Multiple updates out now!

These updates changes the following:

Nippon:

• Samurai Warriors GW's 2 pts/model.
• All samurai characters -10 pts, Hatamoto -5 pts.
• Kitsune only ethereal outside combat. Enemies must test to pursue it. 60 pts.
• Ashigaru Spearmen no longer fight in extra ranks in addition to their spears.
• Mizuchi 145 pts.
• Mikoshi Shrine 125 pts, 4+ ward save. No longer have the Blessing of Courage.
• Oni GW's 4 pts.
• Sumo Warriors now cause impact hits on infantry.
• Kabuki Dolls no longer have LA, 11 pts.
• Wako Pirates now have katanas, no longer swap for bows.
• Samurai Cavalry and Red Devils are now Fast Cavalry, +1 pt.
• Daimatzu Mon now allow re-rolling failed Parrys as well.
• A couple of bug fixes and clarifictaions.

Cathay:

• Stance of the Dragon renamed Iron Discipline, only effects combat resolution, not steadfast.
• Stormhurler Ballistas now work like Elven Bolt Throwers, 50 pts.
• Imperial Infantry 4 pts basic. 
• Imperial Infantry must now choose between spears or halberds, not both.
• Revised options for Hill Tribesmen.
• Sky Rockets Move or Fire instead of Slow to Fire.
• Fire Bombs Armour Piercing, no longer flaming or ignoring armour saves. Causes D3 multiple hits.
• Dragon's Breath fires in a straight line rather than as a breath weapon, Strength 4. You may take 1 Dragon's Breath for each Field Engineer in the unit.
• Hand Mortar range increased to 36".
• Fire Lances now Flaming, 2 pts each.
• Foo Statues S4, 50 pts.
• Steppe Archers no longer have LA, shields 1,5 pts.
• Field Engineers now have heavy armour.

Hobgoblins:

• Wolf Raiders and Tarkans may take shields without losing Fast Cavalry.

New Norse update out now!

This update changes the following:

• Berserker-gang now works automatically whenever a successful charge is made.  
• Shieldwall removed as army wide rule, only Huscarls have it to denote them as elite. This also sets the army apart from Dwarfs and gives them a more offensive role.
• War Chant of Ulric now only gives +1 to wound.
• Ulwerenar 16 pts, only 1W each, 4+ regen.
• Shield Maidens 7 pts, Ld 7.
• Raven banner 60 pts, now makes the units immune to Fear and Panic instead of Psychology., thus allowing for Counter-Charge as a charge reaction.
• Ice Drake 225 pts.
• Jarls can now carry the Battle Standard as well as Skalds.
• Valkyries bumped to 3A each like Cairn Wraiths. 
• Huscarls 12 pts, keeps Shieldwall, can form it and receive AS bonus against missiles by losing movement. This makes them more of a stand-out tactical unit.
• Berserkers 14 pts, no equipment. Can purchase weapons instead. Blood-crazed now gives them Devastating Charge while Frenzied instead.

It's (almost) official: Bretonnians in July!

For those of you who haven't visited the larger forums; Bretonnia is apparently scheduled for a July release this year! According to the rumours, they are due for plastic Grail/Questing Knights, plastic characters, and Knights on foot!

The reason I decided to bring this up is of course because of my own version, which several of you have asked me what's to happen to it after the official release. As always with my ever-changing mind, I honestly cannot say. I was working on a new update for the book (mainly smaller balance changes and a new layout), but this will at least have to wait until the official release.

What is most likely to happen is that my version will be considered invalid (which is fine), but seeing as people might have already have gotten (or plan to) models for the new units that GW might not add to the book, I will make a special compendium with these units so you can include them with the rest of the official rules. I intend to do the same for all other armies later on as well, to bring back what GW took away, and add new units to boot!

But for now, let's all just cheer that the Brets will finally get their due soon, and I will write up a review for the book as soon as I've read through it. Vive la Bretonní!

New Nippon update out now!

Updated 8/6

Pretty important update here, which changes Nippon's Kenjutsu rule. While I like the current version just fine, it doesn't really fit with the way Kenjutsu would work in reality with a series of parries and counter-attacks. Instead, it now works the following way:

• Kenjutsu now gives models the Parry rule. For each successful Parry save, you get to make an additional attack. All in all, this will mean that Nippon loses a little bit of damage output in combat, but earns some survivability, and makes them more of duellists as opposed to just cutting through the opposition like Chaos Warriors.
• Way of the Warrior restriction of not being allowed to join Ashigaru lifted.
• Mempo of Honour 40 pts.
• Shogun 325 pts
• Daimyo 115 pts.
• Taisho 70 pts. 
• Hatamoto 45 pts.
• Shinobi 80 pts, no longer have basic ward save. Can take magic items as well as poisons.
• Red Ronin 225 pts.
• Red Ronin's katana now gives him the equivalent of Red Fury. 
• Hitomi Gozen 100 pts. 
• Sarutori Hanzo 215 pts. Was way overpriced before.
• Ninja 10 pts, no longer have ward saves.
• Removed Redemption rule from Ronin. At 9 pts each, they just make too effective speedbumps against characters.
• Red Devils 21 pts.
• Mizuchi -1T, 135 pts. Did some comparisons to the new DE monsters, at 200 pts, the Mizuchi would never be worth taking. At its new cost, it makes for a weaker support monster akin to a chariot as opposed to wreaking havoc on its own.

New Cathay update out now!

This update changes the following:

• Stance of the Dragon - replacing Glory for the Dragon Emperor. Units with this rule counts as having double ranks (to a maximum of +3). This means that as long as you have enough ranks, Cathayan units will be hard to break to the front, which should offset their otherwise rather lacking damage output in combat and low saves. Will need playtesting to ensure it's balanced.
• Drum and Gong acts as a normal/extra musician to all units within 12", +15 pts.
• Repeater Crossbowmen -1 pt.
• Hill Tribesmen loses Frenzy, -1pt.
• Emperor's Guard -1 pt.
• Swordsaints -1 pt.
• Celestial Dragon Monks -2 pts.
• Foo Statues -5 pts.
• Terracotta Warriors -5 pts, halberds instead of add. HW's, -1 WS, S, T, I. They are more like skeletons, in short.
• Stormhurler Ballista -15 pts.
• The Swooping Hawk +10 pts.
• Improved formatting in the background section.
• Some new art.