Warhammer 40K Legends: The Graveyard of Units and What It Means

Understanding Warhammer 40,000 Legends

• 🚀 Legends units are older models and rules that Games Workshop no longer actively supports for competitive play, often due to being out of production or having overlapping rules with newer models.
• 📜 These units are not invalidated entirely and their rules and points are available as free downloads, ensuring they can still be used in casual games, narrative campaigns, and Crusade play.
• 💡 While removed from official competitive events, Legends units can still shine in narrative games, offering unique character and expanding model choices.

The Impact of Legends on the Game

• 📉 The move to Legends aims to reduce rules bloat and streamline support for newer models, a strategy seen in other games like War Machine which struggled with an overwhelming number of SKUs.
• 🔄 Forge World units, once a point of contention, are now largely integrated into the Legends category or have had their rules moved to Imperial Armor books, which are still sanctioned for competitive play.
• 🧩 The removal of certain units, like the Contemptor Dreadnought for Chaos forces, can feel like a loss of uniqueness and character for specific armies.

Units We Wish Hadn't Gone to Legends

• 💔 Several beloved units have been moved to Legends, causing disappointment among hobbyists, including Tyros the Red (Sharkons Chapter Master), the Repressor (Imperial Guard crowd control vehicle), and the Cor'Lass (Eldar Phoenix Lord).
• 💥 Iconic models like the Thunderhawk Transporter and the Tyrannid Malenthrope are also missed in active play due to their unique aesthetics and rules.
• ⚙️ The Contemptor Dreadnought, particularly for Chaos forces, is a significant loss for many due to its versatility, poseability, and unique rules.

Units We're Glad Are in Legends

• 😂 Some units are considered aesthetically or mechanically problematic, making their move to Legends a welcome change, such as the Chaos Mutilators and the Orc Lifta-Wagon with its Lift Dropa weapon.
• 🤢 The Logan Grimnar on Stormrider model is cited for its jarring aesthetic, while the Thunderhawk Transporter is seen as too impractical for modern games, despite its cool factor.
• 🤖 Units like Sister of Battle Avalene, special edition models with immediate Legends rules, are seen as a good way to offer unique lore-driven options without impacting competitive balance.

The Future of Warhammer 40,000 and Legends

• 🤔 The long-term strategy for Legends units is uncertain, with predictions that some may completely disappear, especially those that never received plastic kits or are over 10 years old.
• 🔮 There's a hope that Games Workshop will continue to leverage Legends for narrative play and potentially reintroduce some units, perhaps with updated rules or as part of future edition changes.
• 📱 A potential improvement for accessibility would be an in-app toggle for Legends units, making them easier to use in casual games without needing separate downloads.