Can it be?! Yes…yes it can!

It’s another supply drop of issues of Stormbringer, the Warhammer Age of Sigmar magazine series from Hachette Partworks!

For this latest drop we are going to be looking at issues 51 through 54, as well as the 3rd Premium Kit which arrived with this batch of issues.

What is Stormbringer?

Stormbringer is a magazine series from Hachette Partworks and features content and models from Warhammer Age of Sigmar. Each issue is priced at £9.99.

If you’d like to check out what you get through the entire series of magazines in one article, as well as the original cost breakdown (bearing in mind the price recently went from £8.99 to £9.99) then make sure you check out Matt’s article right here.

Want to check out previous issue contents? Hit this link right here!

I think it is about time we got stuck in to the issues!

Issue 51

Includes: Loonboss on Giant Cave Squig
Value: On Warhammer.com he would set you back £25, so a nice saving of £15.01

Magazine Contents:

First of all, ever since its release, I’ve loved the Loonboss on Giant Squig mini. It almost makes me want to go back and do a full Gloomspite army…nearly…

Moving on to the issue itself, it opens with the second part of The Gathering short story, which involves said Gloomspite Gitz. 

As we’ve seen from all the previous issues of Stormbringer, the next part of the magazine focuses on the model that comes with this issue. These magazines have been fantastic for helping you build a narrative behind your models, and this issue doesn’t disappoint. You can help choose an origin for your Loonboss and grants you a few little achievements to complete with your little angry Gobbo. 

The issue then importantly goes in to how to assembly the model, and how to paint it using the paints so far gathered during the series. For the first time as well it even goes on to show how to base your mini, as following the last batch of issues we now have texture paint. 

So that you can use your Loonboss in battle we then have the full warscroll, as well as a more detailed look at how his abilities work, using very clear diagrams. 

Battle Profiles are then explained, which is a new term for anyone new to Sigmar and are entering the system using these magazines. The Battle Profiles basically break down the units gathered so far in this series and states their role (Hero, Troops, etc…). It also then comes with another line explaining any special rules for them. For example, Stormdrake Guard count as 2 Troop choices.  Now these stipulations are only valid for Stormbringer scenarios, as so far the magazine has told you in each of it’s battle plans which units to take. Going forward you’ll be told how many heroes and troops you can take for example, allowing you to make your own list for the first time without overcomplicating things at this point with points. I like it!

To finish the issue off we of course have a battleplan, which is the first in the second Battlepack of the series, Forged in War. As discussed in the last paragraph, instead of listing what you have to take you are told what allocation you have to choose from. So for this battleplan, Squig Chase, the Order player can choose 2 x Heroes and 4 x Troops, whilst the Destruction player has to take the new Loonboss on Cave Squig, plus 1 other Hero and 4 x Troops. 

Issues 52

Includes: Endrinmaster in Dirigible Suit
Value: Just like the Loonboss, RRP on this chap is also £25, so another £15.01 saving.

Magazine Contents:

Again, let’s have a look at the mini first. The Endrinmaster is one of the last released Kharadron Overlord models, and is the first Sky Dwarf to be included in this magazine series. He’s an ace mini, and presents the first challenge of a flying stand. 

As you may expect the magazine opens with a bit of background on the Kharadron Overlords. They are a very unique army in the Age of Sigmar, utilising a lot of shooting rather than combat (not to say they cannot do combat at all). They also have access to some awesome flying vessels, one of which we get in the Premium Kit, more on that later. 

We’ve then got a short story focusing on a band of Chaos warriors in ‘Path to Glory’, before moving on to the usual narrative background building for your new Dwarf. This even includes a cool (if little) name generator for your Endrinmaster and Aetheric Navigator (who comes with the Premium Kit).

We then press on into the assembly guide (which sensibly advises to assemble and paint the model first, before glueing to the flying stand). Speaking of which, you then have a detailed painting guide for him, again using the paints that have come with the magazine series so far. 

Moving on the magazine then gives you the full warscroll for your model, as well as a detailed breakdown of the special rules on the warscroll. 

Every now and then the magazines like to give you some hints and tips for some of the units you’ve built and painted so far. This issue returns to 2 Sylvaneth models, the Arch-Revenant and the Branchwych, giving you some ideas of what they are good at…and not so good at. 

Finally the issue signs off with the second battleplan from your Forged in War battlepack. 

Issue 53

Includes: Stormhost Silver and Ogryn Camo Paints
Value: Stormhost Silver is £3.70, whilst Ogryn Camo is £2.75, so no saving on this one, however it’s still a good issue!

