This is the top three AoS lists for Donkeycon that took place in New Zealand on the 12th and 13th of August. It involved 10 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.
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: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Dominating Presence – Triumphs: Indomitable
LEADER 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Artefacts: Infernal Puppet – Spells: Daemonic Speed, Hoarfrost, Warp Reality – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Rupture, Warp Reality, Merciless Blizzard – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch 1 x Chaos Lord on Manticore (240)** – Chaos Lance – Daemon Blade – Spells: Daemonic Speed – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Theddra Skull-Scryer (160)** – Spells: Daemonic Speed, Chaotic Conduit 1 x Chaos Lord (110)** – Reaperblade and Daemonbound Steel – Spells: Mystic Shield – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (200)*** – General – Command Traits: Idolater Lord – Artefacts: The Conqueror’s Crown – Spells: Chaotic Conduit – Prayers: Curse – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
BATTLELINE 1 x Chaos Chariot (80) – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Warriors (200)*** – Hornblower – Standard Bearer – Aspiring Champion – Murderous Weapon – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Warriors (200)*** – Aspiring Champion – Hornblower – Standard Bearer – Murderous Weapon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 9 x Untamed Beasts (80)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Splintered Fang (100)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Splintered Fang (100)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine – Army Subfaction: Khailebron – Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Melusai Ironscale (120)* – General – Command Traits: Zealous Orator – Artefacts: Crown of Woe 1 x Morathi-Khaine (700)* 1 x The Shadow Queen (700)*
BATTLELINE 9 x Khainite Shadowstalkers (140)* 10 x Blood Sisters (150)* – Gorgai 15 x Blood Stalkers (180)* – Krone
OTHER 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)* 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
COREBATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)
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Army Faction: Kharadron Overlords – Subfaction: Barak-Zon – Grand Strategy: Rule the Skies – Triumph: Indomitable – Stick To The Code (Amendments): Prosecute Wars With All Haste – Stick To The Code (Artycles): Honour is Everything – Stick To The Code (Footnotes): Without Our Ships, We Are Naught
LEADERS Arkanaut Admiral (140)** – General – Command Traits: A Scholar and an Arkanaut – Artefacts of Power: Masterwrought Armour Aether-Khemist (100)** – Nullstone Adornments: Pouch of Nulldust Aetheric Navigator (100)** – Artefacts of Power: Voidstone Orb
BATTLELINE Arkanaut Company (90)* Arkanaut Company (90)* Skywardens (390)**
BEHEMOTH Arkanaut Frigate (300)* – Heavy Sky Cannon – Great Endrinworks: Arkanaut Frigate – The Admiral’s Flagship: Arkanaut Frigate Arkanaut Frigate (300)* – Heavy Sky Cannon
OTHER Grundstok Gunhauler (170) – Sky Cannon Grundstok Thunderers (320) – Honour Bearer – Gunnery Sergeant – Aetheric Fumigator – 2 x Grundstok Mortar – 2 x Aethercannon – 2 x Decksweeper
This is the top three AoS lists for Donkeycon 2023 that took place in New Zealand on the 12th and 13th of August. It involved 10 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: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Dominating Presence – Triumphs: Indomitable
LEADER 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Artefacts: Infernal Puppet – Spells: Daemonic Speed, Hoarfrost, Warp Reality – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Rupture, Warp Reality, Merciless Blizzard – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch 1 x Chaos Lord on Manticore (240)** – Chaos Lance – Daemon Blade – Spells: Daemonic Speed – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Theddra Skull-Scryer (160)** – Spells: Daemonic Speed, Chaotic Conduit 1 x Chaos Lord (110)** – Reaperblade and Daemonbound Steel – Spells: Mystic Shield – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (200)*** – General – Command Traits: Idolater Lord – Artefacts: The Conqueror’s Crown – Spells: Chaotic Conduit – Prayers: Curse – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
BATTLELINE 1 x Chaos Chariot (80) – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)*** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Warriors (200)*** – Hornblower – Standard Bearer – Aspiring Champion – Murderous Weapon – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Warriors (200)*** – Aspiring Champion – Hornblower – Standard Bearer – Murderous Weapon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 9 x Untamed Beasts (80)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Splintered Fang (100)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Splintered Fang (100)*** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine – Army Subfaction: Khailebron – Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Melusai Ironscale (120)* – General – Command Traits: Zealous Orator – Artefacts: Crown of Woe 1 x Morathi-Khaine (700)* 1 x The Shadow Queen (700)*
BATTLELINE 9 x Khainite Shadowstalkers (140)* 10 x Blood Sisters (150)* – Gorgai 15 x Blood Stalkers (180)* – Krone
OTHER 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)* 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)
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Army Faction: Disciples of Tzeentch – Subfaction: Guild of Summoners – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Changecaster (150)* – General – Command Traits: Daemonspark – Artefacts of Power: The Eternal Shroud – Spells: Hoarfrost, Merciless Blizzard Magister (140)* – Spells: Arcane Suggestion, Shield of Fate Magister on Disc of Tzeentch (160)* – Spells: Glimpse the Future, Hoarfrost One-eyed Grunnock (400)**
BATTLELINE Kairic Acolytes (120)** – Kairic Adept – Cursed Blade and Arcanite Shield – Scroll of the Dark Arts – Vulcharc – 3 x Cursed Glaive and Arcanite Shield Kairic Acolytes (120)** – Kairic Adept – Cursed Blade and Arcanite Shield – Scroll of the Dark Arts – Vulcharc – 3 x Cursed Glaive and Arcanite Shield Kairic Acolytes (120)** – Kairic Adept – Cursed Blade and Arcanite Shield – Vulcharc – Scroll of the Dark Arts – 3 x Cursed Glaive and Arcanite Shield
OTHER Tzaangor Enlightened on Discs of Tzeentch (360)** – Aviarch Tzaangor Enlightened on Discs of Tzeentch (360)** – Aviarch
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Tome of Eyes (40) 1 x Malevolent Maelstrom (30)
This is the top three AoS lists for the Clash of the Titans 23 that took place in Sydney, Australia, on the 15th and 16th of April. It involved 18 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.
