Big events are awesome. Not only do they give us a chance to play games and meet up with like-minded individuals, but even if you can’t attend the event in person there will be some sweet previews to check out online. That is sure to be the case this week with the Las Vegas Open. This event not only brings us the Warhammer 40,000 Championships but also a peek into all the lovely stuff heading our way in the next few months.
Last year we got a sneak peek at Forbidden Power, Warcry, Ylthari’s Guardians for Warhammer Underworlds, the Shadowspear boxset, the Sisters of Battle and of course our first look at the new Abaddon the Despoiler model. So, as you can expect, the hype is real when it comes to what we will see at the event.
Previews will be hitting the web in the early hours of Friday morning here in the UK, but I wanted to take a moment to ponder what these previews could be. Sure, my track record on successfully predicting these things in the past has not been great, but remember the old saying: even a broken watch is right twice a day. So, let’s have a look at what will might be talked about at the event and see if it’s my time to be right.
New Faction of Pointy Eared Warriors
Ok, so this is less of a prediction and more of a confirmed fact. At the Las Vegas Open we will get more of a look at the new race of Aelves for Age of Sigmar. As stated on the Warhammer Community, quote “LVO will also see a thrilling Warhammer Preview, packed with reveals, teases and cool stuff you didn’t even know you wanted to see – not least pointy aelves! There’ll also be some equally huge news for Warhammer 40,000”.
Now I’m not the biggest fan of Age of Sigmar (although I currently have a project in the works), but a lot of fantasy players have been keen to see a return of the classic High Elf army of years gone by. Now that is not to say that Aelves are not a known or even playable race in Age of Sigmar, but most breeds are changed in some way. Whether it be the serpentine Daughters of Khaine, the seafaring Idoneth Deepkin, or the tree-like Sylvaneth, none of the Aelves available fit the old school elf aesthetic.
Sure, you could player Cities of Sigmar and use the old range, but players were wanting new models and sculpts. Well, it looks like they are finally getting their wish. What we will actually see is still up for debate, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see a few units and a character of some kind. My money is on Teclis.
A New Beast Rises
With the Psychic Awakening Series’ fourth book Ritual of the Damned hitting shelves this weekend, and the next book, Greater Good, already seeing some minor previews, all eyes now turn to the sixth book in the series Saga of the Beast. Many (including myself) are under the impression that this book will focus on the Space Wolves (that’s the Saga part) and the Orks (the Beast).
Now each book has also been accompanied by the release of a new HQ choice for one of the factions present, and most of the time this has been a reimaged special character. Now while there is a chance that a noble Space Wolf hero like Blackmane could receive a new model (probably as a Primaris), I believe we are actually going to get our first look at the all-new Ghazghkull Thraka model, and he is going to be a big un.
Since the book references the “Beast”, an alpha leader that arises from within the Ork race when a warlord becomes powerful enough, there is a distinct possibility that that will be the primary focus of the book. Couple this with the fact that the strongest Ork in the known galaxy is the warlord of Armageddon himself, and the fact that his model is from way back in 3rd edition, and we have a solid chance that the new Ghazghkull could be hitting shelves soon.
A New Game?
Every year it seems that Games Workshop releases a new boxed game for our enjoyment. In the last few years we have had the new Kill Team box, Warhammer Quest: Blackstone Fortress and Warcry to name a few. So, I’m willing to bet that it is possible we will see some form of boxed game previewed at the Las Vegas Open. But the question is: what could this game be?
It is possible that we will get a new/re-release of Warhammer Quest, either jumping back into Age of Sigmar or, more likely, taking us to somewhere new in the 40k universe. While Blackstone Fortress is cool and has given us some great models and scenarios, I am keen to see what else could be explored in the grim dark future. Maybe we could go planet side and explore new worlds with our team of Rogue Traders or experience the closed confines of a hive city or space hulk. The possibilities are endless and I would love to see Games Workshop try something new with this game system.
Speaking of Space Hulk, there is just as much chance we could be revisiting a classic IP from Games Workshop’s past. GW has been on one heck of a nostalgia trip lately (which I for one love) and this could also be an opportunity for them to bring back a classic. Space Hulk, Epic scale, and Gothic are all games that would be warmly welcomed by the community as well as new gamers, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them announced at the event.
Who knows? We might even get Space Crusade.
What are you hoping to see at the Las Vegas Open? Let us know in the comments below, or contact me via twitter @MTGTengu and let me know what’s on your wishlist. If you have enjoyed today’s article, please like and subscribe to keep up to date with all we do here at Master of Magics. You want to support the site directly? You can join our Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Until next time though, remember: “There is no shelter for those who oppose the Imperium of man.”
