk about nuts! Yeah, some would buy them, but it doesn't make people happy. I have one army, so my total investment in to the whole rules library is very small. I'd consider re-buying. People that are supporting 3-6 armies + supplements? They won't be happy, and might be second guessing GW in general . . .

[Wolfshade]

From 2nd to 3rd there was a signficant paradime shift. All the codecii were invalidated, but GW released things book at a time.
5th to 6th while a signficant change, still had the core mechanics to allow me to play 6th with older codecii. The new thing was sufficiently covered in the rules (HPs, Pyskers), then also don't forget the pdf updates that were released as stop gaps.

They obviously feel that the rules they have are quite stable and backwards compatible (at least to some extent). Either that or next itteration all of these add-ons will be detailed in the core rules.

[Cactus]

I think the article is referring to the sort of shift we saw 2nd - 3rd.

Yeah, I stand by my quote. Even if everything is obsolete, we'll keep buying.

[Orange]

I don't foresee a large rule change, more of a general tidying of the rules coming with the potential release of the new starter box. This summer should be WHFB and in two years time WH40K 7th ed. With the new starter box I see it as 6.5 ed. where the FoC could be tidied, rules relating to Fortifications, Allies, Formations, Knights, LotD and the Inquisition cleared up as well as the allies table and how they all interact.

Of course new codices will continue to be released as new models are readied and entered into the system and lore gets rewritten to allow for these figures to be included (Damocles) crusade. I wish we could move on with the story at this point however as continually back tracking to allow Eldrad to stay alive, Abaddon to keep his arms and such is getting to be a tad much.

[TheKennanator]

Its the last edition I can deal with for now.

Since 6th edition I've blown too much money trying to keep up with the rules and the upgrades to my three armies. I'm glad they're releasing everything so quickly, but It would have been nice to know how fast it was going to be so I could have focused on one group or the other. Anyhow, with smaller scale miniature games like Sails of Glory and X-Wing on the scene, with a much lower barrier to entry w/regard to the rules and much more straight forward mechanics, I'm probably going to let 40k slip for a few years and wait till my kids get into it (because they will). I never throw away a rulebook.

The biggest thing that will drive me from them, however, is the creep of Epic into 40K. I don't want titan's and 1 hit wonders in the games. I want manuevers and tactics to make a difference. With that in mind I know contemporary 40k isn't for me, so I suppose that's another reason to take a break for a bit.

[40k_slimez]

..$1150 of rules obsolete overnight might make ..
Isn't this GW's exact business model ATM?
In their eyes, if you do make "$1150 of rules obsolete overnight" then its $1150 of new sales when the updated/new/rewritten codexes come out.

[nathaneal246]

I would like to think they will keep 6th edition but if they do update it I think it will be in digital form rather than printed rule books! With digital its just easier to access etc! I personally don't see the point in a 7th edition with so many codices being released!

[Xaric]

What I personally think will happen is they will just sell the small rulebook with core rules then add supplements like escalation for super heavy to add to the game and stronghold to add buildings to the game so they can sell the main rule book cheaper to try and get more newbie's to join due to a £50 price tag as most of my friend's said is to damn expensive because from the get go to have 2 troops 1 hq and a rule book can cost somewhat £125 depending on your army if you have no intention of getting the starter kit hell even getting that you still need to buy a codex for £30 to make the army's useable in games outside the starter kit.

So say good buy to edition numbers and say hello to addons.