Nos

I mean..I don't think that would actually amount to anything My personal assumption is precisley that they have had some complications somewhere, Nurglings in the System as you say. It's sort of inconceivable that it could he anything else. I dont think they have ceased to exist, or are no longer due for release. The only sane conclusion to draw is pretty much the only one there is. But people are still going wild over it. I dont think stating the obvious would do anything to satiate people angry about it. People are annoyed because they want stuff sooner than they can have it, not because they dont know know why its delayed. I'm not defending GW here btw- this is the die by the sword aspect of living by the sword of constant Hype generation.

Ah yeah I forget how dumb this whole thing is See what happens for me is my FLGS takes orders the day after previews day to make sure they get a handle on stock/dont order stuff that dosent shift Obviously I dont get it til the week of release like everyone else but my "order" is the day after. So if its up next week, ill still be placing my order in August, is how my brain is wired But yeah, mea culpa.

"More Greenskins goodness" just means stuff related to Warclans. Given how they stretch these things out, it's as likely to be a snippet of text from the BT saying that not all Kruleboyz live in swamps or something equally as fascinating I'd love some Endless Spells- Foot of Gork plz- but since Teclis sealed the Necroquake I've sorted taken that as the macguffin that means its not going to be as much of a thing.

Still August next week

I'm guessing the logic was the hobgrot alliance with the KB, maybe that being indicative of wider co-operation with CD themswlves. But even then I agreee it's quite a stretch

It's not so obvious on the covers, or on some of the battle scenes, because in those the composition is less focussed on individuals and more on scale or evoking a sense of mood But where individual examples are concerned, compare for example this piece of fan art With this piece of official art. In the first piece the skin has been painted how painters are taught to paint skin- translucent, alive, multiple warm and cold tones. It looks organic. The lighting is complex and volumetric. The second piece- they look like models. Skin is Flat. Multiple shades of one tone, as the GW base shade layer highlight approach favours. The piece is intended basically only to show outlines of individuals, as if they were models. The composition of the majority of the space is garbage, just a total absence. The lightning is inconsistent- the green skin shows up like painted plastic even in the shadows. Basically the subjects dont interact with the light or atmosphere st all. It's all about showing them as outlines ie models. There are more colours in the first image than in the second despite the fact that there are many more things in the second. The second is the GW army Battle ready painting approach applied to canvas. It's all about being able to see the Red and Green. It's got nothing to do with the supposed scene of them moving through a swamp, the context has no bearing on the subjects in an artistic sense. You can see it even better if you put it through a B and W filter. The dominant light source is *behind* where all the highlights are. The shadows are under the dominant light source. The values are basically none existent. Look at all the things that are red in the coloured picture- their values are *exactly the same* across the entire picture wherever they are- shield in the foreground, shield in the distance, flag on the banner pole. 3 items 15 ft apart with exactly the same value completely untouched by the light apparently. It's all about flat colour. Note this isnt me making a value judgement, I'm just demonstrating how as I said the art is not just copying the models, but also the manner in which they exist as painted models.

Theres much that I like about GW at present, but the artwork simply being a literal 1:1 copy of the models stifles world building massively in my opinion. It very clearly defines the limits and scale of what things look like in the fiction when you see artwork that is just a reproduction of the models that you've already seen. I know within the lore theres more than 30 kruelboyz who look different from each other but the art- which has none of the limitations attached to actually producing models, you could draw *anything*- reinforces otherwise, because hey, there's at most 30 kruelboyz who exactly replicate the existing sculpts you've already seen. And on the rare occasion you see art which isn't just a wrote reinterpretation of a sculpt, the illusion is still shattered because rather than appreciating the art, you just clock it as something that's not a model. And perhaps what's worst of all - they colour 2d art like it's an 'eavy metal paint job. Not in respect to the techniques, but the depth of colour and values are very restricted. Every part of the art is a marketing exercise designed to push the models and the paint and painting method they want you to use. I'm not surprised by this but I'd argue that of all the things that has allowed GW to maintain its "soul", it's the integrity of its artistic vision. Much of that vision has come from a much broader cultural field of inspiration from all the arts, whereas now the artwork within GW clearly is dominated by it's own IP and artists are hired on their ability to reproduce that. As someone who primarily tries to paint models using artwork as inspiration rather than models, I can tell you with 100% honesty that I have been inspired by none of the AOS art in that sense.

