Forge World: Space Marine Heavy Weapons set

The retro theme continues as Forge World releases the Space Marine Heavy Weapon set. The designs are throw backs to the Rogue Trader design as to be expected, and come with supporting arms and back packs to give that authentic old school finish.

The weapons listed are: Plasma Cannon, Lascannon, Heavy Bolter and Multimelta, so everything you need to add heavy arms to your Pre-Heresy armour/variant armies. The set comes in at a surprising £10.20 price tag and a 27th June release date.

I know my Minotaurs will be happy about this release.

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th legion

Forge world Phatom Titan & New Event figures 2011

So Forge world have released pictures and limited details of this Springs up coming releases. The primary release is the Eldar Phantom Titan, with rules appearing in Imperial Armour 11. We also know have full shots of this year's event release figures. Apparently visitors will be able to view the new Imperial Armour book in upcoming events.

All figures will be available to buy from next months Forge world open day and in limited quantities at Salute. While I am disappointed that the Astral Claw seems to merely be Retaliator Space Marine I see plenty of scope to use it as an existing character until Forge World release official figures, looking forward non the less to adding it to my growing Tyrant's Legion.

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

New Blood Angels Figures on route?

Games Workshop's latest new letter states a second wave of Blood Angel's figures coming in February 2011. While this is expected, the question is what could possibly be on the cards? They explicitly state new never seen before figures will be part of the release. The recently leaked Stormraven pictures is the most obvious choice, combined with it's dual use with the upcoming Grey Knights codex makes this item inevitable. But what else could constitute as "New and never before seen". 

Characters

Well a new Mephiston, Dante, (possibly Tycho?) and Corbulo (Reclusiarch as well?) are almost certain. As nice as the original sculpts are they are subject to scale issues and would benefit the most from a updated super detailed sculpt. This year pictures were also released of what seemed to be a Techmarine...while there are currently two very nice Techmarine models available already, it would seem to be the logical choice for a plastic box with upgrades (Conversion Beamer?) combined with Servitor body guard.

Vehicles

I have already mentioned the Stormraven and it's dual codex benefits, but what else? Perhaps a additional sprue with the much needed Las-Plas turret? Would seem to be a large expense for what some consider to be a niche option, but never the less worth considering. The same applies to the Dreadnought box set, Librarian and Blood Angel Dreadnought variants may see their own box. The Space Marine bike and Attack bike may also be on the cards being the oldest Space Marine releases left over.

With so many Space Marine boxes with a plethora of bits, I doubt we will see anything new on the troop's front, vehicles and characters would be my guess. Apparently more details will be available tomorrow...

Thanks for reading,
DiStudios
The 14th Legion

Forge World: Eldar Hornet

The Eldar Hornet was available in limited quantities during this years UK Gamesday. Forge World has now opened Pre-orders for this beautiful looking piece of kit. This vehicle is one of a number of new Eldar units from the upcoming Imperial Armour 11 book. For those who have have been suffering from Power Armour overdose recently, this might be the change of painting routine needed for less than the price of a Blight Drone.

Forge World also continue to add to their range of decals and brass etching including the Raptors chapter, a nice accompaniment to the recently released Badab War book. Let the wallet abuse commence.

Visit Forge World

Thanks for reading,
DiStudios
The 14th Legion

GW:Paint Station & Cutting mat Advance Order

In true pre-Christmas sales fashion, Games Workshop has unveiled new hobby products in the form of the revamped Paint Station and cutting mat. The old paint station by comparison is a primitive looking affair made out of MDF, which despite the dated aesthetics has served me well over the 6 years of ownership. GW's latest offering however is made out of plastic and is ergonomically designed to sit on your lap via two grooves underneath the main section. Now the grooves are great for those who paint on their laps, but what about those of us who paint on a table? Well the provision of rubber feet will mean no slipping on flat surfaces, but what about heavy items sitting on the station, will the grooves underneath cause the station to dip under weight?

This new paint station looks a lot like my old Tamiya paint station but without the horrendous price tag and poor quality Led lamp. In a way this is a good thing as it means design elements such as secure brush, paint pot and water holder grooves are present, but on the other hand the dark black plastic finish worries me a little. I stopped using my old Tamiya station because light tended to reflect badly off the plastic work top, and while the new GW station does not look glossy my previous experience leaves me sceptical. Also I do not feel comfortable with the idea of cutting or sawing on a plastic board, as cutting into the plastic of the station will undoubtedly add to the mess made from cutting your models. I suppose GW has considered this by offering a large cutting mat shaped to fit the work area, which makes conversion work a little safer and adds to those precious extra GW sales.

