Speculation & Rumours - No.1

Speculation & Rumours - No.1 
Now where to begin, well to start this blog isn't really a place to find your rumours and all that trash - however I've decided to write about what I've seen and try to justify and reason with those particular rumours.

Rumours used to be an effective way to understand what is coming out 'next' in fact Games Workshop used to have a link on their website which gave a general run down of brand new miniatures that were in the pipeline. One of the last things I remember seeing were the Wood Elf Glade Guard in all their glory, after that Games Workshops way of thinking changed. And I'd argue for the better...

How do they do it now?
With the decision to release a Lord of the Rings & Hobbit battle game, Games Workshop have had to tighten up their ship this meant that less and less information about releases is seeping out. This has got to the point now where nobody really has any clue until the pre-orders for new miniatures go live on their website at midnight on a Saturday. So is this a problem?

Well it depends on what angle you look at it, people who aren't particularly worried about new miniatures and rules and just like to paint and collect what GW release will not be as bothered as somebody who lives through new rules. For example, somebody who really wants to collect Wood Elves may be put off doing so until a new book and array of miniatures are released because they don't want to put their money in the wrong place in fear of it being outdated or made redundant. Whereas a collector who wants to paint Wood Elf miniatures will do it regardless, and then purchase the new ones 'if they see fit' when they eventually return.

How to deal with Rumours & Speculation
If you're like me, and you've got a limited amount of funds and time but like to collect and play Warhammer - then certain Rumours can really work you up. For example, if certain online websites started to speculate that a new Beastmen book is being released in June this year I'd start to get excited, but this excitement could be wrongly placed. Everything that is said online, is undoubtedly incorrect or partially incorrect, so my advice would be to take in the whole bundle of rumours as gospel and ignore all of the minor details.

So if multiple places are stating, 'Beastmen are coming in June' then I'd wager there's a strong argument to believe that. However if individuals are stating, 'Beastmen will get a Herdstone which is carried into battle by 6 Bestigors and it gives all your Beastmen models Frenzy within 12" and wins the world' just ignore it, and pass it as complete bullshit. You'll know when the miniatures appear because they'll be on GW's website and the new White Dwarf Weekly so don't fret and don't panic, these 2 mediums are the 'BEST' place for your to see them first.

But they're gonna get Nerfed man!
A hobby collector will most likely buy miniatures regardless of how good or bad they are in game, in certain ways we're all the same, I've got a Ghorgon and a Jibber Jabber because I wanted them and although they're suboptimal I enjoy throwing them around the table. But somebody who relishes the game and the evolving meta that arrives with new books might not look at this the same way. For example, lets say the Wood Elves are being released next, Eternal Guard will undoubtedly be receiving new miniatures however you've started painting your Wood Elf army in preparation for a new book and don't know what to do.

Now in this circumstance your best bet is to not purchase the current Eternal Guard, if the new models are released and look pants, then you can ebay the old metal models yourself. However waiting for the new miniatures and rules can be a great help to your wallet and your conscience as it would be a shame to spend a huge sum of money on old sculpts to find they really don't cut it. Differently though Glade Guard, Riders & Dryads will probably not be changing, these will be safe to purchase and due to their nature of being Core you're going to need them anyway, and these will keep you busy in the months leading to May. (Did I say too much?)

Breaking it Down   
If in doubt consult this table, it may help...

1) Does the army you're considering purchasing have an 8th Edition army Book?
If (Yes) Go to Q2 - If (No) Go to Q4

2) Buy away, it's unlikely many miniatures are going to be replaced with new ones, however there are a few exceptions. Are you're considering Tomb Kings, Orcs & Goblins or High Elves?
If (Yes) Go to Q3 - If (No) Then buy in the good confidence 

3) Tomb Kings still have certain miniatures missing from their Core range is quite dated, so if you're considering the Tomb Kings take this into account. Orcs & Goblins have a diverse mixture of new and old models, due to this their range is a bit of a mess, eventually all Finecast and Metal models will be replaced but this could be on any timescale. High Elves have a lot of minitures within the Island of Blood set, these will eventually be released as stand alone kits, however don't let this put you off collecting them.

4) If the army already has plastic miniatures then they're unlikely to be changed, the only exceptions to this so far have been the Dark Elf Spearmen who were updated. However all Finecast and Metal miniatures are at risk of being updated, so look at what's available and make some informed decisions before you press ahead.