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So I had a game with a double slick today, and my feelings about the scenario aren't too great.

It's basically an auto-lose for any assault based faction (especially if you have a lower model count), as any run movements have a 1/3rd chance of putting a model down, and any charge movements have a 1/3rd chance of instantly putting the model out of action (because the slick's effects don't take place until the end of the move, at which point you're in base contact and are immediately taken out of action once the combat phase starts). And even shootier units end up being stymied, as they have much more difficulty getting into position to serve any purpose, causing even those matches to move at an incredibly ponderous pace. I ended up winning the game by a very large margin, but the entire game itself was a much more tedious affair for it.

I'm just wondering what others' thoughts on the scenario is, because it just feels like it's just far too punishing and causes games to slow down way too much for it to be a fun and interesting addition to the game. Has anyone considered houseruling it or removing it altogether?

Is a one-in-81 occurrence that much of an issue? Yes, if it happens it's bad.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be running a force with any purely-melee fighters. Pistols and grenades just mean you need to get closer, that's all. its not ideal, but then that's the point - you can't always rely on the optimal setup.

Maybe I'm missing something.

But running armies.
Melee Nids, Harlies, Orks. While they should then avoid running where possible.
Harlies have a max 16" shooting weapon. Albeit devastating.
Most Harlie players don't have then weapons until 2-3 games into a campaign.

So I have a 1/6 chance on a charge of dying.
Thats pretty high.
Considering NO other Promethium Sprawl affects armies in this way.
There are also none that affect shooting.

Surely firing your heavy weapons you are equally as likely to slip and fall. Recoil etc.



I'm not moaning about it.
I'm just saying, it really changes how some armies play and take some armies from being strong to playing with a significant handicap.


I've played games, outside of my campaign thankfully, Where I have lost 3/5 Harlies and not to enemy fire.
This is bad luck.
But no other mechanic I can think of punishes armies in this way or this severely.

Yeah it's a mixed bag getting that result for sure.

It's does slow the game down unless you want to risk it but that arguably adds or reinforces the tactic movement element of the game. So if your one and only game plan is to bum-rush your opponent every game; guess what it's time to use your brain. This is a good thing I reckon but the straight to down resut (no tests or saves) is a bit extreme.

I'm not going to lie though I laughed my arse off when my mates uber Choas Champion went down at the first attempt to run.

Its not even the running.

I can make it across the table moving and hiding if necessary. Ie, using that grey stuff.

However, Harlies have to charge to be effective.
Unless I'm far enough into my campaign and have 2-3 N/Disruptors.
Which is like 1 per game I've played as an upgrade.

Harlies shooting is Awesome. BS 5. But range 16" max... so. Charging is 9/10 the best option is most situations.
But not all.

Slick makes it one of those situations. Where charging is too much of a risk for an elite army with 3 models on the board.

Orks, they are fine. They can absorb the casualties. GK,Harlies,Nids cant.

Tbh, it hurts nids the most. Low model count, 3 wounds and your still downed?!

mcsheehy wrote:

Tbh, it hurts nids the most. Low model count, 3 wounds and your still downed?!

Not just downed if you charged. Since the wording makes it so that you go down at the end of the move, you'd have entered base contact, allowing your fighter to be instantly taken out of action.

Heavy weapons are also in trouble with the slick, since they can't really move into a decent position either.

I ended up winning my game (Inquisition) by just having my storm bolters stand still all game. It felt pretty lame, but I won with no losses.