Monthly Archives: July 2022

Black Library, Declan Walters, Games Workshop

Book Review – The Magos

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Book 4 of the Eisenhorn Series by Dan Abnett

I think Warhammer novels are at their best when they leave the Space Marines and superhumans behind and concentrate on more relatable characters. And Dan Abnett has made a great character in the form of Inquisitor Eisenhorn, here returning for Book 4.

The Magos – Black Library / Dan Abnett

From the book:

Inquisitor Eisenhorn returns in a stunning new novel that pits him against his oldest foe, forcing him to finally confront the growing darkness within his own soul.

Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn has spent his life stalking the darkest and most dangerous corners of the galaxy in pursuit of heresy and Chaos, but how long can a man walk that path without succumbing to the lure of the warp? Pursuing heretics in the remote worlds of the Imperium, Eisenhorn must confront the truth about himself. Is he still a champion of the Throne? Or has he been seduced by the very evil that he hunts? The Magos is the brand new, full-length fourth novel in the hugely popular Eisenhorn series. This paperback edition also includes the definitive casebook of Gregor Eisenhorn, collecting together all twelve of Dan Abnett’s Inquisition short stories, several of which have never been in print before. These additional stories have been compiled by the author to act as an essential prologue to this long-awaited new novel, while also serving as an indispensable companion to the original Eisenhorn trilogy.

Dan Abnett has brought together a number of short stories (12) and a novella length tale in this novel to tell of some of the adventures of Gregor Eisenhorn and his followers. It’s great to have stories to dip into, and finish in an afternoon of lazy reading and the 12 stories definitely deliver on that promise. They’ll be some you may not like, but you’ll be back on fire on the next one as the Warhammer 40k universe encounters all the Grim Darkness through Gregor’s eyes.

The Novella – The Magos – is a great ending to the series though. Concentrating on the story of a Magos trapped in a backwater planet with no means of escape Gregor’s team kidnap him to ‘ask’ for his assistance in investigating some animal attacks. But things are not as they seem. It’s a great story told at break-neck speed but with not too many characters so it is easy to keep up. Sure, some of them die early, but that just makes everything easier to follow.

It also helps to bring the 40k universe to life – it’s not just epic clashes for the future of Terra – it’s people trying to survive, documenting species for the future, and making a living… and into that walks Eisenhorn to cause or solve mayhem and destruction.

A great ending to the Eisenhorn series, but Dan Abnett does have a number of other books featuring the Inquisition, so if you like this there’s definitely other books you can give a go.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

— Declan

Check out the full list of Book Reviews we’ve done on Woehammer here

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Blades of Khorne, Chaos, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Hedonites of Slaanesh, Kharadron Overlords, Lurid Haze, Order, Peter & Brett, Reapers of Vengeance, Seraphon, thunder Lizard, Top three lists, Tournaments

Top Three AoS Lists for BWG: Summer Slaughter GT

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This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the BWG: Summer Slaughter GT that took place in Pennsylvania, USA on 23rd and 24th July. It involved a massive 102 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament. An interesting result, 2 of the lists feature White Dwarf rule adjustments and we have Seraphon. In fact the whole top 5 is made up of AoS 2 books with 6th being the highest placed. Of course 5 to 10 are all the newest of books (Skaven and Sylvaneth).

Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?

Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.

The Top Three AoS Lists

Top Three AoS Lists - 1st Place, Maggotkin of Nurgle

Allegiance: Slaanesh
– Host: Lurid Haze Invaders Host (Host of Chaos)
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Sigvald, Prince of Slaanesh (205)*
– Host Option: General
The Contorted Epitome (245)*
– General
– Command Trait: Feverish Anticipation
– Artefact: Oil of Exultation
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon
Krondspine Bladebringer, Herald on Seeker Chariot (185)*
– Lore of Slaanesh: Hysterical Frenzy

Battleline
22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)*
– Reinforced x 1
22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)*
– Reinforced x 1
11 x Blissbarb Archers (140)*

Units
5 x Centigors (85)*
10 x Gors (70)*
– Gor-Blades & Beastshields

Behemoths
Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (400)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Geminids of Uhl-Gysh (40)
Purple Sun of Shyish (70)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 96
Drops: 1

Brett: Tuned to excess (I know what I did there) with the most efficient Slaanesh Warscrolls combined alongside Krondspine and that Purple Sun. The result is a mobile army with brutal amounts of shooting backed by enough hitting power to remove your hammers (or anvils). This is a very interesting army which avoids any of the larger heroes (Glutos, Keeper of Secrets or Shalaxi) for Krondspine and maximum Blissbarb.

Anthony has taken advantage of the Invaders battle traits to gain a second hero for command purposes. Useful to increase the sweep of command abilities. 2 Wizards with 3 casts and denies but neither are true wizards so the list really has 3 combat heros with denies. Starting with Sigvald; he continues to be a machine, ignoring wards but has a 4+ ward, with his minimum 5 attacks hitting on 2s and wounding on 3s with Rend -2 and D3 damage. If he charges he can use his charge roll for his attacks. Invaders allow the placement of 3 units into ambush (deep strike) so there is an excellent chance of meeting him after he charges (3+ to his charge roll), of course he strikes first. Avoid hm by staying more than 15″ from the edge of the board. Any edge.

The Contorted Epitome is quite tanky in this build with +1 wound and it’s normal 2+ ward on MW. 14″ move and with Flaming Weapon (presumably on the Ravaging Claws) for 9 attacks with a rend -1 and 2 damage weapon. And ability to make other units fight after it if it charges. The Chariot and Epitome have warscroll spells to grant rerolls for 1s. The Chariot has an impressive melee profile but more importantly can retreat and charge, it inflicts mortal wounds on the charge. The Hysterical Frenzy spell inflicts more MW. These combat characters make sense when the rest of the list is mostly Blissbarb. 2 attacks but a 6+ save and 1 wound mean they will melt under pressure. With a 6″ move (but they can run and shoot) mobility is limited but they can take Sigvald up the board with them.

With the limited casting and no real wizards (who have buffed casting) getting Purple Sun out might be hard. Geminids have a CV of only 5 though and are no where near as powerful as the Purple Sun. Still they inflict MW on a unit with 1″ at the end of their movement on a 2+ and if they do they turn off commands. An army that is going to apply pressure from the start, it pretty much always wants to go second to see where the best places to drop in units. If they take Sigvald into ambush with 2 of the Blissbard Archers units their opponent is going to have real trouble. Anthony scored consistently through all rounds (26+), most of his opponents had either Eternal Conquerers or Bounty Hunters or both which this list largely negates (they are shooting you off objectives, your numbers won’t count).

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Allegiance: Kharadron Overlords
– Sky Port: Barak Zilfin
– Mortal Realm: Chamon
– Grand Strategy: Masters of the High Airs
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Aether-Khemist (90)*
– General
– Command Trait: Collector
– Artefact: Spell in a Bottle
Aetheric Navigator (85)*
Arkanaut Admiral (125)*
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon

Battleline
10 x Arkanaut Company (90)**
– 1x Light Skyhooks
– 1x Aethermatic Volley Guns
10 x Arkanaut Company (90)**
– 1x Light Skyhooks
– 1x Aethermatic Volley Guns
10 x Arkanaut Company (90)**
– 1x Light Skyhooks
– 1x Aethermatic Volley Guns

Units
10 x Grundstok Thunderers (270)*
– Reinforced x 1
1 x Grundstok Gunhauler (155)
– Main Gun: Sky Cannon
– Great Endrinworks: Zonbarcorp ‘Debtsettler’ Spar Torpedo

Behemoths
Arkanaut Ironclad (490)
– Main Gun: Great Sky Cannon
– Great Endrinworks: Zonbarcorp ‘Dealbreaker’ Battle Ram
Admiral’s Krondspine (400)
Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur

Endless Spells & Invocations
Purple Sun of Shyish (70)

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Expert Conquerors

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1955 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 94
Drops: 10

Brett: It’s been a while since Kharadron Overlords have climbed to the top of the tree. Coming off a recent buff from both the mid year points (only 2 units) and White Dwarf revision Carl is one of 3 to go 5/0 in the event. He does have both the Purple Sun and Krondspine and 2 wizards to bind them thanks to the Arcane Tome. I wonder if we will see anything about the Purple Sun and Krondspine before the next Battlescroll is due in September.The general, the Aether-Khemist is an obvious choice, one of 3 Khemist only artefacts guarantees an endless spell can be cast once per game. The Purple Sun has a casting value of 8 so if there is anyway to make it a sure thing take it.

