Tested out the "leaked" "rumored" 6th Edition

So today, at the Warp we playtested the leaked, rumored 6th Edition 40K ruleset that has been floating around the internet for a while. In case you're not aware of what this is, original article on Blood of Kittens was here.

So, here are my observations:

1. Deployment. The new bidding system means you and your opponent bids for strategems (like Apocalypse) for the opportunity to go first. Going first is HUGE simply because of the downgraded cover save (now 5+ mostly) and the fact that if you begin the game "stationary" meaning, a Marine with BS 4, will hit most things on a 2+ in the first turn.

In my game, I got hit really hard on the first turn thanks to this and underestimating the importance of the Alpha Strike.

2. Blast Templates will rule. Under the leaked rules, you roll your BS as normal. If you HIT, (say with a 3+ on BS4), then it DOES not scatter. Scattering works differently also, but in short, the deviation is less. My opponent brought along two Vindicators against my Draigowing, and promptly incinerated five paladins in one round of shooting.

3. The new (or old) wound allocation makes multi-wound models significantly weaker. My paladins learned this the hard way. You now allocate to armour groups, and you still have to remove whole models EVEN if they have different weapons profiles.

4. The swapped assault - and - shoot phases make the game a bit more dynamic and simple. All movement including charging is done in movement phase. You then resolve your assaults if any, then shoot. I kind of the like the new dynamic as it made the game move faster.

5. Infiltrate is a bit nerfed as it now only allows you to deepstrike in the first turn.

That's the biggest impression on me so far. If this is INDEED 6th Ed, it really goes a long way in re-balancing the codices. Grey Knights not as powerful as they are right now.

Don't know how to break it you but...

It's fake.

@Jake : Well, fake or not, if anyone spent so much effort to really forge a rulebook (and even attach with a codex update...) and format it nicely, it deserve a playtest =)

@AznJake That's what half the Internet says. The other half claims it's real. We'll see when the rulebook is released. In any case, we were playtesting the game to see how it would change if all these rules took place.

Remember 5th Ed also got "leaked" early, and after all the GW denial, when the rulebook was actually released. 100% right.

@limp83 Yeaps, it's a good game on it's own. Much, much more brutal than 5th edition. We're probably going to have another go at it. The main problem we have with this is the first turn and the importance of it.

@poke : meh..just when I finally have a tiny grasp of 5ED, 6ED coming.. sigh...

I like to believe it is THE leaked rulebook, but it is not.

Even if it is real. It is a year or more older than the rumoured release date of the rulebook which is nearing to be a confirmed thing, etc. Dark Angels on the book spine, paint set..

My advise is of course you can play test it, just don't immerse yourself into it. When the 6th edition is really released and if they are similar, you will have a hard time recalling what is right and what is wrong considering there will be minute details that is different.

I've fully read the leaked rulebook but I've mostly forgotten most of the stuff (although at the time I remembered most of it), except for the railgun rule, hahah. But that's a good thing, because then I won't get confused with the real one.

Some of the rules sounds much like the Warhammer Fantasy rules to me.

@AznJake Aye. I'm not much for being hard set on rules. Actually waiting to see what the actual 6th Ed will be.

How did the change in model speed movement feel like? No difference? More dynamic?

@Tekanan Hey man! We didn't have other unit types other than those standard infantry (no jumps, no fleet) so didn't really get to test the dynamic. but overall, thanks to the ONE Movement Phase then assault, it felt more dynamic and quicker to play.

@darthpoke: have you played any more games with the set of rules?..I've skimmed through it and had a WFB dejavu feel to it, but it does solve a few issues with the current 5th ed..

so which mean unit dont get to shoot first if the are charge during the movement phase... or is the some other advantages for shooties.

@dif2find Shooty armies can still move 6" to engage, kill or route the unit, and then shoot. There are also other rules that help out the shooty armies like the new Evasion rule. So easy to hit stuff now that didn't move.

If the leaked rules are to be true, we can see the return of Plasma Guns since assault phase will come first before shooting. Also all assault based shooting weapons will be pretty much useless...and yes it felt like WFB...

Well... "Assault" weapons will let you count them as a +1A on the turn you assault.

oh i guess i missed that part lol! they have some use after all..

Oh yes they do.

I got the feeling this leak goin to be true after all..

yes, I got the same vibe too..
which is not a bad thing though..

Vuel wrote:

yes, I got the same vibe too..
which is not a bad thing though..

Some would hail 6th Ed will be the balance factor of the 5th Ed inbalance. But to incorporate fantasy style rules might shoo away some players. Dunno dude, I have mixed feelings about this...we'll see...might be a good thing to have some changes..

There seems to be new rumors that aren't part of this leak. E.g. the ability to Snapfire (a la Fantasy - shoot people as they try to assault u, on a BS1). Also, the return of "consolidate into assaults" and Overwatch.

Overall, the stuff I'm hearing adds options to people who like a strategic game. It will "up" complexity, but make it more fun for those who invest to really learn the game.

maybe rapid fire will allow the weapon to be fired at actual BS or BS2...

I believe snapfire is a basic reaction that everyone has?
Then Overwatch is a special rule which lets you shoot at full BS?