Sonoftherubric21

That sounds about right. I think we will get some "walker/engine" equivalent. I don't think we will get more infantry either, though I am hoping we get something for it, perhaps even a simple character for the elites slot the way so many armies have them. "Sorcerer" in the elite slot of some variety, or aura-generation, unique spell or what have you.

Exalted Sorcerers are our "Chaos Lord" equivs, they won't become elites. Thing is: we have a total of 4 generic HQs, and 2 of them will be "1 of each" despite us getting a 3 man box set of 3 exalted sorcerers?

Anyone else have thoughts on the "1 lord / prince per detachment"? I have an odd feeling Exalteds may not get this rule, or a different version perhaps. Why you ask? We get *THREE* in one box set. Given we have 4 HQ choices (discounting Ahriman) I think princes will still be 1 to a detachment, but Exalted may very well not be.

Did you mean a 5 man squad? so 1x chain, 3x sword, and power wep/plasma pistol sarge? Or did you mean a 10 man, 2x chain, 4x bolter, 3x chainswords, and sarge? I could feasibly see 5 mans being pretty great, so I could agree with either!

I dig the engines personally, but I get its a taste thing. Though I totally echo the sentiment regarding "heresy" tanks (or heresy guns? unit types? or anything else!) in a Chaos Marine army.

Bare in mind the C:SM upgrades have *massive* opportunity cost involved. That is to say: When you buy that points upgrade you get a bonus for the character, and THEN have an unlocked set of relics and traits to go with it that are unique for that character. But that relic and trait still have opportunity cost involved with spending points, followed by spending CP. I would imagine that Vectors will cover the "extra relic/extra trait" aspect that you are seeking, Masterdeath.

In most casual metas or even semi-casuals it will probably do fine. I used engines regularly and did fairly well locally, and that was when they were considered awful. YMMV however!

I really don't get GW on this release schedule, if we are getting updated plauges, engines, and weaponry...... can't they just drop an FAQ they could throw together in 10 minutes that would allow us to use some updated profiles? Its odd and also frustrating.

YOU HEAR THE VOICES TOO!?!? How do I keep them at bay? HAH! Embracing the insanity. Though I am not saving for a wedding so I suppose my 3 separate vanilla Chaos armies (WB, BL, IW) and my massive Thousand Sons army are..... perhaps going overboard.... On a serious note: I stopped a while ago collecting models until the book is out for vanilla chaos and am going to recommit (I.E: pick one and stick hard with it and down-size just a smidge) when the book drops and we finally know what our 9th armies are going to look and feel like. Though I will say that I have found collecting "several" 2000 point armies, at least for myself, is far more enlivening for the hobby then (1) 4000-6000 point army. As above "Self-contained" armies are a really good idea and limit overspending, hence the idea of getting a single army and setting a hard point/unit limit and *sticking to it* stops some of the overspending and deep-dives we all do in our minds from becoming an expensive reality. If you have a major financial goal: limit yourself to 1 kit a month. Helps sate the hobby need and the prices become reasonable when you buy 1 of a kit per month.

I think we are guaranteed something. Look at the current release pattern. No codex has dropped without *at least* one model and orks, sisters, marines, crons, death guard, are all getting (or have gotten) something new. Death Guard are getting a new character, I would bet we will get something similar + a terrain piece. That would be my bet. The "ideal" would be a psyker dreadnought or psyker vehicle of some variety which (honestly) I would bet will occur *eventually* but who knows when that may be. I would rest assured that we are going to get something, but "what" that something is depends on GWs release schedule and what they want to put effort into.

Dual Lightning Claw- (Master Crafted) White Scars Captain in Terminator armor isn't too shabby. 7 swings on charge, 2+ to hit, D2 (D3 on turn 3+), re-roll all wounds. Before hitting them with strats, they can put in some real work on the table and can theoretically re-charge every turn.

As a scars player its annoying, barely customizable. Can do some minimal work, as I am running 6 but both look almost identical. Irritating for sure.

I have a feeling we will be seeing a big uptick in variable squad load outs. These changes make Warp Talons, Raptors, even basic troop CSM far more tasty and valid. Havocs, chosen, and terminators are a far bit sturdier, and the Cult troops will all look and feel far better with 2 wounds a model. There are a drastic number of changes that change our designs and what we can field that counts as effective, mid-tier, or even upper-tier load outs. I am very optimistic regarding chaos in the coming months, the Death Guard book will be a stepping stone until we see the full codex for Vanilla chaos. This unfortunately (much as I love theory-hammer!) will be heavily debatable until we see what precisely is changing within our book. Namely, mono-bonuses or Mark bonuses as well as strats and variable unit load outs. As well as the biggest issue: LEGION TRAITS Chain axes I would be willing to bet are going to see some form of overhaul to accompany the new Chain swords to make them worth taking. (D2? More AP? More strength?) Could be anything.

Feels like reapers are worth taking in a pinch, if you have that little extra bit of points they are consistent. good thing that I love reapers and always took them last edition despite being the physical embodiment of "meh" on the table. I also am looking quite fondly at Lightning Claws..... Though only being Damage 1 is annoying, the 5 swings at 3+ and re-rolling wounds innately sounds like it has some potential. I am quite eager to see what Marks and our army Bonuses do, that will be a big decided factor in Chaos lists and designs.

I shelved all marine armies across the board until our 9th books come out.