Age of Sigmar, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Meta Analysis, Peter Holland, Tournaments

AoS Meta Stats W/Ending 18th June 2023

June 25, 2023 Peter Holland Leave a comment

Disclaimer

The data contained inside this article is only Woehammer’s interpretation. There are differing methods and analyses of the data available from Games Workshop and Honest Wargamer, whose methodology differs slightly from our own.

All of these sources should be viewed as a collective whole to allow you to gather a larger picture of the Age of Sigmar meta. The win rates, while accurate for events we have on record so far, are likely to change in the coming weeks and shouldn’t be the single point of reference for a factions strength.

How Win Rates are Calculated

All of our data is pulled from two day single events. We split all draws between the wins and losses of a faction evenly, as we believe this provides a fair reflection of a factions win rate. For example, as a player, you may achieve 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw at an event. Some sites will only count the wins towards the faction rate, so in this case, 40% (2/5=0.4). Woehammer includes half of the draws, so our result would be 50% (2.5/5=0.5).

We have also included a confidence interval based on the sample size and their results. This interval has a 95% confidence rate. What does this mean? Essentially, we’re 95% sure that the win rate of the faction will fall inside this band at the release of the next battlescroll.

We have decided to include this as each factions win rates can (and will) fluctuate as more and more players post their results. While the faction win rate may be that specified right now, it is more than likely to change in the future. So when looking at a win rate, take into account the number of players who have posted results, as well as the upper and lower limit of that 95% confidence interval. This will give a good indication of the future win rate of that faction.

Event Submission

If you have organised an event that doesn’t appear in our database and has the following minimum requirements to be included:

Two Day Event
Singles Event
Minimum of 8 players

Then why not complete the form attached and send the results to thewoehammer@gmail.com? We’ll include them the next time we produce the stats.

Event Submission Template Download

Data Overview

Tournaments Included:

Clash of the Titans ’23
Age of Sigmar – Chaos Unleashed
The London Open
The Icebreaker GT 2023
Hampshire Grand Tournament
Valleycon 2023
Trouble at Mill
Rum and Rumble
Warpstone Wars GT
Grand Clash 2023
Charlotte Karnage
Ragnarok GT May 2023
Warpfire – Sigmar Summit 2023
Regicide in the Realms
The Really Good GT
TRS Torneo Regio Sabaudo
Game Knight AoS GT
Alberta Classic
Mango Mafia Presents: Meatgrinder 2023
Woehammer AoS GT
Big Bucks Spring Bash 2023
Maple Meltdown
Birmingham AoS GT
Battle in the Smokey Mountains
AoS Worlds (Singles)
2d6 Oslohammer 4: Best of the Worst
Cryptic Cabin – AoS CT
Quest of Champions – Heat 3
Straight Edge Wargaming GT #2

Smash & Bash 2023
Seek Refuge from Spring Showers
West Coast GT
HAST2: Who Let the Dogs Out?
Border War 2023
Welsh Open
Highground Brewsky GT
Spring Rubicon 2023 GT
Warhammer Fest
El Bunker: a Matter of Honour
Wartilyo Grand Tournament 2023
CTC Age of Sigmar Championship
Svenska Masterskapet GHB 22
Aotearoa New Zealand Masters 2023
HWP Bloody Beach GT
Wargames for Warriors
Age of Sigmar – Lincon
SAGT ’23
Mancunian Carnage
Ironweld
Bay Area Open
AOSSE Spring Edition 2023
US Open Kansas City
2023 AoS Bugeater GT
Armed Forces Day 6
Texas Masters
Death & Destriction GT #2
Texas Masters Open

Faction Win Rates

As we have now included a confidence interval within our data based on the sample size and results, we have now included all factions within the below tables regardless of their player base.

Win Rates

You’ll see in the chart above that each faction shows its current win rate as a % inside a text box. The paler green and yellow segments show the margin of error of that win rate. We predict with 95% confidence that the win rate will be within the paler bars upon the release of the next battlescroll.

Big Bucks Spring Bash, was the first tournament to allow the new Seraphon book, and as you’ll see from the Top 3 article coming out later this week, they took 1st and 2nd. A sign of things to come, maybe, maybe not.

Soulblight Gravelords continue to lead the way with a 62% win rate, followed some distance behind by Kharadron Overlords (58%), Blades of Khorne (56%) and Slaanesh (56%).

If you wish to view our traditional win rate chart without the margin of confidence:

Player Results by Wins

This graph has at least two purposes. Firstly, it shows the faction popularity by the number of players, and secondly, it breaks down those players’ results in terms of the number of wins they achieve.

Here, we’ve included all the factions that have been played to date, as there is no benefit in removing those with a small sample size.

Slaves to Darkness appears to be falling down the pack in popularity now, possibly due to its poor win rates at the competitive level.

Faction Popularity

With the recent release of the Gloomspite Gitz tome, we’re also seeing a large number of players jump to the revamped destruction faction.

But while the Gloomspite Gitz are the most popular faction during this Battlescroll season, we’ve seen Soulblight Gravelords come out on top as the most popular faction in May, followed by Ossiarch Bonereapers.

The full list month-by-month is below:

When looking at the above table, bear in mind that this is the worldwide meta, and region to region or even city to city may differ. So while this gives us a general idea of the meta worldwide it may not be representative of your local meta.

We’re seeing (as always) a massive spike in the player base of the new tomes that have been released and fall off on the older Tomes. This is to be expected really as competitive players jump around following the “Oooo shiny” method of collecting. They’ll likely always be a strong base for Stormcast Eternals, thanks to them appearing in nearly all beginner army sets, as magazine collections and the feature of many stories in Age of Sigmar.

Players Achieving 5-0 Wins, Tournaments in Winning Positions and 3 Wins from 3

Out of all the players using that faction (shown in brackets next to the faction name), this graph shows the number achieving a whitewash at a GT with 5 wins from 5. Those achieving 4 wins from 4 after the fourth round and those achieving 3 wins from 3 after the 3rd round. Take into account that those who achieve 5-0 are included in the numbers of 4 wins from 4 and 3 wins from 3. Likewise, those achieving 4 from 4 are included with the 3 from 3 data.

Results Split

This chart tells you which factions are more capable of achieving positive results at tournaments.

Conclusions

If you’re planning your list for a GT, look at the data as a whole. Don’t just look at our data either, look at TSN and also GW. Get a big picture, use these.sites as sources to make your own informed opinion on the meta. Think about which armies are popular, as you’ll likely face at least one or two of these armies at some point during an event, especially in the earlier rounds.

Look at those factions that are regularly in a tournament winning position and winning GTs, as these are likely to be your opponents in the later rounds. I believe you should look at building a list that is able to cope with playing the following factions at some point in a GT if you’re looking to compete;

Slaves to Darkness
Stormcast Eternals
Hedonites of Slaanesh
Blades of Khorne
Gloomspite Gitz
Soulblight Gravelords
Ossiarch Bonereapers

But also, if you’re playing a local GT with your club, then bear in mind that meta may be completely different to those given in the stats above. All of what is presented here, should be taken with a pinch of salt, but hopefully it gives you some guidance when it comes to list construction, or even army choice if you’re looking to play Age of Sigmar.

Our Database

This is our most copy of our database.

