Games Workshop is getting really good at keeping future releases under wraps. As with the Crusade of Fire supplement, which nobody saw coming, even the best-informed rumour-mongers had no clue that Warriors of Chaos were getting a make-over.
Not before the first lucky people got their hands on an early White Dwarf.
Within a week of the first “leak”, the new Warriors of Chaos up for advance orders.
So let’s look at what’s been released. I’ve also added a poll on this release at the end!
#1 – The Warriors of Chaos Army Book
First up is the new army book, featuring a hulking Khorne-Champion with flaming axes on the cover. 96 pages in the (now) familiar full-colour, hard-cover format that is now standard for both Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K. It costs £30,-.
Funny enough, there is now “limited edition” version, which appear to be standard in Warhammer 40K these day. I suppose Warhammer Fantasy simply doesn’t engender the sort of collectors rush that 40K does.
The army book is, however, available for pre-order in Games Workshop’s Apple iBook store. Interestingly, the iPad version is said to have 168 pages, instead of 96. It is probably due to a different layout, but I’d love to hear from someone with an iArmy Book: What makes these have nearly twice the page count?
#2 – The Big Kits
For a few years now, Warhammer Fantasy made massive, multi-part plastic kits for huge monstrosities and/or warmachines the cornerstone of each new release.
This one is no different, though Chaos, in any shape and form, is of course naturally suited for colossal abominations of all kinds. The Slaughterbrute / Mutalith Vortex Beast dual-kit is definitely the headliner of this release as monsters go.
- Slaughterbrute / Mutalith Vortex Beast - £50.00
Warriors of Chaos Slaughterbrute
There are other large kits in the release too.
- Dragon Ogres multi-part plastic - £35.00
- Chaos / Gorebeast Chariot - £25.00
Along with some of the pre-Christmas releases, such as the Chaos Warshrine, and some old classics, such as the Giant or the Chimera, Warriors of Chaos are certainly not spoiled for choice when fielding “big things”.
#3 – The Infantry
Warriors of Chaos Forsaken
Where Games Workshop released lots of large kits for Warhammer Fantasy, they rarely add new models for the more rank-and-file. This release got one such addition: Forsaken.
I didn’t even know who or what these guys were, as I don’t follow Warhammer Fantasy as closely as I do other games (thanks @belverker for keeping me up-to-date).
I’ve seen lots of people call them the ultimate new conversion-bitz-box, though at £30.00 for 10 miniatures, it’s a luxury conversion-kit for sure.
#4 – The Characters
Vilitch the Curseling (and his finecast sword)
- A Chaos Lord - £15.00 (plastic)
- Throgg - £36.00 (finecast)
- Vilitch the Curseling - £15.00 (finecast)
Again, I don’t know a lot about Warhammer Fantasy. I really like the “merged-siblings” background to Vilitch the Curseling, which is suitably twisted and certainly fits well with the heavy emphasis on mutation in this release. As a (finecast) miniature, I would perpetually worry about his sword snapping at the star in actual gaming.
For Throgg.. the prize is the first thing that springs to my eye. Hard to ignore.
The “generic” Chaos Lord looks like a fun miniature, and a refreshing break from the “almost-Kharn” look that older Warhammer Fantasy Chaos Lords were going for. He’s also a plastic character, which is always nice!
I am clearly not a Warhammer Fantasy expert. You’ve read my layman’s take on them. Time now to tell me what you like best (or perhaps, in the comments, least) in this release.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.Leave a comment!
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