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INTERVIEW·WHITE DWARF 285

Look to the Stars

September 2003·pp. 50–55

THE SHORT VERSION

Matt Keefe reviews Battlefleet Gothic’s growth beyond the original Gothic War and outlines a future organised around specific conflicts. Armageddon, the Eye of Terror and the forthcoming Damocles material provide contexts for new fleets without pretending every new ship was present in the original campaign. Fleet summaries contrast Space Marine assaults, Necron technology, Tyranid customisation and Dark Eldar raiding.

The T’au preview introduces the roles and history of the Orca, Defender, Explorer, Merchant and Hero classes. News of Armada, Forge World additions and the game’s website explains how scattered rules and background will become easier to use. The feature records the studio’s plans at publication, rather than claiming those announcements are current releases.

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Armada Battlefleet Damocles T’au fleet Studio plans Fleet background

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Find this article in White Dwarf 285, pp. 50–55.

This is an original summary. Refer to your magazine for the complete article, rules, images and painting steps.

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InterviewWD 285 · pp. 12–17

Codex: Imperial Guard Designers’ Notes

Pete Haines explains why the revised Imperial Guard codex aims to diversify existing armies rather than rebuild the faction. Cheaper or more flexible elite choices, revised Rough Riders and changes to weapon costs challenge the familiar static gun line. Advisors and Enginseers restore some of the Imperium’s eccentric religious and technological character without turning ordinary Guardsmen into superhuman assault troops.

Warhammer 40,000Astra Militarum
September 2003Read summary
RulesWD 285 · pp. 56–57

The State of Play

A rules-development report presents experimental changes intended to reduce the dominance of ordnance and address concerns about escorts. Attack-craft limits replace the old exhaustion mechanism, while a revised Nova cannon procedure uses scatter instead of range guessing. Escort victory points are considered by squadron, and Brace for Impact is clarified against assault boats. Explanatory passages connect these proposals to the scale and survivability of the ships, with their experimental status explicitly preserved.

Battlefleet Gothic
September 2003Read summary
InterviewWD 524 · pp. 88–91

Da Baddest Bikeboss

Miniature designer Seb and ’Eavy Metal painter Tom explain how Wazdakka’s first official model became a centrepiece without making the rider as large as Ghazghkull. Real bicycle mechanics informed Big Revva’s proportions, suspension and working details, while a jumping, fist-raised pose expresses the speed-obsessed Ork’s showmanship. The discussion also follows the fairing-mounted gun, reel-out claw, split trophy skull and Fixit’s carefully chosen place on a model designed to remain convincing beneath its extravagance.

Warhammer 40,000Orks
May 2026Read summary