This week’s warmachine news is dominated by Cryx, but the undead pirates are not sailing alone.
Dread Armada finally has launch tiers, prices, and a physical ordering option. Meanwhile, Fane of Nyrro receives a monstrous new solo with serious tabletop presence. Aiakos also gets a lore spotlight explaining why he fits this pirate fleet so perfectly.
Dread Armada Gets Launch Tiers, Discounts, and Physical Models
Dread Armada launches through FronTiers from October 15 through October 29, with two main digital entry points. Notably, the Collection Tier contains both warjack sets, two army boxes, major characters, Dreadtides, rules, and Cryx lore. Bought separately later, Steamforged values that digital package at $545, or $272 for Tribe subscribers.
However, the FronTier price is $159 before applicable taxes, making the launch discount pretty substantial. Players testing the waters can instead choose the $30 Starter Crew Tier. That package includes Reaver Cutthroats, Dreadtides, the rules, and the Forces of Cryx Mark III lore PDF. More importantly, players without 3D printers are not being abandoned this time. Steamforged will offer limited physical models during the same October 15 to October 29 window.
Orders enter production afterward and should ship within four to eight weeks, depending on location. Additionally, Warstores can accept orders, although quantities remain limited. Physical bundles will include free warjack options and free Dreadtides STLs. Finally, the army will return physically later, but this first production run is deliberately limited.
Fane of Nyrro Adds a Monster While Cryx Reboxes Roll Out
Fane of Nyrro gets the Styrge Abhorreth, an 80mm solo descended from Styrge Hounds that outgrow pack life. In the lore, these predators claim underground territories before Fane Knights capture and bind them to riders. On the table, the pairing combines brute force, dark magic, and protection for allies against incoming missiles. Consequently, it feels like a genuine centerpiece without simply becoming another giant warjack. Meanwhile, Cryx Necrofactorium receives a major packaging refresh ahead of its October 20 release.
Likewise, existing models remain fully playable, but the range becomes much easier to collect. The revised lineup uses a Command Set, three army boxes, plus modular light and heavy warjack sets. Command Sets provide roughly 30 points, while each army box offers around 50 points for skirmish games. As a result, players can combine boxes toward 100 points without untangling the older product structure. Cygnar Storm Legion is receiving a similar refresh.
Finally, Dread Armada launches digitally on October 15, with Skarre and Terminus among its returning legends.
Aiakos Brings Pure Pirate Ambition to the Dread Armada
Aiakos began among Blackwater’s gangs before becoming one of Cryx’s most dangerous pirate warcasters. Rather than hiring ordinary deckhands, he recruits Scharde Islands pirates for proven ruthlessness and skill. He also fights from the front, jumping between ships while helljacks tear through defenders. However, his rise proves Aiakos is equally dangerous when treachery works better than strength. Lord Craethan Morvaen demanded a larger share of his loot, so Aiakos appeared to submit.
Instead, he brought treasure supposedly recovered from Lich Lord Daeamortus’ lost flagship. Hidden among that tribute sat Kharybdis, an apparently inert and barnacle-covered helljack. Morvaen’s guards searched the pirates, but greed kept their attention fixed on the treasure. Once Morvaen approached, Kharybdis sprayed black ichor into his face. Meanwhile, Aiakos’ crew recovered weapons hidden among the plunder. The slaughter ended with Morvaen’s head displayed on Aiakos’ trident.
Aiakos then claimed the fortress, treasure, and Morvaen’s formidable ship, the Nocturnus. Additionally, his former Quay Slayers gang now controls that Blackwater stronghold in his absence. Yet bloodshed and plunder still drive him, making Aiakos a natural fit for Dread Armada’s pirate swagger.
Overall, this warmachine news cycle makes Dread Armada feel like a full army launch rather than a simple STL preview. The pricing creates several entry points, while physical availability removes the biggest barrier for non-printers. Meanwhile, Styrge Abhorreth gives Fane players something visually monstrous without stealing attention from the Cryx rollout. Aiakos adds exactly the right cruelty and ambition to the returning pirate fleet. Taken together, the models, lore, and collection options make this release feel unusually substantial.
