Chaos beware – the Cities of Sigmar have had enough of being on the back foot, and a staggering wave of reinforcements has come to shore up their defences and reclaim the Realms for the glory of Sigmar. Forward, Freeguilders!
There’s a lot to see, and we need to start somewhere, so we’ll begin with the biggest – the great lumbering war engines known as Cogforts.
Cannonade Cogfort
These enormous walking fortresses of stone and steel are the pride of the Ironweld Arsenal and the pinnacle of their battlefield ingenuity, wading into battle like living avatars of the Freeguilds’ die-hard defensive doctrine. Though originally envisioned as garrison machines that anchored the rear lines of a Sigmarite advance, the Cogforts’ operators soon realised their massive battlefield potential and began to charge them head first into the fray.
The powerful arco-combustor that burns refined emberstone to power these leviathans allow the Cogforts to mount an impressive array of weaponry. Cannonade Cogforts are fitted with a gigantic Godbreaker cannon on their parapets in addition to a battery of other gunpowder weapons, while those known as Conqueror Cogforts trade this arsenal for a terrifying Realmscorcher flame cannon and enough internal space to carry a unit of infantry into battle.*
Though nominally leased to the Cities of Sigmar by the Ironweld Arsenal, Cogforts can also be found across the Mortal Realms fighting purely for themselves as mercenaries or as renegades fleeing justice. Just about every faction can call upon their outrageous power one way or another as a Regiment of Renown, and the expense is always worth it.
Erasmus Zonn, the Enlightened One
As one of the preeminent mages in Sigmar’s domain and one of the youngest Archmages in the history of the White College, Erasmus Zonn is as dynamic and motivated as his meteoric rise to power would suggest. He’s particularly fascinated by the maelstrom of magic at the Realm’s Edge – despite warnings from the aelves of Hysh – and now rides a strange heliomorph named Glyphwing that he found on an expedition to those dangerous uncharted wilds.
More than anything, Zonn is committed to advancing the goals of humanity in the aelf-dominated realm of Hysh, and will pursue any avenue necessary to gain respect and prestige for himself and the city of Settler’s Gain – even if those means are a little on the underhanded side.
Collegiate Battlemages
Magic is an important part of the Cities of Sigmar’s battle plans, with Colleges training skilled battlemages as quickly as they can to meet the demands of Sigmar’s campaigns. Aqshian Pyrocasters are, unsurprisingly, some of the boldest and most aggressive of these war wizards, with a burning gaze so hot that they wear strips of ensorcelled cloth across their eyes lest they ignite nearby comrades with a careless glance.**
By contrast, Amethyst Knellmages are sombre and solitary individuals who are almost never seen without their great curved scythes and the bell-shaped tollhelms that are constantly drummed by a pair of clockwork skeletons attached to the top (yes, really). Allies generally give them a wide berth, wary of their death magic and chilling mien – an arrangement entirely welcomed by the Knellmages, who must focus on the constant droning rhythm being beaten onto their helmets lest the ever-present whispers of disembodied souls drive them mad.
Gate Gargants
All mighty fortresses need a front door and the same goes for the indomitable Castelite formations, who enlist a pair of (relatively) civilised city-gargants to turn the heart of their defences into a massive moving gateway. Situated at the very middle of the battle line, this pair of immense and brutal guardians attract as much attention as they can to their sector before smashing entire regiments aside with a great swing of their shields***, allowing prepared squadrons of Freeguild Cavaliers and other assault troops to charge out from relative safety.
Much like the Fusil-Majors who ride Ogor Warhulks into battle, each Gate Gargant is joined by a Grenadier-Major in a teetering watchtower who ensures discipline is maintained and the gate stays shut until the appointed moment. Their nests are fitted with lethal Scattershot cannons that can turn entire enemy units into pink mist and scattered gobbets – a sight that never fails to entertain the gargants below.
Dawner’s Triumph
The pressure of maintaining a rock-solid defensive line is tough on the Steelhelms and Fusiliers that fight eye-to-eye with the enemy, but the sight of the Dawner’s Triumph – a sacred monument to the unnamed warriors that fought and died in Sigmar’s name – is enough to embolden even the most exhausted soldier. These floating memorials are dragged alongside Sigmarite armies in times of war, emboldening the Cities’ faithful to acts of zeal far above their normal means.
