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I know that there has been some debates on fantasy recently, but as a person looking to get back into it, is it worth it in the current state it's in? I know people complain alot about new rules and such, but is it still an enjoyable process and fun for all? Or are some forces alot more overpowered due to new rules and such, while others are extremely vunerable?

It's not perfect, but none of the GW systems ever are. A lot of the complaining in the transition between 7th and 8th editions stem from people not liking change.

I just started again in 8th (having skipped 6th & 7th) and I'm loving it!

I am a relatively new player to both systems. I prefer Fantasy to 40k. I feel it has more strategy and is a little more involved. I would say it is definitely worth it!

I love 8th ed Fantasy. I'm a bit disolusioned with 5th ed 40K right now. I think the fantasy rules are very well written and there is a counter for everything in the game. I like that.

I started fantasy when 8th came out thinking it'll be easyer and quickly grew to like it more than 40k. From what i hear from older players 8th is more ballanced than 7th but still not perfectly level.

Gorgarak wrote:I know that there has been some debates on fantasy recently, but as a person looking to get back into it, is it worth it in the current state it's in? I know people complain alot about new rules and such, but is it still an enjoyable process and fun for all? Or are some forces alot more overpowered due to new rules and such, while others are extremely vunerable?

Great game with a far more mature fanbase ( The kids love marines and big guns ). I love it!

happydude wrote:Great game with a far more mature fanbase ( The kids love marines and big guns ). I love it!

Which is exactly why I play Fantasy more than 40K.

7th Edition was geared toward that one or two uber powerful unit(s) that would change the battle in one turn.

8th Edition is attempting to get players to run larger block of infantry. Some say its to re-create the images of large forces marching to war. I say its to help GW sell more Clanrats...

Although I preferred 7th edition, 8th edition is still good. The main downside is the fact that 1 WAAC player can ruin your day, as he'll likely be running a list with a level 4 wizard or two and will throw all his power dice at an uber spell to force IF and wipe your most important units off the board on near enough turn 1; magic is veeeery powerful in 8th, as opposed to back in 7th.

Comparing the magic, 7th was like trying to put out a bonfire with a damp cloth, whereas 8th is bursting a dam to put it out. Heavens is still a crap lore though ¬.¬ (Though this is just my opinion)

Overall, Fantasy offers more in the way of strategy and tactics; lining up your charges and creating traps is more useful than in 40k, where it doesn't matter where you charge from, combat happens just about the same from the front, sides and back.

The mature fanbase depends on where you play, I know plenty of mature 40k players, but I know more mature fantasy players; your experience may differ, although the complexity of fantasy as opposed to 40k generally attracts a more mature fanbase.

8th Edition is attempting to get players to run larger block of infantry. Some say its to re-create the images of large forces marching to war. I say its to help GW sell more Clanrats...

I looked at the GW website the other day to check up prices for some units...fantasy is way more expensive it seems, considering you need minimum two boxes of guys to make a unit typically, some units will be worth 100 bucks, and only take up 300 points....thats alot more units to field. I won't even get started on if you play O+G or Skaven, at a mighty 4 points a model or less.

Thanks for all the replies though, sounds like fantasy is still going good, albeit a few changes. Thanks all!

I disagree about heavens being a crappy lore... Personally I love the lore, especially on my brets...

2+ armor save and cast the buff on them that lets them reroll 1's....

Killing blow makes my high armor very expensive cavalry cringe, so i make killing blow units reroll all 6's...

Granted chain lightning isnt as powerfull as a lot of other level magic spells, but comet of cassandora can really screw with your opponents battle plan.

I think balance is the best its ever been, can't think of a time it was much better.
Magic is overpowered to a degree, but then its magic, and thats always been the case to a point anyways. I can't think of any edition of Fantasy where Magic on a good day couldn't be a deciding factor.

The random charge thing which has stuck in some folks throat, is actually quite fun when playing it, and certainly adds a random element that grants a more forgiving atmosphere for newer players. Plus I find its just fun that it can throw a big ole curveball into even the best laid plans.

In general I'd say a lot of it was improved, only shame for me seems to be the reduction of racial magic items, which although makes some sense from a balance point of view, it does hurt some of the character of the books, just an ickle bit. Although we'll see how bad that actually is when Tomb Kings comes out, if thats just a handful of Magic items like the Orc book, we know where they are going.

My main concern with the new edition, is the scale creep GW are sneaking in. Horde units, multiple large monsters etc, which sadly crossed my comfort line for affordability.

So yeah, I'd say 8th is one of the best Fantasy editions they've done, but in the current climate, it priced me out of the game.

If you do give it a try, and you have local players to game with, I think you'll get some fun out of it for sure.

