Heresy 3.0 in Spring/Summer

[Ahzek451]

I'll admit, I played a lot of 1st, but largely skipped 2nd edition due to life and lack of time. But I did collect the books and I read over them. I recall my initial impressions being that of a rushed transfer/update and incomplete. Releasing books like the Martian civil war that had more to do with marines than mechanicus. There were many moves to tweak and fix the issues of 1st, but felt like they only had time to address some of them. 

2nd edition screams like GW making the decision to shift control of HH under a new roof(from forgeworld), making it more mainstream and available via new plastics, attempting to recover and tweak 1st edition to a just functional enough ruleset to help support the sale of new plastic miniatures.....under quite a hectic time constraint. Almost like GW recovering and deciphering the almost lost STC that was 1st edition and making it usable again in modernity. 

That being said, I wouldn't mind a 3rd edition if it meant that GW actually took the time to polish what they had in 2nd and really put the time and effort and love it deserves (now that the main factions are mostly available via plastic models). As long as they keep it from being too much like 40k. Being that HH seems to attract more of the easy-going narrative gamers.

But based on GW's trends, I won't let my hopes up too much. If it does end up with a nice coat of polish, come on GW let an edition breath for once. Give it some time to stretch. 

Edited March 13 by Ahzek451

[ZeroWolf]

29 minutes ago, Xenith said:

I recall 3rd ed being 1999, then 4th ed was either late 2005 or 2006 - we were still on the 3.5 ed with updated vehicle rules in September 2005 at least. 4th ed was very much a streamlining of 3rd ed, incorporating all the additional rules that came out over 3rd ed, like modified melee, vehicle access points, and no charging from non-assault transports. I'm hoping HH3.0 will be similar, just a quality of life update to balance a few things leaving the core rules intact. 

Looking online, 3rd edition was October 1998 while 4th was August 2004. 4th edition itself lasted just under 4 years with 5th coming out in July 2008....looking further, the three year cycle didn't really kick in till 7th edition became 8th.

 

Fun fact: 3rd edition is the 2nd longest edition after Rogue Trader (5 years and 10 months versus 6 years and 1 month respectively)

[dicebod]

Unpopular opinion incoming....I welcome a new edition.

 

To take a step back from internet negativity, the attention GW has given this game system over the past 2.5 years has been nothing short of astounding. Plastic renditions of so many kits that previously were out of reach for folks who didn't have the time, money, or modeling wherewithal to deal with resin. Accessible ways to get into non-marine armies. A much, much, MUCH lower barrier to entry for the hobby. I've been running heresy events for the better part of a decade at this point and I can tell you that, at least in my local community, heresy has never seen more interest. For as much as we complain about the lack of a WE praetor or whatever, the vast amounts of new and updated kits we've received recently is, IMHO, more-or-less beyond reproach.

But all that's to say, I think 2.0 from a rules perspective has quite a few shortcomings. Unbalanced reactions, lack of balance in general (both internally within Libers and across army lists), boring missions, and the lack of a consistent design philosophy. To me, it's always felt like a sidegrade from 1.0 - some things are better, some things are worse. So I'm excited for the prospect of a new edition that can smooth out some of these rough edges and actually make this game *fun to play.*

[Orange Knight]

So I was contemplating updating my army and getting a few new units.

 

Honestly, the cost is just silly. The resin models are ugly as sin and expensive. I am able to perhaps convert some plastic alternatives to be counts as, but it's a lot of effort and shopping for bits here and there.

 

Alternatively, it would be easier for me to start a new 40k army. I know some people miss the kit customisation and bit swapping, but it can be such a pain to try and put together specific wargear selections. It's not worth it for me.

[Robbienw]

Which resin models specifically?  There are rather a lot of resin models in the Heresy range still, and to slur all of them as 'ugly as sin' is absurd and verging on surreal.

 

The plastic range is broadly equivalent to 40k prices, and you'll find most necessary units within that i would have thought,

 

 

Edited March 13 by Robbienw

[Orange Knight]

The Invectarus Suzerein.

 

Ugly, squat, bulky and bad resin miniatures. I actually used to own some and sold them off because they were so bad.

[Robbienw]

Ah yes, they are not great.  Well detailed, but they don't work well visually.  The ultramarines really got the short end of the stick in terms of 30k special units, literally every other legion has nicer (and often more) elites 

Edited March 13 by Robbienw

[ZeroWolf]

1 hour ago, Robbienw said:

Ah yes, they are not great.  Well detailed, but they don't work well visually.  The ultramarines really got the short end of the stick in terms of 30k special units, literally every other legion has nicer (and often more) elites 

Probably the other side of the coin to being poster boys of 40k. Though given that I do Ultramarines in 40k I'd likely choose someone else for HH

[Orange Knight]

32 minutes ago, ZeroWolf said:

Probably the other side of the coin to being poster boys of 40k. Though given that I do Ultramarines in 40k I'd likely choose someone else for HH

 

I collect Imperial Fists in 40k, so decided to collect Ultramarines in the Heresy.

 

A terrible mistake lol

[Gorgoff]

2 hours ago, Orange Knight said:

The Invectarus Suzerein.

 

Ugly, squat, bulky and bad resin miniatures. I actually used to own some and sold them off because they were so bad.

 

2 hours ago, Robbienw said:

Ah yes, they are not great.  Well detailed, but they don't work well visually.  The ultramarines really got the short end of the stick in terms of 30k special units, literally every other legion has nicer (and often more) elites 

You both are right.

