Points and Power
Q: Essentially 8th edition means no more free stuff. You want that daemon, you are paying for that daemon. I love it. I also notice that
GW isn't trying to have games with fewer models, but rather have more dynamic things happen to models more quickly to keep play to 2 hours. It's a pretty sly move to make sure model sales stay high. I see it being a successful strategy. If I can play 3000pts in 3 hours, I'd better buy a few new tanks...
A: "You want that Demon? You gotta pay for that demon". I want that on a T-shirt.
Q: Seems reasonable enough. STOP BEING SO REASONABLE, HOW ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED
TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS?
A: Ed, we profusely apologise for being so reasonable.
Q: So that's a big ol Tyranid nerf then.
And
GSC too
Sad bois
A: Joel, you should know we have alerted the Inquisition of your latent psychic powers, as demonstrated by your ability to see the future before it has been revealed.
The Black Ships are on the way...
Q: Here's a summary for anyone that doesn't have time to read the article.
Points. They exist.
A: We need you in our editing dept.
Q: I wish this piece had a real example of how points would be formatted. It's not too complicated to look for points in a different part of the book in
AoS, because they're broad like power levels, but I can't fathom a clean way to do granular points of each upgrade in a different part of the book. Would have been nice to see an example.
A: Fair feedback - we will see what we can do in the future.
Q: "The points for units don’t appear on the datasheet but will be elsewhere in the same book."
Why? The less a player has to flick through a book the better.
A: So we can alter points in the future without having to alter the whole data sheet. Also, the data sheet it valid for open and matched play too, which tend not to use points as much.
Q: I actually like the idea of power levels for narrative or quick games. I understand why points are seperate from datasheets for updating and balance reasons, but it seems weird to have to look at multiple pages/books just to put together one unit for a list.
A: It's entirely so we can update and tweak points without changing the entire datasheet. It's a good thing for a fluid game.
Q: So you just committed on balance. Thanks a lot that was the one thing I was missing in 7th edition! That and the ability to transport Kill kanz in Pikk Upp Trucks.
A: Killa Kans in Trukks? I'm seeing them falling through the floor of the Trukk in a Flintstones-esque situation...
Q: I like the ideas about changing points but what about when the team misses the mark on something and it is not an issue of points but rules. Will we see the team willing to consider changing data sheets too and not just points?
A: Great question. In the brave new world of New Games Workshop™, I reckon that would be a high priority.
Q: Very cool! Love how summoning will work now! Never summoned myself, but been on the receiving end... hopefully i'll be able to walk straight after playing demon lists now!
A: Bad images.
Q: The more I read the more I like the coming of the 8th edition. Despite my initial scepticism and I really liked 7th. Now I can't wait to get it on my hands.
GWs really doing a good job! For the emperor
A: That kinda talk will get you promoted, trooper!
Q: This is great I think. Best of all worlds. Being able to adjust points when units start to dominate tournaments is a masterstroke. really REALLY like this.
A: We thought it made sense.
Q: I would assume Tervigons would also have to pay points for spawning termagantes since it is similar to summoning albeit with some key differences, any chance you guys can correct my assumptions before they're turned into reckless uncertainties?
A: We hate it when wild assumptions spawn into reckless uncertainty! We haven't seen the rules yet, but it's a pretty safe bet there will be no "free" models in the game going forwards.
Q: Speaking of summoning. Will my Bearers of the Word still be able to call upon daemonic allies? How does summing work exactly? Let's say it's turn 3 and I have 150 points set aside for summoning, do I just buy a daemon unit for that many points that turn and they auto come in? Will it be similar to a pyschic test?
A: More on that to come later; you'll see...
Q: This looks fantastic! Will the books be a little better laid out then the current codexes? I feel as if I need to flip through 4 sections just to find the wording on a rule with the currents books.
A: We have tried to tackle that in the new edition for sure. The datasheets are a great step forwards for that.
Q: So, now my big hope is for a faction spotlight on the Sororitas.

Cmon Warhammer 40,000, show a little faith!
A: It's happening. Have faith, Brother Devon!
Q: Love that you guys are thinking to the future! Love everything so far about 8th. Hesitant about character rules, but more than that just wish I had 8th to play right NOW! Super excited!
A: We want this game to be around a long time.
Q: Does this mean Tervigons could possibly become troop transports instead of Brood Mothers?
A: We don't know until we see the Tyranid Focus! Coming soon...
Q: Wait a second...
GW is actually going to be doing active changes to the point values of certain units/gears? Active tweaking to the game beyond that of
FAQ's?
Well hot damn.
A: That's the plan...
Q: How long
GW's? How long must we sit in anticipation for this epic goodness?
A: It's coming soon.. real, real soon™...
Q: Will Tervigon's spawned Termagants count as "summoning"? Will you need to keep some points apart for them?
A: Well, we reckon you want to hold out and wait for the Tyranid Faction Focus, which is burrowing it's way here quicker than a claustrophobic Trygon.
