Empire rumors (Fantasy) -- 3/30 official advance order pics are up!

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**Kroothawk**

Official teaser video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD7YVR5Cm98&feature=youtu.be

Official pics here:
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/armySubUnitCats.jsp?catId=cat440004a&rootCatGameStyle=wh

Estel from Warseer wrote:Empire Army Book (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April
• 96p Full colour, Hardback Army Book.
• Essential guide to the Empire army including background, new rules, Army List, artwork and miniature gallery.
• Every Character and Unit in the Army Book is available to buy!
• Contains rules for brand new ‘never seen before’ miniatures.

Plastic Kits

Karl Franz on Deathclaw (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April
• This box contains a multipart plastic kit that makes one of THREE different models; Karl Franz on Deathclaw, Empire General on Griffon or Amber Wizard Lord on Griffon.
• Assembled kit is huge- 6” high and 9” wide.
• A centerpiece kit that will appeal to both gamers and modelers/painters alike.
• Kit contains lots of extra pieces i.e. Multiple Chest plates and heads for the Griffon and more.

Empire Celestial Hurricanum / Luminark of Hysh (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April

• This box contains a multipart plastic kit that makes one of Two different models; or the.
o The Celestial Hurricanum: A rare choice for the Empire Army or a mount for a Celestial Battle Wizard Lord.
o Enhances the armies fighting abilities, spell casting and can create enchanted storms!

Or

o Luminark of Hysh: A rare choice for the Empire Army or a mount for a Light Battle Wizard Lord.
o Creates a magical enchantment that protects nearby troops and helps disrupt enemy spell casting and can fire deadly beam of light at the enemy!

• A centerpiece kit that will appeal to both gamers and modelers/painters alike.
• Each kit contains lots of extra parts e.g. Light and Celestial Battle Wizard lords, Acolytes etc.
Volkmar the Grim on The War Altar of Sigmar (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April

• This box contains a multipart plastic kit that constructs the mighty War Altar of Sigmar.
• Standing 7” high it is a centerpiece kit that will appeal to both gamers and modelers/painters alike.
• The War Altar is a Lord choice as it can be a mount for either Volkmar or an Arch Lector.

Empire Demigryph Knights (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April

• This box contains enough multipart plastic pieces to assemble three Demigryph Knights- Elite Monstrous Cavalry that are a Special choice in the Empire Army Book.
• The kit allows you to model the rank and file Inner Circle Knights or a full command group or a mixture of both.
• The kit allows them to take lances or a cavalry Halberd.

Empire Master Engineer (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April

• Plastic Frame Clampack that contains one Master Engineer.
• The Master Engineer is a Hero Choice in the army.
• The Master Engineer is easy to assemble and can be assembled in different ways.

Captain of the Empire (ideal Premium/Hobby Account new release product) - Released 7th April

• Plastic Frame Clampack that contains one Captain of the Empire.
• The Captain of the Empire is a Hero Choice in the army.
• The Captain of the Empire is easy to assemble and comes with 2 heads to choose from.

Harry wrote:NOW UPDATED WITH FACTS!

Rumours about the Timescale:

Opinions vary but I think....
Empire is being released in April 2012
A date of the 7th of April has been suggested.

ITS OFFICIAL 7th APRIL

Rumours about the Book:

Mr Cruddace has written the book (hastings)
IT'S OFFICIAL : The book IS with the first wave of models in April.(Harry) (33EUR)
In the book there are three options for the War Alter. (hastings)
One is a character mount but there are two additional options as rare choices. (hastings)
(Not Quite ... war alter and two magickthinyamigigs) (Harry)

Rumours about the army:

Nothing solid on army wide changes

Rumours about models:

Empire will get 4 plastic kits and 2 plastic 'single pose' characters. (6 Plastic in total) (Harry)
Also at least one new sculpt in finecast as well as some old models being redone in finecast.
Finecast - Lots of goodies including order specific mages and warrior priests.(Birdy via Darnock)
This will see The Empire become the first fantasy army that can be all plastic.
On release all units and options will be available from the release date. (Birdy via Darnock)
Not sure how to interpret this .... every option in the book will be covered OR no second wave?

