New Ogre Kingdoms book information and pics!

New images and info from the new Ogre Kingdoms book due out next month! Found these on the web today... word is the whole book has been leaked to the internet. Here is the latest and greatest:

Magic:

• Ogre Magic has been reworked and spellcasting now works the same way as for all wizards. Spells are pretty much similar to what they used to be, except they last until next magic phase and are not RIP.
• Lore attribute is bloodgruel - on 2+ mage gains 1 wound and +1 to cast for his next spell, on a 1 takes an S6 hit.
• The signature spell grants stubborn to a unit within 12"/18" (the latter is presumably on a boosted casting)
• As for other magic, 2d6 2s no save missile, augment giving target +1t or all units wihin 12" +1t with higher roll, panic test spell to all enemy units 18/36", regeneration to unit/all units within 12" with higher roll, small template spell ini test needed if passed 3s hit if not 7s hit d6 wounds it can be changed to large template with higher roll needed.
• Ogre mages can take great maw, death, heavens and beasts magic.
• New mage model is the firebelly, who uses lore of fire, can be upgraded to lvl 2 for the standard price of a wizard upgrade, can take a great weapon or extra hand weapon and has S4 breath attack, flaming attacks and 4+ ward vs fire.

Magic items and big names:

• Big names still there and come out of magic item allowance. Didn't get changed that much from what you currently have. Best one is probably giantbreaker - doesn't require giant in the army - for the cost of dispel scroll model can't refuse challenges or flee but gets +1S.
• Magic items are few and generally meh compared with common items. Most interesting item is hellheart, which causes a miscast in all enemy mages within 5xD6" at the beginning of enemy magic phase - one use only, costs 2 scrolls.
• Thundermace (asl, +2s 2h weapon), or thundercrush attack instead, small template model in the centre hit with 9s d3 wound, rest hit with 3s.
• Siegebreaker (asl, +2s 2h weapon) roll to hit against ini or siegebreaker attack d6 hits with str equal to height of the building up to 10.
• Rune maw rules I think are the same as in last book (I dont see its max range use but i think this will be faq'd).
• Dragonhide banner same stats as in last book + can be used as breath weapon with 3s.

Core:

• Core units now include ironguts at 43 points, and with all command models costed at +10 points (which is same across the book).

Special:

• Special units got a lot of changes, leadbelchers will now fire D6 shots every turn, no misfires, and are move and fire with no penalty for moving.
• Sabertusk, 1-10 unit size. Each one has 3 S4 attacks, so aside from being the redirector of your dreams, it can sometimes work as a mage assassin. One costs slightly more than 4 halberdiers. T4 and two wounds.
• They can't use general's leadership or battle standard re-roll, and their own LD is 4 - and can only be joined by a Hunter - so I would say they will only come in two unit sizes - 1 or 10+hunter. This second option is not so bad - the unit will cost you some 350 points, but it has vanguard, swiftstride, and 30 S4 WS4 I4 attacks + whatever the hunter brings.
• Maneaters basically choose two special rules (you cannot chose the same special rule for two units) from a group of 8 - including poisoned attacks, sniper, stubborn, swiftride, strider, vanguard, itp, scout.
• Mournfang cavalry is the new heavy cav, with a lot of options (potentially a 2+ armour save), tons of attacks and a price tag that is in the vicinity of a bloodcrusher, depending on what armour/weapons you take. 3 wounds, D3 impact hits and a total of 7 attacks per model make them somewhat fearsome.
• Gorger is now special and gets a bit more expensive, but loses the rule by which it had to end movement closer to an enemy unit. It does have frenzy, unbreakable, killing blow and ambusher special rules.

Rare:

• Scraplauncher is rare and similar to what it does now (S3 KB catapult).
• Ironblaster is an empire cannon with horrible fluff and a pretty unpleasant misfire chart. S10 grapeshot and a special rule that allows you to roll two dice for bounce and chose the highest, even if one is a misfire.
• The two mammoth-like critters are... the stonehorn, which can have a mounted harpoon launcher (S6 D3 wounds 36" bolt thrower that doesn't penetrate ranks and is move and fire if mounted), 4+ armour save, does a lot of S6 impact hits on the charge, has dragon-like stats (but lower WS, Ld and initiative), M7, 4+ armour save and a special rule which halves the damage from all multiple-wound weapons that hit it.
• ...and the thundertusk, which is a support version of the above - has a mounted catapult that doesn't get hurt in any way by misfires, a harpoon and a 12" S6 KB weapon (chaintrap) - 3 weapons on its back, and gives all enemy models within 6" ASL. The tradeoff is - no impact hits and one less attack.
• A stonehorn can also be the mount for a hunter.

Additional:

• Clubs are hand weapons now.
• Bull charge - no info about needing 6" to charge but when calculating charge range if you roll 10 or more there is d3 impacts rather than 1.
• Giant is now stubborn!
• If stonehorn makes sucesfull charge he makes 3d3 impacts(instead of his normal attacks) +1 for each dice if charge roll was higher than 10.
• Trappers is an upgrade for normal gnobbies @25pts it makes every model in a unit that charges them take a dangerous terrain test.

