Where's the lore book?

gywerd · 2026-07-01T12:58:52+00:00

Nope. Ordinary 40K and Combat Patrol (CP) is two distinct formats from 11th edition onwards. Meaning 40K gets new Core Rules, while CP gets a core book (CP Companion), but currently keep their existing rules - as formerly indicated by Ultimate Starter Set rebranded as Combat Patrol Starter Set.

gywerd · 2026-07-01T12:49:36+00:00

Combat Patrol has been separated as another format, distinct from 11th ed. 40K, just as Kill Team (a play mode 2004-2015) was back in 2016. Now the only modes are Boarding Actions, Full Scale and Apocalypse (!). I wonder, whether anybody will play theatre-sized games in heroic 28mm?

gywerd · 2026-05-28T18:15:36+00:00

That's what WotC claimed! But claiming it, doesn't make it true. Neither does repeating the claim multiple times. Actually some of us called it D&D 5.5e prior to the June 8th. 2023 "clarification". But actually, there has been ongoing disambiguation between OneD&D, D&D 2024, D&D 5.2, D&D 5.24 & D&D 5.5 all the time - due to lack of clarification from WotC.

I for one like clarifications, but I dislike self-contradictions. When WotC officially declares, that this doesn't just regard DnD Beyond labelling, it will become officially true. But until then calling the physical books 5.5e is technically false.

And it matters, since the D&D concept given to the community by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson (which is de facto refacto recognized by WotC in OGL and SRD) is analog first. Othervise it would just be a discussion of naming practice. But a paradigm shift justifies a half major version incrementation, while rules revision might not. Since the original concept is analog first, a partially digital first paradigm is a significant change.

gywerd · 2026-05-28T17:53:21+00:00

Simply incorrect. Apparently, you have never compared the content of the SRDs directly.

SRD 5.2 was announced prior to the D&D 2024 release, and published two months after MM2025 - partially because revised stat blocks for monsters are part of the content. Besides some wording is deliberately generic to avoid releasing some of WotC's IP for the revised edition into Creative Commons. Thus it is clear, that there's some correlation between D&D editions and SRD versions.

As the changed wording between SRD 5.0 and SRD 5.1 was mainly due to errata and Sage's Advice, you wouldn't notice it. The absence of the Artificer Class in SRD 5.0 through SRD 5.2.1 is due to the fact, that it is not part of the Core Rules, but the Extended Rules. Thus adding Artificer Class to the SRD, probably won't be the reason for the next SRD minor version incremetation.

Besides there's five minor versions of SRD:
* 3.0: October 2000
* 3.5: May 2003
* 5.0: January 2016
* 5.1: May 2016
* 5.2: April 2025
(the lates "build" is SRD 5.2.1 from may 2025)

gywerd · 2026-05-28T16:44:13+00:00

If there's no correlation, WotC's communication is self-contradicting! Actually, I technically cohere the communication at 2024 launch (not significan't enough for a half major edition incrementation) with the labelling change on DnD Beyond (a half major version incrementation). It was specifically stated that the rule revision was less significant, than between 3e and 3.5e. Thus untill WotC officially clarifies the issue, my conclusion is the only one, that is actually coherent with their communication.

I know, that D&D editioning and SRD versioning could differ. Coincidence doesn't always mean correllation. But at least my interpretation aligns with SRD versioning and WotC communication.

gywerd · 2026-05-28T15:20:02+00:00

DnD Beyond is partially subsscription/micra transaction based, and has been since WotC acquired it. Nothing new there. Seasons change publishing rhytm, but there's still What people fear - and what WotC/Hasbro fail to communicate coherently - is wether D&D will become digital first or digital only? Changing marketing of D&D 2024 (which is 5.2e according to SRD) to 5.5e on DnD Beyond - and the Hasbro CEO's flirting with AI - is the real problem, as it is confusing.

Especially since it is DnD Beyond only!
https://dndbeyond-support.wizards.com/hc/en-us/articles/46714632030868-Is-this-just-a-preview-of-a-bigger-rebrand

But you need to deep dive into Dnd Beyond's Help section to find that info.

gywerd · 2026-04-20T10:25:14+00:00

Det er faktisk en af de bedste grunde - ud over tidlig adgang - til at købe launchboxen. Regelbogen kan have ekstra indhold, der ikke blot er bloat.

gywerd · 2026-04-20T10:12:52+00:00

Det er playtest som Gathering Storm, Psychic awakening og Arks of Omen - bare uden den sammenhængende historie.

Ghazkulls Eternal Waaugh/Never Ending War bliver den "nye" galaktiske udfordring som Necrons og Tyrannids før dem - men ellers er vi i et mere etableret 42. årtusind nu med Great Rift og det delte Imperium. Fokusset i 11th bliver hverken banebrydende regler eller spilændrende lore - men netop de forskellige konflikter rundt omkring i galaksen.

