Could we really see the return of EPIC in the near future? That is the question we are asking in today's blog entry.

With Titanicus almost done (see below), Aeronautica definitely done in terms of new releases, and The Old World already planned as separate project, is there room in the specialist game area for Epic? I believe there is, and I honestly think its going to be hinted at very soon, maybe at Warhammer Fest which at the time of writing this blog entry, is only Two days away.

Before we get to the speculation, a bit of history! If you aren't familiar with Epic, it used to be one of Games Workshop's core game systems, and was played using miniatures in the 6mm scale, to better represent the massive and grandiose battles you often see in 40K artwork. It was back in 1988 when Adeptus Titanicus arrived in its first incarnation, which was just Titans vs Titans set in the Heresy era. It was followed a year later by Space Marine, which allowed for 6mm Infantry to join the fight, and the Epic game as we know it was born - in fact a lot of background fluff for the Horus Heresy was first written during this time, some of which then evolved into what we now see as Horus Heresy concrete lore! There was also a book called Codex Titanicus which had rules for Eldar, Orks and Imperials to get involved, along with some rules and articles that had previously been published in White Dwarf.

In 1991 we then got the 2nd edition of Space Marine, and this moved the setting to the 41st Millennium and this really was the Golden age of Epic if you ask me. You had everything from Space Marines to Squats, every current race (at the time - no Tau or Necrons back then!) had forces for Epic, and you could field units in Epic that just weren't possible in 40K. I remember walking into Games Workshop for the first time in 1993 and seeing all the boxes of Epic minis and vehicles, things like Great Gargants and Eldar Titans and just being in awe of it all, and a little scared! At the time I was just starting in the hobby and learning 40K, and it wasn't until 1994 when Titan Legions arrived, that I first played Epic properly. My friend got the Titan Legions box and we played the game with me often being the Orks, as he loved the Imperator Titan. 

In 1997, the Third edition of Epic arrived with a new boxed set called EPIC: 40,000. I bought this box, and I loved it, but sadly it wasn't that well received and disappeared off shelves after 6 months, and I never actually got to have a game of this rule set. I did manage to paint up some of the Land Raiders and Whirlwinds as Imperial Fists though. The box ended up being put away, and then eventually disappearing from the garage which looking back, is slightly annoying!

There was a further rule set released as a book only, called Epic: Armageddon, but that was pretty much it from GW in terms of Epic support.

Anyway, enough about the history of Epic and my lamenting about lost starter sets, what about now, what about the return of Epic?

Looking at what we have at present, Adeptus Titanicus is the closest thing we have to Epic, which is approx 8mm in scale according to Games Workshop, but personally I hope any future infantry is 6mm or maybe 7mm, to better show off the scale of Titans, but that's just me. This new version of Adeptus Titanicus has been around for a few years now, and they have just announced a campaign compendium book which releases this coming weekend, and compiles all the previous campaign expansions together along with custom Legio rules. While this might not signal the end, you could easily argue that this book could indicate the wrap up of Adeptus Titanicus, and the parking of any further development. But what about all the AT kits?

Well, If they do bring back Epic, that would allow all the models and terrain to stay on sale, and be usable for both AT and whatever form new Epic takes.

Adeptus Titanicus would still be active as a game, but complete, with no further expansions, and the development focus would shift to Epic, with all the Titans, Knights and terrain being usable in both game systems, most likely with a packaging change.

This could also be the same for the Aeronautica Imperialis stuff - that game seems to have finished in terms of development, but there's some amazing miniatures available and all it would take is a packaging change and hey presto, flyers for Epic.

Lets assume for a minute that it IS returning - how will it work rules wise, and what will the setting be?

For the rules, I don't think they will be an expansion or a 'bolt on' set of rules for Adeptus Titanicus, I think it would be a separate game system and rule set entirely.

For the setting, I suppose the Horus Heresy would make financial sense for GW, as they can make a starter with identical sprues, and in past Warhammer Community article interviews they have hinted that if they expanded to Epic, it would likely be the 30K era, but that was pre-pandemic and things can change. Ideally, it would be 40K, then all races can have a play in the Epic sandbox, and with races like Tau and Leagues of Votann, the scope is amazing, but its more of a risk for our evil plastic dealer overlords.

There is another option for the setting, both! - I made a video about the return of Epic, and once of the comments about the setting was "I don’t see why GW should pick between Heresy and 40K. Have the lore do a high level of the whole history of the setting, have a couple pages on some “Epic” size battlefields (Heresy, Armageddon, Cadia falling, etc), come up with rules that cover all setting then just pump out armies".

I actually love that idea! Having the setting encompass the entire 10 millennia of 'Epic' warfare would satisfy all parties, and give them the scope to explore some legendary battles and wars throughout the history of 40K, right from the days of 30K up to present day Indomitus era.

First war for Armageddon, Macragge, Ichar, Piscina, Badab War, Damocles, Age of Apostasy, Rynns World... the scope is incredible in terms of what they could explore!

Personally, I think its about time that Epic made a return, officially, but as above the questions we need to be asking is how will it return rules wise, and when will it be set? Also, they need to do it in a way that will not kill off the Titanicus game, as that is a solid set of rules with an active following. 

With Warhammer Fest happening this weekend at the time of writing, if they do reveal anything there, my guess would be only a hint or a tease of Epic, perhaps just a logo reveal, and it may well tie in with the Horus Heresy reveal that they have planned. Heresy Thursday's have been put on hold until later in the year, and while this will allow for the spotlight to be on 10th edition 40K, I don't think its the sole reason for them to pause Heresy Thursday.

Do you remember Epic, during the Golden era of Space Marine 2nd edition and Titan Legions, or was it before your time?