GW alters the deal for the new Grand Cathay release, forcing stores to buy more and potentially get less in a move that’s bold even for them…
If you’re hyped about Grand Cathay finally hitting tabletops, join the club. It’s been nearly two decades since Warhammer Fantasy got a brand-new faction. Ogres lumbered in back in 2005, and since then, it’s been radio silence, well… and a long period of no game at all.
So Cathay? Yeah, people are excited. But there’s a twist—and it’s not a fun one.
The “Bundle” Problem No One Asked For
Games Workshop is pushing the Grand Cathay release into the wild, but they’ve added a catch. If your local game store wants to stock these kits, they’re being nudged—read: strong-armed—into buying massive bundles that include a bunch of Chaos Warriors products.
These are less “hot new army” and more “still gathering dust on the shelf.” According to sources, Games Workshop is telling stores:
“The best way to ensure sure you get these new releases is by getting the new Grand Cathay products and their sworn enemies, the Warriors of Chaos in our The Old World Bundle:”
And these aren’t modest bundles either. We’re talking 12 separate products jammed together into a mega-pack that comes with a side of forced inventory.
The cost? Somewhere around $600 extra in stock stores don’t want. That’s a steep ask for stores that might not be able to move more Chaos Warriors anytime soon.
What’s in the Box?
The Old World Bundle GW is pushing onto stores, looks like this:
-1x Old World Grand Cathay Battalion
-1x Old World Arcane Journal: Grand Cathay
-1x Grand Cathay: Gate Masters of the Celestial Cities
-1x Grand Cathay: Sky Lantern
-1x Shugengen Lord on Great Spirit Longmar-1x Old World Rulebook
-1x Old World Ravening Hordes
-1x Old World Forces of Fantasy-1x Battalion: Warriors of Chaos
-1x Warriors of Chaos: Chaos Knights
-1x Warriors of Chaos: Lord on Manticore
-1x Arcane Journal: Warriors of Chaos
A new faction bundled with an old one—because apparently, Cathay can’t fly solo.
So… Why Are Stores Upset?
It’s not just the money. It’s the terms. According to some Games Workshop reps, a store’s allocation of Grand Cathay products *might* depend on how many of these bundles they buy. Not how loyal they’ve been since Old World launched. Not how consistently they’ve stocked the product.
Just bundles.
And it gets murkier. GW hasn’t made it clear to stores yet whether you can still purchase separate items after buying a bundle. Do you have to buy the full combo just to access the rest of the range?
Will you get less of what you really want if you don’t bite the bullet? No one seems to know.
Sounds Familiar? It Should
If this sounds like Pokémon TCG distribution shenanigans, you’re not imagining things. Card distributors have done this exact thing—forcing retailers to buy slow movers just to get hot products. Now that tactic is showing up in miniatures, and when stores are already hit with so many allocations… It’s not a good sign.
It’s a hostage situation. Want the shiny new faction that everyone’s been waiting 20 years for? Better take these Chaos Warriors off our hands, too.
What About Customers?
If you’re just buying for yourself, you’re in the clear, sort of. You won’t have to wade through bundles when preorders go live on the GW website, but if the last releases are anything to go on, they will sell out quickly there, no matter what.
However, this setup could easily create scarcity at the store level, which means your local shop might not receive much Cathay stock to begin with. You might miss out on limited items if you’re counting on them.
What You Can Do
- Talk to your FLGS. Ask if they’re getting stock, and how you can support them.
- Plan ahead. If you’re set on getting a specific Cathay model, be ready to preorder when it goes live online (or ask your local store if you can get one).
- Let GW know. Constructive feedback goes a long way. If this system isn’t working for stores or players, it needs to be called out—loudly and clearly.
Final Thoughts From Us
The Grand Cathay range looks amazing. It deserves a launch that matches the excitement it’s generated. Instead, stores are being boxed in by bundles that tie up shelf space and budgets. It’s a frustrating move for retailers and players alike, and it puts a damper on what should be a moment of celebration for Warhammer: The Old World.
Let’s hope the community pushback gets heard. Because if Cathay’s long-awaited release is being used to prop up excess stock, it’s not just bad business—it’s a missed opportunity.
See the Pre-Order Lineup For Cathay
