Best Army, Codex and Miniatures Polls (WFBattles - update)

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Sigmar's Warhammer Fantasy Battles - Member Polls page updated.

The Member Profile > Polls page has been changed to allow members to "opt out" of rating an army book / miniatures they haven't seen and armies they haven't faced in battle. (use the white down-left arrow - see below image).

All members who rated everything 5/10 (the default) have had their ratings changed to 0 (zero) on the assumption that they did not complete the page at all.

This has improved the accuracy of the ratings and Warriors of Chaos are clearly now on top with Skaven, Dark Elves and Daemons in the next chasing pack.

See the Polls Page for the full list. See the Army Summary for a snapshot of the Polls & Hobby pages.

Please Note: Members are now awarded Prestige points for completing their Profile pages.

(the below image is an example of the voting page available to members, it is not the final poll)

New High Elf Miniatures

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The new High Elves army book and presumably some (although probably not all) of the new miniatures are released at the end of April (27-04-2013) beginning of May, here's a sneak peek of some of the new models.

I reckon these minis will receive a mixed reaction (personally, I love the characters and am quite impressed by the "Sky Chariot" and Phoenix). They are another bold attempt by Games Workshop to breathe some freshness into the army (which I think was last updated in Winter 2007). The Sky Chariot and Flamespyre Phoenix certainly look very original and are another example of GW creating larger center piece battle ground models on a much bigger scale than we used to see a few years back.

Anyway, here are the pics, courtesy of Rob H on our Warhammer Battle Reporter Facebook group (he found them on http://grimdark.org/) Many thanks for sharing Rob and to the grimdark folks.

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

NEW Chaos Daemons have arrived !

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Games Workshop have put their new WFB and 40K Daemons on "Pre-orders".

They certainly look interesting and suitably Daemonic !



The news release from GW:-

New Daemons Available to Pre-Order

To earn the ire of a Daemon is to sign your own death warrant. Gruesome warriors and fiends all, each of the entities that make up their ranks is a fragment of its patron god given form. They are as immortal as time itself and as powerful as the roiling emotions they embody... Ready to pre-order today are ghoulish treats for all collectors of both Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer miniatures. Chaos Daemons, also known as Daemons of Chaos in the Warhammer world, receive a host of mind-bogglingly brilliant new miniatures in plastic and Citadel Finecast, as well as a new Codex and Army Book, both of which come in a limited edition format. First up: in a collection of stomach-churning creations, it takes something especially hideous such as the Plague Drones of Nurgle to stand out. On each model, a Plaguebearer sits atop an enormous Rot Fly, which is covered in horrific details. This is a must-have for anyone who wishes to please the Dark Gods in a particularly grim manner. But even more mind-boggling plastic delights await the collector...

The Blood Throne of Khorne can also make a Skull Cannon of Khorne - both are industrious creations, hybrids of flesh and daemon engine. Meanwhile the Burning Chariot of Tzeentch also provides the modeller with a large number of options: either a Herald of Tzeentch or Exalted Flamer can stand atop a large ornate disc, while blue horrors ooze ahead of a bubbling sea of warpflame. Finally, in plastic, comes the Herald of Nurgle.There is also a Herald of Khorne and Herald of Slaanesh, both of which are available in our premium Citadel Finecast resin. All of the miniatures are available for use in both Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer collections.

To accompany these new releases come the hardcover Codex: Chaos Daemons and the new Army Book -Warhammer: Daemons of Chaos. Both books are available in limited edition format, which come with a special matt dust-jacket featuring a gloss illustration, one for each god. Underneath, the hardcover finish is soft touch with subtle artwork, and includes a black ribbon bookmark, black edging and a individually numbered certificate. You'll need to hit that buy button soon, as all of the variants are available in strictly limited quantities... The books contain the same information as the standard editions - a rich and vivid background to the Daemons and their patron gods, army lists to arrange your collection into a battle-ready force, and showcases of expertly painted Citadel miniatures. For those of you who wish to swipe your way through the galleries, the digital editions of Codex: Chaos Daemons and Warhammer: Daemons of Chaos are available to pre-order on the iBookstore right now. Go! Finally, available for you to pre-order on games-workshop.com are two sets of cards - Warhammer 40,000 Psychic Cards: Chaos Daemons and Warhammer Battle Magic: Daemons of Chaos, for use in your tabletop games. Both are available in strictly limited numbers - get your orders in before they sell out. "

Warriors of Chaos Close Up Video by Games Workshop

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GW releases an excellent close inspection YouTube video of the new Warriors of Chaos minis.