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: Sylvaneth – Subfaction: Oakenbrow – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Inspired – Seasons of War: The Burgeoning
LEADERS Treelord Ancient (330) – Spells: Regrowth, Verdant Blessing Spirit of Durthu (350)* – Artefacts of Power: Greenwood Gladius Drycha Hamadreth (320)** – Spells: The Dwellers Below, Verdant Blessing Battlemage (100)** – Magic of the Realms: Wildform (Ghur) Warsong Revenant (300)** – General – Command Traits: Spellsinger – Artefacts of Power: The Vesperal Gem – Spells: Treesong, Verdant Blessing – Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Follow The Path To Glory
LEADER Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts: Daemonic Familiar – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Daemonic Speed – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled By Ghurish Rage Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Daemonic Speed – Mark of Chaos: Undivided
BATTLELINE 10 x Chaos Knights (440)* – Doom Knight – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Cursed Lance – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – The Eroding Icon 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)* 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)*
ENDLESS SPELL 1 x Soulscream Bridge (80)
OTHER 10 x Chaos Chosen (480)* – Exalted Champion – 2 x Icon Bearer – 2 x Skull Drummer – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 6 x Varanguard (580)* – 6 x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
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Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz – Army Subfaction: Jaws of Mork – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Indomitable X2
LEADER Seedy – The LoonBoss (85)* Grimgutz – The Bad Apple Baron (aka Skragrott, the Loonking) (210)* Cider- The Madcap Shaman (70)* – Artefact of Power: Moonface Momment – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Grinkrak the Great (190)** Malus – The Squigboss (80)** – General – Command Trait: The Clammy Hand
BATTLELINE 20 x Moonclan Shootas (125)* 20 x Squig Hoppers (360)** 36 x Squig Herd (390)** 10 x Boingrot Bounderz (280)**
TERRAIN 1 x Bad Moon Loonshrine (0)
OTHER 6 x Sneaky Snufflers (110)** 6 x Grinkrak’s Looncourt (190)**
LEADERS Megaboss on Maw-Krusha (480)** – General – Command Trait: Hulking Brute – Boss Choppa and Rip-tooth fist – Artefact: Armour of Gork – Mount Trait: Fast ‘Un Orruk Megaboss (140)* – Artefact: Destroyer – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Orruk Warchanter (120)** Orruk Warchanter (120)* Orruk Weirdnob Shaman (90)* – Lore of the Weird: Da Great Big Green Hand of Gork
UNITS 6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)** – Jagged Gore-hackas 3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)** – Jagged Gore-hackas 3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)** – Pig-iron Choppas 5 x Orruk Brutes (150)** – Jagged Gore-hackas – 1 x Gore Choppas 5 x Orruk Brutes (150)** – Jagged Gore-hackas – 1 x Gore Choppas
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS The Burning Head (30)
We said no comments, but this is my list. Happy with 3/5 with Ironjawz. Shout out to the Burning Head, for armies with no casting buffs and little range, it can be a very useful little source of easy to cast AoE Mortal Wounds.
This is the top three AoS lists for Stockholm Slaughter 9 took place in Sweden on the 18th and 19th of March. It involved 18 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
Allegiance: Fyreslayers – Lodge: Vostarg – Grand Strategy: Master of the Forge – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Auric Runefather (120)* – General – Command Trait: Fury of the Fyreslayers Auric Runemaster (130)*** – Artefact: Volatile Brazier – Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal Auric Flamekeeper (90)*** Auric Flamekeeper (90)*** Battlesmith (150) – Artefact: Nulsidian Icon – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Auric Runesmiter (120) – Forge Key – Prayer: Ember Storm
UNITS 15 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (450)* – Poleaxes 30 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (480)** 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)** 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)**
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)** – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Daemonic Speed Exalted Hero of Chaos (100)** – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Rune-etched Blade and Chaos Runeshield – Spells: Binding Damnation – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (195)** – General – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Command Traits: Not to be Denied – Daemonic Axe – Wings – Artefacts of Power: Helm of the Oppressor – Spells: Daemonic Speed
BATTLELINE Corvus Cabal (80)* Corvus Cabal (80)* Chaos Knights (460)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Doom Knight – Standard Bearer – Hornblower – Cursed Flail – Ensorcelled banner: The Eroding Icon
OTHER Chaos Chosen (480)* – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Exalted Champion – 2 x Icon Bearer – 2 x Skull Drummer – Ensorcelled banner: The Banner of Screaming Flesh Ogroid Theridons (380)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Thorakon – Goroan Great Axe – 2 x Banner Bearer – 2 x Charge-caller
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Soulscream Bridge (80)
Leaders Orruk Megaboss (140)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of the Weird: Da Great Big Green Hand of Gork Orruk Warchanter (120)* – Artefact: Gryph-feather Charm (Galletian Champion) – Warbeat: Get ‘Em Beat – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Orruk Warchanter (120)* – Warbeat: Killa Beat
Battleline 5 x Orruk Ardboys (80)* 6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)** – Jagged Gore-hackas – Reinforced x 1 6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)*** – Jagged Gore-hackas – Reinforced x 1 6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)*** – Jagged Gore-hackas – Reinforced x 1 3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)** – Jagged Gore-hackas 3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)*** – Jagged Gore-hackas 5 x Spider Riders (90)* 5 x Spider Riders (90)
This is the top three AoS lists for Realmgate Rampage II that took place in the USA on the 4th and 5th of March. It involved 37 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: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Follow the Path to Glory – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Daemonic Speed – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Daemonic Speed
