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Over the last year, I have been noticing the points value of games going up at my FLGS. I don't think any of the regulars play less than 2k points anymore, and there's usually a 4k game going on (and on, and on, and on...) I thought this could be explained by the fact many of us are older players who have been collecting models longer, but then I visited a couple stores around Baltimore and noticed the same was going on there.

Is this a trend, or am I just seeing something that's not there?

I'm in the same boat actually. I've been wanting to play higher and higher point games, even though my usual armies do pretty decent at 2k and would do crappy at 3k. But 3k just SEEMS like I could bring more of the crap and fun units without breaking the solid core that some armies need. And with Calth being everywhere and so many players making their 30k lists, I expect that after the holidays when people have gotten everything painted, 3k+ games will be more common than 2k in my area too.

Most of my games are at 1500-2k, so I'm assuming it's just the preference in your area.

Depends. At my last FLGS 1k pairs was what was being mostly played on Wednesday’s 40k night. If singles were going down it was most likely 1,500 or 1,850. Part of that was time. Things didn’t really get moving until late, and the store closed at a reasonable time, so massive games just weren’t an option unless you only wanted to play 2 turns.

But the armies getting bigger thing has been a steady trend since the RT era, so nothing new here.

With the addition of Decurion style formations it makes people more apt to buy models they previously wouldn't have bothered with. Plus you need more models to take advantage of the formation special rules. I think that's a main reason behind the larger scale battles that we are seeing.

I always assumed it was because GW kept promoting big, expensive models that are only really viable at higher point levels. Incidentally this also help them sell multiples of the smaller infantry kits so there's definitely incentive.

When I got into the game in 4th edition, 1500 points is the sweet spot. Now I frequently see people talk about hitting 2000 bare minimum, going on to 3500-5000 points.

Me and my friends prefer to play 4k games. They last 7 or 8 hours and that's my Saturday routine.

eleven11 wrote:
Me and my friends prefer to play 4k games. They last 7 or 8 hours and that's my Saturday routine.

7-8 hours? Is that 4k each? As me and my mates play 4k and we get it done in 3 hours max, with a smoke break.

 Formosa wrote:

eleven11 wrote:
Me and my friends prefer to play 4k games. They last 7 or 8 hours and that's my Saturday routine.

7-8 hours? Is that 4k each? As me and my mates play 4k and we get it done in 3 hours max, with a smoke break.

Firing void missiles at eachother don't count. Hehe

Overall this seems to have been a trend since I started. It varies by store and group availability hours, but the size definitely, on average, seems to be increasing.

Most games I see are run at about 1750 to 2500. Granted, I've been in the hobby for like 6 months so I dunno if there's a trend, but I definitely get the appeal. With my army only at 1500 points, I already see the appeal of larger games allowing me to bring more things to do more fun things with. But it's also probably GW trying to promote larger battles so people buy larger armies. Bit of column A, bit of column B sorta deal.

Everyone at my store plays 1850 or 2k. but it's been that way since 5th.

Mostly 1850-2000 points. Every once in a while we might play 3k if we have the time for it.

I enjoy playing 1850-2000 points as they still can take anywhere from 2-4 hours and I don't have to give up the entire day to play through a game.

I like to play 1500. I feel like you can bring enough stuff without standing over the table all day. But yes points do seem to be creeping up at my flgs as people's army's grow I guess

They guy that got me into 40k does not want to mess with anything less than 2500

Edit few times from phone typing

My local play group at my FLGS usually play games around 1500-2000 points, with most lists being the tournament standard of 1850. I have played games as small as 1000 and as big as 3000. I like larger armies myself; I feel like something's missing when I use a small army (>1500 points).

I prefer 1500 so i only have to fight 4 wraith knights. That xtra wraith knight is too much to handle when i have no grav guns.

 Filch wrote:
I prefer 1500 so i only have to fight 4 wraith knights. That xtra wraith knight is too much to handle when i have no grav guns.

You gotta believe!

 SharkoutofWata wrote:

 Filch wrote:
I prefer 1500 so i only have to fight 4 wraith knights. That xtra wraith knight is too much to handle when i have no grav guns.

You gotta believe!

Even if you can't believe in yourself, just believe in the Grav Gun that believes in you!

I think points size in games is primarily determined by personal preference and tournament rules. As new formations come out, new large models are released, and people's collections expand, players will naturally want to field more of those models on the tabletop and therefore have games at larger point values. At the same time, tournaments want to limit the points in games as a balance measure and to make sure games can be played out in a reasonable time period.

Personally, I prefer games ranging from 1500 to 2000 points, with 1000 points being as low as I would go for standard games. Anything lower than that is for scenarios, smaller-scale rules, and teaching new players the ropes. While I can see a strong argument for 1750 points, 1850 points is my preferred army size for tournaments as it allows for enough flexibility to be creative while being small enough to allow games to play out in about three hours.