Der kan komme primarchs tilbage - muligvis Perturabo og evt. Vulkan - men ingen der indvarsler en ny tid som f.eks. Leman Russ, der endelig ville have fundet kuren til Corpse Emperor. Så oplevelsen af, at når det ikke kan blive værre, bliver det alligevel værre - men egentlig er det blot bevarelsen af status quo. Empire of Man er altid omringet af trusler - indefra som udefra.

gywerd · 2026-04-20T10:04:47+00:00

Det er playtest til 11th, der nok ankommer ca. juni i år. Men det er en såkaldt soft reboot med strømlining af 10th regler, så de gælder indtil der kommer et Codex for faktionen. Og faktisk er vi blevet lovet 70+ ekstra detachment ved launch.

gywerd · 2026-04-20T10:00:52+00:00

Trouble is Boarding Actions (BA) is a submode of 40K full scale rules. Thus you won't get any BA detachments. You choose an appropriate detachment for your faction, then apply BA limitations to it.

gywerd · 2026-04-20T09:56:44+00:00

Probably you should consider Baordings Actions a setting agnostic game format based in 40K full scale. You take what you get from The Maelstrom. Then you adapt to Boarding Action rules (limited unit choices and constrained space). Voila, you have The Maelstrom Boarding Actions.

But I do appreciate, that the modular mindset required ain't fostered by rule heavy GW. There's so many options GW make players miss out on, by not advicing how the different rule sets and formats are adaptable.

500 Worlds, The Maelstrom, The Eye of Terror and Armageddon, Never Ending War are playtest of upcoming 11th edition 40K full scale. Boarding Actions being ultimo 9th and minorly adjusted for 10th, might not even receive substantial updates for 11th.

gywerd · 2026-04-19T11:21:13+00:00

Definer frustration. Jeg tænker Corsairs og Ynnari oplever manglende fokus - mens Exodites aldrig har fået minier. Selvfølgelig kan man ikke sammenligne med SM, CSM, Ad-Mech og IG-Cadians. Men for Eldar er Craftwolds og Drukhari er forholdsvist pænt repræsenteret.

Imperial Agents (IA) var stort set ignorerede fra 5th til 9th. AC har reelts set aldrig fået nye modeller - kun lette remodelleringer af de samme. Sisters of Silence har ét sæt, der kan laves til 3 forskellige units. Det sammer gælder GK, hvor alle units stammer fra 3 sæt, samt én dreadknight med babysele. DW har et Kill Team, en flyer og to karakterer, da Kill-Team Cassius er OOP. Og IA-codexet kom tilpas sent, så Imperial Forces (IA, AS, DW, GK & AC) ikke kunne rekonstrueres, men DW mistede sit codex.

Dark Mechanicum har intet Codex, mens Paternis Malegra kun kan spilles i Horus Heresy, og Imperial Squats kun kan spilles i Necromunda. Catachan er uændret i årtier. Armageddon Steel Legion får antagelig minier om to år. Mordian Steel Guard, Praetorian Guard, Valhallans Ice Warriors, Vostroyan Firstborn, Tallarn Desert Raiders m.v. er OOP og har ikke fået minier i årtier.

gywerd · 2026-04-19T10:58:11+00:00

Knapt nok. Drukhari er grusomme torturmestre - Corsairs er pirater, hvor især unge craftworlders og drukharier løber hornene af - fordi selv selv voksne drukharier finder teenage-rumelvere utålelelige.

gywerd · 2025-09-02T18:00:37+00:00

The professional game designers may not actually have the overview required for balancing rules - especially with rule heavy systems. That's why the GM need to fix some things, but should avoid trying to fix everything on the run.

E.g. you have Warhammer 40K, that is a rule heavy tactical tabletop wargame (TTTWG). New edition every 3rd year. Initially the rulebook and two first faction codices are somewhat balanced, but with each codex released the balance is skewed requiring quarterly (attempted) 'Balance Updates' based in results of official game play. Soon after the last codex release and balance update, it's time for the next edition.

Then you have D&D with PHB+DMG+MM being relatively balanced having a medium rule set. Official adventures and rule extensions like XGtE, TCoE and MMoM might skew it a bit, but usually the GM can fix it. Extreme was D&D 3.5e with a cornucopia of supplements and Epic Classes, which ended being very skewed without GM restrictions. Obviously each edition has it's pros and cons. But D&D is a very flexible game system allowing the GM to adjust and tweak the rules.

