Guild Ball: Lumberjacks Guild
Steamforged Games präsentieren ein neues Team für Guild Ball: Lumberjacks Guild.
The Lumberjacks carve their way into Guild Ball
“Mallet’s mind wandered for a moment. ‘Sort of job I never saw myself doing, honestly. Always thought that was more your style, teaching the young ‘uns.’ The words were absentminded as sorrow rose up to pinch his crow’s feet and leave him staring at the ground for a moment.
It had been good for him to get away from all that bad blood in the big leagues. There was a time when he’d felt utterly lost and betrayed by his guild and the other players. Chisel, Harmony, Champ, Granite, even Tower. He felt like he had nothing in common with them under Hammer’s leadership. They’d gone to a place and mindset he couldn’t reach.
By comparison, he liked the men and women in the Lumberjacks. They were as straight up and down as the trees they felled—no hint of duplicity or ulterior motives. It reminded him of the Mason’s Guild under the Old Man, in years now long gone by.“
Welcome back, sports fans
To the first in a series of articles that’ll lead us up to the release of the Lumberjacks Guild! As we go, we’ll be discussing the design philosophy behind the Lumberjacks and where they came from as we reveal new artwork, miniatures, and of course, their gameplay.
Time to get the sawdust flying — the Lumberjacks are clocking in for pre-order at the Steamforged store.
Today, you’re swinging into your very first look at the Lumberjacks: a new Minor Guild living on the cutting edge of Guild Ball.
A quick chop through the highlights
The Lumberjacks Guild hacks its way into pre-order — meet Oak and Tinder, the first of the Lumberjacks crew as they stamp their mark into Guild Ball
Graft meets craft — see what happens when the Masons and Lumberjacks swap trades, with new alternate sculpts for both guilds.
Print your teams at home — Guild Ball’s coming to a 3D printer near you. Soon you will be able to buy your favourite guilds to print, paint and play.
Guild Ball at Lock & Load 2025 — join the Guild Ball community for Saturday’s official tournament at Warfaire Weekend in St. Louis, Missouri.
New to Guild Ball? — grab the free digital Starter Set STLs and hit the pitch with two guilds, terrain and more.
How the Lumberjacks took root
As with all new Guild Ball content since early 2024, we’ve worked hand in hand with the Guild Ball Community Project (GBCP) on the Lumberjacks Guild — all the way from character creation to concept artwork, miniature sculpting, and gameplay development.
To kick things off, the GBCP blew us away with an exceptional design pitch for the guild. From there, two of Guild Ball’s original key players — Steamforged co-founder and designer Mat Hart and product owner, Jamie Perkins — oversaw the process end-to-end, honing the Lumberjacks to the keenest wood-cutting edge.
Key members of the GBCP, Michael Klein and Henry Kay, spearheaded playtesting and day-to-day development, aided by the tireless efforts of their volunteer playtesters. Together, they contributed hundreds of hours to help the Lumberjacks progress from theory to reality.
To everyone at the GBCP, you have the gratitude both of everyone at SFG, and fans of Guild Ball worldwide.
Introducing Oak, our first Lumberjack and captain of the Guild.
For the first official Guild to join the game since the Shepherds Guild, we just had to call on the legendary prowess of Guild Ball’s original artist, Doug Telford.
And just as Doug helped shape their look, our lead sculptor Russ Charles ensured every axe, saw, and log pile feels unmistakably Guild Ball. Russ, being responsible for most of theGuild Ball miniatures over the game’s history, oversaw the creation of each sculpt and went to great lengths to ensure they met his exacting standards.
When guilds collide
„…Of the others, although Flint spent some time with each player, the striker had taken a particular shine to Tinder. The pair spent long hours on the field drilling passes, shots, and tackles between themselves and achieved tremendous results. Despite his stocky build, Tinder had begun to move like a forward and commanded a quiet confidence whilst on the ball.”
That spark between Flint and Tinder lit more than just the pitch. Their shared training sessions — striker and winger, veteran and upstart — set the tone for how the Masons and Lumberjacks work together. And now, you can see that partnership brought to life on the pitch.
