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Initial thoughts:

- Been a Guard main since ~2009 (they weren't my first love in 40k, 3e 'crons got that honor, but IG're the only force I've ever built), so this@me is preachin' to the choir
- I'm glad that the meta-chases and fair-weather-friends from our early 8e performance have washed out to other factions (I don't like anyone getting stink-eye fielding a force they like and have had for years because some other jerk-off saw abusable rules and couldn't help themself, least of all when it's a faction that traditionally has been more middle-of-the-road power-wise)
- - Above would leave the Guard community with more people who would be receptive to this message, which is good in my book
- The game and community would almost certainly be in a better state if meta-chasing weren't a thing, though I suspect that it would take some effort on GW's part to complete the shift since some meta chasing is the result of people who've grown tired of losing because they chose the "wrong faction"
- Always dug the Guard art, so good to see that again
- Still feels a bit wanky (a reaction I usually get to this sort of "OOH-RAH" content), but there's plenty worse out there and as far as I can tell from a few years' intermittent watching, MG is truly sincere in his love for the Guard, so I'll give him a pass on it

I'll be honest, that video didn't sell me on playing Guard. Then again I'm working on a Catachan army already but what got me excited about them was listening to other people (Adeptus Ridiculious) be excited about the faction. That passion and excitement carried over so much that I finally said "I want to play those guys".

Honestly right now is probably the best time to start Guard not because you can get out of the meta, but rather because it's an army that takes a lot of time to build and paint and it gets you ahead for a codex we know is more than likely not going to happen until 2023. Heck, I'm taking this lull of not knowing what'll be good to future proof my army and make sure I have all the options as I go so I can always flex into whatever build I want.

 waefre_1 wrote:

- I'm glad that the meta-chases and fair-weather-friends from our early 8e performance have washed out to other factions (I don't like anyone getting stink-eye fielding a force they like and have had for years because some other jerk-off saw abusable rules and couldn't help themself, least of all when it's a faction that traditionally has been more middle-of-the-road power-wise)

"How dare other people enjoy things for reasons other than the reason I enjoy things!"

This sounds all sorts of pretentious and gatekeepery. You don't own Guard, you aren't special or better because you stuck with guard while they are scraping the bottom of the barrel power wise, if other people give you the stink eye for playing an army thats good thats their problem, not yours or anyone elses.

Also hard to say Guard have traditionally been "middle of the road power-wise", as if "leafblower" wasn't a thing through 5th and 6th edition (and potentially into 7th, but I took a hiatus from the game during that edition so I can't be sure) and didn't basically and completely single-handedly redefine competitive 40k and the prominence of net-lists in gameplay. Even before that they were pretty powerful in 3rd edition too before 4th edition rules changes broke their codex.

Signed,
Tempestus player who has embraced the suck

chaos0xomega wrote:

 waefre_1 wrote:

- I'm glad that the meta-chases and fair-weather-friends from our early 8e performance have washed out to other factions (I don't like anyone getting stink-eye fielding a force they like and have had for years because some other jerk-off saw abusable rules and couldn't help themself, least of all when it's a faction that traditionally has been more middle-of-the-road power-wise)

"How dare other people enjoy things for reasons other than the reason I enjoy things!"

This sounds all sorts of pretentious and gatekeepery. You don't own Guard, you aren't special or better because you stuck with guard while they are scraping the bottom of the barrel power wise, if other people give you the stink eye for playing an army thats good thats their problem, not yours or anyone elses.

...

Signed,
Tempestus player who has embraced the suck

Eh... I'm not seeing it. Pretentious? maybe a touch. Gatekeeping? Not a bit.
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

MG has said it before, there's something different about the core players of factions when they are are on the lower end of competitiveness, and Guard and Orks tend to be good examples. There's something fun and cool in these folks because of their love of the thing that does make them special, at least to each other. Its a natural thing. Nothing wrong with observing, enjoying it, and even celebrating it.


Nice helmet btw MG. Loved that bit.

On a completely different thought, there needs to be a long duration guard themed painting motivation video with guard images and every now and then someone reading over the top motivational guard quotes, prayers, or litanies from the primer or snippets from the Baldermort commissar video.

What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

No, actually it isn't. What other people do is irrelevant to you. Let other people have fun and enjoy the game the way to enjoy the game. The people playing the faction "because they love something in detail for what it is" aren't superior to or better than the people playing the faction because its powerful.

chaos0xomega wrote:

What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

No, actually it isn't. What other people do is irrelevant to you. Let other people have fun and enjoy the game the way to enjoy the game. The people playing the faction "because they love something in detail for what it is" aren't superior to or better than the people playing the faction because its powerful.

Maybe they aren't superior, but they're generally a lot more fun to play against.

chaos0xomega wrote:

What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

No, actually it isn't. What other people do is irrelevant to you. Let other people have fun and enjoy the game the way to enjoy the game. The people playing the faction "because they love something in detail for what it is" aren't superior to or better than the people playing the faction because its powerful.

Eh... I agree that there's nothing wrong with people wanting to chase the meta. Jumping from faction to faction because you value the competitiveness of a faction's rules more than its fluff, playstyle, etc. is perfectly fine. If someone enjoys the hobby most when they're fielding the latest hotness at a tournament, more power to them.

