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So, we are a little over a year away from Warhammer 9th and I am wondering what do folks think will be the armies in the new Fantasy starter box. Which armies could do with the push the army box would bring, would GW surprise us again with a Skaven like choice. Of course at the same time what do we realistically think will be in there?

I was thinking the thread might be fun to look back at this in a year to see who was closest to the mark, as of right now there isn't really even any speculation or rumour on what might be in the box. So anyone wanting to join in, give us a choice of two armies, any reasons, and if you like you can also add a Surprise/out of left field styled choice as an alternative. (Basically an army or pair of armies you'd be surprised if it showed up, but it might make some kind of crazy sense after the Skaven/High Elf match up last time.)

As to my own guess..

I'm saying Orcs and Goblins Vs Dwarves

My reasons: Dwarves are rumoured to be getting a overhaul in design, so arriving in the starter box makes sense, it brings many more players to them as they are the box (how many folks started Skaven or High Elves last time) thus the risks of any changes are lessened. Also they are a classic fantasy race, and could have some nice fun stuff in the box, Cannon/Organ Gun, maybe a Gyrocopter. Then because I am convinced it'll be Dwarves, as an enemy force it has to be one of the Evil races, not only is Orc and Goblins the classic match up with Dwarves, but its been a while since they've been in the starter and they are a favoured race for starter box treatment It also lets them chuck in a couple of larger horde-ish units against the probable elite Dwarf force.

Out of left field choice: Dark Elves instead of Orcs and Goblins, would be their first time in the box, but it would be an interesting twist, and ties back to Dark Elves tricking the Dwarves previous to the War of the Beard. Might be a way of putting a monster in the box as well, maybe a Beastmaster on Manticore.


On a side note, some may think Warhammer 9th isn't coming next year, and thats fine, but I'd rather the thread is not bogged down by such posts. For those not sure, all I can say is the past ten years of GW releases says it is, as we have been on a two year alternating release schedule for Warhammer/40K since 2004.

So, does anyone else have any ideas on who we might see or comments?

Seeing as i'm a total WHFB newbie and hardly know anything much at all, I'm going to just say what I think would make a cool box from an aesthetic sort of viewpoint.

Dwarves, admittedly, would be pretty damn cool. Maybe a small force based around a cannon and some hard hitting infantry.

Kinda cool to see them go up against something really wild and savage like Beastmen, although Dark Elves would be cool too - lots of antipathy between Dwarves and Elves in pretty much all fantasy settings.

Orcs and goblins vs dwarves was 7th ed started, GW won't repeat it only 2 editions later.

According to wikipedia the previous box sets were;
4th High Elves vs Orcs and goblins
5th Bretonians vs Lizardmen
6h Orcs vs Empire
7th Dwarves vs Goblins
8th High Elves vs Skaven
(wow orcs and goblins are used a lot)

I'd like it to be something like Empire vs Vampire Counts but I don't see any pattern to the releases so it's completely up in the air.

What makes you think fantasy is so soon?

I don't think they will do dwarves and OnG so soon either..

Perhaps chaos vs empire?

chaos vs empire is possible, 2 very popular fantasy armies.

I would like to see a off the wall starter like Dark Evles Vs Toumb Kings. Something that would promote armies you don't see much of.

Chaos vs. Dwarves. Chaos will have a unit of marauder horsemen, a unit of 3 plastic trolls, a plastic chaos hero, 5 Forsaken and a unit of 10 warriors. Dwarves will then get a unit of 15 warriors, 10 gunners, 10 hammerers, a Thane and a Gyrocopter.

I have seen the future....and it is three trolls being launched through the air to tackle a Dwarven helicopter.

 AngelofBlood wrote:
I would like to see a off the wall starter like Dark Evles Vs Toumb Kings. Something that would promote armies you don't see much of.

Nah, I dont think undead will EVER get into a starter set

They rely on too many mechanics (undead special rules and a ton of magic)

While slightly complex, the warhammer starter cant be too complex for new people

It would be like putting in Wood Elves with an entire skirmisher army, it might be too confusing for new people






Automatically Appended Next Post:

 timetowaste85 wrote:
Chaos vs. Dwarves.

Better idea, reintroduce chaos dwarves! Put them in the starter!

 Von Chogg wrote:
What makes you think fantasy is so soon?

The company normally cycles updates on a regular pattern, so next year will be 4 years since the arrival of 8th and thats the about the normal lifespan of an edition. I REALLY don't think they need a 9th edition so soon and happy to be proven wrong.




I'd like to see Fishmen vs Chaos Dwarves in the box.

Beastmen and Empire would be a really nice and thematic mix. They look totally different.