Slow moving he also hands out a re-roll wound rolls of 1 to a unit within 12″ and reduces to-hit rolls within 3″ (himself and another character typically) unless garrisoned, so he has to be on foot. His own attacks are much riskier, 3D6 with rend -2 sound great but only 9″ range make it a risky proposition. Of course he can garrison a vessel. The Navigator is here for his dispel and reroll run and charges for vessels if they are visible to him. Lastly the Admiral, who was the most changed by White Dwarf here. He lost 3 of his 4 unique command abilities, keeping the ability to allow a unit to fire even if it had run (Master of the Skies). Flaming Weapon is an interesting choice, he has reroll hits and wounds against monsters and heroes.

He is a small beatstick with only 3 attacks, -2 rend, 2 damage. He can divert wounds to the Arkanaut Companies (Skyfarers). Otherwise 3 battle line Arkanauts with minimal upgrades, Thunderers for some punch. With limited capacity in the flying units I would garrison the Thunderers and forgo the hero buffs to minimise their exposure. All of the KO shooting units have quite short ranges, typically 18″ or less except for the boats. The addition of the Purple Sun to increase saving throws for adjacent units with the number of shots from even the Arkanauts is a great combo. The Krondspine is pure distraction and menace, it takes a lot to deal with but can’t easily be ignored. In melee he can delete weaker units and at least bracket most bigger heroes in a single turn.

His highest ranked opponent was 11th, so it’s not clear how much we can take from his matchups. Most of the armies this went against were a bit short on shooting with the exception of his 2nd opponent. 5/0 is no small accomplishment and the list is quite different with so few boats and mostly footsloggers who aren’t riding.

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Top Three AoS Lists - 3rd place, Legion of the First Prince

Army Faction: Seraphon
– Army Type: Coalesced
– Subfaction: Thunder Lizard
– Grand Strategy: Show of Dominance
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Saurus Astrolith Bearer (140)**
– Artefacts of Power: Fusil of Conflagration
Lord Kroak (430)**
Celestant-Prime (325)**
Engine of the Gods (265)***
– General
– Command Traits: Prime Warbeast
– Artefacts of Power: Incandescent Rectrices
– Mount Traits: Beastmaster
– Prayers: Curse

BATTLELINE
Skinks (75)*
– Skink Alpha
– Boltspitter and Moonstone Club
Skinks (75)*
– Skink Alpha
– Boltspitter and Moonstone Club
Saurus Guard (115)**
– Saurus Guard Alpha
– Stardrake Icon Bearer
– Wardrummer

BEHEMOTH
Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (165)***
Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (165)***
Bastiladon with Ark of Sotek (165)***

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Horrorghast (40)

TERRAIN
1 x Realmshaper Engine (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Expert Conquerors
**Warlord
***Linebreaker

TOTAL POINTS: 1960/2000

Brett: The last of the 5/0 armies coming in 3rd with an absolute hero hammer of a army. Over a 1000 points in heroes, some skinks and Saurus to fill those pesky battleine and 3 Bastiladons because why not. The inclusion of Horrorghast in interesting and the decision to play into the Triumph (Inspired). Those 40 points could have upgraded Skinks to Saurus or Chronomatic Cogs for casting rerolls. I wonder what Michael thinks after the event. Again this army wasn’t paired into any of the top 10 armies so not a lot can be drawn from the matchups.

Kroak is an amazing wizard, only Nagash and Teclis match him with 4 casts/unbinds and no range limitation on his unbinds. He adds +2 to casts, can make nearby units fly and give a +1 to save. He’s very hard to kill so those spells are there the whole game. The Astrolith is also a wizard and the Engine of the Gods has some decent combat prowess but is mostly here for the Cosmic Engine. Thunder Lizard means it rolls twice. Celestant-Prime is a SCE ally, their most expensive non dragon hero.

24″ shooting attack (D3 MW to units with 6″ of a point) and the mighty Ghaz Maral hammer. Starting at 3 attacks, -3 rend, 3 damage hitting on 3s and wounding on 2s he gains 2 attacks for each turn you leave him in reserve. Once a turn he can change a dice roll, including a charge roll. Arrive in Turn 3 with 7 attacks and a guaranteed turn or bring him in earlier if things are going badly. He is likely to delete any smaller hero when he arrives and is even a good chance (with help) to force an incarnate to lose a level.

The Bastiladons are rocking an extra 2 wounds, taking 4 wounds to bring them below a 1+ save. I know, stupid GW a 1+ roll always fails, except for Bastiladons and moral (40k). Anyway all of them are using the Ark of Sotek for maximum attacks (18 at top bracket) looking for MWs on 6s. Hunter Battalions are less common as well so there is a good chance of a monstrous action affecting opponents. A Thunder Lizard army with all of the big toys as we’ve come to know is pretty effective and has done extremely well here.

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Allegiance: Khorne
– Slaughterhost: Reapers of Vengeance
– Mortal Realm: Aqshy
– Grand Strategy: Show of Dominance
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Skarbrand (380)*
Bloodsecrator (125)*
Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)*
– Axe
– Artefact: The Crimson Crown
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne
Slaughterpriest (100)
– Prayer: Blood Sacrifice
Bloodthirster of Unfettered Fury (295)
– General
– Command Trait: Mage Eater
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage (280)
– Artefact: Skullshard Mantle

Battleline
10 x Blood Warriors (190)**
– Goreaxe & Gorefist
– 1x Goreglaives
10 x Bloodreavers (80)**
– Meatripper Axes
10 x Bloodreavers (80)**
– Meatripper Axes

Units
5 x Centigors (85)***
5 x Centigors (85)***
5 x Centigors (85)***

Core Battalions
*Command Entourage – Magnificent
**Expert Conquerors
***Bounty Hunters

Total: 1995 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 131
Drops: 12

Brett: 4/1 only gets you to 15th place in this tournament, only getting his Grand Strategy 3 times with the dropped game seeing Sam slide. The new Season 1 Battle Traits and Grand Strategies are that much harder. I am not sure that Show of Dominance is a good pick, it’s quite risky trying to place a GV unit in each quarter. Blades of Khorne can summon additional veterans though through Blood Tithe points which you earn by killing units. And that’s what this army is built for.

With Skarbrand and 2 more Bloodthirsters as well as a Demon Prince this army moves fast and hits very very hard. Or whiffs (nothing personal Skarbrand). Getting to 4 points shouldn’t be hard unless your opponent is super elite. 4 points grants 10 Bloodletters. Back to the heroes – the Crimson Crown is a good choice on the Demon Prince allowing him to use Bloodslicked Ground for free. Mage eater for a deny in an almost castless army (the Slaughterpriest has a deny as well) and Skullshard Mantle, because Blades of Vengenace must take it, round out the enhancements. Blood Scarifice allows the generation of Blood Tithe, farming 5 a game, at the cost of something cheap (Centigors or Bloodreavers).