Special Characters:

• Golfgag is a hero with 5a he can take 2d6x10p magic items, if golfgag joins maneaters they have always stubborn and vanguard rules from been there done that special rule.
• Bragg is 4a hero with heroic killing blow rule in challenges if he slays challenger enemy unit he was in it is disrupted for the rest of the turn.

Great stuff here! Can't wait for the new book to come out so I can start playing with some of this nasty stuff! It sounds like almost every unit got a lot better. HAH!!

Ogre Kingdoms - New rumors abound!

New Ogre rumors are coming in fast and from what I have seen in the past I think this current round hold water. Time will tell...

From Zephyr on the Ogre Stronghold:

Phil Kelly is author.


Plastic kits:

• Rhinox Riders (on regular Rhinoxen) (box of 3)
• Scraplauncher/Skewer-slinger (Similar to Warp-cannon/plague-claw in design)
• Great Mammox with three ogre crew and plastic tyrant option (Same base as Arachnarock. Imagine a cross between a musk ox and a Mammoth)
• Yhetees (More gorilla-like, and and no more 80's hairstyle manes. Really dynamic for a plastic kit)

Finecast:

• Jahred The Red on Rhinox
• Golgfag Maneater
• Redone Goldtooth, Skrag, maneaters (box of 3, female, ninja and pirate discontinued), Tyrant/bruiser, gorger.

Rules:

• Bull Charge will work always, even though you're less than 3 ogres and charge less than 6".
• All ogres except butchers gain a basic 6+ save from their gut plates.
• Ogre Clubs negates parry save, and is a general rule for all weapons like Choppas in OnG.
• All army restrictions gone, but gnoblars do not count towards minimum core.
• Gnoblars T2, but Sharp stuff is March and Fire, Range 10".
• Weapon options for units cheaper, and minor point reductions across the board. Bulls will stay same base cost.
• Magic will be standardized. Most spells will stay similar (augments) but with greater range, and can be buffed to affect more units. May also be cast on Yhetees and Gorgers.
• Rhinox Riders are super-hard. They get regular stomp and D3+1 Bull Charge, and also has Devastating Charge. (Special Choice)
• Scraplauncher, same but moves to Rare.
• Rhinox and Mammox are mount options for Tyrant and Hunter.
• Mammox can thunderstomp everything, like the SoM Bonegrinder Giant. Insane stats, but expensive (like 290 points base.). Crew can have leadbelcher swivel guns.
• Hunter greatly improved. Move and fire with harpoon and monster-killing special rules.
• Yhetees as in SoM, but with options for 2HW or GW, and musician now. No standard-bearer.
• Leadbelchers auto-hit, and can fire every turn, but only S4, no AP. Don't come with Light Armour.

Magic Items:

• Big Names Gone.
• Half of items are Magic Weapons.
• Tenderizer and Siegebreaker will stay.
• Halfling Cookbook grants Loremaster.
• There's a banner granting the same frenzy Minotaurs have.

Plastics will be out in October. Finecast in November.

Things I like in this list of rumors (to be taken with plenty of salt):

• New plastic kits for a Rhinox, Mammox, Scraplauncher, and Yhetees.
  
• New models for Golgfag Maneater and Jhared the Red.
  
• New rules for the Ogre Club sound interesting and are quite fluffy I think.
  
• Gnoblars max caps are gone but they do not count towards Core requirements.
  
• Minor point reduction across the board with weapon options being cheaper.
  
• Hunter gets better with move and fire and monster killing abilities (heroic killing blow?).
  
• New special characters.

Things I don't like in this list of rumors (I really hope these aren't true):

• No point reduction for Bulls? That would make them the worst monstrous infantry unit in the game!
  
• Yhetees are not really improved. Same as in SoM but with different attacks.
  
• Scraplauncher moving to a Rare choice seems excessive. Must be a lot of whiners out there with big block armies.
  
• Taking away Big Names is like Dwarfs losing runes or Bretonnians losing virtues!
  
• Making Gut Magic more "standard" doesn't really appeal to me. Simplifying it does but I hope they don't ruin the flavor (pun intended).

So there you have it... my thoughts on these rumors. I'm sure you were dying to know what I thought!!

In the end I won't complain too much if the new book is of the same quality and caliber of the last two (O&G and Tomb Kings). I suspect the release of this new book will give me a reason to bust out the big boys on the table again... it's been almost a year since I played a game of WHFB!!

WHFB 8th Edition confirmed for July?

Read this on WarSeer and Snake Eyes Box Cars - WHFB 8th Edition might be out as soon as this July! The source is none other than next month's White Dwarf: 

"Its confirmed folks, Warhammer Fantasy is hitting us in July 2010. The source? Mays white dwarf. Double page spread that has Empire fighting Orcs with "Warhammer - July" Underneath it!"

"Also, visited Warhammer World recently and the miniatures hall is missing Skaven And High Elf armies...could this be linked to the rumoured starter box"

Looks like we'll be seeing more details about 8th Edition cropping up within the next few months. I've read through the various rumors circulating the web but I will refrain from spreading more of that possible hogwash around... time will tell...

