Nothing says "Warhammer 40,000" like spikes and skulls - and who has more skulls and spikes per square centimetre than Chaos Space Marines? This week the Forces of Chaos drop from The Warp with a brand new Codex and some spiffy boxed sets, but alas only one new miniature! Starting off with their tome, Codex Chaos Space Marines comes in Ebony Love Wagon Collectors Edition or Feel My Wrath, Welp of The False Emperor Standard Edition. The bulk of the Chaos Space Marines releases are three specialised boxed sets, starting out with the Veterans of the Long War which includes the brand new Chaos Lord (left) and all his weapon options, 5 x Possessed, 5 x Chosen (beautifully detailed minis which sort of flew under the radar), 10 x Chaos Terminators, 10 x Chaos Space Marines and 5 x Chaos Space Marines transfer sheets. The second box is the Dread Talons which concentrates on the wider demonic sway of Chaos servants, with the Chaos Lord with Jump Pack, the amazing Daemon Prince (which comes with his different options), 10 x Raptors/ Dark Talons, the Dark Commune, 10 x Chaos Cultists, 8 x Accursed Cultists and the requisite 5 x Chaos Space Marines transfer sheets. The third box is the new Combat Patrol: Chaos Space Marines which gives you a bit of a sample of different types of Chaos units, with a Master of Possession (Chaos Sorcerer), 5 x Possessed, 10 x Chaos Space Marines, 10 x Chaos Cultists and only 2 x Chaos Space Marines transfer sheets (how sad!). A bit of a loner outside his original boxed set is the Chaos Cultist Firebrand - he's a leader with no troops. That's a bit sad, and kind of rude to be charging so much for a single monopose miniature that was previously in a boxed set of Cultists. To assist your spiky grumpy noir boys, the new Chaos Space Marine dice and Chaos Space Marines Datasheet​s.
​The delayed release of the Tau for 10th Edition hits Australia and New Zealand this week the new Tau Codex and Tau Kroot Auxiliaries up for pre-order. Rejoice in the new Codex: Tau Empire, available in Reds Under The Beds Collectors Edition and Giant Mecha Pew Pew Standard Edition. The big news on this release though, is the much-needed update and expansion to the Kroot range. The Kroot add a solid melee and selection of fast units to back up the Tau gunline, so to have more plastic minis in this range is a game-changer for Tau players. The Kroot are led by Shapers, and there's three new ones this week, the War Shaper, the Trail Shaper and the Flesh Shaper - all cool models, owing more than a bit to the movie Predator. The troops of the Kroot are the Kroot Carnivores, swift brutal melee fighters, who can fight alongside the Kroot Hounds to make a mess of your enemy. There's also some beasty-lads, with the excellent Krootox Rampagers, Krootox Rider and Kroot Lone-spear all partnering with mounts to bring either heavy weapons, crushing melee power or  precise sniper accuracy to the battlefield. The Tau Empire also gets a new Combat Patrol: T’au Empire, with a Commander in Enforcer Battlesuit/ Coldstar Battlesuit, a Devilfish transport, 10 x Breacher/ Strike Team Fire Warriors, 10 x Pathfinders, 5 x Tactical Drones, a Recon Drone, and a Support Turret, plus 3 x T’au Empire Infantry Decals transfer sheets and a T’au Empire Vehicle Decals transfer sheet. The Tau have to be THE most regularly faction when it comes to Battleforces or boxed sets - it feels like they get two or three a year, so if you miss this one (though it is nicely rounded), then there'll be one with a Ghostkeel in a few months. It wouldn't be a release without Tau Empire Datacards and a set of awesome Tau Dice.
There's two classic Orks in Made To Order this week, with the quintessential Kaptin Badrukk and Boss Zagstruk both available in resin. There were Tau Made to Order meant to be listed this week, but they are nowhere to be seen... They're meant to be Aun’va in resin, Aun’shi in metal, the awesome Commander Longstrike in resin, the towering Tidewall Gunrig terrain in plastic, and the old resin Fire Warrior Shoulder Pads for the Farsight Enclave.
Also this week is the delayed White Dwarf 500th issue and the new Grombrindal commemorative miniature - which like al l things White Dwarf is **yawn**

On this holiest of days it does seem like heresy to be speaking about Warhammer when this is the day to celebrate Star Wars, but here we are. I'm sure Star Wars can share some of the light with their much less vaunted cousin.
Fans of little tanks rejoice - for there is a rumbling on the horizon, and glory-be it is the tracks of the Emperor's armoured fist. The largest Solar Auxilia tank so far, the Stormhammer has arrived, looking a tad different to the original one from Epic days, along with the Malcador Squadron (delayed in the US and Canada). In lore the Malcador was fielded by all arms of the conflict - Militia, Army, Auxilia and Adeptus Astartes - but having not read the rules for Legions Imperialis I'm not sure if that's a thing these days! The foot-sloggers need a way to get around too, so the Dracosan Transport Detachment is here, plus something to pound the enemy with, the Basilisk and Medusa Battery will be very much appreciated. The Space Marines also get some reinforcements with the awesome Sicaran Squadron (delayed in the US and Canada) mixing speed with power, the Dreadnought Drop Pods (which can also be made into shield-throwing Palisade Drop Pods) and Legiones Astartes Drop Pods getting your troops right into the action, and last but not least, Legion Fast Attack giving you speeders, bikes, jet bikes and more. A great little set!
Middle Earth fans get some new terrain this week, with the new Osgiliath – Ruined City of Gondor bringing even more scenery to the table. It must be said though, the price is awfully high, especially compared to third party sellers and especially 3D products in the market!
Made to Order brings us Orcs and Goblins this week, with the absolutely iconic Orc Shaman on Wyvern making an incredibly nostalgic reappearance. He's joined by Stone Trolls 1 and Stone Trolls 2, the fantastic River Trolls (though the plastic ones are pretty much the same), a very cool Black Orc Big Boss with Axe & Shield, and last but absolutely not least, the venerable Marauder Giant. This was THE mini to have in the old days. A mighty presence and formerly a big favourite for Golden Demon entrants. All these minis are in metal, which when it comes to the Giant and the Shaman on Wyvern is a real shame! Both of these deserve the resin treatment AND to be available for longer than this limited window. 
In other products, Darktide: The Miniatures Game is out, featuring previously released minis and some cardboard. The price on this is frankly ridiculous, and even it's existence is questionable.
In books this week we have ​Ciaphas Cain: Vainglorious in paperback spanning the period of time before he's just about to head to the Imperial Retirement Home. 
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Read on for the stuff that's geoblocked! 

It's a worldwide celebration. Everyone is invited to the party. Come see these exciting features in a special-sized 500th issue of White Dwarf... except if you're in Australia and New Zealand.
​That's right you're not included! Oh and not only can't you get the 500th White Dwarf, you also can't get the new Grombrindal commemorative miniature. PARTY ON!! 
Seriously, the fact GW can't get themselves organized enough to get these two products out to everyone is shameful. It's been announced that their warehouses will be shutting down at the end of this month for some urgent works (and we have a theory about what's going to happen), but come on. Exclusion does not a community make! Very disappointing to many fans, I'm sure. 

We're going to slit the pre-orders this week due to delays in place for some products, so lets tart with what's universal.
This week is the tail-end of the Solar Auxilia range, with the Solar Auxilia Basilisk/ Medusa combi-kit heading up the list. A mighty artillery piece, this new vehicle also sports an interior and crew, which is a brilliant hobby challenge for any hobbyist. The second Solar Auxilia release is the very cool Hermes Light Sentinel/ Hermes Veletaris Sentinel comi-kit. A huge improvement on the previous heavy walker seen in the army box, these are sleek and fun, full of modelling potential!
There's some classic Ork kits this week too, with the Made To Order Orks release now out and about. Furnished in metal, the classic Ork Dreadnought, Blood Axe Kommandos and Nobz are heavy hitters in the world of 40K. It would be great to see some plastic versions of the Blood Axe Commandos, but that's old lore, so may never happen.
In books this week we have an interesting new omnibus, War for the Mortal Realms. This book is touted as a new omnibus collecting companion novels from each edition of the game with new interstitial sections bridging the gaps between major events in the Age of $igmar. Bit of an odd one, but it could be a great primer for new players or people wanting to get caught up on the narrative elects to the game. There's also another Age of $igmar book, this one is the previously published Yndrasta: The Celestial Spear, but now it's available in paperback, much like the final Horus Heresy novel, The End and The Death: Volume II, also on pre-order this weekend.
We're also informed that the new Warhammer Heroes Series 4, featuring models from across the Primaris realm ,is about to become available in selected stores in the US. What that means for the rest of us, no one ifs quite sure yet! 