13 drops (not 8) and 131 points without summoning Sam had a tough road facing 3 new books in his first 3 rounds and only dropping one. His last game was Lumineth, and interesting problem for a melee army. Solid effort Sam.

Final Tournament Placings (Top 32)

Peter Holland, Reviews

Duclus Photographic Light Box – Review

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With my older lightbox being very cheap and nasty, I thought it was time to upgrade. I wanted a lightbox with good space, adjustable lighting and easily stored. Step in the Duclus Photographic Light Box!

This lightbox is available from Amazon (affiliate link) in two sizes 30cm or 40cm. The version I purchased and reviewed is the 30cm.

Delivery and Packing

The box

Available on Amazon, the lightbox can be ordered through Prime for next day delivery, and so delivery is always good.

The lightbox itself comes inside its own case which is no more then 4-5cm thick allowing it to be stored very easily. The case itself feels good quality as well with a zip to make sure everything stays inside.

The storage case, and my kitchen hob

What’s Inside?

Inside the case you’ll find six coloured backgrounds, a light diffuser (an excellent addition), lighting controls and the lightbox itself.

Coloured backgrounds

Most photography will only require you to use the white and black backgrounds but the other four could be useful as well, just perhaps not as widely used.

Lighting controls

The lighting controls are simple with three buttons, on/off, increase and decrease for the light intensity. One downside is that the lightbox does not come with any plug so you’ll have to use a phone charger or a USB port to plug the lightbox into.

Set up

The lightbox is relatively easy to set up, unfolding nicely, with a back panel that lifts up to hold its shape. The diffuser attaches using velcro around the edges, then you simply slip in the coloured background you want to use.

The box with the diffuser attached
The light ring

Working on a series of led lights, these are perfectly placed at the top of the box, you also have a port hole which allows you to photograph objectives through from above.

Port Hole view
The complete set up with the white background

Results

As you can see below, using my DSLR camera you can get professional looking shots from what is a relatively cheap piece of equipment.

Opinion

For £37.99 I’m impressed by the quality of the lightbox, I am disappointed in the lack of a plug and the requirement to be near some kind of ISB port but otherwise it ticks all the boxes.

Games Workshop

Woehammer’s 1st Birthday

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Has it really been a year already?! Apparently so…..

What’s the plan for this week?

Business as usual in regards to our usual posts. But later this week we will have posts on our favourite articles we’ve written in the last year as well as a little behind the scenes look at our own growth stats over the year.

Giveaway

Yup, we have a little giveaway this week which will take place on Friday. One of lucky Patreon’s will be chosen at random to receive a special gift! To be in with a chance why not have a look at our Patreon page.

Age of Sigmar, Beasts of chaos, Big Waaagh!, Blades of Khorne, Bonesplitterz, Chaos, Cities of Sigmar, Daughters of Khaine, Death, Destruction, Disciples of Tzeentch, Fantasy, Flesh-Eater Courts, Fyreslayers, Games Workshop, Gloomspite Gitz, Hedonites of Slaanesh, Idoneth Deepkin, Ironjawz, Kharadron Overlords, Kruleboyz, Legion of the First Prince, Lumineth Realm-Lords, Maggotkin of Nurgle, Meta Analysis, Nighthaunt, Ogor Mawtribes, Order, Orruk Warclans, Ossiarch Bonereapers, Peter Holland, Seraphon, Skaventide, Slaves to Darkness, Sons of Behemat, Soulblight Gravelords, Stormcast Eternals, Sylvaneth, Tournaments

AoS Meta Stats (w/e 17th July 2022)

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Here are the AoS Meta Stats for all the Grand Tournaments that have taken place between Monday 11th July and Sunday 17th July 2022. These are all the GT’s that I can locate on Tabletop.to or BestCoastPairing, if you know of any others please send me a link and I’ll add them.

A busy week this week with no less than 8 GT’s taking place across the globe!

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Grand Tournaments

Ranked from largest to smallest.

The ATC (American Team Championship) Age of Sigmar Team Event – Tennessee/USA
56 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stMaggotkin of NurgleDrowned Men4-0-0
2ndDaughters of KhaineZainthar Kai4-0-0
3rdMaggotkin of NurgleDrowned Men4-0-0
4thIronjawzBloodtoofs4-0-0
5thStormcast EternalsKnights Excelsior4-0-0
6thSkaven4-0-0
7thBeasts of ChaosGavespawn4-0-0
8thBeasts of Chaos4-0-0
9thSkaven 3-1-0
10thBonesplitterzDrakkfoot3-0-1
The ATC (American Team Championship) Age of Sigmar Team Event

Clash 2022 – England/UK
46 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stNighthaunt5-0-0
2ndDisciples of Tzeentch4-0-1
3rdBonesplitterz4-0-1
4thSkaven4-0-1
5thNighthaunt4-0-1
6thSylvaneth4-0-1
7thIdoneth Deepkin4-0-1
8thSoulblight Gravelords4-0-1
9thGloomspite Gitz4-0-1
10thNighthaunt3-0-2
Clash 2022

Texas Masters Grand Tournament – Texas/USA
32 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stBonesplitterzDrakkfoot4-1-0
2ndMaggotkin of NurgleBlessed Sons4-1-0
3rdIdoneth DeepkinNautilar4-0-1
4thOssiarch BonereapersPetrifex Elite4-0-1
5thSeraphonThunder Lizard4-0-1
6thIdoneth DeepkinMor’Phann4-0-1
7thSoulblight GravelordsKastelai Dynasty3-1-1
8thLumineth Realm-LordsSyar3-0-2
9thSeraphon Thunder Lizard3-0-2
10thMaggotkin of NurgleDrowned Men3-0-2
Texas Masters Grand Tournament

Midwest Bash – Grand Tournament – Missouri/USA
30 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar5-0-0
2ndStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar4-0-1
3rdSons of BehematTaker Tribe4-0-1
4thStormcast EternalsCelestial Vindicators4-0-1
5thMaggotkin of NurgleDrowned Men4-0-1
6thDisciples of TzeentchHosts Arcanum4-0-1
7thDaughters of KhaineZainthar Kai3-0-2
8thDaughters of KhaineZainthar Kai3-0-2
9thSylvaneth Heartwood3-0-2
10thSkaven3-0-2
Midwest Bash – Grand Tournament

Midwest Makeup – Indiana/USA
27 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stOssiarch BonereapersPetrifex Elite5-0-0
2ndNighthauntScarlet Doom4-0-1
3rdMaggotkin of NurgleDroning Guard4-0-1
4thBlades of KhorneReapers of Vengeance4-0-1
5thBonesplitterzDrakkfoot4-0-1
6thSylvanethGnarlroot3-0-2
7thFyreslayersLofnir3-0-2
8thSeraphonThunder Lizard3-0-2
9thBeasts of Chaos Allherd3-0-2
10thFyreslayersGreyfyrd3-0-2
Midwest Makeup

Ragnarok the World Goes Dark – England/UK
18 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stSeraphonThunder Lizard5-0-0
2ndSkaven4-0-1
3rdBeasts of ChaosGavespawn4-0-1
4thNighthauntScarlet Doom3-0-2
5thDaughters of KhaineDraichi Ganeth3-0-2
6thStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar3-0-2
7thFyreslayersLofnir3-0-2
8thMaggotkin of NurgleDrowned Men3-0-2
9thDaughters of Khaine Zainthar Kai2-0-3
10thFlesh-eater CourtsMorgaunt2-0-3
Ragnarok the World Goes Dark

