Wednesday, December 23, 2015

ITC Ruling


The ITC polls regarding the Tau Coordinated Firepower rule in the Hunter Contingent detachment are in. With only a 3% difference between the yeas and nays, the guys over at Frontline Gaming (the ones in charge of the ITC rulings) decided to rule with the majority and ban the sharing of special rules (codex or core rules) granted by the Rules As Written which I covered in my last post here. In a not-surprising sweeping majority people also showed they have little understanding of the English language by ruling against how Target Locks work (and other interactions including Gargantuan Creatures, etc) in conjunction with the Coordinated Firepower rule. So, what does this mean for YOU? Well the answer is not so simple...


If you're going to a tournament be it store-level or con-level that's using the ITC FAQ for consistency (it is too obvious how convenient it is to use such an in-depth document that is published online and freely and easily accessible), then you already know how this will affect you. If you've read up on this topic at all, you know that the overwhelming majority of ITC Tau players are not surprised but are outraged that a detachment's special rule was completely wiped out by between 487 and 719 ignorant and cowardly people. GASP, did I just use an ad hominem attack or point out the painful truth? I'd like to think it was the latter but I can't help but get a bit heated and childish when the same emotions and behavior were applied to presenting and ruling on this "issue".

What am I getting at? Well first, Reece wrote an article misrepresenting how the rules worked and made some broad, sweeping statements about how powerful and "game-breaking" this would be just mere weeks after its release. He said in that article, "People simply do not realize the implications, here. This is seriously bonkers" without providing proof of any of his own playtesting and analysis (which would ultimately be anecdotal). Assertion does not equal validity. He did poll colleagues and big names in the 40k tournament scene and three out of four of the people he mentioned in that article seemed to get how the rule works thus disagreeing with his stance, but only one shared his interpretation and so he ran with that. He then presented two "readings" of the rule. One is where no special rules are shared, and the other where he made up a rule interaction to validate his argument and further muddy the whole topic. Of course, if you were none the wiser you'd agree with his first reading and move on.

But then he wrote another article this time in response to an email supposedly received by a random Games Workshop employee validating the rules as written. Reece then goes on to mention how Target Locks and the Gargantuan Creature rules in fact do let models with those rules fire separately from their unit while obviously still being a part of their unit, but then by the end of the article we're back to square one with him saying "The only issue with that, is that it becomes hideously overpowering to run with that reading of the rule." again without showing any proof beyond his unsubstantiated opinion on how overpowering it supposedly is.

Ultimately I'm saying that the ITC and its attendees are a group-think where armies that are not the favored power-houses (Ad Mech, Marines, Eldar, Knights, Necrons, etc) get nerfed into the ground because people are scared to break the mold, try something different, and face new challenges (and learn to overcome them). A vocal minority have whined loud enough at another army's cheese that they have effectively reduced the amount of powerful armies to contend with their particular brand of cheese. If I were ever considering attending an event using the ITC FAQ this ruling would immediately make me skip it. Here's a list of recent changes that have been made to Tau by the ITC by the way:
  • The KX139 Ta'unar Supremacy Armor is outright banned (they are classifying this Gargantuan Creature a "titan-class vehicle")
  • KV128 Stormsurges can NOT be taken in units (this isn't even in contention, the unit entry is for 1-3 Stormsurges and they are far from points-efficient, but that doesn't matter simply because they say so, again not even based on in-depth playtesting and proof that a unit of them is game-breaking)
  • Coordinated Firepower not only does not share special rules that affect a unit unlike the Rules As Written, but now they also don't spread to models within that unit that have Target Lock despite A) being a part of that unit per the rules and B) following the Target Lock rules as they've always worked like when you join a Buffmander to a Broadside unit

So how does this affect me? Well, it does and it doesn't. I'd say overall it doesn't because I won't be playing in any 40k tournaments in the foreseeable future (specifically ones using the new ITC rules), but that doesn't stop someone from walking into my FLGS, asking me for a pick-up game, and expecting the ITC rulings to be the law of the land. Of course I talk to my opponents about everything pertinent before a game begins so that expectations are managed, but I know I'm probably at some point going to hear the inevitable "but that's not how the ITC ruled it" argument and it certainly won't be the first time.

