Grand Cathay Army Guide: Battle March and Starting Your Army

If you like disciplined armies, celestial magic and units designed to support one another, Grand Cathay offers something very distinctive in Warhammer: The Old World. Its collection combines ordered infantry, gunpowder weapons, cavalry, flying war machines and imposing characters. This Grand Cathay army guide introduces the faction, explains how the Battle March Army provides an approachable starting point and highlights suitable products from Bomran’s current catalogue.

Who Are Grand Cathay?

Grand Cathay is a vast civilisation in the far east of the World of Legend. It is ruled by the immortal Celestial Dragon Emperor and the Moon Empress, whose children govern different regions of the empire. Cathay’s armies protect an ancient realm of fortified cities, trade routes and carefully administered provinces.

During the period covered by Warhammer: The Old World, Cathayan forces have travelled west to help confront the growing threats facing the Old World. This gives the army a strong expeditionary character. Jade Warriors march in ordered ranks, gunpowder troops provide specialist support, and commanders work to maintain harmony across the battleline.

The miniatures are equally distinctive. Ornate armour, banners, jade details and celestial symbols appear throughout the range. You can use the traditional green, red and gold combinations seen on official models, or develop colours inspired by a different city, province or Cathayan dragon.

How Does Grand Cathay Play?

Grand Cathay suits players who enjoy combined-arms armies and careful positioning. Its collection includes professional infantry, cavalry, close and long-range gunpowder weapons, magic and impressive support units. These elements are intended to work as a coordinated force rather than as a collection of unrelated units.

The army rewards planning, but that does not mean every Cathayan force must remain in one place. Jade Lancers and flying units give the collection mobile options, while artillery and gunners can influence how an opponent approaches your battleline. The exact rules and points can change through official updates, so use the latest publications, FAQs and errata when preparing an army list.

Starting with the Grand Cathay Battle March Army

The Grand Cathay: Battle March Army is the clearest current starting point in the Bomran catalogue. Battle March is designed for compact games using armies of between 400 and 750 points. It gives you a manageable force with which to learn movement, formations, shooting, magic, charges and combat before deciding how you would like a larger collection to develop.

The box contains 36 miniatures:

• One Shugengan Lord on Great Spirit Longma
• 20 Jade Warriors
• Five Jade Lancers
• Six Iron Hail Gunners
• Four Crane Gunner Teams

It is a varied introduction to the army. The Jade Warriors provide a substantial infantry core, while the Jade Lancers add armoured cavalry. Iron Hail Gunners and Crane Gunners introduce two different forms of gunpowder support. Above them, the mounted Shugengan Lord gives the force a magical commander and an impressive centrepiece.

Understanding the Units in the Box

Shugengan Lord on Great Spirit Longma

The Shugengan Lord gives the Battle March force a commanding focal point. Shugengan are dragon-blooded warrior-wizards, and the Great Spirit Longma provides a suitably dramatic mount. Bomran also lists the Shugengan Lord separately for collections that do not begin with the Battle March box.

Jade Warriors

The 20 Jade Warriors form the infantry core of the force. Their armour, shields and ordered appearance capture the disciplined character of Cathay’s standing armies. They also give you a sizeable unit on which to establish the colours and heraldry for the rest of the collection.

Jade Lancers

The five Jade Lancers add armoured cavalry to the box. Their horses, long lances and decorated armour make them visually distinct from the infantry, while their speed introduces a more mobile element to the army.

Iron Hail Gunners and Crane Gunner Teams

The gunners demonstrate the importance of gunpowder technology within the Cathayan army. Iron Hail Gunners carry short-ranged weapons, while Crane Gunners provide a different form of ranged support. Bomran also lists the combined Iron Hail and Crane Gunners kit if you decide to expand this part of the collection.

Which Books Do You Need?

Arcane Journal: Armies of Grand Cathay contains the faction’s principal profiles, army rules, background and original Grand Army composition list. Unlike factions whose main lists appear in Forces of Fantasy or Ravening Hordes, Grand Cathay was introduced through its own Arcane Journal.

Arcane Journal: The Breaching of the Great Bastion introduces further Cathayan material and an updated Grand Army composition list. Games Workshop has also made that updated composition list available as a free official download, and it is now the default list for building a broad Grand Cathay force. Arcane Journal: Dawn of the Storm Dragon provides additional background and gaming material connected to the Cathayan expedition.

The current Warhammer: The Old World rulebook contains the main game rules and the Battle March rules. The Battle March: General’s Companion adds example forces, scenarios, campaign material and further options for compact games. Use the latest Games Workshop FAQs and errata alongside your books.

If you are starting with another player and want the rules and two opposing forces together, Bomran also lists the current Warhammer: The Old World Core Set, which contains Grand Cathay and Warriors of Chaos miniatures.

Expanding Your Grand Cathay Collection

After a few Battle March games, think about which part of the army you most enjoyed. More Jade Warriors can strengthen the visual core of the collection, while additional Jade Lancers can develop its cavalry. More gunners let you explore the army’s specialist ranged units without moving away from the models you have already learned to use.

If you would like a larger painting project, the Grand Cathay Sky Lantern offers an unmistakable centrepiece. The catalogue also includes characters, Sentinels, Peasant Levy and newer Cathayan releases. You do not need to add everything at once. Building and painting the Battle March force first will make it easier to choose additions that fit the army you genuinely want.

Grand Cathay Products at Bomran

These products have been selected from Bomran’s current Grand Cathay catalogue. The category page remains the best place to see the complete range listed by Bomran.

Is Grand Cathay Right for You?

Grand Cathay is a natural choice if you enjoy organised armies, striking Eastern-inspired fantasy miniatures and forces built around several units working together. The range gives painters a mixture of infantry, cavalry, ornate characters and larger display pieces. The Battle March Army provides a particularly useful introduction because it includes a commander, a substantial infantry unit, cavalry and two styles of gunner.

If you are still comparing factions, our Warhammer: The Old World beginner’s guide introduces the wider game. You can compare Cathay with the disciplined human forces in our Empire of Man army guide, or explore the High Elf Realms, Wood Elf Realms and Beastmen Brayherds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to start a Grand Cathay army?

The Grand Cathay: Battle March Army is the most straightforward current starting option listed by Bomran. It provides 36 miniatures covering a mounted commander, infantry, cavalry and two forms of gunpowder support.

What size games are played in Battle March?

Battle March is designed for armies of between 400 and 750 points. It provides a compact way to learn and play Warhammer: The Old World.

Can the Battle March Army become a larger force?

Yes. Its Shugengan Lord, Jade Warriors, Jade Lancers and gunners can all form part of a growing Grand Cathay collection. Add units gradually once you know which aspect of the army you would most like to develop.

Which book contains the main Grand Cathay army rules?

Arcane Journal: Armies of Grand Cathay contains the faction’s main rules and profiles. The updated Grand Army composition list from The Breaching of the Great Bastion is now the default list and is also available from Games Workshop as a free download.