Is Hidden useless? How common are Detection Range abilities? A break down of the reveals.
Its turned into a running joke, GW declared Detection Range abilities "rare" and yet every faction focus seems to show a new one! Or did they? It seems every new faction focus get the usual "hidden is useless" comments. So i wanted to see how true that is thus far.
Ive gathered any and all abilities (please add any ive missed) that have been revealed to see how the lay of the land is, now we've had a healthy number of faction reveals/general, to judge if Hidden has become useless..
First up what is the magic number. How many detachments feature a Detection Range effect ability? Right now I count 7 that make Detection range worse (add a plus) and 1 that makes it better (a minus effect) out of 37 current Detachements shown. Thats 19% that negatively impact Hidden. Out of those detachments they all only have 1 detection range effect.
How impactful/easy are these detection range effects?
Its all well and good having 7 ways (atm) that can hurt Hidden. But are they free? Is there a cost and if so is it worth taking a detachment over considering you could be given up a more useful one. Just to clarify an elephant in the room there is a hidden detail GW hasnt revealed. Force Disposition. That could fundamentally change how good or bad a detachment is to your plan. But for now ill break down each ability and how easy is it do.
Space Marines have a detachment ability that gives Phobos/Scout the ability to increase the DR by 3" for other units, but need to be within 12" themselves and have visibility.
Guard have a detachment ability that does the same thing with their own Scout and Smoke Infantry Units.
Sisters of Battle again have the same detachment ability for their flying Sisters. Like the others need to be within 12 and visibility" for an extra 3".
Tau also have this detachment ability with their Kroot and Vespids. They also do not lose Hidden if near Ghost keel or Stealth Suit.
Tau being the shooty guys also have an enhancement on a different detachment for a wacking +9" but only for not particularly shooty units like Stealthsuits.
Custodes get a Sisters of Silence Detachment that does what the others do. Forcing the SoS to get into 12" for an extra 3". BUT the SoS can also action and advance.
Last but not least our only Stratagem entry, the Death Guard have a 1cp strat. This requires a Character Unit to be within Contagion Range for a +6".
5 armies having recieved non. Orks, Tyranids, World Eaters, CSM and Daemons.
Conclusion
Honestly from what I can see 7 out of 37 detachments that even hold a DR effect, personally i consider that alone at least Uncommon. They're nearly always require a specific unit to get danger close for a mostly mediocre boost of range to hidden units, losing other possible detachment abilities (other then 2 which get an additional).
Unless more reveals (or Force Dispositions) change something it does feel like its not an impactful effect to Hidden we will see to common. Certainly doesnt feel like Hidden is DoA as some have suggested, particually as it feels very controlled....
Well for now.