Woehammer GT Database 4th June 2023 Download

Age of Sigmar, Fantasy, Games Workshop

‘Eadnokka, the Agony Uncle

June 24, 2023 Peter Holland Leave a comment

Awright, awright, I’ll introduce meself proper-like. ‘Ere’s the deal, mate. I’m ‘Eadnokka, da Orruk Agony Uncle from da Realm of Ghur. I may not be da smartest gob in da realm, but I got a ‘eart for ‘elpin’ folks wif their troubles. So, if ya got a problem or a question, I’m yer orcish go-to lad for some down-to-earth advice. Just remember, I ain’t no fancy-pants scholar, but I’ll do me best to give ya a straight answer. So, what’s troublin’ ya, me ol’ mates?

Dear Agony Uncle,

Today my son came to me and said, “Dad, I don’t want to be your partner for the next doubles event. You refuse to bring anything that can win. You are just too worried that someone might find a good list mean. Git Gud.”

Should I go nuts and brutalize the next doubles event, or just make my kid mow the lawn the day of the next doubles event?

From the mouth of babes,

Savaged in Austin

Dear Savaged in Austin,

When yer kid tells ya, “Git Gud,” ya gotta show ’em who’s da boss! Forget bout mowin’ da lawn. Insted, ya gotta go to that doubles event and unleash yer inner WAAAGH! Make ’em tremble in fear as ya bring a list that’s gonna smash ’em all proper!

When yer opponents see ya comin’ wif a lineup so brutal, they’ll be beggin’ for mercy! Crush ’em, bash ’em, and leave ’em wonderin’ what hit ’em. Show yer kid that ya ain’t afraid to bring the violence and win that doubles event like a true Orruk!

Enjoy the thrill of battle and let yer kid get in on da glory of yer conquests.

Now go out there, Savaged in Austin, and show ’em wot ya got! WAAAGH!

Urs brutishly,
‘Eadnokka

Dear Agony Uncle,

I love the dynamic poses if push-fit models, but I hate assembling them. Why must I suffer by pushing the spikes of this Karkadrak just to get a poor fit and trim the posts anyway?

Cordialement,

I just want my fingers to stop bleeding

So, ya wanna avoid dem pesky push-fit models do ya, and yer fingers bleedin’ like mad? Well, ‘ere’s a cheeky suggestion for ya: forget about those flimsy models and get yerself sum proper Orruk Brutes!

Ya see, dese Brutes are big, tuff, and ready for a proper scrap. No more fiddlin’ wiv tiny spikes or trimmin’ posts. Just grab ’em by their brutish arms and slap ’em together like a true Orruk wud!

Wiv dem Brutes, ya don’t need no fancy glue or delicate assembly. They’ll fit togever wiv a gud *thunk* that’ll make ya feel like ya conquered Mount Krushmore itself! Plus, dey come wiv sum ded gud, an’ solid hackas, so no need to worry ’bout dem breakin’ off like dem uvva models.

And let’s not forget da joy of paintin’ dese lads. Their big, burly muscles and snarlin’ faces make ’em ded fun to bring to life wiv yer brushes. Ya can go wild wiv da colours, givin’ ’em a fearsum look that’ll make yer enemies quake in der boots!

So, me friend, leave dem push-fit models in da dust and embrace da brutish brilliance of Orruk Brutes. No more bleedin’ fingers, just glorious WAAAGH-worthy models ready to bring da pain!

WAAAGHin’ with laughter,
‘Eadnokka

Why are Aelves?

Buckle up, me mateys, ‘coz ‘Eadnokka’s got a little sumfin’ to say about ’em!

Ya see, dese aelves, dey strut around like they’re da bees’ knees, all ‘igh and mighty wiv their fancy hair, their delicut features, and their darn pointy ears! I mean, seriously, wot’s wiv all the pointy ears? Can’t they keep ’em tucked away or somethin’? It’s like dey’re tryin’ to out-elf each other, if ya ask me.

And wot about their fancy-schmancy names! I mean, who needs all dem extra vowels and silunt lettaz? “I’m Lord Aerithyllion Featherwind, the Radiant Blade of Eternal Light.” Give me a break! ‘Ere’s a thought, why don’t they just use normal names like “Steve” or “Barbara”?

And don’t even get me started on their obsession wiv beauty and grace. They’re always prancin’ around like they’re on a bloomin’ catwalk. It’s like dey spend more time in front of a mirror dan they do inna proper fight! Maybe if dey focused more on swingin’ a sword instead of tryin’ to look pretty, they’d be a bit more useful inna fight!

So, there ya ‘ave it, me lads and lasses. Dey may be a bit too pretty and prancy for my likin’, but I suppose there’s room for all sorts in dese crazy realms. Now, let’s all ‘ave a laugh and get back to bashin’ some skulls, aight?

Givin’ them aelves a bit o’ ribbin’,
‘Eadnokka

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Chaos, Death, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Godseekers Host, Hedonites of Slaanesh, Idoneth Deepkin, Legion of Blood, Nautilar, Order, Peter & Brett, Soulblight Gravelords, Top three lists, Tournaments

Top Three AoS Lists for Summer Of Sigmar 2 AOS GT

June 23, 2023 Brett & Peter Leave a comment

This is the top three AoS lists for Summer Of Sigmar 2 AOS GT that took place in the US on the 10th and 11th of June. It involved 44 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

Army Faction: Hedonites of Slaanesh
– Army Type: Godseekers
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Lord of Pain (135)**
– General
– Command Traits: Speed-chaser
– Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Infernal Enrapturess (120)**
– Artefacts of Power: Threnody Voicebox
Keeper of Secrets (400)**
– Shining Aegis
– Artefacts of Power: Girdle of the Realm-racer
– Spells: Paths of the Dark Prince
Sigvald (205)***
The Masque (140)***
Lord of Pain (135)***
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
Blissbarb Archers (150)*
Symbaresh Twinsouls (140)*
Blissbarb Archers (150)*

OTHER
Blissbarb Seekers (200)**
Slickblade Seekers (200)***

CORE BATTALIONS
*Galletian Sharpshooters
**Warlord
***Warlord

TOTAL POINTS: 1975/2000

Joshua Bennett: Good evening, first off I want to congratulate you on your 5-0. You took a slightly different approach with your list than what we are use to seeing. The first big thing is that you went with God Seekers, what was the idea behind that.?

Jeremy Lefebvre: God seekers has enchants I can take at every level that are useful. Command trait that I can use a counter punch. 2 really good artifacts, the gridle for a pile in flying keeper. ( which makes them both aggressive and defense) and the voice box, which can be used to counter a melee heavy army on their big charge then the Extra movement is nice, to get things in a little better spot if needed. The charge reroll reduces the chance of getting screwed on bad charge rolls. one of the games, I failed 4 charges on the first roll ( a 3, 2, 4 and another 3) all of the reroll charges were successful

Josh: There is a lot of debate to whether the Keeper of Secrets is worth her points obviously you feel she is. What is her role in your list?

Jeremy: She didn’t go on a killing rampage, in most of the game she killed very little. but was fat enough to get in the way and grind stuff down. The double fight was very good in the list. It helps give an extra punch to get more DP. I used it with Siggy most of the time, but not all. As it lets him fight first, then fight again right after that (strike first, cancelling out the strike last) the keeper never died, which has to say something. She has served as anvil and pin piece, she often goes to hunt little foot heroes to stomp on.

