Welcome to Warhammer Online’s first newsletter of 2009! To get the year started off with a bang, our first order of business is the ‘Big Announcement’ promised earlier this month: we are unveiling the first details about WAR's first 'live expansion,' 'Call to Arms'. The expansion kicks off with the Bitter Rivals live event in February and the introduction of the Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer careers this March, and ends with the unveiling of the Land of the Dead, a massive new Tomb Kings dungeon zone!
As if the Call to Arms announcement isn't enough, February kicks off another Live Event: Night of Murder! Thirsting for more? We knew you would be. Read on for details of these stories and more as the battle rages on in Issue 39 of the WAR newsletter!
In This Newsletter...
Call to Arms Live Expansion Announced!
New Careers: Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer
Live Event Details - Call to Arms: Bitter Rivals
Live Event Details - Night of Murder
Making of the WAR Cinematic
Scenarios 101
New Concept Art
The Sounds of WAR - The Dwarf and Greenskin Soundtrack
And all the other monthly WAR goodness that you know and love!
CALL TO ARMS Live Expansion Announced!
Answer the Call to Arms!
Today we issued a Call to Arms to all players of WAR with the announcement of the first live expansion for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Call to Arms will introduce an incredible array of new content to the game, including two highly anticipated new careers – the head bashin’ Orc Choppa and the oath-sworn Dwarf Slayer – and a new dungeon zone called Land of the Dead, set in the desert realm of the Tomb Kings.
The Call to Arms live expansion, set to roll out for free, beginning next month and running through June, will also include three in-game live events, a new RvR Scenario, added functionality to the Realm Wars section of the WAR web site, the opening of the official WAR Forums, and a new free trial version of the game.
Call to Arms Live Expansion Schedule
Call to Arms: Bitter Rivals Live Event (March): Successful completion of the live event allows head start access to the new Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer careers. The event will also introduce a new Chaos-themed RvR Scenario, Twisting Tower. See below for more information.
The Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer answer the Call to Arms and join WAR! (March) See below for more information.
Call to Arms: Beyond the Sands Live Event (April): The promise of great riches and powerful weapons comes from the south.
Call to Arms: Rise of the Tomb Kings Live Event (May): The race between Order and Destruction begins to unlock the Land of the Dead for their Realm.
Land of the Dead Opens (June): The deserts of Nehekhara open to players with the addition of a new RvR-gated dungeon zone. To gain access to the Land of the Dead, opposing Realms must battle for control of the zone to access dozens of new Public Quests, instanced lairs, and a massive new Tomb Kings dungeon to plunder in search of the Casket of Souls.
More details on these and other new features soon to invade the Age of Reckoning will be revealed as the launch of Call to Arms grows near.
Read the Official Press Release >>
Visit the Call to Arms Webpage >>
New Careers: The Choppa and the Slayer
With the arrival of the Black Guard and the Knight of the Blazing Sun, the forces of Order and Destruction have shored up their defences and strengthened up the battle lines. The time has come to launch a new offensive and smash the enemy emplacements, and the Choppa and Slayer are the ideal warriors to lead the attack.
Choppa
“Waaagh! Chop Da Humies! Chop Da Sissies! Chop Da Stunties! Chop chop chop! WAAAGH!”
- Gar the Mad, Choppa
Orcs are always itching for a fight, and at the best of times their insatiable bloodlust is barely restrained long enough to form some sort of rudimentary plan of attack. The epitome of Greenskin brutality, the Choppa is a relentless adversary. Ornery and savage, their one track mind is dead seat on getting stuck in and bashin' heads! In each hand, this towering Orc holds a large, jagged-edged blade. On the field of battle, the Choppa hacks furiously at any enemy foolish enough to get close.
The mission of the Choppa is simple: slaughter the maximum number of enemies in the minimum amount of time, ensuring a swift and decisive victory for the sinister legions of Destruction. Chopping is what they live for, chopping is what they are best at, and this one-track focus makes them ferocious fighters. Always found at the front lines of the fighting, the Choppa is aggression incarnate, wading into the thick of the fray with little regard for his own safety. As such, a Choppa who lives long enough quickly turns out to be the most elite fighter of the Greenskin horde, wreaking havoc throughout enemy lines purely for the sake of satisfying their own self-indulgent bloodlust.
