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Hadn't seen a lot of these on Dakka and I figured it was worth the repost. Roundup is pulled from Warseer.

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New models in the first wave
- Mannfred the Elder on foot and on steed [metal]
- Vlad von Cartein [metal]
- Isabella von Carstein, possibly in the same box as Vlad [metal]
- Konrad von Carstein [metal]

- unknown number of new Vampire models [metal]

- Varghulf, probably 1 model per blister [metal]

- Skeleton Warriors redo, slightly smaller than before, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Grave Guard, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Ghouls, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Dire Wolves, unknown number per box [plastic]

- Knights of Blood Keep, box of 5 / direct order blisters [metal]
- Corpse Coach, box of 1 [metal]


Spearhead deal (one of everything new) - guesses:
- Mannfred the Elder (foot and mounted)
- Vlad von Carstein (showing off Carstein ring)
- Konrad von Carstein (on foot with two swords)
- new Vampire Count model (semi-bat form on foot)
- new Vampire Countess model (may be used as Isabella)
- ??? unknown
- Varghulf
- 10 Skeletons
- 10 Ghouls
- 10 Grave Guard
- 5 Dire Wolves
- Corpse Cart
44 models


New models in the second wave
- Possibly new Zombies
- Possibly new Black Knights
- Possibly plastic Bats

Special rules

Undead
- As before(?), but applies to all units, including those not technically dead (probably to keep things simple).
- Possibly units within 12" of any Vampire may march, not just general (may include Blood Knights and Varghulf), which if true essentially means that most of the army should be able to march most of the time
- Possibly restriction that general must be a Vampire (similar to Tomb Kings where the general must be a Mummy)

Ethereal
- Latest rumour says it stays as it currently is.

Necromancy
#4 Curse of Years: easier to cast
new "Winds of Death": All enemy units take hit(s), wounds caused create a new Spirit Host close to the caster

Lords

Vampire Count
- Only Lord choice apart from special characters
- Can get 100 pts of items plus 100 pts of vampire powers

Vampire Lord: gone

Necromancer Lords: gone

Heroes

Vampire Thralls
- No news, possible the rule requiring a wizard to lead the army is dropped, possibly you are required to have a vampire to lead it (similar to how a TK army must be lead by a mummy), but nothing is known

Necromancers
- Uses different lore than Vampires, more specialised towards raising / healing stuff (which they will be better at than previously)
- Spells work differently than before, more similar to TK incantations, can be recast

Wight Kings (new name for Wight Lords)

Wraiths: now a unit instead of a character

Core units

Skeletons
- new models
- no other details known

Zombies
- Strength 2, Toughness 2
- Really always strikes last
- Can not be joined by characters
- Can never pursue
- Possibly only new unit you can raise

Ghouls
- New models
- Count as Undead
- No longer skirmish

Dire Wolves
- New models
- No other details known

Bat Swarm
- Count as Undead

Special units

Grave Guard (possibly get a new name)
- New models
- May have great weapons

Black Knights
- Nightmares may move through terrain/obstacles without penalty, in the same manner as Ethereals can (not otherwise Ethereal)
- Supposedly toned down somewhat to give a more defined role for the Knights of the Blood Keep. Not known by how much, but losing the option for barding is not unlikely.

Fell Bats
- No details known

Spirit Host
- No details known

Rare units

Black Coach
- 4+ ward
- feeding it with power dice (any wizard within 6" can do this) gives it enhanced abilities, roll a D6 for each PD and on a 6 gain a new one permanently, in order(?): 1) Scythes, 2) Hatred, 3) Unknown, 4) Ethereal, 5) Fly

Knights of Blood Keep
- Essentially equivalent to old Thralls on steeds
- WS6, S5, T4, A2, frenzy
- Cost more than 50 pts each
- Lance, heavy armour(?), Barded Greater Nightmares with S4 (but not the terrain-crossing abilities Black Knights get)

Unknown

Varghulf
- Not known if a unit or a character, probably the former
- M9 (does not fly)
- Expect other stats to be typical small monster-like (S4+, T4+, W3+, A3+, etc)

Corpse Cart
- A type of chariot pulled by zombies (the hafts are impaled through their chests)
- Possibly some sort of support for units nearby, rumours include giving the Always Strike First rule to friendly units within 6"

Wraiths
- Skirmishing unit
- Statwise much the same as currently
- May have a Banshee as a champion (scream now works on all enemy units, including those ItP)

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Some interesting changes in there, and funny to see how GeeDub is "fixing" abuses they were seeing in the tournament scene - no necro lords, no characters in zombie bunkers, etc. Or with the high elves, the switch of cav out of core to eliminate pure cav armies, and so on.

But black knights ignoring terrain ala yhets?

