Thousand Sons & Blackshields: Line/Vanguard Bug

Hey guys! Let's dive into a bit of a head-scratcher concerning Thousand Sons armies in the Horus Heresy 3rd Edition, specifically when you're mixing them up with Blackshields. There's a nasty little bug that's been causing some grief, and we're gonna break it down. Basically, if you've got a Blackshields Detachment with the 'Reapers of Lives Oath' selected, it's supposed to mess with certain rules, but it's doing it in a way that's... well, not quite right. We're talking about the 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' special rules, and how they're getting stripped from units that shouldn't be affected. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the issue and what's supposed to happen.

The Core of the Problem: Blackshields and Special Rules

So, here's the deal. In the Horus Heresy, Blackshields are, let's say, a bit of a wildcard. They're mercenaries and renegades, and they often bring their own unique rules and, let's face it, quirks to the battlefield. The 'Reapers of Lives Oath' is a specific choice you can make for your Blackshields Detachment, which is meant to reflect a certain... well, let's call it a ruthless approach to warfare. This Oath is designed to alter some rules, but the current implementation has a serious glitch. The bug is that when the Reapers of Lives Oath is selected, it's removing the 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' special rules from all units in the army, even if they're not part of the Blackshields Detachment! This includes your precious Thousand Sons units, which is definitely not what's intended. Think about it: Line (X) usually grants Objective Secured, and Vanguard (X) provides enhanced deployment options. Having these abilities completely wiped out across the board is a massive disadvantage, especially when it wasn't the plan.

Impact on Thousand Sons Players

For Thousand Sons players, this bug is particularly painful. We all know how important it is to secure objectives and deploy strategically. The bug messes with the core strengths of the army by impacting the way they can hold objectives or maneuver on the battlefield. It could render them strategically deficient or significantly hampered on the field. This not only affects the competitive balance but also breaks the thematic integrity of the game. Thousand Sons are meant to be cunning strategists, not victims of a rule malfunction.

What Should Happen: Expected Behavior vs. Buggy Reality

So, what's supposed to happen? When you select the 'Reapers of Lives Oath' for your Blackshields Detachment, the intention is to modify the rules specifically for the Blackshields units in that Detachment. The Oath should affect them, reflecting their particular style of fighting. It should not be a blanket effect that impacts the rest of the army, including your Thousand Sons and any other non-Blackshield units you might have allied. The 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' special rules should remain intact for these other units, allowing them to function as intended. The bug is causing the Oath’s effect to be far more widespread than it should be, creating a frustrating experience for players who want to build diverse, balanced armies.

Clarifying the Rules

• Correct Behavior: The 'Reapers of Lives Oath' should only affect the Blackshields units within the Blackshields Detachment. If your Thousand Sons units have 'Line (X)' or 'Vanguard (X)', they should retain these abilities. This ensures that the unique aspects of each detachment are preserved and the game remains fair.
• Buggy Behavior: The 'Reapers of Lives Oath' incorrectly removes 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' from all units in the army, regardless of their detachment affiliation. This is the core problem that needs fixing.

The Evidence: Examples and Observations

To really drive this home, let’s look at some examples and what players are experiencing. The provided list (linked in the original report) is a perfect illustration of the problem. It shows a Thousand Sons army with Tactical and Tartaros Terminator Squads. Because the Blackshields Detachment has the Oath selected, these squads are missing their 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' rules. This is the direct result of the bug. The evidence is clear: the issue isn't theoretical; it's happening in real games and impacting how people play. The impact could drastically change game balance and strategies.

Squads Affected

Here are some example units which might be affected by this bug:

• Tactical Squads: These are the backbone of many armies and should have Objective Secured, but the bug removes it.
• Terminator Squads: Vanguard (X) provides advanced deployment options, and losing that can significantly alter the strategic flexibility of the army.

Where to Find More Info

For further details, check out the list linked in the original report. The NewRecruit version being used is 33.14. This provides a clear picture of how the bug manifests in the list-building phase and on the tabletop.

How to Resolve the Issue: Potential Fixes and Workarounds

So, how do we fix this? Well, the ideal solution is a patch or update to the rules or the list-building software (like NewRecruit). This would involve correcting the code to ensure that the 'Reapers of Lives Oath' only affects the intended Blackshields units. Until that happens, players have a few options to work around the problem.

Temporary Solutions

• Avoid the Oath: The simplest workaround is to avoid selecting the 'Reapers of Lives Oath' if you want to use Thousand Sons units with their special rules intact. This, of course, limits your tactical options with the Blackshields.
• House Rules: You could implement a house rule that specifies the Oath only affects Blackshields units. This allows you to play the game as intended and maintain the balance.
• Manual Adjustments: Before games, you could manually note which units should have 'Line (X)' and 'Vanguard (X)' and ensure they are played that way. This requires extra vigilance, but it ensures rules accuracy.

The Importance of Reporting and Community Support

Reporting this bug is crucial. The more people who report the issue, the more likely it is to be addressed. Feedback from the community is essential for identifying and resolving these problems. Be sure to check online forums and communities (such as those dedicated to the Horus Heresy) to see if others are experiencing the same issue, and collaborate to find solutions.

Conclusion: Keeping the Game Fair and Fun

In a nutshell, this bug is a problem that affects the way players can build and use their armies, especially impacting the Thousand Sons and their synergy with other units. The 'Reapers of Lives Oath' should only target Blackshields, not the entire army. The issue needs a fix to ensure fairness and strategic integrity. The more we report the problem and explore temporary solutions, the sooner the game will be in a balanced and enjoyable state for everyone. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep the community alive! Keep an eye on updates and patches, and keep enjoying the epic battles of the Horus Heresy!