I have a hard time thinking Hunters will become battleline (EVEN THOUGH THATD BE FRIGGIN AWESOME!)
A couple things about Hunters now: they’re 200+pts each, they’re overcoated, they don’t hit as hard compared to similar units, they’re an anvil unit, they can be summoned, healed, models returned, rallied, can get to a 3+ save negating rend, and we can have up to 6 in a unit (so 30 wounds at a 4+ save for 450pts*)
Now if they’re battleline that means we’ll be able to take up to NINE in a unit (and trust me, I will.) But we also want them to hit harder? Have more consistent attacks? And all their other abilities?
And if they don’t get better, we’d like them cheaper right? Say 180 each? So then for 540pts* we would get a HUGE block of 45wounds that can be healed, return models to, rally, teleport, get a 3+ save negating rend and hit decently hard…
it’s just a BIG ASK for them to be battleline imo
I dunno, there’s a lot to break down and they’ll likely be quite different to how they are now, but if I see them become battleline I’d expect them to not be ‘stronger’ in the new book