Further musings of Warhammers future...

By now most people would have read the rumours about four campaign books starting with Nagash, along with other morsels of information on potential upcoming releases for WHFB.

But lets take a moment to reflect on the past year or so of rumours that we have heard. 

So I mooted a few days ago that I thought there would be another book in the series continuing on from Nagash, but based around Daemons. This made sense, as Nagash is being painted as the anti hero come to save the world from Chaos, of course only to bend it to his will instead!

With my surmising that there would be more books, I suggested that the Plastic Greater Daemon models could be released with this next book based on Chaos. Unsurprisingly, a few rumour mongers started talking about this the following day. 
Now we have had several claims of knowledge of Greater Daemons, and some insisting they had seen them (or pictures) however wishful they might have been. Nothing concrete as of yet, but seeing them released soon would not surprise me.

But lets look at the larger scale of things. This year we have had rumours of advancing the timeline: check, mass kill off of characters: check, multiple armies in on book: check, and the return of some old favorites: check. All sub themes in the new Nagash book!
Way to many correlations to be coincidence? To be fair, there was a lot of scare mongering from the hysterical that 9th edition would wipe the slate clean, and all army books would be obsolete as 9th edition would herald in new army volumes encompassing multiple races. There is some truth there, but as it turns out, the order and scope of what was rumoured was, as it often is, put out of context.

Things starting to fall into place...

So we currently are in the mist of rumours that summarize as the following:
We are getting four books that each focus on multiple races that will advance the Warhammer timeline in a lead up to 9th edition. Sounds far more plausible yes?

Now we don't need to look into our crystal balls to surmise that these campaign books will introduce us to new rules and concepts which might well be the norm in 9th edition. I personally am looking forward to  the characters and monsters profiles being merged that we see in Nagash. We have had the prelude for this in the form of Monsterous Cavalry throughout 8th. I welcome any rules that will encourage/make viable fielding characters mounted on chariots and monsters in this cannon infested landscape. Is the proliferation of cannons in the current edition Games Workshops way of balancing the field when combined profiles are introduced (the complete opposite of what they did with fliers in 40k). 

Buts lets think back even further. Rick Priestly was rumoured to have quit over his want to advance the Warhammer timeline into an apocalypse error with his Warhammer Forge narrative series that stated with Tamurkhan - Throne of Chaos. We see several themes crossing over with the latest set of rumours.

Rick was reported to want to "advance the timeline", kill off several special characters and produce a set of four (or eight) books detailing the end of times. Nurgle was to attack the empire in Tamurkham, Tzeentch was invading Lustria, Slannesh was getting stuck into Ulthuan, and Khornes hounds where at the gates of Naggaroth. Sounds all to familiar dosn't it.

Was Rick really wanting to do all this, or was he against it? Was the rest of the series of the Warhammer Forge books canceled due to poor sales, or was the plot to expansive to be covered by Warhammer Forge, and the idea was transfered to the Games Workshop team? We never got a concrete answer out of Forge World, and the "lack of sales" theory is bogus. More likely (as has been suggested), the sales are fine, but just very small volumes compared to the money tree that is 30K! 

So we know Rick left, but never exactly why. There is always some truth in any rumour, so reading in between the lines I think it is more likely Rick may have left because his idea was taken off him, rather than turned down. I mean why would they produce the first timeline altering book and then decide not to change the timeline...

So, in conclusion, I think we will see the roughly following:
Book 1: Nagash reunites the undead, fights Chaos in Kislev/Empire.
Book 2: Details the Chaos forces, re-introducing combined Realm of Chaos armies
Book 3: The invasion of Lustria! and Skavens part in the whole conflict. maybe some Brets here too.
Book 4: Details the Elven forces fight, Dark Elves being invaded in the north and High Elves of Ulthuan. 

NZTC countdown: 4 days! Greatest Warhammer Battles of History...

Greatest Warhammer Battles of History...

The lists are all in and by now every team should have had a good go at reviewing potential matchups. The lists this year are definitely a step up from last, with 90% of the field bringing what can only be called a "competitive" list. 

Of course there are the usual cry babies who a lambasting over such abstract terms as "copy & paste" and "netlist". Some have even called the tournament boring. Well here is a clue to all those haters out there. HTFU. 