At the listed price of £20.00 (so around £16 at decent web stores) the new paint station actually seems like a good bit of kit, and will be suitable for people who like to sit in their favourite lazy chair and paint in front of the TV. As mentioned a fitted cutting mat will also be released and at under £30.00 combined, this makes for a very good looking painting aid for both beginners and experts. At the end of the day having all your current project equipment in one place, means less rummaging through card board boxes of paint and means an easy clean up at end of day (pop the station on a shelf out of the way). I look forward to test running my one.

To get hold of any of the advance order at a discounted rate visit, check out Wayland Game's Advance Order section here: Wayland Games - Discount Wargames

Thanks for reading,
DiStudios
The 14th legion

GW: Dark Eldar Teaser

For those of us unable to make the UK Gamesday this year, GW have decided to 'treat' us with some pictures of the new Dark Eldar range coming out this Autumn. I have to say that I am impressed with the quality of the figures and many people's first impression is "It was worth the wait', however nice figures are one thing but a decent rule set is another. 

Enjoy the photos:

The pics show the improved quality of GW design and production with the Wyches actually looking feminine and lithe compared to the first edition releases. The above figures will be available for Advance Order on the 5th of October, I would assume online retailers will also allow pre-orders on this date.

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

Forge World: GD last minute surprises

So with 1 more day to go, Forge World drop another pre-release bomb. For all those Ork and Necron players, two large items will be released in limited quantities.

First up: Necron Tomb Tomb Stalker, which had been mentioned but then dismissed as a fan kit bash. Basically a giant metal Centipede, could this be a design direction reflective of the future Necron Codex, can expect more mechanical bugs in future?

For Ork fans, the Grot mega Tank showcased at GD Baltimore will also be available, a nice looking tank which reminds me a lot of the old Epic Ork vehicles.

So lots of wallet abuse from Forge World, and who knows what GW has in it's sleeves for their own pre-releases (if any).

To all those going to Games Day UK this year, have fun!

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

Forge World: Space Marine Character set

So it seems that Forge World will have the Character upgrade set available (previewed at GD Baltimore) at next weeks Gamesday UK event, yet another reason for retro fans and resin junkies to rejoice.

Quite an interesting array of weapon options which I sure my growing Dark Angels army will appreciate, in particular I love the Powerfist, Bolt pistols and of course the bionic leg. The kit is priced at £10.00 and is listed for pre-order on the Forge World home site (Shipping date Oct 4).

happy shopping and thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

Warhammer Fantasy: New High Elves

Games Workshop have released pictures of their new Fantasy Advance orders: High Elves. The figures are set for a October release and like the plastics before them, the sculpts are in my mind fantastic. For the High Elves this means a stream of elite units now become affordable and loaded with extras...and this after all is the point, these boxes provide quite a few bits for the bits box which is never a bad thing.

Dragon Princes of Caledor

White Lions of Chrace

Phoenix Guard

It is a exciting time for Warhammer Fantasy, despite the 8th Edition games changes the figures are more appealing than ever. Fully painted big units of the above will look equally awesome in the display cabinet or table top.

To secure yourself a advance order with significant discounts, place your order with: Wayland Games - Discount Wargames

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

Games Workshop: Chaos Daemons Advance Order

Games-Workshop strike back this summer with the latest plastic additions to the Chaos Daemons army. Among the pre-orders are the plastic Seekers of Slaanesh, Pink Horrors and the truly monstrous Daemon Prince.

The Daemon Prince is the most tempting of the pre-orders for me but the dual nature of the figures mean these pre-orders will be sure to please both 40K and Fantasy players.

The new Chaos Daemons are slated for a early August release, reinforce today! visit: www.WaylandGames.co.uk

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios

The 14th Legion

Space Marine

I have to say I am not one for computer games these days, outside of strategy games there is very little I find my self interested enough to play on a regular basis as I would rather roll some dice. However throw in the Warhammer 40,000 mythos and that is another story. I still have fond memories of Space Hulk on the Amiga right the way up to the current game franchise of Dawn of War 2. Last year THQ (the primary company using Games Workshop licenses) are extending their product to the console in the form of "Space Marine". Below is the current trailer for the game and I have to admit, I am impressed; especially by the Marine smashing through a concrete barricade to get to an Ork!

The game looks to be a platform based shooter/slasher with plenty of opportunity to pour bolter fire into greenskins as there are opportunities to put them to the (chain) sword. Of course the major question on most people's minds is "Whats the multi-play content like?" and "Do I have to play Ultramarines?". It would be a shame if this game was limited to a single player format and I hope that online play is something THQ have factored in for sustained interest, time will tell however.

