Forget constant rule changes and add-ons, get ONE edition of Warhammer 40K to rule them all!

Old Big Mek tells you how to have fun playing Warhammer 40K by rewinding the clock all the way back to 3rd edition!
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[@CharlesRichelieu-hv7sn]

As much as we all complained about 9th, it wasn't as bad at 10th and it was actually decent.

[@LittleIAO]

I still like 9e quite a bit more than 10e. I stopped playing 10e.

[@HutchJ81]

I feel like 9th had way more flavor. Each faction felt pretty unique. 10th stripped all that away. For the sake of the the hyper competitive tournament scene. Granted I'm just a filthy casual that loves the more narrative side of the armies, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@HutchJ81 I agree with what you are saying 100%

[@LittleIAO]

@@HutchJ81 there's far more casual players out there than competitive though. Always will be.

[@chrisbatchelor3759]

An important selling point for 3rd edition that isn't covered is how "complete" it was. It was around for quite a while so every codex was released, including a few new ones like Tau and two Inquisitor focused ones that covered Grey Knights and Sisters of Battle. You also had campaign books like Eye of Terror that gave rules for some real great sub factions and different ways to play popular factions. What wasn't covered officially was sometimes covered semi officially by GW games developer staff in Citadel Journal like the Genestealer Cults. You also had the Imperial Armour books from Forgeworld and Chapter Aproved which I think came out in 3rd which covered some super heavy vehicles. Think the Apocalypse game system first appeared in 3rd too. One of those gave rules to, legally, create rules for your own vehicles which, with a bit of work, you could probably use to create Imperial and Chaos Knights.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@chrisbatchelor3759 that is absolutely correct! 3rd was a complete edition cover to cover. That's what makes it so exciting as an alternative to the current 10.5e.

[@JPGotrokkits]

Apocalypse was the end of 4th edition. The end of 3rd edition was the first iteration of the Cityfight book, of which the terrain/cover rules were the revisions for 4th edition. The thing about the various editions is that they would release certain things, then those things would be integrated into the next edition.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@JPGotrokkits yeah Cityfight! That one was awesome

[@arnolfostandolfi9730]

wanna have a blast? wanna play the best version (in my humble and totally unbiased opinion) of all the versions of the grimmdark juice we all love? try 4th core rulebook with 3rd armies (books or index), best flavour from 3rd and clear base rules from 4th (3rd basic rules are a bit wacky as they are written and easier to misinterpret) try it and tell me if you like that, plus 3rd edition ork codex is THE GOAT! back when scratchbuilding and kitbashing orks was not only taken into account but EXPECTED!

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@arnolfostandolfi9730 oh man, that does sound like the GOAT! Tightest main rules with tightest Codexes would be crazy good! I'll have to try a game of it.

[@DMKA94]

@@arnolfostandolfi9730 5th edition rules with 4th edition codex's is also really good.

[@ilovecokeslurpees]

People do the same today with 7th edition Fantasy main rules and 6th edition army books.

[@MushieNino]

This is the way.

[@silversscratchbuiltproduct6277]

My FAVORITE edition to this day is Rouge Trader before they added the vehicle target book, I didn't like that book but it was so cool, you made your own vehicles and robots and you had space vampires too not the blood angels

[@bruced648]

the best aspect of that book... they included the point cost for individual stats. meaning, you could 'create' your own troops and heroes. 2nd version removed all of the rules that allowed players to create. GW took all player creativity out of the game.

[@zakforce2572]

I miss armor facings I feel the balance issue with modern armor is because of the lack of armor facing and firing arcs

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@zakforce2572 agreed 100%!

[@zakforce2572]

@@DaRedWunzGoFasta and the joys of sneaking up with jump packs on the back of a leman russ with melta bombs

[@Dram1984]

2nd is my favorite but breaks down for large games. For those I love 3rd.

[@riggermortisfpv526]

I worked for GW during 4th and 5th edition, both have remained two of my all time fav's. But truth be told I had moved on from GW games a long long time ago. The cancelation of Fantasy, Necromunda and Mordheim lost me as a customer, and shortly there after as an employee, the stress of explaining the cancelations really stacked up on me and we were given little to no reason to give to the customer/angry parent we talked into spending an assload of money on grey plastic. I really enjoy One Page Rules Advanced Rule sets and I also play a lot of 15mm Sci-Fi using a ruleset by Robin Fitton called Gruntz 15mm. I don't think I will ever be returning to GW products as my books have been re-homed a long time ago.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@riggermortisfpv526 thank you for your work at the geedubs! 4th/5th era was so good - Necromunda, Mordheim, Battlefleet Gothic, Epic, Warmaster, etc. Some of the best all time minis and games. I don't know what happened at the end and why they canceled everything, but I totally understand why you left.

