Dark Angels FAQ

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**tinfoil**

Link.

Didn't see this posted yet. Sorry if I missed it.

Say hello to "The Most Important Rule"!

**Ghaz**

Does look they fixed a few of their errors in the previous FAQ.

**MarvinGayeIsMyDaddy**

In the time it took to write that giant half page hunk of gak for that nonanswer, they could have addressed pretty much all of the inconsistencies between the DA & SM codex.

**winterman**

They would have been better off telling DA players to use the new codex.

**Prometheum5**

The first question of the FAQ part pretty much sums it up... hope this isn't how it's gonna go for all of them, because I want special Scout ammo and upped transport capacity in my BA army!

**Ghaz**

MarvinGayeIsMyDaddy wrote:In the time it took to write that giant half page hunk of gak for that nonanswer, they could have addressed pretty much all of the inconsistencies between the DA & SM codex.

How is that a 'non-answer'? They actually answered the question in the very first sentence:

Strictly, you should always use the rules from your own Codex, and this is the default solution you must use if you and your opponent can’t come up with a better one...

The rest of it can be boiled down into "use a house rule if you and your opponent agree".

**General Hobbs**

For GT/Tournament play you still have to use what is in your codex.

IMHO this is one of the dumbest things every done.

**Scottywan82**

Ambiguity ENRAGES dakkaites.

So having an "option"? This poisons our very souls!!!

Though actually, he doesn't say for GT you have to do "X" He says that tournaments will most LIKELY make you do "X", but that's up to the tournament organizer.

**General Hobbs**

So if you walk into a store, and say no to someone using the CSM items, that person may decide not to play you. Or you may play him, and have no fun.

On the flip side, you might have a blast. But...you know how people are...if they can find a way to have an advantage in their army, they will take it. So it is fair for DA armies to get better wargear for cheaper prices ( Cyclone Missile Launchers for example) ?

Why not just get rid of FO charts for all games? It looks like 40K is just going to a put units down, pay what you want for wargear, do what you want format.

I'm modelling all my Terminators with assault cannons...who are you to say I can't use them? Oh, and I'm putting Fire Prisms in my Marine Army.

**fitzeh**

Where is the ambiguity???

**Alpharius**

I can see both sides here, but really, would it have killed GW to actually decide one way or the other?

**Aduro**

Makes me glad I'm the final word on stuff like that in my area. Sorry Dark Angle players, but whats in your Codex is what you're using.

**Centurian99**

Q. There are a number of cases where things with the same name have different rules or characteristics in Codex Space Marines and Codex: Dark Angels, such as the different transport capacity for the Land Raider. There are also a number of new items of equipment in the Space Marines Codex that are not this one. Which version of the rules should I use, the latest version, or the one in Codex: Dark Angels?

A. Strictly, you should always use the rules from your own Codex, and this is the default solution you must use if you and your opponent can’t come up with a better one (you’ll find that this might be the case in tournaments, for example!). However, always keep in mind the foreword we have written to all of the Errata and FAQ documents, as well as ‘The Most Important Rule’ described on page 2 of the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook, which states ‘… it is important to
remember that the rules are just a framework to create an enjoyable game.

Winning at any cost is less important than making sure both players – not just the victor – have a good time.’ On this basis if an opponent asks you if it’s okay for them to use the latest version of the rules for a piece of equipment, or if they can use a new item from Codex: Space Marines in their own army, then you should say ‘Yes, of course you can!’ Please note that ‘The Most Important Rule’ cuts both ways, and because of this, if you feel that a piece of new equipment
might spoil the game for your opponent by giving your own army an unfair advantage, then you are honour-bound not to use it. As you can see, the nature of the Most Important Rule means that it’s impossible to give a black and white answer to any question that may arise; instead you and your opponent need to discuss things and come up with the answer that makes both of you the happiest, keeping in mind that having a good time is more important than gaining a small in-game advantage. If for any reason you can’t do this, then simply revert to the default of using the rules from your own Codex.

I think I'm honestly rendered speechless for this one. I'm going to translate this into regular english

"We really feel that the game should be played using the latest rules available, but we lack the moral courage to simply say so just in case it might cause one player to be offended at us, so instead we'll provide this open-ended non-answer that essentially throws the responsibility for coming up with a mutually agreeable answer to two parties who will generally have a great interest in either outcome, instead of hiving us, a reasonably neutral third party, come up with a solution."