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GETTING:

6 Plastic kits:

Karl Franz on Death Claw 1 fig. plastic 43 EUR
Empire Celestial Hurricanium/Luminark of Hish 1 fig. plastic 39 EUR (2 Rare slot magic platforms)
Empire Demigryph Knights 3 fig. plastic 43 EUR
Captain plastic 1 fig. 10,5 EU
Engineer plastic 10,5 EUR
Volkar on war altar plastic 1 fig 39 EUR

Finecast:

Witch hunter 1 fig resin 13 EUR
Markus Wolfhart 1 fig resin 13 EUR
Empire amber wizard 1 fig resin splash release 13 EUR
Warrior priest 1 fig resin 13 eur

Rumours of Characters/Lords/Heroes

I heard something about a mounted Wizard..... as a mount option for the Griffon? (Amber wizard)
The Gryphon can be built as a two headed Griffon :WTF:
Also something about a new Jade? wizard ... this guy will be in finecast.
Single Hero Sprues of Mage? and Empire Captain (Birdy via Darnock)
I heard something about an engineer. I heard it was plastic and a very nice sculpt. (Harry)
I heard something about a plastic Captain ... also very nice. (Harry)
Marius Leitdorf will be re-released in Finecast.
Finecast - Order specific mages and warrior priests. (Birdy via Darnock)

Rumours of Karl Franz OR Lord/Hero on Griffon.

There are rumours of a plastic Lord/Hero on a Griffon that could 'pass' as Karl Franz. (Harry)
There is a rumour that it IS Karl Franz. (which is an interesting development as this is the first time we have seen a special, named character as a plastic kit). (Harry and Hastings)
“The new plastic Empire hero on griffon is also supposed to be very nice” (hastings)
Griffin, which to be honest is a bit of a let down. It's big, Manticore sized, and looks almost like an update of the Deathclaw mini only a bit more static, oddly it was painted a deep ruddy brown. (Darnock via birdy)

As you see opinions vary ... I heard it was BIG and the paint job and the camera angle have not done it any favours. So I shall wait until I have it in my hands before passing judgement.

More importantly I heard it has the option of KF a generic lord/hero or an Amber wizard.

Rumours of a plastic War Altar (and something new?)

There are rumours of a dual plastic kit which makes a War Altar and something else. (Harry, hastings, malladin.ben)
It is rumoured that the War Altar can be customised to make Sigmar, Ulric or Morr. (ghost21)
There is a rumour that it makes a War Altar and a “College of Magic wizardlordmobile”. (NatTreehouse, Harry)
A war altar combo kit with a wizardy casting platform thing which had lots of globes almost like a celestial model. (Darnock via birdy)

New from BoW: We’re hearing that an Glass Lens Weapon (Ala Archimedes) is on the cards as well. – If so will this include some kind of clear perspex component like in the Necron kits?

I assume this is part of the wizard platform.

Have heard a conflicting rumour that whilst working from the same chassis these may be two seperate kits.

Nice little rumour from Kyte that the War Alter may be pushed into combat by Flagellants rather than pulled by horses.

I have heard the iconic statue of the griffon remains. (This pours water on the customise for different religions rumour. I feel like I would have heard 'you can have a Griffon like the last one or a big wolf' ... Didn't hear that. )

Rumours of new Warrior priests:

There were lots of rumours of new warrior priests early on.
I think that any new priests will be done for the plastic War Altar.
(Rather than an additional kit or individual sculpts)
But I get the impression there is more than one priest with the kit .... extras left over for a Preist on foot.

Rumours of Demi-Griffon knights.

