Gerry was able to sneak a look at some of the new boxed sets coming out for Mantic Games' 28mm Fantasy wargame, Kings Of War! The Nightstalkers are on the march with a twisted army of terrible creations looking to devour everything that stands in their way across the realm of Pannithor.

Nightstalkers Reaper Regiment // Kings Of War

It looks like we're going to be getting a seriously hefty array of new sets that will bulk out your armies on the tabletop. For example, you've got the bladed monstrosities that are the Reapers with their terrible talons and open, razor-sharp maws.

"Teeth" seem to be the focus of a lot of these new miniature sets from Mantic Games. Just look at those Butchers with their big snappy mouths. I love that the "butcher" aesthetic has been carried through into the weapons that these creatures use as well with big cleavers, meat hooks and flensing blades in the mix for getting the most meat off mortal bones!

Nightstalkers Butcher Horde // Kings Of War

If you're seeking to run down your enemies then you also have access to the Shadowhounds that are going to be loping across the battlefield. With all those big teeth and open jaws, this is looking like an army where you'd perhaps want to enjoy some glue-tastic techniques and give them slick mouths full of ichor and spittle!

Nightstalker Shadowhounds // Kings Of War

What's nice (if you could use such a word!) about the Nightstalkers as an army is that it seems like a force of utter evil abominations. There are no qualms as to why they are doing what they're doing in Pannithor. They look to be out to kill, feed and scare the pants off everyone who stands in their way.

Nightstalker Scarecrow & Doppelgangers Regiment // Kings Of War

As well as the terrifying Scarecrows and Doppelgangers that you might find bursting out of barns in burned-down villages, you've also got these terrifying spectres in the form of these Phantoms. I like the design decision with these miniatures here where you get the sense that the swirling miasma of magic around them hides something decidedly more terrible.

Nightstalker Phantoms Troop // Kings Of War

One of my favourite miniatures from this set of early previews was the massive miniature for the Void Lurker. A terrible wyrm-like creature that has twisted and grown around a monument, perhaps in the middle of a graveyard or the centre of a town.

Nightstalker Void Lurker // Kings Of War

From that bloody maw, I would guess that the Void Lurker has been able to snack on whatever poor souls were happening to be wandering past at that particular moment in time. The Void Lurker just looks very fun and I could see a lot of folks enjoying painting this up as gruesomely as possible.

Last but not least, at least from this sneaky peek, there was also a Mega Army for the Nightstalkers noted as being on the way soon.

Nightstalker Mega Army // Kings Of War

This set comes with a massive array of different horrors for you to have some fun with. It was also mentioned that there is a Kings Of War Ambush Set coming out as well to help give folks an entry point into playing as the Nightstalkers.

I have to say, Mantic do monsters really well. There are some hit-and-miss miniatures within their wider range but they tend to do big, gribbly monsters really well. I think the Nightstalkers would be a fun starting point for someone looking to dive into Kings Of War, especially from a painting perspective. Much like with the Tyranids of Warhammer 40,000, they seem like they would look good very quickly with the liberal use of Contrast or Speed paints.

Could you be tempted to pick up the Nightstalkers for Kings Of War when they release?