For clues into GW's strategy for their model lines, let's talk about other armies analogous to Seraphon/Lizardmen in terms of their age and proportion of legacy models. What springs to my mind is the Skaven. It seems to me that the Stegadon and Carnosaur kits are rough contemporaries in age to their bells, catapults and doomwheel? And our terradon riders and their Stormfiends, roughly in the same edition of WHFB? These specifics aside, both model ranges also seem to have similar numbers of old metal and finecast unit choices. Both have had several classic models erased from the game (globadiers, tehenhauin, etc.) while other old legacy models remain in the battletomes (razordons, ratling guns). GW has chosen not to go back and update models like the plague monks, night runners, etc. Even the appearance of great looking nightrunners in Blood Bowl did not bring new nightrunner kits for their main game.
Instead, GW seems content to continue to sell resin casts of old models, even if they're ugly. Meanwhile, Skaven were expanded with scenery and spells. So now I'm feeling a bit more bullish about Seraphon getting endless spells in the future, though likely not simultaneously with the book and Pyramid. Seraphon seem to beg for endless spells. The slann are the focus of their lore, and are lauded for their magic. So surely they ought to sling some Lizardy spells (I see a serpent head on the scale of Ravenak's Gnashing Jaws, or balls of light from Azyr?) I'm also pretty convinced that GW will feel content to continue to sell us legacy models in finecast and out of date battleline sculpts, while simply expanding their range, like they've done with Skaven. It makes sense from a business perspective. By expanding their product range, they can report growth, which maybe meets the mandates of their shareholders. GW has been, if nothing else, in an expansive mood in recent years, with multiple new game lines launched each year. Their product diversity has done nothing but grow. Rehashing old models does occur, but with extreme rarity compared to putting out new stuff.
So here's to the new! And here's to Seraphon continuing to look rather retro, at least for the next few years!
Instead, GW seems content to continue to sell resin casts of old models, even if they're ugly. Meanwhile, Skaven were expanded with scenery and spells. So now I'm feeling a bit more bullish about Seraphon getting endless spells in the future, though likely not simultaneously with the book and Pyramid. Seraphon seem to beg for endless spells. The slann are the focus of their lore, and are lauded for their magic. So surely they ought to sling some Lizardy spells (I see a serpent head on the scale of Ravenak's Gnashing Jaws, or balls of light from Azyr?) I'm also pretty convinced that GW will feel content to continue to sell us legacy models in finecast and out of date battleline sculpts, while simply expanding their range, like they've done with Skaven. It makes sense from a business perspective. By expanding their product range, they can report growth, which maybe meets the mandates of their shareholders. GW has been, if nothing else, in an expansive mood in recent years, with multiple new game lines launched each year. Their product diversity has done nothing but grow. Rehashing old models does occur, but with extreme rarity compared to putting out new stuff.
So here's to the new! And here's to Seraphon continuing to look rather retro, at least for the next few years!
