My son comes home to surprise me with the new 40k Ork codex. At the time, I was focused on digesting the new rules for Necromunda (and having a bear of a time as this is way different from N95 and certainly not similar to N17, but I digress) and ripping through the new starter kit models, so my focus had nothing to do with anything 40k. We had resigned to wait for a bit as the codex had been sold out and the Space Marine one was coming out already, but that patience disappeared when the book 'o rules for those greenskins finally appeared on the shelf. He dropped that book on me mid-read and my attention immediately shifted. And then I went crazy.
You see, I had been used to playing my Orks with a particular style. One could even argue that I copied the pointy-ears with the style, but that could be offensive... I like to use speshulists in trukks supported by clankin' walkers in the form of Meganobs and Deff Dreds. My armies used those rokkit-boyz and Burna-boyz, supported by Lootas. I even had wagons to roll over da enemies when the Meganobs wanted a ride. And all the regular boyz- dey's shootas! But dey'z dere to be a distraction for da Dreds and nobz.
Well, all that made me happy, so GW saw fit to change it or outright remove it. Let's look at how they personally stabbed me in the back on my play style:
First, the Loota were completely removed from the codex. I had 15 because I didn't build the Meks when they weren't mandatory many bad moons ago. Then I built those because a new edition required them and I had three squads of five Lootas. They're cheap and downright random, but they work great when you're trying to pop off a squad of beakies holding that objective. I was already annoyed that my Bad Moons special rule was removed, then my squad composition was reset, but now they just disappeared!
Second, they removed my Burna-boyz. I loved by Burna-boyz. Stop me if youi've heard this one- I had 10 because I didn't build the Meks when they weren't required. Then I built those because a new edition required them and now I had two squads of Burnas. They're cheap and very random, but they were key in wiping out those 'oomies in droves. I was already annoyed that they were going down to 3 shots, then my squad composition was reset, and now they've just disappeared!
Third, they removed my Deff-rollas. The iconic front-end attachment known to all Ork vehicles since the beginning of time (1987) was once a mainstay in every army. In fact, they were so important to every Ork player that GW capitalized (and I say that literally) by making it a separate upgarde sprue that had to be purchased outside the Battlewagon box (definitely a brutally cunning move)! The rules were phenomenal and made short work of all but Terminators when on the move. I heard a rumour that the sprue has made its way back into the box, but it no longer matters as the big gun options have been narrowed in the codex, and the Deff-rolla is outright gone. I want my Deff-rolla!!! It ain't a true wagon without one.
Fourth, they destroyed my Power Klaw delivery system known as Warbikers!!! The nobs no longer get Power Klaws and their bikes no longer have dakkaguns... WHAT!?!?!? Every Ork army that ever hit the battlefield has Warbikers delivering that tasty Klaw right into the enemy, even chasing down vehicles and delivering that slap. But no, now there's rokkits on the bike (which I really don't hate) and the nob has a weapon with the same stats (but it's not a Klaw!).... I don't understand.
Finally, there are too many Ork detachments for too cheap. Building an army now requires either the War Horde or three other detachments, which are too specific. You want a bunch of runts- there's a detachment for that. You want to use a ton of Dred's- there's a detachment for that. You like Meganobs- detachment! This means that army-building is now more complicated that ever and that's annoying.
I'm very annoyed at what has happened in this new 11th edition codex. My greenskins are feeling anguish right now for a number of reasons. My wallet is dreading the muster. My rules are betraying me. First, my son surprised me with the codex. Then the codex surprised me with this stuff. Let me now what you think and if you've felt this way.
Happy Gaming!
