This pre-order wave feels like someone shook the entire Warhammer toybox.
Space Marine elites are ready to punch holes in reality, Chaos Marauders are pouring out of the north, and the Empire is dragging some classic metals out of retirement. Meanwhile, Black Library is finally stepping into the Scouring with a huge new series opener. Moreover, Middle-earth fans and hobby stream enjoyers also get a slice of the action.
So let us walk through what is actually coming, how it fits into the lore, and why your wallet is already sweating.
Power Fists and Honour Hammers – Space Marine Goodness
The 40k side opens with Ferren Areios, Captain of the Ultramarines Sixth Company, stepping out of the pages of Master of Rites as a Black Library miniature. He carries the thunder hammer Honour and stands as a proper Indomitus era hero personally chosen by Guilliman. Moreover, the model is a limited run for now, with Legends rules coming online soon, so it is very much a “grab it while it exists” situation.
The Ancient in Terminator Armour brings that classic “big banner in bigger armour” look to plastic. He is basically the guy who plants the chapter standard where the fighting is hottest and dares the enemy to do something about it. The kit includes two banner toppers, two right arm options, and four heads, so you can dial him from stoic veteran to raging skull-helmet hero as needed.
The long awaited Terminator Assault Squad is the real brawler pack. Five Assault Terminators in Tactical Dreadnought Armour can be built either with paired lightning claws or with thunder hammer and storm shield. Additionally, there are plenty of heads, tilting plates, accessories, a Teleport Homer, and a packed transfer sheet with hundreds of decals. Consequently, this is the kit you reach for when you want to solve problems by teleporting directly into the middle of them.
White Scars fans are not ignored either. Suboden Khan arrives as a standalone character, riding his grav bike Thunder and leading the First Brotherhood’s Outriders. He carries both a power sword and the glaive Stormtooth, and the kit offers helmeted and bare headed options. Moreover, he fits perfectly into any Chogorian style fast attack heavy force that wants a named hammer to lead the charge.
Chaos From the North and Old World Toys
The Old World section is all about the Marauder Tribes and the burning of Westerland. The Chaos Marauders Army Reinforcement Set gives Warriors of Chaos players a massive injection of plastic bodies. You get 40 new Marauders on foot that can form four units of ten with full command. Moreover, they can be armed with hand weapon and shield, great weapon, or flails, and each body has two head options for variety.
On top of that, ten Marauder Horsemen can be built as two units of five with full command, carrying either spears and shields or flails. Additionally, each group of five has thirteen head options, so you can really sell the idea of distinct tribes within the same horde. The box also throws in two Chaos transfer sheets, each with 246 decals tied to four warbands, so you can pledge yourself to the Bloodied Hound, Carrion Crow, Slithering Serpent, or Fell Raptor.
Arcane Journal: The Razing of Westerland backs the models with narrative and rules. The 48 page softback details Frydaal the Chainmaker’s invasion and the tribes at her side. It introduces new profiles and rules for Marauder Tribes, including Chaotic Traits, Chaotic Cults, Lore of the Shadowlands, and new common magic items as Artefacts of the Shadowlands. Moreover, a Path to Glory style section lets you grow a force from 500 points to a warhost over a campaign, with units gaining experience and abilities. Three historical scenarios round it out. To actually use this material, you will need Ravening Hordes, Arcane Journal: Warriors of Chaos, and Arcane Journal: The War of Settra’s Fury for the Path to Glory rules.
For map nerds, there is a new Map of the Old World – Imperial Calendar 2278. It is a big, heavyweight poster that unfolds to nearly a meter in each direction. It folds in new locations from the various Arcane Journals and shows more detail of the northern regions where the servants of the Dark Gods gather. Consequently, it is both a lore piece and a perfect backdrop behind an Old World display shelf.
