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Hi guys,

I have been back into the hobby for about a year now after a 15 year hiatus. I am mostly a painter and I'm looking for a new army to build, my current leaning is Word Bearers but I'm open to everything. Personal preference but I generally prefer the newer models.

I was pretty excited about the preview today because for some reason I expected a whole new dark Eldar release with loads of freshly designed new models. I was disappointed to see loads of new age of sigmar models, boxed game stuff and then only 2 new 40k models (tech priest and SoB tank). The "new" dark eldar stuff was just the old stuff in a new box.

I think back to the last preview in Feb and was loads of new AoS models (Lumineth, stormcast eternals, demonites of slaanesh) and boxed game stuff. Nothing 40k.

I then think back to the Jan preview and it was one new SoB model, some 40k kill team stuff (marines and necrons), more boxed games, some daughters of khaine stuff (AoS).

I'm browsing the webstore and for orks for example, apart from the odd model, they havent changed in 15 years. The same with eldar, tyranids etc. Necrons to be fair look to have been redesigned but thats it. I then look at AoS and there are loads of newer models with entirely new armies (daughters of khaine, idoneth deepkin, kharadron ovverlords, lumineth realm-lords, slaanesh stuff, ossiarch bonerepaers, sons of behemat).

The only big 40k release I've seen recently is be'lakor and he also works in AoS.

Sorry if this seems like a whinge but genuine question - why is this? am I wrong to expect a 40k army release on the scale of the hedonites of slaanesh release with loads of newly designed units any time soon?

If so, that's fine, i'll go back to picking individual minis I like rather than build an army.

AoS is a new game, and most factions are new. 40k has a lot of legacy, and existing kits, which are able to last for a while. The biggest surge of new models in 40k, tends to be factions in the starter boxes (which usually always contain brand new models).

These things come and go in phases, don't worry about it. 40k doesn't receive new armies anywhere near as regularly as AoS, but 40k armies are far larger, are far more fleshed out, and have far more history. The preview today even hinted at a lot to come for Orks, mentioned in your post, so hold tight for now

1) There's no reason to redesign the models every edition.
2) There's even less reason to waste resources re-designing Dark Eldar.....

So you'll only see the large releases when something completely new is added en-masse for whatever reason.
*Primaris Marines are an on-going addition spread over a few years.
*Necrons got a major expansion last year.
*Sisters of Battle finally became a plastic based army late 2019/early 2020. So 99% of their stuff is new.
*Orks got some new stuff in 8th.
*Since you've been gone for 15 years Genestealer Cults, AdMech, Custodes, & Knights should all be completely new to you.

Some armies, like Eldar are still waiting for a model range update.

They are still using mostly the same models from 15 years ago, or older.

Yeah...I know.

You said you dig Word Bearers? Recent CSM models that fit the Boys from Colchis:

-New CSM
-New Chaos Terminators
-New Havocs
-Master of Possession (Daemon and daemon engine buffing character)
-New Dark Apostle (definitely fits in Word Bearers)
-Greater Possessed (Possessed, but BIGGER)
-Lord Discordant (daemon engine buffing character riding a daemon engine, and a good beat stick)
-Venom Crawler (new daemon engine)
-New Obliterators
-New Sorcerer

That enough?

The release schedule is messed up due to corona, brexit and global shipping problems. There are gaps where there shouldn't be and things getting moved around all the time. End of last year was very 40K heavy with far less AoS content in general as Marines and Necrons got big updates in the mid year and followed through with more into the latter part of the year and even those were delayed (they spend 1-2 months without new codex for example).


So part of this glut of AoS releases is AoS playing catch up after a poor end of last year.

And as noted these things go in cycles and after this we might well see a big 40K update. Indeed the preview today shows that Orks are going to get a nice big squiggy update in the semi-near future.

Yeah, I think there were close to five Ork Units hinted at today (including the one actually previewed). I expect that the CWE release when it comes will be more of an Eldar of all Stripes release. It may not drop with the Codex, but later in the edition as part of an Eldar themed Campaign cycle (Campaign book with rules updates and one or two units for DE, Harlie, Ynarri) + a CWE vs ? box + a CWE vs ? KT box + Aeldari of all Stripes character models via the next Warhammer Quest 40k game.