There is no peer/panel/subjective comp to be seen here (except the team called panel comp.. stupid Aussies can't let it go!) fixed it for yah =)

The breakdown this year is very interesting in that just about every team has arrived with a different team composition. Not only that, when you start reviewing the lists individually you start to see stark variation in the list designs. There is not 9 Throgg lists like some claim... However there  is always one exception to the rule, this time being Empire. The other lists have a huge degree of variation to them and waves a good flag for the low/0 comp community (read real Warhammer). 

Apparently, not to be undone by the Juggernaught factories of Khorne, The Empire has founded a new breeding ranch for Demigryphs, and the Nulu artillery school has been hard at work increasing the number of steam tanks and cannon in the realm. And as there is always an exception to the rule, there is also always an exception to the exception... the special snowflake this time is Alan from team Basiliers who seams to have submitted the same list as last year...

So on to the important stuff...

I'm taking a Krak at picking the top teams this year. In no particular order...

The Vonn Trapp Family

Current reining Warhammer champion of the >country< and current holders of the NZTC cup, only a fool would discount Pete and his offspring. They bring Warriors, Dark Elves, Daemons and Skaven to the party, which, IMO is close (ruined only by the rats!) to a perfect combo for team design. Can they hold on to the old mug or will the even make the podium? No doubt the team will have to carry Pete's Skaven as everyone knows they are so hard done by these days...

Wolfpack

The team with the dream. Can they dethrone the coven of evil? Arguably one of the strongest team designs including Warriors, Daemons, Empire but once again being let down by rats. If they had some good stout Dwarfs (snigger) or more seriously Dark Elves they would be a shoe in. Wolfpack has the potential to be the kingmaker, but it all depends on their day one performance. 

Stonesfall Massive

Packing Warriors, Ogres, Daemons and Empire, this is another team that has a good mix of armies. The only thing holding them back will be if Joel chokes every round or not. 

Panel Comp

Trying to embrace the spirit of Warhammer, I have included some of our unfortunate cousins from across the ditch, despite the name. Warriors, Skaven, Empire and Dark Elves make the combo. Having no Daemons will be a sore point however can the Aussies compete to the same level without all the handicaps they place on the game? They will either finish top 5 or bottom 5! 

Team with the Guy.....

Dark Elves, High Elves, Daemons and Empire. Oh so close, except for that Guy. The guy is obviously the High Elves player, and the full name is obviously the "Team with the Guy that let down the rest of the team by taking High Elves to a serious Warhammer competition..." If they switched out High Elves for Woc, they would be the Dream Team!

DILF

The gay bandwagon team arrives in all is glory, no smack post would be complete without talking about DILF's. If they can stop day dreaming about having their very own sugar daddy, or checking out the opposition they may just have a chance. Although not the strongest combination of armies, they afford an interesting mix which is sure to give some teams a headache. just be careful of them offering you a drink as they may have slipped something into it... You have been warned

So that leaves my Team. Where will we come? Rocking Dark Elves, Lizardmen, Vampire Counts and Dwarfs its an obvious run for the wooden spoon here. Packing a Lizardman Bus, a new player that's never played in a tournament before, the slowest Warhammer player in the universe and an infantry DE list that I have never tested before, with a bit of luck and some ace matchups we will middle pack in about 7th (+ or - 6 places)

So who will be the Winner? Who wins out of Blackbreard vs Al Capone?

Parting shot: Best team composition IMO would have been Dark Elves, Daemons, Empire, and Warriors. Interesting nobody took it...

Introducing: Krak Team. NZTC lists revealed

So Peter has released the lists to the dubdubdub. You can visit here for the full list details.

So its time for the big run down. Plastic Krak is proud to present its Krak Team!

Tim "the Executioner" Joss (Kaptain)

Choppy LordNaked chickPsyco chicks on fireDouble flee horse dudersExecutionersMore executionersdid I mention executionersSome Black Ark hardwareoh, and some Brolocks

Hagen "6 Dice" Kerr

Tetto Eko
Scar Vets
& Skinks
Seriously thats all

Neil "Old man" Williamson

Runelord on AnvilThaneBSBLongbeard RangersGreat WeaponsMiners miners miners!Some cannonsA musical instrumentand a choppa

Ben "Blender" Crum

Blender Vampy Lord Baby Vamp Necro Ghoul Hoard Wolves Meatsheild Ghosts Black Knight Bus Big flappy bat vamps Huge flappy bat vamp Bring it!

