One of the attention-grabbing quirks of 2022’s Total War: Warhammer 3 is that it featured two main armies that by no means really existed within the tabletop recreation Warhammer Fantasy. Both Kislev (offended, ice-themed Russia) and Grand Cathay (mystical historical China) had lengthy featured within the lore, however exterior of a handful of fashions and a pamphlet of guidelines briefly out there for Kislev, neither had an actual presence on the wargaming battlefield.
It was a departure for the collection, which to that time had been virtually obsessively devoted about drawing its items and heroes from actual miniatures and military lists of the previous. But that does not imply developer Creative Assembly merely went rogue. The two factions have been created in collaboration with Games Workshop—a lot in order that GW went on to announce that Grand Cathay and Kislev could be factions in The Old World, its then nonetheless in-development revival of Warhammer Fantasy. Posts resembling this one even revealed that full guidelines for the 2 had already been written, to assist information the videogame’s implementation, and the implication was that new miniature ranges have been on the way in which.
Then, in 2024, The Old World launched. A full listing of supported factions for the sport was revealed, and neither faction was anyplace to be seen. The recreation as an alternative launched with Bretonnia and Tomb Kings on the forefront, and the vast majority of its vary has merely been re-releases and remasters of previous kits and sculpts—no wholly new armies to be discovered.
But it appears to be like like every little thing is lastly about to return full circle. During its preview present on the Las Vegas Open match, GW confirmed off a roadmap of upcoming releases for The Old World, rounding out all of the presently introduced playable factions—however with one conspicuous clean house for one thing new.
Reddit detectives rapidly labored out that the imprecise form on this clean spot is the truth is a Cathayan mountain vary from a selected piece of Total War: Warhammer 3 artwork. Though at first it appears tenuous, the likeness is certainly spot-on, suggesting this can be a cheeky reveal from GW that Grand Cathay is again on the menu.
Based on the faction’s roster in Total War: Warhammer 3, which means we are able to doubtlessly count on miniatures of dragons, flying cavalry, terracotta warriors, jade lions, and extra. And if Grand Cathay is returning, the probabilities appear good for Kislev ultimately too. Fans of big polar bears, keep tuned.
To be clear, none of that is formally confirmed but—we solely have the tease to go on. But I feel there’s sufficient proof right here for Total War: Warhammer 3 followers to get excited. If it’s true, it’s going to be an enormous new step for The Old World, representing a a lot bigger funding than re-releasing previous sculpts alongside a handful of recent ones. That’s excellent news for anybody who nonetheless pines for the glory days of Warhammer Fantasy—or received into the setting by way of the videogames, solely to be very confused to search out the tabletop model was already lifeless earlier than they might get into it.
What GW did formally showcase at LVO included new skeletons and vampires for Age of Sigmar, upcoming High Elf releases for The Old World, and the long-awaited return of the wicked Emperor’s Children to Warhammer 40,000, amongst different reveals. If you are a fan of the settings it is value having a browse even for those who do not play the wargames—there are some actually wonderful miniatures to ogle at there.
