This morning’s White Dwarf Daily had a slew of tantalizing tidbits about the new “Death from the Skies” supplement/ compendium.
I give it that dual status because well we don’t really know for sure if it’s just a compendium with a few extra rules, or a whole supplement with new rules, and scenarios etc.
They seem to indicate it’s more on the supplement side, BUT until I get it in my hot little hands, I can neither confirm or deny.
The article also confirms that; “So yes, now you can paint your Stormravens blue, yellow, black, or any other colour that you like…” which is good news for all Astartes players in general.
There also seems to be some hidden asset type rules as well; “There are even special manoeuvres that can be taken by pilots, such as the brutal Dark Eldar slash attack, the Necron firing protocols or the aptly named ‘Smash ’em’ for the Orks, which essentially results in a mid-air collision.”
Also confirmed is the inclusion of material from the Crusade of Fire book as well. The article also goes on to confirm the exclusivity of the product as well, stating; “it’s worth noting that you won’t be able to get it in stores, so if you want it you’ll need to..” (order from the site).
So where do we go from here? Well I imagine that players, while skeptical, may yet be excited at the prospect of new rules. Games Workshop I would think will take a very close look at these numbers and perhaps adjust and duplicate the results if it suits them, and I can still see where store owners will be upset over them getting the big snub as well.
Interesting note to think about as well here guys- GW store operators themselves under the new “one man” model are basically commission earning employees, and while they do get a base salary, they get bonuses OR disciplined / possibly fired based on sales in their store.
I wonder how they feel about getting the big snub for these sales as well? Granted I don’t know if corporate GW will give them credit if customers have their book delivered to those Games Workshop stores or not, (instead of their homes) but either way this release smells fishy for everyone but GW corporate.
Regardless if you don’t have any of these flyers because you couldn’t use them before, beat the rush and get your orders in for Stormravens, and Stormtalons before everyone else does! -MBG
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.