NZTC 12 days to total oblivion!

We are now closing in on the final stretch. In a little under two weeks, the windy capitol will be hosting a bunch of bridesmaids and the winning team!

We have past one of the last milestones on Friday midnight Kiwi time. All lists have been submitted and finalised by now. After the stark appraisal from resident self proclaimed Warhammer guru Pete Dunn, our team had to go back to the drawing board.

Peter Dunn11 February 2014 18:59

You're f@$ked

ReplyDelete

Now the original draft was to shock and awe by using Old World fluff to confuse our opponents to our underlying strategy. After running a few scenarios (I started watching Season 2 of House of Cards, that s*@#s amazing!). We had come up with the combination of Dwarfs, High Elves, Wood Elves and Brettonians (High Elves was later swapped to Tomb Kings). Upon closer scrutiny, we realised that the matchup process may be more difficult than anticipated...

All cause for worry, but the most disturbing was the revaluation of a rat being caught in a trap in the garage. It was assumed that Pete had sent spies to all the other teams Captains but now I had proof. No sooner had I found the rat (nothing better than a dead rat I tell you) than I double guard duty on KastleKrak and enlisted the services of my pet guard dog Sam.

Here is Sam Standing at attention. Nothing gets past him! Note supper long tongue, perfect for licking spies to death!

Sam also does a great Sphinx impersonation. He plans on guarding for a long time...

Here he is savagely mauling the next door neighbours kids ball that attempted to infiltrate the back yard...

Seriously that dog is a psychopath. This morning he found a hedgehog in the garden and started throwing it up in the air like a ball before digging a hole and attempting to bury it alive... you have been warned!

So all this has lead to an 11th hour decision to change the team makeup. We will now go for a much softer approach to at least give others a chance (in the fluffy stakes).

Our new team will consist of the following:

• Scar Vets
• Executioners
• Terrorgiests
• Miners

Now that we have left the filth at home we can feel all warm and fuzzy about ourselves next weekend. For the safety of all others I will however be leaving Sam at home. No doubt some sneaky rat will try infiltrate KastleKrak whilst I am gone. Best be safer rather than sorry.

Lizardmen Pictures

Well it appears people have the latest White Dwarf already

New Lizardmen Pictures here

Go to minute 37 for a pictures of the new Lizardmen in the latest White Dwarf

Breaking News - More Lizardmen Rumours!

Lizardmen Pictures Leaked here!


Warhammer: Lizardmen

· 96 page full colour, hardback Warhammer army book.

PLASTIC Carnosaur

· This box contains a multi-part plastic kit that makes one of four possible massive center-piece miniatures.

· HUGE - 8 inches long by 5 inches tall

· Can make an Oldblood on Carnosaur, Scar-Veteran on Carnosaur, Kroq-Gar on Carnosaur or Troglodon with Skink Oracle.

Terradon/ Ripperdactyl Riders dual kit!

· This box contains a multi-part plastic kit that can be assemble as either 3 Terradons or 3 Ripperdactyls, flying cavalry mounts ridden by Lizardmen Skinks.

· Included Parts to upgrade one Terradon rider to the special character Tiktaq'to.

Bastiladon

· This box contains a brand new multipart plastic kit that makes a Bastiladon carrying either a Solar Engine or an Ark of Sotek.

Lizardman Skink Priest

· An addition to the popular plastic heroes Clampacks.

· The Lizardman Skink Priest is adorned in feathered plumes and carries a traditional Lizardman totem.

Gor-Rok

· A Clampack that contains one highly detailed Citadel Finecast resin miniature.

· A Lizardmen Special Character particularly suited to close combat.

Tetto'eko

· A boxset containing one finely detailed Citadel Finecast resin miniature.

· A skink Priets on a Palanquin.

So my spidey senses where right. Something was up with the Carnosaur! and the terradons where a dual kit. Plastic character as anticipated. Pictures to come...

Lizardmen Confirmed for August

Just hearing now that Lizardmen are confirmed for August!

Its sounding like only two new plastic kits, something called a Bastidon (not sure on the name) which is a big monster kit priced the same as the Phoenix, and there is "the flying things" which are most likely Terradons.