But that said, there is some mild annoyance that comes with having your previously underwhelming faction suddenly becomes OP and attracts a bunch of bandwagoners. Like, yes my drukhari are top tier right now, but lose that smirk pal. I was playing them when they were bottom tier too. It's not a big deal, and it certainly shouldn't ruin your day when someone assumes you're a band wagoner, but it is nice when you don't have to worry about that misconception. Especially if yours is one of the factions people love to hate. Right now, I can play my craftworlders without much grumbling from my opponents (although still a little grumbling). But here in a few weeks when the codex drops, I fully expect everyone to switch back to belly-aching about every little edge the faction has.

tldr; people thinking you're playing your faction just because it's good right now won't ruin your day, but it is a bit of a pain. "I liked them before they were cool," and all that jazz.

Also I think this is really more of MG trying to draw attention to the fact that Guard would benefit from a codex and some balance for viability before 10th edition starts

I'd totally start guard if they had a properly updated infantry kit. I'm just sitting on my hands buying too many other new models right now.

 RegularGuy wrote:
Also I think this is really more of MG trying to draw attention to the fact that Guard would benefit from a codex and some balance for viability before 10th edition starts

I mean, yeah, but that's the sort of thing like saying water is wet. Every army would benefit from having a fully updated codex.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Daedalus81 wrote:
I'd totally start guard if they had a properly updated infantry kit. I'm just sitting on my hands buying too many other new models right now.

I used to have that approach, but honestly I gave up on waiting for GW to update Catachan so I decided to do them anyways. Sure the models are old and the details are soft compared to modern kits, but sometimes you just want jump into a project regardless.

Yea Im not interested, even maining IG they are not fun.

Not a Guard player myself, but I can definitively dig the "stick with Your Dudes through thick or thin" vibe of the video.

chaos0xomega wrote:

No, actually it isn't. What other people do is irrelevant to you. Let other people have fun and enjoy the game the way to enjoy the game. The people playing the faction "because they love something in detail for what it is" aren't superior to or better than the people playing the faction because its powerful.

They are superior actually.

Also I will never play a stinky poo poo human faction in any game like 40k.

 Gadzilla666 wrote:
Not a Guard player myself, but I can definitively dig the "stick with Your Dudes through thick or thin" vibe of the video.

Oh you know....I'd really be into traitor guard....

 Daedalus81 wrote:

 Gadzilla666 wrote:
Not a Guard player myself, but I can definitively dig the "stick with Your Dudes through thick or thin" vibe of the video.

Oh you know....I'd really be into traitor guard....

As someone who is a Traitor Guardsmen
, I approve this message.


Cadians are good target practice....

I've been waiting since 8th to build guard- the only thing I bought were the advisors. I got Kriegers with the KT box, and I bought ripper Jackson too.

As a Crusader, I can still take as many Valkyries as I want- the Aircraft nerf is specifically a matched play rule.

I'm looking very forward to this dex, and I hope they do some good for the range.

 Daedalus81 wrote:
I'd totally start guard if they had a properly updated infantry kit. I'm just sitting on my hands buying too many other new models right now.

Lots of third party options out there for Guard. Wargames Atlantic do some really nice not-Guardsmen for way cheaper than GW (and they're better models too!). I've got some WA Les Grognards models that I'm currently holding on to in anticipation of Guard getting a new 'dex.

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

tneva82 wrote:

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

Exactly.

tneva82 wrote:

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

If it's rubbing you the wrong way, maybe you should think about why that is...

 Dysartes wrote:

tneva82 wrote:

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

If it's rubbing you the wrong way, maybe you should think about why that is...

Because its a gakky philosophy and outlook. I've been maining Militarum Tempestus since the Tempestus codex released, I don't go looking for a pat on the head or go around sticking my nose up at others because I'm playing whats probably the worst (sub)faction in the game right now.

 Dysartes wrote:

tneva82 wrote:

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

If it's rubbing you the wrong way, maybe you should think about why that is...

Because people acting as the official gatekeepers of what is and isn't the right way to hobby is cringe?

tneva82 wrote:

 RegularGuy wrote:
What he's talking about goes with any faction (or phenomena) where some people are there because they love something in detail for what it is, vs. people who are just there to use it as a means to an end and drop it the moment it isn't Tier 1. Particularly when the latter tends to come along with a higher distribution of people with bad habits. It's pretty understandable really.

Aka he's talking and being elitist gate keeper. "My way is the only way and how dare you do it other way" holier than thou attitude stinks from his post strong enough to be smelled from other side of this planet.

I think you're really reading more into the video than there is. He's saying "this meta sucks for guard, embrace it anyway" for the guard who are his primary audience and will enjoy it because they are into guard because they love guard. If you're reading elitism and gatekeeping in it, it probably has more to do with your own demons than anything MG is conveying. It's a motivational video for guardsmen

Speaking as a long-time Guard player...it's elitist gatekeeping nonsense.

Also it felt more like an ad for some "buy our game secrets!" service than anything worthwhile. Not sure why some relatively low activity account felt the need for their first post in over two years to be this nor why you feel the need to defend it so vigorously.

Also think theres some crossed wires, as the gatekeepy cringe we're complaining about is mainly waefre's follow-up post rather than the (pointless, low effort, boring) video in the OP.

chaos0xomega wrote:
Also think theres some crossed wires, as the gatekeepy cringe we're complaining about is mainly waefre's follow-up post rather than the (pointless, low effort, boring) video in the OP.

Agreed. That post was a lot of gatekeeping nonsense. As someone who spent years basically being the rare faction unicorn with Sisters I will always welcome more people into what I'm playing because sharing excitement over your favorite faction is a great thing, not a reason to look down your nose on people who want to share the sandbox with you.

Yep, beyond that, a certain percentage of the meta chasers will always stay behind if they genuinely like something about the faction. As the level of support GW provides for each faction seems to correlate somewhat to said factions sales performance, its never a bad thing for the meta chasers to help drive sales.