White Dwarf January 2019

A new year, and this time round a whole new White Dwarf, as it is totally revamped, going back to the essence.

Or at least, that is what the advertisement says, but is it actually so?

Starting this month, they say the magazine will focus back on the core essence of the GW Hobby, being the inclusion of far more "specified" articles, like heaps of new, OFFICIAL, rules for both their two main game systems as well as their Specialist ranges.  So let's dive in and see how it is filled up this month...

Contact & Reader's Models- reader's letters and thier paintworks

Worlds of Warhammer - the first of the new columns, giving an insight in how the world of Age of Sigmar is build.

Deadly Venture - a short story

Rules of Engagement - Jervis Johnson is back with a regular column, focusing on the design and evolution of Age of Sigmar.

Blood on the Streets - the first set of new rules, giving more options for playing Skirmish battles.

The Realm of Fire - modelling and painting in the realm of Aqshy

Children of Chaos - a look at a massive Chaos army

Nightvault: Glory Points - a tactical look at how to best use and select the battle boards to your advantage

Mercenaries for Hire - Kroot mercenaries come to Kill Team

Art of Exploration - the art of Blackstone Fortress

The Pinnacle of Painting - a look at painting competitions and tips on how to enter

Golden Demon 2018 - some of the best out there.

'Eavy Metal Challenge - the team duels by painting wizards

The Herald of Doom - 40k short story

Echoes from the Warp - also a new column, taking a look at how 8th came to be

Index Astartes: Crimson Fists - it's back, and it kicks off with a detailed look and new rules at this famous successor chapter.

The New Sons of Dorn - an army showcase of Primaris only Crimson Fists

Decapitation Strike - a battle report featuring three varied Aeldari forces against three Imperial followers.

Inside the Studio - a look ar what goes on in the studio of White Dwarf

Well... yes and no for this new format for me.  On a personal level, it was a very poor magazine, with nothing from Lord of the Rings in it, and only a Nightvault article that picked my intrest at first glance.

On the other hand, it does indeed deliver with a train of new rules, for their main games and for Kill team, so that is definitly okay.  The fact all the game system articles are grouped together now makes it easier to find something as well.

So am I won over by the new format?  In a way yes, and it goes back to the older days indeed as a source for new rules and lore, which is great.  but even the ommission of what used to be Planet Warhammer, taking a look at new releases including Licensed Products is a bit of a loss for me personally I feel.

But all in all, it's less a catalogue then it used to be a decade ago, and a good produced magazine in all.  Though something seemed to have hickupped at the printers this month, as some pages had like a slight blur on the texts...