So the old Warhammer is gone. Replaced by GW‘s latest brainfart, Age of Sigmar. As an oldhammer player and veteran since 2nd Edition WFB, I’m not sure how to take it. Of course, this effects nothing in terms of playing WFB, I’ll still be able to play, but this new direction GW has taken, leaves me a bit undecided about this new release.
I’ve read tons about it on line, with mixed reviews that usually end up as “meh”, and comparisons to sigmar’s lot being more 40K than Warhammer fantasy. It makes me wonder if it’s not the fault of the game, but rather us old guard making all the noise.
It’s a brave departure for GW to be giving away the rules free, we warhammer players can jump straight in and play no problem (I will, at some point) but on the other hand, I can see their move being a canny conversion tool, designed to suck in existing players to the new stuff. I just think I’m not excited about it at all.
I’m old skool, I was brought up with GWs products and minis, they played a large role in my childhood and beyond, but I’m not crying about how it used to be, but maybe we hold this old period of gaming history in too high esteem. I’m not saying that WFB is the best wargaming system to ever grace this planet, sure it’s ok, but, I think we older gamers are just used to it. We have become set in our ways and hold Warhammer on a pedestal.
On the reverse, there are some things with Age of Sigmar (AoS) that don’t float my boat. don’t get me wrong, I’m still tempted to get the boxed set, who wouldn’t be. Everyone likes loads of miniatures. I just have some issues with the models themselves.
The Stormcast Eternals are my main gripe. I’m mixed about these. Even so years ago there were always going to be a celestial element versus chaos (ala the eternal champion influences from the early days) it had never panned out until now (only the chaos bit was expanded) The forces of order here, are a bit underwhelming, and far too space marine like for my liking. They are ok, but lack some oommff (So to speak)
Alternatively, if Sigmar is developed as a force, does this mean we’ll get some other new forces to represent the other lawful gods of the warhammer pantheon in a similar style? It’s possible, and could potentially create some really cool stuff.
The Khorne stuff in the box is ok, with a few good models and the rest sort of not. Again the similarities to 40k are apparent to me, so maybe this is trying to appeal to 40k players more than the rest. Since the 40k game is way more popular than WFB ever was, its a shrewd marketing move for them to do this, yeah I get it. Its just starting to feel like the warhammer fantasy flavour is from whats bolted on (like you can use your WFB armies and play it now with the free rules) Warhammer and all the miniatures from the previous incarnation, seems like its only now an afterthought to keep loyal WFB players who game in store, happy and subdued.
Also, some of the Khorne stuff seems a bit too S&M slannesh to me. Am I missing something, or is it just me?
I dunno, what it is with this, i’m in two minds. On one hand, this could be good eventually, and getting onboard with the game would be good. There’s a lot of great models coming out, and even though I’m not a fan of the prices GW charge, I’d buy a few bits (the rest from cheaper decent manufacturers!) but, on the other hand, it could be a fail and not interest me enough to play with the game, only to return to WFB or kings of war etc. At least the rules are free. Jesus, you could just play the game without the boxed set and play with whatever minis you like!
With my time, concentration and funds limited, I can’t make my mind up about it.
Please, share your thoughts, do you like it? have you played it? what do you think?
Grinning Skull Design Studios 
Having played a few friendly games of AoS, I can say it’s a really fun diversion from my usual 40k obsession. Now, I never played fantasy at all, never had any interest. But AoS caught my attention and has held onto it. I can see how dedicated Fantasy guys are angry though.
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I agree, I do think there might be some attempt to appeal to 40K players with the aesthetics of the models. I know as a 40K player myself when I first saw some of the Khorne models, I was tempted to buy them for 40K. I’m thinking particularly of the lord with a flesh hound on a leash, for example. The Sigmar guys doesn’t appeal to me so much, but to each their own of course.
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I like the ideas behind the revamp, but can’t make up my mind about it. I might be tempted to try the game out in 15mm using proxies, but I’ll have to try the game first. I don’t think I’ll be buying it though, I don’t like the models enough!!
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