Warhammer Animations Trailer: Did My Crystal Ball Just Show Astartes 2 & Lae'zel as a Battle Sister?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Games Workshop just unleashed a new trailer for their 2026 Warhammer Plus animations, confirming *Astartes 2* is indeed in the works with a teasing glimpse of a Khorne Berzerker and actual production footage, alongside the exciting news that Devora Wilde (Lae'zel from *Baldur's Gate 3*) will voice a Battle Sister.
Alright, gather 'round, mates, because Games Workshop just dropped a trailer for their upcoming Warhammer animations on Warhammer Plus, and fair dinkum, my digital crystal ball is *buzzing*. We're talking a glimpse into what's cooking for 2026, and if you blinked, you probably missed some absolute gold. (Big shoutout to Wesley Yin-Poole over at IGN South Africa for spotting the initial runes, by the way, this info is based on their excellent report!)
First off, let's talk about the Adepta Sororitas. We're seeing a Battle Sister absolutely letting rip with a heavy bolter, which is always a treat, right? But here's the kicker: Devora Wilde, the legendary voice behind Lae'zel in *Baldur's Gate 3*, is confirmed to be playing one of these Sisters. Now, if that's not a match made in... well, not exactly heaven, but a grimdark, righteous, chainsword-wielding dimension, I don't know what is. Imagine Lae'zel's ferocity channeled into a Sister of Battle – a perfect fit, I reckon! My mind's already conjuring up the sheer force of will that performance is going to bring.
But hold your plasma pistols, because the real buzz, the whisper through the digital warp, is all about the *Astartes 2* tease. For years, us fans have been wondering if Syama Pedersen's universally acclaimed animation, the one that basically set the gold standard for how Space Marines *should* look and move (and even inspired *Space Marine 2* itself!), was stuck in some sort of temporal stasis. GW had been quieter than a Genestealer in a ventilation shaft on its progress, and honestly, a few of us wizards were starting to wonder if it had vanished into the ether.
Then, earlier this year, a 2026 window appeared, and now? In this new trailer, we get a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of a Khorne Berzerker from the World Eaters Traitor Legion. GW just called him "on the hunt," but some clever sods out there noticed his running style is *suspiciously* similar to the Space Marines we saw in the original *Astartes*. Coincidence? Or a deliberate breadcrumb leading us down the path of bloody resurrection? I'm leaning towards the latter, mate, because frankly, it’s just too perfect.
And then, for those of us with eagle eyes (or perhaps a scrying spell active), there's a clear shot of actual *Astartes 2* work-in-progress on a monitor! We see animation of a Deathwatch Terminator squad – those familiar lads from the debut *Astartes 2* teaser with their Retributors, Mortifactors, Scythes of The Emperor, Sons of Medusa, and Angels Vermilion pauldrons – appearing to protect a human soldier. It's incomplete, sure, but it's *there*. It's *happening*. The relief is almost palpable, like finally finding that rare crafting component after weeks of grinding. This animation, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 visual storytelling, is actually back in the workshop, not gathering dust in some forgotten archive. Bloody brilliant!
Beyond the hype-train of Berzerkers and Battle Sisters, the trailer also gives us a peek at some aerial dogfights featuring the lightning-fast Aeldari from Saim-Hann against the Imperial Navy (because who doesn't love a good sky-scraping scrap?). Plus, there's a quick look at the finale of *Blacktalon*, with Be'lakor being Be'lakor and causing all sorts of diabolical mischief for Neave and her fractured team. You just know that's going to be a wild ride.
So, while GW sometimes has a knack for keeping us on tenterhooks, this trailer feels like a genuine gift, a confirmation that some truly exceptional Warhammer storytelling is on its way. Skepticism is healthy, sure, but when you see something as promising as this, it's hard not to feel that authentic gamer enthusiasm bubble up. Bring on 2026, I say!
Tags: Warhammer 40K, Astartes, Animation, Games Workshop, Sci-Fi
Original article: IGN South Africa