Looks like even more Chaos may be likely on the way in a growingly corrupted edition of Advent Rumor Engine for Day 16.
Games Workshop brought back the Advent Engine for 2021 with a full calendar’s worth of preview teasers leading up to Christmas!
This is the second year in a row Games Workshop is doing the Advent Engine Calendar where they will be revealing one new rumor engine every day for 24 days. So if you love speculating on what’s coming next for Warhammer, this is the calendar for you!
On the sixteenth day of December Warhammer Community unveiled a rumor engine that looks to be pointing to a growing Chaos presence. Check out the details of this new bit that looks to be on the way for Warhammer.
But first, let’s recap what we have seen so far!
Hair Blowing in the Wind: Advent Engine 2021
Well, first off, the border looks an awful lot like Wraithbone if you ask us. Since this is the first one, we’re not sure if it’s a nod to the faction or if this is just the border they are deciding on for all the engines. With that said, Eldar seems a very obvious choice for this one. However, that ponytail could also easily be for Tau.
While the hair is a little different, we’ve been hearing new Eldar rumors and even saw some artwork for Aeldari Rangers coming in a new Kill Team box. So while the hair is not an exact match, it would match up very well with the rumors we’ve seen so far!
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While they don’t have their helmets off here, this is the artwork we’ve seen on a Kill Team box and you know GW doesn’t even like to make artwork for things they can’t make money off of!
The Tau Option
This one is too similar to both factions not to mention the poor Tau boys. We guessed a new Darkstrider is on the way and the hairstyle matches perfectly. So maybe when the codex drops they will grab a new Darkstrider as their new character model.
That’s our best guess for day one!
Totally not Eldar: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 2
Day 2 follows the same border style, potentially suggesting a common theme throughout the Advent Calendar of rumor engine bits. This one clearly looks like another Xenos bit, almost certainly Eldar. There is also a slim chance that it might be Tau as well, but with the border and likelihood in consideration, Eldar seems to be the way.
Looking at all of the Eldar vehicles, they all look pretty decent except that dated Vyper model.
Of course, it might also be a new character model who comes with their own jetbike or even some of the rumored Elrar Ranger Jetbikes as well…
New Eldar Rangers: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 3
Day three of the Advent Rumor Engine from Warhammer Community is here. While this looks like it may just be for a new Eldar Ranger model, when you compare them to the current models, it’s hard to be 100% honestly.
Check out the stabilizer or (solid shot ammo stick?) on the current rifle.
In fact, this gun may share more similarities with the Dark Reapers Exarch as well with its underslung styling.
Let’s face it, the majority of the Eldar line is old enough to have graduated High School at this point, some college, so it’s hard to ID a fresh design based on something 20 or so years old!
Rangers On The Way: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Days 4 & 5
Day four of the Advent Rumor Engine from Warhammer Community is here. And it seems to be more of an acrobatic pose. With all the recent engines and some rumors point towards new Rangers, this seems like an easy bit to add to the list when you compare it to old Ranger feet above.
The base also matches the recently updated Howling Banshees, essentially confirming this to be an Aeldari model. Although the Dark Eldar also had similar bases. So technically if we only consider what we’ve seen before, this could be either Craftworlds or Dark Eldar!
That being said, since this advent calendar is Craftworld themed, they are still the front runners.
Day 5 of the Advent Calendar is here, but it is completely different and instead went full-on text. It reads:
Only in defeat will you know victory
Other than being super ominous, there isn’t much to go off of. Wraithlords Notably are piloted by a dead Eldar’s soul, which might be what this engine is hinting at. Only pretty significant heroes have the psychic power required to go through the process, but if they do, Wraithlords are super powerful Lore-wise!
However, we might just have to wait and see, this might only be talking about spirit stones and not Wraith Lords at all.
Warlocks & Farseers Vanguard: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 6
Day six of the Advent Rumor Engine from Warhammer Community is here. These robes look very similar to those that the Farseers and Warlocks wear, which means that we are leaning almost exclusively on a potentially new psyker for this rumor engine bit. The spirit stone on the top also adds to that possibility.
The cherry on top is that we’ve actually seen rumors for new ranger units, which might spill into a sort of vanguard/ranger psyker unit. Or this could just be a new Farseer on Jetbike model that badly needed an update as well.
The single-layer robes might point towards a Warlock instead of a Farseer, but either way, a new psyker is welcome since the faction has a huge emphasis on psychic powers in lore.
Fire Dragons or Special Weapons: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 7
While we may have called for Fire Dragons before, this bit looks even more like their weapons, pushing the envelope even more. While it might not guarantee it, it certainly makes it more likely that they will be lucky enough to get an update!
We suppose it could also be any of the various special weapons for units like Storm Guardians…
The bit has that cylinder component (that’s painted yellow on the model), which is pretty unique, making it even more likely to be a fire dragons gun, however, with all the unit updates we’ve seen, sometimes they consolidate designs, so we may see another unit get their weapon slightly changed and in turn making this bit another unit!
Phoenix Lord Rising: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 8
While this plume looks a lot like the ones we have seen for units in AoS like the Light of Eltharion, but maybe this might just be a new Phoenix Lord Asurman or Exarch?
Even if this looks like the more pompous helmets of the Lumineth Realm-lords… All the there previous Advent Engines seems to point directly at Eldar in 40k, so there’s a strong chance we may see a new Phoenix lord model or at least a dope Dire Avener exarch soon!
