Confused about Power Level unit costs

[Thranquil]

Hi,

 

I'm a bit confused about the costing of units in terms of power levels - specifically the exact same units in Codex:Dark Angels when compared to Codex: Space Marines. The actual points are all the same in both codices, it's just the power levels don't match.

 

For example Reivers cost us 5 but the exact same unit, same rules etc cost Marines 4.

The Impulsor costs us 6 (in Ritual of the Damned) but it's 4 in the marine codex.

Same could be said for Land Raiders, Librarians etc.

Absolutely fine about our specialised units costing more than similar units (e.g our terminators) just not the exact same units.

 

What do we do in these situations? Stick with our codex coatings even though it makes no sense?

Edited May 15, 2020 by Thranquil

[Cruor Vault]

The short answer is that power levels are stupid and poorly managed and no one should ever ever ever try to play a balanced game using them.

 

...

 

The long answer is that the codexes are printed at different times, and balance/point cost changes happen through FAQs between books.

 

When the DA book was printed the costs of those units were roughly analogous to 20pts/1PL. 

 

Since then Chapter Approved has changed the points values of those units.  The new Marine codex was printed after these changes and has Power Levels that reflect the new costs. 

 

Since GW cant be bothered to FAQ the power levels in older books because the FAQs are largely intended for Matched Play games where Power Levels aren't used.

[Thranquil]

Thanks.

 

I did wonder why the points were updated but the power levels weren't, but then after reading your reply I realised why would they change the power levels? It'd be effort for an audience that'd probably alter the levels accordingly themselves, whereas points as you say are important for matched play and therefore tournaments - the opposite of what power levels were intended for (I.e quick in-the-ballpark-power-rating match ups).

[Skywrath]

Another consideration is this - maybe the power levels are different because certain synergies with certain chapter traits make them stronger than other chapters. 

[Cruor Vault]

Another consideration is this - maybe the power levels are different because certain synergies with certain chapter traits make them stronger than other chapters. 

 

GW themselves have said that PL isn't important enough to update regularly...

[Skywrath]

 

Another consideration is this - maybe the power levels are different because certain synergies with certain chapter traits make them stronger than other chapters. 

 

GW themselves have said that PL isn't important enough to update regularly...

 

 

One could argue that what GW says, and what is actually happening are two different things, if I were to adopt a pragmatic approach.