Grand Cathay are now going to be marching onto tabletops for Games Workshop's Warhammer: The Old World. Pre-orders will be live this Saturday for not only a wave of miniatures but also all of the rules you need for running this empire from the East on the tabletop.

Grand Cathay Battalion // Warhammer: The Old World

Your starting point is likely going to be the Grand Cathay Battalion, which comes with a host of core plastic troops for building your army. This set features thirty Jade Warriors, which can be built with hand weapons and shields or halberds. You also get ten Jade Lancers, which will act as your shock cavalry, charging forward across the battlefield to run down the enemy.

Backing up your core troops, you will also find two Cathayan Grand Cannons, which can also be built as Fire Rain Rocket Batteries. You get the massive weapons as well as four crew members and the hulking Ogre Artillery Crew, which is an upgrade for your crew.

A solid core of troops which can be built as large units or smaller ones, as the plastic sprues come with enough command options to tweak them to your requirements.

Noble Leader

The Battalion does need some leadership, otherwise its morale will shatter. With that in mind, you could get your hands on the noble Shugengan Lord on Great Spirit Longma.

Shugengan Lord on Great Spirit Longma // Warhammer: The Old World

This is a brand new multi-part plastic miniature which comes with a couple of alternative heads for the Shugengan Lord and Great Spirit Longma. It also comes with options for the Lord's left and right arms, so you could get a couple of these if you're building a BIG army for Grand Cathay.

In amongst both your foot troops and cavalry, you might also find the Gate Masters of the Celestial Cities.

Gate Masters of the Celestial Cities // Warhammer: The Old World

These are your grizzled veterans, experienced soldiers who have earned the title of Gate Master. This set allows you to build one foot and one mounted miniature with arm options to create a Battle Standard or a leader with a Celestial Blade and shield in hand. A well-needed set for any Grand Cathay collector.

Grand War Machines

The armies of Grand Cathay are supported by some impressive creations, like the Sky Lantern that you see below.

Sky Lantern // Warhammer: The Old World

Each of the Sky Lanterns is held aloft by a caged Vermilion Warbird, and this means that the armies of Grand Cathay are able to survey the battlefield and look for hidden threats. You can build the Sky Lantern with either a Magistrate or a Strategist (plus there is a base for creating on-foot versions). They watch over the battlefield and unleash Iron Hail Guns and Dragon Fire Bombs on the enemy, as well as their long-barreled Crane Guns.

Another of the big miniatures comes in the form of the Cathayan Sentinel.

Cathayan Sentinel // Warhammer: The Old World

These HUGE guardians were constructed to defend the cities of Grand Cathay from deadly foes, and they have now been reactivated to crush mortal and daemon interlopers. The Cathayan Sentinel is another BIG plastic miniature which can come in two poses and has two head options, two neck options and four blade components to customise your weapon.

I sense that there might be quite a few of these being picked up and not just for Warhammer: The Old World.

Grand Cathay Rules & Accessories

All of these miniatures are backed up by some new rules for Warhammer: The Old World, included as part of a new Arcane Journal.

Armies of Grand Cathay // Warhammer: The Old World

This Arcane Journal comes packed with ALL of the rules for playing Grand Cathay, plus new background lore and rules for the Storm Dragon's faithful. You'll get all of your unit profiles and upgrades, plus eighteen magic items and brand new spell lores.

Converts to Grand Cathay might want to pick up the new Reference Card Pack for the army, plus there is a nice jade-coloured Dice Set.

Grand Cathay Dice & Reference Cards // Warhammer: The Old World

Warhammer: The Old World doesn't tend to change and update quite as often as Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Age of Sigmar, so this Card Pack might be worth snapping up. The dice are also very nice with a simple, clean design.

Last but not least, when it comes to printed material, you can also get the Matched Play Guide for Warhammer: The Old World.

Matched Play Guide // Warhammer: The Old World

Inside, you'll find six unique scenarios plus challenging and thematic secondary objectives which will enhance your games. There are also guidelines for running Matched Play tournaments and events. There are plenty of fun new options for Warhammer: The Old World here, which does seem to be gathering steam as a game.

Are you going to be snapping up the new miniatures for Grand Cathay and taking your first steps into Warhammer: The Old World?

Drop your thoughts below...