Christmas Blogs: Vanguard in 2021

Welcome to the second of our Christmas Blogs! Over the next few days, we’re going to be keeping you updated about what’s coming up for all your favourite Mantic products. Just in case you missed Ronnie’s opener, here are the dates to mark in your calendar.

• December 26th – review of the year by Ronnie
• December 27th – Vanguard in 2021 (that’s what you’re reading now!)
• December 28th – what’s coming up from Winged Hussar
• December 29th – Brush with Death 2021
• December 30th – Kings of War in 2021
• December 31st – The Walking Dead in 2021
• January 1st – Armada in 2021
• January 2nd – DreadBall in 2021
• January 3rd – sci-fi in 2021
• January 4th – Hellboy in 2021

As you can see it’s a packed schedule, so make sure you tune in every day for sneak peeks, hot off the press information and more!

VANGUARD

It’s been a little quiet on the Vanguard front since the launch of the ogres in August… but all that’s set to change in 2021 with not one but TWO warband releases.

RATKIN

We’ll start with the Ratkin. If you tuned into our Virtual Open Day, it’s likely you’ve already seen some of the awesome new models that are coming out for this warband. So, today we’re unveiling a few more painted minis and giving you a sneak peek of their rules.

Compared to the Ratkin warband available in the free warbands PDF, which you can download here, the new warband rules have had a major overhaul! First of all, just take a look at all the available units:

• Wretch (Grunt)
• Vermintide (Grunt)
• Warrior (Warrior)
• Hackpaw (Warrior)
• Shock Trooper (Support)
• Swarm-crier (Support)
• Scurrier (Support)
• Night Terror (Large)
• Nightmare Gunner (Large)
• Nightmare Driller (Large)
• Warlock (Spellcaster)
• Twitch Keenear (Spellcaster)
• Birthing Daughter (Command)
• War Chief (Command)
• Brute Enforcer (Command)

One of the more interesting additions is the inclusion of a Ratkin Nest. This is a token that can be placed at the start of the game and can be used to cause all sorts of fun havoc for your enemy.

Not only does a nest provide the opportunity to bring back Grunts that are taken out, but the Birthing Daughter also gets a boost to her Power Dice when near the nest too. We’ll have plenty more on how to play as the Ratkin as we near the release. Anyway, let’s take a look at those new miniatures!

SWARM-CRIER

These repulsive and weak-minded vermin are those warlocks sent mad by the tumultuous sorcery of the Abyss. Unable to cope with the bizarre visions that plague their fragile minds, most tear out their own eyes or go blind from the horrors they witness. Unburdened from the curse of sight, they act as assistants for the Warlocks and during battle bellow the teachings of the Wicked Ones to the gathered swarms or lead a chorus of the dirge-like Screech-songs.

BIRTHING DAUGHTER

Although the war chiefs often taken command of large armies of Ratkin, the Birthing Daughters are second in command – after the despotic Brood Mother. Used to nurse the numerous offspring of the Brood Mother, and the other Birthing Daughters, they must even take their pups into battle and carry them on their back.

BRUTE ENFORCER

When roused to war, the slaves are let loose from their cages and herded into battle by the Brute Enforcers. Many are trampled to death in the initial rush for freedom, but the Brood Mother does not care, there are always more to replace them.

SALAMANDERS

Along with the Ratkin, we’re also planning to release the Salamander warband in 2021. Compared to the Ratkin, which rely on fear to control the warband, the Salamanders are well drilled in the art of war. As a result, you should expect to excel in Group Actions! We’ll have plenty more on them as we approach the release but, in the meantime, here are a couple of renders.

TYRANT

Tyrants are large, heavily muscled brutes that were nearly made extinct during the War with Winter. A bare few survived the great exodus but their numbers are steadily increasing to a point where they are confident accompanying the Salamanders to war. Similar in appearance to Arkosaurs, they have a physique more akin to an ogre and a temper as short as an orc’s.

LEKELIDON

Lekelidons are giant spitting lizards with spiky tempers and are prodded into battle by their Salamander handlers. In rare cases, and if captured young enough, juvenile Lekelidons have the brains to be trained to operate semi-autonomously, although often with mixed results.

So, as you can see, there's plenty to get excited about for Vanguard in 2021 - and maybe we can finally hold Spearhead III at HQ!