BATTLELINE Chaos Knights (460)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Doom Knight – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon The Unmade (80)* Corvus Cabal (80)*
OTHER Chaos Chosen (480)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Exalted Champion – 2 x Icon Bearer – 2 x Skull Drummer Varanguard (580)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – 6 x Fellspear
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Soulscream Bridge (80)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
Peter: I reached out to Anthony to see if he would be able to give us some info on how this list works. The legend kindly responded:
Anthony: So I mostly just lifted the list from Big Phil Marshall, with a few tweaks to marks. The army has 3 key pieces, with a bit of utility to support them. First, the block of 10 Nurgle-marked Knights with the Eroding Icon is incredibly tough to shift, while also able to do a fair bit of damage on the charge. Next are two hammer units: 10 Khorne Chosen, and 6 Khorne Varanguard with spears. I chose to go with Khorne on both units because, for the most part, these units perform threat removal duty, and I want those threats gone immediately. Plus, it means you get even more value if you use the ability to activate a second time in the combat phase on the turn that they charged. All three units are 30 wounds on a 3+ save, but have drastically different roles, and you can further enhance with the 2 Sorcerer Lords. There are quite a few spells that you want to get off, hence the choice of adding Arcane Tome, Master of Magic, and being in Cabalists. Lastly, Corvus Cabal is a nice piece to be able to save and snag an objective after the battlelines shift, the Unmade help ensure that the units you want to charge cannot redeploy away and make the charge harder, and the bridge increases your threat range immensely.
Being one drop means you decide first turn in most cases. A typical game sees you giving away the turn, although you do have the speed to rush across the board to hit your opponent before they can set up any of their buffs if they misdeploy in an egregious way. The other advantage of going second is that it allows your Sorcerer Lord to use both the heroic action for 3d6 cast and 3d6 for rolling on the Eye of the Gods table. You want to be rolling for that early and often. Getting an 11-12 on 3d6, rerolling one die isn’t too unlikely, but it’s still something that relies on rolling, and all it takes is your sorcerer lords getting killed off to remove your ability to achieve your Grand Strategy. I typically use the Knights to block areas of the board off from my opponent and initiate trades. It will cost most armies more value to remove this unit than the 460 points that the knights cost, and the Chosen and Varanguard hit hard enough that most things will struggle to survive contact with them. You’re looking to value trade more efficiently than your opponent, which is what the Slaves to Darkness do incredibly well.
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Allegiance: Stormcast Eternals – Stormhost: Knights Excelsior (Scions of the Storm) – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Karazai, The Scarred (550)* Celestant-Prime, Hammer of Sigmar (330)* Lord-Imperatant (170)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Spell: Celestial Blades – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Battleline 3 x Annihilators (180)* 3 x Annihilators (180)* 3 x Annihilators (180)*
Units 3 x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (240)* 3 x Praetors (140)*
Peter: We reached out to Joseph, who kindly offered a quick synopsis on how his list works.
Joseph: Use the longstrikes the aoe mortals and the charge mortals from the annilators to punch large holes in their army’s screens and key buff pieces. Then go for the kill with the prime and Karazai.
Brett: Joseph undersells his list a bit, there is a bit of tech in how he has set up the list to do exactly what he says it will. There is a Lord Imperatant to make sure those Annihilators only have a 7″ charge. Best case that’s 3 turns of skyfalling. The list is Knights Excelsior to give a Paladin unit +1 to hit and wound on top of being battline. The Annihilators don’t have Grandhammers so cheaper (by 60pts) and more durable. Rerollable 7″ charge that does D3 mortals on arrival, more mortals on the charge (on a 4+) and then hits on 2+, wounds on 2+, saves on 2+. Even if they don’t wipe a screen some will probably survive the counter attack. It also makes dropping 2 units in a turn more palatable, even if the second fails it’s 9″ charge it may survive to try again.
The Longstrikes have Thunderbolt Volley (and aren’t reinforced) to give a turn of double shooting. Praetors to bodyguard Karazi in the early game (he out paces them) wraps up the troops. After that the Lord Imperatant has Tunnel Master for a sneaky teleport and celestial blades just in case something needs help with wounding (melee weapons only). And lastly the Celestant Prime for another hammer mid to late game (when Karazai is normally running out of steam).
Not without it’s risks, in the end there are only 75 wounds in the list and it needs to dictate the engagement. Karazai is more rarely chosen because he is vulnerable to mortal wounds generally. Being a one drop army helps, Joseph will dictate the first round activation in most games. Competing well against combat armies, Joseph faced down a Tzeetch army which is a tall order for an army with almost no denies.
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Army Faction: Blades of Khorne – Army Subfaction: Reapers of Vengeance – Grand Strategy: The Day is Ours! – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Skarbrand (390) 1 x Archaon (860)* 1 x Bloodsecrator (130)* – General – Command Traits: Mage Eater – Artefacts: Skullshard Mantle – Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage 1 x Slaughterpriest (100)* – Bloodbathed Axe – Prayers: Blood Sacrifice
A lot of armies in Age of Sigmar can be broken down into units of hammers and anvils. This is a useful distinction, since it gives a quick idea of what role a unit needs to play, why you would include them in your list, and what to expect from your opponent’s force. Blades of Khorne do not work this way.
Blades can be better broken into three categories: independent operators, tech pieces, and drones. In Samuel’s case, he has brought a balance of the three, with a skew towards independent operators.
