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I always disregarded traits or artefacts that only worked against a single keyword like ORDER or MONSTER as being too situational.

But re-reading all traits and artefacts, it got me thinking: when exactly are we supposed to pick Command Traits and artefacts?
The General is only picked when armies are set up (core rules), and the allegiance is only determined after set up and when all units on the table have the same allegiance keyword in common(allegiance rules in GHB/Battletomes).
I always thought you picked allegiance abilities in advance during list building, but technically I can't pick anything until the allegiance is determined and a General is chosen. Which would mean: I pick this stuff after set up and naming the General.

Which would also mean, I can pick the Command Trait and artefact that are of the most use against the specific army build my opponent just plopped down.

Anything in FAQ/Errata that I missed or did I simply play it wrong the last 1.5 years?

Not sure how the real tournament scene is but I always picked allegiance/general/artifacts when my opponent sees my army but before set up. It's also how I have played in small tournaments at my local GW because you keep the same for the whole tournament. Of course it goes without saying you play at your house with whatever feels best for you and your friends.

 BWheasler wrote:
Not sure how the real tournament scene is but I always picked allegiance/general/artifacts when my opponent sees my army but before set up. It's also how I have played in small tournaments at my local GW because you keep the same for the whole tournament. Of course it goes without saying you play at your house with whatever feels best for you and your friends.

I really wonder why this question doesn't pop up more. Because I could find nothing clarifying the actual rules.
Everyone just seems to do it how they remember it from 40k or previous editions.
But now I can't think of another RAW/RAI legal way to do it than after set up.

I think the way that you're describing it is correct RAW. However many events seem to want it all chosen ahead of time and written on the army list....Adepticon does this year. I guess buffs vs Order would
help much of the time with many Order lists being out there.

 Malathrim wrote:
I think the way that you're describing it is correct RAW. However many events seem to want it all chosen ahead of time and written on the army list....Adepticon does this year. I guess buffs vs Order would
help much of the time with many Order lists being out there.

This. I also know in my local group it's considered good sportsmanship to choose these things ahead of time rather than tailoring them to fit the scenario/opponent.