I will be updating this thread on a regular basis. It is not meant to replace the other Mantic threads, but is intended to be a one stop read for those who don't have the time nor the inclination to search multiple threads.
These Mantic Fantasy and General rumours have been updated as of March 31st, 2012.
Recent updates are in Green. Sources are from a combination of contacts within Mantic, hobby industry insiders, video and online interviews, with the odd tidbit picked up from this and other forums, and Mantics own Newsletter and Website.
GENERAL MANTIC NEWS
-The new Kings of War rulebook is being planned as a June release. It will feature 8 armies and include rules for sieges, magic items, tournament play and special advanced rules.
-Only 7of the 8 armies will have been produced by the time the rulebook is released.
-3 new armies will be coming in an expansion to the rules in 2014, rather than rushing to get them into the hardback.
-Ronnie expects this version of the KoW rulebook to have no major revisions for the next 5 years.
-With the rules being fixed for the next 5 years, Ronnie expects Mantic to focus on boardgame style releases for 2 months of each year, with miniatures being the focus the remaining 10 months of each year.
-New warhost-style starter sets coming, with rules, dice and wound counters to give people a lower entry point to the game.
-Expect Orcs & Goblins vs Undead in the starter set.
-Mantic will soon be launching their own new Podcast with the introductory episode spotlighting the upcoming Pandora game and featuring an interview with Mr Jake Thornton himself.
-Ronnie has stated that starting in 2012 it's Mantic's intention to alternate monthly releases between their systems, with a few surprises being thrown in of course.
DWARF KING'S HOLD
- Ancient Grudge is the latest expansion for the Dwarf Kings Hold series of games.
- Introduces multiplayer rules, warbands, new races, and a couple new rooms to the game series.
- Because it is an expansion, and not a full game on it's own, you will also need one of the previous Dwarf Kings Hold sets to use this set.
ELVES
No news or rumours at this time.
UNDEAD
-The next miniature undead unit will be 3 "giant wights". no further info on them yet.
DWARVES
-Ronnie has again stated that Dwarven Cavalry will eventually be released. No timeline given however.
-Ronnie also has mentioned them as mounted on Badgers. Although it's unclear as to whether this was a joke or meant to be taken seriously.
ABYSSAL DWARFS
-Ronnie has confirmed restic releases for the Abyssal Dwarves for later this year. They will include restic halfbreeds as well as large mortars, while the other releases will be announced at a later date.
-Slave Orcs will be part of this release. Ronnie has stated they will be based on the current Orc sprues although likely with different arms. Their official Mantic paint scheme will also like be something other than green, to reflect the fact that they have spent a lifetime underground.
ORCS
-Rumours are that Orcs with bows will be coming out at a later date.*
TWILIGHT KIN/EVIL NAUGHTY ELVES
No news or rumour updates at this time.
GOBLINS
-Ronnie has confirmed a plastic(unclear if restic was meant) unit of goblin archers will be released later in the year.
-No release date given, but Ronnie has stated that the archers are currently away being tooled, so it's sounds like maybe a bit sooner than later.
-Ronnie has also stated that the goblin spearmen will be redone plastic (possibly he meant restic). It sounds like this is planned to be done in time for the new KoW starter set.
[B]Werewolfs[B]
*Insert howls of delight from gaarew here*
-Confirmed by Ronnie. We can expect werewolfs later this year. Ronnie stated they will be plastic, but again he might have meant restic. No further details yet.
[B]TROLLS[B]
-Trolls are currently in the works and could be released before the end of the year.
-It's a little unclear how big a release this will be, but expect them as supportive units rather than their own army.
OGRES
-Rumblings of Ogres from Mantic have been going on for quite a while now, and I'm pleased to say that Ronnie has confirmed they will be released as a mercenary unit after the trolls, so we're likely looking at Ogres early in the New Year 2013.
-I have to admit I was hoping for an Ogre army, but a mercenary unit is at least a start.*
HUMANS
-Indications are that Ronnie feels that humans are already well represented in the Fantasy market by other manufacturers plastic ranges. It sounds like there are no immediate plans for Mantic to put out their own.
-Whenever mantic does do them, expect the first human army they do to be of a "good" alignment base.
DEMONS
-Demons were mentioned for the first time at Mantics Open House. No further details on this possible army yet, although they might just exist as possible support units for the Twilight Kin army list.
A big update! Lots of news! I don't think I've been this excited about fantasy releases for almost a year. Lots of great stuff coming up.
However if anybody does hear of anything else, please let me know. Thanks to everybody who contributed.
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Originally Posted by strewart
orlanth1000