In this list, the idependents are Archaeon and Skarbrand. Both are meant to be beatstick intimidation pieces with minor buffs to other units. Archaeon is the only wizard in Samuel’s list, and he will see some benefit from Mystic Shield, but the known spell are limited since Khorne does not have a spell lore (for obvious reasons). Skarbrand is an excellent intimidating force, and only opponents that have never faced him before will risk damaging him without being positive that he will die. At his lowest bracket (his best) he can guarantee 8 mortal wounds with his axe, Carnage. While he can’t score VP from killing a Galletian Champion, he can certainly deny his opponent a few battle tactics through the use of the rare rule: “you can just pick that one up.”
The Bloodsecrator, Slaughterpriest, and Cockatrice are Samuel’s tech pieces. The first provides two useful auras (forcing Wizards to re-roll successful casting attempts and providing Blades of Khorne units +1 attack). The second gives access to prayers (Blood Sacrifice in this case, allowing early blood tithe gains) and invocations (which Samuel has elected to leave at home). The Cockatrice brings a particularly interesting ability that is one of the few in this list that will benefit Archaeon. If the Cockatrice manages to ping some mortal wounds on an opponent, that unit can only hit on 6s in that combat phase. This can be used to either protect Archaeon and Skarbrand from the beatings Samuel’s opponents are surely going to throw at them, or can be used to add some additional protection for his drones.
A note for the above units: Skarbrand, the Bloodsecrator, and the Slaughterpriest can all be used at summoning points for daemon units. Khorne is in a great spot right now, partially because the summoning mechanic allows them to pull a GC out of thin air onto an objective for the measly cost of 2 blood tithe points. This allows for some seriously flexible scoring, ecen into the late game, assuming you have a hero or skull alter and some blood tithe points burning a hole in your pocket.
Back on the subject of drones, Samuel has chosen to take the mortal flavor of drone: 10 blood warriors and 30 blood reavers. The blood warriors’ 2 wounds and 4+ somehow make them one of the most durable units in the book (about equal with Mighty Skullcrushers), which is saying something. The blood reavers are fast and will die as soon as they connect with something, providing some early blood tithe points.
All around a deceptively technical list, and one that was piloted to a great 4-1.
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Allegiance: Flesh-eater Courts – Grand Court: Blisterskin – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs:
LEADERS Abhorrant Archregent (240)* – Artefact: The Dermal Robe – Lore of Madness: Deranged Transformation – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Abhorrant Ghoul King on Royal Terrorgheist (450)* – General – Command Trait: Hellish Orator – Artefact: Eye of Hysh – Mount Trait: Gruesome Bite – Lore of Madness: Spectral Host Crypt Infernal Courtier (130)*
UNITS 9 x Crypt Flayers (540)** 10 x Crypt Ghouls (80)** 10 x Crypt Ghouls (80)*
BEHEMOTHS Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480) – Allies
CORE BATTALIONS *Warlord **Galletian Veterans
TOTAL: 2000/2000 WOUNDS: 83 DROPS: 7
Declan: Well I’m the first to admit that I’m not an expert in Flesh Eater Courts, but I have fought them a few times and this one has a Incarnate of Ghur – so there’s that. Frederic has gone for the 4-1 that’s difficult to pull off known as the submarine (LWWWW); and it’s a great result with a difficult army to use. This one is all about close assault, the Krondspine, Terrorgheist and Crypt Flayers.
Despite the increase in cost (480 points from 400 points in the latest balance update), the Krondspine is still good, and as he doesn’t die until the end of the turn so when it’s in combat you can guarantee it will dish out damage.
Games Workshop via Wahapedia
This allows teleporting Ghouls and gives the Terrorghiest a useful -1 to be hit with the Eye of Hysh, not to mention his warscroll ability to summon more Crypt Flayers. The Archregent can do the same, but also comes with a great utility spell:
Games Workshop via Wahapedia
It’s easy to cast and – crucially – lasts to the next hero phase. This means Frederic can make one awesome unit a turn with additional D3 attacks in combat. Sure, he may roll a 1, but you’ll never forget it if you’re on the other end of a 3 on a Terrorgheist or Crypt Flayers.
The army certainly has potential, but Frederic must have commanded it well to get a 4-1; they’re still not common with FEC.
This is the top three AoS lists for the G&T GT that took place in the UK on the 4th and 5th of March. It involved 8 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
As this was a small event, with less than 20 players, there will be no comments on the lists from Woehammer writers as they concentrate on the larger events.
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
Allegiance: Ogor Mawtribes – Mawtribe: Boulderhead – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Ready for Plunder – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Bloodpelt Hunter (140)* – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Huskard on Thundertusk (330)* – Blood Vulture – Mount Trait: Rimefrost Hide – Prayer: Pulverising Hailstorm Slaughtermaster (140)* – Lore of Gutmagic: Molten Entrails Frostlord on Stonehorn (450) – General – Command Trait: Touched by the Everwinter – Heal – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Mount Trait: Rockmane Elder – Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon
Allegiance: Beasts of Chaos – Greatfray: Quakefray – Grand Strategy: Protect the Herdstone – Triumphs:
Leaders Doombull (160)* – General – Command Trait: Bestial Cunning Great Bray-Shaman (95)* : The Knowing Eye – Lore of the Twisted Wilds: Tendrils of Atrophy – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Great Bray-Shaman (95)* – Artefact: Brayblast Trumpet – Lore of the Twisted Wilds: Primal Dominance
DANNY Ok, so first question for you, Phil – you’ve been on a few shows (like Coach’s) to talk about your thoughts on the whole book. But since then, I know you’ve played a whole bunch of test games, putting theory into practice. How many have you played since the book came out, and have any of your theories/feelings changed since the plastic has hit the table?
