Sneak Peek at New Drukhari Codex

GW - "We know that the Dark Eldar codex is coming out just a week's time, but it's vitally important that we instead preview rules for a model that wont be out for months yet. But don't worry there's still lots of new stuff to preview for the Dark Eldar codex like . . . er . . . Lelith! Have we mentioned Lelith? Because Lelith is a thing we made. And she has rules! Can you believe it? Granted, sources tell us she did in fact have rules before but these are slightly different rules! And if that doesn't get you hyped, well, we've still got lots more rules. Yes, that's right, lots and lots more rules. More rules than you could possibly believe."

This is what happens when GW puts absolutely effort into a codex. No one cared about it, there are no new models (beyond a single finecast model just being upgraded to a godawful plastic sculpt). And so the marketing department is scraping the bottom of the barrel to such an extent that they've carved right through the bottom and tunnelled into a basement below it.

Ok ... so Day 1 of Druhkari pre-release week ...
GW writer 1: Alright we've told them they are getting a ground up rework.
GW writer 2: Cool so what should we show the druhkari players for hype?
1: BE'LAKOR!!
2: ... isn't... isn't he like the prime daemon prince? What does that have to do with Druhkari?
1:What?
2: what does Be'Lakor have to do with druhkari?
1:I don't understand the question ... their is a dead primaris lieutenant at his feet ... that should make them happy, you know, not everything is all sunshine and roses for the Space Marines ... (a single tear falls down his cheek here)
2: uh ... OK sure ... but that isn't related to druhkari at all ... this is clearly for Cha...
1: DONT UTTER THOSE HERETICS NAME IN HERE! We are talking about a dead lieutenant... such a sad day for the imperium, we must give them an article on white scars action figures and a new imperial model ... that should keep them happy
2: yeah but none of this helps the druhkari in any way ... in fact Be'lakor basically nullifies their entire army and his article reveals more about him then all the stuff we've put out about druhkari ... this one guy here points that out ... (points at the post)
1: (looks at the post for a while) ... oh ... uh ... hmm ... tell them not to worry we will take a deep dive later this week but as for tomorrow ... I want a full article on the lore of that poor slain primaris at Be'lakors feet and rules on the power sword he's carrying incase someone wants to field that lieutenant
2: ... ... ... are you serious? We've been trolling druhkari players this whole time haven't we?
1:YES! Now get that lore article written up
2: ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... (sigh) fine ... I haven't read their codex anyway...and noone seems to know what's in it, or where it's stored so I can read it myself ...

When Dark Angels got released for pre-order at the end of January, they had a sunday preview the 24th, nothing on monday the 25th, and then the daily codex spoilers for the rest of the week.

I was also waiting for some news today, but we have to be patient.

If you really want to feel bad, just consider how much a Space Marine has changed over time compared to a Kabalite warrior. Your avg Space Marine is now a intercessor with extra wounds, special guns, fancy saves and powerful strats like fire twice. For this they went up a handful of points.

The Kabalite gained nothing but obsec and went up a third of its 8th cost, now with +1Sv and atk, do we expect a further points jump? We nearly cost half a space marine already yet.

18 splinter rifle shots to on avg kill one Marine.
27 attacks in melee to on avg kill one Marine.

Let's hope there is some reworking done

Eldur wrote:

When Dark Angels got released for pre-order at the end of January, they had a sunday preview the 24th, nothing on monday the 25th, and then the daily codex spoilers for the rest of the week.

I was also waiting for some news today, but we have to be patient.

Not true.
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/01/25/discover-new-dark-angels-rules-and-relics-to-dominate-close-combat/

Koldan wrote:

Eldur wrote:

When Dark Angels got released for pre-order at the end of January, they had a sunday preview the 24th, nothing on monday the 25th, and then the daily codex spoilers for the rest of the week.

I was also waiting for some news today, but we have to be patient.

