Kilamandaros

Fist on the initiate as before but the sword brother gets a master crafted sword now, so he's not the worst model in the squad anymore lol

I think we're a lot more flexible than World Eaters, their only real option is to charge across the board and hope to reach melee before getting shot off the table. Yes we have the option to play like that, but we're still space marines. Losing oath nerfs some of our shooting, but there's plenty of options with in built rerolls like Ballistus, Lancer or our new Executioner to give great long range firepower. I think a combined arms mechanised approach will still be the best idea, being able to soften up threats at range whilst your Crusaders/Impulsors etc. get across the board to deliver the close combat punch and win objectives.

Can keep using AoC in Gladius/Stormlance - it's not nearly as good now since the nerf though so not that big a loss

Terrible take. It's a great, thematic codex that fits the army well. Yes it's a sidegrade as we lost some rules but gained a lot too. You sound like someone who just likes to complain about nothing.

I only play Crusade these days so my opinion on what might be 'meta' can be taken with salt - that said I don't think any of the 3 detachments are going to be competitive. They look fun but they are far too niche and not overly powerful (look like great fun and very thematic for casual games however). That said I think our core rules & datasheets are much improved, and with Gladius or Stormlance there may well be a very competitive list there. We hit a lot harder now, but have less resilience without the FNPs. Time will tell! I've got one of each of the new characters, a 2nd LRC/Redeemer and a Lancer to add to my ongoing Armageddon Crusade, can't wait!

Sad Crusaders & Sword Brothers lost an attack, though guess that was the sacrifice to get sustained/lethal. Still feel like Bladeguard with a Lieutenant will be better than SBs as much more resilient (admittedly less so now without FNP) and have more attacks per model.

Just FYI on this, I've discovered that all the grotmas detachments are still available to use, even when a new codex comes out - so Wrathful Procession is still available for BT use, where Righteous Crusaders obviously isn't.

Leaked review of the codex (seems legit but take with some salt as he doesn't seem that familiar with the current rules and is only showing the current stat blocks as a comparison so could be making mistakes on what has changed). If accurate then the transport detachment looks great and very thematic, definitely my pick of the 3

Yea the Land Raider detachment is definitely the highlight of the 3, some great stratagems and enhancements and very thematic - the other 2 much less so. Terminators & Sternguard look much much worse than regular versions (and termies were not great to begin with) but our LRC looks amazing as long as it keeps the assault ramp as well - it's actually way better than the Razorback as it's until the end of the turn not phase, which is fantastic, especially with the buffs in the transport detachment.

Do we think it'll be these 3 'new' detachments plus Righteous Crusaders & Wrathful Procession, or they likely to be removed enitrely? Obviously RC would need a total rework with vows replacing OoM. Perhaps just Wrathful Procession will be kept... An entire detachment based around a specific character type feels a bit meh but will hold out hope for the others. Army-wide charge/advance rerolls is fine, though kind of invalidates the unit rule for Crusader squads (unless that's changing of course).

I'm just over here hoping assault terminators can have mastercrafted power swords with stormshields. Never liked the aesthetic of thunder hammers. I know very unlikely they'll give them the same loadout as BGVs but I can hope!

True but I think most people are surprised there's even a 2nd model after the Ancient so who knows. Still hoping for something in Terminator armour!

So we have 2 new minis with this release and Valrak mentioned there may be even more codex releases early August alongside GKs

Awesome! And didn't Valrak say there's even more to come with the codex?

You already can charge from a drop pod at 9"? I think all they could really do is lower the points cost. The novelty of a turn 1 deepstrike and ignoring reserve restrictions is unique enough, it's just too expensive at 70 points a pod. Maybe if they remove the guns they could drop them to 40-50 points and that would make them more interesting.