PHIL I have played a “couple” of games with the new book. Based on my spreadsheets, I have played 67 games with the new book, of which 13 of them are with the new GHB. My initial thoughts on the book was that Host of the Everchosen and Ravagers were going to be Damned Legions that I was going to lean into the most. Hosts is still really appealing for access to the second banner. The 5+ rally I thought was really strong but is also very situational as your army wants to be grinding it out in combat.
Ravagers, I think, have huge potential within a teams setting by maximising on cultists, splintered fang mostly but is something that I think will struggle in singles play. Having played a few games with both (11 with Hosts and 7 with Ravagers) I soon felt that the army felt quite reliant on its spell casting to elevate it to the level that I want it to play at, the army needs it spells to come off to really show its pure power. The Heroic action Draw on Power tends to be the go to heroic action and with this come the sacrifice of additional CP for what is quite a CP hungry army, at least with the new GHB going second will allow multiple heroic actions.
Since working this out, I have found myself playing purely Cabalists and have got in 49 games with them with two losses to Laurie & Sylvaneth and Mike Wilson with that horrid Hexwraith list. Both of which were close games. The power of casting 5 spells (in my builds) on 3D6 all but assures for a successful magic phase and even armies like Tzeentch struggle to shut you down, even if they welcome the 5 fate points, they dont like a fully buffed unit of Chosen having a 5″ charge through a soulscream bridge with Levitate.
DANNY Haha, yes, just a couple! I’ve played a slightly more humble 10 games (8 in new season) with the new book but I can totally see what you mean about HOTE – it’s hard to play into the rally while doing what the army wants to do. And yeah, Cabalists is where I’ve landed too – like you say, being able to actually plan around your casting and mitigate our lack of range/MWs with endless spells etc is clutch. Fascinating early thoughts, thank you. Since playing those 67 games, what’s your overall vibe on the book? Are you happy with the tools it has? At a high level, how do you think it’s balanced internally and externally?
I know you’ve said Splintered Fang seem to stick out internal AND external balance wise – they seem pretty obviously ‘off’ – but are there any other army rules or units that are standing out for better/worse to you?
PHIL Overall, I am happy with where the book has landed. We all knew the save stacking was going to disappear and as were all the re-rolls that we had. I am sure a lot of non slaves to darkness players are pretty happy about this! The new book really suits the way I like to play, which is very much an aggro play style. Your models will now die but will do a mass amount of damage in the process. With regards to the tools it has on offer, the lists that I have been focused on are still really reliant on the sorcerer lords and hard-hitting elite units such as Chosen and Knights. These units are quite pricey but are worth every point for me. The addition of the ensorceled banners is great and gives so much to these elite units with either the survive-ability of the nurgle banner or the heavy hitting prowess of the khorne or slaanesh banner.
What helps is that we still also have very cheap battle line options with the cultists that do a great job for their points costs, particularly the Unmade and Corvus Cabal for me. In terms of the questions regarding the internal/external balance. As I stated, a lot of people are going to be much happier playing against this book as you will actually see models get taken off the table. The army is a lot more “honest” now, its a combat army that hits like a train, has a good save, but isn’t immune to rend 5, for example.
People are going to hate me, I don’t actually think the splintered fang are as much of an issue as everyone thinks with them, yes they do MWs on 6s to hit and wound on a 2+. A unit of 30 with no buffs other than khorne on the charge is 96 attacks, which averages 16MWs and 26 saves at no rend. They are then bravery 6, 5+ save, movement 6. Good players will be able to deal with them before they get there.
Units that I think have really stood out for me are Chosen, which may sound stupid after playing with Varanguard for so long. The double fight mechanic can never be overlooked, especially as they dont need to be within 3″ for it to trigger, and with a 2″ reach, it can be quite devastating if people don’t screen correctly. These with a soulscream bridge are super scary when casting all spells on 3d6. The unit in Khorne averages 12 damage and 7MWs against a 2+ unrendable save on the first activation. For me, there isn’t much in the game that can stand up to this unit double fighting. The other unit for me is Knights. Initially, I was looking at them as big damages sources as MSU and was running warriors in Nurgle with the banner.
Now I have moved to a big unit of knights with the nurgle banner as they can add an extra dynamic to the list to what the warriors gave, they give that double edge with being able to deal damage and also grind out your opponents, I often use them to pin in my opponents and clear away all the screens turn 1 to leave open avenues for my chosen to get bridged in and do damage.
Big miss for me is Archaon, and I hate to say it, as he and I had such a bromance last year. But at 860, he’s over costed. He has some great abilities with no inspiring or rally, but he just doesnt do enough consistent damage to warrant the price tag anymore, he is also keyword locked into a subfaction that offers him no benefits and also potentially hampers the army you take in it. As you then start struggling to fully utilise the double banners. If you could take him in Ravagers and perform the heroic action attributed to them, then Archaon may be back in my list buidling.
DANNY Sorceror Lords definitely do a lot of heavy lifting, don’t they? And amen in terms of the chaff – I’m so impressed with how they’ve managed to make almost all of the Warcry cultist units have their own identity and role. Horns of Hashut don’t jump off the page, but even they have a ranged anti-chaff attack and decent tankiness for their points. Cypher Lords and Tarantulos – and this is a shame because they both look so cool – are two of the less inspiring ones, but otherwise, it’s a great selection.
