Flippy

You missed two aspects. One is that verisimilitude matters a lot - even more, perhaps, than balance or overall game result. So does customisation, even if it does not affect the overall game result in any significant way. The reason is obvious; we put the models on the table for the game, but also for the theatre of imagination. The second aspect is that the points complexity does not affect the gameplay at all. This "quartermaster simulator" is a solitaire you can play in-between actual games - you usually have ample time to figure it out.

If he's free.

Very good points. Regarding indexes (indices?) - we will see about the quality, but the idea itself is good. Shorter games: this is directly tied to another important change that they hopefully introduce - different game modes with actual support from GW. They have already made a first step with the battlepacks approach and it's time to really commit this time - AoS does not have to be 2000 points GHB game by default. Encourage smaller games with official materials and tournaments. Weapon ranges: good change; pre-combat and combat already has a lot of model-by-model measuring. This change may also discourage or kill some "tactical" elements that make me die a little inside every time I see them (e.g. with clever positioning, you can have your big dude swinging over the heads of friendly unit and no one can strike back). Army building: With the whole idea of simplification I don't think GW has the intention to introduce some elaborate composition rules or introduce caps for specific units - but maybe they will settle for something like the rule of 3 to kill the spam lists. It's not perfect, but man can hope.

Reveal stream, 15:22 ...really trying to focus in on the most impactful rules, the most characterful rules, but removing a lot of the other detail you maybe had to manage before. So, a really good example is the reintroduction of a limited set of a universal special rules. So things like champions, standard bearers, musicians, you know - some weapon abilities.

But is there any, in this particular case? You "lose" the rules - but you've never even played with them anyway.

OK, that was nice. AoS 4th edition: the trailer is very good; the lack of minis does not bother me - we will see them soon enough. I really love the rules snippets! Indexes are fun and playing with an outdated and patched armybook is not. Unified melee range is good. USR are good, very good - if used wisely. It's not about the space on the warscroll - it's about enforcing a modicum of discipline on the designers; if you want a unit to inflict impact hits, just use the "impact hits" rule instead of reinventing the wheel. A bit disappointed that battle tactics were not scorched to the ground... Overall I'm positive, 8/10. Dawnbringers: Abraxia is the best model revealed. Very impressive - and I was never into StD aesthetic. 9/10. Warcry: I will buy the box for the OBR (Sylavanteh are meh). Not what I expected, but I really like the prowlers and harpies. My main concern is how these models will be incorporated into AoS. All in all 7/10. Underworlds: FEC 7/10, Zealots... it's a matter of personal taste, but I would not take them even for free.

Well, I don’t really care about SCE or Skaven, so it’s mild curiosity here. Skaven players have served their time though and the visible excitement (dong?) is understandable. But there is still Warcry and, most importantly, a chance to hear something about the new rules. This USR and „no melee range” rumour made me more excited than any blurry model image ever could.

Man, that would be awesome.

Would be cool, but the most recent warband we got are the Lumineth Wardancers, so I don't have much faith in the Kurnothi variant.

Two more sea elves done! The Tidecaster and the Ishlaen Guard. One model left.

You really think that a Lumineth warband somehow affects the chance for Idoneth appearance?

An answer to the BoC riddle? 🤔

It's definitely a better idea than other I've seen here from time to time (crabs... 🙄). Idoneth are the ultimate strike and fade force and I really hope that the inevitable second wave focuses on this aspect of the faction - weird, swift predatory creatures from the deep layers of the sea & grim elves specialized in ambush and dealing quick death.

Amazing models. I was never into Chaos factions, but credit where credit is due - out of marauders, GW created a full mini Chaos faction with very distinct aesthetic. This is the first mortal range that can match HoS.

Seems to me that GW has found a perfect partnership when it comes to pricing policy. In a way, this makes sense - you will only pay that much for a plexi box if the intended content is also overpriced.

I am acting like Cities is some kind of privileged army? We clearly have a very different perspective on this, so let’s just finish with this conclusion.

Sure they will and I can totally see this second wave coming, let’s say, with the launch of AoS 5th edition. Meanwhile, please GW, show some love for those lowly and neglected.

I will finish my Idoneth Warcry warband.

Sure. Then, with a healthy amount of minis at our disposal, we can bounce between eel spam, shark spam and Namarti spam. Truly, a well rounded faction.

While I know their typical behaviour (and I don't usually complain) it is somewhat intriguing that GW always seems to gravitate towards this flawed 40k approach with main (every year brings new SM!) and background factions (Warp Spiders celebrate their 30th birthday this year. Stay strong!). Sometimes, I would really like to just seat and listen during their management board meetings.

If you count multi-assembly as single kit, we have: FS: 5 heroes, 1 monster, 2 units. One terrain piece and spells kit. The most neglected army of all. IDK: 4 heroes, 2 monster-heroes, 4 units, 1 big monster, terrain piece. KO: 7 heroes (!), 3 units, 3 ships. I would say that of all half-baked factions, IDK and KO are obviously more developed than FS, and OBR are a step ahead of IDK / KO, thanks to WHFB leftovers (Nagash, Arkhan, Morghasts).

Let's examine CoS, and new kits only, shall we? Monster leader? Check. Foot general? Check. Mounted general? Check. Magic / special leader? Check. Mage? Check. War machine? Check. Infantry? Check. Shooters? Check. Cavalry? Check. And there is still Command Corps and Fusil Major. Seems very decent - and even more so if you don't play them, right?

Maybe, but if there is any fairness in GW planning (not that i believe in it), both CoS and FEC should now stand at the very end of a long, long queue.

I don't know... CoS received 11 kits (a lot!) and FEC got 9, which means that they now how about the same number as FS, KO and IDK - but, of course, on top of their existing, older range. While I can imagine something for CoS (not that it's really needed, but it is a varied faction, important in narrative) I would say that FEC are done for a very long time.

Two recently refreshed armies? Why would we expect wave 2 any time soon?