Space Marine is probably scheduled for a autumn release on the Xbox 360.

Thanks for reading,

DiStudios
14th Legion

Gamesday 2010 Tickets

This years UK Gamesday tickets will be available from tomorrow, the event miniature is a Chaos sorcerer which follows on from last years Chaos Warrior event miniature. Perhaps these figures are the rejects from the Warriors of Chaos releases hehe?

As per previous years, the next few months will see more details revealed about what you will be able to find at this years event.

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

14th Legion

Chaos Daemons Sneak Peek

Over the weekend, some of the major Warhammer blogs managed to get access to pictures of the Summer Chaos Daemons release. As expected there are a number of new plastic fillers such as the Seekers of Slannesh, Juggernauts and of course Horrors as well as a number of metal character releases. There is still no sign of any Nurgle stuff which points to a third wave release for 2011. 

I have pulled up some of my personal favourites of this summers Daemonic incursion.

Fateweaver is a Tzeentch special character, and in my opinion a very fine sculpt considering how old the current Lord of Change is. There has been a lot of discontent for the upcoming releases, but for me I see a lot of improvement in the sculpting direction with the two headed character being a nice throwback to the original twin head Lord of Change from Realms of Chaos. This figure will be just as good used as a "standard" Lord of Change, but being a all metal figure I will be anxious to see how much when taking into account the June Games Workshop price rise.

Now I have to say that the wait has been worth every minute for this figure, this is a far more fitting picture to use for the new plastic Daemon Prince boxset. This miniautre shows exactly what Chaos is about and I am looking forward to picking up this monstrosity to use as my second HQ choice for project Death Guard. Being a plastic kit we can expect pricing to be in line with monstrous creatures so anywhere around the £25 - £30 mark, while not unexpected this will undoubtedly return the Daemon Prince to a luxury item price range with at least a decent looking model to back up the pricing.  The only problem now is, how to dispose of the recently purchased metal Daemon Prince.

So August finally brings some joy to non Imperial players, after a year of Imperial product bombardment the "smaller" market of non astarte's players are getting some of those desparatly needed plastics to fill our armies with. The New Chaos Daemons reinforcements are cited for a August release so expect advance orders to come up end of June.

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

14th Legion

Citadel Miniatures Catalogue 2010

Games Workshop have announced on Advance order the Citadel catalogue 2010, while this will pale in comparison to previous catalogues since the removal of bits purchase, it may be a valuable resource for series collectors.

While older collectors/convertors like myself still lament the loss of individual bits components, one thing this catalogue states is that the bitz pack options will be listed and available in this catalogue, so at least it can function as a source of some basic conversion parts ie Space Marine shoulder pads, melta guns etc.

From the pictures taken from the news letter, it seems that the plastic scenery range will also be covered in the catalogue. Hopefully this will be in the form of clear and concise photos so that potential buyers will get the accurate impression needed before investing in the pricey Games Workshop scenery range. 

The timing of this release (19th June) falls nicely into the time frame of Winter/Christmas advertising, most likely a pre-emptive attempt to make the Christmas period run smoother for retail staff. Since I have been away from Games Workshop products for a while, I will pick one up as they are a great resource for older/returning gamers to catch up releases of the last 5 years. While I expect change to be minimal, there are bound to be some gem items that I have missed.

Games Workshop's Citadel Catalogue 2010 is available for Advance order now priced £12.00 

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

14th Legion

New Chaos Daemons

Games-Workshop have announced wave 2 of the Chaos Daemon range for August. The newsletter describes new figures to be released for both 40k and Warhammer Fantasy Battle. It would be nice to see plastic box sets of the current metal range especially when you take into consideration the upcoming price increase, however a part of me suspects special character models being the primary focus instead. 

The release ties in very nicely with the upcoming new edition of Warhammer and I am sure gamers who enjoyed unparalleled power in the last edition will both welcome (any) plastic models in order to test the power range of Chaos Daemons in the forth coming edition of Warhammer.

I myself would like to see the elusive Daemon Prince and of course plastic Plaguebearers and/or Ku'gath Plague Father. 

Thanks for reading 

DiStudios

14th Legion

Ultramarines The Movie Update

The Ultramarines movie team have just announced a design a banner competition, with the entrants to be judged by a panel including Dan Abnett. The prize is one of 5 orginal, unique storyboards.

For more details and to enter: Ultramarines Competition

Further more members of the production team and Dan Abnett have announced a seminar at this years London MCM Expo. Plenty of Ultramarine Movie goodness for fans in London this month.

For seminar details: London Expo Seminar

Thanks for reading

DiStudios

14th Legion