More info on 9th from G-dubs!
In yesterday’s article, we discussed the number of Command points that players begin the game with according to the size of the battle being fought. Today, we thought we’d take a closer look at those recommended sizes to discuss what impact they will have on the game…
Getting the Scale Right
Arranging to play a game of Warhammer 40,000 is one thing, but settling on what size of battle to fight is another thing entirely. To help you decide, the new edition comes with four recommended sizes of battle – Combat Patrol, Incursion, Strike Force and Onslaught – designed to help add guidance and structure to your game. From army size, composition and the likely duration of the game, to the escalating size of the battlefield perimeters for larger games and even terrain density and positioning, everything is covered to help you get the most accessible and enjoyable experience from each game.
Of course, these are only the minimum size requirements for your battlefields, so whether you’re using a 6′x4′ table with a Realm of Battle board, linking two, four or six 22″x30″ Killzone boards together according to the battle size you’re playing, or just using a dining room table, you’re good to go. In fact, most dining room tables should be able to accommodate a Strike Force game!
Mission Statement
To further reinforce the distinction between each size of game, there are also different mission sets designed for each to replicate the kind of military operations that would likely be performed by forces of that size, ranging from covert raids to massed assaults. In matched play alone, there are 18 Eternal War missions to choose from (or randomly generate). Here’s a sneak preview of a Combat Patrol mission pack and one of the missions in full…
Going on Patrol
On the topic of Combat Patrol, though many of you will be familiar with fighting battles that roughly equate to the size of Incursion (approx. 50 Power/1000 points), Strike Force (approx. 100 Power/2000 points) and even Onslaught (approx. 150 Power/3000 points), Combat Patrol is aimed specifically at small-scale skirmishes and vanguard operations. As such, it’s the perfect size for lunchtime games, as you should easily be able to finish in under an hour, and you don’t even need an especially large surface to play on!
Combat Patrol is a great way to get started with the game if you’re taking your first steps into the grim darkness of the far future, or are already a fan of Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team and are looking to make the jump over to a larger scale game,* as it’s a really accessible collection milestone to aim for. If you’re already an experienced Warhammer 40,000 player, it’s a great scale to play while you’re learning the new edition (and perfect for kicking off your Crusade campaign). Combat Patrols are compact, easy to set up and break down, as well as quick and thoroughly rewarding to play.
Looking to get yourself a new Combat Patrol army for the new edition? Grab yourself a Start Collecting! set and you’re pretty much there. Which scale of games are you most looking forward to playing? Let us know on the Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page.
* In fact, if you have two Killzone boards from Kill Team, you can join them together to match the minimum battlefield size you need for a Combat Patrol game!
Here’s a picture Reggie S. made of an FLG Mat cut down to size using an exacto blade and straight edge for those that want to go this route (obviously there are other solutions as well such as using tape, etc.)
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