Southern Fried Open – Georgia/USA
18 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stCities of SigmarTempest’s Eye4-0-1
2ndFyreslayersLofnir4-0-1
3rdCities of SigmarExcelsis4-0-1
4thSons of BehematTaker Tribe4-0-1
5thSylvanethGnarlroot3-0-2
6thSkaven3-0-2
7thDaughters of KhaineZainthar Kai3-0-2
8thSeraphonThunder Lizard3-0-2
9thSeraphon Koatl’s Claw3-0-2
10thStormcast EternalsHallowed Knights2-0-3
Southern Fried Open

The Hogtown Hoedown – Ontario/Canada
10 Players

PositionFactionSubfactionResult
1stIdoneth DeepkinMor’Phann3-2-0
2ndSons of BehematStomper Tribe4-0-1
3rdNighthauntEmerald Host3-1-1
4thSkaven3-0-2
5thBlades of KhorneReapers of Vengeance2-0-3
6thStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar1-2-2
7thSoulblight GravelordsLegion of Blood1-2-2
8thStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar2-1-1
9thSkaven1-1-3
10thStormcast EternalsHammers of Sigmar0-1-4
The Hogtown Hoedown
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Grand Alliance Stats

These stats reflect the last four weeks of GT’s that we’re aware of at Woehammer.

452 players (+149) took part in 16 GT’s (+4) over the last four weeks.

Grand AllianceWin RateArmies% Share of Armies5-0 Wins4+ Wins
Chaos51.8%9721.46%227
Order51.1%20044.25%631
Death47.9%8117.92%312
Destruction47.2%7416.37%010

Chaos continue to lead the way in the win rates, but there’s a big drop in their win rate from 56.4% last week to 51.8% this week, only just beating Order with 51.1%. While Order once again pick up the most number of armies represented, 5-0 wins (taking the crown from Chaos) and most 4+ wins.

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Faction Stats

The below stat show the results for those factions represented by 5 armies or more only.

FactionWin RateArmies% Share of Armies5-0 Wins0-5 Losses
Bonesplitterz64.5%122.65%00
Beasts of Chaos62.2%163.54%00
Seraphon61.2%275.97%30
Disciples of Tzeentch56.7%61.33%00
Nighthaunt56.6%337.30%22
Skaven56.2%163.54%12
Sylvaneth55.6%204.42%01
Lumineth Realm-Lords51.7%132.88%00
Idoneth Deepkin51.6%255.53%00
Maggotkin of Nurgle50.7%296.42%03
Daughters of Khaine50.7%306.64%01
Fyreslayers50.6%173.76%00
Sons of Behemat50.0%143.10%01
Cities of Sigmar48.5%204.42%12
Slaves to Darkness48.4%71.55%12
Blades of Khorne47.7%91.99%01
Ironjawz47.0%163.54%03
Hedonites of Slaanesh46.7%61.33%01
Kharadron Overlords45.6%71.55%11
Stormcast Eternals44.1%419.07%14
Soulblight Gravelords44.1%255.53%02
Ossiarch Bonereapers41.0%143.10%12
Ogor Mawtribes40.0%102.21%02
Kruleboyz39.8%91.99%00
Legion of the First Prince39.7%71.55%02
Flesh-eater Courts37.5%91.99%01
Gloomspite Gitz36.7%91.99%00

It’s back to normal for Slaves to Darkness this week as their win rate plummets back to 48.4% (which is still respectable) and Blades of Khorne fall to 47.7%. While the new battletomes of Nighthaunt and Sylvaneth can also be seen in the +55% area. Daughters of Khaine are smack in the middle with a perfect 50.7% win rate. While Skaven are continuing their climb and now have a win rate of 56.2%.

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Faction Breakdown

I’ve decided to do something a little different from subfaction analysis and instead will focus on one or two faction each week and how their stats are broken down. This week we’ll look at Sylvaneth and Nighthaunt.

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Blades of Khorne, Chaos, Death, Drowned Men, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Maggotkin of Nurgle, Nighthaunt, Ossiarch Bonereapers, Peter & Brett, Petrifex Elite, Reapers of Vengeance, The Scarlet Doom, Top three lists, Tournaments

Top Three AoS Lists for the Midwest Makeup

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This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Midwest Makeup that took place in Indianapolis, USA on 16th and 17th July. It involved 27 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament.

Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?

Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.

The Top Three AoS Lists

Top Three AoS Lists - 1st Place, Maggotkin of Nurgle

Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Petrifex Elite
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Liege-Kavalos (170)*
– General
– Command Trait: Mighty Archaeossian
– Artefact: Godbone Armour
Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (340)*
Mortisan Soulmason (115)*
– Artefact: Soul Reservoir
– Lore of Mortisans: Drain Vitality
Mortisan Boneshaper (115)
– Lore of Mortisans: Empower Nadirite Weapons

Battleline
20 x Mortek Guard (280)***
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Mortek Guard (280)***
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Kavalos Deathriders (380)**
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1

Units
3 x Necropolis Stalkers (175)**

Endless Spells & Invocations
Bone-tithe Shrieker (50)
Chronomantic Cogs (40)
The Burning Head (20)

Core Battalions
*Command Entourage – Magnificent
**Bounty Hunters
***Expert Conquerors

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1965 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 111
Drops: 8

Brett: What’s happening in the US? We are only a couple of weekends in but we’ve seen a wide variety of armies winning since the new GHB. Even if they weren’t using the new GHB (Texas Masters). Another OBR (Ossicarch Bonereaper) army, Petrifax Elite, to challenge everyone. Michael’s army was the only 5/0, excellent work with a faction a lot of people have written off. In an infantry meta (according to GW) we should expect to see more of OBR who have some of the best heavy infantry in AoS.

6 casts from 3 Wizards, 3 Endless spells and 2 healing heroes with the ability to heal or return models, if there are no damaged models, to up to 5 units. Soul Drain, the Soulmason’s spell can be cast twice (and potentially up to 4 times) granting reroll 1s. Thematic but the second spell does depend on a dice roll and then a casting roll. Don’t rely on it. Liege-Kavalos has taken the fixed trait and artefact, again a hold over from AoS2.0, not bad on a combat hero though with an extra 2 wounds and negating the first damage he takes. You always want to hit Liege with low damage, insignificant attacks and hold back on the big stuff.

Drain Vitality forces your opponent to reroll good rolls (6s) to either hit or as saves, very annoying. And Empower Nadirite Weapons lets one unit have exploding hits on a 5 not a 6. Then there are 3 endless spells, Cogs for rerolls, the Burning Head for cheap mortal wounds/AOE and the Bone-tithe Shrieker stopping units from Inspiring Presence or Rally within 12″ and +1 to hit units within 12″. Most of all the spells combine to make the Guard tougher to kill and hit a bit (or lot harder). The army builds in a lot of flexibility with the choice of characters and the third battleline. Mortek Guard have a movement of 4″ and their support characters 6″. But the Deathriders, Liege and Arkhan all move at least 10″.

This army lets you construct a castle with the Guard Units backed by the Stalkers and Soulmason/Bonerepear that locks down a home objective and stretches to the centre depending on the map. They would have reroll ones and exploding 5s (on one unit). Not very inviting to charge into, they also count as 60 models on objectives and have very high moral. Exactly what you need in an objective unit. That leaves the Liege and Deathriders free, Liege can grant Endless Duty to the Deathriders giving them another attack (for a total of 4) which magnifies their exploding 6s. And they have an extra damage into Galletian Veterans. Lastly there is Arkhan with enough movement and threat to support either the castle or the roving unit. Any small unit trying to hold an objective is very exposed.

