Chaos and xenos fans both get tasty previews here. However, each article scratches a different hobby itch. Slaanesh brings models, boxed sets, and collection options.
Meanwhile, Genestealer Cults get crunchy detachment rules. Together, they show how Warhammer mixes spectacle with identity.
Hedonites of Slaanesh Return With a New Lord and Decadent Army Options
The Hedonites reveal is all about excess, movement, and Slaanesh swagger. The new miniature is the Lord of Hysteria. It joins the Lord of Hubris and Lord of Pain as a mortal champion.
However, this one is framed more as a support character than a duelist. They have traded their soul to pleasure-daemons, giving them menace and the ability to drive followers into frenzy. Players can build it with a mirrored blade or censer, plus two helm-toppers.
Additionally, the hooved footwear is a design choice. It adds height while showing the self-inflicted agony this champion embraces for status.
The new Battletome: Hedonites of Slaanesh houses those rules, plus updated army rules, lore, and photography. Importantly, its battle traits revolve around temptations, forcing opponents into awful choices. That is exactly where Slaanesh should live mechanically, because strong Dark Prince rules make your opponent complicit. That feels very on-brand at the table.
The Decadent Host boxed set gives mortal Slaanesh players a strong foundation. It includes Sigvald, Slaangor Fiendbloods, Myrmidesh Painbringers, Slickblade Seekers, and Blissbarb Archers.
Therefore, it works as either a starter or expansion. It also supports the new Decadent Host Army of Renown.
Meanwhile, the Epicurean Revellers Spearhead shifts toward daemons, packing the Thricefold Discord, Fiends, Daemonettes, and Seekers. Finally, the Thricefold Discord moves from Warhammer Underworlds into the main roster.
The Accursed Reflection Regiment of Renown lets Chaos armies bring a Contorted Epitome and manifestations of excess.
Genestealer Cults Get Sneakier Heroes, Deadlier Purestrains, and Endless Neophytes
The Genestealer Cults focus is heavier on rules, and it absolutely leans into uprising warfare. Heroes of the Uprising spotlights the Kelermorph, Locus, Reductus Saboteur, and Sanctus as “Killer” models. These folk-hero assassins re-roll hit rolls of 1 and wound rolls of 1, making them reliable at deleting key pieces.
Additionally, Gene-tailored Toxins can give a Locus or Sanctus +1 Damage, turning precision attacks into elite infantry threats.
Living Up to Legend rewards a Killer unit that destroys an enemy unit or Character.
It clears battle-shock from visible friendly cult units within 12 inches. That is great flavor, because nothing rallies the underhive like watching an arrogant officer get removed.
Purestrain Broodswarm goes in a different direction.
Enemy Within lets unengaged Purestrain Genestealer units enter Strategic Reserves at the end of the opponent’s Fight phase. Therefore, they can hit, fade, and reappear on flanks like nightmare xenos.
Mark of the Star Children boosts up to three Purestrain units. They gain +1 Toughness, a 4+ save, and +1 Strength in melee.
Meanwhile, Crawling Horror gives a unit -6 inches detection range for a turn, helping them survive before the pounce.
Xenocult Masses then shifts back to the horde. Hordes of the Faithful heals three wounds from a Neophyte Hybrid unit in terrain during your Command phase.
So, models return constantly. Devious Disguises gives Neophytes -3 inches detection range.
Slunk from the Underbelly reduces incoming AP by 1 while they stay in terrain. Finally, each featured detachment costs 1 DP. Players can combine these tricks with Codex options like Brood Brother Auxilia or Outlander Claw.
Summary: Two Very Different Previews With Strong Tabletop Flavor
Overall, these previews understand their armies. Slaanesh gets collection building, a theatrical champion, and temptation-based rules. Meanwhile, Genestealer Cults get assassins, ambushers, and stubborn masses returning from the shadows. However, the win is identity. These rules and releases make each faction feel like itself, which matters more than raw power.