**Hobgrots** Unit done, an hour a piece. Browns and Greens are becoming more significant within the army as a whole, that's one of the things I love about creative projects, when they start to develop their own character and keys. I tend to get bored by the sheer amount of detail on GW minis so I usually focus on a few things and then just a simple job for everything else, at least when I'm painting a project of this size. The GR's were all about their shields and a complimentary muted tone elsewhere, but theres so much skin on the HG I felt like I needed to do it the other way around and make their skin the focus, with muted armour etc. I applied the initial Midtone a little thicker for half of them, so some are more yellow and some more pallid. I undercoated the Orcs white over black to get a more dynamic shift in contrast, but the HR got white over grey to preserve a more natural light so more organic base for skin. Both experiments, both more or less worked out as intended. The blue flowers on the base of the champion are another experiment which illustrate the benefit of working from art. I would never have chosen that colour myself as I veer very much towards subtlety and complimentary tones, but the presence of colder tones in my inspiration art work made it feel safe to give it a try, and I'm really pleased with how it offsets and adds to the whole scheme.

Bravura exposition 🙌🏻 You're right in that its principally just an aesthetic shift, rather than a move towards "realism". Although I think its weird how in this wider discussion few people seem to have picked up on the variety within the KB themselves. This dude Has a more typically goblin/reptilian/vampiric skull whereas the dude below has a classic Brian Nelson Ape skull, and even the physiology is different, the first guy is more lean and crooked with a pigeon chest, the second has a more muscular core and barrel chest. The first one looks a bit malnourished, second one like he works out. Theres a few more variations as well among the Gut Rippaz, and then likewise the bosses and Boltboyz have some significant variation between them. Although I like the fact that the Bosses a massive. Always annoyed me how even Grimgor Ironhide or Azhag were like a foot taller than a regular orc. I wonder if that's the disconnect thoygh, the fact that KB don't even really have a set silhouette between them. The Skareshields are a lot of fun but I wonder if they were added in part to create some cohesion. Whatever, I'm in love with most of the range. They make recreating that varied but cohesive vibe of Oldhammer easily attainable.

None of them would have compared to the majesty that is this guy 🥳

I also like them too, but they make up the majority of the factions. So I've no issue with some more sprawling and augmented armies, especially when the lore sets them up to be precisley that

Greenskins have always been an Infantry and Monsters faction, which is exactly what the KB are, their cavalry have always been rubbish with the exception of boarboyz, who still exist. Even though AOS has changed things up a bit the Warhammer archetypes and composition are still pretty much exactly the same albeit more concentrated. I get the idea that hobgrot wolf riders would be fun- I'm enjoying painting mine just now, but A) How is that in any way going to reduce the issue of them not fitting in, by adding more of them B) All the lore up to this point has Hobgrotz as being some sort of traded auxiliary/grunt unit that the KB use as mercenaries they're not native to the KB environment. Wee guys with bombs suit their ambush/guerilla style. Steppe riders galloping through bogs? Not so much. I could be wrong of course, but I dont see it, and as above, they dont actually make sense either.

I think there will be more of this going forward tbh. The new Wight King is trapped in a SC set. I expect revisited (not new) lines to get the same treatment. GW just want to sell models, and if they decide more people will buy them in that format even if it makes it harder for those actually collecting said armies, they wont care.

Nice! The "they dont fit together" thing seems weird to me. One of the appeals of Warhammer when I got into it was pretty much every army was full of different looking units. It was only really Empire/Imperial Guards/ Space Marines who were uniform, and that was the whole point really- they were the sort of Unisex option. Dark Elves had half naked women, harpies, dinosaur riders, dragons, heavy infantry etc Orcs and Goblins had *everything* including about 6 types of orc and 3 types of goblin. Gloomspite still have tiny guys, trolls, giant spiders, balls with teeth etc. Thibgs that look nothing like each other, basically, but people seem pretty chill with that. I wonder if the obsession with things having to look uniform in part is down to people routinely posting pictures of individual models, units etc since Social Media became the primary showcase, rather than as a collective army as tended to be the case in WD.

AOS, at least up to this point, has not been a game where diversity and breadth equates to anything besides jack of all trades, master of none. Most competitive lists have a central ethos and 3 or 4 units to execute it, and often one of those components makes up a huge spamor summon percentage. KB are not missing any of those classic AOS requirements. While it's true that the new rules with their reinforcement quota sort of nerf that approach, they do so *directly* in favour of massively buffed heroes and monster mechanics and participation, which are well represented among the KB.

16 units, its above average-big compared to multiple factions

I...just...how is it possible to be angry at someone for not giving you something *they never said * they would? How is that in any way anything besides you simply failing to manage your own expectations?

Yes it is a deliberate marketing strategy, from a company who exist to make money, what are the chances In other, less predictable, news, WH + is 25th August according to the article on the new Masterclass

I keep tabs on GW and am invested in the hobby while also accepting they exist, as it says in their own mission statement, to make money for their shareholders by selling toy soldiers and that said stated policy guides what they sell and therefore what to expect Not what's most fair, or what makes most sense from a "balance" perspective, but what makes most sense from a making money perspective in the eyes of the people clearly very gifted at making decisions that make money

GW are making money hand over fist. They know what they are doing in respect to making themselves money, which is why they exist. Pursuing equality among ranges is something they've never done. Theres literally no reason to expect them to do it. They do what they think will make them money. Accept that and you'll never be disappointed or surprised. Their Bottom Line *is* the Bottom Line.

