Decadence and Decay: Preview Review

Games Workshop's latest preview was heavy on the Decadence, not so much the Decay. One would expect, with the Death Guard codex due to be released next month, that they would feature heavily in this preview but it looks like that is being saved for another day. However what was on offer was intriguing and, dare I say it, magnificent.

40K

First up the offering for 40k fans came in the form of a new campaign book, similar to the Vigilius Ablaze book, which will include rules for a number of factions. 

War Zone: Charadon follows the events as Typhus attempts to take over a mechanicus forgeworld alongside the Black Legion. As you would expect for scenario there will be new rules for Black Legion, Typhus, Adeptus Mechanicus, Imperial Knights and Drukhari. Yeah you read that right, the children of Commorragh are involved… somehow. It might have something to do with the new Drukhari Codex that was also revealed for early 2021.
A major rework has been promised with datasheet changes for every infantry unit and a streamlined army building mechanic to replace the clunky one used at present.
A tease of the new rework was shown in the form the new Incubi statline - 3 Attacks with the Demi-Klaive at 2+(!) WS AP -3 D2 turns a bit of a wishy washy unit into a certified Space Marine Slayer. Provided you can get the unit into combat, when they get there; oh boy… oh boy.

Also shown was the new Death Guard mission pack for crusade campaigns, as well as the Dark Angels Supplement. Promised to be as thematic as the recent Space Wolves and Deathwatch supplements, this has also promised flexibility and better representation for the Deathwing and Ravenwing. An exciting addition for fans of The First.

Necromunda

Staying in the 41st Millennium but delving into the dark underbelly of Necromunda we get the next installment of the House of… series with the Van Saar centred expansion - House of Artifice.
New book, New Lore, New Models.
What's not to love?

The models, in keeping with the recent offerings, fit nicely into their gang's aesthetic and in my opinion are some of the best looking models in Necromunda. The new hoverboard riding Neoteks are fantastic models (not to say ripe for conversion or kitbashing) and the Archeoteks fit brilliantly into the tech focused Van Saar range.

Underworlds

Now to Age of Sigmar - specifically Warhammer Underworlds with the new Slaves to Darkness warband. There is an argument to be made that the models from the underworld are some of the best on offer, and this is no exception. Khagra’s Reavers look excellent and I'm sure fans of Underworlds will be keeping an eye out for the information about these when it drops.

Last, but by no means least, we have the perfect servant of the Prince of Pleasure himself that is: Sigvald the Magnificent. Fans of the Old World or those who Played Warhammer: Total War will recognise the Slaanesh Champion.
The new model looks fantastic, not to mention a painter's dream - expect to see this in your local painting competitions, and it will be interesting to see how it plays on the tabletop.
Alongside the blonde bombshell we have some new Slaanesh troops, the exquisitely armoured Myrmidesh Painbringers and the Daemon infested Symbaresh Twinsouls.
I cannot say how happy I am to see some dedicated Slaanesh troops outside of Daemons. The fine balance that these models pull off between beautiful and ornate armour and disturbing warped excess is brilliant and I cannot wait to get my hands on some.
It also means a new scope for those playing a Slaanesh army to mix it up between the new, more armoured, troops and the fast but fragile Daemons.
Now if only the Emperor’s Children can get the same treatment… fingers crossed.

Oh, and there is a new Treebeard model. I don't need to say any more - if you don't like Treebeard, there is no hope for you.