The Leagues of Votann finally get a new 10th Edition Codex, and it is a very big overhaul. Here’s what I liked the most!
It feels like a lot of thought went into designing the Leagues of Votann Codex as well as the introduction of a bunch of new kits. I don’t know if it really got better as the old index was pretty much solved at this point – but I am sure those League players will figure it out, hammer out some winning lists, and wreck my poor World Eaters with some sustained beam hits. Let’s dive into the 5 things that stood out to me when looking through the codex. As usual thanks to Games Workshop for letting BoLS have a digital copy to review.
Yield Points Are a Solid Shift From the Old Grudge Mechanic
I wasn’t a fan of the Grudge mechanic as it felt like it could be a very problematic system. It punished you for doing what you wanted to do in a game to the Votann players. This new Yield mechanic feels better. It seems to let the Votann player build up on what is a theme within the book. They want you exploring and taking over objectives as you defend your claims upon the battlefield. GW previewed it this past week and it all builds upon you building up your Yield points and either using them to be more aggressive or building them up to give some defensive buffs. I like both aspects and while remembering to keep track of another resource can be a pain I do think the Yield points shouldn’t be too hard for players to pick.
You basically start off in Hostile Acquisition which gives you bonuses when attacking units on objectives (+1 to hit) and getting to the enemy with a reroll of advance and charges. . Once you gain 7 Yield points and get to the end of your command phase you can shift to Fortify Takeover which gives you a defensive bonus of -1 to wound if the attack is higher in strength for all your non vehicles and +1 to hit if you are shooting at the enemy that is on an objective you control. You can use your Yield points to supercharge some stratagems too like getting Sustained Hits 2 and extra AP on your attacks.
Brandfast Oathband Detachment is Strong for Mechanized Armies
This detachment gives your transports a new aura ability that states any Leagues of Votann infantry wholly within 6″ of the transport the Sustained Hits 1 rule. Anything that can have your units “explode” in damage potential is very powerful and letting you gives this to your infantry means this army is going to driving around their Space Dwarves and just become pains in the butt. This is a lot of damage potential on your suits and the fact that the Votann have a ton of Transports.
Buri Aegnirseen is Friggin AWESOME!
Here is your Mephiston for your Leagues of Votann army. This is a Lone Operative character that comes in with some Damage 3 attacks, a surge move if you shoot him, and gets to come back after his first death. His fluff is amazing too – as those pesky Tyranids just can’t keep him down – BARF, BARF, BARF! I wish he had some kind of Aura but I can expect this guy to play the little boogie-man game as he is running around your MDF buildings and being an overall pain in the butt.
New Arkanyst Evaluator Is Super Fun!
This model is like a weird super Mek Boy with a crazy gun for the Votann. This gun has 3 levels of fire – with each one getting more dangerous to the bearer. The initial gun is a half charge 3 shot, Rapid fire 1, 12″, Strength 8, AP -1, and 1d attack. Its normal charge gives it Hazardous, 18″ range, an extra pip of AP, Damage 2, and Rapid fire 2. You can then overcharge it again to give it another pip of AP, 24″ range, Damage 3, and Rapid Fire 3 with super hazardous of -2 to the roll (making it hurt you on a 1-3). Thankfully this guy has 4 wounds as he can survive going crazy with his gun. He also gets the Lone Operative ability if he is within 3″ of a vehicle. Oh he can also burn a Yield point to get Sustained Hits 1 as well. If he kills a unit with this shooting he then gains 2 Yield Points too. Overall he is a pretty fun and wild little dude.
Ironkin Steeljacks Worth Your Time
Look these guys are going to be murder machines in this game. The shooting platform has each one throwing out 6 shots that are Strength 6, AP-1, 24″ range, 1 damage, and have Devastating wounds. If you happen to shoot overwatch with these guys they hit on a 5+ unless you are in the Fortify Takeover and now you hit on a 4+. You also get a wargear upgrade that lets your unit score Precision hits on Critical Wound rolls which as you know means any hit is a Devastating wound that will be killing your leader if they can be seen by this dang robots. They look to be a lot of fun.
The Votann Verdict
There are a bunch of other things that I am sure the League Of Votann players are going to wreck my army with. They look like a nice update to the codex and I am sure will be complaining about their transports hurting our poor little models on the table top. They are coming to take all your candy so be ready to wish they stayed in deep space a bit longer.
The Ancestor Cores Watch Over All
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.
Don’t Miss:
Thomas Reidy, aka Goatboy, the ever-evil member of BoLS. I do arts, play 40k, and even paint a lot of stuff. I have been playing Warhammer 40K since the 1990s, and have won multiple national events including Adepticon and GW GTs. I’ve been writing for BoLS for 15 years. Look at my Instagram to see what I am working on – or working on for someone. I am always doing something hobby related.
Read more at this site