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Allegiance: Nighthaunt
– Procession: Scarlet Doom
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Spirit Torment (115)
Guardian of Souls (150)
– General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of the Underworlds: Shademist
Krulghast Cruciator (150)
– Artefact: Lightshard of the Harvest Moon
Reikenor the Grimhailer (190)
– Lore of the Underworlds: Seal of Shyish

Battleline
20 x Bladegheist Revenants (350)*
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Bladegheist Revenants (350)*
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Bladegheist Revenants (175)*
3 x Spirit Hosts (125)*
20 x Chainrasps (220)*
– Reinforced x 1

Units
4 x Myrmourn Banshees (105)

Endless Spells & Invocations
Purple Sun of Shyish (70)

Core Battalions
Bounty Hunters
Warlord
Expert Conquerors

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 106
Drops: 10

Brett: If I’m not mistaken Nicholas is from the Die is Cast podcast/battle report channel and you can watch his development of the list through a series of battles since the Battletome dropped. Well worth giving them a look. To the list; Quite a few Nighthaunt lists lately have had 1 Spirit Torment, 2 Guardians of Souls, or 2 Spirit Torments and 1 Guardian of Souls, focusing on returning models to the Battleline units.

Nicholas has instead gone with Reikenor, expensive but a great wizard and wizard slayer. He can snuff a corpse candle for +3 to cast. Used on Purple Sun that reduces it to a Casting Value (CV) of 5 or 75% chance to succeed. With Arcane Tome on the Guardian we have 3 casts/denies and the Guardian (as the strongest non named character) being the General. Shademist and Seal of Shyish are almost autotakes; they grant one unit -1 to wound rolls that target it or a 5+ Ward (normally a 6+).With Krulghast’s ability to reduce damage by 1 (terrified units only) and the Purple Sun -1 to save rolls within 6″ the army has a lot of buffs, mostly durability, for one or 2 units.

On top of the 3 denies the Banshees are here to shut down spell casting. With 4 models they have +1 to their 2D6 spell ignore and they only roll against the casting value not your cast. Otherwise the list uses Bladegheists on the charge to remove things (60 attacks after applying mortal wounds from Scarlet Doom. All Nighthaunt can fall back and charge so you can charge every round. ., I can’t tell but I would expect them to be in Bounty Hunters for +1 damage to Galletian Veterans. The Spirit Hosts can protect one character, it’s only a 66% chance of the wound passing over but it’s after saves so still pretty strong. Chainrasps to hold a backfield objective, in Expert Conquerors so counting as 60 models on an objective.

A solid army with plenty of mobility (ie 8″ move) and hitting power but with the no rend, 6+ ward and all of the debuffs, as hard to hit as ghosts should be. Good results through the weekend with maximum scoring in pretty much every round except of course the first one. We’ll talk about that list a little later but it’s as close to an anti meta nightmare as you’ll find. If they roll well the Bloodthirsters will remove entire units quickly and Khorne hates magic. Not a good combination for Nighthaunt.

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Top Three AoS Lists - 3rd place, Legion of the First Prince

Army Faction: Maggotkin of Nurgle
– Subfaction: Drowned Men
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Lord of Afflictions (210)*
– General
– Command Traits: Overpowering Stench
– Incubatch
– Dolorous Tocsin
– Artefacts of Power: The Splithorn Helm
Be’lakor (360)*

BATTLELINE
Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)*
Pusgoyle Blightlords (440)*
– 2 x Dolorous Tocsin
Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)*
Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)*
Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)*

OTHER
Pusgoyle Blightlords (Single) (110)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

Brett: And we’re back with Maggotkin of Nurgle. They play the new Battle Tactics well, able to score a few along the way and denying their opponents their Battle Tactics through their resilience. Sam’s army is a good example, with each of the troop units having 16 wounds (apart from the single). Even worse for a lot of opponents they aren’t Galletian Veterans; Bounty Hunters don’t do extra damage. If that’s not enough, with no Galletian Veterans in the list 3 of the 8 Battle Tactics aren’t even available to your opponent. That feels like a bit of an oversight from GW .

Powerful army full of almost impossible to kill things, 118 wounds with a 5+ ward and it’s 2 drop. The army is very mobile for a Nurgle one, with 8″ move for everything. The Lord of Afflictions is loaded for bear with the Tocsin, a 4+ ward (Splithorn Helm) and interferes with commands. Belakor adds a mobile battering ram but needs to operate independantly not to suffer from the Lord’s Incubatch ability MW because he doesn’t have the Nurgle keyword. Drowned men lets the entire army except Belakor redeploy before first turn.

Blightlords pregame move over they have an 8″ movement letting them apply pressure assuming they aren’t taken into the sky by the Lord (effectively a teleport). Charging, the Blightlords (and Lord) inflict D3 MW on a 4+, 2+ with Dolorous Tocasin which the Lord and the large unit of Blightlords have. This is per model making that large unit very damaging. Blightlords apply 1 MW just for being near them (3″) if they roll above the opposing units wounds before disease points. Blightlords are very good at applying them with 22 attacks per unit (44 for the larger unit) averaging just under 4 disease points per combat phase. That’s not to mention the 1 for being near them or 1 that carries over. It would be very easy to have 6 points on a unit being near them. 6 disease points gives an average of 3 MW (4+).

To break that down, a 2 model Blightlord unit that would need 36 Rend -1, damage 1 attacks to clear can apply an average of 7.5 MW (charge, presence and disease points) into 1 wound models. Against 2 wounds it’s more like 7MW on average. That’s without counting their attacks. How to deal with it? Shooting comes to mind and maybe staying mobile, loosing Outmuscle, Head to Head and Against the Odds as Battle Tactics hurts a lot. What’s interesting is the only loss was to a foot Fyreslayers army (no Magmadroths) so mobility wasn’t important. But it does have Gotrek and Demon Slayer which turns off Ward save’s and a 4+ Ward for the troops near a hero. That would mitigate a lot of the incoming MW including the disease points.

A very hard to deal with army.

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Allegiance: Khorne
– Slaughterhost: Reapers of Vengeance
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leader
Bloodthirster of Unfettered Fury (295)**
– General
– Command Trait: Mage Eater
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage (280)**
– Artefact: Skullshard Mantle
Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage (280)
– Artefact: Khartoth the Bloodhunger
Skarbrand (380)
Bloodsecrator (125)**
Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)**
– Sword
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne

Battleline
10 x Bloodletters (110)*
10 x Bloodletters (110)*
5 x Flesh Hounds (105)**
10 x Gors (70)*
– Gor-Blades & Beastshields

Core Battalions
*Expert Conquerors
**Warlord
Artefact

Total: 1965 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 109
Drops: 10

Brett: Do you hate magic users? Does your local meta have a lot of Death armies with 1 wound models and magic? Or are you just a very angry angry being? Here is an army for you, 3 Bloodthirsters and Skarbrand to let all of the hate flow. And it looks like a Khorne army with some Bloodletters.

In a meta where 20 Namarti, 10 tree revenants or 20 bladegheist are dominating a lot of battlelines the big daemon heroes can shine. But they are very swingy so high risk, high reward. If they go off they can remove entire units in a turn. With Skarbrand you want to hold him back a turn so that when he gets in on the 2nd turn he is fighting from his bottom bracket (Slaughter has 9 attacks and Carnage hits on a 1+). With the Demon Prince halving charge rolls Nighthaunt, particularly Scarlet Doom will suffer. Even falling back just over 3″ to charge is going to leave them with a 7″ or 8″ charge which is no sure thing. With mulitple sources of reroll 1s and the anti magic of Wizard eater this is a fast and hard hitting army that will chew up armies with weaker troops.

