Kings of War News: Xirkaali Alternate Heads, Xirkaali Heroes & Broadsword Video
11th Mar 2026
Alex Gordon
There’s plenty happening in the world of Kings of War this week. We’ve got a delightfully ridiculous new hobby release for Xirkaali players, three named heroes arriving in miniature form, and a brand-new video from the Broadsword Wargaming team exploring the Claws in the Sand starter set.
Xirkaali Alternate Heads – Build the Dog Army of Your Dreams
Back when the Xirkaali were being sculpted, Ronnie had one of his more…unusual ideas: what if players could model their army after their own dogs? The rest of the team thought he was barking mad…but decided to throw him a bone nonetheless.
Fast forward to today, and that idea has become a reality. We’re delighted to release a set of alternate heads for the Xirkaali, letting you customise your warriors with the faces of six different dog breeds:
- Pug
- Bulldog
- Mastiff
- Dachshund
- Wolfhound
- Chihuahua
Each breed comes with two options – helmeted and bare-headed – so you can mix and match across your units.
These heads are designed for the Xirkaali Warriors/Spearwardens kit and the Xirkaali Lionsnarl Cavalry, giving you plenty of freedom to personalise your army. Whether you want a kennel-full of a specific breed, or just a bit of extra variety in your ranks, they’re a very fetching way to put your own stamp on the faction.
And let’s be honest: if you’re a dog owner, the temptation to build an army that looks just like your own pet might be hard to resist. Ever wondered what Fido would like as a fantasy warrior? Mantic have the answer!
For those who 3D print, the files are being added today to the March pack for Mantic Vault subscribers, and will be available as individual purchases via the Mantic Digital storefront from next month.
If you don’t have a printer, the heads are also available to pre-order now as a print-on-demand product on the Mantic webstore, with orders shipping towards the end of April. It’s a great way to try our new print-on-demand service and get access to Mantic’s digital miniatures without needing a printer yourself.
And there’s a bonus: we currently have a special bundle available on the Mantic webstore, where you get a pack of the heads for free when you buy a Xirkaali battalion box. The offer will run until Sunday 12th April.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a Xirkaali force – or expanding the one you already have – now might be the paw-fect time to let these doggies off the leash!
👉 Check out the alternate heads and the special Xirkaali bundle on the Mantic webstore.
New Xirkaali Heroes Arrive
The Xirkaali are also gaining three named characters from the Invasion expansion book, now available as miniatures for the first time:
Khulan Kaiju-Slayer: Supreme Commander of the Tiger Claw, Khulan is one of the few hemicyons with a true affinity for the sea. She has brought the Xirkaali fleet half-way around the world and is a key figure in the invasion of Western Pannithor.
Baidar Witch-Eater: A ruthless witch hunter, Baidar stands out amongst his peers for his extreme fanaticism. He believes that the only safe sorcerer is a dead one, and looks for any excuse to destroy his prey.
Lieh Lung, the Lethal Fist: Originally born into a low-ranking household on the eastern frontier, Lieh Lung’s natural bravery and aptitude for combat has led to him becoming one of the most famed and deadly human warriors in the Xirkaali Empire.
Each of these characters adds a distinctive tactical option to Xirkaali armies on the tabletop – and they’re also fantastic new sculpts that hobbyists will enjoy painting.
For players who 3D print, Khulan and Baidar are available to purchase now via the Digital Store. Lieh Lung is included in the Mantic Vault March pack, and will be available to purchase from the Digital Store from next month.
For the non-printers out there, the miniatures are also available to pre-order now as print-on-demand models via the Mantic webstore, with shipping planned for the end of April.
👉 Take a closer look at the new Xirkaali characters on the Mantic webstore.
Broadsword Wargaming Take on Claws in the Sand
Finally, we’ve teamed up with the excellent Broadsword Wargaming for a new video exploring the Claws in the Sand two-player starter set for Kings of War 4th Edition.
In the video, hosts Olly and Ciara:
- Unbox the starter set
- Paint up a couple of the miniatures
- Play their first game of Kings of War 4th edition
If you’ve been curious about the starter set, it’s a great look at what’s inside and how the game plays.
Along the way you’ll also:
- Hear how the Xirkaali Matriarch helped Olly rediscover the joy of miniature painting
- Find out which Kings of War character Ciara has fallen in love with
- See what they like the most about how Kings of War plays on the tabletop
- And discover who comes out victorious when Olly’s Xirkaali clash with Ciara’s Trident Realm
We partnered with Broadsword on this video to help introduce Kings of War to new audiences, and we think they’ve done a lovely job of capturing its speed, fun and accessibility – as well as showcasing all the new miniatures that the Claws in the Sand starter set is packed with. If you know someone who’s thinking about getting into Kings of War, this is a great video to share with them.
👉 Watch the full video on the Broadsword Wargaming YouTube channel.
Between the new Xirkaali heroes, the wonderfully eccentric dog-head customisation options, and a fresh look at the Claws in the Sand starter set, there’s plenty for Kings of War fans to sink their teeth into.
And as always, we’d love to see what you’re working on – especially if those new heads inspire some particularly pawsome Xirkaali conversions.