[@riggermortisfpv526]

@@DaRedWunzGoFasta Cheers bro. It was a truly fun time in my life. The staff were all tight and got together outside of work to play games (Gorka Morka took over for a while as I recall lol) and it was exactly the same vibe when we did games day in Toronto and Staff tournaments in Oakville.

[@TheWarpForge]

I'm making my own edition. Nothing to totally reinvent the wheel, but just taking the parts I liked from older editions Between 5-7th ed/HH2.0. and adding a few mechanics from other games (like Alterante activeations and simpler cover rules). That way doesn't matter what edition I have, I will always have stability with an edition I can fall back on to enjoy. I just need to add units when GW release them.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@TheWarpForge house rules are best rules

[@morc-at-arms8903]

I tried to make my own edition too and thanks to that exercise I arrived at the conclusion the 3rd ed is the best. Even finally realized, why some of the rules I had misgivings about before, were used as they were (looking at you, no splitfire). So a worthy effort, good luck. :)

[@zellak-pr7pu]

@@morc-at-arms8903 we do the same we call it Bolter Action 40K...using the dice out the bag method of initiative. 9th edition rules

[@davidwasilewski]

I like 8th.

[@calvinryder3195]

oh yes!! I love my 3 edition!! I keep telling my nephews we are going to play a 3 edition game next time Im up to see them. I remember house rule to!, and I have all the Templates and thin measuring rods also. super video!! well done! :)

[@gogotrololo]

Don't try e-bay, i just picked up the last listing! SNOOZ YOU LOOZ !! SHOULDA BEEN PAINTED RED!!

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@gogotrololo bwhahahahaaa! This made me laugh so hard! DATS A PROPPA SPEED FREEK ROIT DERE!

[@CharlesRichelieu-hv7sn]

Mine fell off a trukk anyway. Who actually pays for books in 2024?

[@bruced648]

I stopped playing at 2nd version. the items that made original rogue trader book great, were removed at 2nd. additionally, the IGYG format is garbage. currently, we use a rules set (not 1 page), that uses alternating activation and a considered simultaneous game play. getting tabled on turn 1, isn't a possibility. until GW gets away from IGYG, I will continue to say... GW is the reason I don't play GW games!

[@woppowop7025]

Gork and Mork shall bring balance to both Real Space and the Warp!! WAAAAAGH!! Let the great GREEN KRUMP ALL IN IT'S PATH!!!

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

Old Big Mek tells you how to have fun playing Warhammer 40K by rewinding the clock all the way back to 3rd edition! We have a Discord! Join for free at - discord.gg/4rdB2gwmhn Join our Patreon! Patrons get exclusive access to extra videos and behind-the-scenes content, as well as access to Old Big Mek's Bit Service and new decals! @patreon.com/user?u=32912767 Buy your Red Squig Energy and Da Red Wunz Go Fasta shirts and stickers at gofasta.creator-spring.com/ Affiliate Links: Warhammer 40K Risk - amzn.to/3XyXvaR 10th Edition Starter Set - amzn.to/4ddrpHq Listing for 3rd Edition Rulebook - amzn.to/3XBpfLY

[@woppowop7025]

🤯My mind exploded when you mentioned Orktober. Has it really been 12 months 😅. I was very impressed by your efforts last Orktober Old Big Mek 👏 .

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@woppowop7025 we're going to turn KZbin green!!!

[@cetx]

I play casually, so I just play 10th from the book. I don't bother with balance data slates. It has yet to affect any game I've played. Switching to an earlier edition would require a lot of new purchases of rare books, and that doesn't sound like it would be worth the effort for me. I anticipate I'll be on 10th for a very long time, because I have no interest in re-buying everything for the next edition.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@cetx that's also a great idea! Sticking to the edition you started with is totally valid.