I personally love the new edition, in fact almost everything about it except my two gripes.

+1 to hit on large targets is gone, kinda sucks, but I wasn't running a gunline or anything, but even without it. My one unit of flamers killed two HPA in two consecutive shooting phases.

Secondly. The lack of magic items. The individuality and play styles of armies are highly adaptable due to these. I hope TK is a change from O&G or they supplement the generic list.

Fantasy is kinda awesome, but 40k is the one to watch IMO. Actually fantasy is ridiculously cool, but i learnt 40k first, and the rules are really similar.

Yes, it is indeed worth it...as of now the balance is very good for most armies...don't mind a lot of the naysayers....a lot of them are disgruntled older edition players who simply cannot accept that 8th ed is a different game.

I like the idea of the new armies getting something REALLY huge...very characterful for fantasy....

And WHFB is really FUN...a beer and pretzels game, with competition as a secondary aspect..

Fantasy is great! I just wish more people I knew played it!

No matter how much i try not to, i keep going back to fantasy from 40k.

Cost wise your looking at a ton more than 40k for even a 2k army.
However, i find games of fantasy alot better.
Just the general pace, less rules loopholes currently (no MC's hiding in transports that are smaller than them) and the fanbase its self.
As said, it seems alot more mature gamers play fantasy instead, which ill agree with.

And also as said, the tactics involved in fantasy seem far more involved than simply spamming 1 type of unit for an army.


all in all though, just a great game that you can have a laugh with a few friends and some drinks.
Failing that, tournament play is pretty solid for fantasy, if a little quiet.
Still enjoyable though.

Fantasy is defiantly worth it.

Jackal wrote:
Cost wise your looking at a ton more than 40k for even a 2k army.

Cost is something you will need to consider. Unlike in 40k the units are much larger and most of them do not have a maximum number of troops.

A game of Fantasy (at least in my area) is usually at 2500 points. So if cost is an issue you may want to avoid certain armies or builds that have lots of infantry.

Overall its a very satisfying game, much more so imo than 40k.

I firmly believe that Fantasy is a lot better than 40k, primarily because it actually has tactic. Unlike 40k.

But, I'm a bit biased and hateful.

Casper wrote:Fantasy is defiantly worth it.

Jackal wrote:
Cost wise your looking at a ton more than 40k for even a 2k army.

Cost is something you will need to consider. Unlike in 40k the units are much larger and most of them do not have a maximum number of troops.

A game of Fantasy (at least in my area) is usually at 2500 points. So if cost is an issue you may want to avoid certain armies or builds that have lots of infantry.

Overall its a very satisfying game, much more so imo than 40k.

This is true.. If you cant devote around 300-400 dollars to the hobby its going to be hard to dive in to.

Another thing to remember is that you don't have to jump to the 2500 point level right away. Buy the army book you like and build lists for 1000, 1600, 2000, and 2500 and build the army over time.

I have played both (i played fantasy 4 years ago) so im not up to date on it but I prefer 40k much more.

Its taken a few games to get into it, but the new edition is really growing on me its brutal but not stupid. Not sure i like that there are only a few magic items in the new army books as they helped personalise the armies but all in all its worthwhile putting the effort in.

Fantasy is great, as long as you don't go into it with a mindset of a competitive, well-balanced game. Fantasy is very goofy (Ward wrote it, after all), but if you're into it for the wild fun, it's the best edition of anything GW has put out in a while.

I hear all these people complaining about fantasy prices now, i was lucky i bought the stores last 2 battle for skulls pass. Made my dwarf army a whole lot cheaper.

Anyway, i think fantasy is a awsome game and im loving my army.

If you can circumvent 8th's high-cost (I.E. Buy from the internet!) then Fantasy is really a great game.

It's definitely, IMHO, worth the cost, and though it will be more expensive than 40k it's been nothing but a pleasurable experience for me.

happydude wrote:

Gorgarak wrote:I know that there has been some debates on fantasy recently, but as a person looking to get back into it, is it worth it in the current state it's in? I know people complain alot about new rules and such, but is it still an enjoyable process and fun for all? Or are some forces alot more overpowered due to new rules and such, while others are extremely vunerable?

Great game with a far more mature fanbase ( The kids love marines and big guns ). I love it!

+1 on this.

Also, I seem to come up against far less unpainted/unassembled armies, or proxied armies. I'm not an elitist who will only play someone who has a fully painted and modelled army, but I have to say it is something I prefer given the choice and generally considering that I don't get to play that often.

To the OP, I say go for it, but be prepared for a serious expenditure of both time and money. I've just started a new O&G army, it's heavily converted and under 8th edition I'm resigned to a 2 year project that's going to cost some serious $.