Masons crossovers: prepare for a smashing match
Alongside the upcoming Guild release, two Lumberjacks will be stepping into Masons garb.
The crossover pack features Tinder and one mystery squaddie to be revealed soon, both reimagined in the disciplined, crafted style of the Masons Guild. And, of course, both will be fully playable in a Masons team.
Crafted by Masons, tempered by timber. Pre-order the Masons × Lumberjacks crossover pack today.
Lumberjacks Crossovers: Swinging both ways
Looks like a couple of Masons also fancied a change of scenery!
Like the Lumberjacks crossover models, Flint and Mallet have traded marble for mulch, swapped bricks for birch, and are learning that a hard day’s work in the real outdoors leaves you with sawdust in your hair and a pinecone where it shouldn’t be.
Flint & Mallet’s crossover sculpts capture the hearty nature of the Lumberjacks: all teamwork, hard graft, and a touch of tree-sap.
You have the Mason’s hammers, chisels, and my axe. The Masons x Lumberjacks crossover pack is wedged in for pre-order now.
Print your teams at home
From print to pitch, we’re bringing every sports fan something truly special. Every official Guild’s kitting up for the beautiful game.
With the Lumberjacks carving their way into Guild Ball, we’re bringing every official Guild, including the Lumberjacks, to the MyMiniFactory store as paid digital STL files. From the Butchers and Brewers to the Masons, Morticians, and beyond, the full roster’s warming up to hit MyMiniFactory for you to buy, print, paint, and play.
It’s your chance to draft your dream squad, test out new tactics, and field the teams you’ve always wanted. No scouting required.
We’ll soon be announcing when the full Guild Ball collection is ready to take to the field and the printer. Want to be in the know when it happens? Sign up to the newsletter or join the Discord!
Heading to Lock & Load 2025?
This November, Lock & Load 2025 is rolling into Warfaire Weekend in St Louis, Missouri.
On Saturday, November 15, Guild Ball’s taking to the pitch for a full day of matches and mayhem. Bring your team, square off in matched tournament play. Glory, pride (and prizes) are on the line.
Guild Ball day tickets are out now. The pitch is calling. Grab your badge & book your tickets now at Warfaire Weekend.
But that’s not all. Log the date in your diary because you can get your hands on one of the limited early copies of the Lumberjacks Guild at Lock & Load 2025.
And when you’re not on the pitch? There’s plenty to get stuck into. From Warmachine events and the P3 Grandmaster painting competition to the Warmachine Keynote, streaming live on YouTube — it’s a weekend packed with hobby, gaming, and good company.
Grab your Saturday ticket and get ready to play your part.
On the pitch with the Lumberjacks
The Lumberjacks, minor guild to the Masons Guild, are tough and rugged folks who understand that to get a job done right, each member of the crew has a job to do — and when those trees start falling, everyone needs to look out for one another.
On the pitch, the Lumberjacks adhere to the strong ethos of the Masons; teamwork and flexibility. Each player on the pitch has a role to play, whether that’s finding and setting up the best logs — or unfortunate opposing squaddies — to chop down, taking the swing, or hauling them around afterwards.
The Lumberjacks have access to the characteristic “Mason’s playbook”, including multiple useful momentous results on the first several columns, as well as stronger non-momentous results towards the top end. This provides them with many options to choose from, as well as plenty of flexibility in how they approach the game and respond to what’s happening on the pitch.
Additionally, while Lumberjacks retain some of the Mason’s durability, they sacrifice some defensive ability for greater offensive output.
The Lumberjacks Guild introduces a new and unique mechanic to Guild Ball: log piles. As long as Lumberjacks stay close to their log piles, they get multiple benefits: More damage, improved mobility, influence efficiency, and durability. Opposing teams will be wise to try to avoid log piles, or risk being felled themselves by axe and saw.
However, the job of a Lumberjack doesn’t end with felling trees. There’s plenty more cutting, hoisting, and hauling to do to get those logs to where they need to go! The Lumberjacks have multiple options for repositioning their log piles right to where the match is and where they’re needed.