Now if you're anywhere in the world except Australia and New Zealand, then you are in for a treat this week, with the new Tau Codex and Tau Kroot Auxiliaries up for pre-order.
  Everything Tau and Kroot is here, in the Codex: Tau Empire, available in Reds Under The Beds Collectors Edition and Giant Mecha Standard Edition. Accompanying this Codex is a much-needed update to the Kroot, the Tau's skirmishing allied forces. A force in their own right, the Kroot are loyal to the Tau, and add a solid melee and selection of fast units to back up the Tau gunline! The Kroot are led by Shapers, and there's three new ones this week, the War Shaper, the Trail Shaper and the Flesh Shaper - all cool models, owing more than a bit to the movie Predator. The troops of the Kroot are the Kroot Carnivores, swift brutal melee fighters, who can fight alongside the Kroot Hounds to make a mess of your enemy. There's also some beasty-lads, with the excellent Krootox Rampagers, Krootox Rider and Kroot Lone-spear all partnering with mounts to bring either heavy weapons, crushing melee power or  precise sniper accuracy to the battlefield. The Tau Empire also gets a new Combat Patrol: T’au Empire, tweaking the last version. This is a nice booster to your existing minis or a nice starting set for new players. It wouldn't be a release without Tau Empire Datacards and a set of awesome Tau Dice.

Alrighty, strap yourself in for one of those weird staggered release weekends, but at least this time it's all one universe - Warhammer: The Old World!
We start off with the Arcane Journal: Orcs and Goblin Tribes spilling all the beans on the Green Horde! Do you like brand new miniatures - well the new Goblin Shaman - coming with absolutely no options, is a really lovely, evocative miniature, and integral to your Goblin army! Now onto the classic stuff, with the returning metal Orc & Goblin Tribes Orc Shamans set, the delayed release in Aust/NZ Orc & Goblin Tribes Battalion which reissues classic (and some not long discontinued) Orc models, including the Orc Boyz Mobs and Boar Chariots which are also available separately this week. Also in the "mobs" category are the generic Orc Mobs, the very cool Orc Boar Boyz Mob and the Goblin Mobs (who are also in the Orc & Goblin Tribes Battalion), a personal favourite the Night Goblin Mob and recently discontinued Goblin Wolf Rider Mob. Orcs and Goblins are nothing without their Dice and Reference Cards - so don't forget those!
The Bretonnians get some new and classic love this weekend with the new Forge World Lady Élisse Duchaard (an exquisitely painted mini), the new Kingdom of Bretonnia Lord on Royal Pegasus which can also be made as a Duke or Baron with a pegasus mount. A really stunning model, and available for the first time outside of the Bretonnian army box. The classics keep on rolling with the plastic Kingdom of Bretonnia Men at Arms and Kingdom of Bretonnia Peasant Bowmen, plus the new Kingdom of Bretonnia Transfer Sheet (more on transfer sheets later).
Sadly the Japanese audience miss out on the classic Orcs and the classic Bretonnians this pre-order wave.
Everyone's favourite analogue Necrons, the Tomb Kings of Khemri get a reworking of their classic metal Casket of Souls, but this time in resin. There's new detail on this kit, with internal detail tot he casket and the scattered skulls have also been redone. It's a shame in a way that they didn't redo the heads on the guards too - it's really the only thing holding this mini back from looking new! Formerly a very rare miniature, the very old classic Tomb Kings of Khemri Necrolith Colossus is back, this time in resin and includes the never before released helmeted head and apparently added overall mobility.

Now we did mention the new transfers in the Orc and Bretonnian kits, and here's a closer look. The Orc and Goblin ones are interesting as Games Workshop have replaced the classic embossed shields with flat shields and then coloured transfers to replace them. In terms of continuity it's a real shame, mind you, new transfers are always nice. Speaking of nice transfers, the transfers included in the classic Bretonnian kits are the same as the sheet available separately - mind you at the price, you may as well buy the minis.  

While Australia and New Zealand catch up on some Orcs and Goblins, we unfortunately miss out on the new Darkoath Army Set, which launches the new versions of what were previously the Chaos Marauders, the mortal followers of the Dark Gods. The new miniatures have a lot more dynamism but lose the multi-pose options of previous releases. They look brilliant, but for some reason haven't really hit the spot. The Darkoath Army Set includes 20 x Darkoath Marauders, 5 x Darkoath Fellriders, a really evocative Chieftain on Warsteed (compare the pose to the recent Nurgle Harbinger of Decay and the Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal and you'll see a theme), and daemonic Wilderfiend. Like all army boxes, it includes the warscroll cards and tokens, plus Battletome Supplement: Darkoath, which is an expansion for Battletome: Slaves to Darkness.

Come to think of it, have we hit on something? Are these three miniatures a triumvirate? Is it the story of a Freeguild Cavalier-Marshal turning to Chaos and then eventually to Nurgle?

That title is very obscure, and only really a thing to Australians who remember Darrel Eastlake's insane commentary on Rugby League, but it's too good to pass up considering the pre-order offerings this week.
First off we have the Emperor's Golden Boys, the Adeptus Custodes, who get their updated Codex for 10th Edition 40k. The Codex is available in two flavours, Shiny Sparkle Horse Collectors Edition and Blinded By The Light Standard Edition. As we all know, the Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor's elite bodyguards, and when they take the field they do so as a force of fury, which is exactly what the new Battleforce: Auric Champions is meant to represent. Led by the new (and very squat) Shield Captain, you also get five Wardens, six Allarus Terminators, and six Vertus Praetors - the guys mounted on those cool jetbikes! Prefer something a little smaller in scale or just need to bump up your existing lads? Well the Combat Patrol: Adeptus Custodes is for you. This time it's led by a Blade Champion, with five Custodian Guard and a choice between three Allarus Terminators or three Wardens​. No matter which configuration you choose, you'll be needing some gold paint! As with most Codex releases, there's the Adeptus Custodes Datasheets and some Adeptus Custodes Dice.
Now the other big lads - and it's a real shame we don't have females anymore - are the Orks! Big brutal chaps and the bane of the Imperium, Eldar and Tau alike, they get their 10th Edition rules in the new Codex: Orks. Codex: Orks also comes in two delicious flavours, Burdock-Brewed Limited Edition and Grrrr-Aaaargh Standard Edition. Like the Adeptus Custodes before them, there is a new Battleforce, and this one is the Stompa Boyz, consisting of 10 Ork Boyz, 10 Loota Boyz/ Burna Boyz, a Trukk, and a mighty Stompa. If that's a bit intense for you, then the Combat Patrol: Orks may suit. This is an interesting box, as instead of the standard Orks, this one is made up of Snaggas, a sub-faction that was released as a mobile and mostly mounted tribe of Orks. Well it seems they have entered the mainstream and this set includes a Beastboss, 20 Beast Snagga Boyz and four Squighog Boyz. Their use of armour plates and furs makes these nice minis, it's just a curious choice for a Combat Patrol. To help field your dudes, there's the very boring Ork Dice and the Ork Datasheets.
​Horus Heresy hobbyists rejoice, resin upgrades ahoy! Yes this week the Blood Angels have two new resin sets, the Baal Predator Upgrade Pack and the Armoury of the Blood Angels which includes four close combat weapons, a selection of straight arms and a gatling gun. Probably very popular!
In books this week we have the Special Edition Da Big Dakka, a new vampire hardback Dead Kingdom, and some love for the Lumineth Realmlords with the paperback of Children of Teclis.

