Category Archives: Daughters of Khaine

Top Three AoS Lists for Welsh Open

This is the top three AoS lists for Welsh Open that took place in the Cardiff, Wales on the 29th and 30th of April. It involved 51 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: Ogor Mawtribes
Mawtribe: Boulderhead
Grand Strategy: Ready for Plunder
Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Big Chungus (450)*
Frostlord on Stonehorn
– General
– Command Trait: Voice of the Avalanche
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Mount Trait: Rockmane Elder
Queen Divine (330)**
Huskard on Thundertusk
– Blood Vulture
– Mount Trait: Rimefrost Hide
– Prayer: Keening Gale

BATTLELINE
Netflix Comedy Special (310)*
Stonehorn Beastriders
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
Lesbian Bed Death (310)*
Stonehorn Beastriders
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
The TERF Eater (310)*
Stonehorn Beastriders
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
White Male Privilege (270)**
Thundertusk Beastriders
– Weapon: Blood Vulture

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Torrbad

TOTAL: 1980 / 2000

Taking down the Welsh Open in a SPICY meta (it’s the stomping ground of the Team Lit folks, among many other reputable gaming clubs around the greater area) is this Monster truck list from competitive stalwart, Hazel Moon.

vroom vroom! Aside from the galaxy-brain race-horse style names, there’s not a tonne unusual about this list. Big Stonehorns never really go out of style – but one thing that makes them especially interesting in this season is their vulture attacks – it’s 1 MW on a 2+ per stonehorn but it doesn’t actually count as a shooting attack and can therefore target those lovely squishy GCs with, on average, 5 MWs per shooting phase.

Other than being strong on objectives, having fantastic charge mortals (especially helpful in this -1/2 hit meta we’re seeing), this is a super reliable list with all the tools to do well – the fact Hazel took down BoC, KO and Fyreslayers twice is testament to the that. Keep on truckin’ Hazel!

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Allegiance: Fyreslayers
Lodge: Vostarg
Grand Strategy: Master of the Forge
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADERS
Auric Runefather (120)**
– General
– Command Trait: Spirit of Grimnir
Auric Runemaster (130)**
– Artefact: Volatile Brazier
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
Battlesmith (150)**
– Artefact: Nulsidian Icon
– Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Auric Runesmiter (120)***
– Forge Key
– Prayer: Ember Storm
Auric Flamekeeper (90)***
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
Auric Flamekeeper (90)***

BATTLELINE
30 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (480)*
– Reinforced x 2
10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)*
10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160)*
15 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (450)**
– Poleaxes
– Reinforced x 2

ENDLESS SPELLS AND INVOCATIONS
Molten Infernoth (40)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Galletian Veterans
**Warlord
***Command Entourage – Magnificent

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS
Artefact
Artefact

TOTAL: 1990 / 2000

Kevin Lathers: Now you may ask yourself, have I seen this list before? Well, sort of.

Slight permutations of this list have been making the rounds. Sometimes it’s Greyfyrd, but I think Vostarg has taken over a bit: it’s easy to see why with its huge bonus to vulkites (+1 to hit and wound on charge). That usually trumps two extra artefacts.

Pulling the previous summary of the list: it relies on blocks of infantry holding objectives and looking for openings to run + charge (ember storm prayer) into important units. The 10-man Vulkite units are both screens and hammers while the Hearthguard are immovable block that can strike first into anyone thinking charging it is a good idea.

The smaller Vulkites and HGB feed into the 30-man Vulkite unit which can pick anything in the game up off the board with dual-flamekeeper buffs. Between 90 and 120 attacks (if Runefather buff is active) on that 30-man black at 3-damage each means even if an opponent is saving on a 2+ they are going to get toasted.

Once the engine of the flamekeepers gets going it’s hard to stop unless opponents can somehow take them out. But they can be well protected behind the infantry and focus on them means Vulkites are staying alive. And with how many Vulkite and Hearthguard Berserkers there are, this is a lot of wounds to chew through.

It’s notable that Alex had to play against not one, but two, Helon LRL lists. LRL usually can give FS a tough time with their AoE spellcasting and precision MWs, but Alex managed to massage that Nulsidian Icon (4+ spell ignore) to a win against both opponents. Further, this list has the benefit of high wound amounts which can sometimes thwart LRL attempts at unit removal.