The video does a superb job of showing all the new miniatures and model kits in 360 and zooms in on some of the detail. You get a much clearer picture and feel for the models than looking at a 2D image. It's quite an impressive showcase played to a "impending doom" sound track, a few galloping horses, battle cries and eerie satanic-like whispers ! Muahaha.

Featuring:-

• Slaughterbrute
• Mutalith Vortex Beast
• Dragon Ogres
• Forsaken
• Chaos Chariot
• Gorebeast Chariot
• Chaos Lord
• Vilitch the Curseling
• Throgg
• Battle Magic Cards
• Warriors of Chaos Army book cover

Well done Games Workshop, let's see one of these videos for all future releases please.

Empire Army Book & Minis Released

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What no Wood Elves ! It seems that the Woodies and Bretonnians have finished each other off or simply had to retreat further into their own realms because... here comes Emperor Karl Franz !

Games Workshop are following in their "big is best" policy (following on from the success, I presume, of their Vampire Counts range) with the new Empire range of miniatures.

It's going to be a field day for the thousands of Empire army collectors who are into modelling and painting. I reckon that The Empire must be one of the most popular armies in the Warhammer world which, I guess, explains why they are getting a release before the poor "old" Wood Elves and noble Horse Lords.

Anyway, providing you're an Empire player I think you'll be fairly pleased with the new range. I have no idea what the army book is like so hopefully the new models will be fairly optional for those who prefer standard rank of file troopers in favour of weird and wonderful war machines and massive monsters.

Here are some of my favourite new models, you'll find the rest in the Empire section of GW's website.

First up is Volkmar the Grim on The War Altar of Sigmar.

Awesome ! One minor complaint, I'd prefer a Griffon with slightly thicker more solid looking hind legs in a static "I cannot be moved" pose. It's a minor quibble because overall it's a superb model and decent value for money as well (given it's size and modelling satisfaction!)

Second, the Warrior Priest with 2 hammers (in Finecast). They've always done a good job with Empire foot soldiers, the scale is usually good and the poses are interesting with lots of variety to suit the kind of army you're looking to field.

The Witch Hunter is brilliant and I expect to see a lot of him in painting competitions and Golden Demon awards. He just looks the part and is very charismatic.

Last but not least, check this out for something a bit different it's named the Celestial Hurricanum. It comes as a kit that you can also assemble into a Doctor Who looking machine called the Luminark of Hysh (which I'm less keen on because it looks slightly too 40k for me).

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

Fozzrik's Folding Fortress to the Tormentor Sword

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Vote for your favourite Warhammer Magic Items from the 8th edition Fantasy Battle rulebook.

Here are the entries and forum members :-

1. Fozzrik's Folding Fortress- Eternal Knight
2. Arabyan Carpet - Tomsche
3. The Terrifying Mask of Eee! - Mosk
4. Sword of Swift Slaying - strigoi
5. Ironcurse Icon - Painted by G
6. Potion of Foolhardiness - Kefka
7. Earthing Rod - Grim Squeaker
8. Talisman of Preservation - whitewolf14
9. Armour of Destiny - Noble Korhedron
10. Dispel Scroll - MrSeb
11. Dragonbane Gem - Telepfenion
12. Sivejir's Hex Scroll - Coinsmith1
13. Standard of Discipline - Nithavela
14. Crown of Command - pippin_nl
15. Forbidden Rod - Drummyralf
16. Wailing Banner - Baelspar
17. Banner of Eternal Flame - teclis
18. Tormentor Sword - aaron88

And the photo of Death Knell Watch, the new GW scenery piece is about as close as I could get to Fozzrik's Folding Fortress and it also constitutes GW news so here you go :) It's a new release in their terrain and scenery collection and a fine tower it is too (with very useful ledges !)

Image is © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

Mortis Engine & Coven Throne Rules for 8th Edition Vampires

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Vampire Counts 8th edition Rulebook extracts for the Coven Throne & Mortis Engine from, I presume, White Dwarf - from a Facebook member. 

I'm not sure what to make of these yet (although the presentation is, as always excellent). You can join the discussion on our Facebook page here:-

new 8th edition Vampire Counts Mortis Engine & Coven Thrones discussion

So far, there has been a mixed reaction about the miniatures although it's generally positive and deservedly so (from what I can see in the images). I think the new large scale models could take some getting used to on the battleground (and some large foam trays for transportation!) but there's no denying that they make for very tasty modelling projects !