The playstyle of the guild focuses on positioning your models and log piles in ways that force the opposing guild into specific areas of the pitch where the Lumberbacks can create favorable engagements, score opportunistic goals, and take out key models.
Then, once things have shifted to another area of the pitch, Lumberjacks will need to use their abilities to reposition themselves and their log piles to new locations in their opponent’s actions.
Let’s take a look at this guild rule in a little more detail.
Stacking the odds: the Log Pile markers
Log pile markers represent a novel and unique application of existing Guild Ball mechanics. Unlike other markers in the game, such as trap and harvest markers, log piles are 40mm markers that function as obstructions – granting cover to any nearby models (friendly and enemy).
After the kickoff, the Lumberjacks player will place two log pile markers on the friendly half of the pitch, and at least 4” apart from one another. These markers remain on the pitch throughout the game, and can be repositioned using various plays and traits. In addition to granting cover, log pile markers provide the Lumberjacks with additional mobility, efficiency, and offensive or defensive benefits. As there can only ever be two friendly Log pile markers on the pitch at a time, positioning and repositioning Log piles is critically important to the overall Lumberjack’s gameplan.
Cut from the same wood: what defines a Minor Guild?
For the uninitiated, each Minor Guild is allied to one Major Guild. A Major Guild and its allied Minor Guild share 2-4 players that can play for either Guild, in this case the Masons Major Guild.
What makes a minor guild fun to play is that sense of identity. Each one carves out its own space in the wider Guild Ball world, mechanically, visually, and narratively. The Lumberjacks are no different. Their design is rooted in grit, coordination… and quite a few splinters.
Your first swing at Guild Ball starts here
If you’ve never played Guild Ball, now’s the perfect time to draft your dream team for the pitch.
Net yourself FREE digital Starter Set STLs, including members of the Masons Guild, allies of the upcoming Lumberjacks — and everything you need to start playing, two guilds, 16 miniatures and an 8-piece terrain set.
Download the starter set and free rules and cards, and get back on the pitch.
What’s down the trail?
Next week, we’ll reveal more of the Lumberjacks and give you a closer look at what makes the Lumberjacks a cut above the rest on the pitch.
Until then, tell us what you think of those shapes in the shadows. Who, or what, do you think’s hiding back there?
Grab your plaid flannel and lace your boots — pre-order your Lumberjacks today.
Don’t miss the kick-off!
Subscribe to the Steamforged newsletter to get the latest Guild Ball updates — including Lumberjack reveals, pre-order news, and more!
Until then, stay sharp, stay sturdy, and absolutely…
Stay choppy.
Quelle: Steamforged Games
Es juckt, aber ich vertrau SFG nicht mehr so. Der Stil der Minis spricht mich jedenfalls wieder total an und ich hätte die Holzfäller schon gerne. :-/
Wie meinen? Weil die schon mal angekündigt haben GB abzukündigen? Sollte dich jetzt nicht dran hindern Modelle zu kaufen, die dir gefallen und das Spiel zu spielen. Hat bei BB ja auch über die Community ganz gut funktioniert. Und wenn die jetzt wie bei WM auf MMF umsteigen, können sie auch einzelne Produkte rein digital verkaufen. Dann sind die Nebenkosten für ein Produkt, das nicht läuft geringer.
Ich verstehe es. Das jähe Ende von Guildball damals war nicht schön. In letzter Zeit hat SFG aber sehr viel richtig gemacht. Wie sie Warmachine wieder aufleben lassen finde ich toll. Und auch dass Sie Guild Ball in veringerterm Masse zurückgebracht haben zeigt, dass sie sich bemühen und auf die Kritik gehört haben. Das jetzt sogar ein neues Team kommt finde ich cool.
Kann ich sehr nachvollziehen. Und auch wenn ich den Downfall damals nicht mitbekommen habe, juckg es mich zwar ein den Fingern aber ich bleibe vorsichtig…
Nach der Logik wären zig aktuelle gespielte Games Workshop System heute tot obwohl sie es dank ihrer Community nicht sind.
PIP hatte früher übel Mist gebaut und Warmachine MK3 gegen die Wand gefahren. Immer und immer wieder.