The only balancing factor that ridiculous OP unit has is its butt ugly models.

Uf they looked great every Alpha Legion army out there would steal them because their rules are so broken. ;)

 

7 minutes ago, Orange Knight said:

 

I collect Imperial Fists in 40k, so decided to collect Ultramarines in the Heresy.

 

A terrible mistake lol

Dammit you did it exactly the wrong way. :D

[Orange Knight]

I'm contemplating getting a bunch of power axes, and using the Legion command squad kit to make better looking MkVI Invectarus as it comes with 5 shields... and the kits would be plastic.

[WrathOfTheLion]

That'd be the better option. At some point, they're going to make those legion units plastic as they said in one of their reveal shows, but who knows when that will come to fruition.

[01RTB01]

1 hour ago, WrathOfTheLion said:

That'd be the better option. At some point, they're going to make those legion units plastic as they said in one of their reveal shows, but who knows when that will come to fruition.

Considering we're still waiting on breachers, I really wouldn't hold your breath.

[WrathOfTheLion]

2 hours ago, 01RTB01 said:

Considering we're still waiting on breachers, I really wouldn't hold your breath.

I would be surprised if we saw the first in the next year, and it'll take a couple years after that to roll out to more legions. So definitely not a short term thing.

[DuskRaider]

On 3/10/2025 at 10:46 AM, Lord Marshal said:

 

If it's functionally 2.5 with "new edition" slapped on because the beancounters in head office demanded it, I won't be overly bothered. It doesn't really seem in the Specialist Team's wheelhouse to reinvent a game on a whim anyway. Three years for a glorified balance pass and errata implementation I can live with.

 

I'm sure that won't stop months of "Heresy DUMBED DOWN? Swapping to 10TH EDITION RULES???" clickbait and fake rumours, mind.

 

I mean to be fair, it was dumbed down from v1.0 to v2.0, so I expect more of the same for a 3rd edition. 

[Plaguecaster]

Give me plastic breachers GW and I'll sell my soul and financial stability buying a boxset or 2 no matter the price 

Edited March 14 by Plaguecaster

[Corswain]

I want the plastic rapiers. I need a few to finish my Iron Warriors.

I'm more inclined to believe the Valrak rumour than Reddit/4chan but there is room in my optimistic soul for both to be true.

[Tokugawa]

Why no plastic HH bikes yet? Because GW don't want 40K CSM players buying them, instead of current ancient trash, or future £45 expensive 3 models box? 

[Gorgoff]

5 hours ago, Tokugawa said:

Why no plastic HH bikes yet? Because GW don't want 40K CSM players buying them, instead of current ancient trash, or future £45 expensive 3 models box? 

Plastic bikes would be cool though.

In my most optimistic dreams they make a box with an Aussault Bike included.

Wouldn't it be nice if it was possible to upgrade an Outrider Squad with an additional Aussault Bike? 

And Aussault Bikes units just had more heavy weapon choices? 

I were full on it. 

Singing "Run to the Hills" on top of my lungs while my bikes speed up. 

[No Foes Remain]

4 hours ago, Gorgoff said:

Plastic bikes would be cool though.

In my most optimistic dreams they make a box with an Aussault Bike included.

Wouldn't it be nice if it was possible to upgrade an Outrider Squad with an additional Aussault Bike? 

And Aussault Bikes units just had more heavy weapon choices? 

I were full on it. 

Singing "Run to the Hills" on top of my lungs while my bikes speed up. 

Give them all power lances and start blaring 'Winged Hussars'

[siegfriedfr]

I have faith that 3.0 will just be an updated rule book (like they did with Necromunda), and a new starter box.

 

Don't see it going the way of edition churn, yet.

[Captain Idaho]

That would be a delight. Would mean the army rules and lists etc would still be valid... Just unsure where that would stand?

[DemonGSides]

8 minutes ago, siegfriedfr said:

I have faith that 3.0 will just be an updated rule book (like they did with Necromunda), and a new starter box.

 

Don't see it going the way of edition churn, yet.

 

It seems to be the standard since 6th ed for Space Marine based games.  Standard edition (6th), then clean up edition which then gets bloated (7th), Standard edition with some major rules changes (8th), clean up edition which then gets bloated (9th), Standard edition with some big rules changes (10th), Clean up edition (expected 11th).

I could see the same for Heresy.

[siegfriedfr]

A reasonable take on the core rules, altho i believe the specialist design studio doesn't go full redesign like the main studio (unless ordered to, which seems not to be the case, yet).

 

My hope is that the current Liber Books are still valid for 3.0, and supplementted with arcane- journals type books (as-in not too expensive softcover addons).

 

That would be a good way to re-publish legion-specific black books contents.

Edited March 14 by siegfriedfr

[ZeroWolf]

2 hours ago, siegfriedfr said:

A reasonable take on the core rules, altho i believe the specialist design studio doesn't go full redesign like the main studio (unless ordered to, which seems not to be the case, yet).

 

My hope is that the current Liber Books are still valid for 3.0, and supplementted with arcane- journals type books (as-in not too expensive softcover addons).

 

That would be a good way to re-publish legion-specific black books contents.

I suspect that like 40k and AoS mirror each other in certain aspects, TOW and HH will as well. They could bring the arcane journal aspect in with this edition (or not, that could be something that just works for TOW). Either way, I do get the impression that any fears of a large 10th edition style rewrite are misplaced (at least at this junction, as it's only the mainline games that seems to happen.)

 

I reckon we'll find out the score at Adepticon