There are rumours of Demi-Griffon knights. (Eldargal and others Me but not allowed to say anything earlier. )
Don't expect the same as the Forge World one ... expect something a bit different. (harry)
Three to a box (Birdy via Darnock)

Rumours of knights:

So many conflicting rumours about Knights I don't know what to make of it.
I have heard nearly nothing about new Knights .... so I assume that is what is happening. (Nearly nothing. )

My guess is sprues have been seen/heard about for demi-griff knights...and conclusions have been leapt to.

Rumours of new Knights:

No new knights kit. (hastings)
Rumours that Reiksguard knights are in the book. (hastings)

Rumours of a Nuln Siege Cannon:

There were rumours of a BIG cannon ....

I have heard nothing about this .... so I assume this isn't happening.

There are rumours of some things back from 4th edition:(ghost21)

Rumours of Halflings:(ghost21)

No Halflings in the book.

Rumours of the War Wagon: (ghost21)

NO War Wagon in the book.

BRING IT ON!

Darnok over at Warseer posted this from an anonymous source:

So i understand empire will get 4 kits. Knights obviously. 2 character ones (cant properly remember which ones but if you notice the priest of morr rules i would guess WP's will get a kit). And a new war atlar. The Altar kit will be a dual kit. The second option will be a Nuln seige cannon. Massive cannon used to defend the walls of nuln.

He adds:

I can't comment on how solid these are. But it's not the first - and probably not the last - I've heard over the last few weeks. It seems to me like the Empire is not too far away, meaning somewhere in the next six months.

Something more: the knight mentioned are supposedly not replacements of the current knights, but demi-gryph knights. See Warhammer Forge for reference.

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer/THE-EMPIRE/THEODORE-BRUCKNER-AND-REAPER.html

75hastings69 wrote:Empire are not getting updates of current knights, there are different cav coming though. The old crappy horses/knights remain. War altar makes something else, but afaik it's not a cannon of any kind.

eldargal wrote:I heard more Knightly Orders, not just one box of generic knights, plus warrior priests halflings and some characters, including a female. Never heard anything about a war altar/cannon kit, I heard a vague whisper of a war altar/war wagon kit.
(...)
Oh, forgot about demigrpyh/griff/griffon cavalry. Looking forward to seeing those actually.

ghost21 wrote:i really shouldnt mention it but some things are back from 4th ed?.. im thinking
(...)
take with salt..
warrior priest of morr/ sigmar/ ulric, the ulric may be a re release from soc
oh and a special warrior priestess of myramidia?

Harry wrote:No salt required fits with something I heard about a choice of priests.
.... and that would be Myrmidia.

Concerning next army books:

75hastings69 wrote:The WD VC article should be viewed as a stop gap between books, terrorgheist will be in proper print much quicker than some people may imagine

ihavetoomuchminis wrote:January is more accurate for VC.

I know common sense dictates Woodies and Brets.
But this is GW

I am sticking with VC, Empire, Dwarves
(...)
There is some other stuff in there too but I am not sure if it is only waves with the bits I have heard so far.

**Kanluwen**

Hah! I keep telling people "You know, GW is totally going to give Empire demi-gryphon knights. It's inevitable!".

I really hope it comes true, because Reaper is freaking awesome.

**kenshin620**

Great, Brets and WE are in the dust for VC, Empire, and Dwarves?

Real nice

Although an expansion of the priests is welcoming.

Still no hope for Kislev is there?

**lasgunpacker**

Demi-Gryphons and no new knights would also being in keeping with the new policy of "Moar Monsters, and to heck with your basic troops" that GW has obviously adopted in the last little while. Same with a war altar/cannon.

Sigmar/Ulric/Morr priest kit sounds interesting though.

Hopefully the Warrior priest of Myrmidia comes out in plastic, like the various new generic characters have been.

**scarletsquig**

Really happy that they're expanding the different deities in the next book, the 7th edition book was far too sigmar-centric.

**Jon Touchdown**

No Brets = me sad

**ph34r**

I am excited for VC.

