Excess Beckons. A Review
Excess returns to the Mortal Realms, and Slaanesh is arriving with style.
The After Dark opens at Midnight EST on 06/20, bringing a packed wave of new Warhammer Age of Sigmar releases, including the new Hedonites of Slaanesh Battletome, the latest General’s Handbook 2026-27, new Skaven reinforcements, Spearhead updates, and several notable Black Library releases.
This is one of those release weeks where nearly every corner of Age of Sigmar gets something worth looking at, whether you are chasing competitive Matched Play updates, building a new Chaos force, expanding a Spearhead collection, or adding a few essential stories to your shelf.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Battletome: Hedonites of Slaanesh
The new Battletome: Hedonites of Slaanesh is the centerpiece of this release wave, and it gives the faction the refresh it needed. Slaanesh has always been one of the more visually striking Chaos factions in Age of Sigmar, mixing speed, elegance, cruelty, and excess into one very distinct army identity.
This battletome brings the updated lore, rules, warscrolls, miniatures galleries, and Path to Glory content players need to bring the servants of the Dark Prince back to the table. For existing Hedonites players, this is the obvious pickup. For anyone who has been waiting for the faction to get a proper update before starting an army, this is the moment.
The Gamer’s Edition is also worth noting. The smaller-format book paired with warscroll and reference cards makes it a much more table-friendly option for players who actually want to use the book during games instead of just keeping it on the shelf. Please note: The Gamer's Edition is only available directly from Games Workshop and is not offered to third party retailers.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Lord of Hysteria
The Lord of Hysteria is exactly the kind of character piece that makes a faction release feel complete. A mortal champion sharing their body with a pleasure-daemon is peak Slaanesh theming, and the model brings that disturbing, theatrical energy to the battlefield.
Rules-wise, this is the kind of hero that should appeal to players who want their army to hit harder and move with that frenzied, aggressive momentum Slaanesh is known for. Visually, it also looks like a strong centerpiece for smaller forces or an excellent addition to an existing Hedonites collection.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Spearhead: Epicurean Revellers
The Epicurean Revellers Spearhead looks like a strong entry point into Hedonites of Slaanesh, especially for players who want speed and pressure right out of the box. Led by a Thricefold Discord, and supported by Daemonettes, Fiends, and Seekers, this force leans into what Slaanesh does best: moving fast, hitting hard, and overwhelming opponents before they can properly respond.
For newer players, this is probably the most approachable way to start the faction. For existing players, it is also a clean way to add several useful units while picking up a force that can be played immediately in Spearhead.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Battleforce: The Decadent Host
The Decadent Host Battleforce is easily one of the biggest highlights of the wave. Sigvald remains one of the most iconic Slaanesh models in the range, and pairing him with Slickblade Seekers, Myrmidesh Painbringers, Slaangor Fiendbloods, and Blissbarb Archers makes this box feel like a proper elite Slaanesh collection.
This is the kind of battleforce that makes sense both as an army starter and as a major expansion. The alternate build options on the Slickblade Seekers and Myrmidesh Painbringers also give the box some added flexibility, which is always welcome in a larger release bundle.
For anyone looking at The Decadent Host Army of Renown, this is the obvious box to watch.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Thricefold Discord
The Thricefold Discord is one of the most characterful units in the release. Three daemons combining magic, violence, and manipulation into one unit is exactly the kind of strange, theatrical design that makes Slaanesh stand apart from the rest of Chaos.
Their ability to draw on powers of Sin gives them a strong identity on the table, and the unit should be especially appealing to players who enjoy layered rules, magical utility, and high-impact moments rather than simple brute force.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Regiments of Renown: Accursed Reflection
The Accursed Reflection is a great release for Chaos players outside of Hedonites as well. Pairing the Contorted Epitome with Slaanesh Endless Spells gives other Chaos armies a way to borrow some of that strange, elegant cruelty without committing to a full Hedonites force.
It is also nice that the models can be used either as the Regiment of Renown or separately in Hedonites armies. That makes the box feel more useful long-term instead of being locked into one narrow playstyle.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – General’s Handbook 2026-27
The General’s Handbook 2026-27 is the other major release this week, and for Matched Play players, it may be the most important item in the entire wave.
This new season brings 12 new battleplans, the Aqshian Crusades system for linking games together, updated Advanced Rules modules, and new background lore focused on the Great Parch of Aqshy. Whether you play competitively, casually, or somewhere in the middle, the General’s Handbook is the release that shapes the next year of Age of Sigmar games.
The standard edition includes reference cards and objective markers, while the Warlord Edition adds the token bag, punch-out status tokens, and game tracker accessory. For players who want the full table-ready package, the Warlord Edition is the premium version to watch. Please note: The Warlord Edition will only be available directly from Games Workshop and is not offered to third party retailers.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Gutter Runners
The Skaven are not being left out this week. The new Gutter Runners bring Clans Eshin back into focus with a squad of stealthy assassins built for close-quarters murder.
The kit also includes Bomb Rats and can alternatively be built as Night Runners, giving Skaven players some welcome flexibility. For anyone who likes the sneakier, dirtier side of the Skaven range, this is a very welcome release.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – Deathmaster Crixxit
Deathmaster Crixxit is a perfect companion to the Gutter Runners. He is built to hunt enemy Heroes, hit hard where it matters, and support nearby Gutter Runners with rapid flanking assaults.
Skaven players who enjoy precision strikes and character assassination should have plenty to like here. He also gives the release a stronger narrative feel, tying the new Eshin models together into a proper battlefield threat.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar – City of Ash Gaming Pack
The City of Ash Gaming Pack is a strong pickup for Spearhead players. It updates the format with new rules, objectives, cards, and a double-sided gaming board, while also including rules for the Sentinels of Embergard and Crixxit’s Kill-Pack.
Spearhead continues to be one of the easiest ways to get Age of Sigmar on the table quickly, and releases like this help keep the format fresh without requiring players to commit to full-sized games every time.
Black Library – The Horus Heresy Saga: False Gods
The Horus Heresy Saga continues with False Gods by Graham McNeill, one of the most important early novels in the entire series. This is where Horus truly begins his fall, and the events on Davin push the Imperium toward the catastrophe that defines the setting.
This edition continues the curated Horus Heresy Saga line, making it a great pickup for readers building a focused collection of the essential Heresy books. The Premium Edition, featuring a metal Sons of Horus icon on the cover, will likely be the version collectors watch most closely while stocks last. Please note: The collectors version of False Gods will only be available directly from Games Workshop and is not offered to third party retailers.
Black Library – The Horus Heresy Saga: Horus Rising
Horus Rising by Dan Abnett returns in paperback, and it remains one of the strongest starting points in all of Black Library. If you have never read the Horus Heresy before, this is where to begin.
It is also a great chance for newer readers to start the Saga collection without having to hunt down older editions.
Black Library – Gloomspite
Andy Clark’s Gloomspite returns in hardback, bringing one of the better-loved Mortal Realms horror stories back to shelves. With the Bad Moon looming over Draconium and the Gloomspite Loonking setting his plans in motion, this is a strong pick for readers who like Age of Sigmar fiction with a darker, more unsettling edge.
Final Thoughts
This is a very strong release week for Age of Sigmar. Hedonites of Slaanesh players get a major faction refresh, Matched Play players get the new General’s Handbook, Skaven players get new Eshin reinforcements, Spearhead receives another useful update, and Black Library fans have several notable books to watch.
THE AFTER DARK opens at Midnight EST on 06/20 for these great new releases.
As always, limited items may move quickly, especially special editions, battleforces, dice, and premium Black Library releases. Be ready when The After Dark goes live.