On that note – haha I think you’d have to say worse than that about the Splintered Fang for me to hate you – they’re a hot topic but I’m with you – they have great output on paper but we all know games aren’t won on paper. Chosen are the new darlings for sure, right? I know you’re making hay with the Khorne allies while the sun shines – but I think even once that ends, with Undivided mark and the Dread Banner I’ve found it’s super reliable to get them to rend 2-3 and a few other super useful buffs too.
Nurgle Knights as a pinning device is very interesting – given they hit on 4s (frustrating!), this sounds like a great way to run them. And I also hard agree with you on Archaon – I know how much it must hurt you to say that!! – in my test games with him, he’s super fun but yeah, his damage output is actually super swingy and poor overall, and agree the key word locking is frustrating as it really limits the tactical options of both him and some of the ‘lesser’ sub-factions.
So, let’s double down on sub-factions quickly. We know Cabalists is strong. HOTE and KOTET both have very clear and obvious benefits and play styles. But do you think there’s any untapped potential in LotP, Ravagers, or Despoilers?
Despoilers seems to me like the faction for ‘oh you’re an old player with loads of daemon princes and monsters – here’s a way you can kinda use them together – but just seems utterly non competitive given what monsters and daemon princes in the book are like.
PHIL For me I actually think Ravagers have the ability to be very good on the table, there are a lot of strong cultist units in the book and with the culmination of also a good allies pool, could pose a real threat on the table top, especially with the heroic action to bring back half a unit. Imagine killing a unit of splintered fang after its just done 26 MWs and forced 49 armour saves [EDITOR’s NOTE: Obvs there’s since been the FAQ to disallow Khorne heroes buffing Slaves units, but you get the point] with the right khorne pieces bloodstoker & bloodsecrator with the charge, then they come back in your hero phase and you get to do half of that all over again! The fact that they come down in the hero phase and you are able to move after is another huge benefit. I was playing some test games with them with Archaon and having them fight on death as well.
Once the Khorne allies go, I think we are more likely to see a transition to Slaanesh to aid their delivery to where they want to be, run and charge, throw in a warshrine and charge 3d6 and you will be able to get the across the board pretty reliably. You might even see a Daemon Prince with a trophy rack to aid them against the chip damage!
Legion of The First Prince is an interesting one. It’s not one that I would focus on the allies pool too much or even Belakor. I instead would really lean into the eye of the gods and look to roll as much as you can on the table with a unit of 10 Chosen or 6 Varanguard, with the ability to give one of these the mark of your choice each turn it really gives great utility to react to what is happening in a game. I played my friend the other day with 10 Chosen with the dread banner and he is rolling on the eye of the gods up to 3 times a turn, think by turn 3 his Chosen were rend 4, plus 3 to charge and 6+ Ward. There is definitely scope there! But are they better than the other banners? Time will tell.
I will be honest, Despoilers. Read it, didn’t look into it. I am sure Simon Weakley will come up with some mental list surrounding a bunch of Daemons Princes but I dont think that there scroll is the strongest out there, the fact that the best ability is an heroic action is frustrating. The fact that you can add 2 wounds to all your Daemon Princes and Monsters is nice, with a 3+ save on the princes and 6+ Ward. You effectively become 14 wounds. There are some nice command traits you can use that make the princes a bit more tanky or fighty, but it really isn’t a legion i would be leaning into.
DANNY Yeah Despoilers definitely seems like the biggest miss, mainly due to how limited Daemon Princes are like you say – I’ve had success with one as a utility platform (trophy wracks keeping blobs of Chosen/Warriors safe, turning off wards, extra heroic action etc) but more than one seems likea huge trap.
Ok – I’d love to get your thoughts on something more philosophical – and that’s why are the coolest looking units in the book so mediocre? Daemon Prince, the iconic Chaos Warshrine, both ‘beasts (Mutalith and Slaughter), Ogroid Myrmidon – and I’m going to throw the Chaos and Exalted lords in there even though they have obvious scoring utility in the new season. Why did the rules writers take their foot of the gas on them – or do they have potential? Seems to me, if nothing else, the Myrmidon and chaos lords have utterly boring scrolls and essentially rely on lucky EotG rolls to become semi-useful late game, when most foot heroes in the game have some kind of fun buff/command ability etc.
The Muta/Slaughter beasts seem almost there but lack the things you’d expect – no decent rend on a giant Khorne monster, most of the Mutalith effects being super poor and relying on having a Tzeentch wizard nearby (which you don’t want as Gaunt summoner sucks and the Tzeentch mark also sucks) – etc etc. Am I missing something with these guys? They’re my biggest let downs in the book, and even though we have enough stuff to be competitive, it feels like there’s a lot of missed design/fun potential here. Thoughts?
PHIL For me, I think two of the MVPs of the last book in the Chaos Lord & The Warshrine are a detriment of their own success. For a long period of time, you saw both these models in the vast majority of lists. The Warsrhine for me is the biggest miss, though, as this book feels like you want to be mixing and matching sub factions, and locking its ability to the keyword it’s assigned is a feels bad. Particularly, as Slaanesh for me feels the only really viable mark for the 3D6 charge. My lovely Mindstealer was quickly moved from auto, including to the bin, with the removing of its awesome ability and the monster keyword! Both the Slaughter & Mutalith Vortex beasts are warscrolls I quickly passed over, as you say the lack of rend on the Slaughter Beast and the Mortilth Vortex Beast having cool abilities but the chances of them coming off cant be assured in the slightest.
However, I actually like the Gaunt Summoner! He is a two cast wizard, knows the full spell (which allows him to know levitate), and naturally plus 1 to cast. The summoner gives options with spell casting, but I feel he is slightly over costed at 210 points. But, I have used in some Host of The Everchosen lists that I have been trialling as that second banner keeps eyeing me up!