All speculation and wishful thinking, of course.

I mean 15 years ago we got quarterly releases that we either all Fantasy or all 40K. Even a small preview like this is like looking at the sun by comparison.

For the Dark Eldar release, the Lelith model was new but yeah it does look like that's all we're getting. Yes it's a bit disappointing, regardless of how the codex turns out.

But the points everyone are making regarding AoS being new are also valid.

40k has got loads of releases in the last 15 years. Loads of armies got new/updated units and while most were SM there were plenty of new ones like GSC and Admech. The DE range hasn't aged as badly as Craftworlds or some Ork units IMO and a redesigned range for every faction every so often would be a huge chore. It's better to add small things here and there IMO.

"New" is a relative term being used here. 40K is in its second edition since Age of Sigmar launched. A good portion of the models are taken from the old Fantasy Battles, but there has been a lot added, too (fish elves, Sigmarines, Fire and Metal Dwarfs, etc).

Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less. Same with all these board games. I like all this stuff, sure, but 40K needs updates and increased ranges, no ones going to feel the lack of brand new armies and games that they were never expecting to begin with. 40K players can feel what they're missing.

I saw someone describe 40k as the cash cow and AoS as the passion project and honestly from what GW has been doing for AoS I agree. I still like 40k and it probs won't stop being my primary game but even the "legacy" AoS armies like Mawtribes, Seraphon, and Flesh Eater Courts have meshed really well into the newer setting and some of their new models have been really nice. Even the ultimate WHFB holdover army Cities of Sigmar still works nicely both in lore and in game.

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

Voss wrote:

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

40k = Space marines.

It feels like less coz thats the only thing you see.

 Argive wrote:

Voss wrote:

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

40k = Space marines.

It feels like less coz thats the only thing you see.

Necrons, Sisters and GSC seem to disagree. Pretty sure a fair pile of chaos stuff happened, too. Ad Mech got all sorts of stuff... nine months ago with Engine War.

Yes, there are lines that are neglected and a lot of Space Marine bloat continues to happen (though they obviously count for 40k models). But its a far cry from the bad old days when there might be 3-5 total 40k releases over the course of an entire year (and at least one would be some flavor of space marine). Decembers were completely dead, summers were a mess of terrain, a campaign and/or a new edition (sometimes focused on fantasy), maybe a boxed game towards fall, and then the other slots for the year for fantasy or something else.

 Argive wrote:

Voss wrote:

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

40k = Space marines.

It feels like less coz thats the only thing you see.

Hmm. Must be a problem with where you're looking.

Thanks for the responses guys. Helpful to put it in context with the the last 15 years. I've only really been keeping an eye on the previews over the past year really and like I mentioned, for some reason I anticipated 40k releases on the same scale as AoS. Scale being the main thing.

I thought the hedonites of slaanesh stuff looked amazing. A massive release with from what I can tell nine entirely new units/types of unit. I keep anticipating the preview saying up next - emperors children for 40k, here is a massive Fulgrim model, here is a kick ass Eidolon model, here are new noise marines, tanks, bikes, terminators, daemons etc.

Responses all super helpful. So really, thanks. Judging from what people are saying, for me it might be best to wait to see if there is a large scale Ork release and see it it takes my fancy.

Short story, GW released a ton of new Marines, and marines are where the whales live, so they can focus on not-40k because it's quite clear the studio boys have no love for the game outside of tincans.

Cronch wrote:
Short story, GW released a ton of new Marines, and marines are where the whales live, so they can focus on not-40k because it's quite clear the studio boys have no love for the game outside of tincans.

TSquared wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys. Helpful to put it in context with the the last 15 years. I've only really been keeping an eye on the previews over the past year really and like I mentioned, for some reason I anticipated 40k releases on the same scale as AoS. Scale being the main thing.

I thought the hedonites of slaanesh stuff looked amazing. A massive release with from what I can tell nine entirely new units/types of unit. I keep anticipating the preview saying up next - emperors children for 40k, here is a massive Fulgrim model, here is a kick ass Eidolon model, here are new noise marines, tanks, bikes, terminators, daemons etc.

Responses all super helpful. So really, thanks. Judging from what people are saying, for me it might be best to wait to see if there is a large scale Ork release and see it it takes my fancy.

