Some notes on the new version of the Daemonhunters (Alien- and Witch Hunters follow the same pattern).
- Allies are gone! I've included a token Imperial Guard company plus Navy and Titan options just as with any other list. No more "only one ally" restriction, mix-n-match away. I'm a little concerned about this - while there are far less options, cherry-picking is now a possibility. If this change drastically alters exisiting armies then speak up! Can you make your army using the Cadian Interior list?
- Many special rules removed. Last Man Standing is gone. The Inquistor Lord special rule is gone, as are many others. ÂÂ
- I've not changed the Grey Knight rules, other than simplifying the Holocaust into a simple attack and reducing the Terminators CC to 3+. I am toying with a smaller Shrouding range and/or a different "daemonic bonus" mechanic but both will require playtesting.
- Some units removed. Deathwatch Veterans and Celestians for example. Just a bit fiddly for Epic-scale.
- Each list has a unique leader (Deathwatch, Mystics and Priests). Hopefully the hordes of cut-n-paste daemons will have been thwarted this time. The Mystics are identical to the Sanctioned Psykers of the Cadian Interior (these should at some point have the same name).
- Already spotting errors. There's no Mysic upgrade box (it should be 50 points).
- I've changed the Pegasus to the Aquila, seeing as there a model and all. The functional role is almost identical.
- VTOL. I know there hasn't been overwhelming support on this one. However, it serves a purpose beyond just being a gimmick. I've been wrestling with the issues of too many aircraft options - the possibility of someone spamming out with gun-cutters, pegasi and navy is one that troubles me. Equally, pegasus/aquila formations are meant to be pure transport formations, but they function as a cheap activation and objective-takers in their own right. Trying to fit them into the list is troublesome (what, another 0-1 per stormtrooper restriction?). Lastly, there are no rules for non-War Engine flying transport vehicles. A special rule is required to even allow the formation to function at all! VTOL solves all of this at a stroke. The Aquila landers require no special rule, they simply remain part of the infantry formation and function exactly like undergunned valkyries (except they can take off!) and they are simply a transport upgrade for the list. In terms of "fluff" justification, yes Thunderhawks/Landers/any aircraft that can land on the battlefield should be able to VTOL - but this is hover mode (I'm contemplating calling the special rule that to avoid this confusion) - not just vertical-take-off-and-landing but being able to hover close and support the infantry. It should be noted that Aquila landers are one of the very few aircraft with VTOL under Forgeworld rules and Gun-cutters are noted as having anti-grav plates in the Dark Heresy rules. I know there are fears that this is a complicated rule, but it really, really isn't. Landed aircraft already count as ground units in all respects. This rule simply allows them to move.