DANNY Yeah I think you’re right, GW have mostly smashed it out of the park with 3e books feeling very thematic etc, but they do seem to have a pattern of hammering stuff too much down that stood out before. My issue is that it’s not a points issue necessarily, but a frustrating design issue. And yeah I totally agree on the Gaunt Summoner being over-costed – he’s a great magic option for the reasons you say, but the fact the Tzeentch Mark is so weak and him being so fragile for the points means it just feels way too risky to me to ever really include. But sure, outside of Cabalists, he gives you some magic phase flexibility.
OK, final questions! At the current points, what tier (or take a guess at average win-rate for the season) would you put the book in – for most normal (but competitive) players? What do you think our red match ups are?
PHIL For me I think the book is in between A & B tier, I think the win rate will very much the same at around 45%, people used to be able to get away with mistakes if they got the save stacking right, whereas now its not as forgiving, which sounds stupid considering the army has a base 3+ save, but with only one mystic shield and all out defense we need to think carefully of where it needs to go. The army packs even more of a punch now, so when you go in and it goes right, it will smash people away. The biggest reds for me are Lumineth, Tzeentch, and anything with mass AOE mortal wounds.
We are so reliant on our heroes and spell casting, so if opponents have a way of getting around the new Galletian Champions rules, it’s going to cause a massive issue and really lowers the effectiveness of the list. Tzeentch and Lumineth can both do this very well through magic. The next red is Nighthaunt, they can just turn off the fact that the army is 3+ save with the charge debuffs and with the cruciator reducing damage it becomes really hard as we have no way of taking out these pieces at range really without allying in units.
DANNY Legendary. I can believe that – I also think some of the design failings we spoke about combined with the eliteness just means we won’t be able to keep up with the board control of certain armies – looking at you with a side-goat-eye new BoC book and maybe even Gitz.
Ok, I think that about wraps it up, much as I’d love to ask you endless questions, I know you have a small tournament over in the US shortly to prepare for….
[Post-script] That little tournament was LVO – at which Phil went 4-1, losing only to 3rd place Kaleb’s Tzeentch, by 1 point!
This is the top three AoS lists for Bloodshed in the Shires that took place in the UK on the 4th and 5th February. It involved 80 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.
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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
Allegiance: Lumineth Realm-lords – Great Nation: Helon – Grand Strategy: Defend What’s Ours – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Archmage Teclis and Celennar, Spirit of Hysh (700)* – General Scinari Cathallar (110)* – Artefact: Silver Wand – Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Battleline 5 x Hurakan Windchargers (130)* 5 x Hurakan Windchargers (130)* 10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)* – Lore of Hysh: Overwhelming Heat 20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)* – Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh – Reinforced x 1
Other Units 20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)* – Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh – Reinforced x 1
Endless Spells & Invocations Rune of Petrification (60) The Burning Head (30) Umbral Spellportal (80)
What a whopper! Of course, at the top is Teclis, who knows all the spells, and casting 4 at casting value 10 (Without a roll, making crucial spells like Total Eclipse all but inevitable). Through the Umbral Spell Portal, he can throw Searing White Light through to deal a staggering number of mortal wounds all over the place. Between the book spells, Burning head and Rune of Petrification mortal wounds will be dropped all over the place. Adding to the headache, Searing Heat and Rune of Petrification also inflict movement penalties, slowing the enemy army to a crawl.
The rest of the list is mostly pure efficiency. Sentinels still have some of the deadliest shooting in the game, and with 2 units supporting each other, their range is extremely deadly. Even if the enemy gets close, Helon gives +1 shots, putting opponents in a no-win situation. Wardens will keep the enemy at bay while Windchargers move up and grab objectives.
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Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness – Damned Legion: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Archaon the Everchosen (860)* – The Lore of the Damned: Daemonic Speed Gaunt Summoner on Disc of Tzeentch (240)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
Battleline 3 x Varanguard (290)* – 3x Daemonforged Blade – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 3 x Varanguard (290)* – 3x Daemonforged Blade – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 3 x Varanguard (290)* – 3x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
New Slaves are starting to make their first splashes in the scene! Initial impressions (including my own) is that there isn’t a great deal of depth to the competitive parts of the book – and Ben here is proving that out with a 3 warscroll list – that is nevertheless highly effective.
Varanguard are pricey at 290 but obviously still slap. The main question when taking them is ‘which weapon’ – with three units, Ben has opted for 2 units to have the Daemon blades (additional mortals on 6s) for tough armour/unrendable cracking – and one ‘scalpel’ unit with rend 3 (on the charge) lances. Keeping them MSU fulfills the battleline tax – and marking them all as Nurgle (-1 to wound in melee) means that on the off-chance they don’t vaporize whatever they go into, or get counter-charged, they could well stick around to hit back down the line.
In KOTET, they can all run and charge, which gives them a huge degree of threat projection and in a battle regiment, Ben probably often gave first away for a devastating first turn of multiple charges where a double could end it there – or postured up carefully and pounced once the opponent over-extended.
Archaon has been a controversial topic among the community since the new rules dropped, but Ben here finds success – given Archaon selects his Mark at the start of the game, there’s tactical flexibility there – for my money, I’d bet he marked him Nurgle most of the time and used him as a durable, utility platform (especially for issuing fight on death to the Varanguard) with a huge board presence.
A cheeky gaunt summoner rounds out the list for a vulnerable but incredibly reliable source of casting – with the Slaves heroic action ‘Draw on Power’, he will have been casting 3 spells on 3d6+1 with one re-roll.
Big congrats to Ben for a strong showing with the new book.
