Grotmas Calendar 2025

[Ming the Merciless]

3 hours ago, Nephaston said:

 

Harlequins detachment has an infantry focus, while this one might lean on the weaver serpent type vehicles. Court of the Phoenican I can see being all-in on Fulgrim and Daemon Princes but that can go either way. Maybe third time is the charm on Sagas.

 

I think(hope) there's a chance the Aeldari detachment may be Corsair & Drukhari based and named after Duke Sliscus' Sky Serpents.

Edited Monday at 12:51 PM by Ming the Merciless

[Lord Marshal]

Honk honk.

[01RTB01]

12 minutes ago, Lord Marshal said:

Honk honk.

Christmas Goose?!? 

[Indy Techwisp]

Battleline Harlequins Detachment.

Poor Solitaire missing out on the Enhancements tho.

[HeadlessCross]

2 hours ago, Indy Techwisp said:

Poor Solitaire missing out on the Enhancements tho.

I was hoping he'd get access to at least one, but Solitaires are already good as is if you're the type of player that doesn't let them die after one activation. 

 

Anyway, yeah. MUCH better than the Harlequins codex detachment by a mile. Uppydowny woth Skyweavers makes me want to use a unit with Star Bolas since I might get multiple shooting activations with them. 

 

Still worse than the glaive but whatever. 

[DarkChaplain]

Four detachments back to back and AoS is sitting there with a short story and something that should've been released last month as it is part of the existing General's Handbook season, not anything extra.

 

Man, they better be coming up with some real interesting Regiments of Renown and other AoS content during the next two weeks. They're not even bothering to switch it up at this point.... This Grotmas really is ill-conceived so far.

[Indy Techwisp]

4 minutes ago, DarkChaplain said:

Four detachments back to back and AoS is sitting there with a short story and something that should've been released last month as it is part of the existing General's Handbook season, not anything extra.

 

Man, they better be coming up with some real interesting Regiments of Renown and other AoS content during the next two weeks. They're not even bothering to switch it up at this point.... This Grotmas really is ill-conceived so far.

 

6 days worth of detachments with presumably the last day of that week being the balance dataslate (which itself might be marketed as a Grotmas article).

 

Hopefully AoS do get more content, but I wouldn't put it past GW to do nothing but short stories and painting guides after this.

[TheMawr]

1 hour ago, DarkChaplain said:

Four detachments back to back and AoS is sitting there with a short story and something that should've been released last month as it is part of the existing General's Handbook season, not anything extra.

 

Man, they better be coming up with some real interesting Regiments of Renown and other AoS content during the next two weeks. They're not even bothering to switch it up at this point.... This Grotmas really is ill-conceived so far.

 

3 of those 6 "grotmas" detachments literally should have been released in september, not according to rumor or speculation, but according to GW themselves. Those arent anything extra either. Its not as if AoS specifically gets done dirty here or something. ( link : https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/enrrjrvl/the-warhammer-40000-balance-dataslate-developers-commentary/ )

When it comes to those kind of extras like online stories, extra rules and campaign like stuff.. AoS generally gets threated much better than 40k. Its just that Stormcast arent featured as much as Spacemarines in all kind of other media, merchandise, BL novels etc. 

As primarily a 40k fan (though I do like AoS as well) If I could, I would switch AoS and 40k treatment in a heartbeat, and when they think about it.. I think primarily AoS fans really wouldnt. (except die hard stormcast amd possibly CoS fans probably ;) )

 

And the reason they dont switch it up is because these detachments are balance dataslate releases spread out instead of at once, so the timing wouldnt add up if they switch it up.

 

 

 

[Indy Techwisp]

2 minutes ago, TheMawr said:

 

3 of those 6 "grotmas" detachments literally should have been released in september, not according to rumor or speculation, but according to GW themselves. Those arent anything extra either. Its not as if AoS specifically gets done dirty here or something. ( link : https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/enrrjrvl/the-warhammer-40000-balance-dataslate-developers-commentary/ )

When it comes to those kind of extras like online stories, extra rules and campaign like stuff.. AoS generally gets threated much better than 40k. Its just that Stormcast arent featured as much as Spacemarines in all kind of other media, merchandise, BL novels etc. 