This is the current Phoenix Lord Asurman model, and judging by the new Jain Zar and even Dhrazar models, a new Asruman could look wild!
Just stay open to the possibilities and you’ll never be disappointed when it is inevitably revealed!
Dark Reapers Ready: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 9
This bit is another super easy to place one with one very clear option. Dark Reapers! Thanks to their pretty unique muzzle, it really can’t be much else. However, the same thing goes for these as we said about the Fire Dragons… Games Workshop has consolidated designs before, so there’s a slight chance this could be Maugan Ra, another heavy weapon (for infantry or even a vehicle), or even something brand new!
As far as the current range and designs go though, this is very clearly the normal Dark Reaper gun muzzle, and even better they could really use the update as they are getting pretty dated. With all the great models GW has been pumping out, it goes to show these could really use the ‘pick me’ up in detail and posing as well.
The Price of a Soul: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Day 10
This Advent engine is another full-on text engine. It reads:
Steep the soul price for slender hope.
Other than being super ominous, there isn’t much to go off of (again). Wraithlords Notably are piloted by a dead Eldar’s soul, which might be what this engine is hinting at. Only pretty significant heroes have the psychic power required to go through the process, but if they do,
Other options include Ynnari for their emphasis on death or maybe even the Avatar of Khaine which kills the person it inhabits. Plus we know is very likely to get a new model with an updated scale.
Chaos Invasion: Advent Rumor Engine 2021 Days 11 & 12
Day 11 of the advent engine is here, and it’s notably more chaos. We didn’t notice it before, but the frames have changed slightly over time (Day 1, Day 6, Day 11), perhaps suggesting a finally of a completely corrupted chaos border. Either way, this very clearly looks like a Chaos Space Marine Claw…
Most of the claws typically seen are on fingertips, but every few do have the “wrist” version the top left Warp talon here does as well. But is the bit for new Warp Talons? Well… Maybe, or it could be a new unit altogether!
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There is also plenty of room for the more elite variants of models in 40k like the ones seen in Horus Heresy such as the Ashen Circle, or Red Butchers.
Day 12 of the advent engine is also here, but this one is notably more Slaanesh. Curved swords typically represent more finesse, something that Slaanesh definitely has over the other Chaos gods.
Perhaps this is a sign for the next set of updates coming to the Emperor’s children as the defacto Slaanesh CSM chapter… We would also mention Drukhari, but unfortunately, they don’t use Chainswords at all.
It could also be for a Striking Scorpion too…
Look at this poor man! Lucius desperately needs an update. As an immortal, universe renowned, sword duelist it’s almost a crime his model is this outdated! Trading his curved power sword for a curved Chainsword seems easy enough, however, it could also just be a new Noise Marine kit, as they need the update just as bad as Lucius here.
Slaanesh, and especially Slaanesh CSM, could really use the love, so this engine is pretty exciting for them!
Warp Smith Claw: Advent Rumor Engine Day 13
The new Advent engine is quite possibly the easiest/most obvious one yet! This just has to be a Warpsmith! The only real other possibility is seeing a new model like the Lord Discordant, but seeing how badly Warpsmiths need the love it’s the only real option for day 13.
Even something as simple as base size is wrong with the poor model! Getting an update here could go a long way for the chaos mechanics. Not to mention they have the potential to look really sweet if they get updated!
Eldar Jetbikes: Advent Rumor Engine Day 14
While this is clearly a rider of some kind, it doesn’t particularly scream Eldar. However, there are some circular shapes on the vehicle and there appears to maybe be a soul stone on their boot! When you combine this with recent rumors, it looks like they might be coming true!
There are plenty of Jetbikes that could use some love, however, if this is the rumored model, it would be brand new! Ranger Jetbikes would be a sweet new addition to the lineup as a more scout-y tool for Eldar. Of course, the same rumors also list Shining Spears as a model getting updates with the 9th edition re-hash.
Fire Dragons Text Engine: Advent Rumor Engine Day 15
Right out of the gate, this engine is talking about fire:
Into the fire you must plunge, and all be brought to ashes.
But is it really just another engine pointing towards Fire Dragons?
We’ve already seen, what we think are, engines pointing towards Fire Dragons on day 7. This new text engine seems to reinforce that idea, but the “plunge” might suggest a different more mobile or melee focussed unit as well…
Or perhaps another Avatar (creation) reference as well.
Chaos Corruption Rising: Advent Rumor Engine Day 16
With the Engine border getting more and more corrupted every 5 days, the newest engine is looking more and more chaotic. This bit is clearing a head or helmet, but for what or who!?
While the Incubi did very recently get their new models, they do feature the horned helmets and pointy ears that appear to be in the rumor engine. That means it could easily be a new Drukhari model we haven’t seen before!
It could also just end up being a new Slaanesh model as the “horns” look more slender than brutish. Maybe a much-needed update for possessed is coming…
Either way, we think Eldar (and now Chaos too!) players will be happy so far with this tidal wave of news and rumors for new Warhammer 40k in 2022. Use the links below to check out our other coverage:
- 2021 ‘Eldar Advent Calendar’ Previews From GW
- RUMORS: Huge List of New ‘Christmas’ Eldar Models & Rules
- More Eldar Rules & Model Rumors for 2022
All the Newest GW Eldar News & Rumors
What do you think it is? Do you think Eldar and Chaos will be grabbing an update next year?
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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.
