Vassakov

No, it doesn't need a sequel. However, it's been 5 years since the original novel so it's hardly a quick cash grab. Robert Rath, the author, clearly likes the characters and I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt as to having a new story to tell. He's only written 3 novels, but they are all extremely highly rated with Assassinorium: Kingmaker and TIatD being high up peoples lists of recommended reads. Frankly, even if this doesn't live up to the frankly absurd quality of TIatD, it's still likely to be excellent and the synopsis seems to be taking the characters in a bit of a different direction. So no, this isn't strictly needed. But it is a surprise, and a welcome one at that.

I believe pairing the strongest in a vacuum detachments with dispositions that are not necessarily perfectly aligned with what you would want to do with that detachment is a very deliberate balancing decision. Purge is likely the best disposition on paper (it remains to be seen how it will play) so giving the already very killy and aggressive detachments a wincon that plays into that seems like it might be thematically good but miserable to play against. That having been said, if you're playing garagehammer with friends and want to mix it up a bit - go ahead.

I think there's an awful lot of unfounded assumptions going on here. Shall we just go back to what was actually said: I've highlighted it for emphasis. Some people seem to be assuming this will apply to basically everything, others that it's going to be punishing for smaller ranges simply by virtue of them having smaller ranges. My suspicion is that it will - at least for now - be quite limited and targeted, based on the language used. Now I know the usual caveats around WarComm apply, but this is an interview with Richard Siegler who I strongly suspect has seen the new MFM and probably had some input into the new edition based on how GW run their "playtesting." Defilers are probably being highlighted because of the prevalence of 2-3 Defiler lists across CSM factions and believe me, they are a problem at the moment. I could see Riptides getting hit as well (Triptide is a meme for a reason) and then potentially things like Dorns, maybe Gladiator Lancers - but there aren't that many things that are really problematic when 3 show up. The vast majority of armies I'm struggling to think of things that are really an issue. Maybe Castigators at one point for Sisters, but that's not really a thing anymore. It's another dial for them to tune at least, and discouraging spamming very strong units can surely only be a good thing.

I think this is them fully embracing the whole digital side of things - if you assume 90% of your audience is using the app, then it can (theoretically) do all this for you, without having to worry too much. It's also a good way to limit spam without penalising those who are just taking one. One Defiler/Rogal Dorn/RepEx/EC Daemon Prince/Riptide is good, but three in half the lists can be an issue. They could also do it the other way to "buff" some underused units by giving them a bit of a discount, then making multiple copies much less attractive so you don't accidently break something when it turns out taking 3 Triach Stalkers (or whatever) is Quite Good Actually.

To a degree. Tabletop Battles (formally Goonhammer) has reviewed, in some depth, all the dispositions and their relative matchups. They did conclude Purge feels the strongest and is certainly heavily favoured against Take & Hold - but they also have Take & Hold as one of the weaker dispositions overall. The other thing which we're starting to see is how the dispositions interact with detachments. If you're playing BA and want LAG, well you're on Take and Hold. Gladius - you get Priority Assets, so you need a lot of action units which is going to limit how much damage you can do. Honestly, something like Ironstorm plus Librarius Conclave playing Purge sounds pretty scary at the moment. Similarly, my Necrons are currently looking at Pantheon & Hand of the Dynasty, again opening Purge as a disposition feels neat.

The other thing is, there is stuff that has been changed within the text. The two big ones I've spotted are: "To be a man in such times" has changed to "To be alive in such times." This seems to be a fairly minor change to reflect the fact that in 2026, virtually every faction other than Space Marines, Orks and Tyranids has male and female representation and characters, and presumably GW think the wording should reflect that. It also doesn't change the meaning of the line at all. The more interesting one is the old RT line "He is Master of Mankind by the will of the gods" has changed to "He is the Master of Mankind in the war between gods." This is, to be fair, quite a significant change of emphasis. I suspect this is partly because "by the will of the gods" doesn't make an enormous amount of sense (the obvious question is which gods? The Chaos Gods? Aelderi pantheon? Mork and Gork? Zeus and Odin?) but also that it now ties into the end of the Heresy story, with the Emperor being in direct opposition to the Chaos Gods. It also suggests (though does not confirm) the Emperor's apotheosis which remains a contested part of the setting, both diegetically and non-diegetically. Does this mean anything for the actual ongoing narrative? Who knows. Guess we'll find out.

It's also in the 3rd Ed rulebook, which is the gold standard according to a lot of people... EDIT: Just checked my 9th Ed rulebook (don't have 10th) and it's "the Golden Throne of Earth" there as well. Is this just a Mandela effect?

I just had a quick flick through "Dice Men" that's on my shelf and I'd completely forgotten that the very first Warhammer image - Harry the Hammer - was John Blanche. There at the beginning. Will almost certainly be there in spirit at the end.

No worries - I think it's because Hazardous at first glance looks the same as 10th, but its actually very different and that's going to catch people out initially. Feel you on Redemptors... my Forgefiends are looking very risky now, though I might actually be able to achieve the mythical "Activate at 12W and die" outcome now it is significantly more likely.

It's actually the exact opposite. Previously, HAZARD ROLLS had to be applied to models with HAZARDOUS weapons, so for example a Chaos Chosen would explode one of the failed plasma pistol models on a failed roll, and Psykers like Sorcerers and Librarians would nuke themselves. Now, it's just one wound on the unit, so characters with bodyguards can have their mates tank the damage instead (and Chosen are much better because they only take 2/3s the number of wounds they did in 10th.)

Probably one of the most influential figures in the creation of this hobby we all love, and whose work is still informing the designs of models nearly 40 years later. He's going to be missed. Thank you for all you did, John.

The other thing about the II and XI Legions is that they are a nod to the actual "lost legions" of Rome... because if something looks a bit odd in certainly early 40k, chances are it's a reference to something or an "in-joke." Other examples include the half-Eldar psyker Illiyan Nastase being a reference to tennis player Ilie Năstase, or basically half the Primarchs names and homeworlds being... well, jokes. Something the writers thought was funny. Not everything is meant to be taken 100% straight and serious. GW is a company that produces toy soldiers and doesn't take itself or its worlds massively seriously. You shouldn't either.

I really, really do not like the idea of giving the winning side an additional detachment.

That is the perception of a number of other characters. Whether they are right, or how much control the Emperor is exerting, or if this is a new thing or simply is being noticed by POV characters remains unclear. This has a long history in 40k, for example The Saint arc in Gaunt's Ghosts was ambiguous as to whether the eponymous Saint was genuinely the reincarnation of a previous Saint, unrelated but still guided by the Emperor, a latent psyker, just imagining it or some combination of all of the above.

This is fantastic. Love it. Going to show it to my brother on a giant TV whilst gently nudging my pile of shame in his direction...