The writing may have been on the wall that Slaanesh’s days were numbered, and now it looks like Games Workshop may have just gotten rid of the Dark Prince in the new Age of Sigmar. Check THIS out.
Behold the Slaanesh “Rod of Command” from Realms of Chaos (1988) Hmmm…
We’ve talked at length before about the very adult oriented Slaanesh and how the Lord of Depravity has been watered down by GW slowly and steadily over the decades from his 1980’s origin. Even watered down, Slaanesh was going to be a real challenge for any product range designed for the audience Games Workshop is aiming Age of Sigmar at. If you wonder who that is, note the age suggestion on the back of the Starter Set:
Yes, that is 12+ I’ll leave it to you to imagine the conversation between prospective parents buying copies of Age of Sigmar and GW redshirts about exactly what this “Dark Prince” is all about 🙂 I think merely covering up the boobs on the Daemonettes won’t cut it.
So as we were flipping through the background book in the boxed set we came upon this section describing Sigmar’s actions in the time between the destruction of the Old World and the current Age of Sigmar timeline. Take a look at the section highlighted:
So, the design studio took the time to call out Slaanesh (and ONLY Slaanesh) for “imprisoned diety” treatment along the lines of Isha-Nurgle. Then only two sentences later we hear about the “Dark Gods” mustering their forces and attacking without shedding a tear for their lost brother. That line is the only mention of Slaanesh in the entire boxed set, and not a single Slaaneshi miniature is shown. Only Khorne and Nurgle models appear in photos.
It is quite possible that in the kid-friendly future of the Age of Sigmar, the “Dark Gods” may only number three.
Editors note: New week’s White Dwarf teaser is; The chaos rules … but where is the dark prince ?
Checkout the full story of Why GW NEEDS to Kill Slaanesh, from earlier in the year.
Everyone could see the writing on the wall, and really it was only a matter or time. I for one wouldn’t be holding my breath for new Slaanesh miniatures for Age of Sigmar anytime soon.
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