Joshua: 5-0 aside that is very impressive.

Jeremy: Thanks, it is a fun list, and can be hard to pilot. a lot of the game is in the deployment and how to move it. It’s built to have counters to most types of armies, dunno if you saw when I broke that down in the Team America chat.

Josh: I love the fact that you did not mass include the archers in this list, its great to see other things being used.

Jeremy: Thanks, I feel you want some shooting, the archers are squishy, so requires a different game plan, that is not board control. I don’t find mass archers not fun to play, or play against. Mass archers list have hard counters, and I try to build my list so there is no hard counter, and I can hang in any game

Josh: I love it thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me about this amazing list and good luck with it of your next adventure!

Jeremy: It was a pleasure, looking forward to reading your write up on the list and event.

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Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
– Army Type: Legion of Blood
– Grand Strategy: Empire of Corpses
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Neferata (390)*
– Spells: Waste Away
Vampire Lord (130)*
– Spells: Spirit Gale
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Wight King on Skeletal Steed (160)*
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (440)**
– General
– Command Traits: Doomed Minions
– Deathlance
– Artefacts of Power: Cloak of Mists and Shadows
– Spells: Flaming Weapon

BATTLELINE
Black Knights (220)*
– Hellknight
– 2 x Standard Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower
Black Knights (220)*
– Hellknight
– 2 x Standard Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower
Black Knights (110)**
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight
Black Knights (110)**
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight
Black Knights (110)**
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight
Black Knights (110)**
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

Roland Rivera: Here we have an interesting variant of the typical Legion of Blood Soulblight list. It has the usual power-pinning elements to hold the line in Neferata and a Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon, both of which can present a 3+ ethereal save, followed by a Ward.

These are surrounded by lots of fast-moving Black Knights, which are fast bodies you can use to occupy space and capture objectives, but are also pretty potent on the charge. This charge potency is amplified by a Wight King on Skeletal Steed, which emits a bubble of rerolling charges and makes their impact hits better. The 10-man units operate more as a hammer and likely stick close to the Wight King, whereas the 5-man units are more expendable.

Last but not least, a Tunnel Master Vampire Lord can achieve some cheeky Battle Tactics by teleporting onto an objective, and is a source of chip damage by casting Spirit Gale. Overall, this is a fast-moving, hard-hitting list that has some staying power thanks to its tough Hero Monsters, and it’s easy to see why it did well, only drawing against the virtual mirror match.

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Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
– Army Type: Legion of Blood
– Grand Strategy: Lust for Domination
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Neferata (390)*
– Spells: Waste Away
Wight King on Skeletal Steed (160)*
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (440)**
– General
– Command Traits: Doomed Minions
– Deathlance
– Artefacts of Power: Cloak of Mists and Shadows
– Spells: Vile Transference
Vampire Lord (130)**
– Spells: Spirit Gale
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
Black Knights (110)*
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight
Black Knights (110)*
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Hellknight
Deathrattle Skeletons (170)**
– Skeleton Champion
– 2 x Standard Bearer
Deadwalker Zombies (115)**

OTHER
Corpse Cart (70)*
– Corpse Goad
Grave Guard (280)**
– Seneschal
– Great Wight Blade
– 2 x Standard Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1975/2000

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Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin
– Subfaction: Nautilar
– Grand Strategy: The Creeping Gloomtide
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Akhelian King (250)*
– General
– Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury
– Bladed Polearm and Falchion
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness
Anointed on Frostheart Phoenix (320)*
Black Ark Fleetmaster (70)*

BATTLELINE
Akhelian Leviadon (460)*
Namarti Reavers (170)*
Akhelian Morrsarr Guard (360)*
– Lochian Prince
– Standard Bearer
– Musician

OTHER
Akhelian Allopexes (170)*
– Razorshell Harpoon Launcher, Barbed Hooks and Blades
Akhelian Allopexes (170)*
– Razorshell Harpoon Launcher, Barbed Hooks and Blades

TERRAIN
1 x Gloomtide Shipwreck (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1970/2000

Aaron Newbom: My Idoneth list is designed to be a mobile castle. Combining the turtles +1 to save aura, the Phoenix’s -1 to wound aura, and the kings -1 to hit aura creates a massive debuff zone if you manage to make contact with me. But unlike traditional castles, I am also incredibly mobile.

Leveraging the full force of your army to crack my walls and storm the keep becomes an impossibility (except on realmstone cache 👀) and my ability to explode outwards for heavy burst damage punishes any attempt to do so that fails.

The sharks and fleetmaster exist to allow me to make small plays without breaking up the castle and the score early points.

The Phoenix is amazing in this list because unlike normal armies, your opponent MUST shoot it. And no one wants to shoot the low damage 3+/4+ save unit, resulting in almost no chip damage ever coming through.

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Final Tournament Placings

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Barak Urbaz, Chaos, Destruction, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Gloomspite Gitz, Hedonites of Slaanesh, Jaws of Mork, Kharadron Overlords, Maggotkin of Nurgle, Order, Peter & Brett, Pretenders, Top three lists, Tournaments

Top Three AoS Lists for Sydney Slaughter 2023

June 22, 2023 Brett & Peter Leave a comment

This is the top three AoS lists for Sydney Slaughter that took place in Australia on the 10th and 11th of June. It involved 71 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.

Quick note, Win/Loss was not the only criteria for ranking, for more information see the Mortally Wounded podcast.

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

Army Faction: Hedonites of Slaanesh
– Army Subfaction: Pretenders
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADER
Lord of Pain (135)*
– General
– Command Traits: Strength of Godhood
– Artefact: The Crown of Dark Secrets
Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (360)*
Great Bray Shaman (95)*
– Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
22 x Blisssbarb Archers (300)*
– Reinforced x 1
22 x Blisssbarb Archers (300)*
– Reinforced x 1
22 x Blisssbarb Archers (300)*
– Reinforced x 1
22 x Blisssbarb Archers (300)*
– Reinforced x 1

OTHER
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (200)*

CORE BATTALIONS:
1 x Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: (1985/2000)

Joshua Bennett: Greetings readers, have you ever seen the movie 300? If you have, you know the famous scene where the Persian tells Leonidas that their arrows will block out the sun. Well, if you play against this list, you will fully understand what that statement means.

With 88 blissbarb archers, it sends a total of 160 shots your way. Teamed up with pretenders, it allows three of those units to auto run 6 inches, and since the warscroll allows you to run and shoot, you are looking at a 30-inch threat range for them. Also, they are allowed to all out attack three of those units. So 120 of those shots hitting on 2s and wounding on 3. Which makes them a very reliable source of damage. At rend 1 people almost shrug them off but teamed up with the blissbarb seekers they become rend two and pick up most of anything that they are shooting at.

Oh Be’lakor, this guy does great in mitigating some of the bad matchups by shutting down the units that cause problems. Also, him being a 4 plus save, he can help tank some of the high rend units that might put unwanted pressure on the list. Lord of pain is used to ensure that last unit of blissbarbs and also hitting on twos or negating any negatives to hit and wound. The common trait strength of Godhood also allows him to handle his own in combat. The Crown of Dark Secrets takes an enemy hammer unit and cripples its ability to deal damage by reducing the number of attacks to one. I need to say that again, not reduced by one, reduced to one.