Which is amusing given how squishy Bloodletters and Gors are. The Fleshhounds are a good inclusion for extra wide mobility and Gors are really good for screening home base. An imaginative army from one of the factions normally seen as a bit weaker, is Gallet Khorne’s territory?

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Age of Sigmar, Chaos, Death, Destruction, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Meta Analysis, Order, Peter Holland, Player Ratings, Tournaments

Age of Sigmar Player Ratings w/e 17th July 2022

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The Age of Sigmar Player Ratings are calculated using the Elo System, most known for creating the Chess Rankings. Players begin with a rating of 1,000 then gain or lose points based on their opponents rating.

Ratings will be given to players who attend a two day event with at least 8 players. Those players must be using 2,000 point armies.

This Week’s Ratings

Another week over, and a particularly busy week with 8 GT’s taking place in the US, Canada and UK. Six players have already attended their second event since we began tracking ratings on 1st July. Thomas Guan now tops the Worldwide table as one of those six players. Thomas is also the only player so far to play two different factions in two GT’s.

The health of AoS can be seen just by looking at these top ten places alone, with all the players using totally different factions from one another to get there.

Worldwide Top 10

Grand Alliance – Top 10’s

Moving on, instead of looking at individual regions or countries, I thought it may be interesting to look at the top 10 for each Grand Alliance. Jeremy and Tyler lead the way in order with their Kharadron Overlords and Stormcast Eternals armies.

Due to the number of events held in the US each week, we’re likely to see the board filled with US flags early doors, however as experience players keep winning tournaments this is likely to change.

The UK leads the way in Chaos…… With Max Soule having a stand out performance with his Slaves to Darkness earning him top Chaos spot. Three Maggotkin players appear inside this top 10, but will this wane as everyone gets used to the new GHB?

Andy Hughes and Michael Rausch share the top spot in the Death Grand Alliance, with Michael putting in a fantastic performance with Ossiarch Bonereapers!

Finally, last but certainly not least we have Destruction. With four Bonesplitterz armies appearing on the list (most of them Drakkfoot Big Stabba spam), it seems the other factions like Ironjawz and Sons are moving out of favour. We also have our first Canadian appearance with Garrett Fierling claiming a joint 6th place with his Sons of Behemat army.

I’m looking to write a html database where you can draw up your results or the results of a competitor when you input some search criteria. But that is some way off at present

Ratings to 17.07.22Download
Games Workshop

Friday Follow – Smaller Retailers

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We all know the big manufactures of miniatures but sometimes it’s nice to go to a company a little smaller – perhaps they have a range you particularly like, or a great sculptor. Perhaps they are nearby and support a local gaming store, or you just like what they do? Well, let me introduce you to two small retailers providing great service to the community.

Bad Squiddo Games

Annie Norman (the proprietor of Bad Squiddo games) has been in wargaming almost as long as I have – and she now operates a business specialising in ‘Believable Female Miniatures’. As well as utilising Kickstarter (and similar) to launch ranges Bad Squiddo have also bought a few ranges as people retire or pivot to different interests – notably Ristuls (scenery and basing materials). There are lots of great things on the website (mostly RPG due to small number for each range), but also include female models from WWII fully compatible with Warlord Games’ range. I particularly like the animal range and the crows and guinea pigs appear on some of my Ogors as they land and searh for the food.

I have previously reviewed some of the fun stuff Annie sells including their Tardigrades!

Bad Squiddo – more than you’d think – painted by Declan.

Pro-Painted Studios

Matt was one of the members of the Black Sun – a club from the South Coast who took the Warhammer Fantasy and AoS scene’s by storm in the late 2010s. They were a large group who went to lots of tournaments and always seemed to enjoy themselves. Matt in a superb painter and so does commission painting, but he also does gaming aids which are very popular in the AoS community.

They include dice trays (for storage and rolling), and Perspex tokens for abilities and effects that can help you remember what your units are affected by. I have a set for my Orruk’s and particular like the blood token (wound tracking).

Blood tokens… great for ensuring you don’t pick up wound dice

If you’re anything like me you’ll have got fed-up years ago of putting down a dice for wounds the picking it up and rolling it. These tokens are definitely not dice and so I can’t possibly mistake them for anything. So thanks to Matt and Pro-Painted Studios for making my games a little bit easier.

Update: Matt now does referral codes so you can get a discount as a first time user and support Woehammer here.

Do you have small companies that you use regularly that I should check out? It would be great to get some more ideas.

— Declan

Age of Sigmar, Games Workshop, Peter Holland

Interview with Anthony Magro AKA the AoS Coach

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Last week I had the pleasure of speaking to Anthony Magro AKA the AoS Coach about his gaming history, what he thought about the new GHB and what he plans for the future.

If you’re not aware of the AoS Coach (and why not?!) Then why not catch up with his YouTube channel.

AoS Coach Intro

Coach is known for interviewing competitive players who have won big tournaments or are known for leading the way with a particular faction. Indeed, our very own Declan was interviewed by Anthony last year!

But that’s enough of me waffling on let’s get to the chat!

Peter: Firstly, thank you so much for agreeing to our interview. We’re big fans of you on the website. I always ask our guests about their gaming background, so I guess my first question is; how long have you been a Wargamer and what first drew you in?

Anthony: G’day and thank you for this opportunity. I’ve been in the hobby since the late 90’s though like many others did take a sabbatical.

I was introduced to Warhammer after my family relocated 500kms and my new school mates showed off the Bretonnia vs. Lizardmen box. At the time I had only the Warhammer Dark Omen video game but I was hooked after that intro game.

My mates and I would set up our own games club at 15 years old and run weekly meets, my first pay-check was on the Grand Theoganist Volkmar and it’s eventually lead to the beast that is AoS Coach. I did dabble in Warhammer 40k between 2e to 5e but I preferred the fantasy games like WHFB, Mordheim and Blood Bowl.

What initially drew me and keeps me here are the people, the story telling and the spirit of competition. I love the wide variety of challenges each match up poses, the puzzle on trying to solve them, and creating those memorable moments. There are so many gaming stories I’ll never forget like how my Empire artillery crew was able to slay a giant… I always believed they used their tools to stab it in it’s infected toe.

Anthony with his first Warhammer Club (3rd from left with the Nike bandana)

Ah the 90’s, the heady days of tie-dye t-shirts and curtain hair cuts! I played hours of Dark Omens and Shadow of Horned Rat myself, I still claim Shadow of the Horned Rat to be the best video game that GW was involved in!

With an early love of Warhammer Fantasy, did you find it difficult to accept AoS when it eventually landed on the scene? And likewise, are you looking forward to the “Old World” once that gets released?

I did. I struggled to get my over Warhammer Fantasy battles but not through a lack of trying. I bought that initial Stormcast vs. Khorne boxset but I wanted to play Free People (the Empire range).  In a time before points & the Generals Handbook when we used a Wound limit to construct army lists, my 60 wounds of basic humans didn’t seem comparable to Archaon & 2 Bloodthirsters. I also missed the maps and having my place in the Warhammer World that was lacking in the older novels like the Realm Gate Wars but the world started to expand through the global Seasons of War campaign, and the world became more tangible when GW released a video by Phil Kelly giving a tour of the mortal realms. That video made a huge difference to me. 

I’m excited to see The Old World and explore a new timeline in the World That Was since it looks to take place a few hundred years before the setting of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. I can only imagine this is our Horus Heresy and gives us the Great War Against Chaos. I just wish the updates were a little more frequent.

Anthony’s DoK

I felt the same way, my Dwarfs just couldn’t seem to compete. Though that could partly be down to me being their pilot.

At what point did you go “all in” with AoS, and what prompted you to create the AoS Coach?

