The Wargames Orchard

I've got good news, and bad news, which may turn out to be good news as well. This will be the final Wargames Orchard episode for the foreseeable future. Because of practical reasons to do with time zones and dependence, GJ is going rogue! The Warhammer Fantasy through the editions reviews will get their very own podcast titled Forces of Fantasy (so go check it out as well!). But a promise is a promise, and I did promise you to discuss the Old World reveals from Warhammer Fest. I can't very well leave all my Orchard fans hanging, now can I...? Watch the Old World reveal here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1807651323?filter=archives&sort=time

What do you do when you don't have time to prepare an actual episode? Record a few random ramblings when painting and slap a title on it, of course! If you're looking for a more professional approach, you might think of this as an official Wargames Orchard news and hobby update. But if you were looking for a more professional approach, you probably wouldn't look over here. Either way, enjoy the episode and look forward to the next update where we (hopefully) get to share some Old World news.

Whether you are over the moon that the old Bretonnia plastic kits are coming back, or ready to burn your miniatures (again) because the base sizes are increasing, we can all agree on one thing: Warhammer 1st edition is its whole own level of awesomeness! This episode we take a look at three 1983 White Dwarf articles: a review, a scenario and rules for Giants that are suspiciously similar to the rules for Giants in later editions, just proving the craftsmanship and/or foresight of a mr. Rick Priestley.

GJ continues his journey to the beginning of time - or at least the beginning of Warhammer Fantasy - with a look at the role-playing elements of the game found in the 2nd and 3rd volume of the First Edition box set: Magic and Characters. Although perhaps that should have been Characters and Magic. Ah well, what's in a number?

It has begun! The die is cast! The Rubicon is crossed! There is no turning back! Get ready for a journey through 8 editions of Warhammer Fantasy Battles, starting this episode with the very first book of the very first edition, in which GJ gives an overview of how the game is played. Oh, yeah, and there was also some new stuff, but who cares? Well, grumpy GJ, a bit. But the old stuff was way better anyway, so let's focus on that.

GJ has got new toys: 3d printers! Since he is now an expert (cough, cough), he'll tell you all about it while painting some Minotaurs. Yes, it's that time of the week again where, mostly due to life happening, there was no time to prepare for an actual episode. But we'll make up for it next week. Or the week after that. Or maybe some other point in the future. Hopefully. Anyway, enjoy GJ's semi-random 3d printer ramblings!

We've got Old World news! And it seems very difficult at this time for GW to please us, because Grumpy GJ makes a special appearance today. To lighten the mood, we'll look at some big friendly Giants for the Dogs of War, as well as a big, rather unfriendly Dragon for the same faction. These big baddies, sadly, turn into big worsies in 6th edition. Still they have many uses, not the least of which is as their own template.

There is one Warhammer kit you can't live without as an Empire player: the Militia set. Want to make Free Companies? Militia set! Archers? Crossbowmen? Militia Set! Zombie Pirates? Warriors of Ulric? Militia set! Going to Mordheim? Don't forget to pack your coat... and your Militia set! Join GJ as he explores the rules, models, and options of - can you guess it? - the Militia set.

If there's one book the creators of Warhammer haven't drawn inspiration from, it's the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. On its cover are the words "Don't Panic" in large, friendly letters. But any Warhammer unit (well, except for those nasty immune to psychology guys) can, and most likely will, panic and flee. Join GJ on a journey from 1st edition Morale tests, to Oldhammer era Cool tests, to the panic tests we all know and dread. So don't panic. But if you do, prepare to be pursued.

Nathan breaks down the latest Warhammer: The Old World dev diary on the Tomb Kings and speculates on some important information within! As a bonus, he's not even grumpy about this article!

Some episodes are meticulously planned and written. This is not one of them. Join GJ as he discusses the newest Fantasy related releases from Games Workshop and just talks hobby. How to make an army list that will lose you the battle? GJ knows. How to keep making the same mistake when modelling? GJ knows! How to make lots of money without having to work? GJ doesn't know (but is certainly curious to know if you do...).