If you think I have to hit this list super hard super fast, I would urge you to really think about how you’re going to do this. Charging into this list is very dangerous due to the fact that pretenders can unleash hell three times. That’s a potential 120 shots into a hammer or 40 shots three times over to three different units. Makes charging this list a little tricky.

Look, this is an amazing list and very similar to the list I personally run. But if you are looking to play something like this, be prepared to have no friends. (i’m just kidding) If you’re playing against this list and it’s bright in the area you are playing, fear not for soon the arrows will black out the sky.

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Allegiance: Gloomspite Gitz
– Gittish Horde: Jaws of Mork
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADERS
Skragrott, The Loonking (210)**
Grinkrak The Great (190)**
Loonboss (85)**
– General
– Command Trait: The Clammy Hand
Madcap Shaman (70)*
– Artefact: Moonface Mommet
– Lore of the Moonclans: The Hand of Gork
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
Squigboss with Gnasha-squig (100)*
36 x Squig Herd (390)*
– Reinforced x 2
20 x Squig Hoppers (360)**
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Boingrot Bounderz (280)**
– Reinforced x 1

UNITS
5 x Gobbapalooza (160)**
6 x Grinkrak’s Looncourt (0)*
1 x Marshcrawla Sloggoth (150)**

CORE BATTALION
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1995 / 2000

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Army Faction: Kharadron Overlords
– Army Subfaction: Barak Urbaz
– Artycle: Settle the Grudges
– Amendment: Trust to Your Guns
– Footnote: There’s No Reward Without Risk

LEADER
Arkanaut Admiral (125)*
– General
– Command Traits: Stormcaller
– Artefact: Masterwrought Armour
– Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Gurish Rage
Aether-Khemist (80)*
Aetheric Navigator (85)*
Codewright (90)**
Edrinmaster with Endrinharness (90)**
– Artefact: Phosphorite Bomblets
Edrinmaster with Endrinharness (90)**

BATTLELINE
20 x Arkanaut Company (200)*
– 2 x Skypikes
– 2 x Light Skyhooks
– 2 x Aethermatice Volley Guns
– Reinforced x 1
3 x Endrinriggers (120)*
3 x Endrinriggers (120)*
1 x Grundstock Gunhauler (170)**
– Main Gun: Sky Cannon
– Gunhauler Modifications: Coalbeard’s Collapsible Compartments

OTHER
6 x Skywardens (260)***5 x Grundstock Thunderers (135)***
– 1 x Decksweepers
– 1 x Aethercannons

BEHEMOTHS
Arkanaut Frigate (300)
– Main Gun: Heavy Sky Cannon
– Frigate Regittings: Prudency Chutes

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Warlord
**Warlord
***Galletian Sharpshooters

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Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle
– Subfaction: Blessed Sons

LEADERS
Bload Rotspawned (320)*
Lord of Afflications (230)*
– General
– Command Trait: Overpowering Stench
– Artefact: The Splithorn Helm
– Dolorous Tocsin
– Incubatch
Orghotts Daemonspew (320)
Sloppity Bilepiper, Herald of Nurgle (130)*
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

Battleline
10 x Plaguebearers (150)*
– Icon Bearer
– Piper
– Plagueridden
4 x Pusgoyle Blightlords (500)*
– Dolorous Tocsin
20 x Rotmire Creed (260)*
– 1 x Reinforced
– 2x Witherlord

OTHER
9 x Corvus Cabal
– Allies

TERRAIN
Feculent Gnarlmaw

CORE BATTLIONS
Battle Regiment

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Roland Rivera: Thomas Oliver’s list is a spicy one indeed. While it includes the common elements to most successful Nurgle lists in Bloab and Orghotts as quality Hero Monsters, the Lord of Afflictions as a hard-to-kill disruption piece, and Pusgoyle Blightlords as durable fast-moving frontliners, it is complementing them with some interesting choices in a Sloppity Bilepiper, some Plaguebearers, a reinforced unit of Rotmire Creed, and some Corvus Cabal.

The combination of Sloppity and Plaguebearers is intended to hold opponents in place by engaging enemy units (or forcing them to engage you) in situations where they will find it difficult to bring their full force to bear against the Plaguebearer unit, then using the Sloppity’s ability to disable pile-ins to prevent repositioning. This combination is often seen in Daemon-centric lists, but Mortal-centric lists rarely reach for it, making its inclusion here very interesting.

Units of Rotmire Creed in Blessed Sons Nurgle lists are quite common, but they are usually minimum-sized units whose purpose is to fulfill Battleline requirements cheaply while providing you with shooty screens for your Hero Monsters. This reinforced unit is likely intended to be a dedicated objective sitter that can soften opposing units up with its shooting and potentially put an Unleash Hell or two out there.

Lastly, the Corvus seem to be here in order to provide the same deepstriking nuisance function Nurglings typically serve at enough of a points discount to not make the list go over. Overall, a very interesting list with a solid result to back up its viability.

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Top Three AoS Lists for Clash of Swords 2023

June 21, 2023 Brett & Peter Leave a comment

This is the top three AoS lists for Clash of Swords 2023 that took place in Wales on the 10th and 11th of June. It involved 34 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.

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

Army Faction: Disciples of Tzeentch
– Subfaction: Guild of Summoners
– Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny
– Triumph: Indomitable

LEADERS
Kairos Fateweaver (440)
Gaunt Summoner of Tzeentch (230)
– General
– Command Traits: Daemonspark
– Artefacts of Power: Nine-Eyed Tome
– Spells: Levitate
Curseling (200)
– Spells: Infusion Arcanum
Fatemaster (160)

BATTLELINE
Horrors of Tzeentch (Pink) (500)
– Iridescent Horror
– Split and Split Again
– 2 x Pink Horror Icon Bearer
– 2 x Pink Horror Hornblower
Kairic Acolytes (120)
– Pair of Cursed Blades
Kairic Acolytes (120)
– Pair of Cursed Blades

OTHER
Screamers of Tzeentch (110)

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Umbral Spellportal (80)
1 x Tome of Eyes (40)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

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Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Null Myriad
– Grand Strategy: Survivor’s Instinct
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADERS
Katakros, Mortarch of the Necropolis (440)
Mortisan Boneshaper (120)
– General
– Command Trait: Dark Acolyte
– Artefact: Artisan’s Key
– Spells – Reinforce Constructs
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Mortisan Boneshaper (120)
– Spells: Drain Vitality

BATTLELINE
6 x Immortis Guard (400)
– Reinforced x 1
3 x Necropolis Stalkers (220)
3 x Necropolis Stalkers (220)
5 x Kavalos Deathriders (170)
– Nadirite Blade and Shield

UNITS
2 x Morghast Archai (240)
– Spirit Halberds

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
Soulstealer Carrion (40)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL: 1970 / 2000

Alex Tubb: Due to the small roster size and a couple of poor units. Most OBR lists are using variations on the same style of list. I opted for opening up access to as many battle tactics as possible with my list and having no ‘bad’ match ups. Null myriad helps a lot with this. Having close to auto wins VS tzeentch, lumineth, and Seraphon rather than close to auto loses is a big swing. It also really helps VS Soulblight, whose debuffs are crippling for obr.

