Predictions for 2017 Astra Militarum

[Indefragable]

Maybe not wild, but definitely untamed speculation on my part: 

 

Let me reiterate to be crystal clear: this is speculation and postulating on my part, nothing more, with no hidden leaks or rumors to go off of. 

 

1. Gathering Storm: Fall of Cadia--despite focusing on Cadia itself--will have minimal things for Guard players to look forward to. Expect lots of repackaging of old formations designed to clear shelves of old kits. It will focus on Black Templar gloryboys and Sisters of battle. Guard will be the red shirts (on their own home turf...)
2. Cadia-pattern equipment goes away as the "standard" IG gear due to Cadia "falling" (whatever that means). This is their chance to clean house, both in terms of fluff and physical inventory on the the shelf. 
3. No Flyers for IG at all: they get removed and made into a seperate faction: "Imperial Navy"/Adeptus Aeronautica (See recent Codex: Imperial Agents)
4. ...Imperial Navy will get Formations with rules that explicitly allow units from other Imperial Factions to use them as psuedo-Dedicated Transports
5. Techpriest Enginseers removed from Codex (See recent Codex: Imperial Agents)
6. Ministorum Priests removed from Codex (See recent Codex: Imperial Agents)
7. Primaris Psykers removed from Codex (See recent Codex: Imperial Agents)
8. Regimental Advisors removed from Codex (Astropaths, Master of the Fleet, Master of Ordnance; (See recent Codex: Imperial Agents)

 

 

Going with #1 above, I am guessing that a Solar Auxilia* style force in terms of aesthetics steps in to help bury the "Imperial Guard" and cement a new, much more unique and copyright-able "Astra Militarum." 

 

If my guesses for the above prove true, what does that leave IG? Commissars and Tanks, pretty much. 

 

Who has been left out the most with the glut of new Codices recently? Horde armies: IG/AM, Orkz, and Tyranids. To coincide with rumors of 8th Edition giving a revamp to the game, I expect to see all horde armies reworked so that units can be buffed up to need less models. For example, there was a rumor that came out a year ago (looking for the link) that mentioned they were playtesting new rules for 'Nids, where Synapse creatures gave Tyranid units around them Fearless, FNP, and other buffs. Rather than being a requirement for the force to be able to even stand up straight, Synapse creatures could become super-buffers. I have a sneaky feeling that Astra Militarum will see something similar, where the basic guardsman profile remains the same (crappy) unit, but Commissars, Command Squads, et al.... buff them up to be able to hold their own against the ubiquitous Space Marines and so forth. 

 

The alternative would be for GW to give price support to buying literally hundreds of models for IG/AM, Orkz, and 'Nids....something that have yet to show even the remotest hint towards (Cadian Shock Troops are $29.00 USD for ten models.....and they want us to use Decurions that need one-hundred-and-fifty models) doing. My guess is they will go the opposite direction and find ways to buff up armies with lower model count instead.

 

I also have a funny feeling that Vox's will become a signature item of wargear, even more than they are now. Rather than "just" re-rolling failed Orders, they will extend the range of Orders and allow re-rolls to scatter and whatnot. 

 

More to come....

 

 

* https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-US/search/searchResults.jsp?qty=com.gamesworkshop.endeca.EndecaUserContext%4043d1bc50&sorting=&view=&Ntt=solar+auxilia

[WarriorFish]

Predictions? Sounds like some sort of heretical witchery to me...

I find this a little pessimistic, though not outside of reason. GW is doing great lately but I have a longer list of failures for the Guard they've got to make amends on. I'm not expecting anything that useful from FoCadia, but there's no reason for this to negate the Cadian style equipment. Unless GW is going to inexplicably claim all manufactorums that produce it are located on Cadia itself...

Something is definitely needed to make a Guard update more than just "more models". Characters are a likely cop out I agree, but with even Chaos getting Chapter Tactics now I'm optimistic for something similar. Ideally more expanded to accommodate the unrivalled diversity of the Guard. I'd like to see the Vox improved, perhaps given enhanced range to allow for more mobility without limited command squads.

FoCadia will be the litmus test I feel, give GW a chance to show us they've learnt and can give us some more reasonable detachment requirements. Your move GW, impress us!

[Indefragable]

Predictions? Sounds like some sort of heretical witchery to me...

I find this a little pessimistic, though not outside of reason. GW is doing great lately but I have a longer list of failures for the Guard they've got to make amends on. I'm not expecting anything that useful from FoCadia, but there's no reason for this to negate the Cadian style equipment. Unless GW is going to inexplicably claim all manufactorums that produce it are located on Cadia itself...

Something is definitely needed to make a Guard update more than just "more models". Characters are a likely cop out I agree, but with even Chaos getting Chapter Tactics now I'm optimistic for something similar. Ideally more expanded to accommodate the unrivalled diversity of the Guard. I'd like to see the Vox improved, perhaps given enhanced range to allow for more mobility without limited command squads.

FoCadia will be the litmus test I feel, give GW a chance to show us they've learnt and can give us some more reasonable detachment requirements. Your move GW, impress us!