[@timeguy441]

I started in 9th but the more I learned about 8th edition, I liked it. I bought all the codices, indexes, the rule book etc and the fact 9th is backwards compatible with 8th edition codexes sold me. bought them all super cheap along with the 9th codexes when 10th arrived for even less than for the 8th books. I really enjoyed the crusade rules and supplements for 9th, tempest of war is great too, send of 9th arks of omen is solid. I have a small group (4 people) I play with and we switch playing 8th or 9th or mix 8th ed books with 9th ed rules.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@timeguy441 that's a great way to go about it!

[@harrisonlorens3585]

3rd absolutely rules, it’s how I was introduced to 40k back in the day. Give me back my armor values/facings for my tanks!

[@TheRagingModeller]

3rd Ed rules all!!! Started at the end of RT started proper during 2nd…but 3rd oh sweet easy to play bliss

[@justarandomname420]

OldeHammer is the best WarHammer. Bring back templates! People don't wear pocket protectors anymore...

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@justarandomname420 templates were great! They had flavor and character!

[@stankshop]

Love the Balance joke :)

[@grisnak1276]

2nd because I am a nerd, and OG Nercomunda and gorkamorka

[@willnox1]

Would love to see some 3rd ediiton bat reps!

[@imcubanb2870]

3rd was the last edition I played. I was considering getting back in, but I think I'm going to try out One Page Rules instead. I've given GW more than enough of my money. Luckily, I still have my ork army stowed away for a rainy day.

[@harrisonlorens3585]

One Page Rules is really good, definitely give them a look! Fantastic community support as well.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@imcubanb2870 exactly! Rules can come and go, but your models are forever. Play what you like!

[@zellak-pr7pu]

We still play 9th ed. We use the dice out the bag initiative system from Bolt Action...we call it BA40K ..... Bolter Action 40K Each unit moves once and fires , or charges. Charged units fight back when they activate. Works for us at my wargames club...played about 10 games.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@zellak-pr7pu that sounds interesting!

[@Flamethrower1942]

If you use your primaris armies in 3rd for example intercessors as tactical marines etc newer larger terminators, do the larger bases make the templates more deadly ? I suppose coherency balance that out as you still keep your men 2 inches apart where possible.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@Flamethrower1942 larger base sizes make the templates less deadly

[@WCBriton]

3rd is my favorite. By a lot.

[@morc-at-arms8903]

What I appreciate the most about 3rd edition are actually the missions, which I think you underselled a bit. The missions were all representations of realistic military situations. There were objectives - they were just sensible ones, not abstract points randomly scattered around the table. To give an example, there is a breakthrough mission that requires your units to cross the battlefield and leave it through the opponents table edge. The other things I appreciate are limited movement distances and weapon ranges, that made the table feel larger and your tactical decision more impactful during the whole game. More akin to Warhammer Fantasy Battles. Also, since the armies fundamentals were initially designed around 3rd edition, it really remains the only edition where all the army design decision make sense. For example, the fourth edition with the changes to rapid fire weapons already broke the 12" ranged shuriken catapults. One more thing to point out is the build-in cross-compatibility with Battlefleet Gothic and 3rd edition Epic, making these three games a great campaign package.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@morc-at-arms8903 you have a very valid point in the missions! I totally forgot how realistic they were. I should do a video just on the main 6. And yes!! Epic and BFG compatibility were the best!

[@worldwideoptimism]

watched A Lot of 40k videos in the last 12 days... Everybody tells you: "Models are too expensive, assembling isnt fun, getting rid of moldlines is kind of a desease, painting means struggle, the rules suck and the fact that they change them so you HAVE TO buy new minis... that are not fun assembling... did i miss something?

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@worldwideoptimism you missed this whole channel! Models are super cool, kitbashing is the best part, play the rules that make you happy, and Waaaaagh on!!

[@IcarusGames]

I got started with 3rd edition, played through 4th and 5th, then stopped playing until 9th, which was *fine* - probably a better game in a lot of ways than 5th, but not nearly as fun from the casual perspective IMO. Then 10th dropped and I was really excited until I started playing; I didn't enjoy any of the games I played when the edition came out and just haven't played for over a year now. Part of my issue is how often things are changing now and how quickly everything goes out of date, but it also feels like a much less fun system for the casual gamer now compared to back in 3rd-5th. Feels way more tuned to the competitive player.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@IcarusGames I couldn't agree more! I think we need a true casual ruleset to save 40K

[@IcarusGames]

@@DaRedWunzGoFasta I would love to see force org charts and template weapons come back honestly. Like you said, it would cut down on a lot of hero hammer, but it would also narrow every army back to being a more combined arms, balanced force, and then they could use the detachments as a way to alter the chart like back in the day and we wouldn't NEED the million special rules that we can't remember.

