Goodbye, 2022! With that, another year comes to a close, and what a year it’s been for the Warhammer hobby – breathtaking miniatures, bestselling novels, and a new foray into the Imperium’s tumultuous past are just a few of the fruits of the last 12 months. Before we embark on a new adventure into 2023, let’s take a moment to look back at some of our favourite releases from 2022.
January
The year began with the release of new Genestealer Cults and Adeptus Custodes codexes, contrasting the Emperor’s personal bodyguards with the devotees of the Four-armed Emperor. Shadow Throne pitted the golden demigods of Terra itself against the most cunning saboteurs in the galaxy.
Sparks flew when the Idoneth Deepkin sank a Fyreslayer hold in Fury of the Deep, and two new heroes emerged from the fulminating deep – the Akhelian Thrallmaster and the Auric Flamekeeper.
February
The Eldritch Omens box arrived in February, pitting the forces of Chaos against the waning Aeldari. It featured a new Warpsmith and Chosen up against a new Autarch, Rangers, and Shroud Runners, precipitating a massive update for both ranges over the rest of the year.
February also brought Codex: T’au Empire alongside a new miniature for maverick sub-commander Darkstalker – as well as updates to railguns that had the enemies of this fledgling civilisation quivering.
March
The Aeldari ascendancy continued into March with the release of the official Miniature of the Year 2022 – the scorching Avatar of Khaine! This living monument was joined by refreshes for classic units like Guardians and Warlocks.
In the Mortal Realms, blood and ectoplasm were shed as the Daughters of Khaine battled the Nighthaunt in Arena of Shades. This battlebox contained the new hero-hunting High Gladiatrix, and delivered the Nighthaunt’s first ranged unit in the form of the Craventhrone Guard. Scribbling away at the sidelines was the Scriptor Mortis – a soul cursed by Nagash to record and condemn all debts to the Lord of Death.
April
The skies blackened in April as Tyranid hive fleets unleashed their swarms of ravenous xenos across the 41st Millennium with Codex: Tyranids. Leading the invasion was a long-awaited new biomorph, the Parasite of Mortrex.
In Warhammer Underworlds, brave souls braved the darkest depths of Harrowdeep and found themselves in the cruel, mind-bending Nethermaze, a devious boxed set featuring two new warbands – the tenebrous Shadeborn and Skittershank’s Clawpack.
May
The warm weather of May was a siren call for the Sylvaneth, led by Alarielle’s ferocious daughter, the
. She was joined by agile new
in the Echoes of Doom box, which also contained a sneaky new Skaven
leading a Grey Seer’s forces into the heart of Aqshy’s forests.
The hot weather also forced the gangs of Necromunda out of the sweaty spires and into the breezy outlands with a new starter box – Necromunda: Ash Wastes! First out of the gate were the Orlocks with new Outrider Quads, which they needed to keep up with the Ash Waste Nomads and their Dustback Helamites.
June
The Horus Heresy is the most epic conflict in all Warhammer history. The Age of Darkness boxed set opened up the game to swathes of new fans with plastic MKVI Space Marines, Contemptor Dreadnought, Spartan Assault Tank, TWO incredible Praetors, and revamped rules.
The ramifications of the Horus Heresy are felt long into the 41st Millennium, and the new Codex: Chaos Space Marines was a great reminder that these scars still run deep – and would soon be followed by cultists and mutants.
July
Contrast paints joined the Citadel Colour range in 2019, giving hobbyists a new way to paint their miniatures and access to a whole selection of paints and possibilities. In July, the range expanded with 26 new hues, including some heavily pigmented paints like Baal Red and Magmadroth Flame, three new yellows, and more.
A brand new White Scar Spray made chasing that perfect white base coat even easier, and the whole Shade range was updated with a new formulation and seven new tones, including Targor Rageshade and Mortarion Grime.
August
The Realm of Beasts continued to be the focal point of current events in the Age of Sigmar, as Warcry plundered the depths of the carnivorous Gnarlwood in Heart of Ghur. The Rotmire Creed went to war with the Horns of Hashut amongst new terrain, with updated rules that gave every warband powerful new reactions.
Elsewhere, the Lumineth Realm-lords were guided by the new Scinari Enlightener as they attempted to stop a Curseling’s loyal Disciples of Tzeentch from unlocking powerful artefacts in Arcane Cataclysm.
September
September began with brave warriors breaching space hulks for clandestine operations. Kill Team: Into the Dark heralded a whole new era of sci-fi skirmishes, introducing an incredible new set of modular terrain for ship interiors, and two totally new kill teams for the Kroot Farstalkers and the Imperial Navy Breachers.
The Leagues of Votann meanwhile returned from their 30-year sojourn, with a formidable army set that contained new stunning miniatures like the legendary Kâhl, a kinhost core of Hearthkyn Warriors, and the swift Hernkyn Pioneers.
October
This year marked the 35th anniversary of Warhammer 40,000, which we celebrated with a nostalgic look back through over three decades of grim dark conflict. Bayard’s Revenge helped mark the anniversary in time-honoured Warhammer 40,000 style.
Warhammer Underworlds abandoned Ulgu to explore the knotted halls of the Gnarlwood, in a new core set featuring the Sons of Velmorn and the Gnarlspirit pack fighting over the treasures of Ghur.
November
This month, two army sets breathed new life into two fan favourite factions. The
charged into the Mortal Realms with a collection of brutal Chaos miniatures spearheaded by an exquisite
that will shortly be
in Warhammer 40,000 armies.
The 41st Millennium welcomed back the serried ranks of the Astra Militarum with the Cadia Stands box, which featured a collection of the finest men and women of the Imperium arranged into a Command Squad, squads of Shock Troops, a new Sentinel, and two Ordnance teams.
December
This year was a big one for anniversaries, with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers™ celebrating its 20th anniversary. We joined in the fun with the Battle of Osgiliath, a new starter set for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, which featured gorgeous new miniatures and terrain.
The year was capped off with the release of the Abhorrant Ghoul King with Crown of Delusion, a Boxing Day release that absolutely oozes personality… and gore.
What an incredible year it’s been! If you’re interested in a tease of what’s coming next, we’re gazing into the future of Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, The Horus Heresy, and Black Library. Here’s to a happy New Year full of Warhammer.
