The Background:
I spent quite a bit of downtime reading through the new dataslate, and the expanded backstory is something I really like with the new release. There are 31 pages of background with a few images of the models thrown in. No real new artwork caught my eyes, since most of the pictures were of models. In a lot of these dataslates I have noticed this trend lately, where the first ones that were released had some impressive artwork in them.
Rules
Assassins now come with a few new rules that I really think may make them playable again. For one, getting a -2 to Look out sir makes it much harder to just shrug off Assassin's hits (this was always annoying). The other is the extra wound. Assassins have historically came with 2 wounds through he last several editions, and an extra wound was just needed over all this time.
Lets take a quick look at each one.
Operation Assassinate: All Assassins have this rule, and grants you an extra victory point if the enemy's warlord was removed as a casualty by a model with this rule.
Independent Operative: Cannot be joined by Independent characters.
Lightning Reflexes: 4++
No Escape: -2 to look out sir rolls against the assassins hits.
Vindicare:
Of course the Vindicare is all about his rifle and its ammmo. Not much has really changed here
Deadshot: All hits are precision shots, excluding snap shots
Spy Mask: has ignore cover, excluding snap shots
Ammo:
Shield Breaker: No invul saves allowed
Turbo Penetrator: S10 against vehicles, against everyone else d3 wounds per hit
Hellfire: wounds on a 2+
Callidus:
The Callidus of course is back to her sudden appearances. She comes with hit and run, move through cover, and a cool new rule Reign of Confusion
Reign of Confusion: Can re-roll seize the initiative, and opponent suffers a -3 to the first roll for reserves in the game.
Polymorphine: Can set up 1" from enemy units, or go into reserves to enter from an opponents board edge. First round appearing can only be hit by snap shots.
Neural Shredder: Template wounds on a 4+ AP2
Phase Sword: Only ignores invulnerable saves on a 6+ to wound, AP2
Poison Blades: Poisoned 3+, with rending
Eversor:
I have always found the Eversor lacking, but with a long list of special rules, he may once again be hitting the table. He comes with melta bombs, and a power sword, and a poisoned pistol (4+)
Frenzon: Roll 3d6 for charge range and gains 3 attacks on the charge.
Sentinel Array: Can overwatch at full bs
Neuro-Gauntlet: Fleshbane, shred
Biomeltdown: d6" s5 hit upon death
Feel no Pain
Furious Charge
Move through cover
Culexus
My old favorite, now with preferred enemy psykers.
Life Drain: No armor saves, 6 to wound is instant death, against psykers the wounds are instant death
Etherium: All shot and attacks against him are resolved at BS and WS1
Psyk-Out Grenades
Animus Speculum: Add up all psyker units within 12" and add up to 3 dice from your own pool., This is how many shots you get for your animus speculum. 18" S5 AP1
Psychic Abomination: Psykers friend or foe get a -3 ldr, do not generate any warp charge, and can only harness warp charge points on a 6.
Overall I really like this dataslate. The background I spent the most time on. Of the 45 pages on the ipad edition, 31 of them are dedicated to background and a few model pics. Definitely a lot to enjoy reading on, and the new rules for Assassins will definitely find their ways into many armies. I can already see them fighting hard alongside my Inquisition and Astra Militarum forces.