Made to Order Nostalgia – Empire and Middle-earth
The Empire is getting classic metal State Troops back on a Made to Order basis. A set of five Empire Captains returns, each armed differently. Additionally, there are ten metal Halberdiers, separate metal command groups, eight metal Handgunners, and ten metal Archers. These are older sculpts that many of us remember from previous Warhammer eras. As usual, the Made to Order window runs from the 22nd of November to the 1st of December, with up to 180 days for shipping.
Middle-earth fans also get a vintage wave. Classic metal models for Arwen and Frodo on Asfaloth, Gandalf the Grey at Rivendell, Sam and Bill the Pony, three Twilight Ringwraiths, six Morannon Orc Warriors, and a pack of eight casualty miniatures are all coming back for a limited time. Moreover, those casualty sculpts are perfect for objective markers or for grim basing on character pieces. The same Made to Order timing and shipping caveats apply.
Black Library Steps Into The Scouring and Beyond
The reading pile gets huge this week. The heavyweight is Ashes of the Imperium by Chris Wraight, the first full novel to tackle the Scouring after the Horus Heresy. The story follows the immediate aftermath of the Siege of Terra as survivors pick through the ruins and Horus’ remaining fleet tries to escape retribution. Some characters hope for peace, but the book is clear that the war has only changed shape.
There is a premium limited edition with a faux leather cover, metal emblem featuring four legions, foil details, silver page edges, and a ribbon bookmark. Inside, you get colour art inserts and multiple illustrations of Dorn and Guilliman along with key moments. Moreover, this version is while stocks last, although a restock is hinted if it vanishes instantly. Standard hardback, eBook, and MP3 audiobook are also going up, with French and German paperback and digital versions arriving too.
Master of Rites by Rob Young focuses on Ferren Areios and the Ultramarines Sixth Company fighting to reclaim the Khorsari Reach from the Death Guard. The special edition has screen printed foil art, silver edges, a blue ribbon, a unique number, a signature, an afterword, and an extra short story titled “Sanctioned Death.” Additionally, hardback, eBook, MP3, and French and German paperback and eBook editions are all lined up.
Guard fans get Minka Lesk: Hell’s Last in paperback, where the 101st fight through a deadly jungle in the Gallows Cluster to try to save a crumbling front. Meanwhile, Steel Tread by Andy Clark returns in hardback, following Hadeya Etsul as she becomes commander of a Leman Russ Demolisher within a Cadian tank regiment. Moreover, lore readers in French get The Horus Heresy: Collection XVIII, bundling Heralds of the Siege, Titandeath, and The Buried Dagger. German readers pick up Eidolon: The Auric Hammer and The Fall of Cadia in new editions, covering Emperor’s Children villainy and Abaddon’s legendary assault on Cadia.
Warhammer TV and Community Teasers
Warhammer TV is also busy. John French sits down on Scribes and Scriveners to talk about writing the Horus Heresy and Siege of Terra. Citadel Colour Masterclass focuses on painting the Helsmiths of Hashut, including their metallic armour, muted gems, and brutal horns. Moreover, there is a Battle Report featuring the Zharrdron facing off against the Sons of Behemat, in a matchup that tests whether giant height actually matters. A trailer for the second half of Blacktalon season two is also dropping midweek.
On Warhammer Community itself, there are promises of a new Adeptus Mechanicus reveal, a rules deep dive for Warhammer Quest: Darkwater, and more background on Ferren Areios. Additionally, the Old World Almanack will get new pages focused on the Chaos Marauders and their Arcane Journal material.
Summary
In the end, this pre-order wave is a full buffet. Space Marine elites and characters get new plastic, Chaos Marauders finally arrive in bulk, and the Empire drags beloved metals back out for one more tour. Moreover, Black Library kicks off the Scouring era with a lavish release while continuing to support Ultramarines and Astra Militarum fans. Middle-earth collectors get a nostalgia hit, painters get fresh Masterclass content, and lore heads get teased with more Old World and Darkwater coverage. So whether you love boarding action hammers, howling northern hordes, or post Heresy intrigue, this weekend’s release slate has something sharp with your name on it.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