Read more about the Choppa >>
Slayer
To counter the berserk onslaught of the Choppas, the Dwarfs turn to King Ungrim Ironfist of Karak Kadrin, requesting that he put out the call for the Slayers to join the war effort. These doom-laden Dwarfs are among the deadliest warriors in the noble armies of Order, for they truly have no fear of death. In fact, it is death that they seek, for it is the only way that they can reclaim their lost honour. The Slayers fight with a wild ferocity that is matched only by their striking appearance. Covered in ritual tattoos and sporting orange-coloured mohicans, they are an unmistakable sight on the battlefield. Where the Slayers make war, carnage follows.
“Killing the beastie would be a great deed, and dying in the attempt would be a Mighty Doom!”
- Davik Shattered-Hammer, Slayer
While many of the other races view promises and commitments with a pragmatic eye, Dwarfs hold their honour in the highest regard, and uphold their oaths in a way that can only be described as nigh-obsessive. If something somehow prevents a Dwarf from fulfilling his oath, then he becomes shamed more deeply than any other race could even conceive of.
Any Dwarf dishonoured so thoroughly has only one choice: to stand before Grungi and take the Slayer’s oath, swearing to atone for his sin through an honourable death in combat. He forsakes his traditional armour, shaves his beard, ritually tattoos himself, and then sets off to rid himself of the shame and regret that haunt him. Slayers are just as stubborn as any other Dwarf, and dying quietly is simply not in their nature. The Slayers therefore become ruthless and terrifying fighters, throwing themselves into battle with no regard for their own well-being as they desperately search for a foe that is strong enough to end their painful quest.
Read more the Slayer >>
Podcast - Orc Choppa & Dwarf Slayer Special!
In a special podcast this month, Paul Barnett and Josh Drescher bring you the Orc Choppa and Dwarf Slayer!!
Watch the Podcast >>
Live Event Details - BITTER RIVALS
The Age of Reckoning Is About to Get Even More Savage!
For uncounted centuries, the Dwarfs and Greenskins have been the most bitter of rivals. Now that the Slayer and the Choppa are set to join the armies of Order and Destruction, old grudges will be answered and ancient enmities will be given new breath. Though the outcome of the war still hangs in the balance, one thing is certain: the battle for the Warhammer world is about to become deadlier than ever!
Once the Bitter Rivals live event begins next month, take part in daily challenges to earn a head start in the two awesome new careers. Venture into open RvR to claim the Gore-Soaked Banner before the hated foe can get their filthy hands on it! Unlock new siege weaponry or simply swig your Bitter Brew. Revel in the /swear emote and see what rewards you can uncover for cussing your enemies. Collect the weapons of the fallen or try your hand at beating the roaming Slayer and Choppa bosses. There are rewards for Basic, Advanced and Elite Influence, culminating in the ultimate prize: the chance to play WAR's new classes a full week before they're released to the public! This last reward won't be easy to earn, and players who want to unlock the head start will need to log in each day and complete the daily event!
Bitter Rivals also introduces a new RvR Scenario – Twisting Tower – which will only be available to players for the duration of this live event. This Scenario takes players to a ruined Chaos temple hovering above a mighty vortex in the Tier 4 zone of the Chaos Wastes. Here players will battle for control of the temple’s different levels – with a very special surprise to those players who succeed in capturing all three. During Bitter Rivals, this new Scenario will be available for players of all levels, on all Tiers, but will not contribute to the campaign. Participation in this Scenario will give players an extra 10% bonus to their Renown point gain – but whatever you do, avoid being spattered by the unspeakable filling of the tentacle pie!
Live Event: Call to Arms: Bitter Rivals
When: March
What: Grab the flag, kill the Doombeard Slayers or the Redfang Choppas and /swear your way to Tome unlock heaven. Prove that you’re the bitterest of bitter rivals and you can unlock the new Slayer and Choppa careers ahead of everyone else!
Rewards: Basic - Bitter Brew: Unlocks exclusive event titles
Advanced - Exclusive Bitter Rivals siege weapons: Giants and Flame Cannons
Elite -Unlock the Slayer and the Choppa for Head Start Play!
World Drop - Broken Axe/Notched Choppa (grants event-exclusive titles) and Grimnir's Mercy/Redfang Grog (grants an attack speed buff!)
Read more about Bitter Rivals >>
Celebrate Valentine's Day in True Warhammer Style!