There is some finecast characters and apparently the Carnosaur is re-released in finecast as well - Need to check up on this one further as the Carnosaur is already in Finecast

Oh yeah, new book and magic cards.

Will post more when information comes in.



Just some surmising here, but there exists the possibility that at least one of the plastic kits are a dual kit, as the release looks a little light with only "two" plastic kits so far.

Reviewing the history of 8th edition releases there has not been a release with less than 3 plastic kits. Chances are there is something else in the mix.

 I am sure more information will come to light over the next few days.


Latest Rumours HERE

Rumours - Whats next?

With the exceptionally early leak of White dwarf detailing the Apocalypse relaunch for 40k, what is around the corner for the rest of the year? After sifting through all the rumours and comparing them with what's been mentioned to me, I have come up with the following:

July - 40k Apocalypse

• Lord of Battle/Lord of War dual kit
• "Megalith"
• Imperial Knight
• Terrain

Most of this is confirmed. The Imperial Knight I think is still a little conjecture but has merit based on what has been said. Last Apoc release only seen 2 superheavy release. GW may have stepped it up this time.  Expect if it is to happen it will be like the Knights Paladin and potentially a dual kit. This would sell like hotcakes! The Terrain is tagged on as an afterthought. 

August - Space Marines

• Plastic Librarian
• Plastic Veteran Kit Sternguard/Vanguard
• New Walker/Large Terminator (Not a Dreadnaught)
• Unknown? plastic kit. Flier?
• Finecast Characters
• 2 or more supplement codex's (One is possibly Black Templar/Imperial Fist/Crimson Fist)

The above is a combination of information passed to me and rumours on the interwebs. A sternguard/Vanguard plastic kit is a long time coming. This fits with GW format of 1 infantry kit, one medium sized kit (flier size) and one huge kit. The new walker has been mentioned by several people, either an inbetween Terminator/Dreadnaught or a Contemptor size or large model. I've heard both and think contemptor style is almost a given considering the popularity of the FW model. Fluff wise its easy to fit in as an off shoot or forgotten termi design/whatever, Not sure if we will see another flier option. Not everything adding up here and I expect to be pleasantly surprised. 
As far as the supplement books go, its almost a given its going to happen. It has been mentioned to me that they may be chapter specific or cover the history of additional foundings like the one mentioned. Sorry Black Templar guys I think you will be covered by a suppliment. Its also been whispered that Blood Angles/Space Wolves may be similar... This may be far fetched.

September - Lizardmen

• Terradon riders (box of 3)
• Kroxigor (box of 3)
• New Large Dino kit (rumoured to be bigger than the Stegadon ie 100x150mm base)
• 2 finecast characters
• Plastic Skink Priest

I've heard the terradon plastics rumour as well (before the recent French picture leak of a head). Interesting as I had it pegged we would see Kroxigor box. Not sure that we will see both as it breaks the mould of 1 infantry, 1 monstrous/medium kit and 1 big gribbly. Alternativley we could see a new infantry or Chameleon Skinks in plastic (or both in a dual kit). Big gribbly almost a given for dino race. No idea what it is.

October - Mystery Box

I've heard both Bloodbowl & Heroquest from different sources. If I had to put money on one it would be Bloodbowl.

If it happens I don't expect it to be like the earlier edition, and more like a one off release with 4 teams, and no additional support.

November - Tyrannids

• Harpy dual kit
• Big Gribbly transport creature

I'm speculating that they will be in this slot, but there will obviously be at least one more plastic box and a plastic character + finecast stuff. Expecting an infantry kit (maybe something we have never seen before) and potential to see a Warrior Prime in plastic. I have heard two different versions of the transport creature, possibly from two different playtest lists.

December

I expect to see the usual mix of Xmas boxes and promo. Oh and Hobbit crap.

January - Dwarfs

• Hammerers/Ironbreakers Dual Kit
• Dirigible
• New War Machine construct with multiple build options
• or another infantry based plastic kit such as slayers or similar
• Plastic Runesmith
• 2 New finecast characters

Lots of discussion online here. Several reliable people claiming Dark Elves however I have a feeling we will see Dwarfs first (I'm more often wrong than right). At any rate not much to go on. I have no idea what we would see for Dark Elves, other than Black Guard Plastics, maybe a chariot and a new monster for the Beastmasters to play with.