Imagine you are one (or two) of the most powerful, most favoured Daemons in the Realm of Chaos. Mortals tremble at the very sound of your name. You are second only to your dark god. The Warhammer World is at the tips of your fingers (or claws, or wings). And then... sixth edition happens and you're all forgotten. Not a very nice prospect, but it is what happened to Amon 'Chakai and Azazel, two Daemon warlords that were only playable in 5th edition, that incidentally both had their ways of targeting enemy characters. We had to let them go after 5th edition, but the better question is: will they let you go? (Hint: they won't, and neither will the Bohemian Rhapsody earworm that's either been bothering you since you read the podcast title or will be bothering you now that you've gone and read the title again).

Nathan and GJ get together for a grab bag episode featuring Nathan's holiday disaster, a new Warhammer the Old World article, hobby new years resolutions, and some sneaky Beastmen Talk. *Due to technical difficulties Nathan's audio was captured through the wrong microphone. We apologize for the lower quality of the recording. (GJ still sounds great though!)*

A major philosophical question is not how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but how many Skinks you can fit onto your Stegadon. Join GJ as he explores these and other pressing matters (or, to use the technical term, ramblings) while talking about the evolution of the Stegadon from 5th-8th edition.

The siege of Praag is one of the most dramatic events of the Great War against Chaos. The horrors unleashed upon the people of the city gave the citizens of the Old World a glimpse as to what awaited them should armies of Chaos stand victorious. This week enjoy three selected tales from siege of Praag. Each one told from the perspective of a citizen of that doomed city! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from the Wargames Orchard!

Warhammer is known to have a few monsters here and there. If you think hard you could probably picture one or two. Here at the Orchard we think there's room for more monsters! This week we're going to look at some classic monsters that are sadly absent from Warhammer Fantasy and see where we can find them a place in the Old World and beyond! We mention Hayland games in the episode, they make a great line of monster / horror minis www.haylandgames.com Join us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/wargamesorchard

A slightly grumpy GJ is reconsidering his faith and so there is only one logical conclusion: talk about the White Dwarf. Because if you look really hard, squint with both eyes and cover one of them with a fancy eyepatch just like Gotrek's, there is a very definite sort-of link between Grombrindal and Christmas. A deep dive, not through the army books, but through Grombrindal's namesake magazine, scouring obscure pdfs for rules that don't change too much after Herohammer. But then again, they were pretty far out there in the Herohammer era. Oh, and one final warning: only listen to this episode with your opponent's permission. We have to mention that almost every single time, especially when you get three legendary lords for the price of one, which is also the price of one thousand points. Come join our Facebook group, the Warhammer Orchard! You can find us on Facebook (Wargames Orchard), Patreon (patreon.com/wargamesorchard) and Instagram (@wargamesorchard). Or you can reach us by email via wargamesorchard[at]gmail[dot]com.

There's a slew of new stuff from Games Workshop, so Nathan and GJ are pretty sure it can all work for Warhammer Fantasy. Join us for a breakdown of the new models and Battleforces that Fantasy fans can use to bolster their forces. Also GJ has an fun announcement for our Patreon members!

It's the return of Nathan, we don't remember him, but he insists he used to host this show. This week we catch up on some hobby talk, including Army Painter's Speed Paints. Then that Nathan guy gets grumpy about the last Old World update, finally we finish with Man O' War!

Join GJ as he delves (or gores, or gauges, or slashes) deeply into the history of the mighty Minotaurs, both in Warhammer Fantasy and the original iteration hidden away below the palace of king Minos on Crete. Is there truth to the legend? We sure hope so! But not so much if the Minotaurs take on the Bloodgreed trait. Because in Old World, beef eat you. Come join our Facebook group, the Warhammer Orchard! You can find us on: Facebook: Wargames Orchard Patron: Patreon.com/wargamesorchard Instagram: @wargamesorchard Email: wargamesorchard[at]gmail[dot]com