Magazine Contents:

No models with this issue, instead we have two new paints in Stormhost Silver (which is a really nice highlight for silver or base for contrast paints if you are trying to get a really shiny finish) and Ogryn Camo (which I have never used before!).

Opening this issue and it’s the Lumineth staring at us, as the mag introduces you to the Realm of Light. This then moves on to a bit of background on the various Chaos Cults which have spread throughout the Mortal Realms. 

We then move on to some more narrative flavour, this time focusing on the Realm of Light and helping you gift your Heroes with some Hysh-background and lore. 

For the painting guide in this issue it talks about Highlighting, something I am focusing on myself recently. It shows you in detail how to use the two new paints you have with this issue to go back to your models previously painted and highlight them up. It’s a fantastic technique and whilst time consuming, can really make your models ‘pop’.

The next section introduces Battle Traits. These are special rules which can come with armies, and grant army wide buffs. The two explained in this issue are the Places of Power battle trait for the Sylvaneth and the Bad Moons Orbit for the Gloomspite Gitz. Like when the magazines break down warscroll abilities, this section does the same but with these battle traits, clearly explaining how the rules work.

Wrapping up the issue is the third battleplan for your latest battlepack, called Essence of Genius, and again utilises the Battle Profiles to enable you to field an army of your choosing from the collection you have built up so far.

Issue 54

Includes: Sneaky Snufflers
Value: The RRP on these is £27.50, so a saving of £17.51!

Magazine Contents:

The Gloomspite have got some reinforcements in this issue with the Sneaky Snufflers. They are a utility unit that helps other units in your army.

Turning to the first page we are greeted with some background on one of the smelliest forces in the Mortal Realms, the Maggotkin of Nurgle! It talks about the cycle of Nurgle and really gives you a flavour of the army. 

We’ve then got some more background on the Realm of Shyish, breaking down the key players in the Realm of Death (Ossiarch Bonereapers, Soulblight, Nighthaunt and Flesh-Eaters).

As always we then move on to some narrative options for your new Sneaky Snufflers, again with a few tables you can either choose from or roll on. Comprehensive building and painting instructions follow, as well as the full warscroll for the unit and a further breakdown on how their unique warscroll abilities work. 

Ylthari’s Guardians and the Spirit of Durthu get the tactics treatment in this issue, breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the two Sylvaneth units. 

The Motherlode is the name of the battleplan in this issue, and it even includes some objective markers you can cut out and use in your games. 

Premium Kit 3

Includes: A Grundstok Gunhauler, 3 x Skywardens and a Aetheric Navigator
Value: The Gunhauler is priced on Warhammer.com at £35, the Skywardens are £32.50 whilst the Navigator is £19. Previously I’ve worked out that overall each Premium Kit costs £39.50, so this gives us a whopping saving of £47!

Magazine Contents:

Premium issue 3 already! And this one is focused on those Sky Dwarfs, the Kharadron Overlords!

You get a great set of minis with this kit. The Gunhauler is the smallest of the three ships available to the Overlords, but is nonetheless a great kit. The 3x Skywardens are your close combat guys, however I prefer the alternative build, the Endrinriggers, as they still have a bit of punch but can also heal your vessels. Oh, and you get a Navigator who has seem neat abilities too!

Moving on to the included special issue, the magazine opens straight in to some narrative options for your Navigator, creating a backstory and personal traits for him. You get the same offerings for your Skywardens too. For the Gunhauler you can roll or choose the Crew’s Motivation and Strategies, and it mentions in future issues you’ll be able to pick names for your new units too (Name Generator for the Navigator was in Issue 52).

There are in depth instructions on how to assemble everything, and includes hints on building the Gunhauler in subassemblies to make it easier to paint. This then moves on to a painting guide for all your new units too. Again, this takes your subassemblies into consideration. 

All three units have their warscrolls in this issue, so that you can use them all in your games of AoS. This is then followed by detailed diagrams on how the unique warscroll abilities work and also states their battle profiles. 

Finally, it comes with a battleplan called Lighting Raid, which has all three units from this premium kit up against a selection of Krulboyz.

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And that’s the latest batch of issues digested! I’ve been kicking myself for not painting along with the issues, and I’m tempted to paint the Overlords using the guides in here before the next batch arrives…however I’ve got other projects ongoing at the moment. 100% want to tackle them soon though!

Our thanks to Hachette Partworks for sending these issues to review.