In terms of enabling battle tactics, I went for 2 GCs, 1 unit of immortis, 2 stalkers and a unit of deathriders. This gives me access to a potential of 5 extra battle tactics.

For me, morghasts are the sleeper unit in the book. Switching off commands within 3″ is unbelievable on a fast-moving hammer. Great for charging without having to worry about unleash hell…

Finally I decided to go for the carrion. I believe OBR’s biggest weakness is scoring objectives. And there are armies who can hold us off objectives for a good few turns before we grind through. Carrion allows us to keep the scoreboard ticking over from the very first turn.

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Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers
– Legion: Null Myriad
– Mortal Realm: Shyish
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Inspired

LEADERS
Katakros, Mortarch of the Necropolis (440)*
Mortisan Boneshaper (120)*
– General
– Command Trait: Aura of Sterility
– Artefact: Artisan’s Key
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
6 x Immortis Guard (400)*
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Immortis Guard (400)*
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Kavalos Deathriders (170)*
– Nadirite Blade and Shield
5 x Kavalos Deathriders (170)*
– Nadirite Blade and Shield

UNITS
2 x Morghast Archai (240)*
– halbards

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL: 1940 / 2000

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Allegiance: Sons of Behemat
– Tribe: Breaker Tribe (Fierce Loathing: Bossy Pants and Clever Clog)
– Grand Strategy: Show ‘Em Who’s Boss!
– Triumphs: Inspired

Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (520)*
– General
– Command Trait: Monstrously Tough
– Artefact: Glowy Shield of Protectiness
King Brodd (550)*
Warstomper Mega-Gargant (450)*
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
3 x Mancrusher Mob (450)
*Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent

Total: 1970 / 2000

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Fightin’ with Orks

June 19, 2023 Peter Holland 3 Comments

In the distant future, on a war-torn planet, Imperial Guard Lieutenant John Dunbar finds himself stationed at a remote outpost near Ork territory. Frustrated with the monotonous and isolated life, Dunbar ventures out into the dangerous Ork-infested wilderness to seek adventure.

During his exploration, Dunbar encounters a roaming band of Orks. Initially, they view him as an enemy and prepare to attack, but Dunbar’s courageous and threatening demeanour earns their respect. The Ork leader, Grumzog, decides to spare Dunbar’s life and welcomes him into their tribe.

As Dunbar settles into the Ork community, he learns their language, customs, and way of life. He befriends several Orks, including a wise shaman named Dakkashakka and a fierce warrior named Waaaghbringer. Dunbar witnesses the deep spiritual connection the Orks have with war and gains a profound appreciation for their culture.

Meanwhile, tensions rise between the Imperial Guard and the Orks as rumours of an impending war circulate. Dunbar becomes a mediator, stoking the burning embers between the two factions. He conveys the Orks’ desire for war to his superiors, but they remain scared, hidden away in their bunkers.

Eventually, war does break out between the Imperial Guard and the Orks. Dunbar, untorn between his loyalty to the Guard and his newfound bond with the Orks, decides to help krump the Imperial forces, realising that the Orks’ way of life is far more fun.

In a climactic battle, Dunbar leads the Orks against the Imperial Guard, using his knowledge of both sides to strategically outmanoeuvre the enemy. Despite being outnumbered, the Orks display incredible ferocity and resilience. Witnessing their ferocity, the Imperial Guard soldiers begin to question their mission, and they turn upon their superiors.

Dunbar’s efforts and the Orks’ fierceness lead to the complete destruction of the Imperial forces. Dunbar, forever changed by his experiences, decides to leave the Imperial Guard behind and fully embrace his new life as an Ork ally.

“Dances with Wolves,” or rather “Fightin’ wiv Orks,” portrays the transformative journey of a man who finds a sense of purpose and belonging among a misunderstood and marginalized species. It explores themes of cultural exchange, prejudice, and the inherent beauty of embracing diversity in war-torn galaxy.

Age of Sigmar, Army Lists, Chaos, Death, Destruction, Fantasy, Games Workshop, Legion of Blood, Lumineth Realm-Lords, Ogor Mawtribes, Order, Peter Holland, Skaventide, Soulblight Gravelords, Top three lists, Tournaments, Zaitrec

Top Three AoS Lists for Cryptic Cabin

June 19, 2023 Peter Holland Leave a comment

This is the top three AoS lists for Cryptic Cabin that took place in the UK on the 3rd and 4th of June. It involved 8 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.

As this event had less than 20 players attending there won’t be any list comments here as the guys will be concentrating on the larger events of the week.

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

Army Faction: Lumineth Realm-lords
– Army Subfaction: Zaitrec
– Grand Strategy: Survivor’s Instinct
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADER
1 x Scinari Enlightener (170)*
– General
– Command Traits: Loremaster
– Artefacts: Silver Wand
– Spells: Overwhelming Heat, Speed of Hysh, Total Eclipse, Protection of Hysh
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
1 x Scinari Loreseeker (160)*
– Spells: Etheral Blessings, Flaming Weapon
1 x Alarith Stonemage (130)*
– Spells: Living Fissure, Unbreakable Stoicism
1 x The Light of Eltharion (240)**

BATTLELINE
10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)**
– High Warden
– Spells: Etheral Blessings, Speed of Hysh
10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)**
– High Warden
– Spells: Etheral Blessings, Speed of Hysh
20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (320)**
– High Sentinel
– Spells: Speed of Hysh, Protection of Hysh

ARTILLERY
1 x Vanari Starshard Ballistas (130)**

ENDLESS SPELL
1 x Rune of Petrification (60)
1 x Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws (70)
1 x Hyshian Twinstones (30)

OTHER
5 x Vanari Bladelords (130)**
10 x Alarith Stoneguard (260)**
– Truestone Seneschal
– Paired Stratum Hammers
– Stone Mallet

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Command Entourage – Magnificent
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)

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Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
– Army Type: Legion of Blood

LEADERS
Neferata (390)*
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (440)**
– General
– Command Traits: Tailored Downfall
– Artefacts of Power: Cloak of Mists and Shadows
– Spells: Flaming Weapon
Vampire Lord (130)**
– Spells: Vile Transference
Vampire Lord (130)**
– Artefacts of Power: Amulet of Screams
– Spells: Spirit Gale
– Aspects of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox

BATTLELINE
Deathrattle Skeletons (170)*
Deathrattle Skeletons (170)*
Black Knights (110)*

OTHER
Blood Knights (230)*
Blood Knights (230)*

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Command Entourage – Magnificent

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

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Army Faction: Skaven
– Grand Strategy: Defend What’s Ours
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Thanquol (430)*
– 2 x Warpfire Braziers
– 2 x Warpfire Projectors
– Spells: Death Frenzy
Master Moulder (90)*
– Warpstone-tipped Lash
– Artefacts of Power: Rabid Crown
Grey Seer (120)*
– Spells: Death Frenzy
Arch-Warlock (150)**
– General
– Command Traits: Deranged Inventor
– Artefacts of Power: Esoteric Warp Resonator
– Spells: More-more-more Warp Power!
– Aspects of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha

