A critique examining Warhammer community hype, marketing versus realities, and in a wild year so far.
Another Long War Two-Fer is here: Keep those hobby muscles strong with this week’s webcast and the latest exciting podcast of tabletop wargaming awesomeness, mostly centered around Warhammer 40k.
The Long War: Episode 517
Article Table of Contents:
Show Summary:
This week, the crew talks about the 11th edition ruleset and their thoughts about it now that people have played games. Here are the key takeaways, section by section:
- (00:17–11:18) The episode opens with the usual Long War chaos before setting up the main agenda: early Warhammer 40k 11th Edition tournament results, GW’s big summer previews, new Ork rules, and hobby-event chatter.
- (11:18–16:39) Rob argues the Armageddon launch box looks like a win for GW, with strong eBay split-value, plenty of availability, and the potential to become a long-running starter-style staple like Assault on Black Reach.
- (16:39–28:19) The crew runs through GW’s summer previews, including new 40k starters, Necromunda, Old World Chaos, Kill Team Exodites, Ogres, Orks, Blood Bowl, Custodes plastics, and Titan weapons. The Exodite Kill Team gets extra attention because it’s basically “dinosaurs, but also somehow mostly Orks,” which is very GW and very funny.
- (22:27–25:38) The new Ogre Kingdoms models and new Ork Trukk get some of the strongest praise. The Trukk especially sounds like a major glow-up, matching the modern Ork buggy aesthetic while making the old kit look rough by comparison.
- (28:19–30:50) Rob comments on John Blanche artwork appearing for sale at extremely high prices after Blanche’s passing, saying the timing and pricing feel in poor taste given Blanche’s health and financial struggles later in life.
- (30:50–38:38) They discuss GW’s takedowns around Tabletop Simulator content. Rob’s main argument is that TTS acts as a cheap digital on-ramp into Warhammer, while Wyatt notes GW may feel legally pressured to defend its IP. Everyone lands somewhere around “legally understandable, strategically tone-deaf.”
- (38:38–42:33) The hosts note possible battleforce fatigue, with stores reportedly struggling to move some recent boxes after months of heavy releases. They also cover GW’s new Codex format, with the Ork book expected to be much larger, lore-heavier, and packed with 15 detachments plus digital update support.
- (42:33–44:15) Kenny and Wyatt shout out upcoming events: Westcon September 2026 in Orlando, where Kenny plans to teach painting classes, and Utah Cup on August 8–9 in Farmington, Utah, a golden ticket event run by Green Banner.
- (44:15–49:23) New Ork rules get a closer look. The old once-per-game Waaagh! setup appears to be shifting toward a broader “riled up” mechanic, giving units benefits like a five-up invulnerable save, Assault on ranged weapons, and advance-and-charge when triggered. Boyz also look tougher and cleaner mechanically, with Strength five and both shootas and choppas baked in.
- (49:23–1:06:22) The 11th Edition tournament discussion is the meat of the show. Early feedback suggests the disposition system is promising but undercooked, with map selection in team events, Recon scoring, massive early-point swings, and app workflow all needing refinement. The Warhammer app gets credit for improving overall, but the game setup process sounds like it’s buried under too many taps for something players need immediately.
Engage with us!
Sign up now and become a FULL VETERAN for around $6 a month, enjoy the mind-blowing hobby features below, and of course, full access to The Long War’s Hall of Veterans, videos weeks early in an ad-free experience!
🔗 Related Reads From the Show:
Show Sponsors Links:
- Monument Hobbies has some of the best paints in the business
- Get your hobbies for less from Fabricators Forge
- Shop BHAWK Spirits Online
- Tequila Fortaleza 150 Years of Tradition
- Top Hobby Supplies For miniatures
Connect With Us
Each Week, You’ll Get The following:
- Access to the weekly pre-game “Afterhours” show and podcast. Performed live, this VOD is available only on Patreon or Twitch for subscribers.
- New “Before the Afterhours” 15-minute segments, where all the spicy stuff happens, are available only on Patreon.
- New Listener Q&A: Patreons can now submit questions for us to answer during the show.
- You’ll get Ad-Free access to the downloadable videos and the video player on Patreon.
Sign up now and become a FULL VETERAN and, of course, get full access to The Long War’s Hall of Veterans over on Patreon!
🔗 Support and Engagement Links:
- Become A Veteran of the Long War Today!
- Join our Discord
- Heretic Swag
- Essential Hobby Products & Tools List
- Long War 40k Doubles Tournaments