In our neck of the woods there was a huge amount of rain overnight, and who knew it, but look what washed up - yes it's those delayed Horus Heresy releases. It's a big update for Horus Heresy, with the brand new Campaigns in the Age of Darkness: The Battle for Beta Garmon expansion launching. Not only is this a lovely new book to thumb through and enjoy the pictures while swearing that one day you will read it, but it also ushers in the the first expansion away from Space Marines in the current incarnation of Horus Heresy - the Solar Auxilia. We of course saw some of these units in the Solar Auxilia Army Box, with the Solar Auxilia Tactical Command Section, Solar Auxilia Lasrifle Section and Solar Auxilia Veletaris Storm Section now available separately. There's also the new elite unit, the Veletaris Storm Section, which was previously two kits from Forge World but is now a single combi-kit in plastic.There is also a bevvy of new vehicles, the Malcador Heavy Tank (which Space Marines also used in the Horus Heresy according to lore and the Legends rules), Leman Russ Assault Tank, Leman Russ Strike/ Command Tank and the Dracosan Armoured Transport rounding out an impressive armoured fist. There's also the Aethon Heavy Sentinel, which is so obnoxiously ugly it's sad. There's also two transfer sheets too - the Solar Auxilia Vehicle Markings, and the reissued Legiones Astartes Blackshields. Interesting the Solar Auxilia Transfer Sheet isn't also getting a reissue, but with transfers in the boxes maybe GW don't think they're needed.
Another exciting release this week, and for a fandom badly in need of some love, is ​Kill Team: Nightmare - bringing plastic Drukhari Mandrakes for the very first time vs. new Night Lords. Sure to be a popular kit, this will see many a happy hobbyist. There's also a small piece of terrain, the Generatorum Hub, which will surely enter every Necromunda hobbyists bag of tricks very very soon!
Speaking of match ups, the new Warcry: Pyre and Flood expansion also hits shelves very soon. This time it's the Nighthaunt Pyregheists vs. the Lumineth Ydrilan Riverblades and includes a spectacular piece of terrain that is oh-so-tempting. As a fan of the Lumineth, these new lightly armoured Ydrilan Riverblades don't necessarily impress us, but maybe they'll fit nicely into your army. Also in Warcry, two of the most recent forces are now available separately - the very popular conversion-fodder, the Wildercorps Hunters and the oddly interesting Gorger Mawpack. Before you get too excited, check the prices on these... Warcry needs terrain, and there's now two more Ravaged Lands sets, the Ruined Realmshaper set, and the Ruined Spawning Pool, which is basically the Starfire Pylon and Idol of Motzlpota from last week in one box.
When things start to get weird, you can bet it's generally going to be Blood Bowl, that strange little game that just keeps on giving. Strap yourself in, because we have Gnomes! Yes the Glimdwarrow Groundhogs are here, and if you like "cute" and you like furry companions, boy have we got something for you. These are the proto-typical Gnomes, not even the GW version of Gnomes, actual storybook garden Gnomes. Not only are they a big departure from the normal GW look, they are even painted differently, in fact very European in look. Beautifully done though. We promised furry companions and these guys have a badger, a goose and two Woodland Foxes. It's cuteness overload and YouTube will be blowing up as we speak! Of course we get the next Spike! Journal (Issue 17), Gnome Team Dice, Gnome Team Cards, and the Gnome Pitch Set. There's also two Forge World Gnomes too, with the very cool Gnome Treeman and Rodney Roachbait, the fishing rod-endowed sneaky ball-stealer.
In books this week there's two Imperial Guard novels, Deathworlder in paperback, and Shadow of the Eighth, the latest Minka Lesk novel, now in paperback.
It's also a White Dwarf week, so #499 hits the shelves on Friday!
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Just to let you know, this seems to be the first week that everyone worldwide gets a chance at all the pre-orders. That's a very nice change, and even if delivery is delayed, at least we can all get excited together.

A little bit of catch-up this week for Australia and New Zealand, but also some new stuff we can share with the rest of the world.
This week we get to pre-order the next in the Age of $igmar series of expansions, Dawnbringers: Book V: Shadow of the Crone. As usual it comes in two flavours, Crusty Wings Limited Edition and Colonisation is Not Cool These Days Standard Edition, seeing the two enlightened forces of wonder and light forge their way across the darkened lands, establishing settlements where they weren't before and pissing off the residents who are having their land stolen! AAAAH Games Workshop, you picked a bad time for this narrative. You have to laugh!
There's two new boxes to go along with this, including the cover girl Krethusa Croneseer available for the first time in the Krethusa’s Cronehost. The minis included with her have been released in innumerable boxes before, but she is a great miniature, and probably an early contender for Golden Demon painters. Current post-wunderkind, Callis & Toll and their band of friends and fiends are in the Saviours of Cinderfall set. The old lady in this set is a must-have. She would be an amazing Rogue Trader/ Necromunda Lord/ Imperial Governor/ Space Marine toothbrush, even! Also in Age of $igmar, we get new terrain, with the Elder Gnarloak, Idol of Motzlpota, and Starfire Pylon (need/want) all available separately, plus the much-loved Ogor Mawpit. 
Now, as we catch up with the rest of the world, this week sees some new minis for Legions Imperialis, with the venerable and much-loved Land Raider Proteus Explorator Squadron getting to take to the field. Land Raiders are THE BEST!! Answering the question "Is Warhammer 40K in the same universe as Star Trek?" and getting a firm "YES", the ​Solar Auxilia Arvus Lighter is a great little vehicle for any Away Team of hapless Red Shirts. There's also the delayed release of the Legions Imperialis: Manufactorum Imperialis scenery to make your games a little less flat!
Speaking of Horus Heresy, there's a new character model, and this time it's ​Endryd Haar, The Riven Hound. One of the first XIIth Legion inductees, and therefore a War Hound (thus his name) this is a very dynamic miniature in some MKV armour that really needs a spit and polish. The audiobooks with Endryd Haar are worth a listen if you'd like a grumpy angrier view of the Horus Heresy!  
The next "core set" in Warhammer Underworlds is here, with Wintermaw on pre-order this week. Wintermaw sees the Brotherhood of the Bolt go head to head with the Skinnerkyn. Both of these warbands are things of nightmares, so I'm not sure who you'd barrack for!
Necromunda gets a little pat on the head this week (make sure you wash your hands afterwards), with the new Ash Waste Nomads Chieftain with Venom Caster. Brilliant looking model with an absolute tonne of detail! There's also the Outland Beastmaster with Giant Rat (notice one of those rats has a very Skaven looking head... we are very open to Skaven in Necromunda!) and if you need more, there's always the Wasteland Giant Rats. All gross, all the time!

There's also a few releases we were all slated to get, but it seems at least Australia and New Zealand miss out, so you'd better check if you're getting them too.
The bulk of the Legions Imperialis are AWOL, so if you're lucky, then this week you can pre-order the Medusa and Basilisk Batteries, Legiones Astartes – Drop Pods and the updated ​Warhound Titans kits that now comes with a new sprue of plastic weapons. There's enough in this set to have two sets of ursus claws, natrix shock lances, volkite eradicators, missile pods and Incisor-pattern melta lances. This is a great addition to the already excellent Warhound kit. The bastard cousin of the glorious Warhound is the Dire Wolf Heavy Scout Titan, and they get a new plastic kit this week which, like the Warhound, gives you two per box.
In normal Horus Heresy scale, there's also the new ​Legiones Astartes Infantry and Legiones Astartes Vehicle Transfer Sheets, which we were all excited for and now we can't pre-order. BOOOO!! Hope you have better luck than we do.

