A new Soulblight Vampire Lord on a steed has sparked debates over its origin; is it a groundbreaking model leak or an impressive kitbash?
Age of Sigmar players know one thing for sure: when rumors start flying, the community turns into a hive of speculation, sleuthing, and sheer creativity. The latest whispers concern a supposed Vampire Lord on a steed, spotted in a White Dwarf image that’s either a glimpse of an upcoming Soulblight Vampire Counts release or a hobbyist’s kitbashing masterpiece.
Either way, it’s got everyone from lore buffs to painters debating shoulder pads, horse heads, and base designs like they’re ancient tomes of forbidden knowledge, lol.
Is a New Vampire Lord About to Gallop into Age of Sigmar?
The Age of Sigmar community is buzzing with chatter, and it’s not just the bats flapping in the distance. First, a new Commemorative Model surfaced, and now there is a potential new miniature for the Soulblight Gravelords—a mounted Vampire Lord—has surfaced in a leaked White Dwarf image.
Fans are trading theories faster than a Blood Knight charges into battle, debating whether this mysterious figure is a new release or an intricate kitbash. Here’s a closer look at the speculation swirling around this shadowy aristocrat of undeath.
The Look: Noble, Nightmare, or Kitbash?
At first glance, the rumored Vampire Lord is captivating. It boasts intricate armor that hints at nobility and carnage, paired with a steed that exudes menace. Unlike the spectral steeds of the Nighthaunt or the ethereal look of Knight of Shrouds mounts, this horse seems firmly rooted in the mortal realm. The muscular build and detailed head suggest something more corporeal, even feral.
Yet, the design raises questions. Some forum sleuths point out that the shoulder pads don’t match anything in the current Gravelords line. While comparisons to the Vengorian Lord’s armor are tempting, the differences are notable—missing circular detailing and a lack of multi-material texture make it hard to pin this on an existing sprue.
Others argue the head could be borrowed from Trueblades, while the base—minimalist and sparsely detailed—feels uncharacteristic for a Games Workshop centerpiece. But if this is a kitbash, it’s a masterclass.
Fans have remarked on the cohesive style, saying it doesn’t look cobbled together but purpose-built. A few have speculated about green-stuff sculpting, while others cling to hope for a legitimate new model.
Kastelai Vibes: The Crimson Keep Connection
For those who know their Gravelords, the Kastelai Dynasty stands out as a fitting origin for this model. These knightly vampires are all about martial prowess and honor twisted by bloodlust. Their armies blend armored skeletons, Grave Guard, and blood-soaked nobility, making this steed-riding lord a natural addition to their ranks.
And then there’s the tantalizing Crimson Keep lore—a teleporting vampire fortress that drags those within its cursed walls across the realms. The Kastelai thrive on the battlefield but require fragments of their castle to tether them to reality. A steed-bound lord with ties to this lore fits like a clawed gauntlet.
Rumors of a new Prince Vhordrai on a Death Draconith only add fuel to this gothic fire. Could this mystery model hint at a broader expansion, including Crimson Keep-themed terrain or even a new campaign? Fans have noted that the potential timing aligns with the upcoming Path to Glory narrative expansions, which often showcase fresh kitbashes—or sneak peeks of actual releases.
The Base Debate: Model or Mirage?
If there’s one element dividing opinion, it’s the base. Critics argue it’s too plain to be an official release. Mounted heroes like the Lord-Arcanum or Arch-Kavalos Zandtos typically stand atop elaborate scenic bases that tell a story. By contrast, this model’s base seems to feature just two skeletons—a setup that feels more DIY than GW.
Yet, others suggest the simplicity could be intentional. It might be a placeholder for a reveal, or perhaps an example of restraint to draw focus to the rider and steed. Some even speculate that Games Workshop intentionally reuses familiar poses to muddy the waters when leaks occur. A crafty move if true!
A Soulblight Leak Happened Before
This wouldn’t be the first time a mysterious model has sent the Age of Sigmar crowd into a frenzy. Remember the Othar Half-King leak? That grim-faced monarch with a tragic title had everyone buzzing about his narrative potential. A cursed ruler caught between his ambition and undeath? Pure Soulblight drama. His regal-yet-decayed design fit seamlessly into the Gravelords’ lore, oozing the kind of gothic complexity that makes this faction so captivating.
Fans quickly connected Othar to a Rumor Engine tease from earlier that year, turning speculation into excitement for a range refresh. While he turned out to be an official release, the buzz around his reveal reminds us just how much the community thrives on piecing together hints, lore, and a pinch of wishful thinking. Could this new Vampire Lord on a steed be the next Othar moment? The stakes (pun intended) are high.
Why This Rumor Matters
The Soulblight Gravelords have been growing into one of AoS’s most beloved factions, thanks to their fusion of vampire nobility and macabre undead hordes. Recent releases like the Wight King and Blood Knights have pushed their aesthetic into bold new territory. If this Vampire Lord is legitimate, it could signal another wave of Gravelords updates, perhaps tied to a fresh storyline or battle campaign.
For newer fans, it’s an accessible point of entry—imagine starting your collection with a powerful mounted character. For longtime players, it’s a chance to expand their armies with a model that oozes narrative potential. The Kastelai Dynasty’s warlike lore, coupled with hints of the Crimson Keep, offers plenty of creative inspiration for painters, storytellers, and strategists alike.
Final Thoughts on the Possible Soulblight Gravelords Leak
Whether it’s an incredible conversion or a glimpse of an official release, this Vampire Lord has already done its job: reigniting excitement around the Soulblight Gravelords. The debates, the theories, the obsessive scrutinizing of shoulder pads—this is the heart of what makes Age of Sigmar so much fun.
One thing is certain: if Games Workshop keeps teasing us with such tantalizing possibilities, our wallets might start to resemble the Gravelords themselves—empty husks, drained of life.
All the Latest Warhammer Rules & Model Rumors
Do you think this is a new Soulblight Gravelords model leak or just an interesting kitbash?
About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
