Video games Workshop did one thing actually good with the Helsmiths of Hashut military roll out. It’s a blueprint for future releases.
This weekend marks the official launch of the Helsmiths of Hashut military. Sure, they did have a military field that was launched beforehand. However that was a restricted run. Now, the battletome in addition to remainder of the military are going out for pre-order. However that’s probably not the blueprint I’m speaking about. That’s all been completed by GW earlier than. No, what I’m referring to is how these kits all work. Apart from two kits, each single one among these releases has two completely different builds for them. That’s what we have to see extra of from GW’s new military releases.
“However GW has launched tons of dual-purpose kits earlier than. This isn’t new in any respect!” Sure, they’ve certainly launched a great deal of dual-kits. However go take a look at the current new armies. Their launches didn’t comprise this many dual-purpose kits. For instance, the Leagues of Votann from 40k. For those who have a look at what that military initially rolled out with there actually wasn’t a ton of variety from their launch.
That they had a handful of models and whereas it made the core of the military, you mainly needed to copy+paste the identical batch of models to get to a 2000 level listing. “Oh however that’s simply how 40k is with models.” Okay, positive. I get that you just’ll doubtless need a number of squads of Hearthkyn Warriors as your fundamental troop. However what in regards to the Cities of Sigmar launch?
When the Cities of Sigmar got here out, all of their models have been mainly one-and-done choices. The Freeguild Steelhelms couldn’t even be constructed as Freeguild Fusiliers. The Ironweld Nice Cannon can’t be constructed as a mortar or another variant. And the Freeguild Cavaliers are simply that…there’s not a distinct model primarily based on the identical equipment.
I don’t suppose that’s inherently a foul factor for these kits to simply be used as one unit. There’s much less waste by way of bits. Nonetheless, which means when the military launches, you really want to have a LOT of recent containers able to go. So how in regards to the Helsmiths of Hashut?
The Helsmith Blueprint
Their core unit of Infernal Cohorts can have both swords or spears. That’s really fairly frequent for a lot of the “line infantry” for the AoS vary. But it surely doesn’t cease there. The Infernal Razers can have Grizmalok Blunderbusses or Karagthrun Flamehurlers. This will seriously change the way you wish to place and use this unit.
The Helsmiths of Hashut have one equipment for his or her artillery that may be constructed because the Deathshrieker Rocket Battery or a Tormentor Bombard. Or the Dominator Engine will be constructed for melee with bane maces or with immolation cannons for extra of a ranged risk. To not point out all the varied bits in that equipment for additional customization.
The Bull Centaurs are again with two completely different variations, the Daemonsmith is a personality that may be even be constructed as an Ashen Elder. Shoot, even their bit centerpiece equipment, the Infernal Taurus, is usually a generic hero or the named character Urak Taar.
That’s the purpose I’m making an attempt to drive residence right here. And these are all a part of the preliminary launch. Actually, the one two kits that aren’t dual-kits are the Conflict Despot (that also has a number of construct choices) and the Hobgrot Vandalz. For a brand new military launch which means fewer SKUs for shops to inventory and extra “models” from the identical set of recent releases. That’s a win for any retailer trying to carry this new military and a win for anybody trying to begin enjoying this military.
That doesn’t imply that the Helsmiths of Hashut are completed as a military both. I’m positive there’s new stuff GW may add to this military sooner or later. However the core of the military is ready — and it’s popping out swinging. That’s 9 containers that enable for 16 completely different models to be constructed (relying on the way you’re counting the Infernal Cohorts spears vs swords). For a brand new military launch that’s waaaay higher than having good containers for 9 completely different models.
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Sooner or later, I hope new armies additionally get the identical therapy. Having combo kits is an effective method to fill out a roster for a brand new military and to offer gamers choices. GW did it proper with the Helsmith’s new launch!
Author, Editor, Texas Native, and now Tex-Pat, Adam covers all issues Tabletop Gaming. Which incorporates Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Video games and every thing else that entails cube, boards, playing cards and a desk.
A hobbyist, participant, and collector of miniatures and video games, Adam’s present obsession are his Dying and Chaos Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, an increasing assortment of Marvel: Disaster Protocol minis, and his ever rising Arkham Horror: The Card Sport Assortment.