It was meant to be Auxilia week, but alas we heard from independent stockists that theses releases would be delayed in Australia and New Zealand - proving yet again that the Next Week post on Warhammer Community is rarely correct. There's been a positive buzz about the Auxilia, but will that continue when the products don't appear? 
Speaking of delayed, this week Australia and New Zealand (potentially Japan too) can pre-order the Dark Angels range. The new Codex Dark Angels, which comes in Cowled Greatness Collectors Edition and Man This Green Is Hard To Paint Well, Lets Go Back To Black Standard Edition leads the releases. Having the 8th and 9th Edition versions, Dark Angels Codex have been very light on lore and good uniform colour plates, so here's hoping the copy and paste from previous editions also gets some new content. Having read the book about the return of The Lion we're a bit baffled why the Dark Angels are still "hunting The Fallen" but here we go, as Asmodai, Master of Repentance comes forth with a brand new Primaris-scale mini. Heavily based on Mark Gibbons artwork, this is a chunky mini, very on-point for Dark Angels, plus comes with a choice of head options. Next up is Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing, billowing cape and all, plus he also has head options. Speaking of the Deathwing - here are the Deathwing Knights - with this awesome update on what were already brilliant models. The amount of detail on these minis is incredible, really dipping into the lore and iconography of the Dark Angels. Prefer your Dark Angels in robes? Well the Inner Circle Companions are for you. With weapon, head and backpack options, this is a really thematic kit which will be loved by Dark Angels and Black Templar fans alike. There's also a new Dark Angels Upgrades and Transfers kit, which as with so many of the new kits comes with a Watcher in the Dark. Previously mysterious, maybe we should call them Watcher Emerging From The Dark from now on. This set comes with some great bits, including some for the Ravenwing, and yet more cowled heads. The Dark Angels also get a new Combat Patrol, giving you a Captain in Gravis Armour, three Bladeguard Veterans, five Hellblasters, and 10 Intercessors. Be aware that the transfer sheet in this set is the older one, not the one in the new Dark Angels Upgrades and Transfers kit. To top it all off, the Dark Angels also get the Datasheet Cards to make sure you can run them on the battlefield to their maximum potential.
​Plus don't forget the lovely white marble and green Dark Angels Dice Set.
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Alrighty, let's see what we're all getting this week... (except Japan who miss out on all the Orcs and Goblins and North America who miss out on selected Orcs and Goblins. The bits Australia and New Zealand miss out are further down the page.)
Amongst the Warhammer: The Old World reissues, there are some nice new models too which can not only go with The Old World, but could very easily transition into your Age of $igmar army as well. Check out this big boy, the ​Black Orc Bigboss in resin. He's a beast and exactly how an Orc should be portrayed. It's interesting that he's not more like the current Black Orcs and more like the 7th Edition ones, but no matter as he's a beast! The other beauty is this Orc Command Set in resin. The character in both these models is extraordinary and they'd look amazing in any Orc force.
Let's go retro and have a look at the reissue stuff, starting off with a favourite, the Orc Shaman with Bone Staff in metal. An oldie but a goodie, this guy was drawn straight from some of the Mark Gibbons and Paul Bonner illustrations. Both of those artists were absolute masters with Orcs and this mini is a MUST for Orc fans. Let's go all the way back and see what Orcs looked like when I first started the hobby - the ​Orc Big ‘Uns and Orc Big ‘Uns Command in metal. This is how Orcs looked in my day, and they're still awesome. Even older is the Orc Warboss on Wyvern, which has been lovingly remastered in resin, making it much easier to deal with those heavy wings. Lets delve into those pesky little Goblins, with the classic metal, joined Night Goblin Bosses, Night Goblin Shamans, more Goblin Bosses, another Goblin Shamans, and some Goblin Nasty Skulkers, on parade. From the days of metal and plastic kits combined, we have the Goblin Wolf Rider Bosses, and the Goblin Wolf Chariot. Have a look at the riders in the chariot - they're a very different, much sharper realization of the Goblins. What's fascinating about the Goblin range is how they have evolved from the bulbous noses to the sharper features - and how much the sculptors loved doing them, loved exploring the character of them and that love really comes through. Goblins love their war machines, and the rerelease of the Goblin Rock Lobber with crew, the Goblin Bolt Throwa with crew, the Goblin Doom Diver Catapult with crew, and a Snotling Pump Wagon all in metal will please many a fan! Speaking of Snotlings, there's also four stands of them too! An absolutely fascinating release is the Troll Hag, newly remastered in resin. For years Games Workshop have veered away from any sort of nudity - thus the sad decline of Slaanesh - but the Troll Hag has very obvious breasts, which I think is a great move to include in a Fantasy setting. Even better, so far it's received zero comment. Also remastered in resin is the old school Giant and a miniature (if that's the word) that was lost in many people's mind but has made a return to the zeitgeist - the very large Bonegrinder Giant. That is a huge blast from the past and a formerly very rare kit! Rounding out Warhammer: The Old World this week are the beautifully sculpted Common Trolls in metal and the Badlands Ogre Bulls, also in metal.
This week in books is the new Emperor's Children themed Renegades: Lord of Excess in hardback

Alrighty, lets have a look at what Australia and New Zealand definitely won't be getting to pre-order this week, Japan won't get some of, and the US and Canada will also not get some of... clear as mud!
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Warhammer: The Old World have been releasing these background books for each faction they're releasing, this this next one is the Arcane Journal: Orc & Goblin Tribes. This goes along with the Orc & Goblin Tribes Battalion which reissues classic (and some not long discontinued) Orc models, a set of two plastic Orc Bosses (including a Black Orc standard bearer) and the ​Orc Boyz Mob, which also comes in the Orc & Goblin Tribes Battalion. This hasn't been long out of production, so it would be surprising to see this run off the shelves! There's also a nice set of Orc & Goblin Tribes Dice and Cards too.
Horus Heresy had a very big update this week, obviously not available to all, with the brand new Campaigns in the Age of Darkness: The Battle for Beta Garmon expansion launching. This is actually quite a big deal, as it also launches the first expansion away from Space Marines in the current incarnation of Horus Heresy - the Solar Auxilia. This has been quite the topic of chatter, with the Solar Auxilia Tactical Command Section, Solar Auxilia Lasrifle Section and Solar Auxilia Veletaris Storm Section all up for pre-order so soon after the Army Box was launched. The Veletaris Storm Section is much anticipated in this house, so the delay is incredibly annoying. There is also a bevvy of new vehicles, the Malcador Heavy Tank, Leman Russ Assault Tank, Leman Russ Strike Tank (why this isn't a combi- kit is beyond us) and the Dracosan Armoured Transport rounding out an impressive armoured fist. There's also the Aethon Heavy Sentinel, which may be the ugliest thing GW have released in some time. There's also two transfer sheets too - the Solar Auxilia Vehicle Markings, and the reissued Legiones Astartes Blackshields. Interesting the Solar Auxilia Transfer Sheet isn't also getting a reissue.

The Tau are an empire, united as one by The Greater Good (or brainwashing if you want to go down the newer lore). Part of this empire involves the coalition of peoples united against challenges such as terraforming and of course, war. So far in the miniatures range from Games Workshop we have really only seen two of these allies peoples - the insect-like Vespid and the avian cannibal bipeds, the Kroot. Since their introduction in 2001, the Kroot have received little attention from GW, but that's now all changed, with a whole new range that can not only ally with the Tau, but stand on their own!   Launching part of this new range in the new Kroot Hunting Pack army box, we get a good look at what's new through a collection of highly detailed and dynamic miniatures. The Kroot Hunting Pack army box includes all new miniatures including a Kroot War Shaper, a Kroot Flesh Shaper, 20x Kroot Carnivores, a Krootox Rider to provide some supporting fire, 3x Krootox Rampagers to get in close and be all brutish, the new Codex: T'au Empire and the new Datasheet Cards: T'au Empire. It's a force all in one box, and quite the painting challenge, as there has also been an update to the iconography of the Kroot which greatly expands the character of the miniatures. It's great to see the Tau Empire getting some attention, and hopefully this isn't the only allied faction we get for them. Different Vespid units would be amazing! 
Warhammer Underworlds was once quite the little Age of $igmar side-project, but as they delved more into the pets of each new unit, the miniatures became lacklustre and the variety of miniatures became a bit... slate! With Warhammer Underworlds: Deathgorge, the newer expansion of Underworlds, they have gone back to basics a bit more - but is it too late? The latest warband is Zondara’s Gravebreakers, a collection of ghouls and a wolf/dog/cat/monkey thing, led by a wizard. It's a bit tired really, and the three minions look like they have been designed by AI. It's a boring set, given no real interest by GW. Warhammer Underworlds is built for competitive play, so there's also a new Rivals deck, Rimelocked Relics, to add to your ever growing collection of cards. Also in the Warhammer Underworld's setting is a revitalised set, Rivals of the Mirrored City, which not only brings back Zarbag’s Gitz, Thorns of the Briar Queen, Mollog’s Mob, and Spiteclaw’s Swarm, but adds brand new cards to the set to jazz them up!
 Necromunda gets some love this week with the new Delaque Gang Tactics Cards and Delaque Vehicle Tactics Cards, plus some Delaque resin goodness with the Delaque Rogue Doc & Gang Lookout and Delaque Ash Wastes Upgrades on pre-order. It's a real pity GW don't assemble the Upgrade sets so we can see what they look like. It would be a better selling point than just a shot of heads and backpacks! Also this week, there's an update to the Zone Mortalis Gang Tactics Cards for those who like close close combat!