BATTLELINE
Rat Ogors (280)
– 2 x Warpfire Gun
Clanrats (100)**
– Clanrat Bell-ringer
– Clanrat Standard Bearer
– Clawleader
– Rusty Blade
Clanrats (100)**
– Clanrat Bell-ringer
– Clanrat Standard Bearer
– Clawleader
– Rusty Blade
Stormfiends (640)**
– 2 x Windlaunchers and Clubbing Blows
– 2 x Ratling Cannons and Clubbing Blows
– 2 x Doomflayer Gauntlets and Warpstone-laced Armour

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Lauchon the Soulseeker (50)

TERRAIN
1 x Gnawhole (0)
1 x Gnawhole (0)
1 x Gnawhole (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
* Entourage – Magnificent
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1960/2000

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Army Faction: Ogor Mawtribes
– Subfaction: Thunderbellies
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs

Leaders
Frostlord on Stonehorn (450)*
– General
– Command Traits: Touched by the Everwinter
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Mount Traits: Rockmane Elder
– Prayers: Heal
Bloodpelt Hunter (140)*
Firebelly (130)*
– Spells: Billowing Ash
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master

Battleline
Mournfang Pack (340)*
– Hornblower
– Tribal Banner Bearer
– Skalg
– Gargant Hackers
Mournfang Pack (340)*
– Hornblower
– Tribal Banner Bearer
– Skalg
– Gargant Hackers
Mournfang Pack (340)*
– Hornblower
– Tribal Banner Bearer
– Skalg
– Culling Clubs and Hackers and Ironfist

Other
Icefall Yhetees (120)*
Icefall Yhetees (120)*

Terrain
1 x Great Mawpot (0)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total Points: 1980/2000

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Top Three AoS Lists for the Bugeater AoS GT

June 16, 2023 Peter Holland Leave a comment

This is the top three AoS lists for the Bugeater AoS GT that took place in the USA on the 3rd and 4th of June. It involved 32 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.

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

The Top Three AoS Lists

Army Faction: Skaven
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADER
1 x Verminlord Warbringer (400)*
– General
– Command Traits: Devious Adversary
– Artefacts: Warpstone Charm
– Spells: Flaming Weapon
1 x Warlock Bombardier (110)*
– Artefacts: Vial of the Fulminator
– Spells: More-more-more Warp Power!
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
1 x Grey Seer (120)*
– Spells: Levitate
1 x Thanquol (430)**
– 4 x Warpfire Projectors
– Spells: Skitterleap
1 x Grey Seer (120)***
– Spells: Death Frenzy

BATTLELINE
20 x Clanrats (100)*
– Clawleader
– 2 x Clanrat Standard Bearer
– 2 x Clanrat Bell-ringer
– Rusty Blade
20 x Clanrats (100)***
– Clawleader
– 2 x Clanrat Standard Bearer
– 2 x Clanrat Bell-ringer
– Rusty Blade
20 x Clanrats (100)***
– Clawleader
– 2 x Clanrat Standard Bearer
– 2 x Clanrat Bell-ringer
– Rusty Blade

BEHEMOTH
1 x Doomwheel (160)**
1 x Doomwheel (160)**

ENDLESS SPELL
1 x Lauchon the Soulseeker (50)
1 x Warp Lightning Vortex (80)
1 x Quicksilver Swords (60)

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Warlord
**Linebreaker
***Vanguard

TOTAL POINTS: (1990/2000)

Keegan Graves: My list is focused around target priority and taking out key pieces while scoring big early to help force early wins. This is very important in a meta of armies with very strong late games, like Khorne, SBGL, and OBR.

It’s hard to talk about my list without addressing the elephant in the room, so I will mention the doomwheels first. I love aggressive play and throwing units at my opponents to cause carnage, so I decided to give doomwheels a try. They give Skaven access to high speeds and incredible flexibility. They move 4d6” and can have that movement doubled by the Vial of the Fulminator artefact, so I would usually have one doomwheel consistently move 28” per turn. Their shooting, while low rend, can do quite a lot of damage. Usually enough to kill a chaff screen or an artillery piece. Altogether, It is a unit that your opponent does not want to commit to killing, but it will get value very quickly if left alive.

Other than the doomwheels, my list is very heavy on multiple sources of armor piercing damage, and I have 9 spell casts spread across 4 casters. Skaven is such a fragile army, so it is very important to have as many sources of damage as possible so we can keep the fight going for longer. Endless spells really help with this. I chose the Warp Lightning Vortex, which is a large and difficult to remove spell that stops running and does a lot of mortal wounds and Quicksilver Swords because it does mortal wounds that bypass wards.
Thanquol and the Warbringer are my two hero monsters that do the majority of the heavy lifting. They make an excellent pair as the warbringer has rend 3, with the warpstone charm artefact, and wrecks high armor targets, while Thanquol’s shooting attack reliably kills 1 to 2 wound hoards. As an added bonus, both are very fast and have 5+ wards for extra reliability and durability.

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Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle
– Subfaction: Droning Guard
– Grand Strategy: Blessed Desecration
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Lord of Blights (150)*
– General
– Command Trait: Overpowering Stench
– Artefact: The Shield of Growths
– Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Orghotts Daemonspew (320)*
Bloab Rotspawned (320)**
– Lore of Malignance: Gift of Disease

Units
10 x Plaguebearers (150)*
10 x Plaguebearers (150)*
3 x Plague Drones (200)**
3 x Plague Drones (200)**
3 x Nurglings (100)*
10 x Rotmire Creed (130)**
10 x Rotmire Creed (130)**
10 x Rotmire Creed (130)**

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 146
Drops: 2

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Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords
– Army Type: Legion of Blood
– Grand Strategy: Empire of Corpses
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Vampire Lord (130)
– Spells: Spirit Gale
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Vampire Lord on Zombie Dragon (440)*
– General
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Deathlance
– Artefacts of Power: Cloak of Mists and Shadows
– Spells: Vile Transference
Wight King (135)*
Wight King on Skeletal Steed (160)*

BATTLELINE
Deathrattle Skeletons (170)*
– Skeleton Champion
– Standard Bearer
Deadwalker Zombies (230)*
Black Knights (220)*
– Hellknight
– 2 x Standard Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower

OTHER
Grave Guard (280)*
– Seneschal
– Wight Blade and Crypt Shield
– 2 x Standard Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower
Blood Knights (230)*
– Kastellan
– Standard Bearer
– Templar Lance

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1995/2000

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Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness
– Damned Legion: Legion of the First Prince
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Archaon the Everchosen (860)*
– The Lore of the Damned: Binding Damnation
Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (355)**
– The Lore of the Damned: Ruinous Vigour
Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)**
– General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Gryph-feather Charm (Galletian Champion)
– Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
– The Lore of the Damned: Chaotic Conduit
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

Battleline
10 x Chaos Warriors (210)**
– Hand Weapon & Shield
– Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
– Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon
9 x Corvus Cabal (80)*
9 x Corvus Cabal (80)*

Units
5 x Blissbarb Seekers (200)**

Endless Spells & Invocations
Quicksilver Swords (60)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1965 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 102
Drops: 2

Travis Boysen: So the basic idea with my Archaon/Be’Lakor list is to use the Eye of Sheerian to try and force a double turn. That makes sure Be’Lakor gets full use of his Dark Master ability. Also, being in Legion of the First Prince, let’s me mark Be’Lakor to whatever I need. It was usually Nurgle, though, to help him be tanky.

