Games Workshop have previewed a new game for Warhammer: Age of Sigmar called Warcry. It is a skirmish based, character and warband campaign development game. Building up the experience of your Chaos warband as it fights in the Allpoints. It comes with beautiful new terrain and I suspect we will see further expansions allowing you to play as other factions! This is Kill Team/Necromunda for Age of Sigmar.
Not only Chaos, but there will be 9 non-Chaos factions available to play with rules of their own at the launch date!
Here I’ll be doing my usual thing and compiling all the information about the new release as and when the information drops. Just what you need to know, without click-bait, obnoxious ads or pop-ups.
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Warcry
Warcry seems to be a modern take on a small warband scale version of Age of Sigmar. It’s promised to be a new game drawing on the “some of the best bits of Warhammer Underworlds and Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team“. My guess is a warband type game in the wastes and badlands of the Mortal Realms with some form of card element or simplified combat mechanic using dice (like with in Necromunda).
The art looks simply amazing – so atmospheric – and I really want to know more about each of the different combatants here.
Warcry GAMA Reveal
So at GAMA we got a brand new trailer and lots of information:
- more than just a skirmish version of Warhammer Age of Sigmar – it’s hyper-kinetic, it’s tactical and it’s very, very bloody, featuring bold new game mechanics.
- perfect for narrative players looking to forge character-driven campaigns where warbands grow and develop through their own journey.
- gamers looking for a close-matched, fast and exciting experience will find a game that fits both their coffee table and coffee break.
- you’ll follow the myriad tribes of Chaos – reavers and despoilers from every corner of the realms – as they make their dark pilgrimage to the Varanspire.
- Warcry explores a never-before-seen side of life (and death!) in the Age of Sigmar.
- Every model for this game is brand new, reflecting on the dizzying diversity of Chaos on a scale never attempted before and rooted in rich lore that realises the servants of the Dark Gods as deep and varied cultures.
- We’ll have more Warcry news for you (and some closer looks at those stunning models!) in the coming weeks – make sure to subscribe to our email newsletter and follow our Facebook page to make sure you don’t miss any announcements.
The Iron Golems
The Adepticon 2019 reveal has shown details of the Iron Golems warband from the Warcry box-set.
Like all Warcry warbands, the Iron Golems offer a more complex, nuanced take on Chaos than we’ve seen before. The Iron Golem miniatures combine classic Chaos aesthetics with cultural cues based on the Mortal Realm from which they originate. Hailing from the Realm of Metal, these warriors are renowned for the quality of their smithing, believing themselves chosen by Archaon himself to forge arms and armour for the Slaves to Darkness.
New creatures
The Warcry set also shows more animals of the Realms, including new plastic Furies and Raptoryxes.
Warcry website
Warcry now has its own section on AgeofSigmar.com. At the moment, it just has the preview video, but more information is coming soon.
Warcry Informed Speculation
Right, given the wave of reaction to the Warcry release, I just wanted to highlight some informed speculation from Tom of Warhammer Weekly and Alex of Fjordhammer. Both have a deep love of Age of Sigmar and a wealth of knowledge to draw on.
Actually, looking at it a bit more – I think we have good evidence that we’ll have multiple boxes of different grand alliances.. Notice this symbol in between the models. It is different than the faction models below. This symbol also occurs on the left corner of the starter. pic.twitter.com/MnsZr6DCwL
— Tom Lyons (@WHWeeklyTom) March 13, 2019
Notice that this symbol isn’t included in any of the factions. I suspect that this is the Chaos GA symbol and we’ll probably get multiple starters, each with different grand alliances. pic.twitter.com/UBF3DnhYQC
— Tom Lyons (@WHWeeklyTom) March 13, 2019
Now look at the box – lower left corner. The red was garish on the box but I’m wondering now it is branding for this grand alliance. Notice the red banner is the backdrop for the symbol in the 1st img. We’ll probably get blue (order), black (dead) and green (destruction) as well pic.twitter.com/2J9nmFxDwW
— Tom Lyons (@WHWeeklyTom) March 13, 2019
Warcry has more info and a starter box! Really interesting direction, 100% Chaos warband focus. Strong choice, IMO. Thematic, new, and fleshes out the world whilst providing a gameplay experience we want. Lot’s to unpack, so a thread! 1/X
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
(Screens courtesy of @AoS_Shorts ) pic.twitter.com/rJbeImwIvT
Let’s start with the gameplay: Warband skirmish in AOS! We know it’s got elements of Underworlds and Kill Team, as well as “Bold new game mechanics”. Sounds promising. GW’s designers are using iterative design very well. Expect tighter rules than AOS/40k, but still simple.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
2/X
Mechanically has a split focus. Narrative is obviously a big deal here, but they’re drawing from their best competitive rulesets and do mention fast-paced games. I doubt we’ll get anything like Mordheim, but a more advanced version of Kill Team’s roster seems likely.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
3/X
Bit of controversy too. As a wholly Chaos-focused game, it doesn’t answer our wishes for a full “AoS skirmish” game. Solid chance that Warcry will be the basis of a full skirmish game. Take out the Chaos narrative, add every faction, drop as a new product. 1+ year lead time.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
4/X
I expect the releases for Warcry will mimick Kill Team. Each warband will get its own box with tokens, stat sheets etc, as a “all in one” package. Also similar to Underworlds. Maybe with terrain. This will be the “easy entry point” for people. Push fit models, most likely.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
5/X
Let’s talk narrative: Seeking the Varanspire is a REAL solid choice. It’s got all that chaos mystique, a defined place in the narrative, several existing stories, and infinite expansion possibilities. We’ve yearned for depth in the setting, and now they’re giving it to us!
