Dark Elf Rules Leak

The Original Carybdis

Dark Elves Rules "Leak" Info from the latest White Dwarf magazine, via Kiwihammer and Jossy:

New Releases

• Matt Ward authored the new book
• Largest dual kit is the Cauldron of Blood /Bloodwrack Medusa. You can also use this kit to make the special character Crone Hellebron.(Think I'll be getting this)
• The next dual kit is Witch Elves and the Sisters of Slaughter – Sisters of Slaughter are apparently the lost daughters of fallen noble houses and look great. (Will keep my old WEs, definitely make the SoS)
• The new DE Core box allows you to make your warriors with Spears, Swords and Shields or Repeater Cross-bows. (Bleh, don't-a'lika tha newa look)
• The Dual Hydra/Kharibdyss kit looks pretty good, there are pictures of the Hydra with different paint schemes that actually look a lot better than the leaked photo we’ve already seen. (Will do Kharibdyss - have 2 Hydras in my Army already. Maybe they'll look less cartoony with their lips painted differently) 
• The Special Character Shadowblade  is a single pose figure that will come in a clampack (Probably won't get - have several assassin-type figures from various brands)
• There is a Lore of Dark Magic Card set being released. (No surprises here, but the content)
• Army Special Rules/Points Cost
• Dark Elves now have the army-wide special rule of ASF (unsure if this will apply to monsters/cold ones. Should have had this all along. Elves, are n't they?)
• Dark Elves also have Hatred but presumably only in the first round (What about the eternal hatred HE rule ?)
• Black Guard have eternal hatred (Yay! - all races, I presume. DE Elites needed some sort of buff to remain competitive. What about Executioners? )
• New Rule called murderous prowess allows Dark Elves to re-roll 1′s to wound. Unsure if this will extend to shooting and magic.(DEs will need something in the world of Monstrous cavalry, as it seems they're not getting any)
• There is a new Beastmaster Lord Level Character which costs 300 points when naked on a Manticore (Good to see Beastmaster characters back, been missing their caste of DEs from the prev Ed) 
• Witch Elves are core and 11 points per model. They can also take magical banners.
• A unit of 40 Spear Elves and of 30 Xbow Elves with Full command costs 390 points. Unsure what options were used but that means the warriors were 12 points per model. If you do the maths on this it means that Spears are 9ppm and Crossbows are 12.
• A DE Sorceress Hero looks to be 80 points
• Cauldrons of Blood still come out of Hero slots and look to have increased in points. They can join units (That's new and useful ! All units or just Khiainite units? Limits on numbers of cauldrons ? More than 1 per army? ) and one of their powers allows a unit to re-roll to wound. (ASF, Hatred and reroll wounds, stacking - Ouch! Bring on the pain!) In the Batrep a unit with a Cauldron and this buff up deletes a unit of Sobunz.
• Bloodwrack Medusas are rare and have a shooting attack called Bloodwrack Stare. Not sure what it does
• Hydras can now regain wounds in a manner similar to the Slann with the regen power of the old ones. They are now 180 points, have monster+handler but have to buy their breath weapon. (Can live with that) 
• Lore of Dark Magic – The attribute is called spiteful conjuration and does extra wounds to enemies that have spells cast on them. Unsure of how the mechanic works but could be similar to Tz lore attribute? (Time will tell about the rest of the magic)
• Lore of Dark Magic – Only spell mentioned is called Word of Pain and it reduces WS/BS/I
• A Dreadlord with Heavy Armour and a Shield on a Black Dragon costs 449 points.
• Cold Ones are 30 points and have 2 Attacks, unsure if the cold ones themselves have ASF (They needed to be improved. Suppose they still suffer from stupidlty. Unlikely mounts and monsters will get ASF IMO)

More photos and a first sneak look on Jossy's blog: http://plastickrak.blogspot.co.nz/

  

Dark Elves of Slaanesh Arrive: 1st WD leaked pictures

Dark Elves of Slaanesh arrive

The long awaited first wave of DE releases are out in the Oct WD. I am a bit underwhelmed by some models, and enthused by others from what I can see. The stats may well change my opinion.

