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It seems a lot of rule changes in 5th editions revolved around changes that helped GW increase sales. The increased demand for vehicles and
rule changes that made past high selling units less completive was a clear shift in 5th edition. Here is what I think is going to happen to the meta in 6th:

1. Reduced usefulness of transports:

I think that they are going to make transports more vulnerable/less useful. I do not think they are going to completely nerf them. Just tone them down enough that people will keep buying them (they have a
great point to dollar ratio for GW), but all those people with Mech lists will need to by an extra infantry squad or two to stay viable.

2. Blast weapons are going to take a hit:

Blast weapon became so much more reliable in 5th edition that they almost completely crowded out high rate of fire weapon for crowed
control. It was a sad time for heavy bolters. I think they will change blast weapons rules in such a way that will pressure all those missile launcher spam armies to have to buy some new heavy weapons.

3. Shooting is going to get a boost:

In 5th assault was king. There are rumors of changes to cover saves and such and I think that something will change that will encourage a lot of those close combat heavy armies to add some shooty models.

Anyway these are my guesses what are yours?

Rumors are rumors. Without facts we can't make serious estimates.

My guess is that the meta will probably change a lot, but that it will take a few years to sort itself out (mostly because there will be a lot of people who will stubbornly continue to cling to old meta), but change it will.

So long as there are positivist lemmings scurrying around everywhere, there will be a meta. So long as things change in the rules, the meta will change.

What said meta will be is currently nothing more than pure speculation.

I see the meta swinging towards large infantry units. GW wants us to buy more stuff, and they've already sold us plenty of Rhinos and Chimeras. I can't fault them for business like that, but it's not what I'm hoping for. The less cynical side of me hopes that vehicles become a little more dangerous for their passengers without becoming deathtraps and both foot and mech builds are equally viable and popular.

I think it'll probably change, by anywhere between a little and a lot.

I suspect things will be different. I imagine it won't be the same as it currently is.

You know, that's about as accurate as you can be at this moment. All we have are wild rumours and speculation. Things will be different. That is all. Let's all just sit back, take a deep breath, and wait for the book.

Blacksails wrote:I think it'll probably change, by anywhere between a little and a lot.

I suspect things will be different. I imagine it won't be the same as it currently is.

You know, that's about as accurate as you can be at this moment. All we have are wild rumours and speculation. Things will be different. That is all. Let's all just sit back, take a deep breath, and wait for the book.

But what fun is being patiently waiting when we could be speculating wildly?

I speculate that 40k's meta will change drastically as the 6th ed rulebook will drop its entire rules section for vehicles and chop out infantry. The game will become one of all beasts and calvary, with the necessary changes required to make this so. Other factors will also be changed, such as a rule that requires you to play your games with the most ridiculous French accent you can affix, and the winner of the game is decided by a group of three observers agreeing on which player's shirt is more blue colored.

You're right. Wild speculation is more fun.

Ailaros wrote:I speculate that 40k's meta will change drastically as the 6th ed rulebook will drop its entire rules section for vehicles and chop out infantry. The game will become one of all beasts and calvary, with the necessary changes required to make this so. Other factors will also be changed, such as a rule that requires you to play your games with the most ridiculous French accent you can affix, and the winner of the game is decided by a group of three observers agreeing on which player's shirt is more blue colored.

You're right. Wild speculation is more fun.

All this will come with the release of the book "How to Speak Citadel French" which will retail for $69.99 and contain step by step instructions on how to use the metric system, speak French gaming lingo, and an 'Eavy Metal guide to both grow and wax a comically long moustache.

That's brilliant!

Brother SRM wrote:

Ailaros wrote:I speculate that 40k's meta will change drastically as the 6th ed rulebook will drop its entire rules section for vehicles and chop out infantry. The game will become one of all beasts and calvary, with the necessary changes required to make this so. Other factors will also be changed, such as a rule that requires you to play your games with the most ridiculous French accent you can affix, and the winner of the game is decided by a group of three observers agreeing on which player's shirt is more blue colored.

You're right. Wild speculation is more fun.

All this will come with the release of the book "How to Speak Citadel French" which will retail for $69.99 and contain step by step instructions on how to use the metric system, speak French gaming lingo, and an 'Eavy Metal guide to both grow and wax a comically long moustache.

I'd buy the hell out of that.

I think that flyers will become very important and become the next thing for people to spam the hell out of, I also agree that it will be more leaning towards infantry. I think things will start being clearer in about 2 weeks or so.

Anyone know if we got any leaked rules of fantasy 8th before it hit the shelves, if so, how long before the release date? Maybe things will start being clearer in about 2 weeks or so.

I agree that flyers are going to be very important.

I also expect battle tanks to get tougher. I would not be surprised if AV 13/14 vehicles are made tougher.

Ailaros wrote:

And we know about this MORE than a week in advance! Better save my money for the preorder then!

Transports are going to get a hit I think. They won't be completely nulled, but the rules will be changed enough that an army can build equally viable mechanized and foot slogging lists. The heavily rumoured 5+ cover save will hurt but I don't know if it'll be enough.

Shooting will get buffed. I've heard a rumour of the Preferred Enemy USR will be changed so that it affects both the shooting and assault phases.

I have a bad feeling flyers will be the next big thing, as well as units that can take them out. For example, I bet IG players will be using lots of vendettas and hydras. Not exactly something I'm crazy about since those are both expensive units to acquire cashwise.

Although I must say, I'd take the French accent update in a heartbeat But what update do the French get? My vote is they have to learn to speak like rednecks.

Marines will get more powerful everyone else will get a swift kick in the arse.

MrMoustaffa wrote:I have a bad feeling flyers will be the next big thing, as well as units that can take them out. For example, I bet IG players will be using lots of vendettas and hydras. Not exactly something I'm crazy about since those are both expensive units to acquire cashwise.

This would be my educated guess, based upon what little we know about forthcoming releases.

Besides flyers, GW seems to really like 3-model kits. These usually go in Elites or Fast Attack.

lord_blackfang wrote:Besides flyers, GW seems to really like 3-model kits. These usually go in Elites or Fast Attack.

I think that's mostly because those are the slots that are the least fleshed out and the most viable for new options. I hope they continue with it though; some of the 2-3 model kits that have come out recently have been pretty incredible considering the variation of models they can make.

In 6th edition's new gunfight phase the players draw their Citadel Miniatures duelling pistols, walk 6 paces away from each other, turn, and shoot. This changes the meta to reward steady nerves and a fast trigger.