**Flashman**

Expanded Priests

Demi-griffon cavalry

I have tolerated monstrous cavalry for TK and OK because the units looked right for the armies. However, I'm beginning to get a bit tired of this "monsters for everyone" approach. It just won't feel right for Empire. Big arse war machines, maybe, but big beaky horses just doesn't work for me.

**Slinky**

Flashman wrote:Demi-griffon cavalry I have tolerated monstrous cavalry for TK and OK because the units looked right for the armies. However, I'm beginning to get a bit tired of this "monsters for everyone" approach. It just won't feel right for Empire. Big arse war machines, maybe, but big beaky horses just doesn't work for me.

That's how I feel too...

**Cerebrium**

VC and Empire over WE and Brets. Seems par for the course, really.

**Vermillion**

I was thinking dwarves was up next before empire, oh well, 2012 might be a very interesting year for GW to try to tempt me back if the rumours of 6th ed and new eldar are true and dwarves come along mid to late 2012 too.

**EmilCrane**

I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update? I... I... I am probably going to start Flames of War.

**Acardia**

I'm fine with the Demi-gryph, I think that the concepts are cool as well regarding the cannon. I would also not be suprised that Lumpin Croop returns into the empire if a new halfling kit comes into play.

**Scottywan82**

ph34r wrote:I am excited for VC.

Ditto! Hope this means some new plastic kits for Black Knights. Guaranteed I will be having some of that.

**Kanluwen**

Scottywan82 wrote:
ph34r wrote:I am excited for VC.

Ditto! Hope this means some new plastic kits for Black Knights. Guaranteed I will be having some of that.

I wouldn't hold out hope for Black Knights.

Interestingly enough, one of the rumors I've heard from Warseer is a kind of "Frankensteinian" monster in the form of a Flesh Golem.

Do want.

**Scottywan82**

Yeah... cool I guess. I want some more sick skeleton warriors on horseback, though!

**Jon Touchdown**

EmilCrane wrote:I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update? I... I... I am probably going to start Flames of War.

I feel the same way bro

**Kanluwen**

Think about it like this.

They can introduce Flesh Golems via White Dwarf like they did the Terrorgheist and Cairn Wraith/Tomb Banshee hero choices.

Black Knights can be kept in reserve for when the new army book comes out properly. And then they can add a mad doctor who makes Flesh Golems troop choices!

**Flashman**

EmilCrane wrote:I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update?

It's taking them longer to think up some new big arse monsters that will fit in with the Bretonnian fluff. Don't worry. This is GW. They will find a way

**Kanluwen**

Flashman wrote:
EmilCrane wrote:I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update?

It's taking them longer to think up some new big arse monsters that will fit in with the Bretonnian fluff. Don't worry. This is GW. They will find a way

Who says they can't do Empire releases in WD and the Bretonnian army book?

**winnertakesall**

I swear rumors are getting more and more frequent.

**aka_mythos**

Kanluwen wrote:
Flashman wrote:
EmilCrane wrote:I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update?

It's taking them longer to think up some new big arse monsters that will fit in with the Bretonnian fluff. Don't worry. This is GW. They will find a way

Who says they can't do Empire releases in WD and the Bretonnian army book?

With GW's love affair with Empire... its more likely to be the other way around.

**Melonfish**

Shame, Brets really do need that update, the army list and model list is somewhat thin on the ground at the moment what with finecast taking all the metals off the shelves...

**Kanluwen**

aka_mythos wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:
Flashman wrote:
EmilCrane wrote:I love the Empire lots but... Brets are the oldest book out there, but we get no update?

It's taking them longer to think up some new big arse monsters that will fit in with the Bretonnian fluff. Don't worry. This is GW. They will find a way

Who says they can't do Empire releases in WD and the Bretonnian army book?
With GW's love affair with Empire... its more likely to be the other way around.

Can't blame them for having a love affair with a well-selling army.

Plus, if they really have such a love affair why are my Knights riding horses older than some of the posters here?

