This week on Warhammer+ sees the release of two great shows as Battle Report and Loremasters get to grips with brand new rules and background. We caught up with hosts Nick and Alex to get the lowdown…
The first Codex for the new edition of Warhammer 40,000 is here with the Tyranids, and the chaps over at Battle Report are unleashing them this week.
Warhammer Community: Nick, If you’re as excited about the release of Codex: Tyranids as we are, you guys must have been very keen to get hold of the book and plan a game.
Nick: Oh, for sure. It’s such an incredible book, full of great new rules for existing units, new Detachments. and of course all those lovely datasheets for the new miniatures. It was such a pleasure to read.
WarCom: Tell us about the game you guys filmed. What’s going on?
Nick: Well, we wanted to play a game with the great new models our painters Andy and James had added to the collection. Simon came up with the idea of a Space Marine force ambushed by Tyranids, having been tricked into a trap by a Neurotyrant, which is such a cool idea. So, Open Play was what we wanted to do!
WarCom: Did you write a custom mission for this one?
Nick: That’s right. The idea behind the game came first, and then we worked out how it could work on the table top. The eureka moment came when we devised a way where the game could end early with the possibility of the Space Marines’ gunships coming down at the end of any Battle Round after the first to rescue the stranded Adeptus Astartes. So the clock was ticking!
WarCom: And that’s not just any Space Marines army you’re using, is it?
Nick: Oh no! This is a beautiful Deathwatch force painted by one of Warhammer TV’s painting tutors, Adam. His Deathwatch collection is vast and every model has had love poured into the conversions and paint jobs. It was a real pleasure to play with them!
You can see more of Adam’s amazing Deathwatch army and read about what went into all the conversions here on Warhammer Community.
Loremasters meanwhile takes a look at the background of the Dawnbringer Crusades from Warhammer Age of Sigmar in a little more detail. We caught up with Alex to find out more.
WarCom: This week's Loremasters is all about the Coin Malleus. Can you tell us what it is?
Alex: The Coin Malleus is a simple, hexagonal piece of metal – seemingly of little worth. It isn’t imbued with magical properties, or of any great monetary value. However it is a powerful symbol to the Sigmarites of the Free Cities. To take the Coin Malleus is to pledge yourself to joining the next Dawnbringer Crusade that leaves your city!
WarCom: So… who takes it?
Alex: According to the cults Unberogen, the multitude of Sigmarite creeds that operate in the Free Cities, the Coin should be taken willingly and this pledge swiftly acted upon. Many of the Dawners-to-be even take their oaths in front of an altar of their favoured cult. The Cult of the Wheel has been very active in recruiting for the expeditions, as well as pledging many of their zealous followers to the cause.
WarCom: And is it always taken willingly….?
Alex: In theory it is a pledge given without coercion or under duress, and the vast majority are volunteers. They typically seek revenge for past wrongs, or to claim land and start a new life... However it is not unheard of for criminals to be given the option of the Coin or the headsman's axe. Sometimes a group of youths awaken from a night of drinking, heads pounding, grasping the Coins. Ultimately, so long as the Dawnbringer Crusades depart with a suitable contingent of bodies, those in charge aren’t overly fussed with how they got there.
WarCom: Are these Dawnbringer Crusades destined to succeed?
They would like to think so – and they have steel, faith, and zeal to get there. Yet much of the Mortal Realms remain under the sway of the Ruinous Powers, not to mention rampaging orruks and ravenous ghouls, so it's a tall order indeed!
Thanks, guys! Check out Battle Report and Loremasters today over on Warhammer+ and don’t forget, Codex: Tyranids and the new range of Tyranid models are available to pre-order now!