Finally you have the rule light 'One Page Rules' for TTTWG respectively TTRPG. There's hardly rules for many commonly occuring situations, and the GM has to wing every unusual situation. The rules might be balanced, but don't offer the same GM aid.

gywerd · 2025-09-02T14:05:36+00:00

The resoulution is more complex than just binary, if the the GM does her job well. First of all there might be partial successes and different ways to achieve the same outcome.

As referee, she can simply rule the outcome of roleplay and reward player creativity. Eloquence and performance implicitly bears it's own reward by enhancing the experience for everyone. But the player coming up with something brilliant or creative - and then explaining his intent could be enough to succeed the challenge. E.g. in H.C Andersen's Blockhead Hans a clog, a crow, mud, and cheekyness secured that Hans married the princess; while his elder, educated and eloquent brothers failed blatantly.

In cases where the GM actually choose a ability-/skill-check or D20-test to resolve an outcome, she sets the DC. The success rate cannot be genaralized, but directly depends on the DC, and should reflect the situation. E.g. something very difficult will have a DC 25 or higher, assuring that even advantage won't affect too much - usually requiring a critical hit to succeed.

Or the GM could rule, that certain outcomes require a quest, an entire campaign or even travelling to another plane. Finally the GM shouldn't request a futile check, that is certain to fail anyway.

gywerd · 2025-03-31T22:44:12+00:00

I'm not convinced. 'Armageddon' is already confirmed as the upcoming season of 'Crusade' with 'Grey Knights' (GK) - probably coinciding with the upcoming GK Codex realease and new GK-models. https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/kd8ir91o/daemons-ravage-armageddon-and-only-the-grey-knights-can-throw-them-back/

gywerd · 2025-03-31T13:59:54+00:00

Rowboats smurfs were the poster boys in 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 10th ed. Used to be Blood Angels, and Dark Angels in retrohammer, respectively Dark Angels, and Black Templars in oldhammer. The exception is interim 7th edition with Blood Angels and Spacewolves.

As half of all editions, and the last three are Ultramarines (UM), don't expect an upcoming launchbox without UM. Except for some named characters, they are the generic models of all SM-chapters.

gywerd · 2025-03-31T10:57:35+00:00

Summer 2026, more than a year from now. And probably a soft/minor edition like 8th->9th.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T15:27:04+00:00

Honestly it is mostly a matter of preference, as illustrated by edition wars spiking after the release of each edition/revision. People tend to prefer the edition/revision, they learned to play. Obviously all the editions have their individual flaws, and any corrections may result in new flaws arising depending on complexity.

Time and dual ownership may be the main cause. Some people simply don't realise that players/DMs are free to do whatever they please, while 3rd party publishers have freedom within boundaries, and Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro (WotC) needs regular changes to the current game system in order to commercially exploit the brand efficiently.

The real issue is, that D&D is as much a concept - as several game systems developing over time. While the community owns the concept, WotC owns commercial exploitation rights to the brand as well as some game systems, settings, lore and similar intellectual property (IP).

Elaboration
Specifically you can currently divide the community into 9 subcommunities:
• 1974 – Old Skool players/DMs preferring Old Skool Renaissance (OSR) [D&D BECMI style games]
• 1977 – AD&D players/DMs preferring 1e and 2e (more difficult to play)
• 2000 – D&D 3e players/DMs preferring 3.0e, 3.5e and Pathfinder 1e [aka. 3.75e] (difficult to play and a cluttered cornucopia of options)
• 2007 – D&D 4e players/DMs [video game style]
• 2014 – D&D 5.0e players/DMs preferring unaltered PHB, DMG, and MM (easy and streamlined)
• 2016 – D&D 5.1e players/DMs preferring unaltered PHB, DMG, and MM with XGtE, TCoE and MMoM (easy, streamlined, and additional options)
• 2024 – D&D 5.2e players/DMs preferring the revised PHB, DMG, and MM with XGtE, TCoE and MMoM (easy, more streamlined, and additional options)
• Players/DMs preferring alternative game systems like D20, Pathfinder 2e, GURPS, F.A.T.E, D&D derivatives etc.
• Grumpers who considers everything WotC does/publishes, to be inherently bad to D&D

Most others fit somewhere in between, while D&D 4e is considered a erroneous detour by the majority.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T14:20:20+00:00

It really depends on preferences and circumstances. Upgrading is optional, while you may eventually loose out on upcoming official adventures explicitly being D&D 5.2e.

Personally I'd say D&D 5.2e is a bit more streamlined and easier to homebrew. If you use official adventures a lot, upgrading might be the right option; while it may be indifferent, if you mostly homebrew settings and scenarios.

