New "Island of Blood" Boxed Set information...

*Neek*

REINFORSSSSSMENTS ON THE WAY!

New information on the Warhammer "Island of Blood" boxed set has arrived! First, a box-shot...

According to the "What's New Today" post over at gamesworkshop.com the new set includes two armies: the awesome Skaven (Yeesssssssssssssss) and the whiter-than-white High Elves. Other details in the post reveal that:

The High Elf command includes:

1. An Elven Prince riding a Griffon.
2. An Elf-Mage

The Skaven army includes:

1. x2 Rat Ogres
2. A Skaven Warlord

As well as everything needed to get started, (Rulebook, templates and dice etc.) there are a total of 74 miniatures in the set.

On first reading all this I was a little disappointed that the High Elves get a model as cool as a Griffon, while the Skaven "only" seem to get a couple of Rat-Ogres and a Warlord (model types that I already have).
BUT if you take a closer look at the images on the post linked to above it looks as though there are one or two interesting Skaven models and a couple of sprues that have warpstone prods or suitably Skaven-looking equipment.
Here is the image...

Poisoned-wind mortars? Globadiers?
Not having great eyesight myself (age? partial blindness caused by Plague Monk fumes?) I can't tell but would love to hear from anyone who has more info.

Right, I'm off to make a quick prayer to the Great Horned One that at least the the Rat-Ogres and Warlord will be new sculpts...
...and that I remember to place my advance order on August 8th! (not unlikely, considering the frequency with which I get emails from GW about new items to buy...)

Squeek.

EDIT: Information and pics on BOLS show that YES, these are new (and in some cases great-looking) sculpts and that (even better) the following Skaven units are also included (in addition to those above).

Warlock.
40 Clanrats.
Poisoned Wind Mortar.
Warpfire Thrower.

* Rubs paws with glee!*

 

Warhammer 8th Edition arrives...

*Neeek*
Many warptokens were spent, enemies despatched, and postrats interrogated, but the mighty tome has arrived...

 ...and wow, this is a beautiful book!

The image above (from the Games Workshop website) doesn't give you any indication of the size of this monster or of the overall quality, which feels far and away superior to the previous edition. Although I haven't had time to read it cover to cover, the following immediately struck me:

• Paper quality is very good.
• The extent and vibrancy of the colour images used throughout really adds to the impression of "value" one gets when holding the book.
• The amount of gaming and painting related content seems to have been increased a great deal and you could spend hours and hours just reviewing the images of some of the best painted figures!
• The sections on playing the game feel much more enjoyable to dig into with the full colour examples of movement etc. provided.

Naturally, this is all really great, and it feels well worth what I paid for it (although those of my minions who lost their lives to provide me with it may not agree) but there are a couple of things that make the fur on the back of my neck stand up...

a.) It is really heavy (of course) so humping it around in my war-litter is going to add some strain on my litter-bearers. (Not that I care of course...)

b.) It is going to be very unwieldy to use for a new player like me at the gaming table - even with the full index and summary tables at the back.

These aren't complaints - just observations - more than made up for by the quality of the book itself!

Two things left to say:

1. The quality is so good that if I had the funds, I might even consider trying to lay my paws on a Collector's Edition. My agents tell me that there are some on the scavenge pile (although at outrageous prices - 400 to 600 of your man-thing monies...). Perhaps I should send an assassin?

2. I'll definitely invest in the new Island of Blood boxed set when it comes out to get a smaller, more portable rulebook (especially if, as rumoured, one of the armies in the set is Skaven!)

Now..there is much studyings to be done...begone with you!

*Squeek*

I shall RETURN!!

*Neek*

Hi. Just wanted to say that I won't be updating the blog for a while as I take a break from painting!

If you are just visiting, please drop by "Squeeks Skaven Painting Guides" (Over on the right there) and have a good look around. If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks!

*Squeek Vermintide*