Talking all the 40K News, Rumours & More!

Summary of the video’s main points (40K news stream + related gaming talk)

1) Live stream housekeeping + community banter

• The host opens with jokes and general chatter, welcoming viewers and reacting to inconsistent notification behavior (YouTube notifications sometimes, while Discord is less reliable).
• The stream includes frequent meme/banter segments and side discussions (e.g., football results and sports predictions), but the conversation eventually centers on Warhammer.

2) Grey Knights and other “when will it happen?” Warhammer speculation

• Viewers ask about Grey Knights (referred to as “green knight” content), and the host gives a pessimistic forecast: Grey Knight releases aren’t expected soon, suggesting later timing rather than earlier.
• There’s also speculation about when certain Warhammer show/reveal events might occur, with rumors pointing to announcements around the 18th as a potentially significant date.
• The host notes broader uncertainty in release pacing—answers like “not soon / not sure,” plus discussion of how new Orcs may tie into Kill Team box announcements.

3) Blizzard/Game industry detour: StarCraft, Warcraft, Diablo shows/trailers

• A major chunk of the stream is spent watching and reacting to StarCraft trailers and other Blizzard announcements/trailers (including Warcraft cinematic content and broader Blizzard media plans).
• The host critiques the StarCraft direction, describing it as feeling like “Budget Warhammer” or Warhammer-style IP copying, while still acknowledging that the CGI looks excellent.
• The host compares Blizzard’s move toward more corporate, mass-market output with Games Workshop’s broader appeal cycle, but repeatedly emphasizes dissatisfaction with the gameplay concept/genre drift—especially regarding StarCraft.

4) Core focus: Martyrdom project update (historical miniatures game + crowdfunding plans)

A major part of the stream isn’t about 40K rules, but about the host’s ongoing independent project, Martyrdom—a historical miniatures wargame.

Production/testing status

• They’re cutting up 3D-printed models for plastic molding.
• They’re working with sculptors and a plastic manufacturer, awaiting confirmation that the molded parts will be acceptable.

Cart pre-orders temporarily halted

• A “cart” item was initially planned for 50 units, but demand surged to 200+.
• To avoid overwhelming the printer/fulfillment workflow, they temporarily took cart orders offline.
  • The cart may reopen if membership goals are hit during the stream.

Kickstarter timing and targets

• The host strongly implies October as the target month for the Kickstarter.
• They discuss revenue/volume benchmarks: if they sell enough box sets, they estimate they can fund the move into plastic production.

Rules approach at launch

• No rulebook will be included in the launch box.
• Martyrdom rules will be free online.
• They avoid printed rules because the game is expected to change during early feedback cycles, so they don’t want players buying something outdated.

Terrain and siege plans

• For early releases: no siege rules immediately.
• A later progression path is planned that includes siege engines, siege terrain, and siege rules (with later battles such as “Siege of Antioch” mentioned).

Mechanics and design discussion

• The host emphasizes alternate/unknown activation to keep the game dynamic.
• They discuss list-building concerns around “unit spam”, and note that cheap units can backfire due to morale/chain-break dynamics observed in playtesting.
• For movement clarity, they prefer movement measurement aids (including movement trays for rank-and-file readability), though they note this isn’t strictly required.
• Formation/clash examples: they describe arranging long spear formations in rows/depth so models don’t “smash” in the middle during fights.

Activation model concept

• They explain a coin-based activation system, where units with more coins activate more often.

Model modularity

• The project explores interchangeable heads/weapons/shields using ball-sockets and modular attachment points.

Expansion visions

• Future expansions/eras are discussed, including post–First Crusade eras such as Templars.
• There’s also interest in different cultural/historical sets, including a “New World” style concept.

Terrain and narrative scenario ideas

• Scenario pitches focus on narrative objectives and escort mechanics, such as:
  • Cart vs. enemy objective
  • Catapult-defense style scenarios
• They stress how terrain should shape tactical decisions.

5) “Other Warhammer today?” wrap-up + shop/painting/tooling talk

• The host says there’s “no news” in the immediate Warhammer sense for the segment and pivots back to Martyrdom updates.
• They discuss:
  • Paint preferences (sometimes using non-GW paints; GW paint references include a Vallejo/Avalon Sunset-style mention).
  • Custom 3D-printing resources like movement tray generators (STL generation and printing).
  • Working with painters/sculptors and funding constraints—emphasizing they’re currently covering parts of production from their own savings.

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Presenters / contributors (mentioned in the subtitles)

• Varak (main host / presenter)
• Woodimp (project contributor: printing/fulfillment)
• Dan Abnett (mentioned in a Grey Knight / story release context)
• Dudex (frequent viewer/interaction; also links/watch references)
• Magic Brownie (viewer/participant)
• Adam (viewer/participant; mentioned regarding Orcs/Kickstarter-related talk)
• Jonathan (viewer/participant)
• Magic Brownie / Magic (same participant name referenced repeatedly)
• Woody (referenced as the printing/fulfillment person in the Martyrdom production story; appears to be the same role as Woodimp/Woodimp’s printer context)
• Dhaka (project contributor; mentions about working for free / model/rules-related support)
• Magic Brownie, Alan, Bobby, Monty, Bray, Niji, El Toro Libé (viewer participants gifting memberships / chatting)
• Jenkins (viewer/participant)
• Kings and Generals (referenced as a YouTube channel/resource; mentioned as a source, not a contributor to the project)
• Jonathan Keeble (narrator of an Audible book mentioned)