Ready-painted battlefields, seven Christmas Battleforces, the Tomb Kings marching home and a Red Gobbo with a sidecar. Busy week, everyone.
Grab a coffee and a seat at the hobby table. Games Workshop had a big week, but some of the most fun news came from smaller studios, including anteaters in trenches and a folk horror skirmish game you can try for free. Here is what caught our eye from October 16 to 23. Where we stock the line, we have added a little something to get you started early.
Seven Christmas Battleforces Revealed for 40k
On October 19, Games Workshop revealed seven Warhammer 40,000 Battleforce boxes for the holidays: Space Marines Indomitus Task Force, Chaos Knights Helhunt Lance, Orks Armoured Blitzmob, Space Wolves Champions of Fenris, Blood Angels Angelus Assault Force, Chaos Space Marines Cult of Destruction and Necrons Disciples of the Nekrosor. The Necron box pairs a C'tan Shard of the Nightbringer with Nekrosor Ammentar, Ophydian Destroyers and a Canoptek Doomstalker. Prices TBC, with pre-orders coming "soon." Holiday boxes like these are often how a whole store suddenly starts the same army in January, so expect a few new rivalries.
Necrons: Disciples of the Nekrosor. The Nightbringer brought friends. Image: Games Workshop.
Battlefields: Armageddon Hits Pre-Order
GW's first ready-painted 40k terrain went up for pre-order on October 17 in limited quantities. Spikey Bits reports 28 pre-painted pieces plus game boards, built around the footprints for the Chapter Approved 2026-27 missions, at $395. If you have ever spent a weekend drybrushing ruins instead of playing on them, you understand the appeal.
Battlefields: Armageddon. Zero drybrushing required. Image: Games Workshop.
Khazalite Holds and the Warhammer Day Miniature
Age of Sigmar players got the Khazalite Holds Army Set on the same day: Hjulda Drakkblud, ten Clanshields, three Gholems of Gazul, an Oathkeeper Cannon, the battletome and 53 warscroll cards. Alongside it came Oath Fulfilled, a Darkoath Warqueen made to mark Warhammer Day, plus the Black Library novel Shadow of the Silver Wolf.
The Khazalite Holds Army Set. Beards, cannons and a lot of very determined Clanshields.
The Tomb Kings Rise Again
Sunday's preview brought the Host of Nehekhara Army Reinforcement Set for The Old World, along with Arcane Journal: The River of Bones and new Tomb Kings dice and cards. GW says they arrive next week, so skeleton fans should keep Saturday free. Black Library also listed a Grey Knights special edition for October 28.
The Host of Nehekhara Army Reinforcement Set. Some armies really do come back from the dead. Image: Games Workshop.
Da Red Gobbo Gets a Squigmobile
The holiday tradition continues. Revealed on October 16, this year's Red Gobbo rides a roaring Squigmobile with his long-suffering "elf" in a bomb-shaped sidecar, and Da Red Gobbo's Reckoning by Callum Davis arrives alongside him. Pre-orders are coming soon; price TBC.
Da Red Gobbo and his Squigmobile. Seatbelts not included. Image: Games Workshop.
Quar: Clash of Rhyfles Gets a New Starter Set
Wargames Atlantic launched a redesigned starter for its WW1-flavored skirmish game on October 16. It pits the Royalist Creevish against the Western Arnyarans with 12 infantry per side plus terrain, for $99.95 / £89.95. More faction kits and a mass battles mode are planned for 2027. Yes, the anteaters have rifles.
The new Quar: Clash of Rhyfles starter set. Image via Wargamer.
Eldfall Chronicles Reaches US Shelves
After three years building a following in Europe, the fantasy skirmish game Eldfall Chronicles is now available through US retail chains, with two-player starters, reinforcement packs and an Earthen Creatures expansion. The rules and unit cards are free to download, so you can try it before you buy. If your group likes small, tactical games, it is worth a look.
The Empire of Soga meets the Helian League in Eldfall Chronicles. Image via Wargamer.
Pilgrim: The Haunted Frontier Opens the Gate
Buer Games showed off a co-op folk horror skirmish game where pilgrims fight back with faith. The first scenario is free right now, a preview event is set for October 28, and a Gamefound campaign is planned (no date yet). Perfect timing for spooky season, and a nice reminder that co-op games are a great way to bring a friend to the table.
Pilgrim: The Haunted Frontier. Bring a lantern, and maybe a friend. Image via Wargamer.
Our Pick of the Week
The Christmas Battleforces. Seven factions in one go is a big spread, and Battleforces have a history of being the easiest way to jump-start a new army or bulk up an old one. We will share prices as soon as GW does. Necron players, the Nightbringer is calling.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Painted terrain, holiday boxes, returning skeletons and a stack of fresh games from smaller studios. Whatever you play, there was something this week to get excited about, and plenty to add to the wish list.
What are you most excited about this week? Let us know in the comments.