Alchemy returns to the Iron Kingdoms — Crucible Guard are back
EDIT: Roadmap updated Friday 26 September 20:37 UTC
The Golden Crucible’s elite alchemists are back in town, and they’re bringing fire, acid, and rocket fuel to Warmachine once again. But this isn’t just about one army, it’s another step in bringing beloved factions back into the fight.
Crucible Guard is the first of the returning Armies of Legend we promised at AdeptiCon, and you’ll be able to build your army however you want either as physical models from our webstore or as printable STLs from our Warmachine 3D MyMiniFactory store. But to kick things off and celebrate the return of Crucible Guard we’ll have an extra special early STL drop in the October 3D sub. That means whether you want to print at home, order direct, or grab from your local Warstore, you’ll soon have plenty of ways to add Crucible Guard to your collection.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Big news hot off the bunsen burner
In October, Crucible Guard joins Warmachine 3D. That’s right, one of the most alchemically proficient armies in Immoren will be available digitally for the first time, starting with the ingenious battle-engine the Railless Interceptor and the reckless daredevil Captain Eira Mackay.
Then, this November, the Crucible Guard Command Starter arrives in both STL and physical formats. This release and other Crucible Guard ‘box’ sets will be available separately direct from Steamforged physically or as a digital STL pack through our Warmachine 3D store that you can download and print at any time.
If you want to be the first to see what’s inside, make sure you don’t miss our Lock & Load keynote at Warfaire Weekend this November. For those not making it to Lock & Load this year we will be streaming the Lock & Load Keynote so you don't miss out. We’ve got some BIG surprises brewing in the alembics that you won’t want to miss, so make sure you grab your badge and get your army locked & loaded!
While we’re talking about the next army release, it’s the perfect time to share the latest roadmap.
Roadmap updated Friday 26 September 20:37 UTC to reflect digital and physical releases
As you can see, Crucible Guard will be the next army focus, with Southern Kriels Kithguard hot on their heels from February 2026.
This is an update to the previous roadmap which had the first Kithguard release in September. As many of you will know, the demand for our last army release, Old Umbrey, exceeded manufacturing capacity. This led to the implementation of a new pre-order process and trade allocations, as well as moving the Old Umbrey Auxiliary Expansion release to the end of September.
Because Kithguard will also be a brand new army, we’re anticipating high demand, so adjusting the release to February makes it much more likely we’ll be able to meet demand. As we’ve talked about previously, we’re in the process of doubling production capacity which should be in place by the end of this year.
We know a lot of you are keen for Kithguard and hearing you’ll need to wait a bit longer isn’t the news you were hoping for, but it’ll be worth the wait. If you’re hungry for more Kithguard details, make sure you check out the Lock & Load keynote stream.
Who are the Crucible Guard?
Think of the guard as the Iron Kingdoms’ alchemical edge. Soldiers, warjacks, and questionable experiments fuelled by alchemy, field-tested in the Infernal War, and more than ready to reclaim their lost homeland.
The sizzle of acid eating through armor, the roar of pyrophori ammunition burning enemies alive, the hiss of gas venting from grenades and rocket shells—these are the sounds that accompany the Crucible Guard in battle. This army of alchemist-soldiers represents the most scientifically advanced military to be seen on the battlefields of the Iron Kingdoms in the modern age.
For centuries, the Crucible Guard has served as the private security force of the Order of the Golden Crucible. Members of the Guard have protected important Crucible facilities and personnel, routinely acted as escorts for Crucible inspectors and tithe collectors, and defended the Order’s important shipments abroad.
Now, with the return of the Orgoth, Ord is reeling. A nation infamously known for carefully navigating neutrality in times of conflict between Cygnar and Khador, the Ordic people have discovered the invaders have little interest in diplomacy or treaties. The western cities have fallen, along with the capital city, Merin.
But the Crucible Guard will not sit idle. Since the events of the Claiming they have been steadily rebuilding—they march from their fortresses once more, first regrouping with the survivors from the capital, and now planning to retake their lost land from this unholy adversary.
Meet the faces of the guard
The Crucible Guard aren’t just faceless soldiers in masks and goggles. They’re led by some of the most striking characters in the Iron Kingdoms, each one bringing their own style to the Crucible’s rocket-fuelled ways of warfare.
Captain Eira Mackay
If there’s a warjack that needs pushing past its limits, Mackay is the one behind the controls. Seeing a need for those with her warcaster abilities, Eira Mackay joined the Crucible Guard as soon as she was able, eager to assist in the war effort against those she saw as cruel oppressors.
Life on the front lines was too dangerous for her father to bear, so he turned his talents into creating a bulwark to shield his daughter from harm: the Railless Interceptor, a unique weapons platform akin to the war wagons and gun carriages of the past, cross-bred with a locomotive and blended with alchemical and technical innovations.
Aurum Adeptus Syvestro
The mind behind the madness. Syvestro is the Order’s leading alchemist, turning theory into terrifying reality. Calm and collected even as flames engulf the battlefield, he represents the cold precision behind the Guard’s fiery arsenal.
Aurum Lucanum Athanor Locke
Where Mackay is bold and Syvestro is cerebral, Locke is discipline incarnate. A hardened tactician, with a secret worship for the clockwork goddess. She brings structure to chaos, ensuring the Guard’s volatile concoctions land exactly where they’ll hurt the most.
Bringing alchemy back to your table
Rebuild the Order of the Golden Crucible
For years, Crucible Guard has been one of the most asked-about armies in Warmachine. Now, they’re finally back, and better yet, they’re easier than ever to get hold of. Whether you want to 3D print at home or pick up a physical box, you’ll have many options to build a Crucible Guard army so you can start flinging the order’s concoctions and rocketeers across the table faster than ever.
Available digitally for the first time
October marks a first for the Crucible Guard as the first of the four armies of legend we promised at our AdeptiCon 2025 keynote returning to Warmachine. With their first arrival Captain Erira Mackay and the Railless Interceptor in Warmachine 3D’s October collection, you can start printing and painting your first Warcaster & battle engine right away. That also means experimenting with conversions and hobby projects has never been more flexible, the Golden Crucible’s alchemists would be proud.
A Command Starter to dive right in
Come November, we’re bringing you a Crucible Guard Command Starter landing in both digital and physical formats. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect entry point, this is it. It includes a full 30-point force ready to hit the battlefield. You’ll get to see what’s been brewing first at Lock & Load in November.
An alchemist’s specialty
On the tabletop, Crucible Guard play like no one else. They’re all about alchemical weapons, experimental subjects, and sudden bursts of destructive power unleashed from their ingenious battle-engines. If you enjoy elemental firepower, tactical prowess, and a healthy dose of fiery rocket-fuelled chaos, the ranks of the Crucible Guard await you.
The march of progress begins
Crucible Guard is back, and they’re bringing alchemy to Warmachine once more. 3D printable models arrive in October with Warmachine 3D, with the full Command Starter following in November. Don’t miss our keynote for the full reveal, and get ready to bring the Guard’s firepower to your tables.
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