Well today's update is a different one, as Australia and New Zealand miss out on almost everything this week. Oh they will enter that mythical realm of "future releases" and eventually sneak in quietly - a bit like your sister late on a Friday night with that rough looking fellow on the motorbike your dad complains about all the time.
​It is really starting to feel like we did something wrong...
Anyway, let's have a look at the two books the Southern Hemisphere will get, then onto the joyous bounty that the rest of the world will be furiously ordering this weekend. Can you imagine being a Warhammer store manager and watching zero people coming through the door due to lack of pre-orders and new products on the shelves? It must be so dispiriting.
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The new novel by David Annandale, Callis & Toll, based around the Saviours of Cinderfall (available to pre-order this weekend) is out and about in hardback, and Dan Abnett's classic Riders of the Dead is available in Black Library Celebration 2024 paperback format.

Now onto the good stuff that the rest of the world can peer at eagerly with an actual release date in mind!
The next in the Age of $igmar series of expansions, Dawnbringers: Book V: Shadow of the Crone is here. Available in Crusty Wings Limited Edition and Colonisation is Not Cool These Days Standard Edition, the two enlightened forces of wonder and light are forging their way across the darkened lands, establishing settlements where they weren't before and pissing off the people they are stealing land from! AAAAH Games Workshop, you picked a bad time for this narrative. You have to laugh!
With this expansion we get some lovely boxes, including the cover girl Krethusa Croneseer available for the first time in the Krethusa’s Cronehost. The minis included with her have been released in innumerable boxes before, but she is a great miniature, and probably an early contender for Golden Demon painters. We spoke about the new Callis & Toll book earlier, well here they are - and their band of friends and fiends - in the Saviours of Cinderfall set. The old lady in this set is a must-have. She would be an amazing Rogue Trader/ Necromunda Lord/ Town Mayor/ Space Marine toothbrush, even! Brining together most of the recent Flesh-eater Courts releases, we have the Spearhead: Flesh-eater Courts. Quite a neat set, if a bit... ghoulish. A free pun for you this weekend, from us to you! Now the forces of good and shiny get a boost with the Spearhead: Cities of Sigmar collecting much of the Cities of Sigmar Army Box, plus the excellent Freeguild Cavalier-Marshall and an Ironweld Great Cannon. Damn good set! Speaking of shiny, the Dominion boxed set lives on with the Spearhead: Stormcast Eternals parceling some of that set with the excellent Stormstrike Chariot. Are you a terrain guy or gal? Well you're in luck, with the Elder Gnarloak, Idol of Motzlpota, and Starfire Pylon (need/want) all available separately, plus the much-loved Ogor Mawpit. 

Well it's a huge week - 40 individual items on pre-order this weekend -which would make it one of the largest pre-order weeks apart from the big pre-Xmas Bundles days of old! So where do we start? Let's dive into the new stuff first, then we'll get into the Warhammer: The Old World content!
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Now this is interesting... usually all Horus Heresy releases have "The Horus Heresy: [insert name of release here]" as their release name, but the Solar Auxillia releases this weekend do not. Oversight? We'll see when the others get released, but it is interesting! First up is the Army Box set, the Solar Auxillia Battle Group, which includes 20 Solar Auxilia Rifle Section and 5 Solar Auxilia Tactical Command Section minis, the ugly-as-sin Aethon Heavy Sentinel, a Dracosan Armoured Transport and a Leman Russ Battle Tank in the Auxilia style rather than the familiar Warhammer 40K version we are used to. There's also transfer sheets included to round off the first look we'll have of this new Horus Heresy faction. This was slated as being delayed in Australia and New Zealand, but has the street date of 16/03/24, though independent retailers say 30/03/24. To accompany this set there is also the Solar Auxillia Dice Set, which isn't too exciting! Also in Horus Heresy this week we have three two new Consuls - the brooding ​Dark Emissary Consul and the White Scars Stormseer Consul. There's also a dual-pack Apothecarion Detachment, with one in MkV and the other in MkVI armour. These are both great miniatures and a great addition to your forces. 
On the smaller side of the Horus Heresy, the next expansion for Warhammer: The Horus Heresy Legions Imperialis – The Great Slaughter - is also here. Titans, tanks and infantry all together in a bloody melee. This release is also supported by the Legions Imperialis: The Great Slaughter Army Cards. The miniature range is also expanding, with the new Legions Imperialis: Malcador Infernus And Valdor Tank Destroyers, Spartan Assault Tanks, Solar Auxilia Support and Legiones Astartes Support being released for the new clash! Transports and support are all-important in this game, and with Titans in the mix, well you need to keep away from those giant stompy feet!
​Warhammer: The Old World had a big launch some weeks ago, and now the Tomb Kings of Khemri box is being split into individual forces, with Tomb King/Liche Priest On Necrolith Bone Dragon, Skeleton Chariots, Tomb Kings Skeleton Horsemen/Horse Archers and Tomb Kings Skeleton Warriors/Archers now available as large sets. These sets see the largest number of troops per box of any of the individual GW units. Also in the Tomb Kings range is the brand new dynamic Nekaph, Emissary Of Settra in resin, and the classic Tomb King On Chariot (metal and plastic), Prince Apophas (metal), Necrotect (metal), plus the newly remastered in resin Screaming Skull Catapult, Carrion and Tomb Scorpion sets on pre-order this week.
The Bretonnians may not have had their boxed set split yet, but they still get some reinforcements this week with the brand new plastic Knights of the Realm on-foot - that was previewed this week as a Pre-order, but has seemingly gone straight to New Releases, so it may even be in store today! Bretonnia also gets the classic but previously unreleased Lord With Great Weapon (metal), The Green Knight (metal), Prophetesses Of The Lady (metal), the much-loved Bretonnian Questing Knights Command and Bretonnian Questing Knights (both a mix of plastic horses and metal minis), Knights Of The Realm/Knights Errant (excellent classic kit in plastic), the Squires Command and Squires (both in metal) and the newly remastered Field Trebuchet in resin.
What's going to be interesting is what a whole new generation will think of metal minis. We've had 20 years since minis were metal, having moved to FailCast, then resin and plastic. How will this new audience take to them, or will they?
In books this week we have the Special Edition of The Hollow King, and the Black Library Celebration 2024 Fan Favourite, Lord Of The Night in paperback. It's also a White Dwarf week, with #498 available on Friday.

SO it's one of those weird weeks again where the releases are divided across geographic boundaries. As you know, the invisible shield that protects the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere is particularly thick this time of year, and with the Bermuda Triangle on it's annual pilgrimage across the Pacific, it's a dangerous time! Suffice to say that Australia and New Zealand miss out on the Dark Angels this week, but we'll cover them below.
This week we have the Siege Breaker Consul, another in the line of field commanders for the Horus Heresy. Very nice model, wielding a Stormcast warhammer, and with an oddly out of place MkVI helmet when a MKIII or MKV would be much more appropriate. Lots of cool detail on this model, including the bespoke backpack and artificer greaves, plus some extra groin armour! 
Only other common release this week are the books, with Lazarus: Eternity's Edge in hardback and Cypher: Lord of the Fallen (previously a Collectors Edition) in paperback adding to the Dark Angels' releases in the rest of the world this week. There's also an End Times omnibus, with Doom of the Old World, which includes the novels The Curse of Khaine, The Rise of the Horned Rat, The Lord of the End Times, and two short stories, The Siege of Naggarond and Bride of Khaine.