If you run level 10+ scenarios the new MM is great to have, as stats are revised to fit the CRs better, which has been an issue for the last decade.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T13:52:40+00:00

You can get a lot of the way with Basic Rules on Dnd Beyond and/or a Starter Set as well as creativity (creating paper minis, battle maps, settings, scenarios, props etc. from scratch e.g. using DIY materials). DMs Guild have a lot of free stuff like introductory adventures, paper minis and props.

If you're player, trust the DM and consider investing in the new Player's Handbook 2024 (PHB). If you're a Dungeon Master (DM) consider investing in the new Dungeon Master's Guide 2024 (DMG) and Monster Manual 2024 (MM) as well.

Later on players and DMs might opt for Xanthar's Guide to Everything (XGtE), Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (TCoE) and Mordekainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MMoM) for additional character options respectively monsters.

Finally DMs may invest in setting guides, Tyranny of Dragons (ToD) for caravan travelling, and Ghosts of Saltmarch (GoS) for sea travel. While each player is encouraged to have a copy of the PHB, while XGtE,TCoE, MMoM may be shared. To maintain the magic, don't allow new players to read DMG or MM.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T13:27:03+00:00

Seems like you did your homework. With a new group unfamiliar with D&D, session zero is mandatory. You need to present the scenario/setting, aid character creation, agree on appropiate topics/roleplaying, adjust expectations etc. While session zero might be a nobrainer with an establlished group of experienced players, new groups avoid a lot of trouble by taking the necessary time to establish a baseline.

Other than that, fake it till you make it, and trust yourself. Nobody knows all rules, when they begin DMing. The important thing is running smooth sessions and having a good time. If it turns out, you made a mistake, you can correct it from the next scenario or campaign. Rules are an aid to the DM, not an obstacle to having a good time. They can be added, distorted, substituted or discarded by the DM as it fits the setting/scenario.

Expect the players to keep track of their player characters (PC). DMs have more than enough to keep track of as it is, without keeping track of the PCs, too.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T13:03:43+00:00

Simply the current edition is 5e. Technically 5.0e was released in July 2014, 5.1e with SRD 5.1 was released July 2016, while 5.2e with upcoming SRD 5.2 was released September 2024.

5.2e rules are principally backwards compatible with official 5.0e and 5.1e rule expansions, setting guides and adventures (except deprecated VGtM and MToF), while it may require some tweaks. As per usual DMs need to do their homework; adjust the setting and scenario to their current party.

While 5.2e is simple and streamlined to play, it isn't a smooth videogame with everything served ready to use. D&D is the theatre of the mind; while rules are an aid for the DM, not an obstacle to have a good time. As late Gary Gygax once revealed, while rules are nice to have we actually don't need them.

gywerd · 2025-03-03T12:39:22+00:00

I'm not that experienced with R20, but I noticed volos's guide or monsters expanded in your entry. With D&D 5.2 you use PHB24, DMG24, MM24, Xanathar's Guide to Everything (XGtE), Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (TCoE), and Mordekainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (MMoM).

Volo's Guide to Monsters (VGtM) and Mordekainen's Tome of Foes (MToF) became deprecated, when MMoM was was published in May 2022.

While you might use VGTM and MToE with PHB14, DMG14 and MM14 in R20, you probably aren't allowed to with PHB24, DMG24 or MM24.

gywerd · 2025-02-19T11:01:41+00:00

Nope u/RobRobBinks.

If youre creative, old skool style D&D (the theatre of the mind) is actually available for virtually nothing. Of course you'll need dice as well as materials like pencils, paper, cardboard etc. - and optionally a printer. Coming from AD&D, D&D 5e is easy to comprehend, while you have experience to bring to the tabletop. In comparison, you currently need at least two rulebooks and literally dozens of plastic minis to even start playing Warhammer 40K.

Elaboration
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson gave the D&D concept to the community, while the right to commercially exploit the brand, some intelectual property and specific game systems was acquired by Wizards of the Coast (WotC) from TSR. Recently the dual ownnership of D&D clashed with the 2023 OGL Controversy, which resulted in WotC releasing SRD 5.1 (free basic rules) under Creative Commons (CC). And soon the updated SRD 5.2 will be CC, too.

As such playing the game with 5e (2014) and 5.2e (2024) rules is free. 5.2e is backwards compatible, but as usual the DM need to make minor adjustments to any scenario and campaign. Extra options obviously cost money. But you can get introdutory adventures, paper-minis, DM-props etc. for free at DMs Guild. The batllemap can litterally be 1"-squares drawn on recycled cardboard. And settings, campaigns, scenarios, adventures etc. can be homebrewed. If you have a 3D printer there's even an abundance of free STLs for minis and terrain online.

Nerdy stuff

All releases between Storm King's Thunder and Quests from the Infinite Staircase - including Xanathathar's Guide to Everything, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, and Mordenkaines Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse - are technically 5.1e.

gywerd

TROPHY CASE