Topic: A hopeful comment for us by designers?

[Tiberius]

In the article that came out a couple weeks ago I noticed a very interesting comment:

“The meta is going to do this every time a new faction is released. Remember: we have nine core factions, of which only a third are available at present. We’re letting things unfold naturally, but once the last faction has been released, everyone will be playing games of Warhammer: the Old World on a far more even field, complete with their Grand Army, their Armies of Infamy, and more.”

That last comment is pretty interesting. It’s a subtle acknowledgment that things are not balanced now. I’m hoping that means good things for the future for Empire players. I wonder if that even means changes to our grand army?  “Complete with grand army…”

Here’s the whole article:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/07/15/old-world-almanack-how-the-dwarfen-mountain-holds-fare-in-battle/

Who knows, but we can hope.

[GamesPoet]

Seems promising, and we will see.

[Dazgrim]

Seems promising, and we will see.

What changes can be made within the format of an Arcane Journal that will lift us into the middle ranks?

3 special characters
2 armies of infamy
1 new character type
3 new units
Some new magic items.

[Athiuen]

I would not hold out hope for an Empire update pre TOW 2.0.

[GamesPoet]

Perhaps an update of the rules is coming sooner than we might imagine.

[Warlord]

Doubt it. Roadmap for next 2 years is drip feed new army books. Then run a campaign with supplementary armies. Maybe after that a new edition, and start the cycle again, or add some new (descoped) armies back in.
3 years at least before a new BRB IMO.

[Tiberius]

The designers seem confident that they will be making the playing field more even with the releases. Also I wonder if Empire holds something special since they are last, and likely they will be very central to any storyline.

[Athiuen]

I could potentially see that, but the narrative seems focused on the border princes region rather than the Empire's internal conflict.

[Degendorff]

Is there a plan on how the factions are released?

To me, it seems they are very aware of the popularity of TOW, now they already showed what is coming for chaos, and for the last few years at least (9th/10th edition in 40k), they have effective point balancing mechanisms in place. I would be surprised if they don’t make use of that after they have released all the planned factions. Maybe it won‘t solve all balancing issues, but at least with The Empire, I feel like some point adjustments would change a lot. Furthermore, it should be easy to make slight changes like 0-1 Greatswords per 1000p if you take a general etc. It only needs a pdf errata.

But all of that only really makes sense when everything is out there and the community has become familiar with all of the new mechanics and the potential of the system.

[Dazgrim]

Is there a plan on how the factions are released?

To me, it seems they are very aware of the popularity of TOW, now they already showed what is coming for chaos, and for the last few years at least (9th/10th edition in 40k), they have effective point balancing mechanisms in place. I would be surprised if they don’t make use of that after they have released all the planned factions. Maybe it won‘t solve all balancing issues, but at least with The Empire, I feel like some point adjustments would change a lot. Furthermore, it should be easy to make slight changes like 0-1 Greatswords per 1000p if you take a general etc. It only needs a pdf errata.

But all of that only really makes sense when everything is out there and the community has become familiar with all of the new mechanics and the potential of the system.

Don't look at 40k/AoS. TOW is run by a different department with a different level of resources and a different design ethos.

You're better served looking at HH and Necromunda for how TOW will progress.

Frankly, I hope they don't redo the Forces of Fantasy and Ravening Hordes books for a few years. Yes it sucks that Empire are bottom of the heap, but someone has to be and it's better for the health of the game for things to have time to shake out once all the AJs are out rather than constant knee jerk rules tweaks and points changes.

[Warlord]

The balance problem is for all infantry, not just Empire.
Its a core rules problem, likely won't be fixed until a new edition.

[Degendorff]

Don't look at 40k/AoS. TOW is run by a different department with a different level of resources and a different design ethos.

You're better served looking at HH and Necromunda for how TOW will progress.

Frankly, I hope they don't redo the Forces of Fantasy and Ravening Hordes books for a few years. Yes it sucks that Empire are bottom of the heap, but someone has to be and it's better for the health of the game for things to have time to shake out once all the AJs are out rather than constant knee jerk rules tweaks and points changes.

