Oh no here I go again
. I really try guys, truthfully, and I apologize, but I just can't help myself here.
As far as cheese goes, does it exist, yes. On Pizza, lol. Its also a by product of milk. Lol.
It has a definition as well.
Ok as far as cheese in this game. Usually its yelled when it really isn't even defined.
Just because one army beat another, is often times all it takes.
I have absolutely no problem with people that play by the rules, and make tough armies to play against. None.
That being said however, there are indeed certain rules, that can be stretched so far, as to cause an unfair balance in the game. So my definition of cheese is something (Rule) stretched so far, it actually breaks the rule.
As a prime example of what I mean....Is free artistic license on bases. I am sorry that rule can be stretched so far, it can actually break game balance. As in a tournament game Laz actually played in, and against the army, and even beat it. Which really is unbelieveable in and of itself.
I am sorry someone putting a bike model on a base the size of a land raider, in all dimensions, is breaking the rule imo. Even though the rules per RAW might allow it, does not mean it is fair at all. That is but one example.
So my definition of cheese is taking such things to the utmost extreme, and twisting them, to make/gain the utmost benefit. IE....another example for you guys, is using the sky leap rule for swooping hawks, to do so every turn, I would definitely contest it, and rule against it in a game.
So those are the types of things I call cheese. Now there are also degrees of cheese on unbalancing factors in this game as well, but its going to be subjective to the individual.
Do I think asscannons should have rending, no I don't. I think the weapon was fine without rending, however, I am not GW, and they think differently, the problem is, even when GW knows they make a mistake in game balance, they never admit to it.
They might put restrictions on the use later, or change the rules later, on said offending item. Which actually is what is happening now, but they will never openly admit they made a mistake, and didn't, or couldn't have really tested it very much to put that on a long range gun. Perhaps I am wrong though. Perhaps it was GW's intention all along, to increase the firepower of such units, so they could sale more of them very fast. Sometimes, GW goes way overboard on the corrections of said items as well.
However, the old rules for the asscannon were really fine as they were, and did not need the rending ability added. Now that is my opinion on it. Does that mean I can't beat an asscannon army, no it doesn't. Does that mean it is cheesey when someone maxes that weapon out in their army, well thats going to be a subjective opinion based on the individual opponent really. Its like the old 3rd edition star cannon, I definitely didn't think it was cheesey, however many people obviously did. I never used more than 2 in my army anyway though. People thought our wraithlords were cheesey, to me they were not, I used 2 in an 1850 point army. Yeah they were tough, but they had some downsides as well. I definitely didn't think they were cheesey.
The biggest issue I have, is getting comp scores docked because of someone not really having a clue what cheese is, they have just heard the term used to describe a unit, or model, and whenever they see it regardless the number, or total army makeup of the opponent, they are going to zero them out. Thats a problem, its not something I have to personally worry about myself, however, the comp scoring in tournaments definitely needs to be revised. If GW won't do it, than Tournament organizers can, and should.
Thats what happened near the end of 2nd edition. When tournaments started banning the use of special characters. Which I used to use in tournaments BTW. My army wasn't cheesey, and I might add I lost quite a few games in 2nd edition. Thats not to say they couldn't be made tough though. However thats the reason today they still carry that stigma. Some people will dock your comp score just because of the special named character in your army, regardless of fluff, regardless of anything. Personally I didn't use GW named characters as per their names. I made up my own, and created my own little heroes, etc. Because GW hosed over named characters from the end of 2nd edition, and throughout 3rd edition, their stigma still follows them though.
Now the fluff hounds will dock you because of your use of the named character of Eldrad in your army (not all, but enough will, all it takes is 1). It does not matter why he is in your army, to them he should not be there. Period. It causes issues and problems, that needs to be looked into by GW as I have stated, if GW will not look into it, and do something about it, then Tournament organizers, definitely should.
Then you get the ones that think they are the so called fluff experts, when fluff is totally a creative part of the individual in question, and also from an individuals Point of View. Yes there are guidelines, but, thats all they are GuideLines, not that there can't be any exceptions. Nor that a persons army can't break the mold from that guideline.
Ok guys, tear me apart, thats my points of view, and opinions though. Keep in mind, I no longer even play the game, I haven't in quite sometime, however I do like the game, and just want it to be better for all concerned, not just myself, plus, I respect everyone's opinion. Even if it doesn't match mine. I am starting to have to say this in every post now because of past issues that have been brought up by others thinking differently though.