New Death Models!

[Veillotron]

As I wrote in the Shadespire thread, I am very happy with these new models. 

I really love the aesthetics (I adore the champion, the reaper; the one coming out of the ground is also very cool. With all their equipment, they don't look as flimsy as the standard units.) 

I also love the lore (intelligent skeletons, with memories of their previous lives).

22 hours ago, mmimzie said:

Actually i believe these guys will be getting a warscroll

Yes, GDubz was crystal clear that all the Shadespire models will be getting scrolls for AoS :-).

 

I am still hoping that GDubz will release new (and more original) Death models, but this is nonetheless a great addition, and I soooooo happy!

[Sception]

Did they specify that all the shadespire models would be getting new scrolls, though?  Because the plain old skeleton warrior scroll that already exists would adequately if underwhelmingly represent the sepulchral guard in AoS.

[GrimTeef]

2 hours ago, Sception said:

Did they specify that all the shadespire models would be getting new scrolls, though?  Because the plain old skeleton warrior scroll that already exists would adequately if underwhelmingly represent the sepulchral guard in AoS.

I have a feeling that the characters in Shadespire are actually more heroic examples of the standard rank-and-file we are used to from their representative factions. Part of the reason they are there in the Underworlds in the first place! So I bet these skeleton characters, that have more personality and memory of their past lives, will be able to fight better than the standard bone-head as well. 

Also, what would be the incentive for the player to buy these new guys if their warscroll has them as no better than standard skellies? I think they'll be mini-heroes for AoS in their own right.

[Sception]

Only the one looks even vaguely like a hero, and making them all heroes would make them unfieldable in matched play due to the hero cap.  the rest are just skeleton dudes, mostly with the same gear, that even look the same as regular skittles apart from fancier posing.  I could see them as a slightly more elite skeleton warrior unit, but even that's likely to get confusing on the table.

We'll see, i suppose.

[Veillotron]

14 minutes ago, Sception said:

  I could see them as a slightly more elite skeleton warrior unit, but even that's likely to get confusing on the table.

We'll see, i suppose.

That is what I would think... similar to Grave Guards...

[Veillotron]

3 hours ago, Sception said:

Did they specify that all the shadespire models would be getting new scrolls, though? 

That is how I understood it. They said that they were all hero-type characters, and similar to Silver Tower, all models would be given a scroll to play them in AoS

[Sception]

Except that grave guard are visually distinct from basic skeleton warriors in more than just posing - their armor and equipment is different as well.  Most of the sepulchral guard really are just 'skeleton warrior with different pose'.  Same exact weapons and shields, same (lack of) armor, etc.

I'm not saying I don't want the sepulchral guard to be a distinct unit, i would like to see a new unit out of them, there's just a lot of potential confusion there.

[Mohawk_Monkey]

I wouldn't mind a slight update to the current skeleton warscroll that allows 1 in every 10 skellies to be equipped with a scythe or mace or whatever. This would allow them to keep the current box or repackage the current models with the shadespire ones (maybe bring the boxed unit count to 20?) on a seperate sprue.

This would also bring some of death's units in line with the choices that more up to date lines have with the multi weapon options.

 

 

[CoffeeGrunt]

9 hours ago, Veillotron said:

I also love the lore (intelligent skeletons, with memories of their previous lives).

I quite liked that as well, makes an interesting foundation for a standalone Deathrattle book if they ever do one.

[Rob Hawkins]

I'm really happy with the skeleton head sculpts.  The current "vampire counts" skeletons' skulls were a little small, with undefined teeth.  These new skulls look great!  And the "generic fantasy" appearance of their armor and gear allows them to fit in with pretty much anything (including D&D miniatures), so that's a smart move on GW's part, sales-wise.

As for their AoS warscroll rules, I could see the group being a complete unit unto themselves– Like a champion with his retinue.  The leader skeleton might have better stats, and the other six skeletons would be armed with "assorted rusty weapons and armor" giving them a flat stat line for the lot, rather than defining each individual skeletons' armament.

If they do make these a "regular" skeleton unit for which you can build up the numbers, does that mean we'll see the end of skeleton units having unified weapons and move to skeleton units just being armed with generic mix of weapons?

[shinros]

12 hours ago, Mohawk_Monkey said:

I wouldn't mind a slight update to the current skeleton warscroll that allows 1 in every 10 skellies to be equipped with a scythe or mace or whatever. This would allow them to keep the current box or repackage the current models with the shadespire ones (maybe bring the boxed unit count to 20?) on a seperate sprue.

This would also bring some of death's units in line with the choices that more up to date lines have with the multi weapon options.

 

 

That would be a great idea, I love it. 

[Fungrim]

Just looking at starting a Death force, and wanted Skele battleline. Didn't like the blandness of the basic Skele boxset so was going to kitbash something interesting out of the Skele box and Empire/Aelves etc.

Now having seen these, massively interested. Would love to be able to use these as battleline skeles, and as @Mohawk_Monkey be able to upgrade the command unit/specialist weapons in the unit.

Love the aesthetic!

[Fungrim]

Also! Just posted this on the main Rumour Thread (re-posting specifically for Death players...)

[WillofNagash]

yeah its been like that for about a week now

[Mohawk_Monkey]

I've seen in a few places people have mentioned that the sold out sign often goes onto some lines when new minis are coming out. so likely see the skellies back after the Kharadron Overlords have been released.