Who knows, we might see EC expansion or at least updated Noise Marines with the next CSM codex when it comes out in 2 or 3 years. Probably not before we've seen updated Thousand Sons though. For more short term prospects, luckily for you they teased an Ork alongside the Sister and Mechanicus models a bit back, so we'll likely see some Orky stuff sooner rather than later. Perhaps early 2022 after they finish all the SM sub factions codices and drop 10 entirely new and broken Primaris units that in early 2023ish they'll inevitably nerf back to only somewhat over powered so they can claim they try to balance the game for everyone.

I expect Chaos Daemons within a month before or after Be'Lakor; I expect CSM within two months of Daemons. Probably Q4.

EC have a lot of potential to be a new faction this edition. It doesn't make a lot of sense to stop at DG and Ksons. But what makes them even more likely is that they are the perfect foil to the Eldar.

When the story left off, Yvraine was trying to track down the remaining Crone swords to complete the ritual to waken Ynnead completely and destroy Slaanesh. A clever named Keeper- Shelaxi Helbane, managed to take the last sword back to Slaanesh's palace despite the attempt of Yvraine + Jain Zar + Leltith to stop him.

If the united flavours of Eldar come up with a viable plan to get it, Slaanesh might need the EC to intervene. That sets the stage for a new faction and CWE range refresh in 2022.

The most recent online preview showed not a single Marine. We know heavy intercessors will be released in May, but I think that might be all we see for Marines for a while. I suspect 1 marine release per quarter?

ccs wrote:

 Argive wrote:

Voss wrote:

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

40k = Space marines.

It feels like less coz thats the only thing you see.

Hmm. Must be a problem with where you're looking.

I was looking at the infographic thread...showing the % / Numbers of releases for factions.

But sure. Yeah. Sure. Space marines are not geting overhwlming amount of model support in recent memory or are the Poster boys and de facto faction of 40k... Sure.

PenitentJake wrote:
I expect Chaos Daemons within a month before or after Be'Lakor; I expect CSM within two months of Daemons. Probably Q4.

EC have a lot of potential to be a new faction this edition. It doesn't make a lot of sense to stop at DG and Ksons. But what makes them even more likely is that they are the perfect foil to the Eldar.

When the story left off, Yvraine was trying to track down the remaining Crone swords to complete the ritual to waken Ynnead completely and destroy Slaanesh. A clever named Keeper- Shelaxi Helbane, managed to take the last sword back to Slaanesh's palace despite the attempt of Yvraine + Jain Zar + Leltith to stop him.

If the united flavours of Eldar come up with a viable plan to get it, Slaanesh might need the EC to intervene. That sets the stage for a new faction and CWE range refresh in 2022.

The most recent online preview showed not a single Marine. We know heavy intercessors will be released in May, but I think that might be all we see for Marines for a while. I suspect 1 marine release per quarter?

That would be an interesting direction to take with codex and campaign book development. I wish that would go for a more generic name of the god-centric codices because not all the Slaanesh Marines are Emperor's Children, but that ship has sailed with Death Guard's recent release.

 Charistoph wrote:

That would be an interesting direction to take with codex and campaign book development. I wish that would go for a more generic name of the god-centric codices because not all the Slaanesh Marines are Emperor's Children, but that ship has sailed with Death Guard's recent release.

Yeah, I would hope that a non-EC unit or two would be released along with EC to round out the profile. Slaangors don't have 40k stats yet, and we need them. Slaanesh themed Cultists would be good too. Maybe a Slaaneshi chaos sorceror who could be built as EC or a generic CSM.

Either way, I agree entirely that the Chaos Gods should get a few CSM units that don't necessarily correspond to the dedicated legions- it would really round out the range.

PenitentJake wrote:

 Charistoph wrote:

That would be an interesting direction to take with codex and campaign book development. I wish that would go for a more generic name of the god-centric codices because not all the Slaanesh Marines are Emperor's Children, but that ship has sailed with Death Guard's recent release.

Yeah, I would hope that a non-EC unit or two would be released along with EC to round out the profile. Slaangors don't have 40k stats yet, and we need them. Slaanesh themed Cultists would be good too. Maybe a Slaaneshi chaos sorceror who could be built as EC or a generic CSM.