Excited!?

New Orcs & Goblins book spotted?

Those who frequent the GW website blog may have seen the pics from the recent "Mega Prize Winner Tour", but did you notice this?

If you look closely you will see what appears to be a new Orcs & Goblins book cover! Don't believe it? Compare it to the current book cover:

If you look at the bottom left of the book in the picture from the GW studio you'll notice the distinct lack of the "Warhammer Armies" font, and what appears to be a large yellowish bit of art. The background of the book is also black or some other dark color and not a bright blue as is featured on the current book. 

"Yeah well it is an older book cover" you say. Perhaps ... if you look closely you can see the telltale red outline of the current WHFB army book design and layout, but when compared to the 5th edition book cover for O&G there are similarities. 

Notice the yellow spiky bits which seem to line up nicely with the picture from the GW tour (also the Warhammer Armies font is missing). 

Is this is a new book? Probably not ... but still exciting to see! What do you think?

(edit: Looks like I jumped the gun, this is probably just the 6th Edition book cover as seen here...)

Ogre Kingdoms - new army book rumors part 4!?

Well I wasn't expecting to have another one of these posts so soon but I just this post on WarSeer:

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244395

"Well, now that I've washed my hands of the Beastmen thread (and not a moment too soon, poor badly-written creatures), I thought I might as well share what little I've heard about the Ogre book, and hopefully provide a more obvious dumping ground for such rumors than the Rhinox thread."

Models, in order of plausibility (imo):
*New Rhinox Plastic Kit, accommodating a Rider, Scraplauncher, and another variant.
*New Gorger model.
*New Unit model (a shocker, given the trend in recent books).
*New Yhetees. May be plastic.

Rules:
*Gut Barge is a standard Impact Hit upon charging, for all Ogres, not unlike Minotaurs.
*Butchers are more traditional in their use of "divine" magic, with regards to bound spells, etc. Not "wizards", as such, anymore.
*Rhinox Riders are in, in both forms, and as mounts.
*Bellowers are a mite altered.
*There's a new character.
*The Scraplauncher has a bolt-thrower variant, as well as a gnoblar-transport variant.
*More Gnoblars!
*Maneaters face some... interesting changes.

Also this a little later one in the post...

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4383687#post4383687

"Will Ogres be getting a new monster? Seems that all the recent army books have been given a large monster"

"Not including various iterations of Rhinox and Giant?"

"Hm..."

I hope the new unit isn't made up of Ogre women! Actually that might be pretty cool...

A Gnoblar bolt thrower? New unit and character? Rhinox mounts and other units?! AWESOME.

So there you have it! More Ogre rumor madness! I'm getting quite excited, I can't imagine what I will do if/when GW confirms a new Ogre Kingdoms book release (aside from do a little jig).

Ogre Kingdoms - new army book rumors part 3 (the rumorpocalyspe).

Holy crow! Been seeing a lot more rumors popping up regarding a new OK book, perhaps we will see it come May after all!

Hragged posted an excellent rumor round-up over on the Stronghold and I thought I would share it here with my thoughts on each. Some of these were previously posted.

So here we go, the rumors so far, in order of oldest to newest:

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236378

"No idea if this has been heard before, but I heard from someone in my gaming club at Warhammer World that Ogre Kingdoms are currently being worked on for release in 2010, and that - playtesting permitting - they might be getting a "Mammoth of the Plains" as a large monster (likely a mount/rare choice, like a stegadon)."

"Make of that what you will."

What do I make of this you ask? I highly doubt we will be seeing an Ogre Mammoth unit, but I do expect we'll see a Rhinox kit of some kind. I wonder if the King Rustbeard rules in issue number one of the Bellower had anything to do with this Mammoth nonsense? Hmmm...

http://www.ogrestronghold.com/forum/index.php?topic=8861.msg217446#msg217446

"First of all there will be a new book this year. But don't hold your breath as we are looking towards the end of the year."

"Hunters will be able to take up to 4 sabretusks, this will let them break ranks. Also been told he will get the option for a giant cave bear style pet instead of sabretusks. The idea of being able to pull monsters towards himself after a successful shot was also brought up but he has no idea how far he will be able to pull it."

"Leadbelchers will have a unit champ who can shoot grapeshot when charged."

"Gut magic will get alot nastier. Did not say how."

"Big names will become like Vamp bloodline powers and not have to be taken from magic items allowance."

"Finally a vastly improved magic item list, with a few different banners worth taking. (Rumor of one that turns ward saves of any enemies in combat into reg saves)"

Not a lot of meat here but in my opinion this all sounds very reasonable. Looking forward to the Big Names being more like the Vampire bloodline powers but I am not sure that will actually happen. Recent books like Warriors of Chaos and Beastmen both have similar character specific things that cannot be duplicated and come out of the magic allotment. We'll see...

http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=834818&sid=d5bc25110f2b92b3e7c2b1aec4d7bf50#p834818

"T5 will never happen."

"No indeed, but a lot of other things will happen, including a few things that sensible people have dismissed."