Not true.
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/01/25/discover-new-dark-angels-rules-and-relics-to-dominate-close-combat/

Yeah, it was tuesday 26th that didn’t have a preview.
But that feels kind of like splitting hairs, don’t you think?

ursvamp wrote:

Koldan wrote:

Eldur wrote:

When Dark Angels got released for pre-order at the end of January, they had a sunday preview the 24th, nothing on monday the 25th, and then the daily codex spoilers for the rest of the week.

I was also waiting for some news today, but we have to be patient.

Not true.
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/01/25/discover-new-dark-angels-rules-and-relics-to-dominate-close-combat/

Yeah, it was tuesday 26th that didn’t have a preview.
But that feels kind of like splitting hairs, don’t you think?

Still they started the week normally and by the way it was a supplement, there was not much to tell. All units were already known, the combat doctrines also, they even had a free pdf with updated rules before the supplement.

When did they reveal the changes to Disgustingly Resilient? Do we even know if Power from Pain changes? What will be our Contamination counterpart? We have three subfactions they could write about, a lot of unit profiles they wrote they changed. For Dark Angels I could actually understand that there was not enough new for 5 articles without basically showing the whole supplement, but for Drukhari, it shouldn't be the problem.

I think its more important to remember the hype/reality of the past few codex releases.

Necrons/Dark Angles/Death Guard all got hyped before the relase.

At the release, everyone was going "OMG OP WTF" for a few weeks.

Then everything calmed down and we are back to normal (mostly, DA Termies are still scary). I imagine our release will be similar. Same thing happened when our 8th codex came out. We were top of the heap for a few weeks/months, then the next thing came out.

Lets just manage our expectations. We will get some shiny new toy, some will scream "Over Powered", some will scream "Under Powered", then the world will get back to spinning.

A lot of people on here getting worked up. I personally wont be using up my few emotions on this hype train, just patientally awaiting the release and playing some Ravenguard until then (they are actually pretty fun from a DE point of view)

I think that by now anyone who expects that they truly reworked and put any meaningful thought into our codex is juat fooling himself...
Let's just hope for any over the top buffs to some units (exactly because they didnt think it too much) so we can compete a bit with the big boys and thats it, i dont think this is pessimism anymore its realism

Kalmah wrote:

The Strange Dark One wrote:

Also, did anybody read the subtext on the new Daemon Prince article?

Warhammer Community wrote:

This new Primaris Lieutenant model comes with a power sword and an entire Daemon Prince.

I can't tell if this is a joke or a silent admittal of self awareness.

did i not tell you that GW was toying with us regarding all the Lieutenant's release?....so yes it's just a joke....(unless you can play with Belak'hor in a SM army and pretend its a Lieutenant....)

Some of you may have missed the fact that their is a dead Primaris Lieutenant on the base of the new model.

So yes it’s a joke but also not a joke because you do get a dead lieutenant.

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

Kalmah wrote:

The Strange Dark One wrote:

Also, did anybody read the subtext on the new Daemon Prince article?

Warhammer Community wrote:

This new Primaris Lieutenant model comes with a power sword and an entire Daemon Prince.

I can't tell if this is a joke or a silent admittal of self awareness.

did i not tell you that GW was toying with us regarding all the Lieutenant's release?....so yes it's just a joke....(unless you can play with Belak'hor in a SM army and pretend its a Lieutenant....)

Some of you may have missed the fact that their is a dead Primaris Lieutenant on the base of the new model.

So yes it’s a joke but also not a joke because you do get a dead lieutenant.

Eh, I mean the sculpt itself is a joke. The sculpt team have been sculpting Primaris stuff for AGES, then are asked to sculpt a Daemon Prince for 40k? You bet your bottom dollar they are sticking a dead Primaris on there. If they had been sculpting Tau or Eldar for ages, and then made a giant tyranid model, they would have had a wrecked hammerhead or wraith lord as part of the base.

The sculpt team, the lore team, and to an extent, the rules team, they are just like us. I would bet money on every single one having been a model collector, probably a Warhammer collector, before they ever applied to GW.

I love it when there are dead bodies on the bases...I’ve always liked it. Granted it looks silly if you are fighting orks and there’s a random dead space marine on the base but in general I do appreciate the dramatic scenes they can produce on these large scale models. Personally I’m not a fan of them in a game but they are always good to look at.

