Looks like Warhammer 40k 8th Edition will be dropping sooner than later. GW announced it this week.
I have mixed feelings. 7th Edition became such a clusterf*ck of rules with almost no consideration for balance that you really had to be careful who you played with. I've actually completely given up on the game at this point.
IF they're able to bring back a more balanced game, I'll likely give it a shot. If the community isn't overwhelmingly positive about this change... well... I probably won't be either.
Based on the FAQ they published along with the announcement, we know or can deduce a few things...
1. "Every Warhammer 40,000 miniature we sell today will be usable in the new edition of Warhammer 40,000." So, what about the miniatures they don't currently sell? I'm just sort of assuming those won't have rules or really be supported in a meaningful way.
2. "The core rules for the game will be free, and you’ll have several options on how you get your hands on the full rulebook." Hmmm... free core rules are good, but they seem to be differentiating between core rules and 'the full rulebook'. That tells me that we're all going to be buying rulebooks regardless of the fact that the core rules are free.
3. "The rules in our current range of Warhammer 40,000 codexes aren’t compatible with the new edition of Warhammer 40,000. These books will be going off sale very soon." Things must be changing big time if every current rulebook is going off sale. This is good and bad. Good because the current ruleset is a convoluted nightmare. Bad because it probably means that it'll be years before certain factions are fully updated to the new edition. Age of Sigmar very much has this issue. If your army has a recent Battletome, awesome. If not, you're probably way behind the curve in terms of options.
4. "3 broad systems are covered in the new edition: 1) Open play is the most flexible, and easiest to get started with, allowing you to use any miniatures you like. 2) Narrative play is where you can refight the iconic battles of the 41st Millennium, or create your own campaigns and sagas. 3) Matched play is designed for more balanced and competitive games, ideal for gaming clubs, leagues and tournaments." Yeah, so this is basically Age of Sigmar. People who like competition and balance, i.e. every gamer I know, will stay away from Open and Narrative play. Matched play is the only thing that will matter. Hopefully they get it right.
5. "When can I have it! Really soon. You’ll be playing the new Warhammer 40,000 this year." I'm guessing June or so.
Cautious optimism. If they do free core rules and free datasheets for every unit, I'll try it. If I'm expected to spend $100+ for the rules to field a single faction, there's no chance.
