Do you think TWC will live past the 6th Edition?

[Tsuro]

Nrthstar, where did you get that info because your breaking my heart brother??!!

 

I hope the wolf riders do survive as they are a fluffy, yet powerful new addition to my new army lists.

 

And isn't 6th ed. a ways out anyhow, all this is still speculation, right?? Like I speculate having to buy non-GW TMC models...

 

End of Line

 

I'm digging for the article now, if I could remember a keyword or two I could find it with google, but everything I've tried hasn't helped.

 

Edit: found it! http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?t=17743

 

I wouldn't put too much faith in this* - Firstly, Copyright generally (because you can always find an exception) covers three dimensional representations of two dimensional works, and the codex is full of drawings of Thunderwolf riders. Secondly, GW already produce Wolf Riders (albeit for goblins) and lastly, even if none of that were true, wolf figures (even giant ones) are so generic that it's likely copyright would only attach in the specific rather than the general (which is to say you can sculpt your own figure but can't make a cast of someone else's.) Which is probably why more companies feel secure selling Thunderwolf stand-ins then they do knock-off Space Marines.

 

My feeling, based on no inside knowledge whatsoever, is that GW made a staggering miscalculation with the Canis model; They were hoping everyone and his brother would buy five of them to build a squad out of, but for reasons of cost, dissatisfaction with sculpt and difficulty in converting, very few were actually sold.

Which then leads GW to conclude that nobody wants Thunderwolves and they're not worth selling a kit for.

 

Tsuro

 

*edit - reading the thread, there's an argument that not releasing the model is a legal strategy, because if they release a model conceptually similar to someone else's they're essentially condoning someone else releasing models conceptually similar to theirs. I don't think it's a great argument or necessary tactic, but that doesn't mean it's wrong.

[Nrthstar]

Indeed, it's more about company image than actually being sued over copyright. It's like watching a high school girl staredown. But we're the ultimate victims.

[Grimtooth]

Or GW could come out with something that looks nothing like there out on the market for TWC, think Mournfangs, and it is their own IP or whatever.

[frostclaw222]

I for one would just like Jervis or someone to just come out and say "Here's the reason we haven't released Twolves yet." I think that'd be the nice thing to do for the customer base. Or to have someone answer this question honestly at a Games Day or other convention q&a session. Is that really too much to ask? Or are there literally gag orders involved and nobody from Nottingham can say Thunder and Wolf in the same sentence? /sarcasm

[Grey Mage]

It is hard to argue that TWC, for all their cool factor, are just about the most ridiculous unit introduced into the recent 40K codices. Not counting the "xeno mounts" from the older editions and RT, there hasn't been anything quite as out of the left field as marines on GIANT FRIKIN WOLVES. Even the cringe-worthy Sanguinor and Ghost Knights don't quite measure up.

 

What makes it perhaps worse is the fact that they are one of the best units in the codex, and are universally hated by other codices' players because they are, well, powerful (read: cheese), and did I mention it's marines on GIANT FRIKIN WOLVES.

 

The universal sentiment in the groups where I play seems to be that the TWC are riding into the sunset, about to be toned down into uselessness or excised entirely after the advent of the 6th. What is your gut feel? Will the GIANT FRIKIN WOLVES survive past the current ed?

Nothing particularly cheesey about them. At 50pts a peice, or 80 with an invulnerable, TWC are a good deal for the price- but nothing that a GK strike squad, dark eldar warriors, or even a decent set of C:SM sniper scouts cant handle at an equal points value.

 

The Thunderlord on the other hand is incredibly beefy, but if you dont take the Saga of the Bear then hes still a bit fragile, as theres plenty of ranged instant death running around ready to take him down.

 

Theres nothing cheesey about Thunder Wolves, just alot of players who arent willing to make the changes in their equipment or playstyles to deal with their threat. So those players are being punished... thats how life goes.

 

That being said, the biggest threat to thunderwolves isnt anything in the codex, or game balance- its the results of the chapterhouse studios lawsuit. So many other companies have made thunderwolves that GW is probly no longer comfortable with producing them, and that could see them dropped like a bad habit.

[Spacefrisian]

So other companies can sue gw if they bring out a unit they have created for a product of themselves. Not to mention gw has made 1 of themselves (aka prototype) before the others made them?....

 

Confusing stuff can i smash it with a hammer that is less complicated.

[Nrthstar]

It's more about precedent than them getting sued in itself. They just son't even want to give anyone the option until they can clear up the mess holding back their own production.

 

I just hope that what I hear is true, and they learned their lesson and will never delay models this badly ever again.

[Chodjinn]

It is hard to argue that TWC, for all their cool factor, are just about the most ridiculous unit introduced into the recent 40K codices. Not counting the "xeno mounts" from the older editions and RT, there hasn't been anything quite as out of the left field as marines on GIANT FRIKIN WOLVES. Even the cringe-worthy Sanguinor and Ghost Knights don't quite measure up.

 

Aside from the fact I believe TWC are quite fluffy, do you not think that a Dreadknight is beyond stupid?

 

GW: "I know, we'll get a GK termie, and strap (yes, strap) him to the front of a lanky dreadnought/powerloader thing. That's frikking stupid.

 

I've not read all of this thread, but I really feel sorry for the guy with TWC who wasn't allowd to use them in a Tourney? What right does anyone have to refuse to play a list or even a particular unit, especially GW staff?? What the hell. If it's in the rules, it's allowed, surely? If people can't cope with a unit, it's not your fault for choosing it, it's their fault for not being able to counter.

 

I have never, ever played WAAC. I have an army that I enjoyed, and enjoy modelling, and when I played, I played for fun only. People need to get over themselves. It's a sci-fi fantasy world, :) gets wierd, cope with it.