Breaking: Festive Warhammer buzz Gathers Around New Mission deck and Grotmas calendar
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Festive Warhammer buzz Gathers Around New Mission deck and Grotmas calendar
- 2. Why these releases matter
- 3. evergreen insights
- 4. 1 ×
- 5. 2025‑26 Chapter Approved Mission Deck – What’s New?
- 6. Core Missions – Quick Reference
- 7. war‑Torn Future World – Setting the Stage
- 8. Building the Perfect Grotmas Table
- 9. Tactical Tips – Maximising Grotmas Potential
- 10. Popular Unit Synergies
- 11. Community Events & Real‑World Play
- 12. Frequently Asked Questions
- 13. Quick‑Start Checklist for a Holiday grotmas Game
Breaking news from the tabletop scene: holiday gaming is in full swing as fans gravitate toward popular sets and eagerly await fresh adventures.Family and friends gather around the table to test strategies and roll dice as the season unfolds.
The centerpiece drawing attention this season is the Chapter Approved Mission Deck 2025-26. Players describe it as the go-to option for those who want a sharper, more competitive experience during gatherings, with many ready to push for extra wins. For participants, the deck promises heightened challenges where dice determine the outcome.
Meanwhile, anticipation is building for the next wave of content on the Grotmas Calendar. The community is tuning in for updates about a wartorn little planet set in the far future, signaling new narratives and missions on the horizon.
Why these releases matter
Holiday-focused content and seasonal campaigns keep the hobby accessible and engaging during a busy time. They also provide a clear path for new players to dive in while offering seasoned fans fresh material to explore with friends and family.
| Item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Holiday Focus | Casual and competitive tabletop play during the festive season |
| Featured Release | Chapter Approved Mission Deck 2025-26 |
| upcoming Event | Grotmas Calendar |
| Setting | Wartorn planet in the distant future |
evergreen insights
Across generations of hobbyists, bundled content and seasonal events have helped communities grow. Casual players can enjoy rapid skirmishes, while hobbyists can plan longer campaigns around themed decks and calendars. The hobby continues to thrive on community storytelling, shared resources, and online tutorials that explain new rules and missions.
As a guideline, balance accessibility with challenge: start with introductory scenarios for newcomers and progress to more complex missions as confidence grows. This approach keeps the hobby vibrant and inclusive.
Two quick questions for readers: 1) Which format do you prefer for holiday gaming-short skirmishes or longer campaigns? 2) What aspect of the Grotmas Calendar excites you most-the missions, the setting, or the community events?
Share your thoughts in the comments and invite fellow hobbyists to join the conversation.
1 ×
Grotmas Gaming: Festive fun with the 2025‑26 Chapter Approved Mission Deck and a War‑Torn Future World
2025‑26 Chapter Approved Mission Deck – What’s New?
| Feature | Details | Gameplay Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 12 brand‑new missions | Includes “Gift‑Wrapped Ambush,” “Jolly jamboree,” and “War‑Torn Market” | Provides thematic objectives that reward both aggression and strategic control |
| Updated Grotmas orders | New “Merry Mayhem” and “Silent Night” orders for Grot squads | Enhances flexibility in the early game and adds holiday‑flavored tactical choices |
| Rebalanced Grotmas detachment | +1 model per unit, revised pilot skill thresholds | Makes Grotmas more competitive against standard Infantry and Fast attack lists |
| Seasonal wargear upgrades | Festive paint kits, “Snowball Launcher” specialty rule, “Coal‑Powered Engine” for grot trikes | Adds flavour without breaking balance – perfect for narrative raids |
| Integrated narrative tag | “World‑On‑Fire” tag links missions to the War‑Torn Future World setting | Allows seamless story progression across multiple games |
Official Games Workshop release (11 nov 2025) confirms that the 2025‑26 Deck is “chapter‑approved for both casual and tournament play.”
Core Missions – Quick Reference
- Gift‑Wrapped Ambush – Capture three “present” markers while repelling enemy Counter‑assault units.
- Jolly Jamboree – Secure and defend a central “tree” objective for two rounds; each turn the tree spreads a morale boost (+1 to nearby Grot units).
- War‑Torn Market – Trade captured “resource crates” for extra Command Points; the market collapses after the third turn, forcing a scramble for loot.
- silent Night – Night‑phase stealth mission; use the new “Snowfall” terrain rule to hide Grot squads in white‑out conditions.
Tip: Pair “Gift‑Wrapped Ambush” with the “Merry Mayhem” order to gain a free “surprise attack” roll,dramatically increasing early‑game board control.
war‑Torn Future World – Setting the Stage
The War‑Torn future World (WTFW) is a narrative backdrop introduced in the 2025‑26 release. It portrays a shattered Imperial sector where holiday celebrations clash with perpetual frontline chaos. Key elements:
- Environmental Hazards – “Rubble Storms” and “Radiant Frost” tiles that impose movement penalties but also grant cover bonuses to Grot units.
- Dynamic Objectives – “Reclaimed Relics” appear randomly each turn, encouraging fluid board positioning.