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Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness – Damned Legion: Cabalists – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – The Lore of the Damned: Daemonic Speed – The Lore of the Damned: Chaotic Cunduit – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – The Lore of the Damned: Daemonic Speed – Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
Battleline 10 x Chaos Knights (460)* – Cursed Lance – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Reinforced x 1 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided
Units 10 x Chaos Chosen (480)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Reinforced x 1 6 x Varanguard (580)* – Daemonforged Blade and Warpsteel Shield – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Reinforced x 1
Big Phil’s list – unchanged from his LVO outing – operates a bit differently to Ben’s, by dint of the 10 blob of Nurgle Knights with the banner – making the unit 30 wounds of 3+, -1 to wound and -1 to rend. Combined with the Soulscream Bridge – reliably cast in Cabalists along with the other important buff spells of Daemonic Power (+1 to hit and wound) and Daemonic Speed for a 3d6 charge – they operate as an alpha pin piece.
Then, the 6 Varanguard follow up behind, marked Khorne to ensure they obliterate whatever they reach. Two sets of cheap’n’cheeky deepstriking Corvus Cabal fill out the battleline while 10 Chosen bring up the rear as a durable, very slappy 3rd wave. Marked Undivided, if they take an objective off the opponent, or kill a hero/monster, they have the ability to start stacking important buffs from the Eye of the Gods table – such as additional rend, +1 to charge, etc!
As mentioned, this is all supported by a brace of sorceror lords – who in Cabalists, and including Arcane Tome, while within 3″ of one another – will be putting out 5 3d6 casts!
It’s a savage list that only lost to LRL Helon, who are capable of throwing out insane weight of mortals while also being Slave Cavalry’s worst nightmare, -1 to hit.
Big love to Phil (whose interview about the Slaves book we’ll be just about to publish as you read this) for pioneering a list I imagine we will see more of in the very near future.
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Allegiance: Fyreslayers – Lodge: Greyfyrd – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Master of the Forge – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Auric Runefather on Magmadroth (360)* – General – Command Trait: Blood of the Berzerker – Artefact: Draught of Magmalt Ale – Magmadroth Trait: Coal-heart Ancient Auric Runesmiter (120)* – Runic Iron – Artefact: Ash-cloud Rune – Prayer: Ember Storm Auric Runesmiter (120)* – Runic Iron – Artefact: Volatile Brazier – Prayer: Prayer of Ash Battlesmith (150)** – Aspect of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha – Artefact: Nulsidian Icon Auric Runeson (80)** – Ancestral War-axe Auric Flamekeeper (90)** Doomseeker (80)**** – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Battleline 10 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (300)**** – Poleaxes – Reinforced x 1 10 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (300)* – Broadaxes – Reinforced x 1 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)*** 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)***
To save us getting any info wrong on the list, I reached out to Dominic, who kindly agreed to write a few words on how his list works. Congratulations again, Dominic. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you and your Fyreslayers this season.
Dominic Stonebridge: If I were to summarise the build of this list – it was designed to be able to score maximum points every turn. It plays the primary well, finds easy battle tactics, and offers the chance to stop your opponent from achieving theirs. It’s a real grind list, but you win warhammer on scoring the most points…and that was the idea behind this list.
Firstly, I chose Greyfyrd for the additional artefacts and extra wound on the heroes. Taking a large number of survivable heroes enables easy scoring of battletactics, especially when coupled with those in the book.
Given the inability to shoot the heroes, the Magmadroth now plays a different role as you can afford to send him into more risky situations if he’s going to trade well, rather than having to protect him to keep the 4+ ward on the Hearthguard! Here I’ve built him as a combat machine with the ability to double his axe attacks and also fight twice once a game. In one round of combat you can get his big axe of 10 attacks – 2s, 2s, -3, 3 and fighting twice…clear a screen and pile into the good stuff or save it for something you really want dead.
Two priests give you options to run and charge but the artefacts are the real tech…one makes you invisible to spells for one hero phase (one of the biggest threats to the slayers GC) and the other gives a reroll and double range of the Magmic invocations. This enables you to pin your opponent at 36” with the wall or start getting mortals into your opponent turn one…such reach slayers lists are normally lacking. This also achieves your battletactic just having one on the board…wild.
Now the Battlesmith. The main event. A 4+ rally, with which you can do 3x using the leadership of the alpha, though I’ve mainly used that for three AODs or AOAs. He also has a 4+ spell ignore bubble and dishes out a 6+ ward, which one a game becomes a 5+. This Slayers list ticks with all the GC alive, and he helps you do that.
The Flamekeeper is next up who gives you a nice little toolbox. Once five slayers die in range, which you’ve probably rallied back on a 4+, he can make a unit charge in your opponents combat phase (or your own to avoid unleash hell!), give plus one damage or fight on death. Fight first and on death Hearthguard play really well into alpha lists or use a counter charge to get onto an objective and stop, say, a battle tactic.
The runeson is mainly there for more survivability and to babysit one unit of Hearthguard, as he shrugs wounds onto them, and then the Doomseeker offers a teleporting GC – opening up even more battle tactics.
Finally, onto normal units…Vulkites with dual Handaxes can get 30 attacks in a unit if they charge and also fight on death. You can use them really effectively with the slayers runes, such as -1 rend or mortals on 6s to wound, and they’ll trade really well if used properly. They also offer screens against alpha armies with high rend…as Hearthguard will die if you can’t roll 4 ups! You can get these Vulkites onto a 5+ ward and -1 to wound too…making them actually quite hard to shift and a bit of a battle tactic trap!
Last but not least, the Hearthguard. A hammer and an anvil – you can deepstrike them with a rune smiter who, in the absence of sharpshooters, can’t be shot and therefore you no longer need to stay in your castle as you once did as a Slayer player! You can build multiple castles around the board…