We can probably expect a second wave of more nautically themed Corsairs/Admiral of the fleet hero next, with the new Riders and Chariots...

I particularly liked the sinister look of the faceless DE's of the previous edition, so I can't say that I am rapt with the poncy faced HE look! Have the rank and file been sanitised to make them unappealing and force other purchases? Looks like the Shrine and Cauldron got all the spikes and the troops lost their spike and spite. We need SPITE in our DE Armies. These guys look kind.(Apparently getting ASF  (reward for looking like HE? ) and Murderous prowess - see below ? Just Khainite units/characters) )

Either way the Cult of Khaine is on the rise. I always thought Khaine and Khorne were more interchangable, but it appears that there is a definite Slaaneshi lean to this release:

Photos in order of "Like" as far as I am concerned:

Like e'm a lot

Love 'em lotz

Nice

ok

ok

Ho-hum - could have done sooo much with a new hydra. 

What do we get, the Friendly Lochness monster mutated... Lips don't work for me. 

Not EVIL enough. Dark elves are EVIL. Like the dynamic handlers

The pose of the creature works, then heads, not for me.

Would probably build the Karibdyss from this kit, keep my old hydras.

Bleh! Bleh!

High elves masquesrading as Dark elves. where did the EVIL go? 

Boring. No chance I'm gonna undate

Nooooo.....a step backwards

Rules Rumours (ex Warseer):

The sisters of slaughter are rares: enemies is base contact with them lose rank bonuses.

Hydras are specials can upgrade to get a strength 4 breath attack, no regeneration  but can regrow heads (recover lost wounds) just like the slann can with his discipline.

The karybdiss thing has a special ability that triggers when all 5 of its attacks hits ( gets an extra attack that inflicts additional hits) has a scaly skin save and causes terror. Enemy models in base contact must re roll successful leadership tests. Both use the monster and handler rules.

They have 2 signature spells just like high magic. One of the spells goes off on a 8+ and grants a unit +1 strength and then you gain D3 power dice but if you gain 3 power dice this way the wizard suffers a wound with no saves allowed.

The army has always strikes first.

Murderous Prowess: models with this rule re roll 1s when rolling to wound.

Wizards casting Dark Magic add plus 1 to their casting attempts.

Price Update (Ex Jossy at Plastic Crack)

Just received the price list for the Dark Elves release for New Zealand and Australia, and all us Kiwi's and Aussies will be very happy to know that the models at least are very close to what the US prices are!


(Not if you use the Big Mac Index, we are still paying for being on the backside of the earth and GW using outdated exchange rates - ed)


Dark Elf army book: $US 49.50 $AU 83 $NZ 98
Dark Elves Battle magic: $US 6 $AU 8.5 $NZ 10Shadowblade: $US 20 $AU 22 $NZ 26Dreadspears: $US 35 $AU 45 $NZ 50Witchelves: $US 60 $AU 70 $NZ 80Hydra: $US 65 $AU 70 $NZ 85Cauldron: $US 75 $AU 80 $NZ 95So this may well be considered a price increase for the US, but here in New Zealand and Australia this is a price drop!


I can see me getting the Witchelves/Sisters of Slaughter, Karybdis build, Cauldron (Build depends on stats), and of course the book. My wallet is groaning in trepidation....