His other three opponents used combat armies (Khorne, Ogors, and NH) which always struggle into FS lists like this. Once they get stuck in and start killing vulkites it only makes the next combat even worse for them and they quickly getting burned to the ground by the incredible damage stacking of flamekeepers.

As long as we remain in this GHB I will expect to continue seeing this list, or ones very similar to it, show up.

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Allegiance: Sylvaneth
Glade: Heartwood
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Alarielle the Everqueen (820)*
Arch-Revenant (120)*
– General
– Command Trait: Warsinger
– Artefact: Seed of Rebirth (Universal Artefact)
– Aspect of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha

BATTLELINE
6 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (460)*
– Reinforced x 1
3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (230)*
5 x Tree-Revenants (110)*

UNITS
5 x Gossamid Archers (210)*

ENDLESS SPELL AND INVOCATIONS
Spiteswarm Hive (40)
Season: Dwindling

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL: 1990 / 2000

The Mathmallow version of the current Sylvaneth hotness adds a unit of Gossamid archers as an additional, incredibly mobile, screen to prevent opponents from interfering with the backline artillery station of 9 Kurnoth hunters.

This style of list has only gotten more popular as the way Sylvaneth is built in GTs has been honed to a fine edge, Alarielle creates a terrible problem for an opponent with her self-recursion and enormous wound count demanding answers, and quickly, to prevent Sylvaneth stabilising on board state and achieving enough positive trades to begin to take over in the late game when Alarielle returns. This long-game style of play, combined with enormous range of influence, excellent mobility and uninteractive trading make sylvaneth more than capable of taking all comers – an absolute must for a GT.

This list is relatively well-spoken about so I’ll avoid going into it too much but in this humble writer’s opinion the Gossamid archers are the most interesting inclusion in this list, an obvious answer to alpha-strike style combat armies, the gossamids are intended to give an extra layer of screening to objectives and provide time for the relatively medium output of the kurnoths to do their work. They do decent damage on their own but strike me as a tech piece aiming to address one of the major flaws of the list: it being so light on bodies. I’d be interested to hear what Mathmallow thinks of them after using them consistently in a few GTs.

A man that needs no introductions, posting another truly LIT performance, well done Mathew

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Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine
Temple: Hagg Nar
Mortal Realm: Ghur
Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
Triumphs: Inspired

LEADERS
Hag Queen on Cauldron of Blood (280)*
– General
– Command Trait: Zealous Orator
– Prayer: Sacrament of Blood
High Gladiatrix (90)**
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
High Gladiatrix (90)**
Bloodwrack Medusa (140)**
– Artefact: Crystal Heart
– Lore of Shadows: Mindrazor

BATTLELINE
20 x Witch Aelves (240)**
– Pairs of Sacrificial Knives
– Reinforced x 1
20 x Witch Aelves (240)**
– Pairs of Sacrificial Knives
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Witch Aelves (120)**
– Pairs of Sacrificial Knives
10 x Witch Aelves (120)**
– Pairs of Sacrificial Knives

UNITS
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*

BEHEMOTHS
Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)**
– Allies

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL: 2000 / 2000

DoK have seen a fairly dramatic fall from grace this season since their points hikes, a shallow book and a number of strong new tomes, but they’re still fundamentally a good army – especially, for my money, when they focus on Aelf swarms.

Those scantily glad murder-vixens don’t look like much on paper – but buffed with +1 to wound by the Gladiatrix, +1 to save by proximity to the Blood Wagon, and starting at Blood Rites 2 in Hagg Nar, they can really perform. If Mindrazor goes off on them too, which the Krondspine’s +1 to cast will help with, they can reach silly level of output, with 3 attacks at 2/3/-2/2 on the charge.

Speaking of Spinedog, we haven’t seen him around these parts for a while, but here he acts as a Morathi-proxy who is, under some scenarios, actually harder to kill and can really allow the Aelf hordes to get into position and choose favourable engagements.

A smart list which I don’t envy having to push around – dems a lorra liddle bases! Makes me wonder – are DoK in line for some new units (and I don’t mean useless Underworlds warbands etc) – perhaps with the Dawnbringer books? That little extra depth could be what they need to shine/bathe in blood again!

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Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists for the Neapolis GT

This is the top three AoS lists for the Neapolis GT that took place in Italy on the 1st and 2nd of April. It involved 24 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.

EDIT: We mistakenly claimed you could still take Flaming Weapon due to Arcane Tome post-FAQ – you can’t!