I do tend to remind people that the ITC FAQ is just a set of house rules that in no way represent the will or intent of Games Workshop, AND that we're not in an ITC tournament 24/7. I like to think the conversation goes something like this


So for me, the Irrelevant Tournament Circuit (yeah okay that was lame) will have no bearing on my casual games and the games of many other people who can think for themselves and don't flip directly the fuck out when a new crazy-sounding rule is printed. Remember when you heard how bat-shit crazy Knights were before they released? Remember how crazy they were in the first month or so that they were out? When's the last time you heard of a list of Knights or even a list with a single Knight in it winning any tournaments (let alone winning multiple)? Anyway, the guys I play with will continue discussing rules, play-testing, and finding what works for us, even if that means my opponents request that I use the toned-down (albeit incorrect) version of Coordinated Firepower. That's a reasonable request, just like it's equally reasonable that I can request that my opponent doesn't field Canoptek Wraiths, use Allies, or field models taller than 4". I don't ever make those requests, but I can, and we can discuss it just like I'm open to discussion on the rules as written. 40k never has to be a bad experience and I've had plenty of fun with 7th edition. Communicate with your friends and ensure everyone has an understanding of the rules before moving on. And when in doubt, playtest it out!

8 comments:

  1. These are some great and valid concerns. Might I suggest contacting reece about them? In my experience he's been super approachable about all of these issues. Heck, have him post this article as a guest article on frontline to get the discussion moving, too. :) Maybe if you can reach out, they can put these on the ballot again for the next quarter poll. People have had time to experience the rule both ways now and might rule very differently.

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  2. Hey! Long time no see!
    Well, I would contact Reece about it except that he's heard everything I've said and like I explained in the article(s) he doesn't care. He's got an echo chamber going on and they don't care about playtesting. That's why I am perhaps a little more upset about the whole thing than I should be; he didn't put in any effort or critical thinking before having his knee-jerk reaction and banning something (or several things) that aren't necessarily as powerful in practice as he thinks.

    Also, I doubt he's care to have my article posted (or any of them for that matter) because I haven't won any major tournaments and don't know anyone in their clique.

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  3. I have spoken to him on many occasions via messenger and email and I'm certain he'd love to hear your input. Give him a shot before you decide he doesn't want to listen. He's a very nice and very reasonable dude. Hit him up and let him hear your side of things. As I said, maybe it will come up for vote again.

    As for being famous to be posted on his site, you don't need to have won a gt. He's hosted my articles and articles from a couple of my friends before with no issues.

    That being said, I'd restructure what you have to say into a persuasive piece rather than a rant so their readers take you seriously. You're a nice dude and I can see you're super passionate about this issue. I'd love to see both sides of it come together :)

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    1. As usual, you are too kind Son of Dorn lol. I have spoken with Reece before as well and I agree with you on how he acts normally, but in several podcasts and youtube videos on this specific subject he has given the overwhelming impression that he does not want any further input as he has made up his mind (and the last ITC vote validated his fear mongering). Having just finished an 80,000 point Apocalypse game this weekend where the Hunter Contingent wasn't on the table but the Optimized Stealth Cadre + Gunrig thing was, I can say confidently that the Hunter Contingent detachment rule is a joke. People have more to fear from Tau from sources that aren't getting the spotlight than the Hunter Contingent. But alas, this is all moot. I don't think anyone truly cares. I don't know if this will come up again on their page again.

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  4. I'm not sure what your real issue is here. Do you honestly think that Tau can't compete in ITC? They nerfed the crap out of Eldar. And are you implying that Tau are balanced and up to par in an unrestricted gw meta with no forge world?

    Also, ITC does allow a unit of specifically storm surges. Also also, unless gw does an faq I don't get how you arrive at you conclusions regarding the intent of coordinated firepower. Why would theu specifically list only marker lights as being a shared rule? What happens in you have to take a morale check in the shooting due to casualties after combining fire if they really are 1 unit. Does your entire army run away from a single failed check?

    Long story short, your attitude is not conducive to trying to convince anyone that doesn't already agree with you. You make more sweeping assumptions than Reece does, and your counterpoints about them not rigorously play testing is without credibility as you have also not done said play testing to prove that it's not op.

    In the end, the ITC is very open book. They also have always been very open about how they will almost always go with popular vote since it is community driven. They did exactly what they said they'd do. Do you actually believe thay the supremacy suit is fair????????????? Make your own successful international tournament circuit if you have so many great ideas. And i don't mean that to be sarcastic. Literally, please do.

    Also also also, ITC is literally the place to play without reroll 2+ saves and there is absolutely not 1+ reanimation protocols

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  5. It sounds like you didn’t fully read my post, and maybe you didn’t understand parts of it. That’s okay, I’ll gladly help explain things and answer your questions one by one. Unfortunately the response I wrote is too long for one reply box so I have to split it up. Let's begin!

    “I'm not sure what your real issue is here. Do you honestly think that Tau can't compete in ITC?”
    Would it surprise you if I said I believe *any* army can make it to the top tables at any tournament, and that it comes down to a combination of generalship, rules knowledge, and a bit of luck rather than the army list or codex you’re using?

    “Are you implying that Tau are balanced and up to par in an unrestricted gw meta with no forge world?”
    Yes? Again, see my first point. I think the current Tau book(s) are really solid and judging from the many games I’ve had with my local opponents, they seem to be challenging but not impossible. I in fact was just tabled on turn 2 against an Imperial player with Knights and Militarum Tempestus, and I didn’t hold back with the Tau toys lol.

