by Seanzor and Pete A
Pete Writes: Whenever a new Orruk Warclans book lands, I know that one way or another, I’ll be needing a box of tissues to hand.
I do of course have all the opinions on this shambolic mess1, and they will be dumped on a grateful world in due course. I am aware of the raw contents thanks to Rob Reads Book, but as a point of professional pride I avoid all other reviews until I’ve published my own; this time I am really looking forward to playing a game of “Spot the Shill” when I cycle back round to watching and reading what’s out there. Let’s see.
Anyway, in more positive news: Today we’ll hand out our annual content awards, The 2024 Plazzies. Then we’ll take a (slightly delayed) look back over the final month of 2024 and the content we’ve published in December, plus a look at what’s been going on in the Plastic Craic community.
So shall we get into it?
The 2024 Plazzies
Blog Post of the Year: The “Top 3 Lists” Series, by Woehammer
You think this is easy content? Well how about you do it? You wouldn’t last 5 minutes. Week after week, event after event, Woehammer diligently publishes the most successful army lists and it’s grown to be a great and constantly-evolving resource.
Our friends at Woe overtook us in views some time ago, so I’m not sure they really need the shout out, but hey we all like to know that our work is appreciated. And I appreciate the hell out of this series. Essential reading.
Youtube Show of the Year: Destruction, by Warhammer Weekly feat. Heywoah
A modern classic, this video hits nails on heads all over the place:
If I was picking nits, I’d argue that there could be more distinction between How Destruction armies are bad vs Why they are bad (root cause). Combat armies that universally hit on 4s2 with low rend is an example of the former; I suspect that the key specimen of the latter is that GW just doesn’t understand or give a shit about these armies. If I’m right, then they need to recruit a Destro specialist, because the Orruk Warclans book is simply unacceptable.
Now if you think I’m kissing Vince’s ass here in the hope of being Pick of the Week in return: please, spare me any more Picks of the Week. Last time he chose one of my articles he told everyone it was published by a different blog and directed everyone there, so thanks all the same but I can live without shout-outs like that! This video is simply the best and most insightful discussion of my favourite armies that I’ve seen in years3, and a great showcase for the timeless WHW format. Bravo.
The Welcome Back Award: Measured Gaming
Last year’s Plazzies had a wishlist of content we’d like to see making a comeback, and in 2024 Measured Gaming proved that sometimes wishes do come true. Their batreps are short-format, fun, competitive, entertaining and emphatically NSFW.
My only complaint is that they need to publish more of the bloody things, but I know they have big plans for 2025 and beyond. Onwards and upwards!
I also made a guest appearance myself – hope to do more this year!
The December Index, by Seanzor
The last month of 2024, so it’s time we look back at the year that brought us a new edition of AOS and a bunch of random shit that emptied our wallets and made us curse at our GW overlords. The last year wasn’t perfect but hey, if you’re here reading this at least you made it through. Hopefully the new year will bring a lot of wonderful new things though right?
December’s headline event was the balance update which was full of winners and losers. The crew have done a solid job covering that across a range of articles.
First off, the Overview:
Order Winners and Losers:
Chaos Winners and Losers:
Warhammer Community graced us with some intriguing new Regiments of Renown, which were thoroughly covered by Mr. Plastic Craic:
Pete also found time to get to an event in December, playing up the Lost Legion GT and big-braining the 2-dayer by making it a 1.5-dayer for himself. But hey, Pat and Zak represented the PC writing team at the top tables and on the podium:
There has been huge forward progress on the Plastic Craic Global Campaign, with three teams fighting over territory on the Flamescar Plateau and hunting down the secrets of the ancient Agloraxi Empire. This is a Matched Play campaign aimed at bringing a map campaign to competitive gamers, and it’s off to a flying start:
Then to cap off 2024 was the preview we all wanted, Orruk Warclans 4th Edition book! Sadly the book may go over like a lead balloon in the meta4, but there’s some pretty cool looking terrain pieces and along with the new kits over the last few years, the range feels pretty complete finally5. If you want to start an Ironjawz army with minimal investment, check this primer on the subject:
Over on Patreon, there was a lot of activity around the Global Campaign. Beyond that, Pete shared a sexy Ironjawz list and one key learning point from LLGT. Our writers and Patrons have all been setting and sharing their goals for 2025 in wargaming and beyond, so we can track progress together and support each other throughout the year. Pete covered his own here and we’ve pinned everyone’s goals in the relevant thread in our Discord.
But the late year holiday period did claim a victim, as we had to call time on the Sticky Brush challenge due to the Craicheads getting a bit too crunched on time. For a hobby challenge centered around focused improvement on painting technique, it was better to put the challenge on pause until we’ve all got some extra time to do it justice. All the work that people have put in so far will still be valid for the comp when it kicks back into gear so it’s not goodbye, it’s see you later.
Honestly looking back at December, for a time of holidays and relaxation the team was up to a lot of mischief and there are a stack of articles to show for it.
Looking ahead we’ve got lots of good stuff to dig into in the new year, with some highlights to watch out for in January being:
- A focused Daemon Prince article coming from the one and only Pat Neven.
- The first fortnightly update on our global map campaign.
- A Patreon series on Ogor Mawtribes by Pete, going deep on Monster Truck tech and lists.
Now let’s say a big thank you to the Patrons who joined us in December: Joshua Bek, William Small and Damo Gari. You are the reason we crack out the keyboard after a long day at work, and we will never stop being grateful for that.
So here’s wishing all our Patrons and readers a safe and prosperous 2025.
Cover image: Ushoran by GW. The big fella would have been our Mini of the Year for 2024, if he needed any more accolades
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Cover image: Ushoran by Games Workshop
- Well I guess that “shambolic mess” counts as the first opinion. ↩︎
- Or, laughably, 5s in the case of pigs now. ↩︎
- With an unexpected bonus discussion of my favourite comics, too. ↩︎
- With the notable exception of Ardboyz spam in the Big Waaagh and Zoggy side-armies. They’ll land somewhere between good and bent, depending entirely on the points cost of that one unit. ↩︎
- Kruleboyz still desperately need Cav though. Hobgrots riding wombats when? ↩︎
Plastic Craic 
You absolute legends! Thank you! Loving your narrative campaign by the way, I’m keeping a close eye on that!
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Of course mate, thank you for the articles!
Glad you’re enjoying the campaign too. We’ll have the Round One update out this week, touch wood ☺
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