The original Generals Handbook was a game changer for AoS as it put the structure around the game that it was lacking at the time. I know some people enjoyed the original beer & pretzels AoS but it wasn’t for me. I played AoS during the wild west but it was very casually. I wasn’t inspired to start a new army.

Following the original GHB was Australia’s first major tournament at the time: CanCon. Growing up in rural Australia i had never attended a Warhammer Fantasy tournament and this event kick started competitive AoS for Australia. That first CanCon run by Clint was 50 players and our latest CanCon before COVID struck was 220 players. It was this moment that I went from casual player to tournament addicted. It was still another 1-2 years til I bought that next army but I challenged myself to do the best I could with the predecessor to the Cities of Sigmar.

As for AoS Coach, it started after I flew to the UK to play at the Blood & Glory tournament in 2017. I listened to so many great podcasts on my 22 hour flight but they were all international… Facehammer, Heelanhammer, and Garagehammer to name a few. After that trip I was inspired to talk to interesting people about Warhammer and help highlight the Australian scene. I learnt how to play Warhammer in a bubble during a time before the internet and our only source of information was White Dwarf. I hoped AoS Coach channel would distribute information from experts in their faction to improve how we play with and against them.

You also organise events yourself though don’t you? We posted a top three lists on the Sydney GT, which I believe is one of yours?

Yeah I do run events as well as represent my state on our Masters committee. My biggest event is Sydney GT which is around the 100 player mark and I will run smaller one day events throughout the year when needed.

Moving on to the new season of Generals Handbook. What do you think to the new book?

I’m 10 games into this season and have played with 3 different armies (Daughters of Khaine, Gloomspite Gitz & Stormcast Eternals) and I’m enjoying the shake up between GHB’s. The battle plans are more dynamic, endless spells have returned to cause havoc and the battle tactics are definitely harder to score than previous sets. The meta does feel over represented with Bounty Hunter battalions which is keeping armies from over investing in Galletian Veterans.

I do think there are some things which need to be toned down (I’m looking at you Purple Sun & Bounty Hunters). We haven’t quite hit this infantry meta that Games Workshop predicted which I believe is down to the incentives on running large number of GV’s not being strong enough while not wanting to be punished by Bounty Hunters.

I’ve felt the difference between running a faction with faction battle tactics & grand strategies (Daughters & Stormcast) and without (Gloomspite Gitz) but with a bunch of books dropping over the next few months and another GHB at the end of the year, I don’t think the meta will actually settle which will keep players guessing and the game feeling fresh. Hopefully we can push down the price point of that GHB though if it’s going to be 6 monthly moving forward.

Yep, a lot of the tournaments I look at now for the top threes lists have seven or eight different factions inside the top 10. Agreed on the price of the book, I think it may dissuade players from attending tournaments as they’ll be required to spend £60 in 12 months just to play competitively.

But otherwise you must be excited for the new Gitz book rumoured to be coming out later this year?

I will be once it’s announced though it could be Sons of Behemat or Destruction Aelves knowing my luck. After playing Gitz over the weekend at a local store event and finishing 2-1, I’m hopeful they get a solid 3rd edition book like Nurgle or Skaven and some updated spider sculpts would be a bonus. It’s such a great faction that has fallen out of touch with how you play AoS though the recent update to the Loonshrine has helped massively with a 4+ rally and the Loonshrine giving out Da Bad Moon aura. Hopefully they get a bonus to reinforcement points so you can unleash the hordes. Until then, I’ll keep my expectations in check so I’m not disappointed.

Gitz are an incredibly fun army to paint and play with. They deserve to have a solid book because who doesn’t love squigs, troggoths, spiders, and the insanity that is grots.

I think it’s strange that Witch Elves get the bonus to reinforcement points but armies like Gitz or Skaven don’t!?

So what’s next for the Coach? What are you hoping to achieve in the next year or so?

It’s incredibly weird Skaven didn’t get any additional reinforcement points. I expected some type of boost within the allegiance.

As for me, the world is starting to open up again so I’d like to hit the road and attend a few international tournaments in 2023. I’m all booked in for the Las Vegas Open but I’d also like to attend something in England or Europe. I’ve had such an amazing time traveling to events pre-covid that I’d like to just hang out again with everyone and play some great games.

I’m in my 4th year now doing AoS Coach and it’s become more than I could have ever dreamt. The channel recently achieved 15,000 subscribers, over a million views and I’ve had the chance to chat with some of the best players across the world. My goal is to continue to grow the channel and help more players find our awesome game. I do everything in my spare time so it’s about doing more without giving up my other hobbies like fitness or getting divorced rofl.

Ha! Congratulations on that as well! Massive achievement! There aren’t many AoS YouTube channels from what I’ve seen, and certainly not many any where near the quality that you produce. Hopefully we’ll get to meet you you do come to the UK next year, perhaps we’ll even cross swords at an event.

But thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me allowing us to turn the tables and interview you! It’s been an absolute pleasure!

Thank you for asking, i’m usually the one leading the discussion so it was great chatting with you.

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Blessed Sons, Bonesplitterz, Chaos, Death, Destruction, Drakkfoot, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Idoneth Deepkin, Maggotkin of Nurgle, Mor'Phann, Order, Orruk Warclans, Ossiarch Bonereapers, Peter & Brett, Petrifex Elite, Top three lists, Tournaments

Top Three AoS Lists for the Texas Masters – Grand Tournament

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This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Texas Masters Grand Tournament that took place in Texas, USA on 16th and 17th July. It involved 32 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament. The other thing to note is that this tournament used the 21-22 GHB.

Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.

If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?

Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.

The Top Three AoS Lists

Top Three AoS Lists - 1st Place, Maggotkin of Nurgle

Army Faction: Orruk Warclans
– Army Type: Bonesplitterz
– Army Subfaction: Drakkfoot
– Grand Strategy: Get Dem Bones!
– Triumphs: Inspired

LEADER
Wurrgog Prophet (150)*
– Artefacts: Glowin’ Tattooz
– Spells: Gorkamorka’s War Cry
Wurrgog Prophet (150)*
– Artefacts: Mork’s Boney Bitz
– Spells: Gorkamorka’s War Cry
Savage Big Boss (65)*
– General
– Command Traits: Great Hunter

BATTLELINE
Savage Orruk Morboys (155) **
Savage Orruk Morboys (155) **
Savage Orruks (165) **

ENDLESS SPELL
The Burning Head (20)

OTHER
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)
Savage Big Stabbas (80)*

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Warlord
**Hunters of heartland

TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)

Brett: At the start of AoS3 there was talk about how the Bonesplitterz had been left behind with the new Orruk battletome. Well no more, a major GT win going undefeated with one draw against really solid armies is a fantastic performance. And to do it with a list that should bring a smile to anyone’s face (Bonesplitterz are old style orks). Lets take a moment to acknowledge the dedication needed to have 16 big stabbas through any means. GW originals are just 2 per box of Savage Orruks.

It’s pretty clear how this will work, the Savage Big Boss gives the Big Stabbas a pregame 8″ move increasing their first round movement to 13″ before run. That gets them within range of any centre objectives in the first round and charge range of anything forward deployed on most maps. If they go second that might make them exposed but there are a lot of them and each is a separate unit. As well, Bonesplitterzs have a 6+ ward normally and a 4+ if the Waagh is called. So unless you split fire you mightn’t get too many in a turn. For armies like Seraphon that often have a few high quality shots this is a nightmare, with a 6+ save you don’t need Rend to kill Big Stabbas.