    “Also, ITC does allow a unit of specifically storm surges.”
    You’re right! I missed that at the time I wrote this article (back in December) and I could have sworn at the time they said no to multiple Stormsurges in a unit. That has changed since this article. Thank you for pointing it out however.

    “Also also, unless gw does an faq I don't get how you arrive at you conclusions regarding the intent of coordinated firepower.”
    Well that’s this little thing called Reading Comprehension. Rules as they are written clearly points this out. People are whining about a rule and giving it a bad name before they truly understand the ramifications of it. On one of my newer articles I talk about this a lot more. It really isn’t that powerful as my very hopeful but ultimately disappointing games have shown me.

    “Why would theu specifically list only marker lights as being a shared rule?”
    They don’t. They say specifically “INCLUDING markerlights”. Again, you cannot use the word “including” and mean “only”. That’s not how the English language works.

    “What happens in you have to take a morale check in the shooting due to casualties after combining fire if they really are 1 unit. Does your entire army run away from a single failed check?”
    No, they don’t join up as one unit for the rest of the game, it’s just for their combined shooting attack. Again, if you check the rule you’ll notice it says “may FIRE AS IF they were one unit”. That doesn’t mean they literally join up permanently, that means they FIRE AS IF they are. There’s no need to read extra into it as it doesn’t say all the things you’re implying, which I read in Reece’s article on why they didn’t like it. That argument is a red herring as it is fabricated just to try and justify their preemptive ruling.

    “Long story short, your attitude is not conducive to trying to convince anyone that doesn't already agree with you.”
    If my attitude really detracts from your ability to see my side of the discussion then my irrelevant little blog might not be right for you. There are *plenty* of other, more eloquent people making the *very same points* in a much more concise manner on that Dakka Dakka thread you were linked from, including TWO Moderators. However, pointing out that you perceive me to have an attitude about this doesn’t change the validity of the points I’ve made.

    “You make more sweeping assumptions than Reece does”
    Funny, but that's a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black considering what you’re about to claim in the next line…
    (continued in the next post)

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    1. “and your counterpoints about them not rigorously play testing is without credibility as you have also not done said play testing to prove that it's not op.”
      You’re right in that I haven’t talked about my playtesting, but I have actually done it. A lot. I’ve played with the Coordinated Firepower rule in full effect in dozens of games with my gaming group and it’s never been the “ZOMG OP” rule that people like to pretend it is. You really don’t know what you’re talking about here when you claim that I haven’t playtested it. See my more recent articles for articulation on that point but nowhere have Frankie or Reece pointed towards statistical analysis or dozens of games as proof of their bogus claims. I’m not the one making the ITC rulings here, they are, and they have done so with very little time for Tau to shine in a tournament (or even dominate it as they’d have you believe) before just retconning a rule because it’s scary-sounding.

      “Do you actually believe thay the supremacy suit is fair?????????????”
      In what context? Yes, I believe a WS2 A3 Gargantuan that didn’t ultimately do much in my 40,000 point Apoc game is extremely balanced for its hefty 600 point cost. I could have taken three kitted out Riptides for that cost in a Riptide Wing formation and done a LOT more over the course of that game! It’s also just one model. Get into assault with it or shoot that one model off the table (as it happened in said Apoc game) and it’s no longer a problem. Figure out a way around it; don’t let some vocal morons on the internets tell you that you can’t beat it. Think for yourself! Play against it! Experiment! Have fun!

      “Make your own successful international tournament circuit if you have so many great ideas. And i don't mean that to be sarcastic. Literally, please do.”
      Okay! I’ll give it a shot! Thanks for the vote of confidence and the compliment!

      “Also also also, ITC is literally the place to play without reroll 2+ saves and there is absolutely not 1+ reanimation protocols”
      Nowhere has 1+ Reanimation Protocols. The rule itself in the Necron Codex states it cannot EVER be increased to better than a 4+. Where are you playing that people allow it to be better than a 4+ and your only place of refuge against that is an ITC event? Also, no one I know who plays Eldar (including myself, I have a massive Eldar army too) uses the 2+ re-rollable. Even the Daemon players I know don’t use theirs. It’s certainly overpowered and that’s why something that several armies have access to (as opposed to a single army) that is so obviously broken needed changing, and you’ll find no one who thinks a 2+ re-rollable save is something that should exist in a game that uses dice. However these changes against the Tau are just preemptive knee-jerking think-tank BS. And that sentiment is being shared by a vast majority of people across multiple threads on multiple boards right now!

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  6. Here's an interesting read on what actually happened at the LVO.
    http://variancehammer.com/2016/02/19/number-crunching-the-lvo/

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