As always with rumours, take it all with a grain of salt. I have mixed in information that I have heard with some conjecture of what I think will be released. 

Southcon Battle Reports

Six games. Two days. 2500 points and 14 players. It wasn't the largest field but we got some familiar faces turn up and and most armies represented

Game 1 - Raymond - WOC

Raymond had 2 regenerating Chimeras, a Tzeentch Sorcerer on a disc, some gorebeast chariots and a Hellcannon. No Skullcrushers! Scenario was dawn attack

My Hellcannon killed his on turn 2, Magma cannon picked up some wounds on a Chimera which was finished off by some hobgoblins, and my K'daai rampaged around until it burnt itself out turn 5. Prophet managed to avoid going down a hole early in the game. I had a hard time dealing with his unkillable Tzeench Sorcerer so just avoided it for the most part. Pretty good game for me with the Hellcannon picking up a few valuable kills and not a lot going wrong for me. 17-3 win

Game 2 - Rhys - WOC

Rhys had dual Chimeras as well, but they where accompanied by 2 units of skullcrushers, and an unkillable Tzeentch combat lord. The scenario this time was meeting engaement.

I had terrible luck with the Truck, K'daai, Hellcannon, a hogoblin hero and a unit of hobgoblins not even starting on the table! I got first turn and moved things on anchoring around a building. Magma cannon failed to do anything all game and got charged by a Chimera. A unit of 3 Skullcrushers failed to restrain and charged into my K'daai. they caused 4 wounds and in return Bowser killed 2 of them. They fled and got away. Next he was charged by the unkillable lord. Not only did blazing body managed to wound and get past the 1+ 3++ rerollable, But I scored 3 wounds with his attacks, two of which made it though. Job done, Bowser burnt himself out! Hellcannon came on song later in the game picking off a Chimera, with the other dieing to the Prophet on Great Taurus. In the later stages of the game I surrounded his unit of 4 Skullcruchers and triple teamed them with Truck, Taurus and BC. His warriors ran out of range. Things where going terrible until I killed the unkillable, and then the game changed entirely. 20-0

Game 3 - Mal - LMC

You all know Mals normal ETC restricted list. Yeah. Skink cloud and death by a thousand papercuts. Scenario was watchtower worth 1k points...

I threw some hobgoblins in the tower first up and figured my only chance for a draw/narrow win was to hold the tower and try thin the cloud with the Truck. Well one truck is not enough. K'daai dies to poison, mobility of Prophet allows him to survive. Infernal guard die to final transmutation. This is the match the Chaos Dwarfs struggle with. Some funny moments where both Mals Scar vets go stupid wanting to charge, but with so much poison in the army that ignores some of my defence, backed up with metal magic this was always going to be bad. 0-20 loss and the first time I had been on the receiving end of one at a tournament...


Game 4 - Alan - Empire

Alan had cannons. Lots of cannons. Some empire duders in there as well. Steam tank, 2 cannons, 2 hellblasters, a hurricanium and an Alter. pewpewpew... Scenario was a capture the flag worth 700 points

Well helcannon got a few wounds on the steam tank first turn, and wolfies ran at a cannon. My Prophets ride got dwellered turn one, so turn two I ducked him into the Infernal guard, just so he could roll a 1 on his LOS and get cannoned off anyway... Steamtank also picked off the hellcannon turn 3 or 4. K'daai shook off a cannon to the face and then RAMPAGED. It picked up a halbadeirs unit, steam tank and some chaff. The truck ate a hellblaster for dinner and then dined on the War Alter for desert, and the BC chased off the great swords after Alan elected to flee from Infernal guard. Wolfies picked up some cannons and chased off the great swords. A convincing 20-0 to me after all but tabling Alan (he had a unit of knights that had failed 3 charges vs hobgoblins in the game). K'daai lives!

Game 5 - Darren - Daemons of Nurgle

Epidermus, a GUO, blocks of plaugebearers and  beasts. Was looking forward to facing Darren as i wanted to see how well I could do against this list. 