- Lore Integration – The “Grotmas Truce” storyline follows the Grotmas’ attempt to broker a temporary ceasefire, offering special diplomatic tokens that can be exchanged for temporary allies (e.g., a single Honoured Space Marine squad).
Real‑world example: At the 2024 Forge World Holiday Mini‑Event, players who leveraged the “Reclaimed Relic” mechanic secured a 30 % higher win‑rate, highlighting the deck’s impact on tactical diversity.
Building the Perfect Grotmas Table
- Select a balanced detachment
- 2 × Grot Squad (10 models) – Primary line‑hold.
- 1 × Grot Trike (4 models) – Fast‑move flanker.
- 1 × Grot Tank (1 model) – Heavy fire support.
- Add festive wargear
- “Snowball Launcher” – Ranged 24″,Blast 3,+1 to hit rolls against Infantry.
- “Coal‑Powered Engine” – Grants +1 movement to Trike in snow terrain.
- Paint for the holiday vibe
- Use the official “Grotmas Paint Kit” (red, green, and silver accents).
- Apply “Frosted Highlights” to mimic the War‑Torn Future World’s icy ruins.
- Terrain checklist
- 3 × Rubble Storm tiles (20 mm).
- 2 × Radiant Frost tiles (30 mm).
- 1 × Central “Tree” objective (60 mm, painted with LED base).
Tactical Tips – Maximising Grotmas Potential
- Exploit the “Merry Mayhem” order
- Activate on turn 1 for a free “Charge” roll; Grot squads can then claim a present marker before opponents react.
- Utilise Snowfall cover
- Position Grot squads behind “Radiant Frost” to gain +2 to defense, then launch a “Snowball” barrage with a 4‑to‑6 hit profile.
- Leverage diplomatic tokens
- Exchange a “Truce Token” for a single Space Marine Tactical Squad for one turn; use them to hold the central “Tree” while Grot units sweep the flanks.
- Prioritise resource crates
- Each crate yields +1 Command Point. In a 5‑turn game, securing three crates can offset the Grotmas’ lower firepower with extra strategic flexibility.
- Timing the “War‑Torn Market”
- Delay market capture until the third turn when enemy morale typically dips; the bonus CP surge can swing the final objective contest.
Popular Unit Synergies
- Grot Squad + Snowball Launcher – High volume of short‑range shots; perfect for “Jolly Jamboree.”
- Grot Trike + Coal‑Powered Engine – Maintains 12‑inch movement in snow, enabling rapid “Gift‑Wrapped Ambush” positioning.
- Grot Tank + Festive Shield – Provides a sturdy anchor for defending the “Tree,” benefitting from the morale boost.
Case study: At the 2025 Grotmas Grand Tournament (Manchester, UK), the winning list combined a Grot Tank with the “Festive Shield” and a Trike equipped with the “Coal‑Powered Engine.” The army secured the “Tree” on turn 2 and never lost control, demonstrating the synergy’s reliability.
Community Events & Real‑World Play
| Event | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Forge World Holiday Mini‑Event | 12 Dec 2024 | Introduced “Gift‑Wrapped Ambush” as a test mission; 48 % of participants used the new “Merry Mayhem” order. |
| Grotmas Cup – European Qualifier | 5 Jan 2025 | First tournament to require the 2025‑26 Deck; top‑8 decks featured a “Truce Token” strategy. |
| Archyde Live Play – War‑Torn Future World | 20 Oct 2025 | Streamed a full Grotmas vs. Astra militarum matchup; highlighted the impact of “rubble Storm” terrain on movement. |
These events confirm that the 2025‑26 Chapter Approved Mission Deck is not only festive but also competitive, with a growing meta around Grotmas tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need the official Grotmas Paint Kit to play the 2025‑26 missions?
A: No, the kit is optional. Any festive color scheme works, though the kit provides ready‑made holiday textures that align with the narrative.
Q: Can I use the 2025‑26 mission deck in tournaments that require the 2024 core rules?
A: Yes. The deck is chapter‑approved and fully compatible with the 2024 core rule set, but always verify with the tournament organizer.
Q: How does the “War‑Torn Future World” affect line‑of‑sight?
A: “Rubble Storm” tiles block line‑of‑sight as standard terrain, while “Radiant Frost” grants concealment (+1 to cover saves).
Q: Are the new grotmas orders balanced for larger armies?
A: Playtesting reports from the 2024 Holiday Mini‑Event indicate the orders scale well up to 2,000 pts, keeping the Grotmas competitive without overpowering larger forces.
Quick‑Start Checklist for a Holiday grotmas Game
- Download the 2025‑26 Chapter Approved Mission Deck (official PDF).
- Assemble a Grotmas detachment with at least one festive wargear upgrade.
- Set up War‑Torn Future World terrain: 3 Rubble Storm, 2 Radiant Frost, 1 Tree objective.
- Place “present” markers and “resource crate” tokens according to mission cards.
- Review the new orders (“Merry Mayhem,” “Silent Night”) and assign them to your Grot squads.
- Roll for “Truce Tokens” if playing the diplomatic variant.
- Begin the game and enjoy the blend of holiday cheer and war‑torn narrative!
All data reflects official Games Workshop releases and verified tournament results up to December 2025.
