Hello All,
With the new Eldar codex releasing in a few weeks I thought I would write a quick buying guide for players looking to jump into the army. As I wrote this I realized that the tips I am writing can be applied to all new codexes as GW has some consistent trends in how they manage their releases. Thus I put together the following list that will be a foolproof way to beat the meta to the best competitive units on release. The following is my non-hierarchical list of units to target whenever a new book releases.
- New Models
One of the most widely accepted pieces of 40K wisdom is that often times new models feature busted rules when they are released. While this hasn’t been as universally true recently (looks at Space Marines and Necrons) there have been numerous times when a new model has tipped the competitive world on it’s ear. Thus it makes sense to pick up one or two of the new models “just in case”.
2. Newer Sculpts with Bad Rules
It’s almost comical how many times GW subverts the above principle by releasing a new model with terrible rules. Strangely it’s almost easier then finding examples of new models breaking the game. Whether it was the initial release of Ork Buggies, the new Banshee sculpts and Jain Zarr (who had such horrifically bad rules it still baffles me), the new Space Marine hover tanks and skimmer, etc. However, these units have proved to be fertile ground for massive power boosts when a new book releases. In fact, I think GW has adopted this method to try and sell these over stocked units as they think the new models will likely sell themselves. So whenever a new codex is released circle a few of these units in your buying list as they will likely be good.
3. Historically Bad Units
This is a corollary to the above rule as we have seen old units get massive power increases or boosts in utility after a book has been released, or a new set of GT rules announced. In 2017 who would have thought that in 5 years Kroot and Servitors could occupy vitally important roles in the meta? Now often these buffs are unintended so be careful splurging too hard on these units less you end up with hundreds of Razorwing flocks you only get to use in apoc games until you get banned. However grabbing a couple of these odd units to round out your roster is never a bad idea. Also as we have seen with the new Craftworld leaks fortifications might fall into this category moving forward!
4. Historically Good Units
There are few better predictors of future performance then past performance. While this isn’t universally true in 40k as people who have 60+ possessed models can attest some core units that have been overpowered off and on for multiple editions are key acquisitions ahead of a new codex. There have often been times when GW has released powerful rules to tap into the past glory of these units, or to placate a customer base that bought a lot of these models in the past. While these units are usually the most expensive right before a new book drops they are often also the most available as people assume they will get toned down in a future release or most stores have consciously tried to keep them in stock.
Phew well that’s the list. I am certain if you buy units from each of these categories, ahead of a new codex dropping, you will be certain to have an army that will be as efficient as possible!
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