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Basically, I am curious to see what other people think about how options are presented in a codes. Basically there are 2 options:

Armory
Every option has a set price no matter the model taking it

Individual prices
the same equipment will have different prices depending on the model taking it.



For most codices, they use an armory system. Even if there is no armory page, a piece of equipment will always be the same price regardless of the model taking it.
Example:
Powerfists are 25 points


Personally, I feel that this system has a significant downside.
Example: Space Wolves Powerfist

A Grey hunter can take a powerfist for 25 points.
He gets 1-2 S8 AP2 attacks

A thunderwolf can take a powerfist for 25 points.
He gets 4-5 S10 AP2 attacks

Clearly the thunderwolf gets a lot more value out of a powerfist than a Grey hunter.

By having equipment be the same price no matter the model taking it, it takes away a tool that the game developers can use to help balance options for various units.



For all of its many other faults, I like how the Grey Knights codex uses individual prices for its equipment.
Example: Incinerators

A Interceptor unit can take an incinerator for 20 points
They are a fast moving unit, and as such this short range weapon is more powerful on them.

A Purifier unit can take an incinerator for 0 points (free)
This unit already has anti-horde power, and is not fast moving. As such the incinerator does not add a lot to the unit.

Other examples: Nemesis weapons, Psycannons,



With the new Chaos Space Marine codex, it looks like GW is going back to using an armory system for upgrades. I am a little disappointed by this, as I prefer individual prices for wargear, to allow for more tools for balancing. I am curious to see if other people agree, or if you a prefer the armory system.



[Note: I want to make it clear that I am NOT talking about the Overall Balance of particular codices,but about the specific way things are priced within that codex. Using an Armory or Individual prices can still lead to an Overpowered or Underpowered book if GW does not price things correctly.]

I like the concept of price by unit, as you already pointed out individual options can be disproportionately effective based on the unit or model's stats.

Of course the model already pays for the stats, and a high initiative model loses something they already paid for when the use the power fist...

I'd like to see more individual pricing, especially w/ Ork PK for nobz and bosses.

 snooggums wrote:
I like the concept of price by unit, as you already pointed out individual options can be disproportionately effective based on the unit or model's stats.

Of course the model already pays for the stats, and a high initiative model loses something they already paid for when the use the power fist...

In that case I think that High INT models should maybe pay a bit less for powerfists, as the trade off is larger; the same way that models with Higher STR and ATK should pay a bit more.

In RT, every weapon had a price. Everyone paid the same price.

But, in codices, a model can start with a weapon, but can sometimes 'upgrade' it. This cost isn't always the difference between the two.

I like the idea of adjusted upgrades, though.
The cost for a Heavy weapon for a fast squad would be less, as it would snap shoot when running.
Or, would it be more, to be able to get an unsuitable option?

A power sword in the hands of a marine captain is worth a lot more then one in the hands of a devastator sergeant, and should be priced accordingly. The 4th edition marine codex (which did use the armory format) took this into account, with some weapons having different prices if given to a model with multiple wounds. E.g power swords were 15/10.

I much prefer the system in the 5th ed. marine codex, where each unit has it's own upgrade costs. While it does limit some options, I feel it keeps things more balanced, and allow for gear to be priced appropriate to the squad/character who has it.

Making sure those values are correct is another issue, but I like the idea.

I like how they did it in the CSM codex, there is a central armoury for HQs and characters, but the options for the units themselves are balanced around what the unit does.