Recently, Games Workshop concluded their Warhammer Preview Online: Las Vegas Open. The Las Vegas Open is one of the largest independent Warhammer events in the world, where hundreds of players arrive to play both Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Furthermore, Warhammer Preview Online not only broadcasts these games on Twitch, but use the event to advertise and promote new miniatures, battle boxes, and other products coming down the road for Games Workshop's war games. Here is everything that was announced at this year's Warhammer Preview Online.
Warhammer Preview Online - Aeldari Reborn Avatar of Khaine and Jetbikes
Starting things off, we have brand new models coming for the Aeldari of Warhammer 40k. While the recently revealed Eldritch Omens battle box revealed new Aeldari Rangers and Shroudrunners, the Las Vegas Open was where Games Workshop revealed some new named units. Specifically, they announced a brand new Avatar of Khaine, complete with weapon customization options. Do you go with a molten axe or a spear and crested helmet? Following that, we got the Phoenix Lord Maugen Ra, the progenitor of the Dark Reapers, in his very first plastic incarnation. It isn't all big names however, the Open also revealed new jetbiking units: the Aspect Warriors of the Shining Spears. Basically, they're chariot lancers on sci-fi jet bikes lead into the charge by an Autarch.
Warhammer Preview Online - Age of Sigmar Arena of Shades Battlebox
Moving from the grim darkness of the far future to the fate of the mortal realms, a brand new battlebox was announced for Warhammer: Age of Sigmar. Titled Arena of Shades, it will feature armies of the Nighthaunt, the undead legions of the Great Necromancer Nagash, and the witch aelves of the Daughters of Khaine.
Arena of Shades will contain 44 new miniatures for the two armies, including two new heroes. For the Nighthaunt, this includes Vayon of the Withered Quill and Kurdoss Valentian the Craven King. The latter character is particularly important since he comes with his own elite force, the Craventhrone Guard, a unit of shades that specialize in ranged crossbow combat. These units are joined by ten Bladegheist Revenants, one Spirit Torment, two Chainghasts, and four Myrmourn Banshees. Confronting this legion of the undead is High Gladiatrix Yelena, a living conduit of Morathi-Khaine's wrath. Fighting alongside Yelena will be five Doomfire Warlocks, ten Sisters of Slaughter, and five Khinerai Heartrenders. As of this writing, there is no release date for Arena of Shades.
Warhammer Preview Online - New Ka'Bandha Miniature
Going back to Warhammer 40k, the event then decided to show off a brand new miniature for one of the most dreaded generals in the setting, Ka'Bandha. The sworn enemy of the Blood Angel chapter of the Space Marines, Ka'Bandha is a renowned general of the Chaos God Khorne, and has been credited with adding many skulls to his illustrious skull throne. He has won many battles dating all the way back to the Horus Heresy and up to the twilight of the 41st millennium. Now, courtesy of Forge World, his newest model is officially the largest the company has ever produced. Those who love spilling blood for the Blood God, start saving up your pennies.
Warhammer Preview Online - Interrogator Show Coming to Warhammer+
Games Workshop continues to support its recent Warhammer+ streaming service with the announcement of a new animated series called Interrogator. It is advertised as a gritty noir mystery series set in the grim and dark world of Warhammer 40k. Not much else is shown about the series other than some screenshots showing off an expressionistic black and white artstyle and some cited inspiration from the Warhammer Crime section of fiction. It is set to debut some time in Spring 2022.
Warhammer Preview Online - Kill Teams Nachmund
Next, in keeping with Warhammer 40k's seasonal structure, a brand new Kill Teams expansion was announced. Aptly titled Kill Teams Nachmund, it will bring players into the Nachmund Gauntlet, a key strategic point for the Imperium of Man that makes it a hot zone for war and conquest for any and all opposing factions. In addition, Kill Team Nachmund will include a reworked older faction: The Corsairs. Taking inspiration from the noble Asuryani, the sadistic Drukhari, and other bits and bobs they’ve picked up along the way, they're essentially Warhammer 40k's answer to swashbuckling pirates.
Warhammer Preview Online - Necromunda: Ash Wastes
Finally, Warhammer Preview Online concluded with a brand new expansion for the skirmish-based Warhammer 40k spin-off, Necromunda: Ash Wastes. While the original game focused a lot more on close-quarters gun battles with verticality and tight spaces deep within sewers and ramshackled cities, Ash Wastes takes things topside to a desert wasteland. Fans of Necromunda's more constricted game feel won't feel too out of place because arenas and battles will still be stationed around large moving vehicles like trains. This is the first major expansion for Necromunda in years, and Games Workshop has revealed that more will be revealed in the coming months.
