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That may have been me recently, but I'm not the only one who has said it: the new Apocalypse rules do work well for standard-sized 40k games these days (~2000 points). A 2000 point 40k army works out to be about 120-150 power level, depending on the army and options taken, with about 4-5 detachments (Apocalypse works best with each detachment having just the minimum number of required units, plus maybe a character warlord to generate command assets, so each detachment can have a defined role/order - ex. charge and melee, advance and shoot, aim and shoot etc.; you don't need large detachments to generate CP).

That being said, I'm not sure how the rules would work in a tournament format due to the command asset cards. Deck construction would have to be controlled/monitored by the TO's, perhaps providing each player with the same set of generic cards that work with every army.

Edit: I agree that some units' datasheets need to be fixed and points values corrected. But the overwhelming majority of datasheets seem balanced pretty well in my experience. A few house rules or eventually GW updating the datasheets again would help solve most of the bad apples.

Here you go: https://www.beastsofwar.com/forums/topic/small-apocalypse-40k-demo-game-aar/

 Mixzremixzd wrote:
Hmm. Both of you seem to have a generally positive view of Apocalypse which I find fascinating. Have you completely migrated to that ruleset then in your gaming environment or is it more of a 'I would if the circumstances allowed?'


Another thought that came to mind is, would you recommend playing Apocalypse for someone who's taken an extensive hiatus from 8th Edition and is looking to come back in or would you advise to wait for Psychic Awakening/Chapter Approved to blow over? Asking for a friend of course....

For casual gaming, minus an occasional 40k pickup game at my local FLGS, I have completely migrated to Apocalypse for 40k games normally in the 1500+ point range.

For approximately the cost of the 8th BRB and a codex you can get the Apocalypse rules box which includes the markers and cards. All datasheets for all armies and FW are free. I would definitely recommend Apocalypse over standard 40k for someone that already has a full sized army and wants to get back into 40k. The rules are easier to learn IMO, just one page of simple USRs, the gameplay is better with more tactical opportunities, less balance issues, list building is quick, less dice rolling and rerolling, simpler data sheet rules, less chapter tactics-type complexities, no CP and stratagem shenanigans. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s a big improvement for playing 40k games.

C4790M wrote:
I really like apoc, but I don’t like how characters are basically incapable of being impactful, and I wish there were more abilities on the units rather than being relegated to random cards

Characters as commanders/warlords are your primary source for command assets, so they are actually quite impactful. Plus many still provide aura abilities and increased leadership for units, and with morale checks happening so frequently and failed morale able to wipe an entire unit, every leadership buff is huge. Ex. Units like commissars and command squads don’t see the light of day anymore in regular 40k, but they can be very helpful in Apocalypse to buff leadership in the Imperial Guard. However, characters are able to be targeted and killed much easier than in standard 40k, so the benefits they bring can be countered/removed as part of game strategy.