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

Something I would like is a stratagem that makes a units Splinter weapon +1 to wound vehicles (5+).

It’s not a huge buff but it would be useful to be able to employ it when your high damage weapons have either failed or are dead.

It would be like the unit quickly using different ammo. It could also provide a buff to ap.

I really like subtle buffs that I can employ at the right times rather than OP must takes. I don’t want a point and roll dice game.

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

I love it when there are dead bodies on the bases...I’ve always liked it. Granted it looks silly if you are fighting orks and there’s a random dead space marine on the base but in general I do appreciate the dramatic scenes they can produce on these large scale models. Personally I’m not a fan of them in a game but they are always good to look at.

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

My kitbashed archon is made from the legs of a kabalite that usually hangs off a raider, a regular kabalite body and head, a cape, the ruff of thorns from some sylvaneth, holding a pistol and a kitbashed spear flag, shoved through the torso of a CSM of some description. The offset legs allow the archon to stand with one foot on the torso.

I face no space marines, which is actually why I chose it. I didnt want my friends to feel like I was picking on one of them in particular.

Its not perfect, but its a pretty dynamic pose, and works well on the table top. And it nicely complements my third party raging heroes HQ.

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

That is true, exactly twice as effective. Pointwise our shredder is better against him than a heavy bolter. Hellions with Hellglaive even without drugs or any possible buff they may get in the codex are better than a space marine with a heavy bolter.

albions-angel wrote:

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

I love it when there are dead bodies on the bases...I’ve always liked it. Granted it looks silly if you are fighting orks and there’s a random dead space marine on the base but in general I do appreciate the dramatic scenes they can produce on these large scale models. Personally I’m not a fan of them in a game but they are always good to look at.

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

My kitbashed archon is made from the legs of a kabalite that usually hangs off a raider, a regular kabalite body and head, a cape, the ruff of thorns from some sylvaneth, holding a pistol and a kitbashed spear flag, shoved through the torso of a CSM of some description. The offset legs allow the archon to stand with one foot on the torso.

I face no space marines, which is actually why I chose it. I didnt want my friends to feel like I was picking on one of them in particular.

Its not perfect, but its a pretty dynamic pose, and works well on the table top. And it nicely complements my third party raging heroes HQ.

Very cool. I love it when the hobby really allows people to get creative. I’m still working on my Draz. I have to buy some liquid green stuff!

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

albions-angel wrote:

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

I love it when there are dead bodies on the bases...I’ve always liked it. Granted it looks silly if you are fighting orks and there’s a random dead space marine on the base but in general I do appreciate the dramatic scenes they can produce on these large scale models. Personally I’m not a fan of them in a game but they are always good to look at.

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

My kitbashed archon is made from the legs of a kabalite that usually hangs off a raider, a regular kabalite body and head, a cape, the ruff of thorns from some sylvaneth, holding a pistol and a kitbashed spear flag, shoved through the torso of a CSM of some description. The offset legs allow the archon to stand with one foot on the torso.

I face no space marines, which is actually why I chose it. I didnt want my friends to feel like I was picking on one of them in particular.

Its not perfect, but its a pretty dynamic pose, and works well on the table top. And it nicely complements my third party raging heroes HQ.

Very cool. I love it when the hobby really allows people to get creative. I’m still working on my Draz. I have to buy some liquid green stuff!

Odd to give credit to GW for allowing creativity considering they have exclusively been limiting our creative choices since 6th edition.

We can get creative with the space they have left for us, while actively discouraging creativity. Sure my Duke Sliscus, Baron Sathonyx, Trueborn, and WWP conversions are all either stuffed away in a closet or thrown away, but they haven't taken Archons away yet (just severely restricted their choices). How great of them!

sekac wrote:

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

albions-angel wrote:

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

I love it when there are dead bodies on the bases...I’ve always liked it. Granted it looks silly if you are fighting orks and there’s a random dead space marine on the base but in general I do appreciate the dramatic scenes they can produce on these large scale models. Personally I’m not a fan of them in a game but they are always good to look at.