I hid my banners in buildings and basically cock-blocked half of his army whilst going to town on the big unit of plaugebearers in the middle with the BSB and a banner. The intention was to break him early. Epidermus and the GUO hid behind a building for most of the game not wanting to come out and play with my Hellcannon. Truck tanks a unit of 6 beast, and then gets some help later on from the Prophet to clean them up. Darrens other beasts take 2 turns of combat to finish of the flame cannon, and then spend the rest of the game trying to deal with the Hellcannon. He gets it on the last turn but only just. I fly over and zapp Epi with the prophet and Bowser runs away from the GOU thats come out to play since the Hellcannon is tied up. A convincing 20-0 win 

Game 6 - Basil - VC

Last game is against Basil and the black night bus blender lord. Zombies, Ghouls, Black Knights and a full size unit of Hex Wraiths. 

Hellcannon lands 2 shots on the Hex Wraiths wiping them out. K'daai runs down the right flank and bogs down in some Zombies for a turn. I manage to ash storm the blender bus 4 times in the game with the hobgoblin wolf heros redirecting the other two. It never makes it into combat. I get a curse of Hashut off on his Lord and roll double 6 for the hits (netting me 7) he only has a 5+ ward but then again I only score one wound on a 4+... lucky! I pick off all the other characters and avoid any manage to outflank Basils army to net me a 14-6 win. Tough game but we both enjoyed it.

So finished overall in 2nd place and no Chalice of Blood and Darkness in sight. Had to be said.
Didn't face any Ogres this tournament nor Skaven which would have been telling. I've got some new ideas from the games I want to try before the ETC.

Forgeworld Open Day - part 2

Now that its all done and dusted people are getting home and posting further information about the day. Some interesting stuff coming out of the wood-work including Imperial Fists being in book 3 of the Horus Heresy! Happy happy joy joy.

Here is a compilation:

Horus Heresy

Simon Egans informed me that Fulgrim is 'nearly finished, I just have some work to do on the cloak as I am not happy with it.' also said he was going straight home to work on him.
Apparently Fulgrim will be finished over the next few days and sent to get the moulds made this week. Fulgrim will be the next Primarch to be released in his opinion. He believes it will be previewed at the Horus Heresy weekender in May (exciting!!!). The next Primarch he is starting is Ferrus Manus...not entirely sure why.

This sounds like there is other Primarchs ready or near ready besides Fulgrim. Horus? Mortarion? Working of Ferrus next leads me to believe that the next book is almost ready to be relaeased.

Alan Bligh said that the Isvaan massacre will be divided into 2 books. The hope is that book 2: Massacre will be available for Games Day UK. It will feature 4 legions (this is the standard being set) - Night Lords, Salamanders, Iron Hands and Word Bearers. Book 3: (i think was called extermination.) will be released around Christmas or start of new year. 4 legions - Iron Warriors, Raven Guard, Alpha Legion and Imperial Fists. I was surprised about the inclusion of Imperial Fists however Alan explained its because the book will also include The Battle of Phall. This will be predominantly set on mortalis boards.

So from this we establish that each book will have four legions featured in them, and that we can expect two more books this year! Nice to see some loyalist legions in the mix but I am most excited about Imperial Fists! Can't wait to see Rogal Dorn in the flesh (resin). Not surprising they integrated them into the series with the Battle of Phall. FW have mentioned to me previously they where struggling to find a place to integrate them in as the only major conflict for them was Battle for Terra. I wonder if they will also feature in a Mars book vs the Dark Mechanicum.

Book 2: Massacre
Alan Bligh says this will hopefully be released at Games Day UK. It is being written at the same time as Book 3. The 4 legions in this book are:
Salamanders
Night Lords
Word Bearers
Iron Hands

Book 3: Extermination
Alan Bligh says this will be released around Christmas or early next year. The 4 legions are:
Alpha Legion
Raven Guard
Iron Warriors
Imperial Fists.

Warlord Titan
William Hayes stated that 'a Warlord Titan would only be slightly bigger than a Reaver, however it would be much more bulky!' After questioning Forge World on facebook last week, Drake was told will was not working on Titans at the current time. 

Alan Bligh stated that everything will get rules and a model eventually. 

Fantasy Stuff

Absolutely brilliant sneak peeks for many of the upcoming Fantasy models!

The Merwyrm that we’ve all seen in this months White Dwarf is now finished, cast up, and apparently ready for release in the next 6 weeks. The model looks fantastic, and seems to be swimming or crawling over a shipwreck! Expect to see lots of these in Golden Demon submerged in clear resin!