The Blissbarb Seekers were a late add but paid off greatly as both Archaon and Be’Lakor love having essentially -3 rend for most of their attacks.

Quicksilver Swords were also a great choice when I played against Nurgle and Celestant Prime.

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AoS Worlds – Colin Klären (Team Germany)

June 15, 2023 Peter Holland 2 Comments

Hey dear Woehammer AoS community,

before I start with my “small” Worlds report, you should know who is writing down these experiences.

I’m Colin Klären and I’ve been playing AoS since the beginning of the 2nd edition. Armies I own and play competitively are Fyreslayer, Ogor Mawtribes, DoK, Nurgle, OBR, Sylvaneth, and Nighthaunt. This year, I was allowed to represent Team Germany in the Singles and Team Event with my Nighthaunt.

Before I get to my reports on the individual games, I’d like to say a few words about my general experience with the 2023 Worlds and, of course, about the process of creating my list.

In a nutshell: It was just great! That’s probably what you hear from many people who were there, and it’s 100% true. I can only recommend every player who has the opportunity to visit the Worlds next year, even if it is only the singles event. I had 11 great games that included 11 great players.

At the beginning of our team preparation, it was relatively clear that I would be playing Fyreslayer Hearthguard heavy at Worlds. After the Rally nerf, which was a big nerf for Fyreslayer, we thought about alternatives and came up with Nighthaunt. Armies have been moving more and more in the direction of having, or getting, Wards over the past few months. Also, many players were playing fuelled by Ghurish rage on key heroes. I played a few test games against certain key matchups like GSG, KO, StD, Slaanesh, Khorne, BoC, and LRL, and I quickly realized that I wanted to play NH. Then, after many small changes within the list, it was perfect for me and our team. Important to emphasize here is that we wanted a NH team list that we could pair into many green matchups and possibly underestimate opponents a bit. And that worked out perfectly. Also interesting is the above average performance in singles tournaments leading up to and in the singles event at Worlds.

Colin’s List

Allegiance: Nighthaunt
– Procession: Quicksilver Dead
– Grand Strategy: Fright or Flight
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Reikenor the Grimhailer (190)**
– Lore of the Underworlds: Soul Cage
Krulghast Cruciator (150)**
– Artefact: Lightshard of the Harvest Moon
Spirit Torment (120)**
– Artefact: Pendant of the Fell Wind
Spirit Torment (120)***
Cairn Wraith (100)***
– General
– Command Trait: Hatred of the Living
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Cado Ezechiar, The Hollow King (140)***
– Allies

Battleline
10 x Dreadscythe Harridans (170)*
10 x Dreadscythe Harridans (170)*
10 x Dreadscythe Harridans (170)*
10 x Dreadscythe Harridans (170)*
3 x Spirit Hosts (130)**
3 x Spirit Hosts (130)***
5 x Hexwraiths (180)

Endless Spells & Invocations
Lauchon the Soulseeker (50)

Core Battalions
*Galletian Veterans
**Warlord
***Warlord

Additional Enhancements
Artefact
Artefact

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 140 / 400
Wounds: 102
Drops: 13

Singles Event

Round 1 vs Sylvaneth (yellow to red matchup) on Position over Power: (List) The list included Alarielle, Warsong, Arch Rev and 6 Kurnoths with Bows and a few other small units. In this matchup, the roll offs were on my side, and so I managed to kill everything except Alarielle on a good double turn. Here, it was super useful that I could ignore Wards (also Fuelled by Ghurish rage on the Warsong). I think with Bladegheist Revenants, I would have had more problems here. After that, it was easy to outscore my opponent. 17-3 for Nh

Round 2 against KO (yellow to red matchup) on Prize of Gallet: (List) The list included Frigate, Gunhauler, 12 Endrinrigger, 15 thunderer, a few Heroes and Company, and the Soulscream Bridge. Here, I played very aggressively and charged into his army with Lauchon and Cairn wraith on the first turn. I, of course, messaured beforehand that I would be able to get into his screen with a 3“ charge and pile-in into his frigate. Of course, I put two other units in reserve beforehand so I could eat the Unleash Hell. 30 attacks 2+/2+ all rerolls -1 rend for 2 dmg yiiiikes…. The end of the song.. The frigate survived with 1 wound and healed up completely afterwards. I accomplished nothing and lost 3 units. I thought the game was over. With a clever Lauchon move on his turn, I was able to prevent him from transporting his 15 Thunderers across the bridge. After that, I lost the roll off but was able to play the game down well since he was missing a whole shooting phase. 20-0 for NH.

Round 3 against LRL (red matchup) on Presence of Idols: (List) The list was the classic Teclis Helon Sentinels list seen more often at Worlds. It was the worst matchup I could have gotten. David from the Scottish team also knew that NH was actually a very thankful matchup. By the way, I’m a super cool person and player. He took the first turn because he could hit my whole army with the Mw spell from Teclis. Afterwards we talked about it and came to the conclusion that this was rather a mistake. I lost 2x 10 harridans, which hurt, but was also ok for me somewhere. On my first turn, I was able to kill all of his screens and, due to the fortunately diagonal setup zone, placed my army perfectly for a possible double turn by placing Cado with +2 to cast and Cairn wraith outside of 30″ to Teclis (auto rebind) so that I could rush in with Lauchon and Cairn wraith and end the game in Turn 2. I didn’t get the turn, of course, so again, I thought it was going to be very hard. David took the turn, and then I guess 3 game-changing things happened. I managed to dispell the Spell Portal and unbound both 5+ Mw buffs on the sentinels. He didn’t do a lot of dmg and played a bit too aggressively, so I was able to kill 20 sentinels and Teclis (with -4 on the save) on my second turn. After that, we talked through the game. 20-0 for NH

Round 4 against StD (Green matchup) on Ours for the taking: (List) The list included Belakor, Sorcerer, 2×6 Varanguard, 5 Khorne Knights, and a heroic Chaos spawn. The game was streaming on Tsportsnetwork, and I knew this time the matchup was good for me. Danny from Team Norway played it great, yet the -1 dmg debuff hurt the Varanguard too much, and so I was able to fight through slowly. The game could have been over in round 2 if I had managed to kill 6 Varanguard with 2/3 of my army (like in my test games). Unfortunately, in my second turn, the dice failed (5 of 6 charges were not higher than 4″), which made the game tighter than it should have been. 16:4 for NH

Round 5 against GSG (yellow matchup) on Nisidus path: (List) This game was also available on the stream because it was the final table. The matchup against GSG is interesting because we actually took my list also for this matchup to the teams event. The problem here was simply several unfortunate circumstances. Starting with Jorin’s list. Jorin unfortunately had 2x the Indomitable Triumph, 2x Squigboss (so on both Squig herds 6s to hit mws) and the gobbapalooza for the -1 to hit bubble. So basically, all things that are incredibly good against my list. Also, Nisidius Path is definitely the worst battle plan for my list because I want to castle. There was, unfortunately, very little terrain on the table, so Jorin had enough room for his squig herd to get them into melee well. In addition, my first turn unfortunately went completely wrong because my Hexwraiths took 5!!!! Dmg from the stupid squig catapult and so did not survive the turn. This had many bad consequences for me. First, I failed my Nh Battletactic, and second (10 times more important), my Hexwraiths didn’t tag up his units anymore, allowing him to go in with his entire army on his first turn I lost 30 Harridans, and so the game was actually over. Congratulations again to Jorin for the world title! 0:20 for Gitze.