One things for sure, Splinter Cannons will be better than a Heavy Bolter vs Belakor

My kitbashed archon is made from the legs of a kabalite that usually hangs off a raider, a regular kabalite body and head, a cape, the ruff of thorns from some sylvaneth, holding a pistol and a kitbashed spear flag, shoved through the torso of a CSM of some description. The offset legs allow the archon to stand with one foot on the torso.

I face no space marines, which is actually why I chose it. I didnt want my friends to feel like I was picking on one of them in particular.

Its not perfect, but its a pretty dynamic pose, and works well on the table top. And it nicely complements my third party raging heroes HQ.

Very cool. I love it when the hobby really allows people to get creative. I’m still working on my Draz. I have to buy some liquid green stuff!

Odd to give credit to GW for allowing creativity considering they have exclusively been limiting our creative choices since 6th edition.

We can get creative with the space they have left for us, while actively discouraging creativity. Sure my Duke Sliscus, Baron Sathonyx, Trueborn, and WWP conversions are all either stuffed away in a closet or thrown away, but they haven't taken Archons away yet (just severely restricted their choices). How great of them!

Oh well I thought it would be clear I was giving credit to Albion Angel...not GW. If I refer to the “hobby” then I intend for that to mean the miniature hobby as a whole...not just GW or 40k.

Dark Elf Dave wrote:

sekac wrote:

Odd to give credit to GW for allowing creativity considering they have exclusively been limiting our creative choices since 6th edition.

We can get creative with the space they have left for us, while actively discouraging creativity. Sure my Duke Sliscus, Baron Sathonyx, Trueborn, and WWP conversions are all either stuffed away in a closet or thrown away, but they haven't taken Archons away yet (just severely restricted their choices). How great of them!

Oh well I thought it would be clear I was giving credit to Albion Angel...not GW. If I refer to the “hobby” then I intend for that to mean the miniature hobby as a whole...not just GW or 40k.

Certainly. I don't mean to demean anyone's creative pursuits. I love conversions, that's my favorite part of the hobby. It's just that the space in which we have to be creative has shrunk considerably.

The phrase "really allows" seems to strongly suggest there is ample opportunity for conversion, and that just isn't the case. The reason many people choose to convert archons is because the existing model is god-awful, not because his data sheet "really allows" creativity.

Nah there are many ways to still convert. I have a new conversion every month it seems.

My point is simply that we must give ourselves reasons to convert things, while GW has been actively taking reasons away.

We still can convert and I'd encourage anyone to do so, but it runs counter to GW's "no datasheets without models and no models with options not included in the kit" philosophy.

The hobby does not create the opportunities, we must find them in spite of GW's preference.

sekac wrote:

The hobby does not create the opportunities, we must find them in spite of GW's preference.

This might be nitpicky, but I want to point out that GW isn’t the hobby.
The hobby is what you do with your miniatures (regardless of which company supplies you with them).

Your point that GW does things that actively hinders/stifles creativity is definitely compatible with darkelfdave’s point about people using thehobby as a creative outlet =)

I get the feeling that Drukhari won't get a full 4 day preview cycle. 2-3 days will probably be our codex but at least 1 day will be book of rust focusing on the other factions. Pretty BS in my opinion, but whatever. I'm hoping full preview of our Power from Pain. I'm guessing it will be tied to the command phase.

Hanga wrote:

I get the feeling that Drukhari won't get a full 4 day preview cycle. 2-3 days will probably be our codex but at least 1 day will be book of rust focusing on the other factions. Pretty BS in my opinion, but whatever. I'm hoping full preview of our Power from Pain. I'm guessing it will be tied to the command phase.

I doubt there will be any change to the pfp table. It's already perfect, why change that?

Current PfP is great, but I'd like to see it expanded a bit to suit the army as a whole. Perhaps choose what comes into effct on what turn. Perhaps chage it up depending on your WL or army composition. I dunno, but something to change it up from 8th ed would be nice.