The Top Three AoS Lists

Army Faction: Ogor Mawtribes
Subfaction: Boulderhead
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Frostlord on Stonehorn (450)*
General
– Command Traits: Voice of the Avalanche
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Mount Traits: Rockmane Elder
– Spells: Flaming Weapon
Slaughtermaster (140)*
Spells: Molten Entrails
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
Stonehorn Beastriders (310)*
Blood Vulture
Stonehorn Beastriders (310)*
Blood Vulture
Stonehorn Beastriders (310)*
Blood Vulture
Mournfang Pack (170)*
Skalg
– Culling Clubs and Hackers and Ironfist

ARTILLERY
Ironblaster (200)*

OTHER
Frost Sabres (80)*

TERRAIN
1 x Great Mawpot (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1970/2000

Losing only to the shootier version of Ogors, Vincenzo has brought a tried and tested archetype to bear here – lots of bloody great big cows. It’s nothing we’ve not seen before but it has perennial appeal and value – 4 big bodies that are surprisingly fast, count for 10 each on objectives, are durable thanks to their in-built 5+ ward and do a whole bunch of mortals on the charge just works.

Tech wise, the general has Voice of the Avalanche, enabling him to issue a command to a unit anywhere on the board, which is helpful when you’re this low on bodies, and the Arcane Tome with Flaming weapon (which doesn’t work after the FAQ) to ensure he hits not just hard, but really fuckin’ hard. The Slaughtermaster acts as the token GC, with the only spell you should take in this kind of list – Molten Entrails – to further buff the Stonehorn damage.

The ‘compromise’ to this being just woops-all-cows is a unit of Mournfang, who’re just excellent fast all rounders with great tech to avoid unleash hell safely, an ironblaster for some ranged screen clearing or sniping units it would be a waste to commit a stonehorn to, and some cheeky snowcats for being cheap objective grabbers.

It’s a fun list honestly, and it does the business – so long as you’re careful with your positioning and timing. Well done Vinny!

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Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz
Army Subfaction: Jaws of Mork
– Grand Strategy: Chasing the Moon
– Triumphs: Indomitable

LEADER
1 x Fungoid Cave-Shaman (90)*
– Artefacts: Moonface Mommet
– Spells: The Hand of Gork
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
1 x Squigboss (80)**
General
– Command Traits: The Clammy Hand
1 x Skragrott, the Loonking (160)**

BATTLELINE
20 x Moonclan Stabbas (125)*
Moonclan Boss
– Bad Moon Icon Bearer
– Gong Basher
– Stabba
– 3 Barbed Nets
36 x Squig Herd (360)**
10 x Squig Hoppers (180)**
Squig Hopper Boss
30 x Squig Hoppers (540)**
Squig Hopper Boss

TERRAIN
1 x Bad Moon Loonshrine (0)

OTHER
1 x Marshcrawla Sloggoth (150)*
6 x Sneaky Snufflers (110)**
5 x Gobbapalooza (145)**
Spells: Squig Lure

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: (1940/2000)

I think we’ve all seen multiples of this list now. Like a vicious Cream of Mushroom soup, all those Squigs like to be up in your face munching through the opponents troops as soon as they can. Even when you do destroy them, they can be bought back at half strength on a 4+ so that you have to do it all over again… They’re harder to counter, which is why we keep seeing this list, or at least versions of it with slight variations.

We’ve got top fun-guy, Skragrott, and even with the recent points hike in the Battlecroll he’s pretty much going to be a go-to for Gitz players still. Then of course we’ve the Marshacrawla which appears in more Gitz lists than it does Kruleboyz lists (as a percentage, because us Kruleboyz players are a rare breed nowadays).

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Army Faction: Sons of Behemat
Army Type: Stomper Tribe
– Grand Strategy: Make the Land Tremble!
– Triumphs: Inspired

LEADER
1 x Kraken-Eater (490)*
Artefacts: Amulet of Destiny
1 x Warstomper (450)*
General
– Command Traits: Monstrously Tough
– Artefacts: Club of the First Oak
1 x Warstomper (450)**
Artefacts: Glowy Shield of Protectiness
1 x Warstomper (450)**

BATTLELINE
1 x Mancrusher Gargant (150)

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent
**Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent

TOTAL POINTS: (1990/2000)

Sons still standing tall, their popularity has dropped, but they are still effective. It’s one of the gatekeeper factions, and if you can’t terminate a Gargant, a turn your list is going to struggle. As an army, it lends itself to beautiful conversions and painting. On the table, it’s just mean.