It is a bit pessimistic, but that's because I have trouble articulating the difference between hunches and wishlisting. The above is what I have a feeling/hunch will happen based on recent events. I have not much to go on with "positive" predictions other than hopefully a Traitor Legions style supplement for Guard.

Another source of the pessimistic outlook comes from Phil Kelly's own IG list....I can't help but feel that it was a clever marketing ploy to be like "look....this is how you can get your Guard armies to win.....by buying non-Guard additions that come in this new book!"

I just hope GW sees how badly in need of love IG are.

[WarriorFish]

Indeed, GW has not given us much to be optimistic about but then that is as much the lack of attention as anything. For all we know GW has some great things lined up and are just waiting for the right time... hopefully this is the case!

[MoGuy]

Since we are talking about the whole YEAR 2017 I think we can expect to see some love for the Astra Militarum. It would be awesome the Militarum Tempestus got some more toys but something tells me that GW won't give the mini codices the attention they deserve. 

 

So for 2017 I predict:

 

8th Edition will drop and thus start a new wave of rule books for all armies. We don't know if these will be in the form of the codices or if they will go towards a "warscroll compendium" like Age Of Sigmar. And since Guard is technically still in the 6th edition I think we'll see them getting a new book with new formations and maybe some new models as well.

[Inso]

I predict that, no matter what befalls the Astra Militarum Codex, I will continue to build a GRAND ARMY of the empire... even if it continues to be a Squat one... a race that the Emperor and his forces left to their fate... alone against the ravening hordes of the Tyranid menace.

 

Have faith in the Emperor and his reward will be victory!

 

:)

 

I will be happy as long as the organisation remains roughly the same... the rules aren't such an issue for me (because I don't game :) ).

[Wolf_Lord_Hardrada]

So if we're running predictions...Cadia in universe might catch the banhammer, but those Cadian kits aren't 'that' bad that they need redoing, though it would be nice. I imagine they will try and revamp older more dated guard models first, to try and breath some diversity into it. Hopefully Mordians/Catachans/Ghosts and (Gott-Emperor bitte...) plastic Krieg? With the new Chaos Legions book I expect we can see one for the Guard "Regiments of Renown The Militarum" or something that gives updated rules for running actual fluffy armies. Hell, a Gaunts Ghosts formation where all infantry gains Scout/Infiltrate or something like that would be awesome.

 

Tanks are going to stay the same, those kits are mostly still too new to mess with. They will keep their flyers I think though a codex for Imperial Navy (with Naval Armsmen/ratings) would be sweet. Maybe something where you take a Fleet Officer to gain D3 per turn orbital strikes?

[Brother Talarian]

I'd be pretty surprised if they dissect the codex as much as you suggest. The Imperial Guard is a staple of the 40k world (imo), and if they butcher it entirely it would make quite a few people unhappy. Myself included as I intend on buying a lot of models this week to spoil myself. 

 

Likely a new codex to match whatever 8th edition will look like, and maybe some new models. 

 

Time will tell. As long as they don't make them unplayable I'll be happy.

[Marshal Rohr]

The price/point per model discrepancy probably won't go away, but I could definitely see either GW going down the path of Squad, Command Squad, Heacy Weapons Squad boxes for the regiments of renown or doing Solar Auxilia.

[slowclinic]

I don't expect there to be so much of a dissection either. The Imperial Agents book, which I have a copy of and love, is just a way of adding additional flavour to existing armies. I've already picked up Coteaz, one of the made-to-order female Inquisitors, rI'm using Assassins again, and I'm even contemplating getting some Grey Knights to run the formation in the book. Pretty much any supplement GW have brought out in recent times has had some form of counterpart promoting fluff and campaign style play - Imperial Agents fits a Chaos uprising in the way of dispatching specialist reinforcements. 

 

As for re-vamping the range, it'd be nice to see some of the older regiments re-emerge, but it's also an opportunity for GW to bring out a new range following whatever gaming event takes place. That might open things of for more elitist troops with better stats/abilities/synergy. 

[WarriorFish]

I have mused on how easy it'd be for GW to roll out new Guard regiments, as Rohr said only takes three kits - Trooper, HWTs and CCS (which can also serve to spruce up tank commanders etc) and with the currently existing range there would be no holes to worry about either. They could produce a new regimental range whenever they liked without issue, even right now... It will be interesting to see if this rolling out is how GW approaches the Sisters as that could mean the same for Guard

Whatever happens we're not going anywhere, the Guard has the most devoted and loyal of commanders - I just hope GW doesn't take that for granted. As long as the Tallarn range is the last out to give my wallet time to cope I won't have any complaints

[Hfran Morkai]

Plastic Kasrkin, please...

 

It's breaking my mind imagining making Kasrkin styled guys with the FW Hostile Environment sets.

