The first live streamed games of 11th edition gave players a much clearer sense of the edition’s direction.
These live games revealed that this is more than a simple rules refresh, the new game looks more deliberate and more punishing. Risky weapons have sharper consequences, wrecked transports create real battlefield problems, and positioning matters more than ever. Meanwhile, scoring and visibility changes suggest fewer loose tricks and more disciplined play. For veteran 40k players, the lesson is simple: 11th edition rewards planning before the dice start flying.
Hazardous Weapons Now Punish Risk Differently
Hazardous weapons reportedly fail on 1s and 2s, then deal one mortal wound to most models. However, Monsters and Vehicles take three mortal wounds instead, which makes overcharged platforms much scarier. Therefore, one-wound infantry still die fast, while two-wound Marines may sometimes prefer taking wounds over losing whole models. Meanwhile, plasma tanks, Forgefiends, and ion-heavy builds suddenly need to ask whether the spike is worth it.
Wrecked Transports Become Battlefield Disasters
Destroyed transports now look much more punishing for delivery armies. Passengers reportedly take mortal wounds on 1s and 2s when they disembark, then Deadly Demise is rolled afterward. Additionally, those passengers must set up as close to the destroyed hull as possible. As a result, Rhino rushes, Trukk trades, and fragile objective units can end up wounded, clumped, and exposed.
Battle-shock Makes Transport Losses Linger
The same transport change also makes battle-shock matter after the explosion. Units escaping a destroyed transport are still automatically battle-shocked, then must test in their next Command phase. Consequently, the penalty is not just losing bodies during the crash. It can also blunt scoring, stratagem access, and follow-up pressure after the unit reaches the midfield.
Terrain and Line of Sight Look Less Fussy
Units reportedly do not need to be fully within a terrain piece to see out. That means toeing into ruins matters again, and vehicles may also benefit from true line of sight through terrain. However, this also makes positioning sharper, because one small placement mistake can open a unit to return fire.
Reactive and Indirect Shooting Get Reined In
Snap Shots reportedly cannot use re-rolls, which is a big brake on reactive shooting spikes. Additionally, indirect fire has a tiered accuracy system, hitting on 6s without line of sight, 4s with another unit spotting, and normal Ballistic Skill with direct visibility. Therefore, artillery becomes more like a combined-arms tool. That feels healthier than letting backfield guns delete units without help.
Scoring, Coherency, and Characters Get Cleaner
The live-games also point toward cleaner table discipline. No model can reportedly be farther than nine inches from another model in its unit, which should curb silly strings. Secondary scoring is reportedly capped at 15 victory points per turn, so one explosive turn cannot carry everything. Leaders can operate alone or attached, while support characters can join led units but cannot run solo.
Pile-ins and Fast Rolling Aim to Speed the Game
There are also smaller pacing changes that matter over five turns. Pile-ins were reportedly explained as active player first, then passive player, before moving to the fight. Fast rolling saves may also allow players to declare model order, roll together, then assign results accordingly. However, these notes were described as wonkier, so they need confirmation from the full rules.
Overall, this makes 11th edition sound more deliberate. Risky guns have real costs, transports are less clean, and terrain is more active. Meanwhile, scoring caps and coherency rules seem aimed at reducing gotcha plays.