Alrighty, well the main show for the rest of the world, delayed Down Under, is the update to the Dark Angels range. The First Legion, Mightiest of Them All, The Lion's Fractured Sons. It's a pretty hefty update too, of course led off by the new Codex Dark Angels, which comes in Cowled Greatness Collectors Edition and Man This Green Is Hard To Paint Well, Lets Go Back To Black Standard Edition. Having the 8th and 9th Edition versions, Dark Angels Codex have been very light on detail, sadly missing the nuances of this Chapter, so here's hoping the copy and paste from previous editions also gets some new content.
Having read the book about the return of The Lion we're a bit baffled why the Dark Angels are still "hunting The Fallen" but here we go, as Asmodai, Master of Repentance comes forth with a brand new Primaris-scale mini. Heavily based on Mark Gibbons artwork, this is an amazing mini and comes with a choice of head options. Next up is Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing, billowing cape and all, plus he also has head options. Speaking of the Deathwing - here are the Deathwing Knights - with this awesome update on what were already brilliant models. The amount of detail on these minis is incredible, really dipping into the lore and iconography of the Dark Angels. Prefer your Dark Angels in robes? Well the Inner Circle Companions are for you. With weapon, head and backpack options, this is a really thematic kit which will be loved by Dark Angels and Black Templar fans alike. There's also a new Dark Angels Upgrades and Transfers kit, which as with so many of the new kits comes with a Watcher in the Dark. Previously mysterious, maybe we should call them Watcher Emerging From The Dark from now on. This set comes with some great bits, including some for the Ravenwing, and yet more cowled heads. The Dark Angels also get a new Combat Patrol, giving you a Captain in Gravis Armour, three Bladeguard Veterans, five Hellblasters, and 10 Intercessors. Be aware that the transfer sheet in this set is the older one, not the one in the new Dark Angels Upgrades and Transfers kit. To top it all off, the Dark Angels also get a lovely white marble and green Dice Set and the Datasheet Cards to make sure you can run them on the battlefield to their maximum potential.
These are of course available in all other countries except Australia and New Zealand where they will be delayed.

Well it's going to be one of those weeks again where the Games Workshop Sunday Pre-Order Page doesn't actually match what we get to order on the weekend. That's okay, let's take a quiet step through what we will get and what will one day appear magically like a surprise or catching Santa making out with your mum.
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Space Marines are back, with some splits from recent boxed sets - including the long-awaited Dreadnought and Burn-Boys from the 10th Edition Starter Set. But first cab off the rank is the individual  units from the recent Kill Team: Salvation Set, with the new Primaris-scale Scout Squad and an update of the Eldar Striking Scorpions, the Blades Of Khaine. Both of these kits are mostly multi-pose, which is a nice change from recent times, so well worth a look. 
Space Marines, where would we be without them? Let's not ponder that question, instead being distracted by the glory of this new Captain In Terminator Armour. With multiple head and weapon options, this is the new go-to hero builder for the Imperium. Speaking of heroes, here's a boring kit for you, the Heroes Of The Chapter... so static for what should be a unit to rally your troops! The Bouncy-bouncy Phobos Guy and the Apothecary are both nice, but the Sternguard are so boring compared to the older plastics, and especially the older metals! Come on GW, these are meant to be hardened veterans smashing their way through the enemy, not gun line looking dudes. Showing a touch more dynamism are the Infernus Squad, helping friends and family alike start their weekend BBQs with their big burners! No but seriously, this unit was first seen in the 10th Edition Starter Set, but this time you get twice as many - despite the fact that unfortunately they are push-fit! The Ballistus Dreadnought has finally arrived (also sadly push-fit)! Very much awaited for by Imperium players, this Dread sports heavy long range weaponry and weirdly long legs... not sure what that's all about. Suffice to say, it'll be popular and a nice addition to the range. 
It's a White Dwarf week, let the angels sing in heaven, with Issue 497 here on Friday!
Notice something missing? Read on, fellow traveler!  

So despite being listed in the pre-orders this week, unfortunately we are missing the Legions Imperialis portion! Now maybe this is just an Australia/ New Zealand (maybe Japan) thing, but the news from independent retailers is that there is no release date for these delayed releases. I guess we wait and eventually they will arrive...
Missing this week is the new Legions Imperialis – The Great Slaughter expansion, and The Great Slaughter Army Cards. More disappointing to many will be the lack of the new minis - Solar Auxilia Support, Legiones Astartes Support - great to see Tarantulas back with Space Marines (Horus Heresy scale ones soon please GW??), the Malcador Infernus and Valdor Tank Destroyers and the Spartan Assault Tanks. Those Spartans will cause some grumbling. Don't keep tiny tanks from this Community.
Hopefully this is just a regional thing so at least others get to enjoy them, but meanwhile this part of the world will wait!

So if this is going to be the end, let's have a look at what they're giving us! Our Black Library Celebration 2024 miniature is Ufthak Blackhawk, an awesome name for a bit of a tired looking mini. In fact it's interesting to see that Community members given one to paint up also obviously didn't find it that inspiring either, with these tired looking paint jobs. I feel bad seeing their talent and then them having to polish a turd - it must really be a challenge!
Black Library is all about books though, so lets see what's on offer! First up is Da Big Dakka, bringing you more of the tales of Ufthak Blackhawk. Now this was supposed to come in the standard Hardback and then a Collector's Edition, but that version has been delayed, so hold your horses on that one. More Orky goodness abounds with the Paperback release of Ghazghkull Thraka: Prophet of the Waaagh! (broken link).
The classic Blood Angels novel Deus Encarmine is getting a 20th Anniversary Edition, telling the tale of division and faith amongst Sanguinius' sons.
Speaking of Space Marines and brother against brother style action, their is yet another updated version of The Art of the Horus Heresy. This seems like an almost annual event now, but with the Siege of Terra ending the narrative of the Horus Heresy, it seems now is the time to add the covers. Each time this is published we get new art, and the older art gets pushed out, so not entirely sure if we will ever have a definitive version.
Age of $igmar gets some love this round, with The Ghosts of Barak-Minoz, the sequel to The Arkanaut’s Oath. Steampunk Dwarves, swashbuckling and daring-do. It's all here in probably the most under utilized and poorly envisioned faction in Age of $igmar - the Kharadron Overlords. They have so much potential, and like Black Library's website, just sit and stagnate. Fantastic cover though!
The two Reader's Choice re-releases this year are Dan Abnett's Riders of the Dead and the Inquisitor vs Night Lords in Lord of the Night. (Neither of these books has a link on the webstore...)
As with each year, the Black Library Celebration Anthology 2024 will be available for free from Warhammer stores, and (for the first time) as an ePub when you order anything from the Warhammer webstore.

There are few ranges, Dark Elves and Kroot aside, that need more of a refresh than the Flesh-Eater Courts, and it's pretty exciting to see a much expanded roster for these deluded former High Lords. It all kicks off with Battletome: Flesh-Eater Courts, available in Pungent Stench Limited Edition and Decrepit Heraldry Standard Edition. Leading the strict hierarchy of the Flesh-Eater Courts is the esteemed Ushoran, Mortarch Of Delusion, a spectacular miniature with layers of detail. Up there in pricing with the 40K Primarchs, this i more than an army centrepiece, he's a powerful form amongst his rotting legions. Bringing forth the bestial forces of the Flesh-Eater Courts is Sekhar, Fang of Nulahmia, who with her pack of creatures, becomes the Fangs Of The Blood Queen. Another great model, sure to be high on the kitbasher's list of must-haves (probably when she's sold separately and not in this highly priced set). What King would be without a court? Certainly not Ushoran, gaining the Varghulf Courtier, his Champion, the Marrowscroll Herald, a representative of the ecclesiarchy in the form of the Abhorrant Cardinal, Grand Justice Gormayne representing the judiciary, and his very own executioner, the Royal Decapitator. Ushoran also has forces to guard and conquer, with the amazing-looking Abhorrant Gorewarden holding his borders, and the Morbheg Knights and Cryptguard more than ready to follow his whims.
Ushoran and his forces also play a large part in the next chapter of the Dawnbringers Crusades, with Dawnbringers: Book IV – The Mad King Rises available in both Limited and Standard editions. Mighty heroes take to the field, and this time they're not all shiny armour and valiant daring-do!
Necromunda gets a new hero this week with the Champion With Mining Laser for the Votann. If you look closely you can see his prosthetic foot, giving us a further insight into the overall look and feel of the Leagues of Votann, their technology ad aesthetic.

