A really positive 11th edition launch - 35 games in.
Vik and I sat down to talk through 11th now that we’ve got most of the rules, even if points are still the missing piece. Dave is about 35 games in, while Vik is coming at it from the “read the rules, built lists, haven’t played yet” angle.Short version: we’re pretty positive. Not in a “GW nailed everything” way, but this is a much stronger launch state than we expected. It feels like there’s already a real game here.1. Scoring feels very differentThe old 10th edition plan of “hold my expansion, deny yours, win on primary” doesn’t really work the same way anymore.Because missions are asymmetric, throwing a unit away to deny points can also give your opponent points somewhere else. Games seem higher scoring overall, and pushing big differential feels harder unless you properly run someone over.2. Dispositions are a big win gameplay wiseThe disposition system feels like one of the best parts of the edition. It gives list building more texture again.Purge pushes you toward killing and aggression. Recon feels the most like normal 40k. Priority Assets seems solid for singles. Disruption is the one we’re least sold on right now, because it often asks you to kill something and do actions, which can get awkward.That said, we don’t think you should pick a bad detachment just because it has a better disposition. The detachment is still the main thing, but disposition definitely changes how you build the last part of your list.3. Hidden is better than expected (now that is 12" - go to ground)At first, 15" hidden didn’t sound that impactful. But with Go to Ground bringing it to 12", it matters a lot more.It changes how units stage, how objectives are held, and how you force your opponent to come closer before they can interact. That’s good.It doesn’t solve everything though. Slow six-inch melee infantry still looks rough unless it has real delivery, advance and charge, miracle dice, ingress, transports, or some other trick.Move blocking has changed shapeOld-style move blocking is much weaker. You can’t just put five models an inch in front of a tank and expect it to be stuck forever. Vehicles and monsters moving through infantry is a good change overall.But move blocking isn’t gone. It’s now more about:using 2" engagement range properlyblocking where models can enddenying access to terraintagging things awkwardlyusing the fight phase and pivot wellTwo-inch engagement range feels huge, and good players are going to get a lot out of it.Vehicles and transportsVehicles are better, but we don’t think the edition is just “fast gun wins.” Cover matters, minus one to hit is strong, hidden matters, and shooting without ignore cover can feel rough.Transports are one of the areas we’re less positive on. Base-to-base disembarking is a massive change (when destroyed), and losing a transport in the wrong place can expose the unit inside immediately. Drukhari especially feel like they need to relearn a lot of old staging patterns.OverallWe’re genuinely impressed. There are still worries around slow melee, map balance, transports, and whatever points end up doing, but the foundation feels strong.Most factions seem to have something playable, games feel less deterministic, list building is more interesting, and universal terrain is a huge win.For a launch state, this is probably the best 40k has felt in a long time.
