[LukeValantine]

While swearing under my breath playing a recent game against a guard player camping behind 2+ cover (Get back in the fight after going to ground is a filthy strategy that makes me want to bring 3 hell drakes to every game) I came to realize that asymmetry as a essential feature of the 40k that is both essential to its survival, and evolution. Now it can be said that GW with its codex cycles and recent fetish for huge models like knights has at times straddled the lines of the principle, but in all honesty should it be changed? I would argue not as no matter how frustrating facing such no win scenarios are there is just as much satisfaction in finding the counters/power builds, or simple tactics that humiliate or at least give a fighting chance against such armies (offering even more self gratification if you find a way to do so without purchasing a single new model).

So although it may seem counter intuitive to some 40k needs its fate weaver spam, and its sisters of battle too in equal measure in order to remain a lively and dynamic hobby. Sure we as gamers complain when blatantly stupid changes are made that give a strong leg up to one player over another, but this is the inherent nature of the game that we play. After all its not chess nor could it ever hope to be chess do to its diversity.

However what is the opinion of my fellow gamers. Do you agree with this analysis?

 

[Old Man78]

I agree with you completely, the game is not a "true" wargame, it does not always favour the best tactician even after allowing for the effect of random chance.

 

[venomlust]

Over all I agree. Of course, I think it's a bit natural to want the units in MY army to perform a little better on the table top, but it's quite seldom that I face off against a list I truly have no chance against. I'm a firm believer in list tailoring by both players, so there are no surprises and nobody just gets tabled because they had no idea they would be facing x, y, and z. That can only really happen among a group of gamers/friends who play against each other frequently. Good sportsmanship on both sides, and a true desire for your opponent (who is ideally a friend) to have a good time playing, too. There is nothing to win other than bragging rights in a friendly game, and even when I lose there is usually a goal such as killing the enemy warlord, taking out the Riptides, or whatever.

 

[MidnightSun]

A shit tonne of people think that "Oh god serpent spam with firebase support cadre is the greaterest thing evar, you cannot beat it waac bullshit" but a very small percentage look at the actual tournament results. Lictorshame won 11th Company GT and more importantly, LVO. Two Marine lists including Marneus Calgar were in the top 10 at BAO. Here's the analysis of LVO:

People underrate/underestimate diversity in 40k. Serpent Spam and 3 Riptides and tri-Drake or whatever place solidly at tournaments but they don't actually win tournaments so much as far as I'm aware. The lists that win are the ones that people have, as you've said, played with and worked out their own combos and such.