Three Warhammer Age of Sigmar factions got some time in the spotlight during the New Year Preview last week from Games Workshop. They weren't quite the ones we were thinking of but if you like legions of bone-based warriors, magical shenanigans and haughty elves, they have you covered.

Liege-Mortek // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The first of the factions to grace the preview was that of the Ossiarch Bonereapers. These servants of Nagash have cranked the Bone Tithe up to eleven and are going out to harvest more from the Mortal Realms than ever before. Leading the way is another on-foot hero in the form of the Liege-Mortek.

Liege-Morteks serve under the Liege-Kavaloi, commanding soldiers and ensuring that the steady ranks of the Ossiarch Bonereapers stay in formation and follow the tactics of those in charge. When human armies were stretched thin by the threat of the Skaven, the Ossiarchs just made more commanders to cover their needs.

They can be armed with a choice of spear, sword or axe and come with different heads as well. I think I like the spear option myself as it feels like it fits the flow of the pose better than the sword or axe.

New Rank & File Troops

A new foot hero means more foot infantry. The Ossiarch Bonereapers can now call on ranged support in the form of the Mortek Triaxes.

Mortek Triaxes // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

These archers aren't just any normal killers. Their extra eye, gifted to them by the Soulmasons, means that they can see the aura of an enemy on the battlefield, allowing them to strike at targets when they think they're safe to break from cover. The Mortrek Triaxes have a bead on you at all times. They can also use the Balefire Braziers to light their arrows on fire and sear the souls of their enemies, stopping them from healing whilst the effect lingers.

I do like the addition of a ranged option for an undead army in Warhammer, which, typically, isn't something they have access to. The Ossiarch Bonereapers still have a bit of a weird vibe to them that steps a little close to the comical but I wonder if painting them differently might change my opinion on them.

Not quite rank and file but still there to aid your troops in the thick of the fighting, you can also get the ace-looking Mortis Reapers soon.

Mortis Reapers // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The Mortis Reapers are the assassins of the Ossiarch Bonereapers. Their black carapaces and big cloaks hide them from prying eyes and allow them to sneak around, killing generals, wizards, priests and anyone else whom the Ossiarch deem a worthy target.

Each of them also carries a necrocaches, a device that releases a cloud of grave sand that desicates flesh, leaving just a skeleton behind. A good way to remove any evidence of your attack and sow panic amongst the enemy.

Thundering Chariots

As well as the new infantry, a brand new chariot is also getting added to the Ossiarch Bonereapers range to give you some extra support as the cavalry thunders across the battlefield.

Kavalos War-Chariot // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The Kavalos War-Chariot gives you a great mobile platform to fight from. The bone-crafted steeds that pull it are tough enough to smash through enemy lines and the crew, armed with bows and javelins, can help pick off anyone who escapes clawed feet, heavy wheels and spinning blades.

This set also builds the Liege-Kavalos on War Chariot, allowing your commander to get where he needs to be.

Liege-Kavalos on War Chariot // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

He can also be used to set up a devastating counter charge alongside other chariots, running the enemy over in their droves. All of the new additions feed quite nicely into the alternative style of the Ossiarch Bonereapers, a rather unique faction of undead. You have touches of the Middle East and South Asia in their design, which sets them apart from the otherwise distinctly European-flavoured Fantasy armies of most settings.

New Battletome

All of their rules will come inside a brand new Battletome which details the development of the Ossiarch Bonereapers as they march across The Mortal Realms seeking the Bone Tithe from mortal kingdoms.

Ossiarch Bonereapers // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

If you've not read the background and the lore for the Ossiarch Bonereapers, you're missing out. Nagash demands bones to help forge his armies and the souls of those slain, of course, flood into his domain too. So, the Ossiarch Bonereapers march out on great crusades to call in the Bone Tithe from a kingdom. When they arrive, their heralds demand either bones or, if you refuse to pay up, the bodies of the living, crushed by their invading legions and taken in payment.

Disciples Of Tzeentch Reveals

As well as the Ossiarch Bonereapers, we also got a look at what's coming out for the Disciples of Tzeentch.

Fatemaster // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The Fatemaster is the new hero miniature joining the arcane ranks of the Disciples of Tzeentch. A skilled duelist in their own right, they are able to cut down pretty much any warrior who dares to test them. But the Fatemasters never fight fair and use illusions and obfuscation in order to get the upper hand against anyone who might pose a threat to Tzeentch's great plan.

As well as a new foot hero to join the ranks of the mystical meangerie, you will also be able to bring Argent Shards to the battlefield.

Argent Shards // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

Each Argent Shard is a piece of a Silver Tower, crafted as an arcane conduit for use on the battlefield. They can be placed on the battlefield so that sorcerers can unleash magical energy from all directions. Should one be destroyed, the remaining one can split itself in two and allow you to continue the magical assault.

Again, rules for these new additions to the army and more will be found within a new Battletome.

Disciples of Tzeentch // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

You'll find plenty within its pages to help aid the masterplan of Tzeentch. Fate points are back alongside plenty of ways to make thematic armies on the tabletop, plus Armies and Regiments of Renown. A new Spearhead will also be included within the Battletome, giving you another starting point to choose from when it comes to playing the Disciples of Tzeentch.

Lumineth Realm-lords Reveals

Last but not least, we had a new character miniature for the Lumineth Realm-lords. Foot heroes are the way to go, it seems, with the coming of the Vanari Lord Regent.

Vanari Lord Regent // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The Vanari Lord Regents are just like the rest of their Lumineth kin in that they are skilled martial warriors and incredibly fast. More than that, they are also trusted to be generals in their own right by Tyrion, making them exemplars that other Lumineth follow without hesitation.

They can guide your Auralan Wardens, for example, to form up into a wall of blades before launching forward to pierce the heart of the enemy. The set allows you to build the miniature in multiple ways with helmets, flowing cloaks, back banners and more. A great addition to the Lumineth Realm-lords that should impress old-school Elf fans.

Another new Battletome will cover their reintroduction into The Mortal Realms for the 4th Edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.

Lumineth Realm-lords // Warhammer Age of Sigmar

The new Battletome will detail the use of their powerful runes, which can be inscribed at the start of battle rounds to grant you buffs and other effects during your battles. You will also find Armies of Renown, Regiments of Renown, a new Spearhead and much more that will help bring the warriors of Teclis to the battlefield in all their glory.

Some marmite factions got some new miniatures during this New Year Preview but all-in-all, a decent haul of stuff. It was a shame not to see what Games Workshop had planned for the Fyreslayers and Ogor Mawtribes but we will most likely see what's on the cards for these factions at AdeptiCon and the next preview.

What do you make of their new reveals for Warhammer Age of Sigmar?