**Scottywan82**

The ambiguity exists in the option for people to say no. Why do we ALWAYS arge about this. People can ALWAYS say no! I can say no to playing you even if you use a perfectly normal list that is totally legal! So what?

And I don't know what douchenozzle filled store Hobbs goes to, but man would I not want to play there. Apparently people there take every advantage they can in their army. Almost like playing this game means something beyond "I like small metal men".

**derek**

Centurian99 wrote:
Q. There are a number of cases where things with the same name have different rules or characteristics in Codex Space Marines and Codex: Dark Angels, such as the different transport capacity for the Land Raider. There are also a number of new items of equipment in the Space Marines Codex that are not this one. Which version of the rules should I use, the latest version, or the one in Codex: Dark Angels?

A. Strictly, you should always use the rules from your own Codex, and this is the default solution you must use if you and your opponent can’t come up with a better one (you’ll find that this might be the case in tournaments, for example!). However, always keep in mind the foreword we have written to all of the Errata and FAQ documents, as well as ‘The Most Important Rule’ described on page 2 of the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook, which states ‘… it is important to
remember that the rules are just a framework to create an enjoyable game.

Winning at any cost is less important than making sure both players – not just the victor – have a good time.’ On this basis if an opponent asks you if it’s okay for them to use the latest version of the rules for a piece of equipment, or if they can use a new item from Codex: Space Marines in their own army, then you should say ‘Yes, of course you can!’ Please note that ‘The Most Important Rule’ cuts both ways, and because of this, if you feel that a piece of new equipment
might spoil the game for your opponent by giving your own army an unfair advantage, then you are honour-bound not to use it. As you can see, the nature of the Most Important Rule means that it’s impossible to give a black and white answer to any question that may arise; instead you and your opponent need to discuss things and come up with the answer that makes both of you the happiest, keeping in mind that having a good time is more important than gaining a small in-game advantage. If for any reason you can’t do this, then simply revert to the default of using the rules from your own Codex.

I think I'm honestly rendered speechless for this one. I'm going to translate this into regular english

"We really feel that the game should be played using the latest rules available, but we lack the moral courage to simply say so just in case it might cause one player to be offended at us, so instead we'll provide this open-ended non-answer that essentially throws the responsibility for coming up with a mutually agreeable answer to two parties who will generally have a great interest in either outcome, instead of hiving us, a reasonably neutral third party, come up with a solution."

Yeah, I pretty much came to the same conclusion.

**Death By Monkeys**

Lightning claws can be retracted into their casing? Who knew? Snickety-snack!

**methoderik**

Winning at any cost is less important than making sure both players – not just the victor – have a good time.’ On this basis if an opponent asks you if it’s okay for them to use the latest version of the rules for a piece of equipment, or if they can use a new item from Codex: Space Marines in their own army, then you should say ‘Yes, of course you can!’ Please note that ‘The Most Important Rule’ cuts both ways, and because of this, if you feel that a piece of new equipment
might spoil the game for your opponent by giving your own army an unfair advantage, then you are honour-bound not to use it. As you can see, the nature of the Most Important Rule means that it’s impossible to give a black and white answer to any question that may arise; instead you and your opponent need to discuss things and come up with the answer that makes both of you the happiest, keeping in mind that having a good time is more important than gaining a small in-game advantage. If for any reason you can’t do this, then simply revert to the default of using the rules from your own Codex.

I love how they go so far as to explain how to have a good time in a FAQ.

You mean games are for fun? Man I sure feel stupid now, shoot.

Having a balanced, well thought out, and complete rule set would probably be the biggest step taken by GW to make sure everyone has a "good time". But alas, instead we get this gobbily gak.

**Negativemoney**

After I read that one I was floored. In all seriousness they could have done a quick and dirty errata and resolved a lot of the issues. I mean seriously this was an official statement that basically says if you aren't having fun with our rules use other ones.

I hope they realize that a vast majority of the community that looks to these FAQs for guidance openly protests this and they change it up.

**George Spiggott**

By the RAW FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) need not contain any answers only questions that are frequently asked.

"Suck it up!" - Andy Chambers

**vhwolf**

George Spiggott wrote:By the RAW FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) need not contain any answers only questions that are frequently asked.