Viele sind zu GB abgewandelt. SFG hat es kürzer gemacht aber auch GB gegen die Wand gefahren.
Jetzt haben die beide Spiele. Wo soll es Vertrauen da sein? Wozu sollte man sich Modelle besorgen wenn man die bald wieder wegwerfen kann? Teurer Müll….beide Systeme fasse ich nie wieder an.
Das is valide, vielleicht zu extreme Einstellung. Nach der Logik darfst Du quasi kein Spiel außer vielleicht Malifaux spielen, weil die alle schon mal Modell ausgetauscht, überarbeitet oder einfach rausgeworfen haben.
Der SUK Creep in Warmachine hat das Spiel unmöglich zu balancieren und zu verwalten gemacht. Dazu dann noch das ausgenutzte und letztendlich wegen der bei Magic erlebten Angst vor Scheinanstellung abgeschaffte Pressganger Programm. Dass die schlecht gehandhabte Communityintegration, die schlechte Lieferbarkeit in Europa und dann wirschaftliche Probleme ihr übriges getan haben is ne andere Geschichte. Das Spiel gibts jedoch noch, du kannst auch noch alle Modelle spielen, mit den aktuellen Regeln. Wobei die Auswahl für Turniere eingeschränkt ist, klar macht Sinn du willst nen level playing field und das geht halt bei 3 bazillionen Kombinationen aus verschiedensten Armeen nicht. Deswegen macht auch der Schritt zu den Kadern Sinn.
Blood Bowl wurde auch von GW abgemurkst, ich hab immer noch ne 2nd Edition Box mit den lustig breispurigen Orks in der Garage, ink. Death Bowl Erweiterung. Kann ich spielen, hab ich zwischendrin gespielt. Und die Community hat das Spiel so gut am Leben erhalten, dass selbst GW zurückgekommen und es übernommen hat.
Wenn Du jetzt nicht zwignend auf Turniere gehen willst oder Pickup Spiele brauchst, weil Du sonst niemanden hast kann es Dir eigentlich egal sein. Ich hab auch erst letztens groß AT-43 eingekauft, weil ich nen Freund getroffen hab, der auch noch Modelle hat und ich mit ihm und vielleicht jemanden der einsteigen will spielen will. Und das Spiel is schon wirklich lange tod. Deswegen mach ich Rackham keine Vorwürfe, hab ja meine Modelle bekomme, finde es nur schade, dass es die nicht mehr gibt.
Und wenn die Regeln auf der Webseite sind und die mal auf MMF ne halbwegs große Auswahl an Mannschaften haben, dann kann es einem wirklich egal sein. Siehe Warmachine, da kommen jetzt die Minimarmeen, die es nicht mehr regulär gibt zum selber drucken. Mir fehlen da jetzt nur noch die Classic Modelle und ich bin glücklich.
verstehe ich zwar aber GB konnte man auch gut ohne SFG weiter spielen,
aber tatsächlich hätte ich an deren stelle GB auch in ruhe gelassen
und mich nur auf Warmachine konzentriert,
kann mir nicht vorstellen,
das sie zu der zeit noch nicht wusten das sie Warmachine übernehmen.
Warum muss ich vVrtrauen in eine Firma haben um ein Spiel zu spielen das tolle Regeln und zig Teams hat? Kann man bis in alle Ewigkeit spielen.
…hab GB nicht aktiv gespielt…aber wenn man Bedenkt was da zu der Zeit los war in der Welt…und Gefühlt war doch die Situation, dass man von dem Verkauf von den wenig Minis nicht (über)leben könnte oder Alternativ immer mehr Figuren mit immer bessern werten raushauen hätte musse…was wohl auch nicht dolle gewesen wäre.
Finds doch gut, dass es weitergeht bzw. das alte verfügbar gemacht wird. Finds nur ein bisschen irritierend das die Minis alle farbig, wie bei godtear, dargestellt werden, aber wohl alle grau sind.
Sehe es aber auch gerade selbst bei monsterpocalypse….geniales Spiel und ich versuche na die alten prepainted Sachen ranzukommen..leider in Europa Recht schwer.