Warhammer Fest 2023 is well underway already this weekend! Fans of Games Workshop’s miniature wargaming universes are being treated to a slew of announcements, with new releases and updates for Warhammer 40k, Middle Earth, Underworlds and Warcry. From new miniatures and expansions to collectible miniatures, there is plenty for fans to look forward to in the coming months. Each game has a dedicated road map for the next 12 months to lay out exactly what fans can expect. Games events in Manchester are becoming more popular and it’s easy to see why!

New 40k – You Guessed It

There’s no shock here that the new 40K content announced this morning at Warhammer Fest 2023 includes 25 new Space Marines, 47 Tyranids, a brand new rulebook and a transfer sheet with 849 separate decals.

This reveal might not be surprising, following Games Workshop’s past of drawing in new players with a new edition, but it is always nice to see them rotate between the faction that isn’t Space Marines. However, it’s interesting to see them beginning to blur the lines between firstborn models and the primaris.

Tyranids – Psychic focused enemies

Any old-school fan of Warhammer will know all about the Tyranids. The largest of the new models towers over its Space Marine counterparts, providing an intimidating view for the opposing army. Alongside the Tyranid prime, released online last week, the new Tyranid armies feature:

• Psychophages
• Barbgaunts
• Neurogaunts
• Neurotyrants
• Screamkillers
• Ripper Swarms.

Some of the new models are a definite nod to the Tyranids of years gone by. Some of the models, while definitely new, are still reminiscent of the 1995 models, paying a nice homage to the older players. They have a far more intimidating appearance now though whether that’s through sheer size or their ability to shoot plasma from their face…

Space Marines – Warhammer Fest 2023 Exclusive Announcement

This isn’t the first time that Space Marines have been one of the best parts of the new 40k announcements and it won’t be the last. Warhammer Fest 2023 introduced 25 Space Marines to go up against the Tyranids including:

• Captain in Terminator Armor
• Librarian in Terminator Armor
• Lieutenant with Combiflamer
• Apothecary Biologis
• Terminator Squad
• Sternguard Veterans
• Infernus Squad
• Ballistus Dreadnought.

Interestingly, the Apothecary in this set doesn’t heal his allies. Instead, he gathers samples from surrounding enemies and uses that specialized knowledge to provide buffs. It’s a different mechanic so what we might be used to but is nonetheless intriguing!

Warhammer Warcry Announcements

Fans of Warhammer Warcry will finally have the chance to complete the terrain with the Nightmare Quest – the final reveal of the current season. Perhaps now’s the time to break out the old Warhammer cosplay for this game before it’s too late! The centerpiece of this Ghurish terrain is the Eye of Chotec.

The Nightmare Hunt also includes a specially chosen team of Soulsworn – warriors sent to hunt specific monsters at the behest of the army as a whole. The two-handed weapons of the chosen to prove they were selected by Sigmar from an elite group with key individual abilities.

Warhammer Underworld at Warhammer Fest

It’s new deck time over in Wyrdhollow! The Headman’s Curse features the 4 headmen that lurk in a series of tunnels under the Narlwood, a forest saturated with magic and danger:

• Scriptor of the Sentence – a pretty redundant role. Your sentence is obviously death.
• Sharpener of the Blade
• Bearer of the Block
• Wielder of the Blade.

The Wielder is the most important headman in any deck. There’s something of a recurring theme of beheading woven through the skill sets but if the Wielder deals the killing blow, he can return them back to the realm of the living as a minion under his control. The headmen can be used in both Underworlds and Age of Sigmar.

Middle Earth – Still Waiting for a Real Announcement

Fans of the Lord of the Rings TTRPG were left a little disappointed by the announcements or lack thereof for their game. Through no fault of their own, Games Workshop isn’t at liberty to say much about any kind of new content. They actually managed to tunnel under the floor of many fans’ expectations when it comes to Middle Earth announcements. However, not to be left out entirely, the Get Off the Road collectible mini does look worth your time.

The Ring Wraith can be taken off the model and used in armies. Which is pretty cool. But we can only live in the hope that there are more Middle Earth announcements to come.