Disappointed with new GW direction for Empire

[Balerion]

Guys like the OP just want five new infantry kits per release (nevermind the fact that your armybook is already full of them, and has more plastic kits to cover all the options than just about any other army does).

I have no problem with the contention that GW is greedy and makes release decisions based on it, but this particular case isn't really an example of that. How is it greedy for them to want to sell you ~1-2 monster kits and ~1-2 monstrous cavalry kits, but it would somehow be benevolent for them to have released an infantry 10-pack that you needed to buy four boxes of, or a box of five knights you needed to buy three of (probably in between griping that you already have 25 of the old ones).

[Battleworthy Arts]

Early 7th edition releases (those TERRIBLE state troops) almost ruined empire forever. This release is a step back in the right direction.

Give me a way not to have to field those reprehensible models (make greatswords core?), and I'll be back in the game for sure.

[m1acca1551]

Well i often use militia with state troop weapons to get around the ugly model syndrome and buy up and old kits ican find.

some of the new minis like the pope kit i really dislike, i will purchase all the charcters that go oon them from ebay but give the main a miss. everything else im rather liking except the the griffon....i will wait to release to go in and see one ib the flesh.

[LaughinGremlin]

To poster: Cross your fingers for Dogs of War, which may include halflings and pikemen and Gork-knows-what.

[lbecks]

GW really need model line editors.

Like Jes Goodwin on the entire Dark Eldar range.

[TsukeFox]

Dunno the pope Mobile looks-cheaply designed & like one good breeze will knock it down.
The wizard gizmos I hope that they are not pricy upgrades-but in any event the celestial wagon looks just as unstable.
New griffon looks like it is on steroids with its tiny head.

The magic laser is just crazy cool, dis not see that coming.I hope it has a nasty misfire chart.
Witch Hunter looks boss.

But where are the priest of Ulric & Mor? Rather see halfings, the Warwagon, the Ulric infantry & dwarfs.

And if we can all look back to the O&G release.
3 new models? No new monstersous calv or infantry. Suck magic items.

Bets on Empire getting lots of goodies?

[m1acca1551]

Id say empire are going to get a tonne of unit buffs, defensive/ward from wp and offensive from witch hunters. Magic items i reallly coulndt care about, aslong as the runefang is no longer part of that limited number of magic items and no a optional extra im going to be a happy empire general.

[Manling]

Yeah new models for state troops would be nice although i am kinda partial to the handgunner models both old and new.
Demi gryph knights look terrible. If they were like a Badass version of pegasus knights that could fly i would have been queing up to buy them.
Dont care for the new Popemobiles and wizard war towers. who ever said a stiff breeze looks like they would fold had it right.
Want the old Steamtank convrsion models. loved having a mobile sniper team and a mobile-Volley gun was pretty well amazing, And from what ive seen that type of thinking and creativity was great.
And really to those who say empire was "Boing" and "unfantasmic" well bully to you. Wizards and Warrior Priests casting spells and a Chariot hat casts bound Lore of Light spells, but your right we arent fantasy enough.

Empire is supposed to be a the cutting edge of Science and technology whilst also being at the forefront of Magical innovation. and while its nice that they are attempting to bring the magic out of the Empire Tecnology is where its at. Like if thy had made the Engineer mount from the last edition into a new Fast cav unit.

I am wary about demigryph knights on the whole and feel that they will most likely end up being a personal prefernce rather than a must take, just because i dont see them working well on the tabletop.

and Again dogs of war would be nice like Tilean pike units or halflings. I Want Wolfkin of Ulric. but Dwarfs? Come on. if you want to play dwarfs then i suggest you try out this new Army called Dwarfs, from what i understand they are pretty good.

[m1acca1551]

Even if the demi knights become a must have it will be nice to have an attacking unit capable of dealing damage and not just the standard hold the line boys we have at the moment.

T

[New Cult King]

The big Wizard Wagons or whatever they are seem to fit completely in line with some of the artwork for the Empire, as do the big Gryphon mounts (although I think the heads look a little small in the photos). I've never been a fan of the Empire aesthetic generally, but this new stuff really gives the army a distinct identity.

[Lord Squidar]

I think its a brilliant direction they have gone in. Less historical and more fantastical.

As for the 3 pope mobiles. The horses look pretty generic, so you can just swop them out. BUT look at how vastly different each of the toppings are. Solar system model and lense array in one box, its crazy! Imagine what you can do with the bits after getting one kit! Definately a blessing in plain sight.

[lbecks]

I think its a brilliant direction they have gone in. Less historical and more fantastical.

As for the 3 pope mobiles. The horses look pretty generic, so you can just swop them out. BUT look at how vastly different each of the toppings are. Solar system model and lense array in one box, its crazy! Imagine what you can do with the bits after getting one kit! Definately a blessing in plain sight.

