Did anyone else notice the second straight release from Games Workshop has lacked the possibly essential staple product of a Battleforce / Battalion?
Battleforce’s were in the past a fast and easy way for new players to get into the hobby at a natural discount over buying the individual kits themselves. They took up less space on the shelf, and from a business standpoint could allow GW to package slow moving kits in one big package deal to keep inventory moving.
Unfortunately they also became a go to purchase for Bits sellers looking to load up on stock quick in one convenient package, which could have possibly incensed GW into perhaps looking for an alternative to balance the overselling of product (from their standpoint) and the need to keep entry level prices attractive to new players.
For the second release in a row, the battleforce / battalion has been phased out in favor of new more expensive combo kits. The Space Marines now have the new 2013 Strike Force, and the Dark Elves have the Warhost of Naggaroth, for $225 and $170 retail respectively, both well over the normal battleforce price point.
We’ve been hearing a “big announcement” is coming in 2014 about some “new program” maybe this is one explanation?
Is it just natural to assume that the hobby is getting even more expensive for beginners, or is something more nefarious afoot? -MBG
Be sure to checkout our other fun and exciting Editorials about our love/hate hobby back on Spikey Bits’ blog!
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 the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of 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 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
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.
