FAQ & Errata
General Design
What are the qualifications of the Long War Team?
The Long War team are veterans of the hobby for over 15 years. All 3 work in the tabletop gaming industry in some capacity. Our main writer is a lawyer with a Juris Doctor and a secondary job working on Table-top RPG's for a small publisher. Other members of our team have degrees in game design and work directly in gaming trade and sales. Together we have a vast array of knowledge of the industry and game design from multiple practical, sales and design perspectives.
Why were Blast Templates and Random Scatter removed?
We wanted to simplify scatter while providing more depth and player agency. Scatter dice caused problems and created a level of vague with improper measurement and blast markers ways created a level of debate on what was within based on the perspective of looking down on them. to do away with this, instead of a plate, a imaginary sphere replaced the templates. The idea is that this a simple aura measurement that makes the older templates optional for newer people who don't have them. the scatter was changed to give more agency to the players and allow blasts to be manipulated more, adding more depth to the game about the thought of where markers are placed. The ability for the defending player to control even via random roll allows more agency on the defenders part against the defence often powerful and devastating blast weapons.
Why are challenges not a thing?
Challenges were removed from standard mechanics since it created a level of annoyance and complexity that added little value beyond winning and losing harder. The natural engagement range allows instead for challenges to happen organically without the need for extra dice rolling and new steps. Instead, Challenges exist as special rules on specific characters who lore wise actually go out of their way to challenge. This has been simplified as well. Overall, this prevents the Challenges from being abused by certain factions to simply deny the other player the use of their own cool models and characters.
If I have a Primaris version of a character and a non Primaris version. Which do I use?
Use the version you want and have if there is no Wargear difference. If there a difference in Wargear, use the version with the Wargear your model has. Sometimes there are minor points differences. You should generally try to have your models be What You See is What You Get. But be sure to discuss it with your opponent if you want to proxy an older character for a new version. They might be fine with it.
With so many update to ensure problems are resolved quickly. Where can I find the latest rules?
The Google Drive. Always the Google Drive. The latest rule set will always be in there first as soon as it's available. Announcements on the discord will try and announce when a new version drops. But we update once every few months. Since popular factions get played more, and hence we get more feedback. They get updated more often.
The Long War claims to support all models, old and new. Why can't I find this one specific one?
Sometimes making rules for certain models is hard. Not every model or unit really can have rules. Some units kinda just don't belong in the game. Either their scale is too big for the intended scale of the games combat, they serve no combat purpose and their in lore purpose isn't able to be represented on the table. Or sometimes, we just plain miss it or need time to research it. If a model is missing let us know. We'll tell you which of those it is. It can be a case where old models or certain models we plan to include are just impossible to find info on. Others, specifically FW stuff is low priority that will be added eventually but require the codex to settle and for us to work on their rules in a way that won't disrupt the codexes internal or external balance as many specialist FW units do.
What is the plan once all the codexes are done?
Constant upkeep, new additions and lots of new mission content. Maintenance is just as important for the game life. And as we continue to work on stuff we'll eventually make the codexes look nice. Finish adding Lore and so on.
Won't you be sued? You should change everything like One Page Rules.
No. Even if we are. They have no case. OPR is selling something, they take money for their product. Thus, they would be infringing the GW copyright. As a purely fan based product that holds itself out as a Fan made product which takes no money, it doesn't exert any of the copyright privileges for which one can sue for when violates. As for trademark, the images are of models, which can be freely shown in public. The names of things well, we fall under fan work. Same as fan fiction. The Long War is created for purely for the writers private enjoyment. It's just public so other people can enjoy it. All this means we have no legal issues and can ignore any and all C&Ds
Id like to help. How can I?
Well. There are 2 ways people can help. The first is by reading the contents and leaving opinions, playing games and giving feedback. Also. Point out any Typos so we purge them the fiery vengeance of the emperor's own! Second. You can write lore. The plan for the fiction section of Long Wars codexes is to be written from the perspective of Imperial Scribes in the departmento Muniturim writing field guides and intelligence files. Or. You can write campaigns. Stories with missions and scenarios and events to give other people some thing to play. Up to you. You might decide to translate the Damocles Gulf Campaign into a LW compatible campaign scenario with cool mechanics or make a path to glory style story and mission set.
Rites of War
For the purposes of Rites of War, is 0 higher than 0?
For ROW's that require you to have more of one type of unit than another, this does apply having 0 of a type of unit. for example if a ROW requires you to have more Fast than Heavy and you have 0 Heavy choices, you must have 1 Fast choice.
Universal Special Rules
Does Feel No Pain apply to Instant Death?
Yes. Feel No Pain rolls may be made against Instant Death attacks. This is intentional. Its one of the few reliable defences against it and its not very reliable.
Combat Phase
Does the weapon Skill Chart have a typo on hitting on 4+ if the enemy has a higher WS?
No. This is not a typo. This is intentional. This is because originally, hitting on a 5+ such as in HH2.0 was way to punishing and unbalanced in the broader context of the system and screws with the mathematics of how most units perform for their points. So, it was changed to have 2 levels of hitting on 4+. However, higher WS still hits better. So there is incentive on higher WS. The 4+ is still a 50% hit ration which when probabilities get involved, is not that high. ask any Imperial Guard player. hitting on a 4+ can be rough. As an average, 4+ realistically is what you actually want in semi random game design as an average.
Shooting Phase
Can units split fire in the LW?
Yes. All units can split fire in the Long War. However, per the core rules, when declaring charges, if you shot something, what you shot must be the target of your charge. If you shot multiple units, at least 1 of the units you shot must be the target of your charge. If you didn't shoot, you can declare any unit within 12".
Deployment
When you summon a unit, how do they come on and with what gear?
A summoned unit is summoned via its stated method. Either Outflank or Deep Strike. If there are no caveats, this means it works like regular as if he unit had been in reserves the entire game. This means you roll scatter or arrival. If your summoned unit fails or mishaps, they go into ongoing reserves to try again later. The unit that is summoned is summoned with the models and gear listed in its base profile on its data sheet with no additional gear or models.
Codex Supplement: Space Wolves
Does the Space Wolves Allegiance prevent them from taking and using the Drop Pod?
No. Insert a line "This does not include Space Wolves Drop Pod units. Space Wolves Drop Pods may still use the Deep Strike special rule."
Crusade Battle Pack
Does prepared positions allow me to set to use custom faction reactions such as Dark Ritual or Return to the Shadows?
Yes. If you are going second and your battleback allows you to use Prepared positions to assume a reaction, you may have a unit set to perform a ritual or Return to the Shadows during the first round. They will resolve as normal during yiur opponents charge phase of the first round.