New Dark Elf releases: Warlocks and Kraken, whole rework of army coming: Dark Elf Rumour Drums

The Dark Elf Rumour Drums are stepping up the beat: Major revamp coming

Looks like we are in for DE release in Oct. Major revamp of the DE's seem imminent

Early sightings of high-res pictures and info from " insider friends that work for GW" claim the following:

Lion275 over at Warseer :

" We can't and won't show pics unless our source gives us the ok. The pictures we have received are the high res pictures that will be in the WD. As of right now we only have the pics, no details on the book. Last time we got the pictures and then the book a little later. As soon as we get more info we will pass it on. So as far as the weapons I can only go off the pictures. Here is what I see:

Warlocks appear to have one hand weapon
The new chariot crew is armed with spears and what looks to be a large crossbow or bolt thrower on the chariot.

The new Warriors look quite different to me. But then again I am a big geek that notices stuff like that. They have cloaks that come down their back and all the helmets don't cover the eyes any more.

The warlocks are bare chested, and the weapons look mundane...aka not glowing. They look like large jagged daggers. They are held in reverse grips which looks pretty slick. The warlock champions eyes are glowing which IMO hints at some magical abilities. md as far as the warriors go I think a big difference will be the size of them. Look at the size difference between Isle of Blood Lothern Sea Guard and the normal High Elves spearman.

Im really excited to hear about a plastic hydra finally.It looks bigger and beefier. Like we said Dark Elves are setting the bar for the best range of models in WHFB.  Can you tell what size base the hydra is on?

I can't really tell from the pic. The two handlers are actually on the base so I don't have their base size to compare to. .

The cloaks hang down from underneath the shoulder armor and cover the back of the chain mail. It definitely is new for them but it looks really cool. The Druchii warriors also have shoulder armor. It makes them look simply awesome. The skull embossed on their shields looks great too. Yes the Hydra does have 2 handlers.

The Warriors, Black Guard, and Dark Riders all have cloaks. None of them appear to have face coverings. The Executioners appear to have skull faced helms. The theme to me appears to be a more sinister version of their High Elf bretheren. The plate armor has very spiked and jagged edges. The style will still fit well with the Shades and Reaper but next to these new models they will look very dated.

-The Kraken has 5 heads/fanged maws. The have spines and scales with smooth neck and belly flesh. Scales are painted a Dark Grey with the softer flesh painted blue. Looks awesome.
-The pictures we have of the Witch Elves has them with two hand weapons. 
-Black Guard look very stalwart with large halberds and high helms with 3 spikes on each side with a flowing plume on top. Their armor is black trimmed in gold and they have dark purple cloaks. The unit champion is holding a sword by the hilt with the blade planted in the ground. Musician is a drummer.
-The executioners have what look like skull helms, and their armor is a brighter silver than the Black Guard. Their tunics are red in color and the Draiches are all held on the left hand side of their bodies (their left our right). They look very cool ranked up.

The Dark Riders are very cool looking. Sleek looking horses with only a bit of armor. All of the Riders are hunched over in the saddle to give the illusion of speeding fast cav. The helmets appear to be open faced and they are armed with spears in the picture I have, once again that doesn't mean they wont get crossbows (in the pictures we have they are in the back ground behind the Warlocks). The Kraken doesn't have tentacles, it has four legs with webbed appendages ending in claws and it also has a tail.

The Cauldron of Blood/Blood Throne looks very cool. If you are a fan of the newer larger models GW has been putting out for WHFB you will really dig it. It is a bit toned down compared to the Empire Celestial Hurricanum/Luminark of Hysh and has blades and hooks on it to make it very sinister and Dark Elf. I also want to say thanks for such the warm welcome. I am glad that you guys are fired up for this release. As soon as more info becomes available to us I will share it on our Facebook and post here too. I will continue to answer questions about the models to the best of my ability and thank you for being very understanding as to why we cant release the pictures sent to us."

Rumour Bells Ringing Dark Elves and 9th Ed Rules?

