As the calendar turns and the world inches closer to spring, the Mortal Realms once again feel the creeping, inevitable touch of decay. This latest wave of Maggotkin of Nurgle releases leans hard into what the faction does best: slow, relentless pressure, grotesque characterful models, and an army identity that feels as oppressive on the table as it does on the shelf.
While there’s plenty arriving alongside this release window, the real story here isn’t rules updates or books — it’s the sheer weight of new and returning miniatures that reinforce Nurgle’s place as one of the most visually and mechanically distinct forces in Warhammer Age of Sigmar.
And at the heart of it all is one truly revolting centerpiece.
Festus the Leechlord Steals the Spotlight
If there’s a single model that defines this release, it’s Festus the Leechlord.
Formerly a plague doctor, now a daemon-infused nightmare, Festus is everything Maggotkin players love distilled into one miniature. Mounted atop the bloated monstrosity Gathoblyt, he radiates corruption — not just through lore, but through sculpted detail. Leech-filled vials, distended flesh, and alchemical horrors are all layered into a model that feels alive in the worst possible way.
On the tabletop, Festus embodies Nurgle’s ethos: weakening enemies, siphoning vitality, and outlasting opposition through sheer diseased resilience. From a hobby perspective, the kit’s dual head options give painters a chance to personalize him further, whether you lean into grotesque horror or warped intelligence.
Simply put: if you collect Maggotkin, Festus isn’t optional. He’s the anchor around which this entire release revolves.
Cavalry, Brutes, and the March of Rot
Beyond Festus, this release does an excellent job fleshing out every layer of the Maggotkin roster.
Sloven Knights are a twisted mockery of noble cavalry — plague-ridden steeds carrying warriors who sap motivation just by being nearby. Their designs drip with decay, and they feel purpose-built to crash into enemy lines and grind them down.
The ever-iconic Putrid Blightkings return in plastic with all the bulk, filth, and personality players expect. Few units in Age of Sigmar communicate durability and presence as well as these bloated champions of disease.
On the lighter end of the spectrum, Rotswords...
and Pestigors bring speed, frenzy, and thematic contrast. The Rotswords’ feverish aggression pairs nicely with the nomadic, filth-worshipping Pestigors — both serving as excellent tools for spreading contagion across the board while reinforcing the army’s narrative identity.
Characters, Cultists, and Darkwater Returns
Several models previously locked behind Warhammer Quest: Darkwater are now stepping into the wider Age of Sigmar ecosystem, and that’s a big win for collectors.
Gulgus Pust and the Court of Gelgus Pust bring strong narrative flavor, while the Cankerborn add a terrifying, teleporting daemon presence that feels perfectly at home in corrupted battlefields. The inclusion of Pox-Wretches and their accompanying Mire Kelpies rounds out the lowly, desperate end of Nurgle worship — disgusting, yes, but packed with character. We suspect these will be posted to Online Only so will be on our Special Order program as soon as available!
Rounding things off, the Spoilpox Scrivener returns as a standalone release, giving daemon-heavy lists a familiar (and thoroughly miserable) support piece. We suspect this will also be Online Only so will be on our Special Order program as soon as available!
Boxes, Spearheads, and Extras
For players looking to jump in or expand efficiently, the Bubonic Cell Spearhead offers a well-rounded mix of mortals and daemons that feels very true to Nurgle’s playstyle. Dice and warscroll cards are also arriving for those who want a fully themed table presence.
One of the standout force packages in this release is Regiments of Renown: The Pustules, a compact but brutally thematic tallyband of Plaguebearers designed to spread corruption the moment they hit the table. When deployed, The Pustules immediately seed a Feculent Gnarlmaw, giving the regiment built-in regeneration and staying power right from turn one. Backing them up is a Spoilpox Scrivener, ensuring the tally is kept and the daemons get on with their work efficiently.
This regiment is a strong option for players looking to inject a self-contained pocket of Nurgle board control into larger forces, or for those wanting a narratively cohesive daemon core without committing to a full daemon-heavy list. Availability is limited, making this a solid pickup for both players and collectors while stocks last.
Battletome: Maggotkin of Nurgle
While the miniatures are the true stars of this release, the updated Battletome: Maggotkin of Nurgle provides the mechanical backbone that lets these models truly shine on the tabletop. The book refreshes battle traits, warscrolls, enhancements, and army construction options, reinforcing the faction’s signature grindy, attritional playstyle.
Spearhead: Helforge Host
Not everything in this announcement is blessedly rotten — there’s also a new Spearhead option for the Helsmiths of Hashut with the Helforge Host, built for players who like their battlelines disciplined, industrial, and brutally efficient. Originally found in the Helsmiths of Hashut Army Set, this Spearhead brings together a War Despot, 11 Infernal Cohort, a Dominator Engine, and a Tormentor Bombard, giving you a compact force that leans into board control, crushing fire support, and heavy-metal “war machine” vibes.
It also includes a transfer sheet with 450 decals, which is a genuinely nice bonus for anyone who cares about getting clean faction markings and unit identification across a Spearhead force without freehanding everything. Even if your heart belongs to Grandfather Nurgle, this is a strong side-release for anyone looking to start (or expand) a Hashut-themed force in a single, structured package.
Important Note: Made to Order Adepta Sororitas
Outside of the Age of Sigmar releases, there is a Adepta Sororitas Army Set returning as a Made to Order item.
This Made to Order Sororitas set is only available directly and is not part of standard retail availability.
Production and delivery timelines can extend up to 180 days, and this item sits firmly outside the Maggotkin-focused release window.
White Dwarf Issue 520
January’s White Dwarf Issue 520 kicks off 2026 with a big spotlight on 500 Worlds: Titus for Warhammer 40,000 — including discussion of the supplement, an introduction to the miniatures, and an interview with the designers behind Titus and his cohort (plus coverage touching on Nekrosor Ammentar and the C’tan Shard of the Nightbringer). On the Age of Sigmar side, it also digs into the Jade Abbey and includes hobby content aimed squarely at fans of filth and fungus: painting tips for Warhammer Quest: Darkwater villains and a guide for building properly disgusting Nurgle terrain. There’s also an army showcase featuring the Silver Skulls, plus a Shyish-themed AoS collection and more hobby coverage throughout.
Black Library Paperbacks Incoming
If you want something to read while your new plastic cures (or while you’re painting leeches onto Festus), there are two paperback Black Library releases landing for pre-order:
Verminslayer by David Guymer drops Gotrek into Ghyran’s Greywater Fastness, a city choking on industry and conflict — with trouble above ground from raiders and worse things building below. It’s classic “bad situation gets worse” Warhammer storytelling, with Gotrek right where he belongs: in the middle of it, looking for answers and finding violence instead.
Grombrindal: Ancestor’s Burden by Chris Thursten is an anthology that collects six short stories plus the short novel The Maker’s Promise, following Grombrindal and the Oathbreakers as they try to lift an ancient curse. If you like duardin-centric tales with grudges, duty, and mythic weight, this one’s aimed directly at you.
Final Thoughts
This release is a solid, well-rounded win for the Maggotkin of Nurgle. Festus the Leechlord is the clear standout — a disgusting, character-heavy centerpiece that perfectly embodies the faction — while the surrounding units, Regiments of Renown, and Spearheads give players multiple ways to build and expand their armies.
The battletome provides the structure to support it all without stealing the spotlight, and side releases like White Dwarf 520 and the new Black Library paperbacks help make this feel like a complete release window rather than a single-model drop.
If you’re a Nurgle player, there’s a lot here to like. The garden grows, and the rot marches on.
