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 Alpharius wrote:

Can you ask him why WFB was a non-seller for him?

Was he particularly negative about it? Or was the player base mostly competitive/tournament types?

Why is AoS selling so much better than WFB for him?

Will do!

I like the "forced run" prayer. Theme-y battlefield manipulation instead of just the typical Khorne-style offensive boost.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
"Buy all our playsets and toys!"

Are you saying GW is going to turn babies into gold and blow up the ocean?

 TheWaspinator wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
"Buy all our playsets and toys!"

Are you saying GW is going to turn babies into gold and blow up the ocean?

I hate you so much!

 judgedoug wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:

Can you ask him why WFB was a non-seller for him?

Was he particularly negative about it? Or was the player base mostly competitive/tournament types?

Why is AoS selling so much better than WFB for him?

Will do!

It is important to note that he took control around January of this year. Italicized his messages so they don't run in with my own.

7:30pm
[FLGS Manager]
I wasnt in charge or paying attention when WHFB was active/on the way out.

7:31pm
[FLGS Manager]
I would have to try to track down players of WHFB and ask them. I'll do so on our FB page.

He then asked it on the FB group and got several replies. It's much too long to list here, but the consensus was that community makes or breaks a game. A competing FLGS had active Warhammer nights which a league formed for, but it dwindled and the guy running it moved to another state; the competing FLGS eventually canceled the night. Meanwhile, the FLGS in question had it's community die out and didn't stock much of WHFB. When current [FLGS Manager] took over, Warhammer was a non-seller (WHFB, 40k is popular) due to previous management not restocking or supporting it, and they gradually removed stock. AoS came out and they supported it big time, with demos, make and take, AoS nights, etc. The FLGS in question also has a rewards program, netting discounts for purchases. [FLGS Manager] then clarified

11:07pm
[FLGS Manager]
the sold boxes figure also includes split-box individual army sales. I would say those split up boxes account for approximately half of sales.



So a lot of customers are doing split-box purchases with other customers. (My own interpretation would be that because the rules are free, it's decidedly easier on the wallet to buy half a starter box and get an insta-war-scroll-army)

He just replied to me with this

11:22pm
[FLGS Manager]
I imagine our situation is unique in that the local WHFB community died 6-12 months before AOS came out, so we could essentially start fresh. As you've seen from the comments on the FB page a variety or reasons could be blamed for the death, but the number one reason has to be management apathy. Stuff wasn't restocked, new releases didn't come out, organized play wasn't pushed, etc.
With regards to some other guy's comment that it's not totally up to the store managers and the negative reaction of players is GW's fault, at least with us now that's not the case. We've never said a disparaging word in reality or online about AoS. Both myself and other employees have talked up AoS, acted excited about it, bought the stuff. We made an effort to support the community with printed terrain warscrolls, printed Time of War sheets, Realm-specific terrain boards (as close as we could muster given limited resources and a lack of the new Realm of Battle board), we have the painted armies from the box set for people to play with, we're assembling and painting new terrain for folks to use. And the AoS escalation campaign starts soon.
A store gets out what they put in. I've said it before and here it is again: customers yearn to be told what to buy. We tell them, and they do it. Sounds arrogant I guess but man if you don't show people cool stuff they can't know that they want it!
Perhaps we're lucky concerning the unique aspects of AoS, because our players aren't competitive and can just enjoy a fun game. They're been self-limiting with nobody bringing massive hordes onto the table. Also our players have recently requested an increased focus in a narrative framework for Warhammer 40K. Our gamers enjoy a story in which to experience their games. Makes sense, otherwise you're just pushing toys around a table with no context.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
he added the following


11:34pm
[FLGS Manager]
Also I'd like to add that GW has the very best product and vendor support of any organization I've dealt with. They always fix any issue with product and provide us with a generous amount of credit to use for models and terrain for in-store and event use.

11:35pm
[Friend also in conversation]
which presumably makes it very easy for your to support their product?

11:36pm
[FLGS Manager]
exactly. they also provide a website with galleries of images for promotional use, and AND have even offered to make our store-specific posters for events and things with their little graphic design team.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
11:37pm
[Friend also in conversation]
now if only they would let people know what's in the pipeline

11:38pm
[FLGS Manager]
Every week our rep hears from me about how the first thing people see of a new GW product is a blurry image of a German or French WD, and how that cannot be helping them

That's what I have been saying all along. One negative person or community can turn prospective gamers away from a good game. I've seen this happen at flgs for wild west exodus, infinity, star wars minis, wfb 8th, etc.

I have also seen games flourish when gamers, the community, and flgs promote them or show the fun one can have while playing. 40k was never big and was only played by our personal group of four. We tried to play at our flgs, and many customers and families approached us and asked us about the game. The 40k game scene at the flgs is massive now.

