Warmachine is getting vampire elves this summer. Steamforged Games unveiled the Fane of Nyrro at AdeptiCon 2026 (one of the world's largest wargaming conventions), revealing a second army for the undead elven nation of Dusk. For those unfamiliar, Warmachine is a competitive miniatures wargame where players build armies around powerful warcasters and warjacks (giant steam-powered robots). Models for the Fane arrive in June 2026.
The Fane of Nyrro plays up close and personal. Frontline warlocks like Hysenne the Executioner gain power by devouring enemies in combat, then spend that stolen energy to unleash devastating attacks. Supporting them are bestial warbeasts (the serpentine Sybaris, the light Strigon, and the heavy Vordak) built for aggressive hit-and-run engagements. Where Dusk's existing House Kallyss army favours ranged shooting and arcane trickery, the Fane is feral, hungry, and in your face.
The army also marks a shift in how Steamforged packages new factions. The traditional Battlegroup Boxes, which often locked new players into a rigid starter unit, are gone. Starting with the Fane, new armies launch with a Command Cadre and individual warbeasts, followed by two complete 50-point army bundles with preset loadouts. It's a simpler on-ramp for newcomers and more flexible for veterans.
Steamforged, best known for Dark Souls: The Board Game, acquired the Warmachine IP from a financially struggling Privateer Press in June 2024. Community scepticism was high at the time, but steady growth under the Mark IV rules set has largely quieted those concerns. The AdeptiCon keynote reinforced that momentum: alongside the Fane, it revealed five new super-heavies, four mercenary solos, and the return of the beloved Protectorate of Menoth faction in October.
Vampire elves with a feeding mechanic are one of the more distinct faction concepts in competitive wargaming right now. If you've been looking for a reason to try Warmachine, this might be it.
Sources: Wargamer | Steamforged Games | ICv2