As primarily a 40k fan (though I do like AoS as well) If I could, I would switch AoS and 40k treatment in a heartbeat, and when they think about it.. I think primarily AoS fans really wouldnt. (except die hard stormcast amd possibly CoS fans probably ;) )

 

And the reason they dont switch it up is because these detachments are balance dataslate releases spread out instead of at once, so the timing wouldnt add up if they switch it up.

 

To be fair, the "Marine Equivalent" Factions in AoS do get decent enough representation (those being Stormcast Eternals and Slaves to Darkness), but both also aren't really the "main guys" anymore either.

 

Don't get me wrong, SCE are still the posterboys like Marines are, but in comparison to actual AoS they've slid into more of a "Big Background Guy" role while Cities of Sigmar have stepped up as the main PoV faction. Likewise S2D are still a major villain faction, but they're now more of a "Fallen Empire" that's been pushed aside by new enemies rising in the waning Age of Chaos (specifically Nagash. Skaven want to be the new big bad, but it's still Nagash and his 4 pet factions).

 

40k's Space Marines and Chaos Space Marines are forever going to be the big hitters and main players in the setting, no matter how much Xenos and the humans of the Imperium get to play in the sandbox.

[skylerboodie]

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/9sn7qfxn/grotmas-calendar-day-9-silent-knights-unholy-knights/

[01RTB01]

No EC detachment then as tomorrow is grey Knights which makes the 6?

 

Hope always the first step to disappointment.

[Casual Heresy]

39 minutes ago, skylerboodie said:

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/9sn7qfxn/grotmas-calendar-day-9-silent-knights-unholy-knights/

 

This link is for last year's Knight and Imperial Knight detachments.

 

So still a chance for there to be an Emperor's Children detachment @01RTB01.

[skylerboodie]

oops, good spot @Casual Heresy, no wonder WarCom took it down again so quickly! Was on there latest news this morning

[Lord Marshal]

Court of the Phonecian today.

[Joe]

And Space Wolves tomorrow, presumably, given we're 5/6 for the leaked names now. And Space Wolves do decorate their gear in skulls. Just of the animal variety.

[01RTB01]

2 hours ago, Casual Heresy said:

 

This link is for last year's Knight and Imperial Knight detachments.

 

So still a chance for there to be an Emperor's Children detachment @01RTB01.

That's what I get for trying to read things in the early hours having been awake for hours.

 

Nice surprise this morning after all. It's a very CP thirsty force but I look forward to giving it a run out. 

 

Being able to add a lord Exultant to flawless blades could be fun and extra shenanigans with fulgrim will be great. 

[Gree]

Huh, so it's actually a new detachment, not just a rework of Slaanesh's Chosen. +1 Strength and AP on the charge looks good. Lord Exultant can lead Flawless Blades with an enhancement. Fulgrim has discounted strats.

[LSM]

While it will take some unpacking, it seems like an interesting mix of things. It's not a re-write of Slaanesh's Chosen (which remains a bit naff - and hopefully gets changed in the dataslate) like Nightmare Hunt was unto Dread Talons, it's still not the Sonic Cult detachment that I'm pining for, and while it helps Fulgrim out it's not entirely written for him in such a way that he's necessary. 

 

Initial thoughts:

