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Ok, so if you not read any of my other posts....quick recap....I am pretty new to 40k. I have played 3 games against the same person, and enjoy the heck out of it. I am learning rules slowly, and realizing my army is not a top tier face-melt and smash powerhouse. But I dont care, because I am having a blast even when losing with the units I think look cool. But I have watched a few batreps and have a few probably simple questions.

Here are my questions.

1. What ARE data cards used for? Is the info on the cards just to make it easier to access? Is there something on those $15 card packs that is not in the rules or codex that I am missing out on?

2. Why are objective markers so boring? A base with a number, or a fancy token is what I have seen mainly. Is this to keep is simple, or a lack of creativity? I dont see many that meld well with the table.

3. Another question is on tape measures. From my newer point of view, nothing looks sillier than a huge tape measure trying to gauge distance to move or shoot, especially in an awkward terrain area. I see terrain and models knocked over, moved, and almost 1/2 arsed measured. Wouldn't a small digital tape measure be a better, and less cluttering option? Not only to measure distance, but LOS as well? It takes about a second or 2 to register distance while being hand held but it seems that's still faster and less awkward than a standard one.

Again these are random questions coming from observations from a noob. Sorry if they are obvious

1. Data cards are a reference and convenience item, they have no new rules, but it is a much more manageable item to handle, rather than having to thumb through a book or digital codex.

2. That entirely depends on who is playing and where. For most players, they want something that is unique and identifiable. Plus, since many don't play on the same table constantly, having objectives 'match' a specific table is a fruitless task.

3. Are you willing to drop 25-50 dollars on a tape measure?

1)They are just an extra reference for ease of use as all of their rules are found in the codex or rulebook in question. But it's easier to keep a card on to side then flip through 100+ pages of rules over and over

2) Because gameplay wise models are allowed to stand on top of objectives so have fancy ornate ones inhibit gameplay.

3) Literally have never seen one or head of them until now so probably availability is why. But its is very easy (both to get and to use) so get a small below 10" measuring tape that doesn't break models or terrain and do so for very cheap. Also idk if a laser measuring tape would work since you usually measure out to a set distance in the open and place models their which a laser wouldn't be able to do.

Vaxx wrote:
Ok, so if you not read any of my other posts....quick recap....I am pretty new to 40k. I have played 3 games against the same person, and enjoy the heck out of it. I am learning rules slowly, and realizing my army is not a top tier face-melt and smash powerhouse. But I dont care, because I am having a blast even when losing with the units I think look cool. But I have watched a few batreps and have a few probably simple questions.

Here are my questions.

1. What ARE data cards used for? Is the info on the cards just to make it easier to access? Is there something on those $15 card packs that is not in the rules or codex that I am missing out on?

As Curran12 mentioned, it's a convenience item. The convenience is, IMO, entirely dependent upon how often you might use those army specific things. For something like the Cadian cards where the physical cards were not a game mechanic but rather their Warlord traits? It's a bit handier for the purposes of generating(and remembering to utilize said Warlord traits) Warlord traits...but that's it. It won't help you with your Orders or anything critical to the army.
Things where it includes cards for "one use only" or "activate as you desire" traits are where that really shines.


The actual objective cards(which are part of the pack) are far, far more useful for most instances in my mind.

2. Why are objective markers so boring? A base with a number, or a fancy token is what I have seen mainly. Is this to keep is simple, or a lack of creativity? I dont see many that meld well with the table.

Again, as Curran 12 said, it comes to a number of factors. The reason you don't see many melding well with the table is that tables (at least at non-GW game shops and poorly run GW shops) tend to have the least effort possible put into them if there is no real competition out there. To an extent, that mindset extends to the players who tend to do the least effort when basing their models("I flocked it and painted the rims green!" is considered an accomplishment by some. Not trying to disparage those who do flocking and painting the rim as their go to move but sometimes it is done in an incredibly haphazard manner and looks awful).

Another reason? Sometimes it's done that way so that nobody can accuse you of gaming the system with your Objective Markers. If I showed you the objective markers I'm doing for my Guard(5 of the old Imperial Scanners from FW and a single Elysian supply crate) while they're unpainted? You would not likely be able to remember that the one with a nice pockmark bullet hole in the stem is what I use for objective #1, the one with rough camo netting made from gauze is #2, the one with a lasgun on it is #3, the one with a helmet is #4, and the one with a set of binoculars and a voxcaster is #5 while the supply crate is #6.

When they're finished and painted? They'll each have a weathered serial number on the body of the scanner ending with the appropriate objective number(#1 will be 8321, #2 will be 4092, etc) next to an electric yellow "Yield" sign that's from the Elysian transfer sheet to be placed onto vehicles to show where engine vents and the like are.

3. Another question is on tape measures. From my newer point of view, nothing looks sillier than a huge tape measure trying to gauge distance to move or shoot, especially in an awkward terrain area. I see terrain and models knocked over, moved, and almost 1/2 arsed measured. Wouldn't a small digital tape measure be a better, and less cluttering option? Not only to measure distance, but LOS as well? It takes about a second or 2 to register distance while being hand held but it seems that's still faster and less awkward than a standard one.

Again these are random questions coming from observations from a noob. Sorry if they are obvious

Honestly, a digital tape measure might be better...but how many people really utilize them for gaming?

Gale Force 9 made a really nice template for measuring distances. My friend has one, but GF9 seems to have stopped making them. It has pre-measured sides for 6", 4", 2", and 1". Perfect for 40k. I think a few other companies make similar products.

This thing:
https://www.amazon.com/Assault-Template-Gale-Force-Nine/dp/B001NH3YCU
http://www.thewarstore.com/product109725.html

For LOS, you can use a handheld laser pointer if you want to be really sure. Or just roll some dice.

Thanks all for the insights!