Happy Birthday Warhammer Fantasy 8th Edition

So this week represents four years since Warhammer Fantasy 8th Edition hit the streets.

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY 8th Ed

It's arrival saw much gnashing of teeth and running to the door as those who "disliked" the system (affectionately called Ragequitters) and their acolytes voted with their feet and decamped to other systems.

if I am brutally honest I think in a lot of cases - Australia for sure - those that left never intended to give it a chance and decided it was just time to try something different. A lot of these guys are mates of mine and I know that they have gone on to be just as successful and have just as much fun in their new gaming system.

However I remain convinced that there was never a problem with 8th Ed but rather with the shift in dominant skill base from resource to risk management. Other systems still emphasise resource management so I can understand the attraction in shifting.

But for me the current edition of Warhammer is the most fun (by a country mile) of the three I played. Much like Warhammer 40k v3.5 and v4, I could happily play all day 2-3 times a week. And the reason for this is twofold:

• The game has random elements that you have to manage - scenarios, charge distances, variable PD; and
• The books, as a set, are the most balanced I remember them - minimising the need for comp

The last 4-6 months I've been playing ETC hammer and I can't wait to get back to the full-blown game.

My biggest hope is that GW take this opportunity to finish off the three armies without 8th Ed books - Brets, Skaven and Beasts (and if they have a chance even pen a book for the "Not A Proper Army"). That has two big attractions. First, all armies are on same edition.......and secondly, it means we get another year of this great version of the game.

And as 9th drops what do I think we'll see? Well let's say I think we'll get quite a few returnees to the game even if the changes are cosmetic. Like me with my 40k and DBM armies, I'm betting deep down they really miss it.