• Sensational Performance (+1S/AP on the Charge, with not-entirely-redundant caveats) is a good bonus for characters, monsters, and Infractors. Flawless Blades already can Wound on a flat 3+ and have a high AP-3, so (despite the Enhancement to allow a Lord Exultant join them) I think if someone really loves the 'Flawless they'll stick with Peerless Bladesmen. It will be interesting to see if this helps (foot) Daemon Princes, Terminators and Spawn show up more.
• Fulgrim getting a couple strats for 1/0CP is a nice bonus little bonus, without making this overwhelmingly the "if you want to play Fulgrim, play this detachment" detachment.
• Exalted Patron is quite good - remember, a Lord Exultant will give the Flawless Blades [Lethal Hits]. It will be interesting to see if this opens up people taking LEs with Power Swords (instead of Spears), with the flat 3+ to-Wound from the 'Flawless making the Spear's [Lance] less important.
• Spiritsliver is handy (+1S/A), though the "no Hit/Wound modifiers" and "battle-shock tests" less so.
• Contemptuous Disregard is handy, providing some crutch ranged survivability. 
• Prideful Superiority is good, but expensive (2CP) for everyone but Fulgrim, and a lot of our heavy hitters already Hit on 2+. 
• Sinuous Breach probably means that Fulgrim's not getting that ability natively. Also helps Princes and Maulers, though they don't need it like Fulgrim often does.
• Close Quarters Excruciations is appreciated, for Noise Marine aficionados. Might also be useful for Tormentors or Terminators, though probably not worth spending the CP on them.
• Euphoric Inspiration could be really good for (foot) Daemon Princes, who will already be hiding out alongside infantry (to get Lone Op and give an additional point of AP to Charging units).
• Catalytic Stimulus's pseudo-Surge Move (towards nearest enemy, rather than whoever shot you) is a nice tool for closing the distance.

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:06 PM by LSM

[HeadlessCross]

1 hour ago, LSM said:

While it will take some unpacking, it seems like an interesting mix of things. It's not a re-write of Slaanesh's Chosen (which remains a bit naff - and hopefully gets changed in the dataslate) like Nightmare Hunt was unto Dread Talons, it's still not the Sonic Cult detachment that I'm pining for, and while it helps Fulgrim out it's not entirely written for him in such a way that he's necessary. 

 

Initial thoughts:

• Sensational Performance (+1S/AP on the Charge, with not-entirely-redundant caveats) is a good bonus for characters, monsters, and Infractors. Flawless Blades already can Wound on a flat 3+ and have a high AP-3, so (despite the Enhancement to allow a Lord Exultant join them) I think if someone really loves the 'Flawless they'll stick with Peerless Bladesmen. It will be interesting to see if this helps (foot) Daemon Princes, Terminators and Spawn show up more.
• Fulgrim getting a couple strats for 1/0CP is a nice bonus little bonus, without making this overwhelmingly the "if you want to play Fulgrim, play this detachment" detachment.
• Exalted Patron is quite good - remember, a Lord Exultant will give the Flawless Blades [Lethal Hits]. It will be interesting to see if this opens up people taking LEs with Power Swords (instead of Spears), with the flat 3+ to-Wound from the 'Flawless making the Spear's [Lance] less important.
• Spiritsliver is handy (+1S/A), though the "no Hit/Wound modifiers" and "battle-shock tests" less so.
• Contemptuous Disregard is handy, providing some crutch ranged survivability. 
• Prideful Superiority is good, but expensive (2CP) for everyone but Fulgrim, and a lot of our heavy hitters already Hit on 2+. 
• Sinuous Breach probably means that Fulgrim's not getting that ability natively. Also helps Princes and Maulers, though they don't need it like Fulgrim often does.
• Close Quarters Excruciations is appreciated, for Noise Marine aficionados. Might also be useful for Tormentors or Terminators, though probably not worth spending the CP on them.
• Euphoric Inspiration could be really good for (foot) Daemon Princes, who will already be hiding out alongside infantry (to get Lone Op and give an additional point of AP to Charging units).
• Catalytic Stimulus's pseudo-Surge Move (towards nearest enemy, rather than whoever shot you) is a nice tool for closing the distance.

 

Regarding Exalted Patron, if anything it makes the Spear even more important. You're going to be able to punch up into the normal targets being wounded on a 4+ suddenly to a 2+. That can kill a wounded Knight or Norn.

 

Fulgrim gets better with the detachment, but I still don't think he's worth it. I just see the detachment as a somewhat worse Cotorie late game, but early game it could be better than the other detachments. Personally I'm just looking forward to Maulerfiends conferring an aura to help charges. 