Dark Elves, Brettonnia or Dwarfs? Rumours abound:

I would like to believe the DE Rumour (being one of my Fave armies)

4 October 2013
September 27th (pre-orders)

Condensing my net trawlings:

Dark Elves are due in October 2013, it is said be a complete new book and not just a wave
New elite infantry kit, possibly witch elves, executioners or black guards.
(If new witch elves, there will most definitely be a new Cauldron of Blood piece)

As expected Monsters and Flyers:

- New Multi-kit Hydra / Kar Karond Beast (Sea/Land/Flying Monster)  - two variations of hydra and Sea       Drake/Beast (flyer)
- Box of 10 new plastic Witch Elves
- Box 10 new plastic Executioners / Black Guard alt builds
- New Cauldron of Blood / Altar of Khaine. (Hybrid kit with old witch Elf or aura similar to EoTG called ?      Khaines blades?  a whirlwind of magic blades emitted by Khain's hatred.
- Blister Fine Cast Priestess/Crone/Hag of Khaine
- Blister Assassin  (Shadowblade)
- Blister Dark Fleet Admiral/Corsair Hero - more than Lokhir, who has become useless w make way rule.
- Executioner /Black Guard Hero Blister
- Plastic/resin  Morathi ?
- Plastic harpy kit with two options
- dual kit chariot ?

Rules:
- Dark Magic buffs up characteristics  of characters, transformation and wound recovery spells aka 5th      
  Edition.(Do we see the Black Horror spell back?)
- Sacrificial Dagger;  buffs the Cauldron of Blood in units (Skaven bell type.) ( 4 + and one per phase)
- Dark Fleet Admiral Hero buffs shooting skills  of unit
- Revamp of Assassins ? Cheaper and causing terror, better rules in keeping with their intent ?
-  Ability to use poison as an option across all Khainite Units
 - Multiple wounds and killing blow for executioners and Black Guard respectively .
-  Malekith more powerful than Teclis. (Doubtful)
-  Monster of the deep-Kar Karond (Sea Drake? ) more powerful than current Hydra

- The emphsis of the book lies around Khainite units (Kharond Kar, Hag Graef and Clar Karond

 So Monsters+Altar of Khaine+Khainite Units, Corsairs as focus.Dark Elves getting more destructive and poisoned attacks to cope w monstrous cavalry , many players' perception of the character each of the Elven races strengths in battle: DE - Offensive, HE - 
Defensive,  WE - Guerrilla warfare . 

The Elite/ heavy infantry definitely need something to help cope against the trend to Monstrous Cavalry:
Multiple wound attacks ( Execs used to do D3) and Killing Blow for Black Guard ? Thanks, that will do me just fine.

Rumours about 9th Ed?
From Tim the Thief on Faeit 212:

New Rumors for the 9th Edition of Warhammer Fantasy Release:

All Softcover Army Books will become obsolete with the new release.
The New Starter Set Boxes  will released at the same time as the Hardback Rule Book
The Set will include a Book called “Armies of Warhammer”, this Book will have simplified "beginner" Army lists for ALL available Armies. No full rule book - i.e. force you to buy a book and a starter set.

Armies of Warhammer will give Players a little view of all Armies and they Units, also it will be a transitional solution for the obsolete Army Books
Armies of Warhammer will be a part in the new Hard back Rule book
The Rule book in the Set will be a simplified “Starter or beginner " Rule book

A smaller complete Hardback Rule book will released too, called “Warhammer – The Rules”

Rules
The rule set will change again, GW has recognized the last Edition has had a hard impact on sales of Warhammer products. (read people are not buying it, and opting for the starter set instead)

The number of special rules will reduced
There will be no releases of Fantasy Supplements, the books will contain more background.
Page numbers up to 150 pages are possible!

The Father of Modern Wargaming Dies: RIP Don Featherstone

Sound the last post: Don Featherstone (1918-2013) 

The man who invented modern wargaming, has died.

After a fall and a short sick bed, he passed away yesterday. 

RIP Don, your books inspired me to take up wargaming as a hobby. 

I have never looked back. 

Thank you Don , and goodbye.

Rest in Peace.

More info:

http://wargamesobsession.blogspot.co.nz