PUBLISHER: GAMES WORKSHOP | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
One of the more intimidating things about miniature combat games is the myth that you need a lot of models in order to have fun. Games Workshop have responded by producing a number of warband skirmish style games for their Warhammer: Age of Sigmar Fantasy range.
Of these, Warcry is the one that feels the most like a more traditional wargame, just on a smaller, more accessible scale. The basic idea is that we have bands of Chaos cultists fighting against each other for supremacy. You can run a campaign, level up your warriors and so on. Whereas Warhammer Underworlds is faster (but less deep) and Bloodbowl is light-hearted knock about skirmish fun, Warcry is that sweet spot between ease of play but still makes every game an event.
Warcry Catacombs is a stand-alone box that expands on the existing game; basically it introduces underground locations, with lava filled board for your warbands to fight in. The result is that your games are more close-quarters, more strategic and you can throw in fun things like traps, lava flows etc. The box comes with the main rulebook plus a separate book for catacombs. Though slim, these rules are a welcome addition and give the game a darker vibe. Fans of the old Mordheim game will likely be intrigued by this mode of play. The rules are very well set out and the tempo of the game is steady and rewarding.
There’s a lot of terrain in this set, as you’d expect. 37 in total including doors, bridges, a sewer grate and a huge bell hanging from the gallows. The pieces can be combined to make a variety of interesting scenes and of course, terrain is a critical element for Warcry, and they’re all produced to exacting, highly detailed standard we’ve come to expect from Games Workshop. The game boards themselves are also sturdy, well thought out and quite eye-catching. Useful and a great addition to any collection of fantasy terrain.
Talking of models, we get two full warbands here; Khainite Shadowstalkers and Scions of the Flames. The former are your typical evil elves and are lithe, spiky and vicious. Snakes with knives (literally in the case of their leader) These sort of pieces are always a pleasure to paint and they’re surprisingly easy to assemble. The Scions are less eye-catching, but if you collect chaos cultists (and what Warhammer player doesn’t?) then you’ll find them useful. Both factions play well on the battlefield though as the same suggests, the fire-wielding cult is a bit messier than the smooth elven assassins.
Warcry Catacombs is a great investment for fantasy wargamers , integrating smoothly into the rest of the Warhammer hobby. This is a big heavy box which will eventually end up being part of your larger collection and is a great addition for hairy old gamers and an amazing gift to newer players.
