If you’re anything like me—deep into The Old World hype train and debating which dragon’s getting primed first—this week’s Old World Almanack is absolute gold.
It’s part two of the behind-the-scenes breakdown with the sculpting team behind Grand Cathay, and it focuses on the big centrepiece kits: the Sky Lantern, Longma riders, Cathayan Sentinel, and the mighty Miao Ying herself. If you care about lore, modeling choices, and what makes these kits tick, you’re gonna want to read this. Furthermore our friends at the Squarehammer podcast have been able to review the Arcane Journal and share some of the rules for these amazing minis!
Let’s get into it, one big kit at a time.
Sky Lantern – Warhammer’s Flying Teahouse of Doom
Right out of the gate, the Sky Lantern is one of those units that just screams “Warhammer weirdness done right.” Initially, it only had a single character reference from Total War: Warhammer III, but the sculpting team took that and ran with it.
Rather than just plonk four Crane Gunners in a floating box, the crew was made into a scrappy, skyfaring bunch—eclectic, a bit pirate-y, and totally Warhammer. The gondola is packed with flavor: there’s even a Lord Magistrate sipping tea mid-battle, and a peg-legged Champion hurling bombs like he’s in Guns of Navarone.
However, it wasn’t all vibes—there were real logistical headaches. Making the kit “feel” like it could float, keeping it paintable, and getting it to fit on two sprues? That’s hobby engineering wizardry. But the final design oozes personality, and with custom decals and big transfers included, this thing becomes a rolling canvas for Cathayan flair.
Longma Riders – Horse? Dragon? Catfish?
Let’s talk about the Longma, the mythical dragon-horses that pull double duty as both lore bombshell and stylish battlefield cavalry. The sculptors pulled from Chinese mythology—blending traits from tianma and qilin—to create a distinctly Warhammer take.
With their catfish whiskers, slender frames, and elegant wing design, these beasts lean toward grace more than brute power. But don’t be fooled—there’s plenty of punch here. The Shugengan rider adds a noble layer with iron talons, ornate pistols, and lush embroidered capes. Two head options let you skew more masculine or feminine, helping you create variety in your hero builds.
It’s a great example of how the design team made something rooted in myth, but unique enough to belong in the blood-soaked chaos of the Old World.
Cathayan Sentinel – Terracotta Titan with a Warhammer Twist
Alright, this thing is a massive animated statue, basically a Terracotta Warrior with a severe anger management problem. The designers nailed the sense of weight, layering all the iconic Cathayan armour types into a single kit. It’s complex, but it’s also coherent.
However, to sell its immense scale, the sculptors leaned into subtle real-world touches—like prayer strips glued on at human height. You can imagine children scribbling on it like a divine fridge. There’s molten light glowing under the armour too, suggesting it’s powered by ancient sorcery rather than clockwork. Also, the facemask options let you run more than one without looking repetitive—perfect for players who want multiple hulking guardians.
Miao Ying – The Storm Dragon Descends
Finally, we hit the big one. Miao Ying is the poster character for Grand Cathay and had the tightest design brief of the lot. But despite that, the sculptors managed to flex some serious creativity.
She has no massive weapon pointing menacingly at the enemy—because she is the weapon. Her human form floats down atop earthen magic, rocks swirling around her as she descends from storm clouds. This pose mirrors her dragon form’s upward movement, subtly telling a story of duality. Even the crown stays constant between forms—just transformed by her magic. Little touches like that are what make Warhammer great.
From a modeling perspective, her fine-scale texture is a sculpting masterclass. It’s designed to highlight musculature and motion, not just sit flat on the plastic. The painting team took a more “volumetric” approach too, which avoids turning her into a visual blur of tiny scales.
She’s a stunning centrepiece—and yes, we have to wait a little longer to pre-order her. But it’ll be worth it.
Final Thoughts: Big Kits, Big Energy
These kits aren’t just models—they’re story delivery systems. Each one shows how Warhammer’s design team blends real-world myth, modern digital sculpting, and tabletop functionality into something truly iconic. From the teapot-sipping lantern crew to ancient stone guardians powered by divine flame, every part screams character.
If you’re into Warhammer: The Old World and you want your army to be more than just a stat block, these kits are where it’s at. They’re dripping with personality, perfect for hobbyists who want centerpiece models that tell stories before the dice even roll.
Even if you’re not collecting Grand Cathay, these models are still worth your attention for the lore alone. The craftsmanship behind them shows just how deep the design philosophy goes in the rebooted Old World.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