Dark Elves versus Dwarves would be a good combo if both are getting done soon (c.f. Dark Angels and Chaos Space Marines). That would apply just as well for Dark Elves versus Lizardmen, but I feel that they are too similar - both use Cold Ones, both high magic, both somewhat elite all-rounder armies, etc.

IMO, I think GW needs to break away from the ironclad 4 year turnover some, but if it is the case that 9th is starting to get around the corner then I vote for Empire vs. Chaos.

It seems kind of ripe for the army of average stats to make a return. Also, it would be a good opportunity to get some alternative miniatures for the Empire line. I am looking at maybe a unit of Halberdiers since they are the standard infantry of the Empire (good thing is they can be easily convertable if it something like Spearmen instead) since it would provide a nice alternative to the lackluster box set. The main thing that I think they could really hammer out is a small unit of knights (maybe even awesome looking Reiksguard) that are upgraded to more appropriate-sized horses and more stylized armor that could also just as easily double for KotIC if you wish to use them with standard knights or begin converting all your knights to a more updated look. This could be combined with an artillery piece like a cannon or a mortar and for a second other unit maybe archers/huntsmen or crossbowmen (probably be too much to ask for a Halfling 'counts as' return for the archers as a sort of nice tie in). Finish it off with a spiffy new Captain or Warrior Priest for your hero with a Wizard and your golden. That would be pretty much cover all the bases (infantry, shooters, cav, warmachine, hero, wizard) for the all-rounder starter army.

Chaos on the other side can be the more "beat face army", which can be represented with a unit of Marauders since I don't think anyone is going to complain if they get new models no matter what opinion is from the new book. This could be couple off with a small unit of Chaos Warriors (which for model purposes could work for Chosen if they mimic Dark Vengeance in model quality). Maybe throw in some Warhounds. And for flavor and new models, maybe one or two Chaos Ogres to mimic the troll from the 7th ed starter. Put in a Hero and a Sorcerer and they are off to grind the Emperor's lackeys into the ground.

Other options I would go for is a return of Lizardmen or Beastmen to get some loving.

I don't even see the need for 9th tbh. 40k direly needed 6th because of major imbalances in regard to vehivcles.

WHFB, however, only has few minor points and magic that needs to be adjusted, but other from that, I consider WHFB to be pretty well-balanced.

 Sigvatr wrote:
I don't even see the need for 9th tbh. 40k direly needed 6th because of major imbalances in regard to vehivcles.

WHFB, however, only has few minor points and magic that needs to be adjusted, but other from that, I consider WHFB to be pretty well-balanced.

Well skirmisher/non hoard based could use a boost

And I kinda wish that a BSB and a Level 4 wizard werent so mandatory

I highly doubt 9th is closer than 2015. Its not comng out next year, I'm 99% positive on that.


My prediction is we will see all army books updated before 9th edition comes out. and when it does it will be a minorly adjusted 8th. Edition 8.5 if you will.

 Grey Templar wrote:

My prediction is we will see all army books updated before 9th edition comes out

That is a prediction I would love to see

But I'm not sure if GW loves bretonnians enough to do that!

It's not going to be any books updated recently. Being mid books, Empire and WoC won't be in there. Same with VC or Ogres. DoC is rumored to be the next book out, so I doubt it will be them.

That leaves: Dwarves, Skaven, HE, DE, Lizardmen, WE, Bretonians, Beastmen.

I'm thinking Bretonians vs Beastmen. I think that Beastmen had the last book in 7th, its unlikely to get an update anytime soon. Dwarves is possible, but unlikely since they were in last editions starter. HE is most likely getting an update soon. WE is too skirmishy to teach players how to play. So that leaves Bretonians...

Would love to see the beasties get some lovin' also some 25mm models would be nice after 2 editions of 20mm bases. Having said that I am really enjoying 8th and hope they don't come out with a new edition until 2016 maybe late 2015.

I would say that I personally like 8th WFB, butI get the impression that - for whatever reason - 8th didn't go down that well, and perhaps a new ruleset is what GW may regard as a way to revitalise sales.

I don't think we'll see a 9th edition anytime soon. GW seems to be bringing books into balance with 8th in mind, and so far all the books have been pretty well balanced against each other.

I really don't see why they would mess with what they got going on. We went from a MSU design to a large block of infantry design, better business for them where if you want a unit of 40 White Lions paying near $200 for a unit rather than $100 or $150 for 2-3 units of 10 with command and magic banners to take up more points in the army.

I think it'd be cool to have OK vs. Brets as a starter, though unlikely. If Brets do make it to the next starter then I'd guess it would probably be with Beastmen or maybe WE.

