Educated speculation and a bit of rumor

[CommissarHughes]

So earlier this week I was at a GW and talking with one of the employees, and they hinted at something they heard as a sort of rumor in the company. it was this idea that for guard infantry they're thinking about doing one new kit of "great coats." 

 

If you look at Armageddon Steel Legion, Tallarn Desert Raiders, Vallhallan Ice Warriors, and Vostroyan Firstborn, they all have great coats of some description. The idea they want to try is making the one kit and then putting out upgrade sprews to change them to whatever regiment you want. For example, they put out a new box of ten Steel legion models and then put out the sprews to make them into Tallarn or Vallhallan models like the space marine shoulder pad sprews. There's also the possibility that they'll make one sprew of bodies and different sprews for the guns and heads to make them unique.

 

Apparently QW was very happy with the little Space Marine upgrade sprews, and they've got more in the works to take the edge off of Forge World. All the rest of the loyalist legions will get new upgrades at some point, and there are talks of making some popular Forge World chapters in plastic. keep in mind they made a lot of money off of just the four they've made so far and they would very much like to duplicate that success.

 

Also, almost all of their testing and development is dedicated to pushing out the last codex by of spring next year, don't expect too many new models before then.

[Mechanicus Tech-Support]

Ha! I remember being told about a greatcoat guard box by a red shirt waaaaay back in 3rd/4th, so Im taking this one with a mountain of salt, however with GW's recent track record of releasing things I thought I'd never see (custodes, sos, admech, GSC etc) I wouldn't be too surprised if we see an upgrade kit or even boxset. 

[Lhorke The First]

This would be great! I don't play guard but I would love to see all of those players be able to get their long-awaited plastic greatcoat kits.

[Galron]

This rumor as Tech Support there said has been teasing guard players for going on two decades. Believe it when I see it.

[Feral_80]

Yep, I've been hearing this for so long that I won't believe it at all until I see it.

It's quite obvious that the longer GW waits, the mire money they 'lose' to Anvil, Victoria, Mad Robots, etc. etc.

GW has plenty of good customizable model ideas to copy from, just do it dammit.

[tvih]

Hmm... while the listed forces indeed do have great coats of some sort, they're different enough in style that a common kit as a basis for the torsos would alter the visual style of these forces quite considerably. If I couldn't make Steel Legion or Vostroyan soldiers similar enough in style to the current ones, I'd rather just skip such a new kit probably. And, of course, while it's nice to have the option for chapter upgrade kits with the marines for example - and I've bought some GW IF/CF/BT upgrades as well as from FW - they're rather expensive for what you get in them at the end of the day.

[Withershadow]

Yes, I assume these new greatcoat guards will be sold as part of a new boardgame that also includes plastic sisters of battle, and the whole thing will be packaged inside a plastic Thunderhawk.

[WarriorFish]

Indeed, this requires a lot of salt. Aside from hearing this before the various regiment appearances aren't that similar - Tallarn are quite different to Steel Legion for example so that won't really work as an upgrade sprue without being overly complicated. Perhaps a system of torsos and legs more like, but as mentioned I'll believe it when I see it

[Major_Gilbear]

I could see a new generic IG/AM kit, one with some sort of long coats, but I think the different regiments' distinct looks is a key reason why this has never happened. Well, that, and the fact that GW already have two plastic regiments.

 

That said, I'd be delighted with something like this:

 

 

It would mix well with the existing plastic Cadians style-wise, and would be easy enough to paint in large numbers. It would also not be too hard to convert into other new/existing regiments compared to the current plastic choices, and would compliment the existing ranges well.

 

As ever though, lots of salt on this favourite of IG rumours! :D

[Ranulf]

MG, I'm pretty sure that Jes Goodwin sketch has been floated a thousand times for a potential guard regiment - and it's what initially inspired my new third-party IG, it's awesome. 

 

In regards to a greatcoat Guard plastic release, I heard the same ten years ago. It's a rumour up there with plastic sisters. 

[Sete]

"Also, almost all of their testing and development is dedicated to pushing out the last codex by of spring next year, don't expect too many new models before then."

 

This makes me think it's legit.

 

You are doing the Emperor's work.

Also FW chapters in plastic? Minotaurs would be my bet. They were talked about in codex DG.

 

Also:

"All the rest of the loyalist legions will get new upgrades at some point, "

 

Legions or chapters?

Edited October 29, 2017 by Sete

[OnboardG1]

There are some basic archetypes for guard. Greatcoat, parade uniform and fatigues. I could see them doing some mix-and-match style kits that focus on that. Not that I think my catachans will benefit, I suspect I'll still be stuck spending 30 quid per squad on the command squad sprues.