- Salvage

Has there been any leaked pics yet besides von carsten and the grave guard? I'd like to see the new skeletons especially to see if they'll mix well with tomb kings

I've not seen pics of the skeletons, though grave guard shots were circulated around at some point - if you haven't seen them I'll see if I can find them again. The skeletons are supposed to be smaller, with the idea that they'd actually fit inside a human. Which makes me think they'd look a little bit funky alongside existing TK skeletons in your army.

- Salvage

I believe that whilst they cannot pursue zombies inflict 2d6 auto hits against a unit that breaks against them, saves still permitted.

And I'm pretty certain that zombies are the only new units that can be raised, but the other units can be repaired ala TK. Which kind of makes sense seeing as necromancy is based off of the TK knowledge.

If memory serves there's also some item that lets skellies in ... ..... X inches utilise a vampires WS instead of their own.

Question for the knowledgeable (and more fortunate, can't browse Warseer at work ) :

Have there beeen multiple sources or reports on the rumor of new plastic skelies? I only ask because A) I haven't seen any pictures, B) I've only seen one person report this rumor with any sort of credibility, other than "I heard it on Warseer" and C) this particular person posted this rumor in a post that contained a preview/review of basically ALL the new models we (the collective internet) know about, EXCEPT the Grave Guard. This has been disturbing me for some time as it leads me to believe he MEANT to say Grave Guard (or was just confused) and not just Skeletons, and I'd hate to get all jazzed up about new skeletons when we're not really going to see an upgrade.

I would address this to the poster himself, but... uhm I don't remember who posted it and where. And I read it from a repost on here.

Likely just a case of me missing some juicy tidbit, but if I have reason to believe that Skeletons won't be upgraded I'm going to lift my self-imposed restriction on buying the current models.

I was skeptical at first on new skellies - and still am, until I see 'em - but several posters on Warseer and over on Carpe Noctem have mentioned them, and specifically the details I posted above on them being smaller.

Sorry I'd have to dig to find names, and am not familiar enough with CN to say who's reliable or not.

So I'd say take it with a few grains of salt? I'd think we're slowly getting within the 3 month window of the counts, so perhaps something official soon? I forget when the actual release date is though ...

- Salvage

According to the Grand Poobah (regional manager I think?) at my Local GW Battle Bunker:

"With the new Vampire Counts release in March of '08"

This was not a 'behind closed doors' rumor confirmation, he announced this to the entire store.

Of course the rest of that is him auctioning off a bunch of Black Knights, Skeletons, Zombies, and Dire Wolves ($280 value that went for $80, insanity!). While this is in no way a confirmation of new models, I would say it's food for thought.

I stopped by my local GW this weekend and they had the release sheet for vampire counts so lets see if I can clear some things up.

Mannfred the Elder on foot and on steed [metal]
On foot is direct only, mounted is a box

Vlad von Cartein [metal]
Yep, 1 model in the blister

Isabella von Carstein, possibly in the same box as Vlad [metal]
No model, you represent her with a new female vampire model

Konrad von Carstein [metal]
This guy is drinking blood from his sword, cool pose

unknown number of new Vampire models [metal]
6 counting special characters and the 2 Mannfreds

Varghulf, probably 1 model per blister [metal]
1 per box

- Skeleton Warriors redo, slightly smaller than before, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Grave Guard, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Ghouls, unknown models per box, but likely 10 [plastic]
- Dire Wolves, unknown number per box [plastic]
10 per box, all plastic, dire wolves are FUGLY


Knights of Blood Keep, box of 5 / direct order blisters [metal]
Bingo

Corpse Coach, box of 1 [metal]
Plastic according to their sheet.

I don't know about the 2nd wave of releases, and I've forgotten about the spearhead.
Unded is true, don't know about ethereal or spells.
Don't kow about placement of units other than the corpse care is core and GW suggests selling them to customers with every purchase.
Its also sweet.

The ghouls look like that deformed guy from 300 but more dead.
The corpse cart is VERY sweet looking.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for that!

Unfortunate on the wolves being no good - I assume "fugly" is a bad thing, right? - I was looking forward to some solid plastic pups for lots of applications. Is the new vampire chick at least all goth and hot? I will be most sad if she isn't (though plenty of non-GeeDub vampy goth chicks can take up her slack if so ).

Bizarre on the cart being core, but we'll have to see what the rules actually are for it. While back I heard it functioned like a light chariot (TK-esque), beyond buffing things around it, but I also heard it had to be stuck in a zombie unit and pushed around. So who knows.

- Salvage

I'd take the new "fugly" wolves over the old ones any day.

Yeah. the local GW had some sort of sheet on the new VC models at a recent event last weekend. The new wolves have more "undeadness" (which is good) and don't look any worse than the current rat wolves. The Corpse Cart apparently can make undead units Always Strike First. The utility of that with S2 T2 zombies? not much... I guess the push is on skeletons now. It showed the old models for zombies, too.