Luca has gone with the 4 big gargants, the Kraken-Eater, and 3 x Warstompers, leaving points for a Mancrusher manoeuvre unit. The Kraken-Eater is likely out front (enjoying the small but important ward) while the General has the expected Monstrously Tough and the less common Club of the First Oak. Only available in Stomper Tribe, and why this list isn’t Taker tribe, the club heals a wound a round and (more importantly) a 5+ ward. He’s a massive tank with 120 effective wounds – your best bet is to ignore him and target everything else to begin with. The Glowy Shield of Protectiness is complicated:

It’s a very tanky list that was very effective. Luca beat 2nd place and only lost in the final round to the winner. That would have been an interesting match-up, Stonehorn on Gargant. The superior mobility and the ironblaster were probably the difference between the 2 giants of the scene.

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Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine
– Subfaction: Khailebron
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
The Shadow Queen (700)*
Morathi-Khaine (700)*
Melusai Ironscale (120)*
General
– Command Traits: Zealous Orator
– Artefacts of Power: Crown of Woe
– Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage

BATTLELINE
Witch Aelves (120)*
Hag
– Sciansá and Bladed Buckler
– 2 x Death Pennant Bearer
– 2 x Hornblower
Blood Sisters (300)*
Gorgai
Blood Stalkers (540)*
Krone

OTHER
Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000

Since the price hikes on Morathi and the Stab sneks, DoK have (rightly) fallen in line a bit, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do the business still. Although interestingly, this list has opted for the teleporting shenanigans of Khailebron in order – I presume – to take more advantage of the triple reinforced bow sneks, both enabling them to bug out of a scary situation or set up a favourable sniping position.

It’s standard fare from there, with double Khinerai for battle tactic auto-scoring and good objective harassment from there, and a min squad of Witches to round out the battleline and – rather pleasingly – take the list to 2k on the dot.

The key to DoK is trading, timing, and using Morathi as a pin piece, so I can see why this list’s only loss was to the retreat-and-charge madness of Nighthaunt. Otherwise, it probably very much enjoyed the squishiness of double Ironjawz, but that’s not taking anything away from Stefano, who achieved a great result. Now, let’s hope for some new DoK units soon so their players have any kind of reason to mix things up even more.

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Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists for A Gathering of Might

This is the top three AoS lists for A Gathering of Might that took place in the UK on the 18th and 19th of March. It involved 27 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.

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

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

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

The Top Three AoS Lists

Army Faction: Lumineth Realm-lords
Subfaction: Helon
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Indomitable

LEADERS
Archmage Teclis (700)*
Scinari Cathallar (110)*
General
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Artefacts of Power: Silver Wand
– Spells: Speed of Hysh
– Aspects of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox
Scinari Loreseeker (160)*
– Spells: Overwhelming Heat

BATTLELINE
Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)*
– High Warden
– Spells: Etheral Blessings
Hurakan Windchargers (130)*
Windspeaker Seneschal
– Standard Bearer
Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)*
High Sentinel
– Spells: Speed of Hysh

OTHER
Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)*
High Sentinel
– Spells: Etheral Blessings

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Umbral Spellportal (80)
1 x Rune of Petrification (60)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1990/2000

Jon Anderson: Sticking to the old ways of the Sith is David Jack piloting the Helon Castle to an undefeated finish. With a pinch of his own spice we have a Scinari Loreseeker making its presence known allowing David to play scenarios with spread objectives to a more effective manner.

The Rune of Petrification has really grown on me over the past month or so. What a great Endless Spell for its cost. Personally, I have found that more Windchargers equals more control but this nets you an extra wizard so the defense for the pick is there. Well done David.

Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz
Grand Strategy: Chasing the Moon
– Triumph: Indomitable

LEADERS
Skragrott, the Loonking (160)*
Dankhold Troggboss (200)**
General
– Command Traits: Loonskin
– Artefacts of Power: Glowy Howzit

BATTLELINE
Rockgut Troggoths (320)*
Rockgut Troggoths (320)*
Rockgut Troggoths (320)*

OTHER
Sporesplatta Fanatics (90)*
Gobbapalooza (145)*
– Spells: The Hand of Gork
Dankhold Troggoths (360)**

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Malevolent Moon (80)

TERRAIN
1 x Bad Moon Loonshrine (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Troggherd Heavies

TOTAL POINTS: 1915/2000

Staring at this list and thinking it looks really familiar and didn’t I just write about it? Only to realise it was this list and I lost my work. Anyway, I’m ignoring my cognitive decline and focusing on the list – back to the future in many ways. Before the new book, the most successful Gitz lists were Troggoths (Trolls). Great to see they are still viable and show this is a good book, with decent internal balance allowing a lot of builds. Anyway, this time, trolls with ‘shrooms.