Despite the Old World still not having made it's way to Australia and New Zealand (a few weeks to go), Games Workshop have begun to augment their plastic re-releases and new sets with some classic Made to Order goodness. It's a bit of a mixed bag and you can see the different eras at play in the proportions of the minis and their sculpting quality - no disrespect to the Green Stuff Masters of the past!
Let's have a look at the Tomb Kings, which not only displays different eras, but also three very different styles. In the modern era we have the excellent Tomb King With Great Weapon and the Tomb King With Sword and Shield. These look very much out of the latter era of Warhammer. They're tall and lean with ornate armour - and for the price, everyone should grab one! Then we move to an era that was further back in time, where the minis were more squat, had the less realistic heads and more "The Mummy" style. The Liche Priest On Foot and Mounted personify this, but at the same time also look like they're cosplaying as Tomb Kings - those cute little ears on the top of the mounted priest... KAWAII!!! The Tomb Kings Battle Standard Bearer on Foot And Mounted are also older, dating back to the plastic releases, BUT they came from a different school of Tomb Kings. Notice the heavy armour, the large banners and the kopesh. This is when GW really went for it, and it's a shame that the Tomb Guard are the only other Tomb Kings troop type to have similar heavy armour. Despite the goofy heads - and the fact these guys proportions are a bit ape-like - the unit on foot is an especially good model!
​The Bretonnians also get some Made To Order this week, with the venerable Bretonnian Lord With Sword and Shield On Pegasus, leading the charge. A nicely proportioned miniature, he's certainly less squat than the older Bretonnian Paladins With Sword And Shield, who to our modern eyes look a little funny. I'm a bit rusty on my sculptors these days, but I have a feeling the Bretonnian Paladin With Sword and Shield and Bretonnian Paladin With Hammer and Shield may have been done by the Perry Twins. It looks like their work, with the more natural proportions and historically accurate armour. Away from reality, the Damsels Of The Lady make an appearance, and it's interesting to note how similar this set is to the newer one we've seen in recent weeks. Shows how good quality lasts! Finally we have three excellent mounted minis, the Bretonnian Battle Standard Bearer on Warhorse, Bretonnian Lord With Lance on Warhorse, and an all-time favourite, the Bretonnian Lord With Great Weapon on Warhorse. These three would make excellent additions to any force, leading armies, rallying armies and being the point of the charge. If you're collecting Bretonnians, these three HAVE to be winners, despite the odd pricing.

++ Glory Be To The First, Unrivalled Progenitors of the Adeptus Astartes, The Emperor's Own, The Fist That Breaks The Foe, The Original Angels of Death, The Dark Angels ++ 
All of that was lead up to an absolutely glorious new Army Box - Deathwing Assault - a box with a number of firsts, fitting for the First Legion. Clad in bone white, the Deathwing are the Dark Angel's veteran Terminators, and in this new Army Box they are led by the brand new Belial, Grand Master of the Deathwing. A true heavy hitter, he is flanked by five brand new Deathwing Knights, a Watcher in the Dark, and a Teleport Beacon. This is the first time you can get your hands on these minis, but they're not the only prize in this set, there's also ten Terminators plus two of the brand new Dark Angels Upgrade Frames. These frames replace a personal favourite kitbash must-have, but they are in the larger scale that Warhammer 40K are going for, plus they include one Watchers in the Dark per frame. The set is also your first chance to get your hands on the 1oth Edition Codex Supplement: Dark Angels (standard 96 pages),  two of the new Dark Angels Transfer Sheets and the new Datasheet Cards: Dark Angels. It's an epic set, and an absolute wet dream for Dark Angels hobbyists and gamers alike.
It's lucky the Dark Angels are here, because the second Warhammer 40,000 Supplement, Crusade: Pariah Nexus, is about to kick off.  Available in both Collectors Edition and Standard Edition, you'll find yourself in the Nephilim Anomaly hunting Necrons (or Necrons slaying Imperium). Filled with background and rules for use in your Crusade games, this book also includes a one-use code to unlock Crusade: Pariah Nexus content in the WH40K App.
The Australia/ New Zealand delayed release of the Tyranid psychic beast, the Psychophage is also this week. It's been a bit of a wait, but here they are!
If your tastes go more towards massed warfare, then Adeptus Titanicus is one way to go, and this week we see the return of the well-loved and prematurely discontinued Titan Legios Transfer Sheets to help customise your God Machines! The transfer sheets are for Legios Solaria, Metalica, Vulpa, Atarus, and Astorum. Speaking of Adeptus Titanicus the Loyalist and Traitor Titan Legions Dice Sets are also back!
In books this week it's the Yarrick: The Omnibus, which collects David Annadale’s run of stories - Imperial Creed, The Pyres of Armageddon, and Chains of Golgotha, plus six short stories - in one impressive paperback.

While we patiently wait for the next installment of The Dawnbringers Crusade (Book IV - The Mad King Rises), we have some of the main players in the current meta (God, I feel so cool using that word. So Twitter!!), and they're all pretty spectacular.
First up is Trugg the Troggoth King, a mountain of a leader, and previously only available in the Gloomspite Gitz - Trugg's Great Troggherd set. Now you can get him all on his own, cute little hangers-on and all! Trugg is a bit of a departure from his Troggoth minions, and a "next step" in the overall evolution for the look of the Gloomspite Gitz. He's basically a large mushroom in need of a bath. Not the most spectacular of the Dawnbrigers, but Ionus Cryptborn has to be up there. Possibly one of the best Age of $igmar releases in a while, he may be one of the best looking Stormcast, and his dragon is certainly one of the best dragons Games Workshop have produced in some time. Just a fantastic looking mini, watch dozens of this guy entered into the next Golden Demon competition. And out of the ether an old power rises! Yes an old fan favourite is back, with a brand new 2024 look - it's Belthanos, First Thorn of Kurnoth. Belthanos is the progenitor of so much in the Warhammer/ Age of $igmar lore, and he's back, on a bug and as a treeman... which is sure to get some complaints, but we think he's very very cool!
Blood Bowl is getting some love this weekend, with the Skaven team gettng some reinforceents in the guise of this tricky fellow, Skitter Stab-Stab. The more GW show us new Skaven sculpts, the more the current (ancient) Skaven sculpts look so dated. Surely 2024 is the year for the update of this awesome faction. Speaking of updates, recently the Beastmen got some attention from GW - which did not include some awesome new minotaurs - but Blood Bowl has this absolute beauty, Grashnak Blackhoof. He's big, he's mean, and he's all Khorne-d out! I need this mini!! First previewed in May 2023, it's been a minute over here and we're very pleased he's finally upon us.
Besides these minis, the huge news this week is the final, complete and total end of the ​Siege of Terra book series. Hate to sound relieved, but By The Gods Old and New, this has dragged on, had so much filler for something that needs zero filler, but it's done, with The End and the Death: Volume III here for pre-order! Siege of Terra: The End and the Death: Volume III comes in Limited Edition (the scalpers will be out and so many people will feel disappointed in missing out. It sucks but it's true!) and standard hardback.
This momentous event is heralded by yet another The Horus Heresy: Siege of Terra Bookmark, cunningly designed to rip the top of the pages in your precious tome.

