Next week’s pre-orders bring meaningful expansions to two very different battlefields: the disciplined ranks of Grand Cathay in Warhammer: The Old World, and the cold efficiency of the Mechanicum in Warhammer: The Horus Heresy.
Both releases feel purposeful—less about filler, more about rounding out force structure and battlefield roles.
Defenders of the Great Bastion Army Reinforcement Set
Grand Cathay continues to establish its identity with a reinforcement set that builds a proper defensive core.
Inside the Box
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2x Astromancers (mounted and on foot)
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30x Peasant Levy
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8x Crane Gun Teams
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12x Iron Hail Gunners
Army Impact
Astromancers anchor the force. The dual build options support both infantry-heavy and cavalry-supported lists, reinforcing Cathay’s Yin and Yang synergy mechanics. The familiar adds visual character while maintaining the faction’s refined aesthetic.
The Peasant Levy bring mass. Thirty models immediately allow players to establish board presence, screen key assets, and hold objectives. They are not elite troops, but their role is clear and strategically valuable.
The ranged elements define Cathay’s battlefield identity:
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Crane Gun Teams offer long-range precision with built-in survivability thanks to tower shields.
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Iron Hail Gunners provide devastating mid-range firepower designed to thin enemy formations before they can engage.
This set strengthens Cathay’s combined-arms profile—magic support, defensive infantry blocks, and layered ranged pressure.
For anyone building the faction, this box meaningfully expands both model count and tactical options.
Arcane Journal: The Breaching of the Great Bastion
Rules for the new Cathayan units are found in Arcane Journal: The Breaching of the Great Bastion.
The supplement expands the faction’s background and provides narrative depth centered around the defense of the Great Bastion, including rules to recreate the Battle of Nan-Li. It offers structured scenarios for players who prefer thematic or campaign-driven games, while also consolidating rules support for the new units.
For players investing in Cathay, this is a functional addition that supports both gameplay and lore.
Myrmidon Destructor Host
The Myrmidon Destructor Host strengthens Mechanicum heavy infantry options in the Age of Darkness.
Each model can be armed with:
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An irradiation engine (anti-infantry)
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A darkfire cannon (anti-armour)
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Shock chargers for melee engagement
Interchangeable heads and servo-skulls allow for visual customization across the six models, while the unit’s role is clear: apply focused, high-output damage where it’s needed.
For Mechanicum players looking to increase offensive pressure without sacrificing thematic cohesion, this is a strong addition.
Skitarii Battle-Pilgrym Marshal & Corpus
The Skitarii expansion adds structure and tactical flexibility.
The Battle-Pilgrym Marshal offers multiple weapon configurations and head options, allowing players to differentiate characters in larger forces.
The Battle-Pilgrym Corpus includes 16 miniatures that can be fielded as one large unit or two smaller squads. Armed with voltlock arquebuses, they provide reliable anti-infantry pressure and integrate cleanly into Mechanicum transport options such as the Triaros Armoured Conveyor.
This release strengthens mid-field presence and objective control within Mechanicum lists.
Vultarax Stratos-Automata
The Vultarax Stratos-Automata introduces mobile fire support.
With access to:
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Arc blasters
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Airburst weapons
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Shaped charge missiles
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Close-combat talons
Its flight capability allows it to reposition efficiently and apply pressure to priority targets across the battlefield. It fills a mobility niche that complements the more grounded elements of a Mechanicum force.
Final Assessment
This release wave feels intentional on both fronts.
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Grand Cathay receives the model density and ranged support needed to establish a durable defensive identity in The Old World.
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The Mechanicum gains flexible heavy infantry, structured Skitarii support, and mobile firepower in the Age of Darkness.
Each kit expands tactical depth rather than simply adding redundancy, and together they represent a meaningful step forward for both ranges.