[@zakforce2572]

That's almost exactly where I took my break as well I rember everything spiraling into craziness like mid 5th

[@DMKA94]

You can thank Matt Wards Grey Knights codex for screwing 5th edition!

[@cynicaltigeruk4546]

@@DMKA94 Ah yes the chaos god of smurfcheese.

[@margaretwood152]

5th Edition really is the *BEST* all-round Rules Magnum Opus. (Mac of *TOCircle 👍💯 ***_Agrees!!_*

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@margaretwood152 I enjoyed the Gork out of 5th!

[@papag30rgi07]

I think that’s why I like OPR. It takes 3rd and makes it more modern. So maybe I’ll have to check out 3rd edition now like you said

[@grahamroden8897]

3rd and 4th were probably the best versions. I loved 2nd ed but the vehicle rules were insane. If you want a current version try 30k.

[@riggermortisfpv526]

I completely disagree with the statement about Rogue Trader, and so would my group that was playing 800-1500 pt battles. I had a large Squat army of bikes, trikes, and infantry. It had narrative elements but it was 100% a tabletop battle game, it shared almost the exact mechanics that Fantasy was using at the time. In fact the realms of Chaos book was for both 40k and Fantasy as the rules were interchangeable.

[@HouseSalix]

Late 9th edition is about as good as it been lately. 10th needs a major rework, i hope its a hard reset for 11th.

[@T0mm3n]

Youre right about it being a bit wonky sometimes, but 5th edition is my go-to when I can trust my opponent not to be a powergaming bellend and bring a disgusting deathstar lol.

[@cablesalad3168]

3rd Edition was best. Balance sucked ass though.

[@HouseSalix]

Bring back looted vehicles!!!

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@HouseSalix yessssss!!

[@LittleIAO]

Hey really love this video and surprised I hadn't seen your channel before. I have a very small KZbin Channel myself and my friends and I are in the process of writing our own 40k version, mostly cherry-picking from various editions. We have most of the same concerns and issues that you mention and a lot of others do with current day 40k. I would say my favorite overall editions were either 5th, 8th, or 9th. I technically didn't start playing until 5th so I never tried 3rd although I own the Core book. I can't find the 3e books for super cheap though. Most of them are "affordable" but still not low cost. But looking at it for sure to use what works. All the editions seem to have their good points and bad points but 10e has left me as disinterested to stick with GW's schedule as during the 7th edition days.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@LittleIAO that sounds awesome! I'll check your channel out.

[@LittleIAO]

@@DaRedWunzGoFasta hey appreciated. Mostly hobby stuff but I also love all the other type conversations. I want to get back to making new videos soon!

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@LittleIAO yeah it's been a minute! You had some good stuff. I'm making 31 videos on Orktober and trying to pair with as many content creators as possible. I'm happy to do a clan with you to restart your channel.

[@tomryan3768]

OPR has entered the chat.

[@goreshadetube]

3rd ed Ork vs Orks is peak 40k gaming

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@goreshadetube absogorkinglutely

[@sevencoloredmage8726]

I loved 2nd Edition for all the absolute whacky stuff going on. 2nd has the best representation of terminator armour of all editions. 3rd sadly lost a lot of that flavour, but the gameplay itself became much more manouvering heavy and thus fun. It became a better game. If I was forced to play 40k right now, 3rd or 4th would win over the other editions easily.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@sevencoloredmage8726 3+ on 2D6 really was the goat for Terminators

[@CronosVids]

I’m glad I decided to colect all the old edition core rulebooks throughout the years. I haven’t even played that many games in allthose years, but since I have all the rules and all the Orks codices, I can duke it out with orks, whichever edition I would decide to play.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@CronosVids this is the way

[@CronosVids]

@@DaRedWunzGoFasta I was even able to find the old Gorkamorka books and some others like the Armageddon supplement. Practically, if it had an ork on the cover I bought it. Haha

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@CronosVids those Gorkamorka books are gold

[@goalieparent8566]

Great video. Started in 9th, but not a fan of 10th. Started playing 3rd recently with my brother and am really loving it. Rules are straightforward and nobody is too OP or “tricky”. Oh, and we get games done in about 1.5 hours and can get in a second game in the time it takes for 1 game of 10th.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@goalieparent8566 that's awesome! Glad you are liking it

[@Anavrin1812]

funny to see this now, I've actually just started collecting recently to play 4th edition with my friends. Planning to allow 3rd or 4th edition codices, whatever people want to use more

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@Anavrin1812 that's a great way to collect it!