Please join us and let us know what you think of the rules which I've also posted for discussion as separate subjects in our forum :- Coven Throne Rules and Mortis Engine Rules discussion.

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

New Vampire Counts Army book and miniatures

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Games Workshop will be announcing a new Vampire Counts rule book and quite a few new models in the January 2012 edition of White Dwarf.

I'm sure that Wood Elves and Bretonnia were meant to be the next army books released, or at least that has been the rumour for a long time. I suppose we should have taken the hint when GW released the new Terrorgheist, Cairn Wraith and Banshee rules. Let that be a lesson for us !

Anyway, these pics come courtesy of the Warhammer Battle Reporter Facebook Group (thanks guys).

I have to say that some of these miniatures seem quite a departure from the norm for the usual "boots (and torsos) on the ground (or slightly above it)" approach of Vampire Counts armies. When I say "miniatures", I'm really referring to the Mortis Engine and the Coven Throne (the same kit) which looks like quite a new concept. I suppose we always had the Black Coach which was a very original and unique unit (and awesome if you managed to "max it out") so I guess GW reckoned that there was room for some further experimentation without completely changing the feel of the army.

It's all very exciting if you're a VC player (I have 3,000pts of them) and, in particular, if you like large dominating units (monsters / war machines) that require a lot of glue and painting ! (it's only a shame they didn't come out in time for the Christmas holidays).

With these new Vamps and the recent-ish Ogres Games Workshop really seems to be breaking the mould and spreading it's batty wings. The models these days are definitely more exciting than they've ever been. I'll see how the army book reads before giving both thumbs up but so far it all looks very promising and I really love the Wight King and the ethereal "monsters" (although, they appropriately look like a painting nightmare for someone like me!)

click to enlarge photos in a new window

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

One million Warhammer hits !

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My humble Fantasy Battle blog just hit 1,000,731 page views :O

One million was my original objective (yes, I am that shallow !) and, while I suspect GW gets that number every week, it has taken me 4 years !

Anyway, I was going to quit all this after the big 1 million but I'm kind of still enjoying it (I think!) so here goes some more promotion...

Join our friendly, no strings attached (!) Warhammer Fantasy forum - please !

So, that was it, one million hits. Wow, you really can do anything with the internet (not quite anything !)

Thanks for listening guys,  Sigmar

Blood in the Badlands a new Warhammer Campaign

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Games Workshop are really pushing Fantasy Battle this year. The rate of army releases and what with this supplement and the excellent Storm of Magic we've never had it better in terms of new content and miniatures (plus Finecast for the connoisseur).

I have no idea what this campaign supplement is like because it's only just been announced as an Advance Order - released on 3rd Dec 2011. It looks like a pretty cool Christmas present to me which is why I've already asked my wife for it (and it's only £20 GBP - a smart pricing move by GW for Xmas!)

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat440004a

Here's what GW have to say:-

"Blood in the Badlands is a campaign system for Warhammer that enables you to unleash your army against your foes and carve out a corner of the notorious Badlands for yourself. As well as the campaign system itself, the book contains rules that can be used in any Warhammer game, form massive multi-player scenarios featuring new magic items and spells, rules for underground battles and a complete siege expansion. Blood in the Badlands also features the tale of eight intrepid hobbyists as they play the campaign, including detailed battle reports, glorious army showcases and turn-by-turn accounts of their expanding empires.

This 96-page full-colour hardback Warhammer Supplement contains rules for siege battles in Warhammer, underground battles, new scenarios, magic items and Cataclysm spells. It also has a full set of rules that can be used with the Mighty Empires expansion set."

I notice that GW make a lot of effort these days to loosely couple all their products which is nice because it means everything integrates nicely but is also optional (except for the core rulebook that is !)

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

New Finecast Mangler Squigs

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A very Goblin-esque themed Squig Mangler unit (the French "Broyeurs" translates to "Crusher" or "Grinder" apparently, in fact it almost translates to "Garbage Disposal" - which I prefer :)

It looks like a superb model - although I have to say I hate the damned things - very broken rules ! - can you tell that they recently slaughtered a unit of my beloved Weresharks and some Wavebreakers to boot :(

My friend actually brought his disgusting Goblin army around to my house last weekend - next time his entry will be blocked by The King of the Seas with a metal detector -  bloody balls and chains ! Real (fish)men  fight with tridents :)

Anyway, the models really have come on, they look extremely sneaky now days which fits their gaming style perfectly - something Jervis Johnson kind of alluded to in one of his White Dwarf Standard Bearer columns recently (about fitting the rules to the fluff).