**English Assassin**

scarletsquig wrote:Really happy that they're expanding the different deities in the next book, the 7th edition book was far too sigmar-centric.

Agreed. It's well past time Alluminas, Arianka and Solkan got some attention.

**Ouroborus**

They should keep new knightly orders out. It tramples (no pun intended) on Bret territory too much.

HOPEFULLY The Empire gets new state troops. As they stand now they're some of the worst looking core units in the entire game.

**Verd_Warr**

Ouroborus wrote:HOPEFULLY The Empire gets new state troops. As they stand now they're some of the worst looking core units in the entire game.

You are, of course, entitled to that opinion, but... huh?

**aka_mythos**

Kanluwen wrote:Can't blame them for having a love affair with a well-selling army.

I don't. I don't blame GW for doing lots of Empire and I don't blame them for doing lots of Space Marines. I only blame them when they finally do get around to another army and do too little or don't do it well. When an army needs help, GW could just as easily axe the army and I accept the cost of GW revisiting a poorly followed army is their greater support of a more promenant army.

GW just has to figure out how to get itself out of the corner its painted itself into. The religious angle is the only thing Bretonnia have going for them since they aren't technologically as advanced, as magically advanced, and have no skilled warrior beyond their knights. Despite Bretonnia's seemingly religious slant everything they can do the cults of Sigmar can do better. So there are alot of barriers to Bretonnian's being improved.

Kanluwen wrote:Plus, if they really have such a love affair why are my Knights riding horses older than some of the posters here?

GW has focused more energy on other aspect of the Empire than the totality of Bretonnia... so it matters little when they leave something for later. Add to that the fact GW's giving Empire demi-gryph knights in their book... so who needs horses.

**Kanluwen**

aka_mythos wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:Can't blame them for having a love affair with a well-selling army.
I don't. I don't blame GW for doing lots of Empire and I don't blame them for doing lots of Space Marines. I only blame them when they finally do get around to another army and do too little or don't do it well. When an army needs help, GW could just as easily axe the army and I accept the cost of GW revisiting a poorly followed army is their greater support of a more prominent army.

I'll agree with you on this, but to their credit...they've only really axed one "official" army. Sublists and campaign stuff they've done more to, but we're not getting into that as much as some people would love to I'm sure.

GW just has to figure out how to get itself out of the corner its painted itself into. The religious angle is the only thing Bretonnia have going for them since they aren't technologically as advanced, as magically advanced, and have no skilled warrior beyond their knights. Despite Bretonnia's seemingly religious slant everything they can do the cults of Sigmar can do better. So there are alot of barriers to Bretonnian's being improved.

I don't really think the Bretonnians have a "religious angle" personally. They're very much the embodiment of the early Romantic era stuff regarding King Arthur, though and if I had to pick one phrase to describe the army in its background it would be "The Hero Cult".

Kanluwen wrote:Plus, if they really have such a love affair why are my Knights riding horses older than some of the posters here?
GW has focused more energy on other aspects of the Empire than the totality of Bretonnia... so it matters little when they leave something for later.

I'm not entirely sure what you're referring to here. Are you meaning "They're fleshing out the religions of the Empire, which seemingly has had more effort put into it than the entirety of Bretonnia's background"?

If so, I'd say that there's not too much work for them to actually do in regards to fleshing out the Empire's religions. It's been done for awhile in WHFRP, Warhammer Online, and there was even a White Dwarf with a five or six page spread about the various religions.

Add to that the fact GW's giving Empire demi-gryph knights in their book... so who needs horses.

Anyone fielding Knights? Demigryphon Knights likely will be dubbed "Inner Circle Knights" and a rare/special choice so that there's a choice for those trying to do a Knightly Order army and foregoing blackpowder weapons.

**Cyporiean**

I'd be fine with Wood Elves eating Bretonnia...

Though with neither army being updated in the seeable future, it does have the positive note of my not getting sucked back into Fantasy.