Warmachine terrain releases rarely feel this tied to army identity. However, the new Kithguard Defences hit that sweet spot nicely.
They are practical table pieces, but they also tell a story. For Southern Kriels players, that matters a lot. This is a summary of the article found on the Steamforge page here.
Kithguard Defences Bring Trollkin Character to the Table
The new Kithguard Defences set gives Southern Kriels players a flavorful way to fortify the battlefield. The kit releases June 16 and includes sturdy barricades, sharpened stakes, supply caches, and a crackling campfire. That mix feels at home in the jungles of Alchiere, where the Kithguard have built a harder life. As terrain, these pieces should look great around objectives, ambush lanes, or defensive pockets. As hobby pieces, however, they also help sell the army’s whole vibe. These are not polished parade-ground walls. They feel like practical trollkin work, built by people who expect trouble and intend to survive it.
The background gives the release some extra weight. The Southern Kriels are tired of bleeding in human wars while their ancestral lands vanish. Therefore, they leave the cold swamps behind and settle in Alchiere, trained by Cygnar yet devoted to Kith and Kriel. Now, with human armies falling back and the Orgoth pushing deeper into Immoren, exposed trollkin territories are calling for help. That gives the Kithguard a narrative hook, since these are veterans answering desperate pleas from their own people. On the table, the faction leans into ambush play with trap doors. As a result, the army looks mobile, unpredictable, and annoying to pin down.
All four boxed army sets are available, including the Command Starter, Battlegroup Box, Core Expansion, and Auxiliary Expansion. There is even a 100-point “Jungle Boogie” list from lead designer Fraser McFetridge for players wanting a ready starting point.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is a small release with a lot of real personality. The defences support the army visually, narratively, and tactically. Also, they make Kithguard tables feel less generic.
