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
December 1st, 2020
Robo-Achilles: Advent Calendar Day 1
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?
December 2nd, 2020
Winter Break: Advent Calendar Day 2
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.
Is that an =I= on the cover? hmm…
December 6th, 2020
Rutt Ro Raggy: Advent Calendar Day 6
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.
December 7th, 2020
No One Expects The Inquisition: Advent Calendar Day 7
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…
December 8th, 2020
There’s A Boot In My Shoot: Advent Calendar Day 8
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 be almost any faction.
December 9th, 2020
Life In A Bottle: Advent Calendar Day 9
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.
December 10th, 2020
Captain Hook’s Demise: Advent Calendar Day 10
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…
December 11th, 2020
Revin Up The Bikes: Advent Calendar Day 11
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?
December 12th, 2020
This Rat Is The Key: Advent Calendar Day 12
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!
December 13th, 2020
Inquisitor Engine Reporting For Duty: Advent Calendar Day 13
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!
December 14th, 2020
Venting Frustrations: Advent Calendar Day 14
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.
December 15th, 2020
Never Leave Home Without It: Advent Calendar Day 15
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.
December 17th, 2020
Gather The Houses, Alert The Guard: Advent Calendar Day 17
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?
December 18th, 2020
A Mace For The Righteous: Advent Calendar Day 18
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.
December 19th, 2020
Time to Collect: Advent Calendar Day 19
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.
December 20th, 2020
A Cage For Your Thoughts: Advent Calendar Day 20
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.
December 21st, 2020
A Dagger In The Back: Advent Calendar Day 21
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.
December 22nd, 2020
The Bats Are In The Air Tonight: Advent Calendar Day 22
This bit screams Nighthaunt/Vampires. Technically speaking it could be 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.
December 23rd, 2020
Edna Said No Capes: Advent Calendar Day 23
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.
December 24th, 2020
Stick It To The Man: Advent Calendar Day 24
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.
New MKII Design- Get it Now!
Rumor Engine Roundup: Last Batch of Bits Debunked
Each of the following rumor engines from the Advent Calendar have been spotted (showing the full model or preview).
December 3rd, 2020
A Lizard Friend: Advent Calendar Day 3
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.
December 4th, 2020
All In A Statute Days Work: Advent Calendar Day 4
As you can see, smack-dab in the middle of the side of the chariot there is the statue holding up the main section.
December 5th, 2020
Under the Sea: Advent Calendar Day 5
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.
December 16th, 2020
A Smashin’ Hammer: Advent Calendar Day 16
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?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today! You can also support us on Patreon and get ad-free access to the site, plus a ton of minis that helps support some of the best creators out there!
About the Author: Andrew Schrank
Andrew Schrank
Job Title: Miniatures & Warhammer Hobby Staff Writer
Socials: Facebook
About Andrew Schrank: Over the past 15 years, Andrew has played all the games, including tabletop and video games, and immersed himself in the associated lore. Andrew joined the Spikey Bits team in 2018 and covers the Warhammer hobby and tournament scene, along with the latest in tabletop miniatures, each week.
Aspiring diplomat, Lord of Fluff, and Master of Ice Hammer, He loves Star Wars, Chaos Undivided, and Gundam. During his free time, he hunts Platinum trophies on PS5 and reads international news. On weekends, Andrew plays commander and cEDH games, often with unique strategies that push the limits.
He believes each day presents a new opportunity to grow and be challenged.
