To SilverWolf: How many Dwarf lists have you seen that were based around combat?
And you are right with regards to Beasts, I'd forgotten about them, but the new book has fixed them up a little. I'm still unhappy about some of the changes but at least they can win consistently now.
To NightAngel: Thanks mate, we don't have a TK player in our group so we could certainly use your aid. We're also doing a Barrow King list, which might tickle your fancy as well.
To Jubal: Um, for the sake of more activity, I think I'll go with CtA. I'd like a full sub-board if that's ok. I figure if you could please give me moderator privileges for that particular sub-board I'll just get everything on there with the least amount of hassle for you or the other admins over there.
As to your suggestions: The shooting rules will be more-or-less the same as 7th. One of the worst things 8th did was remove guess-ranges for warmachines. That really pisses me off. So warmachines will be less-accurate than in 8th, is that what you were suggesting, or do you mean less accurate than 7th?
Multishot weapons: I like this, but with a few changes. I'm having some sort of idea floating around for the amount of shots having something to do with Initiative. I'll get back to you on that. Seeing as Initiative was mainly useless in 7th, one big thing we are trying to do is make it more important.
Pikes: Our current rules for pikes are as follows: Units armed with pikes may fight with two additional ranks in close combat. In close combat a unit armed with pikes also receives +2 to their Initiative value.
We will consider the Strength bonus, but I do not think we will go with the Panic test against charging cavalry. There are a few reasons for this:
1. Charging into a wall of pikes is just as scary for infantry as it is for cavalry.
2. There are several creatures in the Warhammer World that wouldn't care. Eg. Kislev Bears, Cold Ones, perhaps Orc Boars. Where does the rule stop?
3. A load of men extending pointy sticks at you is probably not as scary as having a horde of massive green monsters bearing down on you trying to devour you and tear you limb from limb. If charging a unit of Orcs doesn't produce a Panic test, why should charging pikes?
Thanks for the suggestions guys, they're really helpful. Please keep 'em coming.