This is in reference to the base Ogre toughness being increased from 4 to 5, which obviously can't happen. I do expect we will see some kind of included armor save and an overall increase in the potential armor save of troops across the board. Ironguts with a 4+ save for example would be amazing, especially if they received a bump up in WS.

http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=834840&sid=d5bc25110f2b92b3e7c2b1aec4d7bf50#p834840

"Look for better equipment, the option to fight in a new formation and significantly fewer restrictions."

"Shame about the changes to fear."

"I'm quite excited, both with regards to timing (though I'll have to juggle painting my chaos AND ogres while changing diapers) and the book contents. And the models."

From the same thread as the previous comment, the biggest thing to take from this rumor is "significantly fewer restrictions". About damn time!!! I wonder if we are talking about only 15 restrictions instead of the 22 or so the current book has?

http://warhammer.org.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=837527&sid=d5bc25110f2b92b3e7c2b1aec4d7bf50#p837527

"The army books being released nowadays are done so with 8th edition very much in mind."

"This is not the time for panic. Here, have an improve(d) gut plate."

Just a small mention, but it lends credence to the idea of a base "gut plate" armor save - something which should have been included the first time around if you ask me!

http://www.ogrestronghold.com/forum/index.php?topic=8861.msg218826#msg218826

"Hunters will be able to take an upgrade so they become a moving bolt thrower. How this combines with the dragging monsters thing I do not know."

"Sabretusks will be able to be taken in packs of 5 or more."

"Bull charge will work the same as mino`s (almost a given I know) with no minimum distance."

"Scraplauncher no changes, maybe a slight points tweak."

"We WILL see rhinox riders. Same rules and points as the forge world rules more or less with small tweaks on both. He could not say how."

Posted these rumors a week or so ago, but since then there have been more mentions of similar ideas in the Ogre rumorville. Conflicting reports on the "move or fire" ability of the Hunter - hard to tell what the "truth" is at this time.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4371812#post4371812

"OK is next and I've seen the work in progress butcher rules."

"unit upgrade, does different effects depending on who they eat. always have gnoblars effect of +1 to rally and tie breaker. ogre stats. two hand weapons. tooth gnoblar for one reroll."

GAH. Terrible spelling and grammar. I had to clean it up a bit with what I thought was the intention of the post - sorry but I do have some standards for this blog.

This is the first mention of changes to the Butcher and how Gut Magic works. I'll reserve my comments for later on in this rumorlanche.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4372665#post4372665

"Just in from an inside source, GW will be creating a plastic rhinox kit when the new OK book comes out. (cant say when it will come out) With this kit you will be able to make a scrap launcher, rhinox ridden by a bull or a third variant that will be a gnoblar fighting platform. "

More Rhinox talk, this time with mention of a "gnoblar fighting platform"? Sounds pretty cool, maybe it will be something like a Stegadon for the Lizardmen (as Gnoblars are pretty similar to Skinks stats wise).

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4372880#post4372880

"yes there is a large 100+ piece, multi function kit for OK. it used a rhinox and its base. also the giant will have more than a "tacked on feel"

100+ pieces!? Dead lord, I hope they don't just turn the current Scraplauncher into a plastic kit and add some Ogre bits. I am all for this idea but I hope they don't increase the price of the kit too drastically by trying to make it the Rhinox "all in one" box.

Anything they can do to make the Slavegiant a better (and more Ogrey) choice is awesome in my book. Would love to have a second one but I have been waiting for a good reason!

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4372996#post4372996

"gnoblar hero choice, riding a giant"

While this could be really cool I just don't see it happening. Gnoblars are just too low in the OK pecking order to give them a Hero choice. Perhaps it will be a special character?

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4373793#post4373793
"a leadbelcher upgrade for tyrants, with grapeshot, worked out per warpthrower old rules."

This sounds reasonable to me and it echoes the mention of a similar upgrade for the Leadbelcher champions in an earlier rumor. I wonder if you can take this while mounted on a Rhinox? Hmm ...

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4373919#post4373919

"There will be no war mammoth in the revised book, this is just wishlisting by those not in the know. However rhinox will fill that role, sort of..."

Yeah, I just can't see a Mammoth in the Ogre Kingdoms book. They aren't really known to live in the mountains anyway, they are more of a great plains creature.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374015#post4374015
"2 uses rhinox kit, with one being a mount (with a irongut rider, with parts for a lord or butcher) and the other bieng a scraplauncher. the launcher also acts and a platform and chariot"

"hidden" rule for hunter and trappers. 4+ to see at long range"

Perhaps the "gnoblar fighting platform" is just in reference to changes made to the Scraplauncher? More chatter about the multi-purpose Rhinox kit, something that seems like a given for a new OK book no matter what.

Interesting mention of a "hidden" rule for the Hunter and Gnoblar Trappers. That would make the Trappers even more amazing!

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374088#post4374088

"slavegiant 'barge' attack, d3 impact hits at s6 if charging father than 6 inches, plus 1 to roll on chart"

I have no idea what this "barge" attack means, but again anything to make the Slavegiant better is a great addition if you ask me!

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374194#post4374194

"Will the giant be stubborn?"

"no. because they are beaten and broken."

