30k is very similar to 3rd-7th ed 40k, so you'll be right at home. I'd try out both with your kid, though, as if they're not into space marines, or want to keep up with the popular stuff, 30k isn't necessarily the right fit for that.
You're in the 30k subreddit, so naturally most people here are going to prefer 30k.
30k is more complex than 40k. Ruleswise 30k is a lot closer to 3rd ed than it is to 10th ed. Both of these things obviously appeal to hobby grognards, but might not be the best for a kid trying to get into the game.
30k being mostly a "quasi-historical" game also means it offers no official support for any Xenos or some of the Imperial factions that were only created after the Horus Heresy (for example Sisters of Battle, Grey Knights). So if your kid is into any of those factions 30k might not be right for the two of you. For factions that are supported in 30k some units that are available in 40k might not be available in 30k or vice versa - just something to be aware of, especially if your kid is particularly drawn to a xenos faction.
30k definitely has a bit more of a focus on larger armies and a lot of the legion-speficic models are only available in resin. This definitely affects the price of an army for the "average" game. That might be a factor for a 12-year-old, if he has to buy most of his hobby stuff from his pocket money.
Just some things to think about.
I think it is just so radically different than what I know. Plus all the new stuff just looks so...not good. *looks at all the Primaris stuff*. I think it is the army-building stuff as well. I liked having a force org chart.
If it helps I had the entirety of the 3rd Company of Dark Angels.
From my understanding, 30K just feels like my old 3rd edition.
You could always play 3rd edition 40k.
I'm currently gathering some people to do exactly that.
3rd edition was the best edition of 40k, I have no idea why I'd play any other edition.
But I also like 30k. Because it's a better game than the current 40k and also for the same reasons you mention, the newer 40k stuff looks like toys.
40k generally seems to go that direction... trying to be kid-friendly. Which is insane. Considering how it started and what the setting is about. But money will make people do crazy things and I guess GW's management is firmly in its grip.
So that's where we're at... where 30k is the actual 40k. Or basically, continues the style that made 40k great.
Yes, it’s much more close to Oldhammer but it involves much larger armies and correspondingly much more resin.
It’s also a bit more of a stickler around fitting lore and has more of a “historical” wargame feel to the extent that’s possible with warhammer.
30k is ten fold in complexity over 40K. If your looking for a more streamlined and balanced system to play with your boy I’d highly suggest 40K. Your old Dark Angels may not be Primaris but they will serve the rules just fine. Further if you or your kid is interested in anything other than Space Marines 40K is the way to go.
30K is maybe the better option if your focused on trying to get as close to your old experience as possible but it’s much more advanced hobby wise and rule wise and not something I would suggest for a newcomer to the hobby (coming from someone who loves 30K).
I stopped playing in 4th ed myself and nowadays I'm deep into 30k. 30k is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay closer to what you remember, and I'n my personal opinion is the far better system
As stated in other posts 8th Ed is when the major rules changes happened between the games. 10th is definitely different and simpler in many ways, but with the rules being free (just don’t use the new codex rules only the stuff on the community site) and a bunch of the heresy stuff rules having support I’d recommend at least trying 10th before buying in.
Just play 3rd edition 40 k. That is what I do half the time. It is the best version of the game. Very little of the bloat that has been added since then has made the game any better.
30K is going to be more like 3rd edition, so you can buy some of the stuff for that to get the basic rules, stats and so forth. So, if you are interested in playing the current edition, like your son wants to play in store or with other friends and not just with you, start him with 3rd edition and then add a couple of different aspects of the new rules each time you play.
For example, the reactions in the current edition of 30K are pretty good. They keep both players engaged during the game, do something to prevent the first turn dominance of IGUGO game systems and aren't that much of a chore to remember. Start by adding those into your games of 3rd ed. Then add the variable charge distance or even start with that.
Then start playing with special rules for some of the units and then add a few more in when you play until you're comfortable with the system and the changes and then you can just go full on 2nd ed 30K.
The only downside is that by the time you do 3rd edition 30K will be out.