But wait there’s more. All of the battleline units are in Hunters of the Heartland, preventing monster Shenanigans. If you are going to attack them then make sure you get in, they like charging (either an extra attack or +1 to wound rolls if they succeed). The Prophet’s can force a unit to fight last but their Mask is the biggest boon. If they stare then on a 3+ it’s D3 Mortal Wounds. That’s enough to drop a Bastilidon out of their top bracket. Of course they can continue to stare and risk blowing themselves up. I’ve heard of up to 20 wounds delivered that way. Their warscroll spell is pretty good, best again big units but still a good alternative to Arcane Bolt. Prophets are a really good reason to look at Bigwaagh lists if you like Ironjawz or Kruleboyz.

Even the artefacts are really well chosen, Glowing Tattoos giving an improved ward save and Boney Bits granting a +1 to casting/dispell for each monster within 24″. In a monster meta that could be interesting. This looks like a skew list but it’s really a balanced army in the crazy Bonesplitterz way. The army may be a result of the Masters format and knowledge of the opponents but this is an incredible effort into very good armies with strong players. Congratulations.

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Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle
– Subfaction: Blessed Sons
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line – Triumphs: Indomitable

Leaders
The Glottkin (700)
– Lore of Malignance: Rancid Visitations
Bloab Rotspawned (300)
– General
– Lore of Malignance: Plague Squall

Battleline
10 x Putrid Blightkings (500)*
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Putrid Blightkings (250)*
5 x Putrid Blightkings (250)*

Core Battalions
*Hunters of the Heartlands

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 113
Drops: 5

Brett: Even someone that isn’t a fan has to admire the beautiful simplicity of this army. Playing into the resilience Nurgle is known for with only 22 models but 113 wounds. Starting from the top – Blessed Sons hands out extra mortal wounds, a nice change from the more common Drowned Men. Glottkin is almost half the army but is an enormous threat in his own right as well as being able to hand out mortal wounds if you are close, additional healing to all Nurgle units within 14″, heals himself and is incredibly hard to kill. To effectively kill him you need to generate 60 damage, hard to do in one turn, and he can heal D3 without heroic actions. Packed here with a mortal wound on a 2+ spell.

Bloab is here to hand out MW like candy through his presence as well as his high quality attacks. For extra spice he can hand out additional Disease points. To be clear everyone of these units can put out MW just if you are in engagement range. On top of that if you are in engagement range you are getting disease points and rolling for additional MW at the end of combat. In a meta where the best way to win is get in close fast. Then we come to the Blightkings. Part these on an objective and laugh as your opponent kills him/herself.

They can actively give you disease points, every 6 provides another disease point. The 5 man units will average 4 and the 10 man 8 in a turn at full strength. Their resilence is legendary, bravery 8 and they can increase that to 9 so they aren’t loosing models to Battleshock. The block of 10 is nigh on unkillable, they will soak up nearly 100 D1 R-1 attacks. And they can get healed. Locus of Fecundity is within 14″ not wholly within you can stretch this unit to ensure it’s tagged. It should be easy to cover at least 2 objectives for most of the game. We haven’t even mentioned the summoning or teleporting via the Feculant Gnarlmaw.

I think we will continue to see a lot of Nurgle armies, they play well against the meta and their speed isn’t as punishing. Slow building damage is effective and lets players generate a lot of points in competitions. Great list building and clever play, it’s only a surprise that this didn’t go 5/0 and win. The Bonesplitterz played for keeps.

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Top Three AoS Lists - 3rd place, Legion of the First Prince

Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin
– Subfaction: Nautilar
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Akhelian King (250)*
– General
– Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury
– Bladed Polearm and Falchion
– Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness
Akhelian Thrallmaster (110)*
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Flaming Weapon
Lotann (115)*

BATTLELINE
Namarti Reavers (170)*
Namarti Thralls (130)*
Namarti Thralls (130)*
Namarti Thralls (260)**
Akhelian Leviadon (500)**
– Mount Traits: Reverberating Carapace

OTHER
Akhelian Allopexes (330)*
– Razorshell Harpoon Launcher, Barbed Hooks and Blades

TERRAIN
1 x Gloomtide Shipwreck (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Hunters of the Heartlands

TOTAL POINTS: 1995/2000

Brett: The first of the 4/1 armies, and with a loss in the first turn a great turn around. An interesting mix of characters including the new Thrallmaster who really works well to buff Namarti Thralls. His way ability lets you change, by choice, between higher quality attacks (into better saves) or exploding hits or better defence. Being able to choose and not have it as a random ability is fantastic. He’s a pretty effective combat character, easily capable of ganking a small hero and Flaming weapon takes that even further. The Akehelian King is carrying the polearm (D3 on the charge) and buffing different parts of the army, Unstoppable Fury to increase attacks under High Tide and a mount trait that improves saves. His Lord of Tides ability is why you bring him potentially giving fight first after running and charging in round 2.

Lotaan is here for his +1 to wound and his Ishraan ability. Most commonly the can’t be shot if over 12″ is chosen but the +1 to run, advance and charge in Flood Tide is pretty common. With the Thralls’ 6″ movement buffing their charges can be important. 2 units in this army are capable of garrisoning a large shipwreck if both pieces are used together giving them a +5 ward. The large 20 man unit is trying to delete everything, they don’t need to lose many models before battleshock is an issue. The Reavers are useful archers, they can of course shoot but they also create an Unleash Hell risk. They can also wound a unit on an objective or important point boosting the effectiveness of the Allopexes. While their range is short they move pretty fast (8″) giving them 26″ effective range and in Flood Tide can run and still shoot (or potential 32″).

Lastly the 2 bigger offensive units. 2 Allopexes bring some solid shooting and good melee potential if you lock them up. The additional attack for Ferocious Bite is worth triggering whenever possible and it’s good play to reduce the melee threat because with a 4+ save they are a little fragile. Keeping them close to the Leviadon helps this (+1 to save) but isn’t always practical. The Leviadon is, as always, terrifying with a combination of mortal wounds, shooting and devestating melee. I find Idoneth a bit confusing because their best ranged units (Allopex and Levidon) are also their best melee but you don’t want them tied up. Either is great for Eye for an Eye though.

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Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Petrifex Elite
– Grand Strategy: Hold the line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Mortisan Boneshaper (115)**
– General
– Command Trait: Mighty Archaeossian
– Artefact: Godbone Armour
– Lore of Mortisans: Drain Vitality
Mortisan Soulmason (115)**
– Artefact: Soul Reservoir
– Lore of Mortisans: Arcane Command
Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (340)**

Battleline
20 x Mortek Guard (280)*
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Mortek Guard (280)*
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Mortek Guard (280)*
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
– Reinforced x 1

Artillery
Mortek Crawler (215)
Mortek Crawler (215)

Endless Spells & Invocations
Chronomantic Cogs (40)
Bone-tithe Shrieker (50)
Purple Sun of Shyish (70)

Core Battalions
*Hunters of the heartlands
**Command Entourage – Magnificent

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 106
Drops: 8

Brett: We aren’t seeing a lot of Ossiarch Bonereapers

The attacks on the Mortek Guard and even Arkhan are just a bit behind a lot of other units. Poor wound rolls combined with low number of attacks or rend negate a lot of their impact. The Crawler’s can lay down a D5 attack, but it’s only 3 attacks, on average you are going to see two wounding blows only slightly more than you see one before saves. Or you can expect 2 rounds of no damage at all per game. That said this is a 4/1 list and he’s played it very well.

With the big blocks of Mortek to screen letting the casters and crawlers work over their targets before charging this is an army that will have a strong final 3 turns. He scored well in most rounds apart from the last although his lowest 2 wins were both against Lumineth. Different armies but both had a lot of wardens and the ability to make the Bonereapers have to try to reach them. Mighty job getting this far.

Final Tournament Placings