I wouldn’t try looking for excuses for broken rules. Yes, the game is complex, but bugs are there for being fixed and an edition can be released with more of with less exploits. Most of the time it is just not done by GW while we see the community repairing GW rules and writing better alternative sets.
Also, I’m against the duality of “dicks” and “gentlemen”, on the one hand for the obvious reason, on the other because bringing systemic problems on personal level is wrong.
That being said, @Jasko is totally right about this specific line problem. I regard the concept as one of the better, at least more interesting ideas in TOW.
Yes, could be made more safe by ruling that no more models can add supporting attacks than there are models in base contact or similar, but as of now, I think TOW has bigger issues.
GW start out viewing AOS and 40k as their competitive, regularly reviewed and updated rulesets. TOW and Heresy are both (despite the irony of their rules being more complex) intended to be longer term, run by a smaller team, with fewer updates and a distinctly narrative skew.
That GW then run events and write the rules in such a complex heap that they create more gameyness than in the competitive games seems lost on them.
I would say the key is for players of like mind to cluster together, rather than invalidating either preference, as you rightly identify. I have no trouble believing there are communities of people who love the mental challenge of stress testing a ruleset to the limit. Both they and I should both be across the table from others of like mind
Another thing that annoys me massively about Linehammer is the faulty idea behind it. Similar to my issue with Step-Up (models not being able to attack when they step up but very much being able to die when they do), Linehammer is not thought through.
So, the reason behind the whole thing with supporting attacks by all models in the fighting rank is that they wrap around the opposing unit, right? Well, if that is the case, why can’t the models on the sides of the ranks in the opposing unit attack as well? So the attacking unit is wrapping around and attacking the models on the side but they do not fight back? Makes no sense.
Apart from making more sense, this would also take care of the effectiveness of Linehammer.
The line thing is probably thought as a replacement for the 8th’s „horde“ rule, but more flexible and less harmful. It is also an abstracted replacement for the 6th’s surrounding rule, but only partly simulationistic.
IDK about less harmful. And, more importantly, it changes how the game looks and feels. At its core, Warhammer was always about blocks of infantry. In some editions the blocks were bigger and in others they were smaller. Now there is a clear incentive to have your models in one giant line. Your five Chaos Warriors or Black Orcs or Temple Guard or Hammerers or whatever in the second rank give you +1 combat resolution. In the first rank, that’s at least five additional attacks.
Yes, there are ways to combat Linehammer, I myself argued against the “linehammer is breaking warhammer” opinion. But it is an issue, one which could be easily remedied by having it make more sense. AKA: If you wrap around my unit, my models on the side will hit you back.
Just a comment regarding lines. I’ve played at least ten but less than twenty games of ToW now. Against a handful of mates and some random local pick up games.
Not seen a “line” yet except for a unit of gunners on a hill - which kinda made sense . Hopefully the general consensus is still “don’t do it,”
Sure, they failed at making it work by coupling it to the number of ranks or sth. to balance out the incentives of flat vs. deep formations. But missed opportunities is nothing new to TOW.
What I’m saying is not to judge the line rule based on simulation alone because it is trying to achieve several things at once, which is a noble step to more elegant rules by its own.
The Fighting Rank will be reworked in 2nd edition I’m sure. While trying something new is commendable I think it’s safe to say it’s a failure as written right now. Even if there are ways to play against it it’s created this entirely bizarre scenario that needs to be worked around.
I am as constantly surprised how GW players are surprised GW rulesets are sh*t. Every new edition does the same thing and is motivated by sales department suggestions not community suggestion.
Problem with WFB 9th edition aka know as tOW is that it is “good, old warhammer”. This is was was expected to sell well.
HMMMM. has anyone explored MSU of say Chaos Dwarf with blunderbuss or Glaives? Like units of 10 each but have 10 units. At what average of 15 points so 150 pts per so 1500 points running around the board shooting everything. Yes slowly running around but…Just sayin. Tactical onslaught.
That’s 100 really mad CD running around.