As usual, this is about layering buffs on the Trolls and letting them punch on. Starting with the Sporesplatter, +1 attack for friendly units within 9″. Their Spore Cloud is tricky to use but makes them one of the best screening units in the game, letting them screen both charges and shooting (with careful positioning). Gobbapalooza brings all the buffs to the yard. Every round, you get to choose from +1 run/charge, +1 to hit and wound, -1 rend. They also have 2 unique spells to either turn off commands for an enemy unit or make a unit -1. And they have a teleport spell (Hand of Gork). They can give a unit +1 run/charge and then gate them to outside 9 for an 8″ charge. They are an almost auto, including their ability to react and only 145 pts. They have a worsening ward (starting a 4+ and gone by round 4) to make you commit them early.

Skragrot is another almost auto include – 2 spells with an innate +1 to cast/dispell and knows all of the Moonclan spells. Then there is the Dankhold Troggboss, everything a Dankhold brings (4+ ward against spells, MW on within 3″, Crushing Grip and when he gives other Trolls all out attack they get an extra attack. Good on the Dankholds (2 attacks with potential for 6 damage from each), better on the Rock Trolls (6 extra attacks on a 6 Troll unit). With heals and damage, you have 4 hammers, but of course, on a 4+ save. Even with reduced spell effects (4+ and 5+ wards to magic) , it hurts them they can wilt. With only an average unbuffed potential damage of 15 per 6 Rock Troggoths are going to take more than a turn to guarantee a kill on anything too big.

A solid counter to most of the armies around now where 10 wounds are going to drop an MSU unit. The Trolls will struggle with either the Krondspine or something that can either fight on death or fight twice, preventing their heal between phases. And that happened with DoK here. The Blood Sisters will easily lift a Troggoth unit a round. Without some luck, it’s a tough match-up.

Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness
Subfaction: Knights of the Empty Throne
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)*
General
– Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Daemonic Speed, Warp Reality
Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)*
Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
– Spells: Levitate, Warp Reality
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)*
Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
– Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Warp Reality

BATTLELINE
Chaos Knights (460)*
Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
– Standard Bearer
– Hornblower
– Doom Knight
– Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon
Varanguard (870)*
Mark of Chaos: Khorne
– 4 x Ensorcelled Weapon
– 5 x Fellspear
Varanguard (290)*
– Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
– 3 x Ensorcelled Weapon

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000

James Workshop likes to talk about internal balance in their recent – and welcome! – Meta Watch dis – and Slaves to Darkness are a prime example of what happens when it’s out of whack. The list pioneered by Big Phil has seen plenty of copycats, and a few tweaks here and there recently – and now this Phil (Little Phil?) has gone 4-1, losing only to the current boogeyman of Helon Lumineth, with what can only be described as a twist aimed at having even less warscrolls to remember.

We start off with an additional Sorc Lord compared to Big Phil’s archetype for a grand total of three of the buggers. And don’t ask me why one of them is marked as Slaanesh. Little Phil then replaces the Chosen – because two legs bad, four legs good in Knights of the Empty Throne, allowing for mounted units to run and charge and Varanguard to be battleline – with loads more Varanguard! Including a rather hilarious double-reinforced block marked as Khorne. So yeah, that’ll hurt. We also see a min unit of Nurgle Varanguard for a smaller, tankier missile to give options, while the usual 10 blob of Nurgle Knights lead the way as a pinning device and screen for the V-guard.

And that’s it, really. How does it play? Charge. Double fight. Profit. I can only imagine the Helon list was able to adequately screen the initial knight charge and hit back with enough mortals (which Helon has a habit of doing…) to buy them time – especially if they won the double – to then whittle down the Varanguard at range – despite their 4++, they’re still vulnerable to weight of dice or simply being hit first. I mean, you’d think a large blob of fast wounds with a 4++ vs. mortals would be one of the few things capable of tangling with Helon, but there you go! A great effort nonetheless, and further fuel on the ‘Slaves book = 3 warscrolls’ fire.

Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine
Subfaction: Khailebron
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Inspired

LEADERS
Melusai Ironscale (120)*
General
– Command Traits: Zealous Orator
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Mindrazor
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Morathi-Khaine (700)*
The Shadow Queen (700)*

BATTLELINE
Khainite Shadowstalkers (160)*
Shroud Queen
Blood Sisters (300)*
Gorgai
Blood Stalkers (540)*
Krone

OTHER
Khinerai Lifetakers (80)*
Harridynn
Khinerai Lifetakers (80)*
Harridynn

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000

Unfortunately, there are no comments for this one because I’m silly and used Baz’s comments from an older list!

That being said, it’s Morathi and the Sneks, which I’m sure you’re all familiar with by now.

Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists for War Under the Mountain

This is the top three AoS lists for War Under the Mountain that took place in Australia on the 25th and 26th of March. It involved 19 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

Allegiance: Kharadron Overlords
Sky Port: Barak Zon
– Grand Strategy: Rule the Skies
– Triumphs: Inspired

Kharadron Code
Artycle: Honour Is Everything
– Amendment: Prosecute Wars With All Haste
– Footnote: There’s No Reward Without Risk

Leaders
Arkanaut Admiral (125)*
General
– Command Trait: Stormcaller
– Aspect of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha
Aetheric Navigator (85)**
– Artefact: Voidstone Orb

Battleline
6 x Skywardens (260)**
Reinforced x 1
6 x Skywardens (260)**
Reinforced x 1
6 x Skywardens (260)*
Reinforced x 1

Other Units
1 x Grundstok Gunhauler (170)**
– Main Gun: Sky Cannon
– Gunhauler Modifications: Coalbeard’s Collapsible Compartments
3 x Endrinriggers (120)**
3 x Endrinriggers (120)*

Behemoths
Arkanaut Frigate (300)*
Main Gun: Heavy Sky Cannon
Arkanaut Frigate (300)**
– Main Gun: Heavy Sky Cannon

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 99
Drops: 2

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Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness
– Damned Legion: Knights of the Empty Throne
– Grand Strategy: Defend What’s Ours
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)*
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Mark of Chaos: Undivided
– The Lore of the Damned: Chaotic Conduit
– Aspect of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha

Battleline
6 x Varanguard (580)*
6x Fellspear
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Varanguard (580)*
6x Fellspear
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Varanguard (580)*
6x Fellspear
– Mark of Chaos: Khorne
– Reinforced x 1

Units
1 x Mindstealer Sphiranx (95)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1955 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 105
Drops: 1

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Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine
Temple: Zainthar Kai
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Hag Queen (120)*
Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
– Prayers of Khainite Cult: Crimson Rejuvenation
Anointed on Frostheart Phoenix (320)
Allies
Slaughter Queen on Cauldron of Blood (300)*
– General
– Command Trait: Zealous Orator
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Shadows: Mindrazor
– Prayers of Khainite Cult: Sacrament of Blood

Battleline
15 x Blood Sisters (450)*
Reinforced x 2
10 x Blood Stalkers (360)*
Reinforced x 1
5 x Blood Sisters (150)*

Units
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Heart of Fury (50)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1950 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3/4
Allies: 320 / 400
Wounds: 100
Drops: 2

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Allegiance: Kruleboyz
Warclan: Grinnin’ Blades
– Mortal Realm: Hysh
– Grand Strategy: Waaagh!
– Triumphs: Indomitable

Leaders
Gobsprakk, The Mouth of Mork (260)*
Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast (290)
Artefact: Mork’s Eye Pebble
– Mount Trait: Mean ‘Un
Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof (130)*
General
– Command Trait: Supa Sneaky
– Artefact: Eye-biter Ash
Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot (100)*
Lore of the Swamp: Nasty Hex
Swampcalla Shaman with Pot-grot (100)*
– Lore of the Swamp: Choking Mist
Murknob with Belcha-banna (80)***
Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master

Battleline
20 x Gutrippaz (300)***
Reinforced x 1
10 x Gutrippaz (150)*
20 x Hobgrot Slittaz (160)**
Reinforced x 1
10 x Hobgrot Slittaz (80)**

Units
6 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (240)**
Reinforced x 1

Artillery
Beast-skewer Killbow (100)

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Galletian Sharpshooters
***Galletian Command

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 163
Drops: 12

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Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists for Stockholm Slaughter 9

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)**

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
Molten Infernoth (40)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Galletian Command
**Galletian Veterans
***Command Entourage – Magnificent