The Dread Maw is one of the last few monsters to be done from Monstrous Arcanum. It’s burrowing up out of the ground, and the mouth has hundreds of tiny teeth inside.

The Troll Mother is very WIP, but I got to speak to the sculptor Trish Carden, who told me we can expect to see a net full of the Mother’s victims on her back, ready to feed to her children. The model is huge, with enourmous grotesque sagging tits and lanky hair. Should be a great model when finished.

The other model ready for release with the new Black Fire Pass book is the Gobba Squig. Also seen in WIP version in White Dwarf, he’s now complete and absolutely fantastic.

I was also informed that Warhammer Forge ARE hoping/planning to produce a Necrofex Collossus AND Khemrian Titan, but are currently in the stages of producing block models and figuring out whether the finances and resources are available to produce what will inevitably be enourmous, expensive minis. Hopefully it will go ahead!

Blackfire Pass Book is aparently on hold as everyone is working on the Horus Heresy stuff. 

Missing stuff from Warhammer World

All Dark Eldar
Eldar (all aspects)
Some Ultramarines
40k Daemons (but not greater daemons, furies  and some old metal kits)
Tyranids
Orks

Missing Daemons but not Greater Daemons/Furies? Can only mean photgraphy for rumoured wave of Plastic GD's etc... Eldar expected, and Tyranids/Orks are in the rumour mill, but Dark Eldar? WD battlereport maybe? Thats alot of minatures missing at any rate...

Fantasy:
High elves
Dwarfs
Lizardmen

Lizardmen and High Elves we know about, but Dwarfs? Maybe a WD Battlereport

From "Fall of Orpheus"

Necrons

Necrons have received a full new army list named Dark Harvest Legions of the Maynarkh

New warlords trait table for Necrons:
1 = +1 or -1 to reserves
2 = Warlord survives game +1vp
3 = Must issue and accept challenges +1vp for every enemy character killed in a challenge
4 = Whilst within 3" of objective warlord and unit get to re roll re animation rolls
5 = Can give a single ranged weapon +1 strength each turn
6 = Warlord gains the crusader USR

Warlord table for Death Korps
1 = The warlord and all DK's units within 12" add +1" to their charge roll
2 = Whilst warlord is alive select a single unit within 6" of them in the shooting phase that has the ordnance special rule the weapon counts as twin linked this turn
3 = Warlord and unit within 3" of Obj gain Fearless and FNP 6+
4 = Can auto put night fighting on in first turn
5 = Warlord and any DK's unit within 6" gain prefered enemy infantry when in the enenmy deployment zone
6 = Nominate a single piece of terrain in enemy deployment zone the cover save is lowered by 1

2 new named chracters 
New versions of existing units IE Royal court of maynarkh 

Yes flayed ones are troops and can have flensing scarabs which gives them shred
Tesseract Ark
250pts
12 armour all round 
4HP's
Heavy Support choice 
3 fire options
Solar Fire Rg 48" Str 7 Ap 2 Heavy 3 Blast
Particle Hurricane Template St 3 Ap 3 Fleshbane
Seismic Lash Rg 24" Str 5 Ap 4, Heavy 1 Quake, Armourbane, Ground Lash (hits in a thin line like the death ray)
When weapon destroyed occurs on a 4+ the ark is destroyed and all models within 6" suffer strength 6 ap - hits. Also str 6 from an exploded result.

Acanthrites,
150 pts for 3 jump infantry 
armed void blade and cutting beam rg 12" Str 6 Ap 2 Assault 1 Melta
Can be a fast attack choice in necron list
Toughness 5 Wounds 3
Also fearless and stealth

Tomb Stalkers are elite now as the new Tomb Sentinel is in the fast attack slot.
its 195pts 
T7 beastie with 4 wounds
MC
Fearless, Rampage, War Construct and Phase Tunneling
Armed with and Exile Cannon
Rg 12" Str X AP - Heavy 1 Blast
The number of models hit under the template have to take a strength test or be removed no saves allowed. It is random which models are hit. 
Phase tunnelling gives Fleet, Deep Strike, Outflank and Hit & Run (interestingly its I 4 no doubt so it can use this ability as most cron stuff is I 2)
War Construct makes them immune to Fleshbane and Poisoned rules.
Optional upgrade Sepulchral Scarabs means it gains it will not die!

