Units in dedicated transports - secrecy or not?

[ebolus]

Under ”A note on secrecy” on page 92 in the BBB it says “… always make clear to your opponent which squads are embarked in which transport vehicle.”

In our gaming group a friendly player says the rule (if it is a rule) states that this is optional. He wants to keep this a secret, which is fine for me – because the runes on his transports all clearly indicate which unit is inside. (My problem is remembering the difference…)

Personally I believe GWs intention is that players must (not should) always reveal the “contents” of each transport vehicle, unless both players agree on mutual secrecy (as the last sentence in the paragraph says).

What do you think?

This is the full text under A note on secrecy:
"To keep things fair, you should always allow your opponent to read your force roster after a game. In the same spirit, always make clear to your opponent which squads are embarked in which transport vehicle. However, before starting to deploy their armies, it is a good idea for players to agree whether or not they can read the opponent's force roster before and during the game. Some players prefer full disclosure (which is the norm in tournaments, for example), as they want to concentrate on outmanoeuvring the enemy rather than springing a secret trump card on them. Others prefer to leave a feel of secrecy around their lists, as bluffing can make a game really entertaining. The choice is yours!"

[Joey Boor]

Read the last sentence: "The choice is yours." I prefer full disclosure but you just need to talk to him about it.

[ebolus]

Read the last sentence: "The choice is yours." I prefer full disclosure but you just need to talk to him about it.

I see that one. The confusing thing is of course what GW actually wants us to do by saying "always make clear..." first, then "The choice is yours!". What is the intention? I prefer full disclosure myself, but I have no problem with secrecy. I just find the paragraph strange.

[Lord Inquisitor]

If you want to be a douche I guess you could do that. But I always choose to make it clear who is in what.

[Blight]

Secrecy could be interesting I think... but only in a friendly game where both players agree upon it before hand... but I guess that goes for just about anything. I'd get annoyed however, if someone tried to force it upon me (I'm sure there's a better way of putting that).

[butcherbolivar]

I wouldnt want unscrupulous players swithching which squad is in which rhino. No those are plague marines in that red one the zerks are in the green one.

[J_Kingslien]

depending on how well you know the person your gaming with, i think its ok to keep it a secret. i play nids so it doesnt come into play for me

[Valdore]

If you are playing with them as secret (which I never would after a few bad experiences) I would suggest using some method of keeping track, maybe a slip of paper upside down under a track or the base of the vehicle with the unit noted on it at the start. That way you forestall any issues of switching units around in transport whilst keeping the element of surprise. Just be careful of how you word a proposition like this to your opponent, it could quite easily be taken the wrong way as if you suspect them of cheating.

If however it is someone you know well, then you can go by the old trust rule and play it as you would normally, though I would recommend it only if you do know the person well enough that they would be honest about things like that

[Pariah Stevo]

i only do secrecy for fun. i just prefer to keep it open because play orks and all my vehicles are open-topped and i would feel like a complete duch by saying " i know you should be able to see the orks in the back, but the rules so i dont have to tell you whats in my transport with no exceptions to open topped and since your not telling me whats in your rhinos im not telling you what's in my trukks" It's just better to let people know. i prefer to win with good tatics not underhanded secrecy

[Lerra]

Most tournaments are using the Adepticon FAQ now, which clearly states that all units in transports must be declared.

If it doesn't fly in a tournament, it probably shouldn't fly in a casual game either, unless both players agree to it beforehand.