Jorvan Kreel, Heir of the Kraken
Once a proud defender of the city of Anvilgard, Ranger-Colonel Jorvan Kreel now travels the length and breadth of Sigmar’s domain seeking allies for his ultimate goal of retaking his usurped home – even if Sigmar himself seems content to turn a blind eye. Accompanied by his ash panther companion Thexa, Kreel is a deadly duelist and master of the Wildercorps’ fluid combat styles, able to manoeuvre effortlessly through combat and ensure his men are always where they’re most needed.
Mallus Forgepriest
Faith in the God-King Sigmar is a powerful force that can be harnessed in the heat of battle, and none are better at it than the Mallus Forgepriests. Their bellowed hymns consecrate the land beneath their allies and purge it of the taint of Chaos, emboldening their fellow soldiers and warding off damage that might otherwise cut them down.
They’re also rather good at smashing things with their great big meteoric warhammers, though that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Freeguild Gallants
Not all of the Freeguilds’ noble champions fight on horseback as Cavaliers, and those who prefer to get stuck in on foot band together as units of Freeguild Gallants – heavily armoured infantry who master the art of receiving charges with masterful bladework and steely grit. They fight with uncommon fervour while on the defensive, and inspire nearby Freeguild troops with displays of, well, gallantry in the face of impossible odds.
Freeguild Grenadiers
Grenadiers are elite soldiers chosen specifically for their size and brawn and equipped with the finest weapons and wargear so that they can fight and win in the front ranks of a push against enemy fortifications. Each one carries one of a range of powerful blackpowder weapons collectively known as Ruin-sweepers and a heavy bardiche that can be used to brace their firearm, while the ‘lucky’ one designated the team’s Cindergout hefts a searing flame projector used to immolate enemies taking cover in terrain features.
Note: Jorvan Kreel, the Mallus Forgepriest, the Freeguild Gallants, and the Freeguild Grenadiers will all be available first in the next big Spearhead expansion, City of Ash, which we also showed off today at this very Preview! Check it out and stare in horror at the chittering assassins they have to contend with in the ruins of Embergard.
Battletome: Cities of Sigmar
All of these new units and a swathe of updated rules can be found in the new Battletome: Cities of Sigmar, which is also packed with new background lore and miniatures galleries to immerse you in the fight for Sigmar’s domain. You’ll also get brand new Path to Glory rules and options for the Anvil of Apotheosis, The Iron March (an Army of Renown that lets you field an entire squadron of Cogforts!), and faction-agnostic Regiments of Renown options for enlisting outlaw Cogforts in armies of any Grand Alliance.
Spearhead: Zenestra’s Zealots
The Matriarch of the Great Wheel leads a chosen band of zealous Freeguilders into battle in a new Spearhead box, Zenestra’s Zealots. This capable infantry force assembles around Pontifex Zenestra on her sacred palanquin, and consists of a Freeguild Command Corps, a Freeguild Marshal with his Relic Envoy, and a unit of 10 Steelhelms – all great kits for a new Cities of Sigmar player, and a fun Spearhead force in their own right that actively punishes opponents for slaying Zenestra’s faithful followers.
Regiment of Renown: Ven Denst’s Hounds
Finally, a new Regiment of Renown sends the Order of Azyr off to ply their secretive trade among Sigmar’s allies. Galen and Doralia Ven Denst lead a team of Wildercorps Hunters on their never-ending quest to rid the Mortal Realms of rogue manifestations and sorcerous anomalies, with the well-drilled tracking skills of the Hunters coming in handy when such arcane blights can’t be located by their trails of destruction alone.
There’s loads more to see from today’s Preview Show – including more from the Mortal Realms – so head back to our Hub and check out what else we’ve been showing off.
Warhammer Preview at Adepticon 2026
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* They’ll just need to be careful when disembarking. You know, not to walk in front of that massive flamethrower right above their heads.
** Talk about smouldering looks.
*** As much gate-givers as gate-keepers. They’re generous like that.