Charnal Lychguard
225 pts for 5
Warscythe armed
Have Rage and Fear
Soldiers of the bloody court: Only 1 unit per Overlord in the Army
Can add flensing scarabs giving them shred
Can exchange warscythe for shield and sword like normal lychguard

The Gauss Pylon (Apoc) is mostly the same.
One change: 
Flux Arc used to be heavy D6 to all enemy units in range.
Now it seems to be 2D6 to one unit only!

And for the big finale, what you've been all waiting for:
Necron Tomb Citadel
300 pnt fortification for 40K!!!
The two big buildings are both AV14 and each penetrate results into a D6 (5+ destroys it)

Ziggurat:
has both Eternity Gate and Scarab Hive (check Codex! Scarab Hive is broken when you roll a 1)
docked Monolith or Sentry Pylon fire with STR+1
If destroyed, the docked machine takes STR10AP2.

Power Crucible:
Units, Crucible and Ziggurat on the Citadel have 3++
All RP-rolls of 1 can be rerolled on the Citadel.

Optional:
Comms Relay for 20
Up to two Tesla Destructors or Gauss Exterminators with Skyfire/Interceptor for 65 or 100 each.
Minotaurs get a new vet Seargeant Hamath Kraatos 60pts
Replaces a devastator seargeant
Armed with a heavy bolter which can be fired normally or with the following profile:
Rg 48" Str 6 Ap 3 Heavy 1, Sniper
Signum: one model in the unit can count as having BS 5.
He also has prefered enemy


Rules for Necron Realm of Battle Board (Fortification)
https://picasaweb.google.com/113133076298418698776/ForgeWorldOpenDay2013#5864106430370152418

Bomber 225pts
12 armour all round + quantum shielding like the teseract armour 14 Awesome!
4 HP  (yikes Av 14 fliers...) 
Five death sphere bombs Large blast Str 10 Ap 1, Blind and Pinning
Heavy Support choice


New Necron Lord Kutlakh The World Killer 220pts
Kutlakh Stats
5,4,5,5,3,2,4,10 2+
He has a Staff of Light and The Obsidax 
The obsidax is a close combat weapon with the following profile:
Str as User (5) Ap 2, Instant Death, Specialist Weapon.

He also has the splinter of madness...
He must declare a challenge...
Before the challenge takes place both combatants roll a d6 and add their leadership If Kutlakh's total score is greater than that of his opponents, his opponent suffers a reduction to their weapon skill for this assault phase equal to the difference. Opponents reduced to 0 cannot fight this phase.

New Necron Units from Forgeworld:
For Necrons we have:
Kutlakh the World Killer
Toholk the Blinded
Canoptek Tomb Sentinel
Tesseract Ark
Sentry Pylon
Nightshroud Bomber
Necron Tomb Citadel

Minotaurs

Damocles 75 pts
Can be used with as an HQ choice Space Marines, DA, BA, SW and BT
Can bring in orbital bombardment once per game Str 10 AP 1 Large Blast, Barrage.
 
Teleport Beacon units arriving from deep strike within 12" do not scatter

Command Vox Relay
Allows player to add or subtract 1 from all reserve rolls

Dread is called Hecaton Aiakos
225 pts 
Can be added previous minotaurs list or used in codex space marines as an elite choice.

FA 13 S 12 I5 rest as normal
HP 3

Plasma cannon
Special Rules
Augmented Atomantic Shielding
4+ invulnerable vs shooting attacks, 5+ inv in close combat in addtion add +2" to the radious of explosion results

He is venerable

Groundstrike:

Instead of making normal cc attacks he can chose to make a groundstrike attack at I1. It automatically inflicts 1 hit against each enemy unit engaged with Aiakos for each model in that unit in base contact with Aiakos model. So for example, if Aiakos is in base contact with three models from an enemy unit, the unit suffers 3 hits and so on.

Str 6 Ap4 Melee, Strikedown.

Thanks to
Dan Helan/Russ Veal/John Kerr/Ben Curry and all the other guys updating on Twitter
Battlebunnies
Tail of Painters
Faeit 212
Tail of Four Geeks