Probably the hottest ticket this week will be the Warhammer: The Old World Rulebook, a 352 page tome full of lore about the World of Legend, the rules for the game, plus a system for making your battles and skirmishes into epic campaigns of conquer and defence.
Unlike most Games Workshop launches which have a Team A vs Team B boxed set, this time we get two themed Army boxes with enough minis to actually start the game... and potentially sit in your pile of shame for decades!
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First off, lets look at the much-anticipated return of the Bretonnians with their Warhammer: The Old World Core Set – Kingdom of Bretonnia Edition. This box includes 75 classic plastic Citadel miniatures, led by the brand new plastic Lord of Bretonnia on Royal Pegasus. The Core Set also includes joined by the core rulebook, a reference sheet, dice, templates, measuring sticks, and a transfer sheet. The Core Sets for both sides are supplemented by more minis to flesh out your new army, with the new Battle Standard Bearer on Royal Pegasus heading the charge. He's supported by the classic Pegasus Knights set of three Knights (on noticeably smaller Pegasus, one must note). There's also some very classic minis, with the Grail Knights and Grail Knights Command Mounted, Mounted Yeomen and Mounted Yeomen Command sets back - these are so classic that they are metal troops on and plastic horses! There's a classic metal set too, with the Battle Pilgrims and Grail Reliquae making a return from the ether. Forge World get some love, with three character sets - the Handmaiden of the Lady, the excellent Battle Standard Bearer on Foot and Mounted, and the fantastic Questing Knight Paladin with Great Weapon. All great choices - not a crappy mini in the lot. Mind you, Foundry miniatures, who have some of the older Bretonnian minis in their collection now, must be very excited to have customers after miniatures from this era.
Each side in this conflict are also getting two supplements - with the "good guys" getting the Forces of Fantasy, which contains army lists for the Dwarfen Mountain Holds, the Empire of Man, the Kingdom of Bretonnia, the Wood Elf Realms, and the High Elf Realms. You'll find rules for every unit in the army, plus faction rules, unique spells, and magic items (welcome back to the wizards of Warhammer!).
The second supplement is Arcane Journal: Kingdom of Bretonnia, which delves specifically into the background of Bretonnia, new rules, characters and two "Armies of Infamy".
What would this release be without the Kingdom of Bretonnia Reference Cards and Dice Set too.

Alrighty, it's onto the flipside to the "good", with the quintessential "bad" - the much-loved Tomb Kings. We start with the Warhammer: The Old World Core Set – Tomb Kings of Khemri Edition, containing more bones than you can shake a leg at. Effectively a balanced force of melee and ranged, backed by cavalry, the Tomb Kings of Khemri boxed set, contains the same game aids (but no transfers which would have been awesome to have), 91 classic plastic Citadel miniatures, and two new minis – the Tomb Prince, and a Liche Priest riding a huge Necrolith Bone Dragon. This is a great set, but be aware there isn't a one of variety here, plus these are the old skeletons, so they have those big bobble heads. Simply swap them out with skulls from the Skulls set (which is what we did) and you're laughing!
Like their human enemies, the "bad guys" have their own supplements, starting with Ravening Hordes which covers the Orc and Goblin Tribes, Warriors of Chaos, Beastmen Brayherds, and the Tomb Kings of Khemri.
The second supplement is Arcane Journal: Tomb Kings of Khemri, which features rules for magic items, rules for three heroes of the dead, rules for two Armies of Infamy – the Nehekharan Royal Hosts and the Mortuary Cult, plus full profiles for all the Bone Boys (and Bone Girls). Of course there is also get the history of the Tomb Kings and their homeland, the subtly named Land of the Dead.
In miniatures, the Tomb Kings are well supplied, with the classic Settra the Imperishable in metal and plastic, a brand new excellent-looking Tomb King and Battle Standard Bearer in resin, the classic (and once very rare and expensive) Tomb Guard, the classic Sepulchral Stalkers/ Necropolis Knights combi-kit, another hugely anticipated set, the Necrosphinx/ Khemrian Warsphinx combi-kit, a classic metal Liche Priest, a metal kit in much need of an update, the Ushabti, and a new Tomb Swarms kit which is interestingly using the old style skeleton heads rather than the current style.
Of course there are the Tomb Kings of Khemri Reference Cards and themed Dice Set too.

Now away from the two sides and onto the more general Warhammer the Old World products, we have a generic Warhammer: The Old World Dice Set, a Lore of Magic Reference Cards set, a Common Magic Items Reference Cards set, and some rather handy Card Sleeves.
Warhammer: The Old World sees the return of square and rectangular bases - much to the chagrin of those who rebased their armies on round bases when Age of $igmar came out. There has been a change though, with many of the bases being larger than those used for past versions of the game. Therefore, fellow traveler, you may need to pick up one of the new Base Sets. There are 11 sets, with bases from 25mm squares, up to large rectangles for the biggest monsters in the game. With Warhammer The Old World being a game of ranked units rather than skirmishing, the Modular Movement Trays are all-important. This set allows you to add individual minis to a unit and move them all at once. In the old days, people used to do some amazing mini dioramas for units, so go nuts and give it a go, we certainly will be. The two trays in each set are 200x200mm and include various side edging, ready to be assembled. Honestly, this game is much simpler with movement trays, so if you're gaming - these are an absolute must! For us, as we chatted amongst ourselves getting all hyped, the mini diorama for units is one of the most exciting aspects. Hopefully we'll see some amazing people in the Community create absolute magic!
Now if you're like me and have zero sense of direction, then maybe you need this pretty Warhammer: The Old World – Map of the Old World. Rolled up in your pack, on your wall or as a cool playing surface for a game, this map is really very tempting!

Can I sense that there might be some sad Warhammer 40K players? Well fear not, you get some love this weekend too, with the Warhammer 40,000 Made to Order Experience (okay we added "experience" to jazz it up). During January a range of classic Warhammer 40,000 models will be available to order. Check these out - the Necron Overlord with staff of light, the Necron Overlord with a resurrection orb, a classic Necron Cryptek, the upgrade kit for the plastic Destroyer to turn them into a Destroyer Lord. For Space Marines there's Huron Blackheart Master of the Red Corsairs, and a metal Iron Warriors Warsmith. There's also some Forge World Made to Order, with Lugft Huron, Chapter Master of the Astral Claws, Sevrin Loth of the Red Scorpions and Honour Guard, plus Red Scorpions Regents of the Ordon Rift. Heavier firepower is there too with the Land Speeder Tempest and the Necron Sentry Pylon, plus the weapon option for the Seraptek Heavy Construct.

In books this week we have the Lords of the Lance in Special Edition and Hardback, The End Times: Fall of Empires ​collects the first two novels in the epic End Times saga – The Return of Nagash and The Fall of Altdorf, plus the prequel novella Sigmar’s Blood and a trio of short stories that showcase the beginning of the end - available in paperback. There's a new Gotrek Gurnisson novel, Blightslayer and it's a White Dwarf week with White Dwarf 496 on it's way!

As the Games Workshop staff take their well-earned break, this week's pre-order is a piece of nostalgia - the famously infamous Battle For Macragge.
So why is it infamous? There's a few reasons, but the main two are some of the contents, namely Lieutenant Varras, the Imperial Pilot and the scenery, a crashed "Imperial Lander".
Lieutenant Varras is a miniature many people haven't seen before, and due to his non-standard Imperial attire plus being on of the very few Imperial Pilot minis ever made, he is somewhat of a rarity! On eBay he can go for a bit of a pretty penny.
The "Imperial Lander" is also of interest to many collectors, with pieces of fuselage scattered across five terrain pieces. Like the pilot, but for different reasons, this is also popular on the second hand market from an age when there weren't many Imperial aircraft. 
Now with all that in play, is the set worth it? The Space Marines are early MkVII, push-fit minis, the Genestealers are from the original Space Hulk box, but for the time the Termagants were new.
All up, this set is pretty expensive, almost as much as some of the modern starter sets for far less.
If you're a fan of nostalgia, then this might be awesome, but we're saving our dollareedos for the other nostalgia trip coming up in 2024, Tomb Kings!