"i do believe they get extra rules when near the tyrant..."

"Are the Rhinox riders (ruleswise) bought as a single model or is it a cavalry unit?"

"i see currently single"

"What do you think of the new models (i think you mentioned you had seen the greens)"

"Is there an Ogre Kingdoms pumbagor we need to look out for ?"

"i think the razorgor is a victim of bad paintjob and lighting. i rather like it. its different than anything else. i have to say that if you hate the razorgor then i fear you might hate the rhinox. i can say one thing. the scraplauncher will be a ***** better to assemble than the current one"

"Do you know, by chance, if OK are getting any new army wide special rule?"

"fixes to the ranking problem and a tighting to the spikefists. they have quite a few army wide rules"

Woah! That is a load of new "information" to digest. Let's take it from the top:

- New bonuses for keeping your Slavegiant close to the Tyrant? AWESOME. Who cares if they aren't Stubborn, they still have the highest Ld in the OK army.

- Single Rhinox Riders? That is a new one. I had always envisioned they would be in units like the Forgeworld/White Dwarf rules allow. Perhaps you will be able to add mounter Ogre characters to the "unit" of Rhinox?

- I am a little worried about the shaggy plastic Rhinox, but if the Forgeworld ones are anything to go by they will look great. I am all for an easier to assemble Scraplauncher - it would allow me to field more in my army!

- Not sure what the ranking comment means but the other must be in reference to the Ogre Ironfist. More on that later on in this rumor bomb...

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374377#post4374377
"Are any of the current models other than the scraplauncher going to be replaced?"

"Lets just say if you wanted to start ogres before May, buy the battalion and a box of iron guts, you are gonna want to fill out the rest of your army with the new kits being released."

New kits meaning new character models? I really hope we see a plastic character kit but perhaps that is wishing for too much...

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374385#post4374385

"dogs of war rule is in there. so far."

"i also might mention a certain halfling that got lost and now lives in an ogre camp, disguised as something icky no doubt"

Dogs of War meaning Ogres can still be included in other forces or is this some other rule known as "Dogs of War" instead?

I like the sound of this Halfling - perhaps it will be a special character of some kind.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4374484#post4374484

"i can say that the battalion will change."

"bulls as of now are cheaper with more default gear. gnoblar are the same in points. a small change in int though. ironguts are now the elite unit of hungry ogres they are. new gorger, metal and disturbing. the magic items and big names are getting the same treatment as VC. butchers are getting overhauled completely."

"gutmagic is gone, replaced by bound spells that effect the unit the butcher is in, with a ranged spell. level equals spells known. they are bought (ingredients)as of now they also impart a MR equal to the level they are. lord is a level 3, hero can be 1 or 2. only one per unit. one item for lord causes enemy wizards to roll every dice they generate and lose them on a 6 (hungry maw) then the number eaten modifies the roll on the ogres miscast list. item last whole game and counts as an army wide rule. 100pts"

Apologies again but I have changed some of the typos and spelling mistakes - I am too OCD to let that stuff slide!

Another load of new "info" so we'll take it one at a time again:

- Changes to the Battalion would surprise me unless it includes removing some models to add the Rhinox kit or something else.

- Cheaper Bulls with more stuff is AWESOME.

- I can't imagine Gnoblars changing much in cost. I assume the mention of "int" is actually their Ini (initiative). Faster? Slower?

- Better Ironguts is almost a given but there is no information here as to how they got better. Increased WS? Increased armor save? Decreased cost? Are they Special choices now?

- I would love to see a new Gorger model as I really don't like the current one. I can't imagine a major change to their rules is in the works...

- Another mention of the Vampiric Powers-like Big Names. I will believe it when I see it.

- I think a re-working of Gut Magic was a must for the new book. I hope they manage to keep it useful and not too overpowered without shackling it with needless restrictions or increasing the amount of self-inflicted damage it can (or must) do. More on the power dice eating in this next rumor...

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4375531#post4375531

"it started out as a army wide rule. it was just there and on. it did nothing against dwarf armies or TK. it ham stringed PD heavy armies."

"now its current incarnation is a magic item at 100pts. it confers an army wide rule. like the warshrine. no roll at the beginning of anything. every turn the opponent rolls his/her PD or DD and throws away any 6. those are the maws now. dice held in items don't roll. unless they get used. the pool gets rolled. anytime your hot finger touches a dice to roll in the magic phase, on a 6 its gone, including MR. this does NOT effect the OK player. to be clear. any.of.it. for every 6 rolled you keep track of it. this modifies the roll on the miscast table. the new one you force the victim....er wizard to roll on. it looks like the OK one now.."

"of course I'm paraphrasing. and its subject to change or not even make it in. its one of the argued rules. they could leave it out and still be left with a very decent (fun) book."

Alright...

So there was a special rule that ate power dice but it did nothing against two armies so they scrapped it and used it as a 100pt magic item that only the Lord level Butcher can take?

Could be interesting if they actually allow for the Slaughtermaster to be the army general. A magic heavy Ogre force?

