AFAIK Matt only had a hand in writing the two most recent GHBs. The others were written by the previous team. I don’t like this one’s magic, but do like the battle plans. I loved the last one - the Galletian Champion one.
This is sort of wrong. It’s been explained in places, but GW had stores order as much Dominion as they wanted, but then only sent a handful of copies while still selling them online themselves. They then sent the rest several months after launch. So the 3rd party stores got really hurt by that model as they got their copies after people wanted them. It was just awful. Source - a couple people who run hobby stores.
IIRC the line was vague enough that it could have something to do with the new Stormcast being death themed based on the rumors of Ruination Chamber and the direction of the Dawnbringers stories.
So far, it seems to be Scarlet Doom lists that going 4-1 at tourneys since this change. Making Bladegheists more killy just means they’re able to eliminate whatever they touch. The Mannfred RoR also seems popular, as it should be.
They usually announce Dawnbringer shorts in the Sunday preview at the very end.
I’d imagine they begin next week, however they could break the cycle of 5 with each.
I don’t think launching a brand new game is at all the same as an index. Obviously all the models that came over got different rules for a completely different game.
The tactics update is pretty big for Big Waaagh. Idoneth have been doing really well lately - especially shark spam. I tell ya that Deepkin have one of books that’s sort of a miss for third, but these changes you mentioned seem fine.