Category: warhammer the old world

Dwarf Anvil of Doom

The Dwarf Anvil of Doom is one of the most ancient heirlooms of the Dwarf race. It is on these anvils that the greatest rune weapons have been forged. Each anvil is covered in runes that modern Runesmiths cannot begin to fathom. When striking runes on the anvil, each Runelord uses techniques taught to him by his master that were in turn taught by his master and so on back to the dawn of time. Because of this, no two anvils function in exactly the same way.

This is the model from Warhammer World and GamesDay 2005.

Dwarf Anvil of Doom
Dwarf Anvil of Doom at Warhammer World
Dwarf Anvil of Doom
Dwarf Anvil of Doom
Dwarf Anvil of Doom at Warhammer World

I think it’s interesting that at one time the model was based. Looking at the images, one of them shows the Runelord with his hammer above his shoulder (at Games Day 2005)  and another behind his neck (in Warhammer World).

You can now buy the Anvil of Doom from Games Workshop.

Terracotta Army of Grand Cathay

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta.

Though one model does not make an army, and the other Cathay forces would need painting. 

However… in a recent blog post I noted a posting on the Warhammer Community where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors.

I decided to do something different and paint a unit of terracotta Jade Warriors to match my Cathayan Sentinel. They were painted mainly with drybrushes, which I intentionally left quite dusty and textured to give the illusion of the hard terracotta. This was followed by washes to provide some deeper shadows, then static grass and foliage were added to give them an ancient feel, as if they’ve just been awoken in Grand Cathay’s time of need.

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style.

The first box for that army arrived, and it was the huge Cathayan Sentinel. The next box was the Grand Cathay Battalion Box.

In this box you get:

2x Cathayan Grand Cannons or Fire Rain Rocket Batteries
10x Jade Lancers
30x Jade Warriors

Good value compared to buying miniatures separately.

I will be painting the Jade Warriors and Jade Lancers as terracotta.

The Jade Warriors can be assembled as one large unit, two units of 15 warriors, or three units of 10 warriors – each with their own optional champion, standard bearer, and musician. Likewise the Jade Lancers can be assembled as one large unit or two units of five warriors.

I am thinking large units at this time.

As for the Cathayan Grand Cannons I am thinking that the crews should be terracotta in appearance, but not sure about the cannons. Something to think about.

Going all terracotta

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta.

Though one model does not make an army, and the other Cathay forces would need painting. 

However… in a recent blog post I noted a posting on the Warhammer Community where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors.

I decided to do something different and paint a unit of terracotta Jade Warriors to match my Cathayan Sentinel. They were painted mainly with drybrushes, which I intentionally left quite dusty and textured to give the illusion of the hard terracotta. This was followed by washes to provide some deeper shadows, then static grass and foliage were added to give them an ancient feel, as if they’ve just been awoken in Grand Cathay’s time of need.

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style.

Well…

The first box for that army arrived today, and it was the huge Cathayan Sentinel.

Cathayan Sentinels are massive animated statues brought to life by Dragon-tier elemental magic. These behemoths are terrifyingly durable and possess immense striking power, capable of clearing out enemy formations with ease.

This is how the Warhammer Studio painted their model.

So, the first stage will be store the box in the garage for a few years….

Sorry, no, the first stage will be to build the model.

Terracotta Warriors

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. 

I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta.

Though one model does not make an army, and the other Cathay forces would need painting.

However… I was intrigued by a recent posting on the Warhammer Community where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors.

I decided to do something different and paint a unit of terracotta Jade Warriors to match my Cathayan Sentinel. They were painted mainly with drybrushes, which I intentionally left quite dusty and textured to give the illusion of the hard terracotta. This was followed by washes to provide some deeper shadows, then static grass and foliage were added to give them an ancient feel, as if they’ve just been awoken in Grand Cathay’s time of need.

Lewis went on to say:

This is a great way to get a unit painted quickly. I even contemplated painting a whole army in this style, but I prefer the idea of having a unit or two done like this, given context by the surrounding army of living, breathing warriors.

 I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style. I think the use of grass and foliage would enhance and break up the muddy look of a terracotta force, which would otherwise could be quite bland.

