The new edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar is here, and the battles are already raging across tabletops worldwide! We’ve got the Skaven – those pesky, stinky ratmen – clashing with the noble Stormcast Eternals, and it’s been nothing short of epic. But what’s really exciting is the release of the first three new battletomes, starting with Battletome: Skaven and Battletome: Stormcast Eternals. Let’s dive into what these new faction books bring to the table, because there’s a lot to unpack.
New Look and Feel of Battletomes
The battletomes have had a serious upgrade! Each one is now a full-on guide to your faction, filled with everything you need: lore, rules, stunning artwork, and miniature showcases. But the way this is presented has changed for the better.
- Faction Lore with a Twist: The lore section now kicks off with the faction’s perspective on the Mortal Realms, including what their enemies, allies, and even random characters think about them. It’s an awesome way to really get inside the heads of your army and see what makes them tick.
- Realm-Specific Focus: There’s a cool new gatefold section that breaks down which parts of the eight realms are most important to your faction. This adds a lot of flavor and context to your battles, making every fight feel like it’s part of a bigger story.
- Deep Dive into History and Tactics: The books then dive into the history, heroes, and tactics of each faction. This section is all about giving you the bigger picture – the who, what, where, and why of your army, complete with a bestiary full of character-filled art and photos of minis.
Rules and Gameplay Enhancements
Now, let’s talk rules – because that’s what we’re all here for, right?
- Comprehensive Rules Section: The rules part of the battletome is jam-packed with everything from Battle Traits to Spell Lores, and even Warscrolls for every unit. Everything you need to run your army is laid out in a way that’s easy to navigate, so you can spend less time flipping through pages and more time rolling dice.
- Spearhead Rules and Future Updates: While the Skaven and Stormcast Eternals already got new forces with the recent box sets, you can bet we’ll see updated rules for other armies in future battletomes. Plus, New Armies of Renown are here, giving you fresh ways to build your army and pull off some sneaky new strategies.
- Path to Glory and Custom Heroes: For those who love narrative play, the Path to Glory section now includes a personalized Anvil of Apotheosis. This lets you craft custom heroes and tyrants, complete with their own story arcs and epic quests. It’s perfect for players who want their generals to be as unique as they are deadly.
Convenience and Compact Editions
One of the coolest updates is how streamlined and accessible everything is.
- Points and Warscroll Cards: Points aren’t in the battletomes anymore – they’re online via QR codes. But the battletome does come with a handy reference sheet for all your army’s core rules. And for those of us who hate lugging big books around, there’s a set of Warscroll cards available separately, with all your unit info in a compact, table-friendly format.
- Gamer’s Edition Battletomes: If you’re a tournament regular or just want something more portable, the Gamer’s Edition is where it’s at. These smaller, softback books have all the same content as the regular battletomes but are designed for easy transport. Plus, they come with an expanded set of Warscroll cards and a little sleeve in the back to keep everything organized.
What’s Next?
While the Skaven and Stormcast Eternals might not see huge changes in their core rules between their Faction Packs and these new battletomes, don’t get too comfortable. Future books could bring some big shake-ups to Battle Traits and unit rules, so keep an eye out!
All in all, this new edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar is looking better than ever. Whether you’re rallying the forces of the Skaven or standing tall with the Stormcast Eternals, these new battletomes are your key to dominating the Mortal Realms.
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