The "Blood Knights" or whatever are way OTT and supposedly "are a match for Khorne Chaos Knights". Yay. 50 pt superknights. That's what everyone was clamoring for. :S

And then there is the new Vargulf monster thingy and customizable VC (blooodlines are gone).

I am thinking the more I hear, the more I wish to part with my VC.... The models are fine, but I am beginning to seriously wonder about tthe rules.

The Black Knight rules are old school. Back in 4th ed, Mounted Skeletons (as they were called then) were the ultimate light cavalry as they could move through terrain like ethereal units.

Don't like the changes to ghouls and zombies, the whole point of making ghouls skirmish was so they'd be different from Skeletons.

Still, overall I'm excited.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

Ozymandias wrote:The Black Knight rules are old school. Back in 4th ed, Mounted Skeletons (as they were called then) were the ultimate light cavalry as they could move through terrain like ethereal units.

Don't like the changes to ghouls and zombies, the whole point of making ghouls skirmish was so they'd be different from Skeletons.

Still, overall I'm excited.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

What makes you think Ghouls won't skirmish? Or am I blind?
I like the change in the Zombie rules. Very weak unit but is raiseable which further differentiates them from skeletons, which hopefully get more options (heavy armor, halberds...).

The Black Knights rule are cool, imo. Works perfectly with my converted bretonian knights (with a nod to the black grail from Dark Omen).

Greets
Schepp himself

Ghouls are up there in the rumors as not skirmishing, and I've heard that from other sources too. I guess the point of the unit is to have 2 poisoned hand weapons each & move 5? (Did I make that up, or is that how ghouls are now?)

- Salvage

Ghouls
- New models
- Count as Undead
- No longer skirmish

First post my friend.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the cart, but it will need much recutting.

Anyone else notice that the S5 Knights with a Lance will insta-kill Chariots? I guess GW hopes to make their money back from lion chariots before this comes out.


The models are alright. I can appreciate the detail and motion. They're a bit too OTT for my tastes though.

The Skeletons are nice though.

Corpse Cart

"I'm not dead yet. I feel much better."

The corpsecart will be part of the Batallion, and it will be my Waraltar in my flagellantarmy.

Question: is the Corpsecart pick blurry or are the pulling zombie's faces really that indistinct? The 'driver' looks fine, so it's hard to tell.

If it's not blurry, I'm somewhat concerned about what new zombies might look like.

Another undead musician with a horn. A drum would work so much better.

I am liking the skeleton with the fence-post shield though.

Asmodai wrote:Question: is the Corpsecart pick blurry or are the pulling zombie's faces really that indistinct? The 'driver' looks fine, so it's hard to tell.

If it's not blurry, I'm somewhat concerned about what new zombies might look like.

All the zombie details are washed out. Either its a bad paint job or the colors were washed out by the photo.

Also, I've gotta say that I really dislike the new vampire models. Too animalistic and OTT in my opinion. Vlad is better than Manfred, but details like that massive shoulder spike could, and should, have been left out. Also, the female vamp is just plain bad...totally lacks the seductive subtlety that GW's previous female vamps had. Vlad does have a sweet sword though, which I'll certainly make use of somehow.

I second the Vampire statement. I always pictured vampires to be noble and seductive at the same time. Vlad looks like his mother is a strigoi and isabella (or stock female vampire) isn't that pretty looking either. Good thing that vampire models are not a "GW-only" thing and other brands make nice vampire models.

The skeletons are ace, though. I especially like the new assorted shield options and realistically looking weapons (compare them with the old ones!) The cart is so gonna be in my army, even though I paused playing fantasy... too many armies, too little time!

Greets
Schepp himself

I hope that in one or two weeks we will see WIP pictures of a proppa Vampire made by Avatars of War.

Boss_Salvage wrote:Is the new vampire chick at least all goth and hot?

*vomit*

A resounding NO!

Vlad is mostly bad as well, though I appreciate the bear fur (though it is yet another WTF? element stuck on there, like the spike). The skellies are nice though, getting a good vibe off them, and the corpse cart, while fairly bizarre, is a cool thing as well.

Thanks for the pics!

- Salvage

Crap. I think I'm gonna have to replace all my skeletons now...

So am I the only one that gets a 'carrot on a stick' vibe from the corpse cart?

Wow I think that corpse cart is the goriest GW model I have ever seen. The vamp chicks face the ugliest.

I do like the scale armour concept though.

Thank God I still have my original Vlad and Isabella von Carstein... I also have the Female vampire from Mordheim, one of my favorite vamp models ever.

Liking the new skeletons and the corpse cart is interesting.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

Interesting thought I just had on the corpse cart. Could it make the zombie unit its attached to/within 6" of regenerate a la rasie dead? Would seem like a more appropriate ability than Always Strike First given what it is.