As we move into 2021, here are the 20 GW new releases teasers from the Advent Calendar and the four that we can identify so far!
Two more rounds of previews from GW are under our belt (here and here) and with all of the new hobby goodness revealed, we looked back through the list of rumor engines to see if any have been tagged. Here’s the most up-to-date list of debunked bits as well as bits that we should keep an eye out for from the 24 Advent Calendar Rumor Engines in December!
20 GW New Releases From Advent Calendar Left For 2021
This rumor engine doesn’t leave too much to the imagination. With the gear/bearing on the side of the foot, we can come to two conclusions. One, it is almost certainly in the 40k universe. And two, it’s probably Adeptus Mechanicus or some sort of fancy unit for the Imperium. The big question is what unit could we be getting? Is this a brand new unit we haven’t seen yet or possibly a new character?
The 2nd day features whats looks like someone holding a book and a scroll. It might be a model for 40k or AoS seeing that there isn’t really any factors point at either. However, my money is on some sort of “flavor” model. Every year there are some collector-style models that arent meant to played in-game and instead are just neat models to have on display. However, if this is a real in-game model, it’s probably either Imperium in 40k, or Order in AoS, as the hand seems pretty natural and healthy for a human.
This engine is pretty unique, but that doesn’t make it easier to place. Overall, it could be a faction who like wolves specifically, or can any random character who killed a wolf and made it into a pelt. This is might be a Space Wolves model, although to be fair, it could be a lot of different things.
This staff might be coincidentally shaped like an =I= for the Inquisition, but I bet it isn’t! Maybe this is a sign of a little larger scale update for 9th edition? Or hey, maybe it’s in AoS and it is really just a coincidence it looks like an I…
There might be a boot in this shoot, but there are also boots all over Warhammer! Placing this rumor engine is nearly impossible. The only thing we can say for sure is that it probably isn’t for Orks! Their boots tend to be a bit more “used”. There appears to be a skull on the front, but it’s hard to make out for sure. It could both 40k and AoS and also could bealmostany faction.
This is another super clear image, but it also might be impossible to place. This is clearly some sort of potion, probably hanging from someone’s belt or backpack. The real question becomes, is it a foul elixir carried by the death guard in 40k? Or perhaps a healing draught held by a High Elf in AoS? This could be nearly any faction in any universe. 40k, AoS, Specialist games, it’s all on the table with this one.
Turns out Captain Hook’s Greatest fear may have come true, something took his hand! Or at least someone’s hand. But who’s holding that wood beam and why is a hand nailed to it anyway? In AoS there is only really one faction we see this being, Death. Chaos might like talking heads, but they rarely take and put other body parts on display. For 40k, perhaps Nightlords are making a comeback, but wood is rarely seen on models unless they are terrain features…
For the first time in a few days, we know for sure which universe the bit is from! AoS doesn’t have motorbikes or tires yet, so we can almost know for sure that this is for 40k. As for factions, the wheel is too small for a marine, so it’s more than likely for Genestealers, Imperial Guard, or maybe Orks. Maybe even one of the specialist games like Necromunda?
Wow, this is tough. Rats in Warhammer?? Oh right, there is an entire faction of rats in AoS. This is more than likely going to be a little buddy accompanying a Skaven Character or vehicle.
Hey is that a Square Base he’s on?
There might be a plot twist where this rat is on a terrain feature, and GW cropped it to be provocative (and fun)but it sorta looks like a square base to us!
This is very clearly something from the Inquisition, perhaps even an Inquisitor! The real question at the end of it all is who/what is holding the holster? Is it a new nameless Inquisitor or an old one getting a revamp? It’s impossible to say for sure!
This engine is not as clear as the last, but it could potentially be the same model! The shoulder/back vents and backpack could easily be Inquisition, Sisters of Battle, or even Adeptus Mechanicus. They do seem to have a coat/cloak under the shoulder armor, so the potential is there to be the same model as yesterday and even earlier rumor engines.
Whatever it is, it came right off the 3d printer and was painted, as evident by the striations along the vents.
This is pretty hard to place although stylistically it looks pretty similar to the recent Inquisition-styled bits during the advent calendar. Perhaps this is also on one of those models? The scrolls and book look like they may be strapped to a waist, but other than seeing cloth, they aren’t much else to go off on placement or who is carrying it.
This flag does look cool tattered and with the rivets up the side. The super bare nature of its design pushes the likelihood towards AoS, while the tattered nature might push it towards Death or Chaos. If it was an infantry troop, it probably wouldn’t be flowing so much, so while this is the weakest assumption of the three, it may be a mounted unit. So overall, perhaps a Death/Chaos AoS Mounted unit?
This is an interesting bit. Initially, you see it and might think AoS, but there is a small capacitor like cube towards the handle. Then you might think Power Maul in 40k, but it’s much too small for it, which leads us to the conclusion. Could be a Sisters of Battle or other Imperial model wielding a Power Maul-like weapon, although, not exactly one.
Right out of the gate, that glove is identical to day 16’s war hammer. Assuming the gloves are a match and this is the same model, it actually makes placement a little harder. The hammer gave the impression that it was for AoS. However, the extremely low number of firearms in AoS means this model looks more likely for a specialist game or even 40k now.
This metallic symbology bears a striking resemblance to Adepta Sororitas vehicles. Some of their rhinos and heavy support variants have very similar designs protruding on top of them. However, it could also be in AoS, there isn’t anything other than the potential design coincidence that screams any universe or another.
The Dagger in this engine is very simple, and the hand is definitely humanoid, meaning it’s most likely going to be for Aelves or Humans in AoS. However, it could potentially also be for Warcry, Necromunda, or even a special character, like an Inquisitor in 40k.
Simple and sweet is nice, and this dagger will definitely give whoever is holding it a menacing touch.
This bit screams Nighthaunt/Vampires. Technically speaking it couldbe for something else, however that winged appendage design is already seen in both their line-ups, it also looks similar to the entire Flesh-eater Courts faction. It seems to be on a rock, so this arm probably is its own model rather than something accompanying a bigger model, like the Rat seen earlier on day 12.
This cape holds the same tattered look as Day 17’s banner. Assuming it is the same model, then the guess doesn’t really change, probably, Chaos/Death mounted model. However, if it is different, then it could be virtually anything, although capes are more popular in AoS still than 40k.
At first glance, this looks to be another AoS bit. Probably being a wizard or hermit style wanderer, or even a wildlife/nature-based mage, maybe similar to the recent Lumineth Realm Lords release. It looks human, although it could definitely be Aelven. The stick is pretty basic and the garb is minimal so it’s safe to assume this isn’t 40k, although it’s not impossible.
It may be difficult to spot at first, but our lizard friend is actually on top! It’s what is holding up the shade for the Slannesh lord. That was not at all what we expected it to be.
If you look at the top left model, it unmistakably has the same trident-like weapon. This was the first to get solved, hopefully, even more, will follow suit soon in 2021.
We technically haven’t seen the full model yet, however, we did get a good look at it via the teaser video. You can see the coverage of that video here.
What do you think these are? Do you like GW taking this Advent Calendar approach to get in the spirit of the holiday season?