Meta Description: Get ready for the massive Cities of Sigmar update! Discover the new walking Cogforts, the Aqshian Pyrocaster, and the Iron March Army of Renown coming to Nerd Haven Games.
If you have been wandering around the Mortal Realms lately, you might have felt the ground shaking. No, it is not just an unruly Mega-Gargant on the loose: it is the sound of progress! The Cities of Sigmar are getting some seriously heavy-duty reinforcements, and here at Nerd Haven Games, we couldn't be more excited.
Games Workshop just dropped the big Sunday Preview, and the highlight is undoubtedly the massive new Cogfort. This clockwork behemoth is finally making its way to our shelves, and it is going to change the way you play your Age of Sigmar games forever. Whether you are a die-hard defender of Hammerhal or you are looking to start a fresh industrial war-host, there is a lot to unpack in this next wave of pre-orders.
Grab a coffee, settle into your favourite hobby chair, and let’s dive into everything you need to know about the Cogforts, the new fiery magic-users, and the indomitable Iron March!
The Cogfort: A Fortress That Walks
The centrepiece of this entire release is, without a doubt, the Stone Warden fortress, the new Cities of Sigmar Cogfort. We have seen glimpses of these in the lore for years: titanic, steam-powered bastions that house entire garrisons while they march across the realms. Now, we finally have the model to match the legend.
A Mobile Bastion on the Tabletop
In-game, the Cogfort is an absolute unit. It serves as a mobile bastion, providing a safe haven for your infantry while dishing out a staggering amount of firepower. Here is what makes the Stone Warden fortress such a standout for your collection:
- Toughness and Tenacity: With a high wound count and a solid save, this thing is built to sit on an objective and refuse to budge.
- Embarked Infantry: One of the coolest rules for the Stone Warden fortress is its ability to carry infantry units. Your Freeguild Steelhelms can hitch a ride, holding the line from the platforms while the fortress’s own guns roar.
- Aura of Authority: The Cogfort isn’t just a gun platform; it is a command centre. It provides vital buffs to nearby friendly units, keeping their morale high and their aim true even in the thick of battle.
Visually, the kit is a hobbyist's dream. It is covered in gears, wooden scaffolding, and ornate Sigmarite metalwork. It captures that "steampunk-meets-high-fantasy" vibe that makes the Cities of Sigmar so unique among the factions of Age of Sigmar.
Cogforts for Any Faction (Conversion Ideas)
One of the coolest things about the Cogfort is that it does not have to stay locked into just one look or one army theme. Even if the official release is tied to Cities of Sigmar, the idea of a giant mobile fortress is the kind of hobby project that practically begs for conversions, proxies, and narrative play across a bunch of Warhammer factions.
Whether you want to kitbash one into a haunted rolling keep for a Death force, a corrupted siege-walker for Chaos, or a heavily customised centrepiece for your own homebrew army, there is loads of room to make it your own. Different crews, banners, armour panels, trophies, and weapon swaps can completely change the vibe while still keeping that awesome walking fortress silhouette.
For hobbyists who love narrative games, this is exactly the sort of model that can anchor an entire campaign or army story. A Cogfort-style build can become your general’s command bastion, a roaming shrine, or a siege engine rebuilt to match your faction’s flavour. We love seeing community builds like this, especially when players really go all-in on the theming.
Bringing the Heat: The Aqshian Pyrocaster
While the Cogfort provides the iron and steam, the Aqshian Pyrocaster provides the literal firepower. This new hero unit is a master of fire magic from the Realm of Aqshy, and they are not here to play it safe.
The Pyrocaster is a brilliant addition for any player who finds the standard Battlemage a bit too subtle. This model looks like it was built to stride alongside Freeguild Steelhelms and other front-line troops, throwing out aggressive, short-range destruction.
- Fire Magic: Expect plenty of mortal wound output. The Pyrocaster’s spells are designed to melt through enemy armour and turn hordes into piles of ash.
- Aggressive Buffs: Unlike some casters who sit in the back, the Pyrocaster wants to be near the fighting. Their unique abilities often reward units that are charging or already in combat, adding extra damage or improving charge reliability.
- Synergy: If you are running a "fire-themed" subfaction or just love the idea of a pyromaniac leading your troops, the Pyrocaster is your new best friend. They pair perfectly with the Cogfort, acting as a fiery spearhead while the walking fortress secures the ground behind them.
The Iron March: An Army of Renown
Along with the new models comes a brand-new way to play: the Iron March Army of Renown. This is a special set of rules that lets you build a highly thematic, armoured war-host that focuses on the industrial might of the Cities.
If you love the look of heavily armoured infantry and war machines, the Iron March is for you. This Army of Renown puts units like Freeguild Steelhelms front and centre, trading away some of the more "agile" elements of the Cities: like the lighter Aelven or Duardin units: to focus purely on a grinding, unstoppable advance.
Why Play the Iron March?
The rules for the Iron March are designed to make your army feel like a single, cohesive machine. You get bonuses for moving in tight formations and staying close to your Cogforts. It is all about durability and combined arms. Your infantry acts as the "anvil," while the Cogfort and Pyrocaster act as the "hammer."
It is a slower playstyle, certainly, but there is something incredibly satisfying about watching a wall of steel and steam roll across the table, ignoring the enemy's puny attempts to slow you down.
Hobbying the New Wave
Getting these new models is only half the fun. Painting the Cogfort is going to be a project that many of us will be talking about at the shop for months. With all that metal, wood, and clockwork detail, it is the perfect chance to experiment with new techniques.
Whether you are looking to achieve a realistic weathered metal look or a vibrant, glowing magical fire for your Pyrocaster, we have got you covered. We recently restocked our Vallejo Paints section, and it is packed with everything you need to make these models pop.
Using the Vallejo Game Air range is a fantastic way to get smooth basecoats on large models like the Stone Warden fortress, while the Model Color range offers incredible pigment density for the fine details on the Pyrocaster’s robes, flame effects, and the shields and armour of your Freeguild Steelhelms. If you are unsure which colours to pick, just ask us next time you are in: we love talking hobby!
Pre-Ordering at Nerd Haven Games
The pre-orders for the Stone Warden fortress, the Aqshian Pyrocaster, and the new Battletome officially go live this Saturday!
As your friendly local game store, we want to make sure you get your hands on these incredible new releases. We offer competitive pricing on all our Warhammer products, including 15% off Warhammer, and our community is second to none.
If you are planning to join the Iron March, we highly recommend getting your pre-order in early. These Cogforts are huge, and they are likely to be in high demand. You can head over to our Contact Page to send us a message and reserve yours, or just drop by the shop to chat with Grant and the team.
Join the Community
Tabletop gaming is always better with friends. Whether you are looking for someone to test out your new Iron March list against or you just want to share photos of your painted Cogfort, our Discord is the place to be. It is the heart of our community, where we arrange games, discuss the latest rule reveals, and keep everyone updated on our upcoming Events.
Don't miss out on the excitement! The Mortal Realms are changing, and with a Cogfort at your back, you will be ready for whatever comes your way.
See you at the shop!
: Penny
Want to meet other Age of Sigmar players or find a game for next weekend? Join our Discord community here: https://discord.gg/cJ5fUv55M7