Team Event

Round 1 vs Slaanesh (yellow matchup) on Realmstone Cache: (French Lists) The list was very well matched to mine. Belakor, Epitome (with Crown), 55 Archer, 10 Seeker, 5 Blissbarb seeker were exactly what a slaanesh list needed against me. I practiced a lot against the list beforehand and played it exactly the same in the game. 10 Harridans, a unit of Spirit Hosts and cairn wraith in reserve so he couldn’t be targeted by Belakor and the Crown. Reikenor and Cado outside of 30″ to his two casters. First round finest hour and mystic shield on Cado and with Lauchon ahead so he could eat unleash hell. Then the important charge phase. Cado 12″, Harridans 11″, Spirit hosts 9″…. My Cairn wraith, who would have ended the game right away with a 9 charge and reroll of course didn’t make it. I would have been able to directly kill 22s Archer in my combat phase, then do the same with strike at the opening with the other big block Archers. Wasn’t supposed to be. After that I lost the first 3 roll offs. Had I won the prio from 1 to 2 or from 2 to 3, I would have had a very good chance to win. So, unfortunately, from turn 3 I only have my two Spirit Torments and Reikenor on the field. With these 3 models I still managed to score well. 6:14 for Slaanesh

Round 2 against Fyreslayer (green matchup) on Only the worthy: (Scottish Lists) I got to play Stu from the Scottish team. The list consisted of 3×20 Vulkites, 10 Hearthguard and the typical heroes and artifacts. My advantage was definitely that I have played Fyreslayer a lot myself and know this army by heart. Surprisingly, Stu set up very defensively (very very defensively indeed). I was able to kill his Voltile Blazier Runemaster with Lauchon and Cado in turn 1, which made it much easier for me to screen the Molten infernoth as the game went on. I won the roll off to turn 2, and since I had already placed myself relatively far ahead on turn 1, I was able to completely charge into his army, which was still in his deployment zone at the time. So I was able to pick my melees, tag units and apply enough dmg that the game was actually over there. Because he wasn’t allowed to use Inspiring presence, I killed 10 Hearthguard and about 40 Vulkites on my second turn. The Cairn wraith alone engaged and killed 2×20 Vulkites in the middle alone. Stu also mentioned after the game that my Nighthaunt list was a bit underestimated and he never thought the Harridans would have such a strong output and still be so tanky on their own charge. Not to mention the Cairn wraith. Still a great game and one of my favorite teammates – thanks Stu! 19-1 for NH

Round 3 against Slaanesh (yellow matchup) on position over power: Slaanesh again, but a very different game. Rick’s list from Team Wales consisted of a Keeper (with Crown), Epitome, Sigvald, 2x 22 Archers, 10 Deamonettes, 5 seekers and 5 Blissbarb seekers, plus the Visage endless Spell (don’t know the exact name). Again, I placed the same units in reserve. This time the Slaanesh player took the first turn, but he had to because of a deployment mistake. Otherwise I could have tagged everything directly and the cairn wraith would have taken out both units of Blissbarb archer with a successful charge. So he took out just one unit of Harridans (luckily another one survived). In my turn, everything that didn’t work in the first game worked. Rick still had the Keeper, the epitome, Sigvald and about 17 archer on the field. If I had won the roll off here, the game would have been over right away. So he could apply some damage again, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Rick by the way also a very cool dude – thanks for the game! 20-0 for NH

Round 4 against StD (yellow to red matchup) on Realmstone Cache: (Dutch Lists) This round could be watched on stream and I first want to emphasize what a brilliant game this was. Nico a super good player and a great person made this game the best game at Worlds for me. He played Ravagers with Archaon, two small heroes, 60 Splintered Fang in total and other small warbands like the unmade, or the untamed beasts. In the end, my whole army countered Archaon and all his Splintered fang countered my whole list (except the Cairn wraith Muhaha). The game went up and down. At first it looked very good for me, because I managed 4x 10+ charges in my second turn and was able to dmg Archaon well. Then the dice luck turned and Nico was able to clean up well with the splintered fang. Fortunately Archaon died in turn 3, but Nico still had a lot of splintered fang, which made life difficult for me. I had to invest a lot of time in rounds 2 and 3 to plan my moves and not make any mistakes. For this reason I finished my turn 4 in 4 minutes and my turn 5 in one!!!! minute and I played them very very well despite the little time. At the end we talked about the match and next time I would leave Archaon completely alone and just focus on splintered fang. 13-7 for NH

Round 5 against IDK (green matchup) on Twist and Turns (Booooo): (Polish Lists) The Polish player’s list consisted of Lotaan, Tidecaster, Killer King, Leviadon, 2x 2 Sharks, 2x 10 Reaver. We set up very close to each other, and he still gave me the first turn. In my opinion, this was a crucial game mistake, as I was able to play very aggressively and run on the objectives. On this really luck-based battle plan, I think it’s so important to get on the objectives first to be able to take them out. So after a very aggressive first round on my part, where I was able to take out both units, Reaver and one shark each from both squads, I was already 3 points ahead of my opponent. After that, he won the next two roll offs, which were very important for him. On the other hand, the objectives in the whole game were about 60% to 40% rather than on my side. Mutually, we took more and more from the field so that in the end, his Turtle and my Spirit Torment, Krulghast, and Cado were still on the field. So in the end, I was able to prevent his Grand strat and fulfil my own. 15-5 for NH

Round 6 against Nurgle (Green matchup) on Ours for the taking: (Canadian Lists) Again, I would first like to commend my fellow Team Canada player Matt for a great game on his part, as obviously this has not been a good matchup for him, as I am ignoring his entire ward saves with my harridans, and yet he played it flawlessly in my opinion, only losing every roll off because I simply rolled 6s (this was my cooked dice). In his list were Bloab, Orgotths, LoA with the known equipment, Bilepiper, 4x 3 Plage Drones (which are incredibly good against my list because of many many attack in shooting and combat) and of course the best unit in the game.. one unit of 3 Nurglings. I must honestly say that the matchup was not quite as green as we had previously estimated. Of course it was very strong that I could ignore his ward saves, so 10 harridans easily took out 3 drones each, but all the mws were pretty nasty for me. One game mistake on my part almost cost me the game when Matt won the roll off from 3 to 4. I left my home objective pretty open and matt just flew over my army with the LoA and summoned 10 Plaguebearers onto my home objective. Had he won the prio, instead he probably would have scored 2 points each round for three rounds in total. With the roll offs I won, I was able to quickly decimate his army. 17-3 for NH

What a week at Worlds for me and my ghosts. 9-2 overall and only great games with great opponents. I will definitely try to be there again next year… but then probably with a different army. It was an honor for me to compete for Team Germany and the German community and I think my ghosts and I represented our country in a worthy way.

Thanks to each and every one of my opponents, to my teammates from Team Germany and to each and every one of the German AoS community who rooted for me at home and thanks for you reading this little report! See you next year at AoS World!