Q: This is great stuff! So am I reading this right that summoning will be different from deep striking in 8th edition?
A: It could well do. More information on that coming in the future.
Q: "each of those Tactical Marines would cost 13 points each, " Fresh in from the Derpartment of Redundancy Dept.
I. LOVE. The change to summoned units counting towards overall army point cost. This'll nerf Tervigon and Daemon-summoning armies to manageable levels.
Also, can I beg a Tyranid faction focus article?
A: Of course you can, Pete. It will be with you once the Tervigon has belched it from it's burgeoning belly.
Q: Actual relatively sensbile quiestion: When the app comes out with army builders in it, any chance of a Windows version for those of us with laptops rather than tablets?
A: No word on the app yet, Ed, but we can but hope! Watch this space for news when we get it.
Q: Will there be printed "codexes" in this new format? I'm less concerned about the rules and more concerned about all the new fluff. For example my Space Wolf codex is WAY behind on lore and I would be curious to learn what the Sons of Russ have been up to since Cadia.
A: That would be very cool. We haven't heard about what books are coming yet or how, but we do know codexes in a format similar to the current one are being planned. Watch this space for more!
Q: Can we, potentially, be given an example of summoning and it's respective costs in a future article? Perhaps tying that in to however you write up regarding Daemons?
While being vague is fine, it would be helpful to have something to actually read directly.
A: We will see what we can do.
Q: Hi
GW - do we have any idea how often balances passes will be made for points costs? Obviously anything more often than "once per 2-5 years with each codex release" is great, but will it be a thing of regular online patch notes, or still hinge on a less frequent release of a physical product - I.e., an annual re-release of the
40k General's Handbook?
A: No idea at the moment, Alex - we will have to see when it happens. Watch this space for more as and when we get it.
Q: Cool. Glad to see the demise of "free stuff". So will other forces be able to "spawn" new units if they have the points - thinking Tyranid Tervigon, Necron Canoptek Spyder, Genestealer Cult Summons?
A: Great question, Martin; I guess we will just have to wait and see!
Q: Would also love to see if Tyranids get upgrades that even then out against other armies like how they adapt in the books and like 4th ed.
A: Truly terrifying monsters? Huge combat attacks? Devastating shooting... Tyranids will be juuust fine.
Q: Would love some more info on necrons on how they will work and reanimation protocols
A: Hey Ellis - look out for the Necron Faction Focus article, coming soon...
Q: Hey
GW, will be see a blood angels faction focus? I ask because my..eh... friend, whos in hospital, really wants to know
A: Tell your friend that they won't have long to wait! For the article, we mean... not for treatment. We hope. Get better soon!
Q: 27 pts for a multi melta? Oh my. That is not cheap!
lol
A: You pay for what it's worth... and yup , it's worth it.
Q: Just asking,you wrote ordinary points will come in another book.
I hope you are not planning of releasing it after 1 year as you did for age of sigmar with the General Compendium.
A: Not at all. Full points on release for all units.
Q: So using power points you can equip whatever you want to your squads, how does that not stop imbalance?
A: That's right. The Power Level assumes you are taking a pretty souped up version of that unit. You should feel free to take anything you like on that unit if you are playing Power Levels.
Q: 27 points for a multi-melta? Damn, they must be nasty now!
A: Ooooooh yes.
Q: Sounds cool! Love the power levels for quick fun play.
Thanks for the cost for tact marines. Could we see a similar breakdown for Rubrics to see how power levels and points scale? Curious to see how my beloved Rubrics stand up point wise. Thanks!
A: Tell you what, Scott.. we will write all the rules for all the Chaos models down and make them available to you on the launch!
We wish we had room to show you every unit in the game, but alas, it is not so.
Q: But what if their power level is ALREADY 9000!?!?!?
A: OVER 9000?!?!
Q1: You were 33 minutes late!
A1: We're sorry! Did we make up for it with an awesome article?
Q2: No orks info. So no.
A2: Ork info, huh? Ok... they're super awesome in combat now. More on that later!
Q: I am so excited and I just can't hide it.
A: We're about to to balance the game and I think I like it.
Q: How does a Tervigon work? Do I need to set points aside?
A: I guess we will see more on that in the Tyranid Focus article, winging this way faster than an impatient Haruspex.
Q: Veeery curious how my daemonkin are going to survive
A: By collecting lots of skulls...
Q: wow you guys were late today, I almost gave up
A: Sorry! Technical issues.... not us being divas and arriving late, we promise...
Q: How many models do you need for a power level of over 9000?
A: ....OVER 9000?!
*resists meme*
Q: Sorry when I see the phrase "power level" I think DBZ
A: Yeah, that joke's been mentioned OVER 9000 times.
Q: 27 points? 7 points?! MY OCD. WHY YOU DO DIS
A: Ha! TI's because that's exactly what it's worth!
Q: Hey
GW will we see any dark eldar articles?
A: Of course we will, loyal citizen of Commorragh.