[@postreinanimation]

3.5 was peak. Got lost in 5th, built one or two little armies again when 8th washed away all the bloated mess but the soon exponentially growing power creep and update madness quickly stopped my enthusiasm. 40k was and probably ever will be edition 3.5

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@postreinanimation agreed! 3rd-4th was am amazing time.

[@BjornKuma]

Modern 40k is a card game played with minis. Where the game happens primarily in the army/deck building stage.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@BjornKuma absolutely agreed 100%

[@litigation_jackson]

Hell yeah dude me and the boys are putting together a 4th edition campaign right now actually

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@litigation_jackson nice!

[@flowinsounds]

9th best. models....

[@IVIaskerade]

I'd say 4th, 5th, and then 8th are my editions of choice

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@IVIaskerade all solid!

[@Naddabeht]

I do like 10th edition, but you have to use the app and digital rules. I’ve heard 1 page rules is really simple. Have you tried that? When I played a game of 10th player placed terrain. My orks got tabled 3rd turn. Having suggested terrain for different missions helps for pickup games. Maybe it is the computer strategy games like SC2, AoE2 and AoE4 I’ve been playing that make the normal updates and balance feel right. 3rd edition is nostalgic, but those vehicle damage rules, and wound charts are way more complex. Templates need those scatter dice. Thanks for the review of all the editions.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@Naddabeht I haven't tried OPR yet and I really need to, plus Grimdark Future. I much prefer vehicle damage charts to the constant re-rolls and modifier shenanigans in 10th.

[@papag30rgi07]

@@DaRedWunzGoFastaOPR is literally inspired by a 3rd edition warhammer lover. No templates, but it’s a fun faster paced version. Won’t replace third for you I’m sure, but still a good time

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@@papag30rgi07 I definitely need to try OPR!!

[@NateJones10]

I've played since 1st edition. Rogue Trader wasn't like D&D at all. It was recommended to use a GM for narrative style scenarios with hidden information and 3rd party forces. With that said, army lists came out in Chapter Approved and White Dwarf. Later armies came out in the two Realm of Chaos books and the three Ork books. Many of these got compiled into collections to stay in print. Was it messy, yes. But we had point values, lists of units and their options and tons of warhead options. You had the phases like now. You moved troops and shot etc. It was a wargame.

[@BrianFlyingPenguin]

I played Tyranids in 2nd. I played nothing in 3rd after my Carnifex was killed in one turn by an Imperial Guard squad. 3rd sucked for Tyranids.

[@benmorris506]

7th Edition was great!

[@scepteredisle]

Dark Vengeance was an incredible box set. 6th edition and 7th edition (i.e.. 6.5) had a host of good things over 3,4,5 but it depends on taste really. It added a bit more depth that was in 2nd. The problem with 6/7th is the same problem with 9th - the CODEXES are what destroyed the edition. 6th Edition's rulebook was good and had a little more jazz that had been missing in 3,4,5 but then they kept adding supplements which killed the edition -- rules bloat. 7th Ed was basically 6th with all the supplements added to the rulebook: it did not help. Rulebooks should not be judged on the codices.

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@scepteredisle hmmm, interesting take. I didn't play 6/7, so I can't comment on the Codexes, but I do remember the base rules being off of the normal, something about close combat timing if I remember correctly. I definitely hear you on 9th! The bar rules were great, it was the every codex had to be more powerful than all before it tenet that killed it.

[@thestranger3434]

What's wrong with 10th? The core rules are pretty accessible. My biggest gripe is the missions/VP system for battles, which reeks of sweaty Magic the Gathering palms

[@DaRedWunzGoFasta]

@thestranger3434 the current 10th Edition rules have almost nothing in common with what is in the printed rulebooks, all the army rules are locked behind codex codes, and you need an FAqlQ, Balance Dataslate, and a Rules Commentary to play (along with useless rulebook, codex, datacards, mission cards, etc)