[Marshal Rohr]

Another option GW could do is something from Age of Sigmar. The Ironjaws come in boxes of 20 (IIRC) like the old Cadian box, for about 50-60 dollars and I think the new Ironbreakers are being repackaged the same way. If they did something similar with guard, where your basic box is a $75 'platoon' of 20 Guardsmen, a Command Squad, and 3 Heavy Weapons Teams like the new Start Playing boxes, you could conceivably build a small guard guard army for the same amount as a space marine army cash wise. This would also help my idea of basic kits for individual regiments because GW could have direct only platoons, with the option to buy individual kits Direct Only to save shelf space.

[Indefragable]

I'm not necessarily thrilled by the idea of Cadian-pattern stuff going away, I just can't help my gut feeling that it might happen.

 

I agree with everyone that each other regiment has some fairly easy ways to get lots of models out. Heck, they could even do 2 kits: a CCS/HWT/SWS/Upgrade kit and a 10-20 man snap-fit kit as well. That way, you can put more effort into the units you like while getting a semi-competitive number of models on the table with minimal organs being sold on the black market.

 

I'd love to see a "Regiments of Renown" supplement ala Traitor Legions. I would also love to see different regiments get Unique Units like Karskin for Cadians, Catachan Devils for Catachans, Armored Fist (Infantry Squad + Chimera as a single unit for cohesion and Orders purposes) for Armageddon Steel Legion, etc... If there's any Faction in the whole game that could really use the Traitor Legion treatment, it's IG. I think we can all agree on that.

 

...I just have a feeling that we are going to be disappointed. People with more direct experience please correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding of Age of Sigmar is that they did away almost completely with Horde Style armies and instead made everyone more or less equalized. Likewise, part of 30k's popularity lies in the fact that almost every faction is "balanced" since they are all pretty much the same profile...even the Solar Auxilia, to my understanding, play more like Tau than 40k Guard (BS4, super long-range weaponry, and so on).

 

....so my feeling is that we may be heading in that direction. I hope to be wrong.

[Marshal Rohr]

You need a TON of basic Auxiliaries in Heresy if you dont go tank heavy. Solar Auxilia is the best way to get tons of Russ into your army cheaply. Its definitely a mechanized list, that is a pretty gunline too. 

[Plasmablasts]

I don't think you'll necessarily see the units that have appeared in C:IA being excised from C:AM. We were afraid of that when C:MT came out then found that the Stormtroopers/Scions were still in the main codex.

 

We might see C:AM become a multi-faction codex like C:IA, which would be fluffy, but raise several new questions (particularly around transports).

 

Upgrade sprue for the Valkyrie kit, with Vendetta/new variants parts, seems fairly likely to me.

 

I definitely would like to see something like the regimental doctrines return.

[Inso]

From a purely business point of view, if the Cadian kits are selling well then it would be foolish to get rid of them. As has been mentioned, it only takes three boxed sets to build an army with (possibly with a couple of character models as well) so it would be easy for them to kick out a new faction whilst possibly re-boxing old stuff.

 

However, I am not convinced that we will see too much new stuff, just exisiting stuff turned intto plastic (ratlings, rough riders etc... and we need a box of wyrdvanes too).

[WarriorFish]

Plastic Rough Riders would be great, we're well due that (also a rules buff/points decrease please).

[duz_]

Plus the fact RR don't have a model any more. ;)

[Joe]

Just give them the option to pick between cavalry and motorcycles/quadbikes and you're all set.

Personally, I'd love to see them bring in the Ragnarok from old EPIC. It's a gorgeous tank which is basically ripped straight from the Soviet KV-2, and I was a little bit disappointed when Forge World didn't produce one for the Death Korps of Krieg.

I just want more tanks. >_>

[Plasmablasts]

I'd imagine a plastic Rough Rider kit including parts for a command squad and the list entry becoming a RR platoon, similar to the Scion platoon (0-1 RR command squad, 1-3 RR squads).

[Marshal Rohr]

I hope everything becomes a Platoon. I'd really like options for old school Heavy Weapons Platoons, or something fresh and new like artillery batteries with command squads. Veteran Platoons would be great to build sappers, scouts, or grenadiers. Im a fan of a larger, more open guard list, hopefully with Doctrines. 

[Inso]

I would love it if doctrines return.

[Halfpint100]

I loved the old doctrines. So much flavour! 

 

I am hoping the guard get something The fall of Cadia to me implies that guardsmen are getting slaughtered and battered so a Veteran box would be logical to me or a box contained different types of imperial guard as remnant squads that have combined in order to get the body count higher, it happens a lot in the books of different squads of different regiments combining (currently re-reading gaunts ghosts where this happens a lot). 

 

A new tank would be nice, you can never have too many tanks!

[Marshal Rohr]

I loved the old doctrines. So much flavour!

 

I am hoping the guard get something The fall of Cadia to me implies that guardsmen are getting slaughtered and battered so a Veteran box would be logical to me or a box contained different types of imperial guard as remnant squads that have combined in order to get the body count higher, it happens a lot in the books of different squads of different regiments combining (currently re-reading gaunts ghosts where this happens a lot).

 

A new tank would be nice, you can never have too many tanks!

I would love for some kind of panzer 3/4 to the leman Russ's tiger.