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4375579#post4375579

"ill try to be more clear"

"your level equals the spells you can buy off a list of spells. the spells are ingredients. troll fat is an ingredient that gives regen. on a 2+ the butcher gets regen, takes a wound on a 6+, on a 6+ the units the butcher is in get regen, he takes a wound. each model takes a wound on a 6+ no saves, (maw is hungry)."

"once again paraphrased with the "anything can change at this point" disclaimer"

"to once again be clear"

"ingredients = spells bought"

This seems a little odd to me but then everything about Gut Magic is a little odd to begin with.

So instead of knowing all the spells from the Gut Magic lore the Butcher must purchase the spells by adding "ingredients"? It seems flavorful (pun intended) but I don't know that I like the idea of only knowing a few spells.

The example used for the Trollguts spell is quite confusing which leads me to believe this is a bunch of bunk.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4375824#post4375824

"butcher will take a wound on a 6 when its eaten by him. always if its the unit. also its RIP as now. one effect a unit, at a time."

"i like the "headless thrashing gnoblar" MM myself"

"nowhere to run!" gnoblar rule that allows gnoblars to rally at the end of a flee move if they flee through ogres. they take d6 casualties."

"it has been also brought to my attention that there is 2 different sets of playtest rules out there. nothing too different."

This rumor source seems to "know" an awful lot. He claims the information comes from a set of playtest rules but I haven't known GW to outsource their playtesting in quite some time.

Still ... this is a rumor post so I will comment on what we have.

The Gnoblar rule sounds interesting and is something I can see actually having some effect on the game from a strategy perspective. They would need to remove the "Bicker" rule or increase the movement rate of Gnoblars to really make use of something like this though.

I have no idea what the "headless thrashing Gnoblar" bit is all about but it sounds like fun.

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4376222#post4376222

"no giant remake. no changes to plastics current. a *possible* plastic set for tyrant/slaughter master. i wont mention price but its on par with the minotaur lord, if it happens."

I would gladly pay Minotaur Lord prices for a plastic Ogre character kit. GW - make it happen!

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4376426#post4376426
"only few questions for you to clarify if you know....can characters ride a rhinox? do ogres have same base armour save for gut plates? and do leadbelcher change their fire rule? can the hunter shot and move?"

"yes, yes yes"

"and no but there is a few things that will make you feel better about that. i don't think you will see a hunter without a few trapper units."

Some confirmation that we will see Ogre characters mounted on Rhinox, there will be some base armor save included for the Gut Plates, and Leadbelchers have changed how they fire. I sure hope they don't make the Leadies any worse ...

Another mention of the Hunter not being able to move and shoot, with a cryptic bit about Trappers being a mainstay with the unit. Perhaps a reference to this "Hidden" 4+ save?

Whew! That is a lot of rumors! Sorry this post went so long but I wanted to address all of this in one place. Going forward I will endeavor to only add/include new stuff as it comes up.

In the mean time, what do you think about these rumors?

Ogre Kingdoms - new army book rumors part 2.

More "heard it through the grapevine" information about the next Ogre Kingdoms book. I am really starting to think we'll see a new book this year!

"Hunters will be able to take an upgrade so they become a moving bolt thrower. How this combines with the dragging monsters thing i do not know."

"Sabre tusks will be able to be taken in packs of 5 or more."

"Bull charge will work the same as minos (almost a given I know) with no minimum distance."

"Scraplauncher no changes, maybe a slight points tweek."

"We WILL see rhinox riders. Same rules and points as the forge world rules more or less with small tweeks on both. He could not say how."

I am hoping for a Rhinox mount option for characters, or at least the Tyrant. The new Hunter changes sound good, and we've been kicking around the idea of Sabertusk Packs for a few years over at the Ogre Stronghold.

As always, take these rumors as you will!

Ogre Kingdoms - new army book rumors.

I am not one to normally put much stock in rumors but the word of a new book coming out for Ogre Kingdoms has been coming up quite a bit on the net recently.

Came across a few choice bits from WHFB regular tipster Avian that have me quite excited:

In a topic about what "quick fixes" the OK army needed:

"Well, at least they are getting a couple of improvements in the not too distant future."

After mention that a bump to toughness 5 would never happen:

"No indeed, but a lot of other things will happen, including a few things that sensible people have dismissed."

And when pressed for more details Avian leaves us with this:

"Look for better equipment, the option to fight in a new formation and significantly fewer restrictions."

"Shame about the changes to fear."

"I'm quite excited, both with regards to timing (though I'll have to juggle painting my chaos AND ogres while changing diapers) and the book contents. And the models."

Remember when the Ogre Kingdoms were new?

There has been word that the new OK book will hit sometime this year although a specific date has not been mentioned. With the advent of 8th edition (probably the reference to changes in Fear above) likely in July, and Orcs and Goblins with that release, it seems we could be looking at the end of the year.

There is also the possibility of May as there is currently nothing announced publicly for release after the Blood Angels book in April.

Only time will tell - but I am getting quite pumped up for new Ogre love. I'll leave you with a few other highly unofficial rumors:

"Feel free to drop a ship of salt on them as my source likes to mix facts with fiction when telling me this stuff but most should ring true."