[Marshal Loss]

Not shabby though a bit hard to judge with the balance dataslate literally around the corner. Exalted Patron allowing a Lord Exultant to join Flawless Blades is a great interim option while we wait for a Flawless Blade character down the road and Close-Quarters Excruciation will help Noise Marines push through more damage on tougher targets from time to time. Looks like fun and I'll give it a crack.

 

I'd have really preferred Fulgrim getting the ability to ignore terrain innately (even if with the once per round restriction), it will remain a huge problem for him in other detachments, but we'll see what he's like after the balance pass. 

[Indy Techwisp]

So I guess the Balance Dataslate distracted everyone because the Space Wolf Detachment was released.

 

Quoting from the end of the article:

Quote

That’s your lot of new Detachments for this year, but don’t miss the quarterly balance update, which is also out today. And stay tuned to the Grotmas Calendar for more new lore, game rules, and hobby guides in the coming days.

So no more surprise Detachments, but reference to more game rules in the calendar. Probably for AoS, but you never know, maybe some random Killteam unit that doesn't already have a 40k datasheet will get it released.

[Vassakov]

2 hours ago, Indy Techwisp said:

So I guess the Balance Dataslate distracted everyone because the Space Wolf Detachment was released.

 

Quoting from the end of the article:

So no more surprise Detachments, but reference to more game rules in the calendar. Probably for AoS, but you never know, maybe some random Killteam unit that doesn't already have a 40k datasheet will get it released.

 

I don't think there's anything outstanding for 40k now, unless they're going to preview Titus.

 

Also - it is acceptable for other systems to get nice things as well. Hell, if they really wanted to drop a nice surprise, some new missions for Heresy?

[Tastyfish]

2 hours ago, Indy Techwisp said:

So I guess the Balance Dataslate distracted everyone because the Space Wolf Detachment was released.

 

Quoting from the end of the article:

So no more surprise Detachments, but reference to more game rules in the calendar. Probably for AoS, but you never know, maybe some random Killteam unit that doesn't already have a 40k datasheet will get it released.

There's also usually a Christmas game/mission for the various 41st Millenium games with the Christmas miniature, don't think we've had rules and a mission for the Tinbot yet (and I know everyone is desperate for some).

[Moonstalker]

2 hours ago, Indy Techwisp said:

So I guess the Balance Dataslate distracted everyone because the Space Wolf Detachment was released.

 

Quoting from the end of the article:

So no more surprise Detachments, but reference to more game rules in the calendar. Probably for AoS, but you never know, maybe some random Killteam unit that doesn't already have a 40k datasheet will get it released.

 

I think I'm feelin the points drops more than the detachment.  Grey Hunters getting a hefty points drop is really welcome.  I'm not really keen on most of the Enhancements.  Lance for a WGBL is good, but Battle-shock for a Wolf Priest is meh.  Being able to bring a terminator captain and attach him to a Wolf Guard Terminators squad is cool but I'm not sure he actually makes the cut?  Like are you going to bring 3 squads of terminators (one for Arjac, one for Logan, one for this terminator captain)?

 

AOC by another name and an Advance and Charge/Fall Back and Charge strat are good, though because of how the FAQ that limits AOC to the current attack is worded it applies to this strat too.  The strat that lets you move Mounted or Walker units through enemy models and terrain is good, let you punch through a screen and get at what you actually want to fight.  So-so on the reactive move, maybe it saves what remains of a unit from being shot a second time/finished off, but activating after shooting has been finished and being random movement does not fill me with joy.  Seems like a really good way to spend 1 CP and not actually do anything.  +1 to wound strat would be more interesting if it was usable in melee as well as shooting.  As-is, maybe good for Grey Hunters?

[Indy Techwisp]

27 minutes ago, Vassakov said:

 

I don't think there's anything outstanding for 40k now, unless they're going to preview Titus.

 

Also - it is acceptable for other systems to get nice things as well. Hell, if they really wanted to drop a nice surprise, some new missions for Heresy?

 

I am completely fine with AoS getting new content as well, especially since I also play it.

Just wanted to make the point that we haven't necessarily had the last of the 40k content.