"Suck it up!" - Andy Chambers

However they publish an Errata and FAQ. Errata is changes that need to be made to the codex.
Once again they have decided not to really address the issue.
Hey GW we all know the game is for fun and we all know how to use house rules in that setting. What we "the community" need is a concrete answer for Tournament/Pick Up games where people don't know each other. How hard would it be for GW to say that in GW run/sponsored events it should be this way and that for everything else do whatever makes sense for your group. (which is how it is anyway)

On a personal note I really don't care what they do 5th edition is a blast to play but it is a terrible tournament game. I just hate seeing the people who do care about tournaments getting shafted by the current we can't at least do a little work to tighten things up for our customers GW.

**Pariah Press**

GW: "Do what thou wilt. If you can't make a simple decision about something like this, there's really no hope for you."

EDIT: On a personal note, I say let the Dark Angel player in question decide. Their Codex got shafted, power-level-wise. It's not like putting an extra guy or two in a Land Raider or shooting another time with a Cyclone is going to give them an unfair advantage. "Oh Noes!!!1!! The Cyclone shot twice!!" :S Get a sense of perspective here, people. It's not like they're making an all-Loota army legal or anything.

**vhwolf**

Pariah Press wrote:GW: "Do what thou wilt. If you can't make a simple decision about something like this, there's really no hope for you."

Don't forget the other part of the statement.
GW: ",but don't forget to buy more stuff."

**Platuan4th**

Pariah Press wrote:GW: "Do what thou wilt. If WE can't make a simple decision about something like this, there's really no hope for you."

Fixed your post.

**Pariah Press**

Platuan4th wrote:
Pariah Press wrote:GW: "Do what thou wilt. If WE can't make a simple decision about something like this, there's really no hope for you."

Fixed your post.

LOL.

**strange_eric**

This is all they needed to update:

Power of the Machine Spirit
Storm Shields
Transport capacity on LRs
Transport Capacity on Drop Pods
Cyclone Missile Launcher
Typhoon Missile Launcher

And instantaneously I would be happy. Come on GW is it THAT hard to upgrade SIX whole rules?

I'm seriously considering house ruling this for Local Tournaments. :/

**Platuan4th**

strange_eric wrote:This is all they needed to update:

Power of the Machine Spirit
Storm Shields
Transport capacity on LRs
Transport Capacity on Drop Pods
Cyclone Missile Launcher
Typhoon Missile Launcher

And instantaneously I would be happy. Come on GW is it THAT hard to upgrade SIX whole rules?

I'm seriously considering house ruling this for Local Tournaments. :/

E, you know it is, this is GW we're talking about.

By the by, how's the new location for Galactic? I haven't been 'cause I was shipped to Cali.

**Pariah Press**

Do it if you want to. Who's gonna stop you?

**skkipper**

so if you are going to allow transport capacity for other marines. does that include demon hunters and chaos?

**Polonius**

I'm going get GW's back here a little.

First, they did answer the question: each codex is separate and unique, and do not rely on each other. They could have been a bit clearer.

Second, GW basically as much as admitted that they screwed up with DA, and are giving people a certain credibility if they want to upgrade their wargear a bit in casual play. History tells us they wont' simply say "yeah, we duffed that one", but it tells players to use the rules that allow them to have fun, with a default rule if they can't agree. I don't see how this is awful.

Third, we all know GW wasn't going to change the DA book. It wouldn't be errata, it would be a material change to the rules, and one that they've moved away from for 5 years now. It might be silly, but at least it's consistent.

It also opens the doors for all kinds of future problems. IG and Space Marines both have shotguns, for example. Stormtroopers have different options and abilities in the various codexes. Once they start connecting wargear rules to the new codex, they'll have to redo any time any concept shared between two codexes is upgraded. There's no reason they can't, but their current policy is to write a codex, release it, and walk away.

This isn't a case of GW failing. It's a case of GW continuing it's policies, and it's not an altogether indefensible one. The problem isn't that SM get better stormshields or Landraiders than DA, it's that DA suck! If DA were a top teir codex and SM were mediocre, nobody would be complaining. Griping isn't a problem, but let's focus it on the real problem (that the DA codex was halfbaked and lousy) and not a superficial one (that there are items with the same name and different rules).

**Alpharius**

Pariah Press wrote: Do it if you want to. Who's gonna stop you?

According to GW's FAQ, anyone!

They just have to do as Nancy would have them, and Just Say No...