Well we have it! We have a new codex for half of the 40K gaming universe. There are only a few xenos races, the other Inquisition branch (I’m no counting Ordo Xenos as they never had a book), the religious and even broodier marines (who got an “upgrade” FAQ) left on the “TO DO PILE” for redesign. With so many new/ updated armies it is a glorious time for this game……or is it?
I have noticed a trend with all the codices and it is getting bothersome. It is not the artwork, it is not the exposition, the lack of competitive lists, the model support or the author who you like/ dislike. It is the rule. Notice I said rule and only one rule…..FEEL NO PAIN.
First off let me say, I do not hate this rule. It is fun, easy to understand, however, it is now everywhere. Yes, it should be in the game, but not in every codex. It has been shoehorned into books since just before 5th edition dropped now. It also doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.
Second, just how special is a special rule if everyone has it? As I was once told, “You are one of a kind and special…just like everyone else is.” Feel No Pain should now just be a rule. since every book has it somewhere. It is not that special any more, just like the rest of us.....my special snowflakes.
Third, I know this is not as prevalent in all codices, but it is there. It also must be purchased sometimes, or you have to roll well to get it, but it is still there. Why? In the grim future there is only war and the ability for all armies to shrug off wounds?
If it is a special rule does every army have to have it? Must all books have a unit that comes with, purchases or kills for the ability of feel no pain? Do all codex releases have to have a unit that utilizes one or more of the Universal Special Rules? Must every army have a scout unit? A fleet unit? A fearless unit? I think no, but I'm probably in the minority here.
A special rule should be that, special. I think I can let a few universal special rules pass like: fearless, infiltrate, skilled rider and fleet. Rules like these have always been somewhere in the editions of the 40K world. I am just annoyed that feel no pain is being pushed into every book. Yes some forces should have it, or have access to it for a cost, but not every army has to have it.
So what is an example of special rule that is special? Well…Slow and Purposeful. It is not in every army. There are very few armies that have it. Is it great? Yes and no. However, it is not put somewhere in every book. Rage. That is another fun rule that is only in a few places. Is it useful? Yes and no. Both of these are examples of what makes a special rule special.
I’m not saying abolish feel no pain, just stop it in every codex. Then again it might be too late. Games Workshop has created the feel no pain monster and must keep feeding it. Can it release a book without this rule on a unit or attainable by a unit (or whole army)? I do not think so. Especially with: Necrons, more marine apothecaries, old school Eldar, Tau and the shooting sisters still to get rewrites. You can see there will be feel no pain in all of these some how; faith, medics, new we’ll be back, some Tau suit upgrades (which is sort of already there for one dude now). Hell, now if a book comes out without feel no pain somewhere there will probably be an interweb outcry of unfairness. Actually, I’ll say it! There will be an outcry if one army does not have this rule and every other codex has it.
What say you? Is feel no pain too prevalent or am I chasing ghosts?
No, we've definitely been seeing too much of it.
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