Despite my less than thilled reception to 8th, I think it would really benefit the company and games if they just stopped updating the games at 6th and 8th repectively.

Get all the codexes/army books up to date, and then just release new versions to evolve the meta.

But on topic, If they were to do a 9th edition I'd like to see Lizardmen vs Dark Elves with the setting based on the Dark Elves Temple raids.

 Eldarain wrote:
Despite my less than thilled reception to 8th, I think it would really benefit the company and games if they just stopped updating the games at 6th and 8th repectively.

Get all the codexes/army books up to date, and then just release new versions to evolve the meta.

But on topic, If they were to do a 9th edition I'd like to see Lizardmen vs Dark Elves with the setting based on the Dark Elves Temple raids.

Meh, doubtful as the frogs are rumored to be the second upcoming rulebook.

Wood Elves Vs Bretonnians. At least that box would make sense.

In reality it will be some stupid pairing like Tomb Kings versus Lizardmen.


A boy can dream about a Nippon vs Cathay box though.

I really don't want a new edition so soon esp. since i actually liked 8th edition overall. Not to mention i'm a skaven player and 'island of blood' box sets are a super cheap way for a skaven player to get a ton of clanrats/slaves or rat ogres and the alternative version of rat ogres is much more expensive with a lot less stuff and much uglier as a model. Not to mention they'll have to release the poisoned wind mortar separately from the 'island of blood' set when the new edition comes around.

However for 9th i'm guessing bretonnia or wood elves vs dark elves maybe. So yeah i figure bretonnia and dark elves. Hopefully not O&G again as that's very bland although i suppose they are obvious villains. Maybe they could throw beastmen in there as a bad guy.

As far as themes go i wouldn't worry about some of it too much. I mean how often do skaven and high elves fight each other and yet the end to the skaven army book had them fighting high elves (probably as a prelude to the 'island of blood' box-set they were planning but who knows). Normally skaven fight O&G or dwarfs and they're really good at fighting both. Skaven fight empire too but high elves is a big stretch considering they're more based around ulthuan which has somehow mostly stayed pristine from skaven presence or corruption.

So yeah either bretonnia vs dark elves/beastmen or wood elves vs beastmen or something. I figure having dark elves and high elves would be way too similar. That said beastmen and elves are both big on flanking but considering skaven and high elves both have fairly high initiative it'd still probably work. I mean i think beastmen are different enough from wood elves that it'd be a good match up and it totally makes sense. Sadly they probably won't do beastmen because the army book currently sucks but oh well.

My first thought as I read the topic was

Wood Elves vs Bretonia

Both armies are old veteran armies, have really old army books and two different themes in how to play them. It would be nice to see them both in a Starter Box so my vote goes for WE vs Brets. Reasons for clashes are given so yes, that would be awesome.

Beastmen Versus Empire although beasts being as unpopular as they are would lead me to believe that Chaos versus Empire might be more likely

Dark Elves vs Lizardmen woud be great as they could make some lovely models.

The choice of models in the starter set can determine how complicated you want the basic rules booklet to be.

Sorceress on Dark Pegasus, Witch Elves, Cold One Knights and Spearmen/Corsairs versus

Kroxigor, Saurus, Skinks, Teradons/Salamanders and a Skink Priest or two would be pretty similar to the excellent Island of Blood composition?

 Aerethan wrote:
In reality it will be some stupid pairing like Tomb Kings versus Lizardmen.A boy can dream about a Nippon vs Cathay box though.

very Large Lizardman Settlement on the border of the Tomb Kings so thats all good.

Armies of the Dragon Emperor versus one of: Lizardmen, Tomb Kings, High Elves, Empire or Chaos would be pretty awesome and a brilliant way of starting a new edition...........

Now if they could only bring out a shiny full update book at the same time as the rules that would be great for the gaming/balance side..........

It sounds weird to say it, but I think maybe Dwarves and Lizardmen. They're both rumored to be getting an update relatively soon, but the matchup sounds weird. However, they're both VERY different armies, both in playstyle and appearance, so it might be good.

The thing is about Orcs and Goblins... I don't know if I'm inclined to say that they're LESS likely to be in the 9th starter because they've been featured so many times, or MORE likely because, since they've been featured so many times, GW must love them. I would say that, if O&G are in the starter, then Dwarves probably will NOT be, because that matchup was already done in 7th.

My left field guess would be... WoC and Brettonia, assuming Brets get an update before then. Though, Chaos has never been in the starter set and they WERE in the 6th 40k starter set... but again, I don't know if those things make them MORE or LESS likely to be included.

Its possible they might do a similar release for 9th as they did for 40k 6th. Starter box with two armies which then get the first two updates.