From Harry at Warseer we get news of the Orcs and Goblins -
The Tomb Kings book is almost finished. I have posted that myself on here.
Less has been heard about the Orcs and Goblins book because that is being written by Jeremy Vetock and he returned stateside.
It has been my understanding since about this time last year that Orcs and Goblins would be the first fantasy release of 2011. I have heard nothing between then and now to make me think any different.
The Orcs and Goblins book started before the Tomb Kings. Can't think why the schedule would have changed. It's not like they have not got plenty of models ready to go for Orcs and Goblins.Harry is usually spot on, but I have heard over and over again that Tomb Kings are next so who knows.
Speaking of Tomb Kings, we have the folling popping up from Warseer as well -
No speel about "i have a secret source" or "I know a guy". Read, enjoy with a grain of salt
Characters:
New rules:
Skeleton Units (Archers, Warriors, Chariots, Light Cavalry, Sand Stalkers, Tomb Guard) can march within 12” of general, 6” of Tomb Prince
Constructs, divinely blessed (Ushbati, Tomb Scorpion, Maidens of the Gods, Bone Giants) can march within 12” of the hierophant and 6” of a liche priest
Tomb Prince cannot use movement spell anymore, only strike more one
Premise seems to be basically means tomb king armies movement won’t be so restricted by magic. So if you don’t want to go magic heavy, or first anti-magic armies you can still actually move. This means more spells going off to strategically place units, heal wounded models. The actual mechanisms of TK magic doesn’t seem to be changing much
Apparently the “curse” will hit lighter with tomb princes
Apparently the “roc” is a giant vulture, which can be chosen as a mount for someone in list
Rumours of some sort of warrior priest, like the empire ones – can cast cheap bound spells from a different list. Meant to enhance units + decent profile. Apparently enhances the maidens unit
Core
Skeleton Warriors
Skeletons becoming 6 points WITH light armour, shield, hand weapon
Can be armed with a Khepesh or spear
Khepesh increases the bonus from wielding a hand weapon and shield to +2 Armour save. Basically skeletons using hand weapons and shield can get 3+ armour save in combat
Full Command now only +15 points
Seems like games-workshop wants 1. Some tasty new things to model – although not sure why this weapon gives better armour 2. Actually promote using large blocks of skeletons. Skeletons are great since they never flee, but die so easily and suck at combat. 3+ armour save in combat is a great start for using these guys more, at much cheaper points.
Skeletons Archers
Skeleton Archers are now 0-20 units, cost 7 points, and can be giving poisoned arrows for a large points increase
Skeleton Archers have war memories ability (don’t think it is actually called this, but I’m going to call it that)
Skeleton Archers may select the “stand and shoot” reaction, even though undead can generally only select the hold reaction
Toning down use of these guys are large blocks on infantry and more at flankers, skirmish hunters. Bout time they can stand and shoot
Light Cavalry
Light Cavalry only 12 points now and have war memories ability
Light cavalry may select the “flee reaction” even though undead can generally only select the “hold reaction”. They automatically rally after making a flee reaction next turn.
This seems a bit, dunno if it makes sense, maybe it actually means something else
Haven’t heard anything definite about whats happens to heavy cavalry
Chariots
No change it seems generally – still light flanking units
Tomb Guard
Can take either great weapons OR hand weapon, shield and Khepesh
Same rules otherwise – apparently mebbe an extra bonus when the tomb king is in the unit
Maidens of the Gods
Unit of Khalida’s. 2 Attacks, poison, regenerate, 5+ ward save, 2 hand weapons
Only strength 3, toughness 4 though.
Basically mass attacking special unit vs hard hitting tomb guard unit it seems. Good against lightly armoured armies?
Ushabti
4+ Armor save, 5+ ward save, otherwise same. Would’ve liked toughness 5, seems GW wants to emphasise low toughness, light armour in the army still
Tomb Scorpion
NOT getting 5 wounds, slight points increase, seems liche priest in the scorpions body means it can always march – which is good since there doesn’t seem any rule change for the “from below”
Carrion
Same it seems – doesn’t look like the roc (giant vulture) can be added, its in the mount section it seems
Sand Stalkers
Scouting Skeletons, poisoned weapons and bows, 4+ save against shooting (mirage or something – desert sands or something I dunno), war memories (stand and shoot)
Thought carrion and scorpions did a pretty good job, I still like the concept
Rare:
Bone Giant
Cheaper, 2+ armor save (can take shield for 1+), two hand weapons or a bow
More like 200 points now – 1+ doesn’t seem like “lightly armoured” but oh well
Screaming Skull Catapults
Same
Casket of Souls
3 Abilities:
1. Old shooting attack at one unit
2. Soul Well: Elect a point in line of sight – that point causes terror till the beginning of next tomb king players go
3. Malediction of the Eternal: Unit Cannot shoot, if it fails ld test cannot move either
Still causes terror, -1 to wizards on battlefield
Obelisk of Light
3 Abilities
1. Ward of the Gods: gives 5+ ward save to a unit
2. Radiance of the Heavens: gives a unit +1 attack with magical, flaming attacks
3. Light of the Sky: Units must pass leadership test to direct magical missiles, shooting at unit
+1 to incantation rolls of the priest directing obelisk
Sphinx:
May fly, magical breath attack, 4 wounds, only strength 5, 5+ ward save, magical resistance (2), units need to pass leadership test or be unable to attack it – transfixing or something
This all clearly needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but apparently this is the general gist of how the list is going. Still haven’t heard heaps about some crucial things
1. Will heavy chariots appear
2. Magic items
3. Is the magic phase definitely going to be the same system
4. If auto-break is been changed in 8th edition, how much will it impact on an army that often relied on this to be effective.
I’m not going into what I heard about special characters but the general themes seemed to be:
1. Dude on a flying chariot
2. Assassin hunting down those who wronged the TK – swore to the gods to hunt them down – something about nagash
3. Stretta and Khalida are back
4. High Liche Priest riding giant flaming vulture from the underworld
This stuff was so vague that its probably just nonsense – who knows
This appears to be a mix of past rumors as well as some new. A lot of it appears to be wish listing, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it.
Moving on, we have rumors of Wood Elves for early next year. First I have heard of this.
It also looks like the new style paint pots will be upon us soon.
Grey Knight rumors are still making the rounds.
With Necrons right on their heels.
And that about sums it up. Anyone know of any I missed?