I like crazy fantastical as well. My big complaint of the kits is the base is too small for them! They should be pulled by 4 horses.

[The Odor]

I like it. I know the guy around me who plays empire wont be to happy but I am happy over the direction Empire is taking. Also I am gonna loot the **** out of the Pope-mobile kit.

[knightime98]

Just stop and recognize that what is Warhammer Fantasy for 8th edition is - in my opinion - the last edition.

GW is running out of ideas. From 6th edition to 8th edition, the idea is to sell miniatures.

The end of 6th edition beginning of 7th edition - GW created a new army with all new minatures (Ogre Kingdoms)
They created the new infantry push to horde formations.. (sells more infantry kits)
They bolstered monsters (War Hydra, Hellpit, Storm of Magic anyone?)
They are now pushing Monstrous Mounts and Mounstrous Infantry
Lastly, they are now pushing Toys (laser contraption, War Altar (3 versions), and so on)

The point here is that GW is going into a new direction - to sell whatever models they can create.

The litmus test here is that after these ideas have dried up, what will be next?

I'm calling this the 'last golden age edition' of Warhammer Fantasy. I firmly believe that after this edition, no further models or ideas can be pushed anymore.

Without being able to sell "new" model kits, GW will be done. Old models are already in circulation by the buckets deflating the price.

GW will be in big trouble after this edition has run its course. In about 4 years, the game system will start to falter. So, I believe....

Make a good run of it while it last.

As for the rules of these things, it has to be put to light and tried before I can make any decisions. They look cool and eye catching, but alas, my wallet can't take that kind of abuse. So, we'll see what the new book brings.

Edit: To further this particular point. Car Wars, a Steve Jackson game had the same problem. They had to create new rules that became more complicated with more modules to the point that no one could understand them. The simple idea of Car Wars was grand and in the late 80's was golden. By the early 90's it had fallen to the way side curb.

If Car Wars is not a good measuring stick we can continue with Battle Tech. The same detriment hit them under the same circumstances. Too many releases of new rules that clashed with the starting game set. Eventually, both of these game systems became obsolete and played much less frequently. I draw my conclusion that Warhammer Fantasy may befall the same fate - once the last ideas have run out. I will say this for WHFB and GW thus far, they have updated and maintained a steady growth of ideas, models, and ingenuity. Once this comes to an end, so to will its game system. So, it seems to me as an observation.

[Urgat]

I don't really like those new warmachines either, to be honest. I liked that the Empire was less fantasy, the idea it was outclassed by the other species. Besides, adding two more warmachines? I like the griffon, just think the head is too small, like a pigeon. People wondered if the pigeon bomb is still there? I don't like how they changed Karl Franz's look either, you'd recognize him at first glance before, now, you'll just now it's him coz of... nothing. People will use that head because its' helmeted, whether they want to play KF or not. Ah well.

[eldargal]

You should have stopped after 'in my opinion', everything after was just lunatic.

I'm very happy with these new releases, I'm more worried about the rules. They don't need to be overpowered, just internally balanced and that is something Mr Cruddace isn't very good at, to date. I do think the griffon is perhaps the nicest citadel monster fter the Carmine dragon, love it. So majestic.

[BigbyWolf]

[i]I want a game of miniature soliders, not big toys.

Try Warhammer Historical.

The litmus test here is that after these ideas have dried up, what will be next?

9th Edition, to put it simply.

Frankly I remember people saying very similar things to what you said two editions ago, and it's still here. They'll freshen it up, trim the rules, swap out a few models, but Warhammer will go on.

[vcassano]

Obviously they are looking to make money, it is their responsibility to shareholders. However if they do that while also releasing more awesome and crazy new models, then there is no problem. You can still make an army without these new things and you could also use Halflings as archers if you wanted.

[StygianBeach]

The litmus test here is that after these ideas have dried up, what will be next?

I'm calling this the 'last golden age edition' of Warhammer Fantasy. I firmly believe that after this edition, no further models or ideas can be pushed anymore.

Without being able to sell "new" model kits, GW will be done. Old models are already in circulation by the buckets deflating the price.

Scale creep could be next?

Overall, I am undecided about the new Empire release. I do not like the big laser though, but I like the elaborate architecture on top of the WAlter. I think the Griffons head is fine.
At first glance I thought the demiGriffs looked rediculous, but I am slowly warming towards them.

My biggest problem now is how do I represent the new stuff in my Nippon Empire army?

[I3uLLioN]

The idea that this is the last edition of Warhammer and that the ideas are all but dried up is crazy! Half the world hasnt even been explored yet, whole nations remain unchartered and the existing 15 armies still have soo much potential. Warhammer may be 30 odd years old, but this is just the beginning!