I really like this book a lot. There is just a ton here, but there are some things to realize with Stronghold Assault. Stronghold Assault will really updates and gives flexibility to the game. I am a huge fan of this book, and I will equate it to the Space Marine codex. As both were well written and well designed from my perspective.
Lets take a look at what it does and does not do.
This is book updates the fortifications rules published in the 40k rulebook, this is very clear and spelled out right away in the first pages of the book. This is a big step, as there are some changes to deal with.
The updated building rules are optional. They specifically suggest that you use them, but that they are optional and you should agree with your opponent on which if any or all of these these rules for "Updated Buildings" you are using.
I do not like that last part. When it comes down to it, the fortification datasheets are updated, why not just make the optional updated building rules official. I think this as an optional rule dropped the ball. If we are going to update the rulebooks rules on fortifications, just make the whole book full of updated rules.
New Fortification Options
Upgrades
These are very cool, and will add some life into your fortifications and make them more unique. These work like vehicles upgrades and here they are.
Ammo Store. re-roll 1s when firing of a fire point
Booby Traps-First unit to occupy this building takes 2d6 S4 AP5 hits with ignore cover. friend or foe
Escape Hatch. When first occupied, place an escape hatch marker that is an additional access point up to 12" away (great for grabbing objectives)
Magos Machine Spirit; Increases automated fire to bs3
Voidshield. gives the building a a void shield, and hits scored against it are first resolved against the av12 shield. Any glance or penetrating hit, (or any d weapon) collapses the voidshield. They respawn on a 5+ at the end of the round.
Obstacles
These are also cool in that they are small obstacles that can be up to 6" in length and with a fortification you can purchase up to 6 of them. These are
Tanglewire. dangerous terrain and a 6+ cover save
Barricades. 4+ cover save for models within 2"
Tank Traps. Impassible for non skimmer vehicles, dangerous terrain to bikes, and open ground for the rest. Behind is a 4+ cover save
Battlements and Battlefield
These can be placed anywhere within 6" of the fortification or on top of a battlement. Yes you are getting lots of options. These are single pieces of
Ammunition Dump. re-roll 1s if within 2"
Comms relay: can re-roll reserves
Gun Emplacement with Icarus Lascannon same as before
Gun Emplacement with Quad Gun same as before
Fortification Selections
Aegis Defense Line
Imperial Bastion
Imperial Strongpoint (1-3 Bastions, 1-5 Aegis Defense Lines, 0-1 Skyshield Landing Pad, 0-1 Honoured Imperium)
Honored Imperium (1 Imperial Statue, 2 pieces of Imperial Rubble (it's not a Fortification Network, I just thought I'd let you know anyways))
Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defence Line
Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defence Line Emplacement (up to 3 sections of Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defence Emplacement sections and up to 2 Imperial Defence Line end sections, each section must be in contact with another)
Wall of Martyrs Imperial Bunker
Wall of Martyrs Firestorm Redoubt
Wall of Martyrs Vengeance Weapon Battery
Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defense Network (1-3 Wall of Martyrs Imperial Bunkers, 1-4 Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defense Lines, 1-2 Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defence Emplacements, 0-2 Wall of Martyrs Firestorm Redoubts, 0-2 Wall of Martyrs Vengeance Weapon Battery)
Promethium Relay Pipes
Void Shield Generator
Void Relay Network
Skyshield Landing Pad
Fortress of Redemption
Macro-Cannon Aquila Strongpoint
Vortex Missile Aquila Strongpoint
This supplement is one of the best supplements I have reviewed. With the exception of optional building rules, this standard 40k game expansion puts more options into the game with so much flexibility that it is staggering. You want to make a defensive position of many different sorts, you can.
So will these be allowed in tournaments? I think so. At first I can see some be reluctant attitudes in regards to the fortifications that have D weapons, but once escalation comes around people will start to accept these big boys just about everywhere. Any tournament that allows for aegis defense lines will probably immediately start allowing most of this as well. It will be interesting what crazy things TOs come up with to start removing placed terrain so that these options can be used.). I am still for players placing terrain using the rules in the brb.
I have read a lot of reviews on this supplement, and if you want to check another one out, I highly suggest the one that Zion did on tabletop wargaming. He did a good review there as well, and some of this will duplicate.
http://www.talkwargaming.com/2013/12/review-stronghold-assault.html
I will be jumping right into these fortifications in my games, as I have a lot of this already. Of course its time to start saving for a super heavy or two. (my dark eldar and imperial guard are very happy)