30k is very similar to 3rd-7th ed 40k, so you'll be right at home. I'd try out both with your kid, though, as if they're not into space marines, or want to keep up with the popular stuff, 30k isn't necessarily the right fit for that.
You're in the 30k subreddit, so naturally most people here are going to prefer 30k. 30k is more complex than 40k. Ruleswise 30k is a lot closer to 3rd ed than it is to 10th ed. Both of these things obviously appeal to hobby grognards, but might not be the best for a kid trying to get into the game. 30k being mostly a "quasi-historical" game also means it offers no official support for any Xenos or some of the Imperial factions that were only created after the Horus Heresy (for example Sisters of Battle, Grey Knights). So if your kid is into any of those factions 30k might not be right for the two of you. For factions that are supported in 30k some units that are available in 40k might not be available in 30k or vice versa - just something to be aware of, especially if your kid is particularly drawn to a xenos faction. 30k definitely has a bit more of a focus on larger armies and a lot of the legion-speficic models are only available in resin. This definitely affects the price of an army for the "average" game. That might be a factor for a 12-year-old, if he has to buy most of his hobby stuff from his pocket money. Just some things to think about.
Head hurt in what way? Current 40k is the most dumbed down I've seen it. 30k is much more complex.
I think it is just so radically different than what I know. Plus all the new stuff just looks so...not good. *looks at all the Primaris stuff*. I think it is the army-building stuff as well. I liked having a force org chart. If it helps I had the entirety of the 3rd Company of Dark Angels. From my understanding, 30K just feels like my old 3rd edition.
You could always play 3rd edition 40k. I'm currently gathering some people to do exactly that. 3rd edition was the best edition of 40k, I have no idea why I'd play any other edition. But I also like 30k. Because it's a better game than the current 40k and also for the same reasons you mention, the newer 40k stuff looks like toys. 40k generally seems to go that direction... trying to be kid-friendly. Which is insane. Considering how it started and what the setting is about. But money will make people do crazy things and I guess GW's management is firmly in its grip. So that's where we're at... where 30k is the actual 40k. Or basically, continues the style that made 40k great.
Yes, it’s much more close to Oldhammer but it involves much larger armies and correspondingly much more resin. It’s also a bit more of a stickler around fitting lore and has more of a “historical” wargame feel to the extent that’s possible with warhammer.
30k is ten fold in complexity over 40K. If your looking for a more streamlined and balanced system to play with your boy I’d highly suggest 40K. Your old Dark Angels may not be Primaris but they will serve the rules just fine. Further if you or your kid is interested in anything other than Space Marines 40K is the way to go. 30K is maybe the better option if your focused on trying to get as close to your old experience as possible but it’s much more advanced hobby wise and rule wise and not something I would suggest for a newcomer to the hobby (coming from someone who loves 30K).
I stopped playing in 4th ed myself and nowadays I'm deep into 30k. 30k is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay closer to what you remember, and I'n my personal opinion is the far better system
As stated in other posts 8th Ed is when the major rules changes happened between the games. 10th is definitely different and simpler in many ways, but with the rules being free (just don’t use the new codex rules only the stuff on the community site) and a bunch of the heresy stuff rules having support I’d recommend at least trying 10th before buying in.
I got 3rd Edition when I was about 12 and was able to make sense of it just fine. The reason I like 30k is because it's so similar to 3rd/4th edition
Just play 3rd edition 40 k. That is what I do half the time. It is the best version of the game. Very little of the bloat that has been added since then has made the game any better. 30K is going to be more like 3rd edition, so you can buy some of the stuff for that to get the basic rules, stats and so forth. So, if you are interested in playing the current edition, like your son wants to play in store or with other friends and not just with you, start him with 3rd edition and then add a couple of different aspects of the new rules each time you play. For example, the reactions in the current edition of 30K are pretty good. They keep both players engaged during the game, do something to prevent the first turn dominance of IGUGO game systems and aren't that much of a chore to remember. Start by adding those into your games of 3rd ed. Then add the variable charge distance or even start with that. Then start playing with special rules for some of the units and then add a few more in when you play until you're comfortable with the system and the changes and then you can just go full on 2nd ed 30K. The only downside is that by the time you do 3rd edition 30K will be out.
