Warhammer 40K & Age of Sigmar: Factions I’m Waiting For In 2021
We have a good handle on what GW will be producing into 2021. Here’s what I’m most anticipating:
Between formal announcements, and careful parsing of the existing codexes and battletomes, plus some examination of release dates we can put together a decent framework for early 2021 releases. Here’s what I’m most looking forward to.
Death Guard
This one’s a gimme. GW has been teasing out the XIVth Legion for weeks, but it will be good to see the full range and book hit the entire community. The minis look great and the Death Guard have earned their time after a year of non-stop loyalist marines. The extra wound and increased lethality will be most welcome and I would expect to hit January running with the legion.
Hedonites of Slaanesh
The big surprise reveal from over the holidays. The army is going to be coming with a big set of all-new miniatures from the Blissbarb Seekers to Sigvald and I cannot wait. It is clear that GW has been working up to this one for years with a lore tie-in to the escape of Slaanesh that occurred in Broken Realms Morathi. this one feels like late Q1.
Drukhari
An army that got almost no love in 8th Edition, is back with some new minis compared to last time. We have Lelith, along with Drayzar, Incubi and perhaps more. The army had its highs and lows during 8th so it will be great to see them get their 9th rework. Fingers crossed for new Mandrakes!
Dark Elves
It’s a shoo-in for 2020 after a year of Lumineth Realm-Lords and ever-escalating teases, as well as a possible Malerion appearance in Broken Realms:Morathi. The newly reimagined dark forces of Malerion are described as having a dark majesty. Many of the Dark Elves kits were redone towards the very tail end of Warhammer Fantasy 8th, so they are somewhat recent. I would bet on this faction being a hybrid similar to Daughters of Khaine, and incorporating many of the more recent WFB sculpts with some all-new ones. Let me speak for my fellow Americans and Canadians: NAGGAROTH FOREVER!
Adeptus Mechanicus
Also an early codex from 8th, the Ad Mech seems like more of a “catch up – tidying” release. They have had a boatload of miniatures released in 2019 and 2020, and a update in Psychic Awakening: Engine War. They need a new codex that includes everything in one place. I have a feeling they will also be getting some of the newer knights they missed in their current codex. We also just got a tease of an unknown new Ad-Mech mini on New Year’s day.
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Dark Angels
Another codex that needs to be brought into line with the new Marine Codex. I would expect to see the last of the unreleased Marine minis accompany in – in particular Heavy Intercessors, and the Storm Speeder which tie into the Chapter’s strengths. this feels like a one-and-done single week release. Probably sooner than later in Q1.
Broken Realms
The story in Morathi was a big deal and only the first chapter. I fully expect to see further volumes that focus on Malerion, and perhaps the other Aelf factions as they respond to the release of Slaanesh.
Machine Gun Codexes
In any case, if 8th is anything to judge things off of, GW will be raring to fire up the codex printing press and updating all the 8th codexes, once they get logistics up to full speed. I would not be surprised to see at least a dozen codexes redone – at least, in 2021. Get ready.
Long Shots
Emperor’s Children – Note that for almost two years now there have been many rumors of all-new armored Slaanesh minis both on foot and mounted on Daemonic steeds. Fulgrim’s design was also said to be on ice for over a year. It’s possible 2021 is the year of Slaanesh and after Hedonites get some love, the Dark Prince may worm his way into the Grimdark.
Traitor Guard – Again this goes back to the ease that GW could kick out the new range, as it is basically just a bunch of upgrade sprues for Astra MIlitarum, and it looks like they already did a lot of the design work for basic infantry, commissars, ogryn, and beastmen for Blackstone Fortress.
Astra Militarum – Speaking of the Guard, there have been recent whispers going around for a big infantry range update with multi-pose greatcoat guard. It’s been dreamed of for longer than a plastic Thunderhawk, but you never know.
~ What are you most looking forward to?