Anyway, I suspect this model will prove very popular with our greenskin buddies and will be snapped up ;-)  thanks to it's profile and special rules as well as it's looks ! (I love the five goblin "hangers on")

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

Cygor, Ghorgon, Jabberslythe - Official GW models

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It looks like White Dwarf is show-casing some long and eagerly awaited Beastmen Rare units - hurray :) (Games Workshop finally got around to them!)

From the look of it, the Ghorgon and Cygor are alternative assemblies of the same boxed set (although I could be wrong so don't take my word for it !). I reckon we can expect to see a few more Beastmen armies in future with these new units (which are kind of essential to the Beastmen army and must have have been missed by regular Beastmen players).

The Jabberslythe looks quite similar to the one sculpted by the...
Miniature Painting Group (who also do an excellent Ghorgon and Cygor).

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

New High Elf Finecast miniatures

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Korhil (the almost there), Caradryan (the mostly there) and Tyrion (the absolute kick-ass there !) have just been released as Finecast models.

I used to be a big fan of High Elves and, I guess, I still quite like them. Korhil once tried his best for me against his Wood Elf kin, Caradryan did somewhat better and Tyrion totally kicked butt by killing 2 Treekin and a Treeman Ancient and turned the game from a loss into a massacre win (not bad heh ?!) Flaming swords aren't only for Ulthuan barbecues ! :)

Anyway, Games Workshop have re-released the miniatures as Finecast and they look very neat indeed but there again they always did :) Some pics... (Korhil is especially  tempting this time round !)

(click image for larger images)

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.


Here's what an Ultra expert painter (and I really do mean Ultra !) has achieved with some of these minis...

Korhil & Caradryan Miniatures painted by Alexi_Z
(featured in the Warhammer Fantasy Miniatures Gallery blog here)

New Warhammer Fantasy Terrain

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Lair of the Astromancer - Skullvane Manse is a new scenery kit from Games Workshop for Fantasy Battle.

It's £46 (I think) which seems pretty reasonable to me given the the size of the model. It looks like it goes on sale on November 19th (although the font's a bit blurry so I could be wrong !)

First impressions are very good, it will certainly dominate the tabletop and add a lot of character to the battlefield. What with Witchfate Tor and the Garden of Morr and the Arcane Fulcrums that have all come out recently there's no shortage of new scenery this year.

A Manse by the way is, according to Wikipedia, a house formerly inhabited by a minister. It's also defined as a cleric's house elsewhere which I guess is the same thing anyway :) I'm not so sure what an Astromancer is though :D

Image is © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.

Official GW Ogre Kingdoms Release

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Games Workshop are churning out Warhammer Battle (and 40k) army books and miniatures like a bat out of Sylvania these days and Finecast is the "order of the day" Mawhahaha ! Release date is 3rd September 2011

The Ogre Army has been well and truly recast as Finecast in this release. Gorgers, Yhetees, all of the Maneaters, Sabretusks, The Hunter, the Tyrant, Skrag the Slaughterer (my personal favourite) and good old Greasus Goldtooth plus of course the new characters; Bragg the Gutsman, Firebelly and Golgfag (a new mini but very, very old character) even some gnoblar trappers got the treatment !

This is going to be a Fantasy Battle modellers & painters paradise :)

There are loads of pics in the Games Workshop Advance Orders page plus all of the usual unit fluff, boxed set details and prices. There's also a 96 page hardback army book which, amazingly, I almost forgot to mention !

From GW website:-


"They first arrived from the east, stomping across the world, heedless of borders, barging through even hostile territory as if they already owned it. Although they have established kingdoms in the Mountains of Mourn, they wander where they please, extorting what they want and taking by force all that isn't freely given. They war constantly, not out of malice, but for profit and sustenance - for such are the rights of the powerful and strong. They are the Ogres, and to stand before their collected might is to confront a landslide."

From what I've seen so far this army looks amazing in terms of models and presentation. I have faith in the rulebook too because the design team have made come in for very little criticism over the last few releases.

Images are © Games Workshop. All rights reserved. Used without permission.