Topic: Old Grapeshot vs. "New & Improved?" Grapeshot.

[IH8Skaven]

I just wanted to get some opinions out there as to how Empire players feel about the rules changes for grapeshot.

Old Rule:  Flamer template.  If it was even nicked by the template, the model was hit.  No 4+ for partials!  

New Rule:  8" roll artillery die to see how many St4 hits are done to unit.

I for one, miss the old rule already.  Sure the new rule is fluffier, and it's great if you have a Chaos Lord within 8", but I got a heck of alot more use in the situations I fall into with the old rules.  It may just be that I'm just bitter because I think I've only once NOT rolled a misfire since the rule introduction.

My opponents also don't seem to have the same level of respect for my artillery battery they once had.  It had always been an issue of "one bitten, twice shy..."  when it came to their past actions.  Every one of them had wandered too close once.  

Once.  

Now Marauder horsemen are crowding up and chucking axes.  MARAUDER HORSEMEN!  One time marauder horsemen pursued too close to my cannons, and the one model that survived is still running!  Now they just make a mockery of my beloved cannon.  

Am I alone on this?  Have others been getting on with the new rules better than I have?

[George]

Was unaware of new rule (as are some long time players I play against). Where would I find these rules? (I'm not always believed when I just tell them).

And just so I understand correctly.

If a unit is within 8", I roll the artillery dice for the amount of hits (ie max 10, possible misfire) therefore no more template.

[theharangue]

I vastly prefer the new rule.  I always thought it bizarrre that a machine that fails 16.66% percent of the time, could be hurriedly stuffed with nails and powder while the crew stares down some warmachine hunting unit, and have it fire 100% of the time.

Furthermore, most warmachine hunting units are of the skirmisher variety and someone foolish enough to leave a unit less than 8" away from a cannon hopefully has the sense to use the 2" unit coherency and isn't going to provide you than more than a couple of hits with the template.
Compounded with the uslessness of putting one hit on a mounstrous type creature, makes me feel that the flamer template rule didn't make sense.

I think this is one of those cases where the errata was a substantial improvement in game mechanics form both a fluff/reality sense and a game mechanics sense.

(The errata is on page 137 of the 2003 annual.  While I feel the majority of the book is a rip off, it does include a substantial errata and Q&A, making it very neccessary.)

-Joseph

[intrepidjohnny]

I agree with theharangue

[Calimehter]

I know my Wood Elves (i.e. skirmishers getting into the rear/artillery) have a great deal more respect for the new grapeshot rules than the old ones.  I've been bitten by it a couple of times when fighting Dwarves, and lost a whole unit of Dryads once.

I think that once your dice ease up on the misfires a bit you'll find the new version working for you, too, IH8Skaven.

[Vincent of Vega]

I thought the Annual was such poor value I took it back to the shop for a refund!

Is there anywhere else the updated rules are available?

thanks
Alex

[IH8Skaven]

Furthermore, most warmachine hunting units are of the skirmisher variety and someone foolish enough to leave a unit less than 8" away from a cannon hopefully has the sense to use the 2" unit coherency and isn't going to provide you than more than a couple of hits with the template.

Actually theharangue, I think you're getting your 40k rules crossed up w/ fantasy.  Skirmishers can only be dispersed up to 1".  Due to the fact that you don't roll 4+ for partials, and the tendency of skirmisher units to be rather small, they were very fair game for old grapeshot.

I do have nostalgia working againt me too.  There had been some wonderful occasions where I'd sent entire CW units packing due to the fact they got rocked so hard by grape.  Ah the memories.  

Btw George, you've got the new rule correct.  Declare target, check range, roll artillery die, roll to wound if target is in range, consult cannon-misfire chart if that's your result.

Of course, a Master Engineer that's hooked up with the crew could still provide his artillery-die reroll.

[Sigmar Heldenhammer]

I feel bad for the lose of the old grape shot, and it was stupid to renew it (should have left to the new ed. surely!) I feel the power of artilly is falling too fast. We pay 100pts for those! Give us our grape shot GW!