"First of all there will be a new book this year. But don't hold your breath as we are looking towards the end of the year."

"Hunters will be able to take up to 4 sabretusks, this will let them break ranks. Also been told he will get the option for a giant cave bear style pet instead of sabretusks. The idea of being able to pull monsters towards himself after a successful shot was also brought up but he has no idea how far he will be able to pull it."

"Leadbelchers will have a unit champ who can shoot grapeshot when charged."

"Gut magic will get alot nastier. Did not say how."

"Big names will become like Vamp bloodline powers and not have to be taken from magic items allowance."

"Finally a vastly improved magic item list, with a few different banners worth taking. (Rumour of one that turns ward saves of any enemies in combat into reg saves)"

New Bestmen model pictures and info from the web.

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

More Beastmen news and rumors.

Came across a few Beastmen tidbits today while checking the web. First up is this picture which appears to be a scan from WD featuring one of the "new" Gor models (click through to see a larger version).

It doesn't look all that different to me, perhaps most of the changes are in the head and torso? Things of note regarding the new Beastmen models (according to the rumors):

• Gor models have a few different (not new options) weapons, poses, and shields.
• Gors come with hand weapons and there is no option for halberds on the sprue - this probably means that option won't be in the book either.
  
• Ungors will come with 20mm bases - hope you Beast generals are ready to re-glue a few models! This could also mean the end of mixed herds.
• Ungors are a little different from the existing models (one or two new heads for instance) and still come with options for spears, shields, and hand weapons.
  
• Ungors also come with short bows.
• Mention of new special characters (and models) which include a Shaman named "Malagor the Dark Omen" and a Centigor special character called "Ghorros Warhoof".
• Existing Lord and Hero models will likely not be updated.
  

Hmm. These are just rumors so as always take it with a grain (or two) of salt, but they do come from "respected" rumor sources in the community so it is likely they are mostly accurate. No sure how I feel about Skink style Ungors running around with Short Bows. It just doesn't seem very "Bestial" to me. Spears or Javelins I could see but not Bows (as a funny side note there is a part of the new Gotrek and Felix book that touches on the fact that Beastmen can't shoot bows).

New Skaven available for pre-order from Games Workshop!

Check this out!

New models! New Skaven! Doomwheel!! Look at Snikch!

Disclaimer time - the above image is © Games Workshop Ltd. All rights reserved. I have used these without permission. Don't sue me!

Alright. In an effort to get you the reader caught up in the hype here is a sampling of Skaven chitterings regarding the new book (some of which are now confirmed by the advance order listing on the GW site):

LORDS
Warlord Queek Head-taker
Verminlord - roughly 500pts
Lord Skrolk, Plaguelord of Clan Pestilens - Bringing Skrolk lets you take plague monks as core
Thanquoul and Boneripper
Throt the Unclean, Master Mutator of Clan Moulder
Ikit Claw, Chief Warlock of Clan Skryre
Warlord
Grey Seer

HEROES
Warlock Engineer - wizard 1/2, Skryre Sniper weaponry available
Plague Priest - lvl 1/2 wizard upgrade available
Chieftain
Deathmaster Snikch
Tetch – nothing has been given on him except his name, and this name doesn’t appear in any current lore
Assassins

Character Mounts:
Grey Seer - Screaming Bell
Plague Priest - Plague Furnace, Giant Rat
Warlord - Rat Ogre, Giant Rat, War Litter

CORE
Slaves
Clan Rats
Storm Vermin
Rat Swarms
Night Runners
Giant Rats – Master Moulder as a packmaster upgrade

SPECIAL
Jezzails - No longer skirmish, Sniper Champion @ BS4
Gutter Runners
Plague Monks
Censor Bearers - drop to 14pts, 2A on profile (3 with frenzy)
Rat Ogres
Poisoned Wind Globadiers

RARE
Warp Lightning Cannon
Plague Catapult
Hellpit Abomination
Doom Wheel - 3d6 movement, immune to psych, impact hits, 150pts

Special Items:

Storm banner, Weeping Blades, Warpstone Stars, Warpscroll, Warpstorm scroll, Brass Orb, Death globe, Fellblade, Sacred Banner of Horned rat, Skalm, Skavenbrew, Smoke bombs will be in the book.

Warpscroll now S2
Weeping blade: AP, D3 wounds, Can be used by GR champion
Infernal Bomb: an Assassin can place it wherever he likes during the movement phase. It can be triggered anytime during the game.
When triggered, on a 2+ roll it explodes with St10 D3 wounds (center of template) or St 3 (if touched). A roll of 1 causes no effect.

New kit available will be able to make plague furnace, screaming bell, or plague catapult.

More Skaven rumor chitters can be read here yes yes. In the meantime, what do you think of the new models? I really like the overall look of them but I wonder how the differing styles will "mix and match" when on the table together? I expect to see a lot of conversions from the Clanrats box. As for the pricing.... $49.50 for a box of 20 plastic rat models!? That is a bit insane.

UPDATE: The main sections of the GW website have been reordered as well! Plague censor bearers are now listed under Special instead of Rare, and poison wind globadiers are listed under Special instead of Core.