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS
Artefact

TOTAL: 1990/2000

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)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Galletian Veterans
**Warlord (Extra Ensorcelled Banner)

TOTAL POINTS: 1975/2000

Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine
Temple: Zainthar Kai
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Slaughter Queen on Cauldron of Blood (300)
General
– Command Trait: Zealous Orator
– Artefact: Crown of Woe
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
Morathi-Khaine (350)*
The Shadow Queen (350)*

Battleline
15 x Blood Stalkers (540)*
Reinforced x 2
10 x Witch Aelves (120)*
Sacrificial Knives and Blade Bucklers
10 x Witch Aelves (120)*
– Sacrificial Knives and Blade Bucklers

Units
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 91
Drops: 2

Allegiance: Ironjawz
Warclan: Bloodtoofs
– Grand Strategy: Waaagh!
– Triumphs: Inspired

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)

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Ironjawz Fist
***Ironjawz Fist

Additional Enhancements
Artefact

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 169

Final Tournament Placings

General Speaking: Gavin Grigar

Joshua Bennett, Daughters of Khaine supremo, has joined our team and set about interviewing the top players from around the world! Having been to many of the top tournaments in the USA, Joshua has amassed a tonne of connections in that time.

Our Other General Speaking Articles:

Gavin – The Stats

Events in 22-23 Pitched Battles (Season 1 and 2): 10
Game Wins: 43.5 (Draws counting as 0.5 wins and 0.5 losses)
Game Losses: 6.5
Win Rate: 87.0%
Woehammer Ranking Points: 928.4
North America Woehammer Ranking: 2nd
Worldwide Woehammer Ranking: 2nd

Events (Sorted by Woehammer Ranking Points):

EventFactionWinsLossesRanking Points
Las Vegas Open 2023CoS50264.6
Nova OpenSer50228.8
US Open Kansas CityDoK50223.8
Old Town Throwdown Summer SmashSer50211.2
The Slambo GT Ser50193.6
Harambe’s Heroes and Goldmine Games Rumble in the JungleDoK50186.5
Everwinter GTDoK41181.4
US Open ChicagoSer41169.0
Sooper Seekret Kastell ChonGG2.52.5147.1
The Lone Star Grand TournamentS2D32146.2

General Speaking

Joshua Bennett (JB): Hey buddy, first, I wanna say thank you so much for taking time out of your day and chatting with us.  I guess we should start off with asking how long have you been wargaming?

Gavin Grigar (GG): Thanks for having me! I started wargaming around 2003 as a kid with 40k and then lost interest when I got to high school, which is probably similar to a lot of folks. Picked it up again in 2017 after I realized it was ok to be a nerd and then started playing Age of Sigmar in 2019 because it was what my friends were playing. Haven’t looked back since.

JB: You were last seasons number 1 ITC player with a few number 1s in multiple factions, you’re also representingteam USA in the AOS worlds event.  Has it always been competitive play for you?

GG: Yea, I think I’ve always had a thing. Basketball, football (Peter: You mean Gridiron? That sport wherey, and Halo 3 growing up, then League of Legends for a while and now wargaming. This is probably the most invested I’ve been in a thing, though. The camaraderie of the community makes it easy to keep coming back.

JB: You boys in Texas have a pretty big community, and when we met, you and others from that community were very welcoming.  Do you think that’s what makes you enjoy AOS more than the other hobbies you have done

GG: Thanks dude, you Georgia fellas are alright too, I guess. Yea, no matter what the game state is, the community consistently makes it a blast to travel and hang out.

JB: What do you think is an important step in becoming a competitive player? What advice would you give somebody wanting to play at that next level

GG: The most consistent thing I’ve noticed in other players that consistently do well is an obsession with the game. There are so many moving parts in AoS, and those parts are constantly changing, so it takes an obsessive person to learn and relearn the game as it evolves. Surrounding yourself with other great players and consistent practice also helps a ton.

JB: I know you’re getting ready for worlds, I would assume you’re getting to practice against some of the best.  How much does that shift your focus while still playing in events?

GG: Practice for worlds has priority, and as it gets closer, I’ve scaled back my travel to focus on it. When I do get out to events lately, it’s been experimental things, and I’ve tried to start enjoying the hangout more(Tried being the keyword). After Worlds, I’ll probably readjust goals.

