If you’ve been hanging around the Warhammer scene for a while, you’ll know this one’s been a long time coming.
After decades of being a tantalizing part of the lore, the armies of Grand Cathay are no longer locked behind the Great Bastion. Now they’ve marched straight into Warhammer: The Old World, bringing with them new books, narrative options, army lists, and lore-packed goodies.
This is more than just models – it’s a full-on narrative drop. Let’s break it all down, from Arcane Journals to old-school Middle-earth metal kits and everything in between.
Arcane Journal: Armies of Grand Cathay – Your Essential Lore Companion
First off, let’s talk about the Arcane Journal.
This is the core book for anyone diving into Grand Cathay – whether you’re painting up armies, crafting narratives, or theory-crafting your first lists. The journal includes a full rules section, profiles for your units, and most excitingly, 18 brand-new magic items. It even comes with two full spell lores: Yin and Yang.
These aren’t just power boosts – they give the army real flavor. Yin brings control and trickery, while Yang brings brute force and aggression. That duality is baked into the entire faction’s theme. And the lore? It fleshes out the empire behind the army, from the Storm Dragon herself to the magical nature of Cathayan society.
The Grand Cathay Battalion Box – The Perfect Starting Army
Then there’s the Battalion box, and this thing is stacked.
You get 30 Jade Warriors, customizable into either halberdiers or sword-and-shield line infantry. You also get 10 Jade Lancers, who are your classic shock cavalry. They look great and hit hard.
But here’s the kicker – two Cathayan Grand Cannons, which you can also build as Fire Rain Rocket Batteries. Want more spice? Each of those guns comes with crew, and you can upgrade them with a hulking Ogre Artillery Crew. Yes, that’s right – ogres hauling around heavy guns. The box even includes a massive 404-decal transfer sheet for proper Cathayan heraldry.
All the unit rules are in the Arcane Journal, so you’re not missing a beat.
New Character Kits and Beasts of War
Grand Cathay didn’t stop at just a battalion – the heroes and war engines are just as exciting.
- The Shugengan Lord on Great Spirit Longma is a centerpiece model. A dragon-blooded caster riding a flying beast? Yes, please. You can build it in multiple poses, with two head and arm options each. Some players will go full caster, others will build a combat beast – both are viable.
- The Gate Masters of the Celestial Cities are your veteran heroes. You get two models: one mounted and one on foot, with interchangeable arms for banners or weapons. These guys will anchor your battlelines and bring that traditional Warhammer fantasy command vibe.
- Sky Lanterns are floating gunships, powered by magical Vermilion Warbirds. These double as artillery and command hubs, with either Magistrates or Strategists up top. You get a bunch of weapon loadouts, plus a huge transfer sheet. They’re weird and wonderful – and very Cathayan.
- Cathayan Sentinels are towering elemental constructs. They’re huge, tanky, and great at mulching enemy infantry. Multiple heads, necks, poses, and weapon configurations mean no two need to look alike. These things are going to be terrorizing tables all over the place.
Reference Tools and Matched Play Goodies
There’s also a Reference Card Pack and matching Dice Set.
The cards cover everything you need mid-game: spell lores, magic items, faction rules – all the crunchy stuff. Pair that with 20 pale green “jade” dice, each bearing the Grand Cathay symbol on the six. It’s not essential, but it looks great on the tabletop.
If you’re the tournament type, the new Matched Play Guide for The Old World might be worth checking out. It includes six scenarios, guidance on event formats, and secondary objectives. The goal is to add more tactical depth and make games feel fresh, even at higher levels of play.
Middle-earth Made to Order: Gondor Rides Again
While Cathay is the headliner, Middle-earth isn’t being left behind.
There’s a Made to Order drop focused on Minas Tirith. If you’re a fan of Gondor or Dol Amroth, this is a great chance to grab classic metal sculpts.
You’ve got:
- Swan Knights on foot and mounted
- Swan Knight Commanders, both mounted and dismounted
- Faramir, Captain of Ithilien, fully armoured and mounted
- Two Minas Tirith command packs, with Captains and Banner Bearers
These are real-deal metal minis from the old days. Orders run from June 21 to June 30. But like all Made to Order kits, shipping can take a while – up to 180 days.
Black Library Drop – 13th Legion Now on Audiobook
If you’re more into stories than statlines, this week also drops 13th Legion as an audiobook.
This is the gritty, gunmetal Warhammer 40K you love. It follows Colonel Schaeffer and his Last Chancers, a penal battalion made of killers and criminals. They’re sent on impossible missions and either succeed or die trying. It’s a great intro to one of the most iconic Imperial Guard sub-series. Gritty, chaotic, and loaded with great character moments.
Other Bits – Warhammer+ and Studio Previews
Over on Warhammer+, you’ve got a bunch of studio content this week:
- How We Roll dives into the making of the new Age of Sigmar General’s Handbook
- Loremasters takes a closer look at the Tome Keepers, White Dwarf’s homebrew Space Marine chapter
- Scrap Demon returns, with the gang scratch-building Adeptus Mechanicus monstrosities
Also, Warhammer: The Horus Heresy gets more love. This week focuses on Saturnine Terminators and a new Dreadnought, including full rules previews and lore snippets.
Final Thoughts: Grand Cathay Isn’t Just a Release – It’s a Statement
This launch proves one thing loud and clear – Games Workshop isn’t treating Grand Cathay as a side-note.
They’re building it out with real lore, full rules support, unique unit designs, and competitive structure. This isn’t just a one-and-done faction. Whether you’re a narrative fan, a modeler, or a competitive player, there’s something here for you.
And let’s be honest – it’s just cool to see Warhammer finally go all-in on a setting that’s existed in the background for decades.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