As darkness falls on the Night of Murder, the worshippers of death bathe the land in blood, each intent on proving his or her devotion to the Elf god Kaela Mensha Khaine. It is a time that the forces of Destruction are all too willing to exploit. Assassins infiltrate the cities, while on the battlefield the differences between Good and Evil fade beneath the crimson haze of bloodlust. None are immune to the will of Khaine during this dark holiday.
During the Night of Murder, players will receive event Influence by completing daily Tome tasks, as well as for participating in the 'Marked for Death' quest given out by Witch Elves and Witch Hunters located in every Warcamp, Scenario, and Capital City. Keep an eye out for members of the enemy realm who have been "marked for death" and kill these players and NPC's to reap the rewards of the Night of Murder! But beware... unbeknownst to you and your realm mates, you too may be chosen as sacrifice.
Live Event: Night of Murder
When: sunday, February 8th through Sunday, February 15th, 2009
What: You could be marked for death so don’t take any chances! Kill all the enemies you see and let the god of Murder figure out which souls he wants to claim. Uncover the secret altars of Khaine and Lob Noggins till your Noggin Lobbin’ limb lobs right off!
Rewards: Basic - Shadowbane Potion that grants the title "The Murderous"
Advanced - Screaming Skull for Destruction and Murder Fang for Order
Elite - Talisman of Fell Whispers
World Drop - Khaine's Regard (ring) and Burning Blood Potion
Read more about Night of Murder >>
The Making of the WAR Cinematic Trailer
On 4 December, the creative team from BLUR Studio visited the Gnomon School of Visual Effects to share details of the production process behind the WAR cinematic trailer. For anyone interested in what it takes to make a trailer of this calibre, it is an educational two hours well spent!
Watch the Blur "Making Of" Presentation Here >>
Scenarios 101: Episode 11
Welcome, folks, to another episode of Scenarios 101! With this episode we continue our review of High Elf vs. Dark Elf Scenarios!
Temple of Isha
Temple of Isha is a 12 vs. 12 King-of-the-Hill Scenario based on the woodlands of Avelorn. Fight for control of the temple or use Isha's Will to gain points over time.
Tor Anroc
Tor Anroc is a 12 vs. 12 Scenario in Tier 3 High Elf vs. Dark Elf that’s based in the volcanic hallows of Tor Anroc. Take and hold the Brimstone Bauble to earn points over time and double the points you earn from killing enemy players!
Read More From Scenarios 101 >>
Concept Art - Orc Choppas
Concept Art - Dwarf Axes
The Sounds of WAR -
Excerpts from the original Soundtrack
Countless hours have gone into the music that you have grown to love while travelling across the battlefields of WAR, and now you can take this music with you wherever you go!
This month, the strong and sturdy Dwarfs clash against the savage Greenskins. Download the latest tracks and immerse yourself in the music of WAR no matter where you are!
Dwarfs
The Call of Stone
The Length and the Measure
Greenskins
Blood Rites
Warpath
Paul's Video Phone Blog
Join Creative Director, Paul Barnett, and his trusty video phone for a truly unique look at the ongoing development of WAR. This month, Paul travels to Korea, rides in a sweet van, and turns 39.
View the Video Blog >>
The Fan Art of WAR
High Pass Travels
by B. Taylor
Avatar of Aqshy
by Kunkka
Righteous Fury
by S. Ong
Earn a Skaven Skin Cloak!
Feeling creative? We know we have some talented fans out there and now is the time for you to demonstrate your skills. Send us your WAR-inspired art and we’ll showcase the best submissions in upcoming newsletters. Plus, featured artists will receive a code for a Skaven Skin Cloak!
Visit the Fan Art Gallery >>
Submit your artwork >>
The Grab Bag
The Grab Bag is an informative bi-weekly Herald feature which delves deep into the community’s burning questions. Our Community Team scours forums and feedback to collect the most common misconceptions and questions out there, and works with the dev team to clear up the confusion brought on by Chaos! Here are links to the most recent issues:
Grab Bag 36 >>
Grab Bag 37 >>
WAR Europe
The Herald is the place to go for the most up-to-date news regarding your favorite game and ours – Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning! Our Community Team works hard to keep the community informed of the latest updates, patch notes, news, and more. Here’s some news from December that you may have missed:
Subject: Info on upcoming live events woot 
