Staring Down the Barrel

April 14, 2009

Seeing as I started playing Warmachine last September, the upcoming rules and model changes coming in 2010 don’t really phase me much.  Yes, I’m sad to see some of my favourites get scaled back a little, but it’s a fair trade when so many other units, ‘jacks and solos get a little boost.  Don’t be fooled by the internet whiners: Warmachine MKII will be the game that it promised me to be when I first read Prime: Remix.  Why do I feel this way, you may ask?  Well, let us consider some of the core rule changes:

‘jacks

Which of the following could not be considered a good thing?  Answer; none:

• MAT and RAT increases.
• Are not disabled when 3 systems are crippled; they keep on fighting (although poorly) until ALL damage boxes are filled.
• Can expend focus to stand up immediately from knockdown or shake off status effects like stationary.
• Are now mandatory in lists due to ‘caster ‘jack points.

Units

• Unified stat lines regardless of rank and automatic field promotion.
• Unified formation rules and greater flexibility in trooper placement.
• Units are far more specialized rather than some fitting many roles, allowing for greater force diversity.

‘casters

• Free is a great price.  Bonus ‘jack points is even better than free.
• You can field Epics any time you want.
• Are no longer overshadowed by elite solos or units.  ‘casters and ‘jacks are once again, the core of the game.

Rather than going into specifics on the point values or model changes, I’ll translate a recent 500 point MKI list into MKII terms:

As you can see, the numbers match up pretty well in what is considered a standard game in MKI and II.  However, with the bonus ‘jack points, the Lancer is essentially free.  I honestly have no clue what I would do with the extra points (add a Hunter to the Journeyman, perhaps?), but one thing isn’t in doubt: armies are going to grow in size.  Of course some of the above models (*cough* Bokur *cough*) are changing significantly, so they may no longer be as useful in a largely shooty list like this one.

If there is one criticism I can level at Privateer, it’s that the filed test for MKII may have been released a bit prematurely.  Looking at model changes specifically, I’ve realized that I’m quite happy with my current collection and have little reason or incentive to buy more until late this year or in early 2010.  For example, purchasing a Stormclad now would be a waste of money since I simply wouldn’t field him in our league, but come next year, he will work quite well with models I already own.

On the positive side, this gives me lots of time to catch up on painting.  Or at least it would have, had I not filled the “buying things” gap with something else.  But more on that next time…

Written by kingmob | Filed under: Warmachine |