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
6/X
Expanded chaos mortals is always a good thing. Books like Scourge of Fate (@RobbieMacNiven) and Warqueen (@dariushinks) have already taken this idea to places that didn’t exist 3 years ago. Both are solid reading for your journey to the Varanspire. Recommended reading!
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
7/X
We can expect info on 6 different tribes, 2 in the starter and 4 as expansions. Probably more concrete info on chaos tribes than we’ve ever had! Different lifestyles, ways of worship, and paths to damnation. With any luck, this will be a defining release for chaos.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
8/X pic.twitter.com/qTjKba94tQ
More info on the Varanspire, how Chaos functions, and how post brexit engla… Post Age of Chaos mortal realms have survived will give a fairly monotone narrative much more depth. Especially since GW have already touched on the possibility for redemption.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
9/X
GW continues to favour the moodier, scene setting art. We’ve seen this since AOS2, and I think it’s a great direction. Really sells how warped the chaos regions are. It’s more inspirational than aspirational, practically speaking.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Screenshots courtesy of (@AoS_Shorts )
11/X pic.twitter.com/NVzx8GHMpT
The new box is also a whole new style of branding, meaning things will likely be released specifically under the “Warcry” banner in the future. I think it’s a solid box, but the huge red stripe is a bit glaring. It is METAL as all hell though, which is a bonus.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
12/X pic.twitter.com/RiMzTxzPC1
Now lets get into the contents! Obviously, there’s going to be two sides: Metal gang and Bone gang. About 5-8 models a side. Terrain is also a shoe-in. My guess is a couple of sets of the new stuff + indepedent box releases at the same time/shortly after.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
13/X pic.twitter.com/CPp1kMLQZw
Aside from the warbands though, I expect NPC/unaligned beasts/enemies! The first pic is obviously a beastmaster and his hound, but pic 2, 3 and 4 don’t seem to fit with a warband. Speculation: some missions will be survive/kill monsters, not just the other players!
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
14/X pic.twitter.com/5JSEv75wc1
Metal Gang models:
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Duardin/Short guy
Raised Hammer (Leader?)
Big Ball Fist guy
Shieldbro
Shieldbro 2: Metallic Boogaloo
Whippy Chick
Six models in total, solid variety. No duplicate poses or equipment as I could see. Two shieldbros, but every warband needs cannon fodder.
15/X pic.twitter.com/N0XErjV1FW
Bone Gang models:
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Raised axe guy (leader?)
Big Axe guy
Dog trainer and doggo
Angry Spear and Hand Weapon guy
Running Man
Bone Sword Bro
So another 6/7 models there. Again, no duplicates! These are the most Old School of the bunch. Hope you like painting organics!
16/X pic.twitter.com/Pqc2QBOeht
Terrain!
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Is not as modular as Sector Mechanicus/Imperialis. It almost seems like the wooden board across the pieces is just laying on top of the terrain. The feel is also a general “lived in ruin” feel, rather than “recently destroyed”. Platforms added post-destruction etc.
17/X pic.twitter.com/8C8mlmNYeI
So what’s to expect?
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Sigmarite Ruins, note the 32mm tops for placing models! (Post-RGW by the looks)
Planks
Bell tower
Sigmar’s Head (with spikey platforms)
Palisade(?) Can’t seem to find more of the strung up skelly guy.
Ladders and skellies in cages.
18/X pic.twitter.com/03Uq5U5HLL
Will all the terrain be in the box? I expect so. Based on their MO, and the limited variety on display here, they’re probably showing roughly what’s in the box. Something like 2 sets of Sigmarite walls, 1 bell tower, 1 Sigmar statue, 1 palisade. 100% speculation though.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
19/X
Gribblies! There’s a couple types, but with duplicate poses.
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
Harpy: Sitting, Standing and Leaping, two of each. Six in total.
Lizard-bird-dog: Wings flat and Wings raised, two of each. Total 4.
Probably 1 or two sprues repeated twice.
20/X pic.twitter.com/Iz3ZTtLPNs
#Warcry contents summary:
— Alexander Nygård (@Darth_Alec) March 13, 2019
2 warbands:
Metal gang: 6 unique models.
Bone gang: 6 unique models + doggo.
Gribblies: 5 unique models, doubled up.
Terrain: Some ruins, a bell tower, a Sigmar head and a palisade(?)
21/X pic.twitter.com/IG4qaxgRDU