Post by killercroc on Dec 15, 2018 5:57:41 GMT
So I thought I'd make this post just to let people know about the new campaign book, get it if you really want it but it's fair to know what you're buying. I bit the $50 bullet so you don't have to 
Honestly I'd have to say the new campaign book isn't exactly worth the money for what it offers unless you do really like buying GW books like I do.
First to the credit of the creators it is a nice piece of fluff. I haven't read it all but the snippets I have read are really interesting and fun. Also the artwork is top notch, some amazing pieces in it for those that like to check out the gothic pictures in the books. In particular I like the drawings of places and buildings. Ork content is pretty lacking though, most art or pictures of models can be found in the codex so a bit ehh there. It does have a little bit of force organization info so if you liked that from the Waaagh! Ghazghkull that is there but not as detailed, more like a broad overview than squad/detachment breakdown. It has a four new sections for Primaris chapters so if you want to make a cool new fluffy Marine army there are four new ones to chose from, not bad. As far as the other armies go I didn't see any new groups just a bit of fluff, there were a few icons and snippets from random forces so if you want to build a new army from a logo and small description there is that too, in particular there was mention of an Ork air corps with the symbol of backstabbing knife which was neat.
Actual content for the tabletop: It does talk some about running a campaign but just like the rulebook it's very vague. All the text for the campaign takes up two pages which is a bit silly for a $50 campaign book of 200 pages. To be fair there are 6 pages of campaign "add on" rules to change it up but they are specific to this books campaign, not general campaigns though. It will be easy enough to convert these for other armies if any of them are interesting to you. Additionally it has 18 random events to add to campaign missions to make them more unique, some of them are just crazy. Ranging from board wide null field so Invuln saves cannot be taken (basically get bent Daemons) or plus 1 Attack for every model, or as minor as an extra D3 CP per player.
There are 12 new narrative missions to choose from, they seem pretty fun but most of them I wouldn't try for just an average pick up game.
There are also 6 Battlezones which add flavor and rules to the battlefields, such as blizzards or Genestealer infestations. Sort of like table rules you see at game events.
Also 6 warzones which are I admit a little odd. Effectively they are random ways to set up a table with the GW terrain (Sector Imperials, Wall of martyrs, Deathwoods, etc.) to make a more thematic battle, most of which have a few special rules too. So think of it as instead of setting up the battlefield yourself you roll to randomly set up terrain. Could make for more unique terrain with a bit less bias.
Finally new rules for the Ultramarine and Chaos units. Detachments which I personally find to be a bit unbalanced are here as well.
So I have to say while interesting the reality of it is this $50 campaign book is just 12 new missions, a couple pre-generated maps, 3 new unit rules, detachments and a few battlefield special rules you could just write up yourself and add to a D6 chart.
Is it worth $50? Ehhh.... that's hard to say, I personally don't think so but I'm sure others might view it with more favor than I do. If this was $35 I'd be a bit easier on it but for the price it is there should have been more missions and better campaign information. I tried to be as unbiased with this review as possible as not to just bash the book and turn people that might like it away and look at the information as it's presented to let people know what they're getting with their money, there are things I like and dislike about the book, but I wont just toss this in the bookshelf and forget it. I will be bringing it with me to game night to get some use of the new missions and add-on rules.
Hope this helps!
Honestly I'd have to say the new campaign book isn't exactly worth the money for what it offers unless you do really like buying GW books like I do.
First to the credit of the creators it is a nice piece of fluff. I haven't read it all but the snippets I have read are really interesting and fun. Also the artwork is top notch, some amazing pieces in it for those that like to check out the gothic pictures in the books. In particular I like the drawings of places and buildings. Ork content is pretty lacking though, most art or pictures of models can be found in the codex so a bit ehh there. It does have a little bit of force organization info so if you liked that from the Waaagh! Ghazghkull that is there but not as detailed, more like a broad overview than squad/detachment breakdown. It has a four new sections for Primaris chapters so if you want to make a cool new fluffy Marine army there are four new ones to chose from, not bad. As far as the other armies go I didn't see any new groups just a bit of fluff, there were a few icons and snippets from random forces so if you want to build a new army from a logo and small description there is that too, in particular there was mention of an Ork air corps with the symbol of backstabbing knife which was neat.
Actual content for the tabletop: It does talk some about running a campaign but just like the rulebook it's very vague. All the text for the campaign takes up two pages which is a bit silly for a $50 campaign book of 200 pages. To be fair there are 6 pages of campaign "add on" rules to change it up but they are specific to this books campaign, not general campaigns though. It will be easy enough to convert these for other armies if any of them are interesting to you. Additionally it has 18 random events to add to campaign missions to make them more unique, some of them are just crazy. Ranging from board wide null field so Invuln saves cannot be taken (basically get bent Daemons) or plus 1 Attack for every model, or as minor as an extra D3 CP per player.
There are 12 new narrative missions to choose from, they seem pretty fun but most of them I wouldn't try for just an average pick up game.
There are also 6 Battlezones which add flavor and rules to the battlefields, such as blizzards or Genestealer infestations. Sort of like table rules you see at game events.
Also 6 warzones which are I admit a little odd. Effectively they are random ways to set up a table with the GW terrain (Sector Imperials, Wall of martyrs, Deathwoods, etc.) to make a more thematic battle, most of which have a few special rules too. So think of it as instead of setting up the battlefield yourself you roll to randomly set up terrain. Could make for more unique terrain with a bit less bias.
Finally new rules for the Ultramarine and Chaos units. Detachments which I personally find to be a bit unbalanced are here as well.
So I have to say while interesting the reality of it is this $50 campaign book is just 12 new missions, a couple pre-generated maps, 3 new unit rules, detachments and a few battlefield special rules you could just write up yourself and add to a D6 chart.
Is it worth $50? Ehhh.... that's hard to say, I personally don't think so but I'm sure others might view it with more favor than I do. If this was $35 I'd be a bit easier on it but for the price it is there should have been more missions and better campaign information. I tried to be as unbiased with this review as possible as not to just bash the book and turn people that might like it away and look at the information as it's presented to let people know what they're getting with their money, there are things I like and dislike about the book, but I wont just toss this in the bookshelf and forget it. I will be bringing it with me to game night to get some use of the new missions and add-on rules.
Hope this helps!