Maggotkin don't *need* much new, in my opinion, in that models are still great. However they are from Warhammer, and AOS is making quite a big departure. Orruks didnt *need* an entirely new Orc and goblin aesthetic either but they got one, so who knows BOC on the other hand, I think they badly need it. Beastmen have been without adequate achlpts for most of their range for 20 years. And I dobt know why, it's really weird. Theres good GW beastmen- the Underworlds gang, Slaangor, but also the old shaman- so it's not like they cant do them. And most miniature producers do good satyrs/minotaurs etc suggesting they're not typically difficult or anything. They're pretty standard fantasy/myth aesthetic. But they keep swinging and missing, still. The Gor in Black Fortress were dull, a lot of the Tzaangor were too busy and confused, the gor in the Spire Tyrants is mind of flat. I know hes not BOC but Kragnos is a BOC looking thing and he has a stupid face. The two Ogroid sculpts have also stolen some of the thunder that should belong to Minotaurs I think. For a range all about bestial power and dynamism, GW keep producing flat and stiff beastmen.

Consensus was Beasts and Maggotkin first, not necessarily in that order, from people who have got a lot of other things correct

Hi All Apologies but this is on hold as my heart currently belongs to the crooked vibes of the Kruleboyz. You can see how I'm getting on with them here if so inclined:

**Hobgrot Tester** Thinking about painting this little guy gave me conniptions and it was only yesterday I felt brave enough to give him a go. Love the models but I hadnt really appreciated just how much they vary from their bigger cousins. They look great with their own kind, but a bit random next to their bigger pals. Almost as if they're a different species. Also the Gut Rippaz essentially have one massive focal point or "face" in the form of their shields that the Hobgrotz just dont. The main contrast depth on the Hobgrotz comes from their being half naked and their exposed muscles, so I knew I would have to focus more on the skin with these. I like painting skin but wasnt sure my more sloppy approach would work for something with so much of it on display. I really like their Samurai armour aesthetic, and wanted to maintain the slightly more martial feel it gives them compared to the Gut Rippaz, but felt that anything too regimented or brightly colour co-ordinated would be a departure from the more organic, rootsy nature of the army as a whole. So I thought I would try to match the colour volume of the Gut Rippaz by going for even brighter variations of the skin tones, and went for a bright custard yellow for the skin and slathered that in magenta oils. After clean up the skin didnt have nearly enough punch though, was too desaturated and blotchy, so I went back with the bright yellow on it's own to try and give it more life. I blended in vanilla into this for establishing the highlights and glazed the same olive green as the Gut Rippaz into the shadows. The depth was good at this point but it looked a bit dead and white, so I mixed up a rosey pink, again taking a cue from the art above, and that brought him back to life. White teeth- again, not realistic, but artistically inspired. Can't really overstate that the skin looked awful, until it didnt. I would have given it up as a bad job in the past, but the experimental approach meant I was a to just keep pressing on without pressure or anxiety. And then suddenly it looked good. Went with an Orangey Brown Helmet, to try and subtly echo the shields of the big lads, and blue grey armour, again as an echo from the Art above. I felt the blue grey didnt work initially but I've warmed to it, it maintains that sense of discipline. Will go dark green armour for some of them I think but otherwise pretty happy. Crucially despite pretty disparate aesthetics, I think the tones of both species work alongside each other.

**Gut Rippaz** Love ma boys. I was thinking Pale Green for the skin initially, but I'm trying to increase colour saturation in my painting, so I thought I would try and get there by some other route rather than beginning with a pastel tone. So I started with a very bright yellow acrylic, then covered it completely in purple oil to kill the brightness and give the skin a sense of blood flow. Once the oil was wicked away I smudged bits of olive green and vanilla white around until I liked where they sat and they looked interesting. Clothes were painted in drab browns and greens, with a few accents of that bluey grey from the Alan Lee picture. Saturated red eyes. I had no idea what colour to do the shields but noticed that orange/pink/red were spot colours in the pictures above, so went with that on the basis that if it worked for them it would work for me. I love the sort of Hoplite personalisation of their shields and wanted to maintain that sense that each shield was unique . I Initially I mixed a russet orange for the base, then spattered red oil paint haphazardly leaving the orange for the highlights. Pure white for the details was another experiment, I tried to paint it on thickly so as to look like or was..well, painted. I made an aesthetic choice here though to favour the colour over a sense of realism- obviously an orc isnt going to maintain a pristine white finish- but, well, it looked good, so I just left it at that. I painted some of the teeth and eyes fully and neatly, some a little more messily. I hate painting metal, so I like painting metal on figures who have crude armour and weapons, so I just smudged it on and gave it some brown, black and blue washes for depth and character. On the shields, I just pricked the bolts with silver, as I felt too much would detract from their lo-fi, folksy vibe.