I conducted this interview with Joe Wilding almost a year ago, certainly prior to the devastation wrought upon the Old World by GW’s End Times storyline so apologies if it seems a little out of date. Joe has been a part of Corehammer since our inception and it has been my distinct pleasure to have worked with him on a number of small projects over the last couple of years. Joe is a hugely talented artist with an illustrative style that takes heavy influences from northern european folklore, occult horror themes and western esoteric traditions. You can find his distinct artwork scattered throughout the underground gracing posters, t shirts and fanzines and most recently he provided the stunning artwork for the new Unholy Majesty album. Feast your eyes upon his Ashen Host, a High Elf army on the cusp of betrayal and read what this peculiar man has to say. You can check out more of Joe’s incredible artwork HERE Continue reading
Category Archives: Warhammer Fantasy
Age Of Sigmar Book Review: The Gates of Azyr, by Chris Wraight
A new game, with a completely new setting, means that we get boat loads of brand new stories and background. For someone who thinks the best slice of the Jervis Johnson Hobby Pie™ is fluff, I couldn’t be more stoked! So instead of diving right into the book review, we need some background. How did we get here, and who’s in the new world? Chaos won The End Times (again, the clue was in the name), and the Old World blew up, Sigmar clung to the metallic (hard)core, and was flung into the void. After meeting a celestial dragon, he founded a new realm of heavens/azyr, discovered that the 7 other winds of magic also had their own realm, and alliances were re-forged, plus there’s a 9th one for Chaos. Each seems to have remnants of the races from the old game, so there’s the narrative for you to use your existing collection. Anyway, as time is a flat circle, dudes fell out, Chaos went to war and conquered and corrupted said realms, so Sigmar went home, and locked the gates.
Which brings us the to this book, by the excellent Chris Wraight (author of Scars and Battle of the Fang) where we get inside the heads of each of the different units and characters included in the new boxed set, as this is a companion novel to the scenarios found within. Sigmar, with the help of Grugni, has forged an army of Stormcast Eternals, these are the new Sigmarines everyone is going crazy about, and they are at the forefront of the battle to reclaim all the realms from the foul grasp of Chaos.
Self Reflection in the Age of Sigmar – Brinton Williams
Given Corehammer’s current propensity for causing minor upset to specific corners of the gaming community, we figured it was time to cement that position and add our two pence worth to the (R)Age Of Sigmar discussion. My man Brinton Williams of San Francisco, California, stepped up to the plate to lend a calm voice of reason to the debate that’s currently causing perhaps the most intense nerd-rage meltdown since Uncle George decided that Greedo shot first. Here’s what Brinton had to say….
So it’s happening…probably the largest shakeup in Warhammer Fantasy Battle in 20+ years (some could argue ever) and the Old World as well as the old edition we once knew has been blasted away and replaced by the folks at Games Workshop (GW). Age of Sigmar, released this week online and in White Dwarf (and this weekend as a boxed set), strips away so much of what was believed to be core to the Warhammer experience that it is difficult to see it as the same game. What is left is a remarkably streamlined and entirely odd release that bears examining on a deeper level, even if you don’t specifically play Warhammer Fantasy. The folks over at GW have extraordinarily pulled away all of the safety nets around the game, forcing a player to stop and ponder exactly what kind of gamer they are, and crucially, who they choose to surround themselves with. Age of Sigmar challenges the player to consider a much wider range of social and competitive engagement, and in doing so, has fulfilled a design direction that GW has been pushing towards for years (and some could argue since the beginning).
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This is the end: What next for Warhammer?
When you spend over 300 quid on 5 books, the accompanying novels, a sweet t-shirt, and the net result is the destruction of the Warhammer world and 3 decade’s worth of fluff and literature, you have to question your sanity. The clue was in the name, they called it the End Times for a reason. Typically, the crybabies are upset, it’s all Matt Ward’s fault, and they’re firing shots from the cover of their keyboards. See this example directed at Josh Reynolds (author of the book 5 novel). So much rage, I’m guessing a new Chaos god of tears has been birthed
Ill Blood II – An All New Low – Warhammer Fantasy Tournament Draw
Tomorrow marks the second Ill Blood Warhammer Fantasy tournament at Dark Sphere in Altdorf London. Army lists are in a checked and all there is to do now is to turn up and roll some dice. Hopefully there should be some lively social media updates, so check #illblood on Twitter and Instagram for some war corrispondance from those who are witnessing it first hand.
But more importanly, here is the first round draw…
Talk: Chris Tomlin from The Black Sun
#fullkitwanker
We’re big fans of The Black Sun, the rowdiest of all the WHFB podcasts, but with sound knowledge, who love the fluff and background of the Warhammer world. After all, we were episode sponsors last year, and polluted the usual nu-metal breaks with some kerb-stomping hardcore. So, it was a no brainer when I was thinking of people to talk to about hobby, as Chris always has a lot to say, and is very passionate about WHFB. So have a read, and also check out Chris on Twitter for more of his musings
Talk: Dave O’ War from The Dwellers Below
Warhammer podcasts have become my commuting soundtrack, despite not even playing the game for 14 years now, as they entertain me and keep me from going Falling Down on the way to work. The rowdier the better, and our Australian friends, The Dwellers Below, are good at that. Recently, they’ve upped the stakes and started dropping some sweet metal tracks in the breaks too, with the mighty Electric Wizard being the highlight. So, we got Dave O ‘War to share his thoughts with us.
Talk: Ash Barker of Miniwargaming and Guerrilla Miniature Games
I’d previously enthused about Miniwargaming on the blog (see here), and then just after that, Ash joined the team. With his love of Warhammer, Infinity, Warmachine and metal, and solid gold video content, it was natural we’d want him to share his thoughts with us. You can also follow his new venture, Guerrilla Miniature Games on Facebook, YouTube and on his Blog
Hobby goals for 2015
Now that’s what I call a Pile Of Shame™
At the start of the year, we all make ambitious plans for multiple armies and to check out all the new hot games, but no plan survives contact with the enemy. Real life, work, family, stress, can’t be arsed, you name it, there’s always a hobby killer. So, without berating the crew for what they didn’t do in 2014, let’s see what plans we have.
End Of 2014 Chiller
Strength 10. Large mosh
2014 has been a good social year for Corehammer with the WHFB Ill Blood tournament, The Dark Throne 40K tournament, plus a couple of trips to Sanctuary Gaming Centre, so we closed the year out in style, with a chiller at Warhammer World, with all and sundry invited. “Let’s have an all-day Apocalypse battle, with a narrative” said David Ager*, so we booked the 6′ by 12′ board, sorted out a Loyalist v Traitors/Xenos rumble, and the warrior lodge descended on Games Workshop HQ
*the fucker never turned up