From the jungles of Alchiere comes the rattle of munitions, the snap of undergrowth, and the unmistakable bellow of a trollkin warbeast.

The Southern Kriels’ Kithguard has stepped out of the mist at Lock and Load, and they’re coming in early 2026 to defend their ancestral territories with trollkin might.

Tired of bleeding in human wars while their ancestral lands were eroded and their kin branded outlaws, the Southern Kriels chose a new path, trading cold swamps to settle in the jungle heat of Alchiere and defend their own with a hardened force trained under Cygnar — the Kithguard. Having abandoned the conflicts of humanity once and for all at the cost of their former homelands, the trollkin warriors swore to never raise arms again except in defense of Kith and Kriel.

But now, as human armies fall back and the Orgoth push deeper into Immoren, ancient trollkin territories are left exposed. Abandoned to the mercy of invaders, the remaining Kriels make desperate pleas of the great Kithguard — those hardened veterans who cut their teeth on iron wars, and warriors raised in the shadow of their memories.

For the full spread of reveals from the Lock & Load keynote, check out the round-up. Now, pull back the vines and meet the Kithguard.

Lookin’ out for trap doors — Kithguard Command Starter preview

The Kithguard put a new spin on ambushes with their elusive trap doors. The result is an incredibly mobile and unpredictable force that’s tough to pin down. Master their tactics, and you’ll present a serious challenge to the table for almost any opponent — and you’ll both have a hell of a lot of fun in the process.

Leading the crew is Sergeant Hulder Craghorn, skilled fellcaller and warlock. Craghorn bends the rules with mid-turn ambushes, controlling the battlefield through carefully placed trap doors placed during his feat turn. Prepare to catch your opponent unawares.

Craghorn specializes in requisitioning trap doors to be deployed across the battlefield, allowing for many forms of strategical ambush deep within the jungle.

Having learned much from his fellcaller master, dim-yet-savage Klangor is a brutal mistborn dire troll not afraid to launch missiles with abandon. Combine that with force reload and you'll be dishing out AoEs like there's no tomorrow. A true no nonsense, wreck-your-face dire troll. Marvellous.

Don't stand near trap doors when the Scrappers are off the field...

Corporal Rhud Felleye, a once solitary hunter turned legendary sniper, watches from the treetops to deliver guaranteed damage with stunning accuracy.

Meanwhile, deep below the dirt, the Kithguard's born digger and misanthrope Pvt. Rattles prowls his tunnel networks, digging out trap doors and awaiting Craghorn’s call...

For Kith and Kriel!

From dug-in trench lines to shadowed jungle trails, the Kithguard blend trollkin heart with military precision.

Coming early 2026. Keep a close eye on Warmachine channels for further Kriel reveals.

Explore every announcement from the keynote in the roundup blog.