Chaos Knights, Chariots, and More

Warriors of Chaos players can bolster their forces with individual releases of Chaos Knights in units of 10 and Chaos Chariots in pairs, which can also be built as Gorebeast Chariots. Additionally, players can expand their armies with a box of 10 Marauder Horsemen, 20 Chaos Warhounds, and 32 Chaos Marauders. Most sets, excluding the Chaos Warhounds, also come with the new Warriors of Chaos transfer sheet.

Necromunda: Underhive Hunters and Creatures

Two new Forge World resin miniatures are available for Necromunda. Lady Haera in Sthenian-pattern Hunting Rig joins the fray, equipped with advanced weapons and armor, while Hermiatus, The Second Son emerges as a rogue Tech-Priest creation. Also available are the Malstrain Coalescence and Malstrain Alpha.

Blood Bowl: Chaos Dwarfs Return

For Blood Bowl players, the Zharr-Naggrund Ziggurats, a well-known Chaos Dwarf team, are back. This set includes 14 plastic miniatures featuring Hobgoblin Linemen, Chaos Dwarf Blockers, and more. Supporting the team are two Chaos Dwarf Bull Centaurs, known for their brute strength on the field.

Also available for pre-order are two-star players: H’thark the Unstoppable, a powerful blitzer, and Zzharg Madeye, who uses a blunderbuss to control the pitch. Additional accessories, including a Chaos Dwarfs Dice Set, Team Card Pack, and a Pitch & Dugouts Set, are also available to complete the Chaos Dwarf experience.

Warcry: The Twistweald and Teratic Cohort

Warcry players can expect two new warbands. The Twistweald features the Sylvaneth, vengeful defenders tainted by a parasitic infection, while the Teratic Cohort includes monstrous Ossiarch Bonereapers. Each warband set comes with eight miniatures and 16 Warcry rules cards.

Featured prominently in the launch are new figures for both the Skaven and the Stormcast Eternals factions. These releases are part of the Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Skaventide launch box, with promises of more miniatures to be revealed in the upcoming months. The early reveal of these miniatures is set to be determined by the outcome of the Slaughter at Hel Crown global campaign.

Among the newly showcased figures are the Brood Terror and Knight-Azyros, Tornus the Redeemed. The Brood Terror, a creation from the Clans Moulder, stands as a significant addition, showcasing the Skaven’s relentless pursuit of monstrous advancements. This figure features a two-headed design, equipped with an array of weaponry designed to enhance its battlefield presence.

Conversely, the Knight-Azyros, also known as Tornus the Redeemed, adds to the Stormcast Eternals’ ranks. The backstory of Tornus highlights a journey from capture and corruption by the forces of Nurgle to redemption and purification, embodying the ongoing theme of resilience and redemption in the Stormcast Eternals’ lore. This miniature not only captures the character’s storied past but also functions as a versatile piece for players, symbolizing the fight against corruption.

Initial Preview at the Dallas Open

The first event, known as the Mortal Realms Reforged Preview, will be live-streamed from the Dallas Open. Scheduled for 7 PM CDT on May 16th, it will be available on the Warhammer Twitch channel, with a UK broadcast at 1 AM BST on May 17th. The preview will offer the first look at the new Warhammer Age of Sigmar launch set, which includes a variety of new items. Concurrent articles will be posted during the stream to provide detailed information about the showcased products.

Live Game Featuring AEW Wrestlers

A notable feature of the first preview will be a live game of Spearhead, featuring AEW wrestlers Kip Sabian and Claudio Castagnoli, who will be playing as Skaven and Stormcast Eternals respectively. This marks the first live gameplay of Spearhead, which is anticipated to be a highlight of the event.

Second Preview Focused on Warhammer 40,000

The second preview event, scheduled for May 18th at 12:45 PM CDT (6:45 PM BST), will include reveals from Warhammer 40,000, the Horus Heresy, Legions Imperialis, and Necromunda. The event promises new introductions to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, teasing an unexpected new element humorously dubbed as a “xenos beachball.”

Additional Events and Streams

The Warhammer 40,000 GT will accompany the previews, with three days of streaming from May 17th-19th, starting at 9:30 AM CDT each day. Additionally, a Warhammer Age of Sigmar Matched Play masterclass is scheduled for May 18th at 8:30 PM CDT, featuring a rematch from last year’s World Championships final between Nicolas Tassone and Tom Mawdsley.

Spearhead modifies the Warhammer Age of Sigmar gameplay into a quicker, more compact format. Players use a single box to form a Spearhead force. The game is played on a smaller board of 30″ x 22.4″, suitable for casual settings like kitchen tables.

The initial Spearhead set provides two complete forces, terrain features, a double-sided game board with objectives, and card packs that introduce new gameplay dynamics. The set also includes a comprehensive hardcover book with the core rules, the Spearhead battlepack, and rules for each Spearhead force, allowing immediate play with existing miniature collections.

Spearhead’s development focused on balancing the forces, ensuring tight competition. Each force uses tailored warscrolls and rules, with mechanisms to balance the play among diverse units. Some units may re-enter the game after being defeated through the “REINFORCEMENTS” keyword and related abilities, adding a layer of strategy.

The game incorporates strategic depth through two card decks. One deck offers game-round “Twists,” and the other facilitates scoring and command abilities. These elements are vital to the game’s strategic variety, ensuring diverse gameplay experiences.

According to the blog post, the game mode has undergone extensive play-testing within the Warhammer Studio to refine balance and gameplay enjoyment. Quick match duration and engaging mechanics have led to robust internal testing, including league play, which helped refine the game’s dynamics and fairness.

The Situation in the Mortal Realms

The narrative focus shifts to the Skaven, who have been plotting in the shadows, culminating in a significant event known as the Vermindoom. This event has seen parts of the Skaven’s domain directly impact the Realm of Fire, causing widespread chaos. In a notable development, the Great Horned Rat, a deity within the Skaven pantheon, has formed an alliance with Archaon, elevating his status among the chaos deities.

In reaction to the Skaven threat, the Stormcast Eternals, specifically the Hallowed Knights chamber, have mobilized their most experienced warriors from the Ruination Chamber. These veterans, known for their extensive battle experience, are preparing to confront the Skaven forces, marking a critical point in their long history of service.

Gameplay Evolution

With the introduction of the new edition, there are notable changes to the gameplay mechanics of Warhammer Age of Sigmar. The core rules have been revised to enhance the gaming experience, focusing on accessibility, streamlined play, and tactical depth. This edition retains the essence of Warhammer Age of Sigmar while incorporating new elements such as additional miniatures, updated rules, and a new game mode named Spearhead.

The transition to the new edition involves updates to all factions, with free downloadable packs available at launch to facilitate this change. These packs will include necessary components such as battle traits, subfactions, and warscrolls for each unit. Spearhead, the new game mode, is designed to offer a quick and balanced gameplay experience, appealing to both new and veteran players.