UPDATE #2: Just saw this up on the GW site as well! Sprue pics!!!

Clanrats!

Doomwheel!

Gamesday Fantasy - Beastmen rumors?

While there was very little in the way of Skaven at Gamesday 2009 I did come across this picture of a Nurgle-tree while browsing through a collection of pictures on the web. He is a big nasty one he is.

"What!? I'm hungry!!"

This same tree showed up recently in the scenery section of White Dwarf and from the "News... In Brief" there is this cryptic comment:

"If you go down to the woods today you're sure for a big surprise... especially if it's one of the dark woods that cover the Old World. Not the traditional end to the rhyme, but it's what certain games developers have been singing recently. What does it mean? Find out in a few months' time."

Sounds like the Beasts of Chaos are baying from the darkened woods... for my hard earned cash! Any Beast players read this blog? What are you looking forward to in your new book!? I'd love to see the addition (re-addition?) of Chaos mutations, more special characters, and a big gribbly monster.

UPDATE - spent some time poking around the net (most notably WarSeer) and discovered some info about this evil tree. The tree is the creation of Chad Mierzwa who has a large Nurgle Beastmen army and the tree just happens to be a part of it. His work has a tendency of making it's way into White Dwarf and army books but hard to say if this has anything to do with a new Beasts of Chaos book.

Also came across a post from dandini who says:

"I was lucky enough to chat with John Blanche at Games Day UK, and had quite a comprehensive look through his sketchbook. Nestled somewhere in the middle of the book was a picture of a chaos tree, above the tree was a khornate symbol, and the image was copyright 2008.

I asked John if this was an indicator of an upcoming Beasts of Chaos release and of them having an evil treeman unit. He said that he wasn't allowed to give any info on future releases but gave a wry smile as if I'd uncovered an easter egg in his book!"

So is this tree a harbringer of Beasts to come? Who know... it looks pretty damn cool though.

New Skaven - Clanrat pic from Gamesday Germany.

From this thread on Warseer - an image posted by Avian of brand new Clanrats from the new issue of White Dwarf. I like the new look, they appear less "cartoony" and more feral/animal. The Skaven sported a similar look in the Warhammer: Age of Reckoning MMO so this appears to be the new official direction of the Skaven model range.

Can't wait to see more concrete information on the impending Skaven onslaught for this fall! *chitter chitter*

Skrag list update and Chaos Dwarfs at Chicago Gamesday!?

Quick update from the tournament I attended yesterday at BattleForge: Skrag and co. kicked ass! I went undefeated with two Massacres and one Solid Victory against one VC and two WoC lists.

Highlights from Game One vs WoC (fairly balanced list w/ a mix of troop blocks and cav)

• This game was the one where Skrag scored the most kills for the day - a total of 8 models.
• 3 Gorgers came in on turn 2 and tied up the two large troop blocks of Marauders and Warriors.
• Skrag and the Butchers dominated the magic phase killing 5 Chaos Knights with Bonecruncher.
• Scraplauncher scored a direct hit on a unit of Chaos Warriors and killed a total of 9 with only 3 coming from Killing Blow.
• Trappers lured a Chaos Sorc, Chaos Spawn, unit of Hounds, and a unit of Horsemen into a woods for most of the game.
  
  

Highlights from Game Two vs VC (hard list with a VC Lord on Abyssal Terror w/ Frostblade and Red Fury plus Beguile plus a huge Deathstar of Black Knights w/ two Wight Kings)

• My goal for this game was to not have Skrag killed by the Frostblade.
  
• Managed to destroy the Black Knight Deathstar on turn 2 after being charged by it on turn 1 due to irresistible Van Hel's.
• Skrag managed to stay in combat with the VC Lord for 3 turns, dealing 4 wounds to the mount and rider before finally failing the last vital Regen save and dying to Frostblade.
• Gorgers proceeded to trap the VC Lord and kill him with Killing Blow - mount crumbled due to CR.
• Game ends as a Massacre for me!
  

Highlights from Game Three vs WoC (hard list with a Gateway spamming Tz Daemon Prince)

• Turn 1 my opponent kills Skrag with irresistible force Gateway.
• I proceeded to crush the remainder of his army with only the Daemon Prince alive at the end of the game.
  
• Scraplauncher runs from Terror causing Daemon Prince only to stop 1/8" away from the table edge and rally on a 5 during the next turn.

So all in all it was a good day! I really like this Skrag list but as this was a "Hobby" tournament the lists were supposed to be more friendly. Not sure how well this list would do against some of the nastier things out there (monster mash type armies for instance) but all the games I played were really fun, even when it looked like I was going to lose on Turn 1.

In other news .... Chaos Dwarfs were confirmed at the Games Workshop Chicago Gamesday!?

I want to believe - but is this the previously rumored "non-human" race to be added to the game? Until we get more solid information I remain skeptical. Besides, GW has plenty of other armies they could work on updating before adding a new one (HINT HINT).

UPDATE: Read this thread over on Chaos Dwarfs Online and it seems the mention of CD at Gamesday might have been blown a bit out of proportion?