Sanguinala (or maybe Candlemas) has come and gone, and I'm sure everyone is overjoyed to be facing down the cold (and potentially sober) wastes of January once more. Hooray!
At least the demonic merry-go-round of miniature wargaming will continue to spin, whatever 2024 throws at us. There is no stopping it. It is inevitable. Don't try to resist.
So without further ado, lets peer into the fickle mirror of the warp, to see what might be on the horizon for GW in the new year, and speculate what might be in-store for the Mortal realms and 41st Millennium.
Lunacy, probably.
"So without further ado, lets peer into the fickle mirror of the warp, to see what might 2024 might have in store for the Mortal realms and 41st Millennium."
Here's four predictions for what might be coming from Games Workshop in 2024 - and what that might mean for wargaming as a whole.
The January dataslate
Not looking too far forward for our first prediction: we're a few weeks from the next 40k balance dataslate and the January iteration needs to be a chonky one.
Let's start out positive and predict that a comprehensive dataslate will see a real focus on both internal and external balance through points tweaks but, critically, some major rules adjustments. A hit to Chaos Marines in terms of points; a hit to Aeldari's phantasm and perhaps even their all-encompassing detachment rule. Amendments to the internal power of factions like Sisters, Votann and Guard to try and get them away from a single viable playstyle. Actual, meaningful amendments to the likes of Custodes and Drukhari and the rolling back of some of the hits to Imperial Knights.
"Let's start out positive and predict that a comprehensive dataslate sees a real focus on both internal and external balance through points tweaks but, critically, some major rules adjustments."
That sounds like a lot, and it is. But the game needs it. 10th edition is ostensibly "balanced" but it is also - for me at least - disappointingly stale. If January doesn't deliver, I can see 2024 being the year of Sigmar for me...
Age of Sigmar 4th edition
You don't have to be Archmage Teclis to see this one coming. The Dawnbringers endgame is approaching and we're well on-track for GW's three-year cycle to bring us the latest iteration of AOS this year.
More fun is speculating on what that might entail: a new chamber of Stormcast seems likely, though perhaps there is scope to develop the Thunderstrike chamber further with their own mounted troops and a new special character in the vein of Yndrasta.
What's more fun is to speculate who might be joining them in the launch box. The last two editions have featured death and destruction adversaries, so perhaps it's a return to the main-stage for the forces of chaos. And if so, I really hope it's the time for the Skaven to get the limelight.
Yes yes.
Warhammer 40k and the redacted codex
10th edition will continue its slow grind of codexes as outlined in their handy roadmap. As an aside, I predict that every single one of those codexes will either feature a "stealth" detachment or an "uppy-downy teleporting nonsense" detachment*. Sneaky Custodes and teleporting Orks, here we come.
"I predict that every single one of those codexes will either feature a "stealth" detachment or an "uppy-downy teleporting nonsense" detachment*. Sneaky Custodes and teleporting Orks, here we come."
The most exciting part of the roadmap is the mysterious "redacted" codex at the end of the list.
Is it Emperors Children?! Is it Dark Mechanicum?! ... Is it ZOATS?!
I'm gonna say... no.
The Dark Mech still feel like a very out there option, as much as I'd love to see what the design team could come out with for them. As for Emperor's Children: releasing a new army with a presumably plastic Fulgrim at its head less than a year after the release of the terrifying-looking artisanal piece that is Fulgrim Transfigured just doesn't quite fit for me. We'll see the third legion before the end of 10th - but I think we might have to wait til 2025 to witness their glorious symphony.
Instead, I predict this will turn out to be an existing faction, with a new model on the front cover. That may seem less interesting, but could still throw up some exciting connotations if it pertains to a wave 2 for Votann or World Eaters. A cover featuring brand new Juggernaut cavalry? Give it to me.
The Old World
Ahhhh the Old World. A setting I'm incredibly nostalgic for (fantasy was always more popular for my friends and I growing up. Blame Lord of the Rings), but also a project I just don't understand. Big money boxes of literally ancient minis at real 2023 prices? A bunch of factions only halfway supported on launch? Expansions to the ranges currently produced almost entirely** in metal and resin.
If you already have an old-school fantasy army then you don't need any of this stuff. And if you're looking to get into it, paying premium prices for some lovely but reallllyyy dated models is a pretty nasty barrier to entry.
So my ridiculous prediction is that the Old World just... sorta... doesn't work. Like, it'll exist. Some folks will have a whale of a time playing with tweaked rules for their old models. But it won't take the gaming world by storm and will get MESBG levels of support from GW.
I want to be wrong. Please.
Please.
Conclusions
And there you have it - four predictions for the worlds of Games Workshop in 2024.
Let me know your thoughts on what might be coming for warhammer this year below or on the socials - are you expecting Votann and World Eaters wave 2? Malekith's shadow elves? ZOATS?!!
All the best for the new year, hobby friends, however the winds of the warp might blow. May your dice roll high and your pile of shame remain pleasingly low.
Until next time,
Alex
*Sorry AdMech. Best I can do is random exploding robots. Take it or leave it.
**Those foot Knights are wonderful, but also very much the exception to the rule...
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