I've also tried this with wwx and had success, people love the game. My flgs is backing aos, and so far every release sells out (at least 4 boxes of each new item). The only aos item sitting around is the castle stuff because of the hefty $$.

Back to rumors, I am really liking the new khorne characters. I wish the new finecast stuff would of be made into plastic though. As for the skarbrand model rumors, I thought he was the bloodsecrrator from the starter set (according to the fluff)?

Not sure what is going on with the Slaughterpriest's legs... look like they mashed two models together. I think having unarmored (smaller) legs would make the model look less... awkward.

Skullgrinder seems kind of a derivative design, but there's nice movement in the sculpt at least.

Red_Zeke wrote:My best translation, which is, not great-

Blood priest
Can dispel like a wizard.
Can pray. +1 if he killed a model. Works on a 4+, on a 1 he takes D3 wounds.
Prayer 1: Hotblooded- I *think* this says pick a unit 16" away, more than 3" from your units. That unit must move and run at the nearest one of your units.
Prayer 2: Boiling blood- D6 mortal wounds on a unit within 16".

Skull grinder

All Khorne mortals in 6" gain 1 to Bravery.

Not sure about the other ability, but it's something like:

If Skullgrinder kills a monster or hero, all your units within 8" are anointed in blood for the rest of the battle. Those units have some effect that on a 4 up turns 1 wound into 2? I don't know what le jet is, which clouds the issue, but my best guess would be that to-wound rolls of 4+ cause double damage? Anyone help me out here?

Is it just me, or is the Skullgrinder rediculous? I mean he seems to do it all. He's got a a solid save (3+ is the lowest I can think of, and is pretty uncommon) with five wounds, giving him good staying power. Grants a +1 to bravery to reduce those pesky Blood Reaver battleshock tests, and can buff allied wounds to a 2. It feels like a good Skullgrinder turn could totally sway a game.

Mind you, I don't think he's overpowered. But daaaaaang...

streetsamurai wrote:i've been to about half a dozen LGS in Montreal, and il all of them, AOS wasn't selling well. At the very best, they were selling a few of the core boxes, but almost none of the rest. I'm pretty sure that this guy situation is an exceptions (tbh. I kind of doubt that what's he's saying is true. Selling almost more AoS boxset in 2months than dark vengeance boxset in 2 years, in a store which didn't have a srong whfb fan base, seems dubious at best)

I'm not exactly sure why you find it so hard to believe. Anecdotal evidence again, but my local GW went from being almost entirely 40k (most days all tables would be games of 40k) to now having days where all the games being played are AoS.

It really varies depending on who stops in at your local FLGS/GW. In some areas where people played fantasy more for the rules or old setting then sure it'll do worse. But in the case of my local GW a large group of primarily 40k players are either dusting off old WHFB minis or buying into AoS. Whether or not this will continue, I don't know. I don't think anyone is quitting 40k over AoS, but I won't be surprised if people start coming in to play both games from now on.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-WW/blog/blog.jsp

Hot on the heels of the Stormcast Eternal heroes that came out last week are the Slaughterpriest and the Skullgrinder, two murderous villains for the Khorne Bloodbound. While the Slaughterpriest boils the blood of nearby foes, the Skullgrinder smashes them asunder with a brass-bound anvil. You can find out more about these two bloodthirsty warriors in White Dwarf 86, out tomorrow in Games Workshop stores, independent stockists and right here on the Games Workshop webstore.

Here’s what else you can expect to find in this week’s issue:

•The gory path to glory. How do you pay homage to Khorne?
•Another bloody book, this time for the Blood God’s followers.
•An Adeptus Mechanicus War Convocation, fresh from the battlefields of a Throne of Skulls.
•Armies on Parade: Week 8. We feature our first completed display, along with a few painting tips for Realmgates and deserts.
•Want to know how Khorne’s heroes assemble an army? You’ll want to read our Armies of Slaughter article.
•Fancy using the Skullgrinder and the Slaughterpriest in battle? We present their warscrolls.
•And plenty more besides, including Gorelords, Warhordes, Hallowed Knights, a powerlifter and a question about Dracoths.

...

Another bloody book

... you're the ones releasing them, don't moan at us !

Oh with regards to earlier....

Oh Games Workshop you are so funny.

C'mon rumour guys... Where's the pic of Skarbrand already? If we can get pics of Tau weeks in advance, surely we can manage the former easily enough

Someone at GW Digital obviously reads dakka

Such a fabulous detail that they painted over it. :p

 Spinner wrote:
Such a fabulous detail that they painted over it. :p

Yup. On the GW front page, you can see another example of Horatio Hornblower, in different colors. There is clearly a cutout at his mouth... which they painted the same teal as the rest of the armor.

