An Old Ork's View

Found something interesting while exploring old content on Yes The Truth Hurts. I will be picking out bits that get my attention...

My issues with GW go back for quite some time. For years I promoted that hobby (in kind of a big way, especially as the orks go). I took it on the chin when my other armies rulesets and models were cut (Space Marines and Eldar, I still have a land raider crusader with extra forgeworld armor not built because I cannot use that with the White Scar traits) but the release of the ork codex, after 10 long years, was for me the final straw. Yes this was written back in 2007 and then updated for 5th Edition in 2008. What a poor effort...

... With the (upcoming) release of the new, 2007/8 ork codex for Wahammer 40k by Games Workshop, there has been a lot of talk about the changes that are occuring. Well Warboss Bob of Warboss Bobz Killa Konviktz, and his partner in crime Gooba and his Lootaz are not looking forward to the changes wrought by Games Workshop.

Well, I have made my decision on what to do.

After a long discussion with Warboss Bob and Gooba, it's been decided that the Killa Konviktz will NOT be played any longer, under the new codex. To put it concisely, the new codex is pure shit, is an affront to the loyal ork gamers, and GW can kiss Gooba'z burna, Bob'z Klaw, and my ass. After a long, long run, the Killa Konviktz will be shelved. They played their last tournament at Triple Play on the Mall.

Thanks Games Workshop, for the wholesale killing of my hobby.

Why, you ask? Is it the loss of the choppa, or looted vehicles? In part yes. Mostly, however it's because the new codex is a poor product, and I refuse as a consumer to purchase a poor product, and reward a company for continuing to do so.

Now you ask, what makes it a poor product?

Is it the changes in the rules?

In part yes. The rule changes were poorly done, in my opinion, as they take what was openly considered an underpowered codex and weaken it. Simply stated, the sum of what was added is less than what was taken away.

Come on Dude, boyz are now just 6pts apiece base!

Yup, and that's quickly offset when you're making a list by two things - other units and toys are more expensive, and in the new GW boyz box, you only get 12 models. So guess what - for those of use that often ran large foot lists, the change in point costs and total number of models is minimal; and for those of us who don't have a lot of models to exploit the cheap boy cost. It's going to cost a new player $100 for each mob of 30 boyz. If you think that was done for your advantage, well, back to math class for you!

You should also ask yourself this - point for point, which 20 boy slugga mob was more effective? A 3rd edition one with 3 special weapons, including burnas, and a nob who had the run of the armory, plus choppas, power of the waaagh ,and mobbing up, or the new one, with 2 special weapons (no burnaz), no choppas, low leadership, furious charge, and a limited armory. If you honestly think it's the latter, well, no point in continuing this discussion...

... But the word on the forums is that this codex is now competitive, in that the older one wasn't.

I haven't said you cannot win with the new codex, just that it's a poor product. I fairly expect that you're going to see very standardized lists from successful ork players, ones that include just a few unit types and undoubtedly named characters. To me this alone speaks volumes on how poor the new codex is, as the previous one allowed players to field a much more varied and balanced list and still be successful. This is a GW trend, pushing the named characters, and list "min-maxing" in all of their recent codices, and is a mistake in my opinion. As far as the forums, well, you should take that as you will. I personally have a hard time taking solid advice from anyone who's army I havent' at least seen pictures of, and or seen a battle report they've posted. A grain of salt, that's all I'm saying.

But it's new! The Orks finally got a new codex!

Exactly. We, one of the most dedicated and loyal players of any race, waited 10 years for this? You have to be kidding. I know I've said this a lot, but the simple fact that Nobs may still purchase 'eavy armor for the character upgrade clearly indicates to me that this was not proof read or play tested carefully by GW. Think I'm wrong? Than go ahead, and spend that 5pts on 'eavy armor for your nob in that mob of 20+ boys, and see how often his extra armor save comes into use. Just because it's "new" doesn't make it "good"...

... Like I say, this is a shit product. To quote one of my favorite Big Mekz, 'nuff said.

- Scarpia in An Old Ork's View

Another interesting read by Scarpia can be found here where he briefly talks about Ork shooting. And although he hasn't updated his 40K website in over a year he does have a separate hobby website.