I know it’s a different design studio within the house, but still: some changes are easily done and communicated. There’s no logical reason not to balance the game at some point to some degree through small adaptations or even just points, especially if there is an interest shown by the community. 

[Warlord]

Monetary reason.
Why would people by the book they have produced and published if the rules or points costs need to be updated.

[Naitsabes]

I for one don't want them to do constant point tweaks and balancing patches and whatnot that are hard to keep track of. I like a stable game where I can drag the same physical book out to the gaming store week after week and enjoy myself. but, this may be an age-related thing

so, since they seem to alternate good and bad guys and went for 'classical pairings' like orcs&dwarfs...does that mean now that chaos is next, Empire might come right after that? decent chance there is a better list in the Arcane Journal. Not by design, I really don't think GW cares about rules&balance that much (no matter what the guy says for a PR piece), but simply two more chances for them to accidentally produce a list with infantry options that don't make your opponent give you that look of pity when you field them.

[Tiberius]

I remember seeing something that laid out the armies. I believe it said High Elves will after Chaos, then beastmen, then wood elves, then Empire last. I don’t remember where that was or how hard and fast it was.

[Naitsabes]

I see. beastmen&WE in sequence makes sense. so it really comes down to Empire or high elves at the very end as the orphan without a partner. Does GW know nobody like high elves?!?

[GamesPoet]

My guess is that Empire will be last.

[Rodman49]

My guess is that Empire will be last.

Agreed.

The reason?

Because we're getting the most new kits.

LET'S GOOOOOOO BOOOOOOIIIISSSSSSS!

[Warlord]

My guess is that Empire will be last.

Agreed.

The reason?

Because we're getting the most new kits.

LET'S GOOOOOOO BOOOOOOIIIISSSSSSS!

Lol!

My guess is we will NOT get new knights.
They have resurrected the old barded warhorse for the old mounted chaos sorceror.... so here we go again!

[Tiberius]

My guess is that Empire will be last.

Agreed.

The reason?

Because we're getting the most new kits.

LET'S GOOOOOOO BOOOOOOIIIISSSSSSS!

Yeah baby!  Maybe an actual empire Pegasus model!

My guess is that Empire will be last.

Agreed.

The reason?

Because we're getting the most new kits.

LET'S GOOOOOOO BOOOOOOIIIISSSSSSS!

Lol!

My guess is we will NOT get new knights.
They have resurrected the old barded warhorse for the old mounted chaos sorceror.... so here we go again!

There is no escape. They will always be with us. There is no way out.

Too bad they won’t give us the old State troop models either.

[Dazgrim]

Yeah baby!  Maybe an actual empire Pegasus model!

Balthazar Gelt did it 24 years ago.

[Warlord]

Too bad they won’t give us the old State troop models either.

I wish they gave us the old plastic state troops.
So much better than the 7th ed monstrosities.

Yeah baby!  Maybe an actual empire Pegasus model!

Balthazar Gelt did it 24 years ago.

Maybe they will re-release the marauder pegasus we used to have in 5th edition. I still have mine and the rider, but lost the throne. Interestingly, I found Balthasar also fits on it really nice too.

[Rodman49]

Maybe they will re-release the marauder pegasus we used to have in 5th edition. I still have mine and the rider, but lost the throne. Interestingly, I found Balthasar also fits on it really nice too.

Brosephus - I have the STL model for empire general on marauder pegasus - actually for almost the entire range if you guys need bits.

[Victor]

Maybe they will re-release the marauder pegasus we used to have in 5th edition. I still have mine and the rider, but lost the throne. Interestingly, I found Balthasar also fits on it really nice too.

Brosephus - I have the STL model for empire general on marauder pegasus - actually for almost the entire range if you guys need bits.

Did you scan the old models, or did someone else and the STL files are floating out there on the internet? I'm curious how well they look.
Or am I misunderstanding you?

[Rodman49]