Either way, I agree entirely that the Chaos Gods should get a few CSM units that don't necessarily correspond to the dedicated legions- it would really round out the range.

I would love to see upgrade kits to make a number of the AoS Beasts of Chaos models into 40k options like the Tzaangors Upgrade Pack. At least for the Infantry types. Those guys would make easy Chaos Beastmen and could easily just copy the stat line for the ones from BSF. Wouldn't even need to make that many new melee weapons for them. Just fill the kit with all the ranged options with a few melee options for leaders and cover the variety of AoS melee weapons under Brutal Close Combat Weapon like the Cultists.

I'm hoping now all the copious Marine crap has been released, we can finally get back to some interesting 40k releases for the armies that really need it.

Eldar obviously need it most. But Guard, Orks and Tyranids also need some love.

The latter two have had new models previewed or rumoured so that bodes well.

Eldar and Guard are still a worry.

Cronch wrote:
Short story, GW released a ton of new Marines, and marines are where the whales live, so they can focus on not-40k because it's quite clear the studio boys have no love for the game outside of tincans.

I have a really difficult time reading the rules for the most recent dark eldar codex as anything but a labor of love for the faction by the rules design team, but...hoo boy, yeah, it's real tough to see the previews for 40k recently as any kind of labor of love on the scale of the fantasy previews.

"here's these absolutely INCREDIBLE classic yet distinctive vampire counts units straight out of gothic super high-fantasy settings like bloodborne and the recent Castlevania anime adaptation...

...and uh, here. A sister of battle with a rosary, a Leman Russ tank but make it Sisters, and a weird hybrid of a penitent engine and a GK dreadknight.

Look at these amazing chinese-inspired high elves with a blend of classic nostalgic high elf units rendered in breathtaking high definition and new, super out there designs like this crazy wukong the monkey king thing floating on a swirling column of air firing six arrows at once...

...and here's some heavy intercessors. We took the gun from an intercessor and we put it on an aggressor. Also, here's some flayed ones. See how they look like the old metal flayed ones, and not the weird dopey finecast ones?"

The rules team definitely still seems to have a hardon for the various 40k factions, but boy oh boy oh boy does the art team ever not. I don't know whether it's over-cautious suits not wanting anything toeing over the line of absolute safety for their cash cow franchise or whether it's the AOS team finally being allowed to dip back into the new well of enthusiasm and nostalgia for the old world properties blending them with the wild new AOS setting, but it is starting to get ROUGH comparing between the two.

Even the AOS factions I initially thought looked like total ass are getting cool models. That new ossiarch character fellow they previewed I looked at like "huh. You know, that would be a wicked cool design for a mid-game boss in a dark souls game. That's pretty rad."

 Argive wrote:

ccs wrote:

 Argive wrote:

Voss wrote:

quantumquixote wrote:
Yeah, I play AoS too, but I kind of want them to take a break from making new stuff, because clearly this is a zero sum game where 40K gets less.

I think a year by year review is required. 'Less' is not what I think of when I think of recent years. Things I'm not interested in, certainly. But not 'less.'

40k = Space marines.

It feels like less coz thats the only thing you see.

Hmm. Must be a problem with where you're looking.

I was looking at the infographic thread...showing the % / Numbers of releases for factions.

But sure. Yeah. Sure. Space marines are not geting overhwlming amount of model support in recent memory or are the Poster boys and de facto faction of 40k... Sure.

Like I said, it's a problem of where you're looking.

You look at lists of kits released, claim that's the sum of 40k, and feel bad.
Me? I look at the real world about me & feel pretty good. I look at what people are playing in the groups & shops in my area (you know, the area that's actually relevant to me playing these games).

You know what I see? About a 50/50 mix of assorted SM types & non-SM forces (be they other Imperials/Chaos/or assorted xeno).
You know what else I see? Players happily playing games & a whole lot of product, SM & otherwise, being sold.
I'm happy enough.
(of course I'd be happier if more Sigmar/WHFB/assorted Historicals were being played, but these things wax & wain. 40k has seen a dramatic influx of new players in the past two years & is dominant atm. That's fine. Much fun is being had. We just need to show these new people that other games can be just as fun. )