 Spinner wrote:
Such a fabulous detail that they painted over it. :p

It's actually just hard to make out because of the armor color.

That photo, however, should show you that yes it is flesh toned on this example at least.

Wait so there is a flesh and bones person under the sigmarine armour?

 jonolikespie wrote:
Wait so there is a flesh and bones person under the sigmarine armour?

Yes. They bleed like a normal person and can die, unless Sigmar intervenes and zaps them back to Azyr for reforging. Or if you're Lord Relictor Ionus Cryptborn, you can bring them back from the dead on the battlefield.

I built and started to paint mine. They did bad job on head placement so where he looks like its a telescope. If you tilt the head more upwards it matches his mouth

 Guildsman wrote:

 Spinner wrote:
Such a fabulous detail that they painted over it. :p

Yup. On the GW front page, you can see another example of Horatio Hornblower, in different colors. There is clearly a cutout at his mouth... which they painted the same teal as the rest of the armor.

...wow. After they went and pointed it out, even.

That photo, however, should show you that yes it is flesh toned on this example at least.

...maybe? It's a weird color choice that isn't very distinct against the gold armor, if they did paint it as a flesh tone. Even at that size, it looks pretty gold to me.

And, as Guildsman pointed out, the one on the GW front page is teal all over.

 -Shrike- wrote:
'Tis only now I realise that the Skullgrinder has a flaming anvil flail, rather than a fiery hammer. Oh well, at least the Slaughterpriest is awesome.

It must be pretty hard to be an apprentice to Skullgrinder..

Wait, khornes devotees now grind skulls?
I thought it was bad enough when the bloodletters made a cannon spluttering skulls all over the battlefield, now the champions grind the precious skulls.
Or is it less litteral, like grinding your teeth dont really grind down your teeth?
Is khorne ever less literal?

 Fayric wrote:
Wait, khornes devotees now grind skulls?
I thought it was bad enough when the bloodletters made a cannon spluttering skulls all over the battlefield, now the champions grind the precious skulls.
Or is it less litteral, like grinding your teeth dont really grind down your teeth?
Is khorne ever less literal?

They've had Skullcrushers for ages.

I hear it is the main reason Khorne is so angry. He had almost completed his magnificent throne of skulls, made from only the best, most pristine and unique skulls, and was honestly just about to settle into serene retirement and let Malice or somebody take over, when one autumn day, while he went for an afternoon walk in Nurgle's Garden, he forgot to lock the door and a bunch of skullcrushers got into his private chambers.

I suspect the skull grinding/crushing is only aimed at those deemed as unworthy victims to offer up to Khorne.

I wish the Slaughterpriest (and the Bloodsecrator, man, that name) were the template for most future Khorne stuff. I really like them. I won't buy the priest unless I can get him for 15€, but I like him. He needs to be a World Eater, too, so I'd need two.

And I *love* more classic Khorne stuff like smiths (or the beast handler, kind of) in the new releaes. Did they have to blow up the world to remember old background, though?


PS: That picture with the kitbash Zombies. Is there more of it in a WD? I want to see that army!

 Fayric wrote:
Wait, khornes devotees now grind skulls?
I thought it was bad enough when the bloodletters made a cannon spluttering skulls all over the battlefield, now the champions grind the precious skulls.
Or is it less litteral, like grinding your teeth dont really grind down your teeth?
Is khorne ever less literal?

To be honest, it would make more sense if there were more SkullCleaners, SkullPolishers, SkullWaxers etc.. - SkullTaker makes sense, although isn't that a thing for every khornate? Like, "Yeah, I'm Skulltaker" -"Um, yeah so I take skulls too, two last week and.." -"No, no, I'm THE SkullTaker!" -"Right, well, whatevz bro."

I'm not sure if a massive axes or blunt anvils on a chain are the best weapon anyways, because it's easy to fracture the heads. Shouldn't they be armed with slender stabbing weapons like rapiers instead, to minimize the damage? The Three Khorneteers? And what's with using all those skulls to build your fortifications? For anyone against Khornites it of course makes sense, Khornites don't want to attack a fort if they'd risk damaging all those precious skulls. Finally a reason for all those skulls and bare heads everywhere?

They use axes as that has been the most brutal looking weapon commonly used for medieval beheadings.

Not more bloody books!

Looks like the question on the shield + 1h for the exalted deathbringer has been answered, or was that figured out already? Previously this model was an exalted hero in WoC.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Khorne-Bloodbound-Exalted-Deathbringer-Axe

One interesting thing I noticed is that they removed the old Skullcrusher box, now if you want any, you need to buy the box of six for $100. I guess that's their new "range of prices" at work.

The sad part is I'm not even a little surprised.