Kings of War 4th Edition: New Ej Halflings & Trident King
10th Nov 2025
Dan Mapleston
4th Edition: More New Releases in Early 2026
As is tradition, we always show a few new things at the Mantic Open Day - and of course this year is no exception!
Not only is the launch of 4th Edition seeing the whole new Xirkaali Empire faction (*woof*), and brand new hard plastic kits for the Trident Realm (*jubilant whalesong*), there's also much more to come in their wake...let's have some sneak peeks at some brand-new resin kits landing in early 2026.
Halflings - Ej Drakon Rider
The signature forces of the Ej halflings are their Aeronauts and the Ej Grenadiers. Neither the flying wings nor the airships were originally intended to be war machines, but after being hastily – and effectively – put into service in the war with Rhordia, they became a key component of the Ej halflings’ new army. And these are not the only Halfling air assets to take to the skies...
Along with the flying machines the Ej halflings have built, there are also the injured drakons they have nursed back to health or repaired with mechanical wings. There are only a handful of them, but they are able to assist the airships in both scouting and patrolling.
Halflings - Swamp Belcher
Another set of useful creatures are the 'Swamp Belchers'. If a hungry Drakon should consume too much of a particular swamp fungus from the marshes, their bodies undergo a strange metamorphosis. They can no longer fly, and their body chemistry changes such that a fire permanently smoulders in their bellies. Importantly, they become capable of volatile flame projection - something a normal drakon cannot do.
At first, they were just more drakons to be cared for – although far more dangerous and alarming. After a time, the halflings started using them in their ‘gator hunts’ against the nasty predators of the swamp. During these hunts, large sections of marsh grass have gone up in flames, causing the halflings to rename the area the Firemarsh.
With practice, the halflings developed techniques to get the belchers to shoot their flames where and when they wanted. With the mobilization of Ej to prepare for war it did not take long to realize the military potential for these amazing creatures.
Trident Realm - the Trident King
And finally...not 100% a new reveal as many of you might have spotted a fearsome looking figure opposing the Xirkaali at the end of their launch trailer! However, the Trident King was finally out on full display at the Open Day for the first time - as if the new hard plastic Placoderms and Depth Horrors weren't already enough good news for Trident Realm fans!
Unbeknownst to most of the surface world, there is another type of Neritican, though it is unknown if they are another species or something else that has been warped by magics and the meddling of a careless deity. These are the Trident Kings. Huge, towering creatures that sit upon a throne in the judgement of those under their domain. When one of these creatures rouses itself to battle, the very seas roll with unforeseen tides, and storms whip themselves into a frenzy at the suggestion of their passing.
There are only three of these mighty creatures that are known to exist at this time, one for each of the great kingdoms. Each wears one of the fabled Masks of Medusa, a relic that any treasure hunter would kill to obtain, and many have tried but none have succeeded. Each of these masks gives its wearer incredible powers, both physical and magical, and it is unknown if the Trident Kings are the same creatures that have existed since the beginning of the Trident Realm, or if the masks have been passed from successor to successor to this day...
We hope you enjoyed this sneak peak at what's coming for the start of 2026 to further bolster your Trident Realm and Halfling battalions.
Make sure to follow the Kings of War 4th Edition launch hub for the very latest news!