Thinking about it.

There are some guides out there from the community on how to paint terracotta, so useful help there.

High Elf Realms

These High Elves were on display at Warhammer World.

The High Elf Realms army in Warhammer: The Old World stands as a testament to the might and elegance of a race that has held back the tides of chaos and destruction for millennia. Their forces are a perfectly balanced fusion of martial precision, ancient magical power, and a deep-seated pride that allows them to stand their ground against overwhelming odds. Unlike the brute-force tactics of Orcs or the overwhelming numbers of the Tomb Kings, the High Elves win battles through superior skill, strategy, and the devastating application of both arcane and physical force. Every unit, from the humble spearmen to the most legendary dragon, is a master of its craft, creating an army that is both beautiful and lethal.

The core of a High Elf army is built around a disciplined and well-equipped infantry force. Spearmen, with their gleaming, long spears and defensive shields, form the backbone, their discipline allowing them to hold a line against even the most ferocious enemy charges. The Lothern Sea Guard are the pinnacle of this versatility, combining the defensive strength of spearmen with the ranged prowess of archers, making them one of the most flexible and valuable units on the battlefield. For pure offensive power, the Swordmasters of Hoeth are a terrifying sight; their skill with the greatsword is unparalleled, allowing them to carve through armoured foes with deadly precision. And when it comes to holding the line against the most terrifying of foes, the Phoenix Guard, stoic guardians of the Eternal Flame, stand as an unbreakable shield, their halberds and indomitable will turning back even the most fearsome of monsters.

While their ground forces are formidable, the High Elves truly excel in their mobility and the sheer destructive power of their magical constructs and monstrous allies. Ellyrian Reavers provide unparalleled speed for scouting and harassing enemy flanks, while the elite Silver Helms deliver a devastatingly powerful charge that can punch through enemy formations. The legendary Dragon Princes of Caledor ride into battle with the pride and fury of a dragon’s fire, their charge capable of breaking the mightiest of enemy units. The High Elf army is also supported by powerful war machines like the Eagle-Claw Bolt Thrower, which can fire either a single, powerful bolt to fell large beasts or a hail of smaller bolts to scythe down infantry. All of this is commanded by an Archmage or a Mage, wielding the potent Lore of High Magic, bolstering their troops and annihilating their enemies with devastating spells.

Among the most awe-inspiring and powerful creatures to grace a High Elf army are the majestic Phoenixes. These avian demigods are powerful allies and symbols of Ulthuan’s magical might. The Flamespyre Phoenix is a living embodiment of fire, its body wreathed in flames that immolate nearby foes and its piercing shriek melting armour and bone. Its fiery aura makes it a terrifying weapon against enemy infantry, and should it be brought down in battle, it has a chance to rise from its own ashes, a literal symbol of rebirth and resilience. In stark contrast, the Frostheart Phoenix is a creature of pure ice and cold. Its presence on the battlefield chills the air and saps the will of nearby enemies, reducing their combat prowess and turning the momentum of a battle in the High Elves’ favour. Its icy attacks can freeze foes solid, and it offers a powerful counterpoint to the more destructive nature of the Flamespyre. Together, these two great beasts represent the duality of Ulthuan’s magic and serve as potent, almost legendary, battlefield weapons.

Dwarfen Mountain Holds

These Dwarfs were on display at Warhammer World.

In the grim and perilous world of Warhammer: The Old World, the Dwarfen Mountain Holds, collectively known as the Karaz Ankor in their ancient tongue, stand as bastions of stubborn defiance against a hostile world. These colossal fortresses, carved deep into the living rock of the Worlds Edge Mountains and other ranges, represent the heart of Dwarf civilisation. Far from mere strongholds, they are intricate underground cities, sprawling networks of tunnels, grand halls, and cunningly devised defences, all designed to safeguard the Dwarfs’ immense wealth and ancient traditions.

While many of the once-mighty Holds have fallen to Greenskin incursions, Skaven infestation, or the ravages of Chaos, the Dwarfs are a race defined by their indomitable spirit and their meticulously kept “Book of Grudges.”

More photographs of Dwarfs.