Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Grand Cathay Army Officially Unveiled for Warhammer: The Old World
After a subtle preliminary hint from Games Workshop roughly two months prior, Grand Cathay, the ancient China-inspired faction, has been officially presented as a complete army of miniatures for tabletop Warhammer: The Old World. This reveal marks a significant moment for fans anticipating this army’s arrival in physical form.
A Long Road to the Tabletop
This faction, drawing inspiration from ancient China, has experienced a circuitous path to becoming a tabletop reality. Its journey began when Total War: Warhammer 3 confirmed its inclusion, disclosing a collaborative design process with Games Workshop. It was announced then that Grand Cathay would transition to the tabletop as a prominent faction for Warhammer: The Old World, the contemporary reimagining of the classic Warhammer Fantasy game.
Approximately four years have passed since that initial announcement. While Grand Cathay was ultimately well-received in its digital incarnation within the videogame, it never manifested as physical miniatures. The Old World game launched initially featuring Bretonnians and Khemri as central factions. Notably absent were entirely new factions like Grand Cathay, and subsequently, releases focused on factions like the Empire and High Elves, with no sign of these eastern kingdoms until now.
Grand Cathay Miniatures Showcase Impressive Detail
However, Grand Cathay has now been officially unveiled, showcasing a remarkable range of new model kits. The miniatures span from standard infantry units and heavy cavalry to war machines, all exhibiting exceptional detail and distinctive character. The artillery crew, in particular, stands out with its combination of a grumpy veteran and towering ogre assistant.
Exceptional Units Designed to Captivate
The more unique units within the Grand Cathay army are expected to particularly capture attention on the battlefield. The faction boasts a paper lantern-themed hot air balloon, a colossal terracotta sentinel golem, a drake-riding lord, and a dragon queen. These units provide a plethora of centerpiece models for hobbyists to dedicate their time and skill to painting and assembling.
What’s Next for Warhammer: The Old World?
Total War: Warhammer 3 enthusiasts can celebrate this release, but attention should also turn to what may come next. With Grand Cathay now realized on the tabletop, Kislev appears increasingly likely to be the next faction to emerge. Kislev was also announced for tabletop adaptation back in 2021, suggesting potential previews of frosty northern units before the current year concludes.
Adepticon Reveals Span Multiple Warhammer Games
The Old World was not the sole Warhammer game to receive announcements at Adepticon. The comprehensive reveal event included new Space Wolves for Warhammer 40,000, a new season of Spearhead for Age of Sigmar, the highly anticipated introduction of Tyranids to Kill Team, and further releases. The diverse range of intricately designed miniatures across the Warhammer universes makes the reveals worth exploring, even for those who do not actively play the games.