So, I’ve got my preorder in for WHFB 8th.

I’ve got to say, I’m excited about it.  I’d grown very disillusioned with the game playing with the old Skaven book and, to be honest, I didn’t play much with the new Skaven book because I sucked myself into painting (and later playing with) my Daemon army.  New book, new system… I’m hoping that such a clean slate helps me find how to really enjoy the game.

I mean, the same thing happened with 40K: I played my 4th ed for a good bit but never really got it.  When 5th came out, things really started to click for me.

Not everyone’s excited about it, though.  I get that.  Change is hard, &c, &c.  What’s surprising to me is how angry the Fantasy block of the IFL is about 8th.   Not just “not excited.”  Angry.  Ready to take up torches and pitchforks.

I mean, the game’s not out yet.  Nobody’s read the book.  We’ve got rumors, some of which are translated from German.  That’s it.  We don’t know anything about the game yet: it’s too early to love it or hate it: the only reasonable responses are optimism or pessimism, nothing more concrete.   But the Fantasy players can’t stop making noises about moving to Warhammer Ancient Battles*.  There are, literally, people calling to keep the Fantasy Pyramid using 7th edition rules until the end of time.

It’s just too precipitous.

And the thing is, there’s no way they’re going to be happy with 8th.  Not after months of fuming over how horrible it’s going to be.  The Gamer’s Edition could come with the rulebook, tokens, dice, a six-pack and a hooker and they’d hate it.  It’s a shame.

It’ll be an even bigger shame if they stick with 7th for their play.  Although they should play in whatever system they want to play in… they can pretty much say goodbye to new players.  People who’ve picked up the game post-July 10 won’t want to play 7th.  People who’ve been playing 8th aren’t any more likely to want to switch back to 7th than people switching back to 40K 4th.  They can kiss tournaments goodbye; even if they show up, they’re doomed to poor performance on account of not knowing the system.

What will probably happen is they’ll switch over to 8th, and will continue complaining.  I mean, they made the switch to 7th and continued complaining (and, I imagine, they made the switch to 6th and continued complaining).

I’m just disappointed by the negativity.

*Which is, of course, bullshit.  The people making these noises only play WHFB.  Period.  I’m not sure they’re capable of switching to a new system.