JB: Speaking of goals, did you plan on dominating the best in faction class, or was it more playing what was fun

GG: One of the things I wanted to do better at this year was focusing on a few factions, as  in 2021, I felt like I had played too many (11 or 12, I believe). Daughters of Khaine have always been my favorite faction, and Seraphon has mechanics that I really enjoy the playstyle of (Yes, they are also strong). I missed out on best Gitz, though…

JB: Can we expect a repeat this season?

GG: In approach to army choice, I think so, yea, I have less time to allocate to the AoS this year and will be more selective of when I travel. As far as ITC, there are a ton of really talented people gunning for placements. I look forward to seeing everybody at upcoming GTs and competing, though!

JB: Gavin, thank you so much for your time. I just have one last question for you.  What advice could you give to our readers that are just starting out in the hoppy

GG: If you’re already thinking about tournaments, my advice is just go and see what it’s like. The community is fantastic and very welcoming. Once you go, you can really decide what it is that you want from Aos, and there is plenty more available than just the competitive aspect. If competitive is your thing, find other like-minded people and enjoy the ride. Thanks for having me!

JB: It was our pleasure, and I look forward to seeing how the season shapes out for you.  Good luck at Worlds, and I’ll see you on the tables!

Top Three AoS Lists for Rumble in the Rockies

This is the top three AoS lists for the Rumble in the Rockies that took place in Canada on the 11th and 12th 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

Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine
Subfaction: Zainthar Kai
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots

LEADERS
The Shadow Queen (700)
Melusai Ironscale (120)*
General
– Command Traits: Zealous Orator
– Artefacts of Power: Crown of Woe
– Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Morathi-Khaine (700)***

BATTLELINE
Blood Sisters (300)*
Blood Stalkers (360)**
Blood Sisters (300)***

OTHER
Khinerai Heartrenders (100)**
Khinerai Heartrenders (100)**

CORE BATTALIONS
*Galletian Command
**Galletian Sharpshooters
***Vanguard

TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000

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Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz
Subfaction: Jaws of Mork
– Grand Strategy: Chasing the Moon
– Triumph: Indomitable

LEADERS
Dankhold Troggboss (200)*
General
– Command Traits: Loonskin
– Artefacts of Power: Glowy Howzit
Squigboss (80)*
Skragrott, the Loonking (160)*
Loonboss (85)**
– Artefacts of Power: Nightflyer Cloak

BATTLELINE
Fellwater Troggoths (160)
Squig Hoppers (540)*
Squig Hopper Boss
Moonclan Stabbas (250)**
Moonclan Boss
– Bad Moon Icon Bearer
– Gong Basher
– Pokin’ Spear
– 2 x 3 Barbed Nets
Moonclan Shootas (125)***

OTHER
Loonsmasha Fanatics (220)*
Gobbapalooza (145)***

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Scuttletide (85)

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

TOTAL POINTS: 1965/2000

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Army Faction: Beasts of Chaos
Subfaction: Quakefray
– Grand Strategy: Protect the Herdstone
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Dragon Ogor Shaggoth (275)*
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Raging Storm
Beastlord (145)*
Great Bray-Shaman (95)*
General
– Command Traits: Propagator of Ruin
– Spells: Viletide
– Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Doombull (160)***
– Artefacts of Power: Bleating Gnarlstaff

BATTLELINE
Gors (110)**
Paired Hacking Blades
Cygor (210)***
Cygor (210)***
Cygor (210)***
Cygor (210)***

OTHER
Ungor Raiders (115)**
Ungor Raiders (115)**

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Wildfire Taurus (70)
1 x Chronomantic Cogs (70)

TERRAIN
1 x Herdstone (0)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Command Entourage – Magnificent
**Galletian Sharpshooters
***Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 1995/2000

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

LEADER
1 x Bladebringer, Herald on Exalted Chariot (230)
Spells: Flaming Weapon
1 x The Contorted Epitome (240)*
Spells: Hysterical Frenzy
– Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master
1 x Lord of Pain (130)*
General
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Artefacts: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Battle Rapture
1 x Be’lakor (355)*

BATTLELINE
22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)*
10 x Symbaresh Twinsouls (260)*
10 x Symbaresh Twinsouls (260)*
5 x Hellstriders with Claw-spears (120)*

ENDLESS SPELL
1 x Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws (70)
1 x Geminids of Uhl-Gysh (50)

CORE BATTALIONS:
*Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: (1995/2000)

Final Tournament Placings

General Speaking: Joshua Bennett

It’s been a while since I last published a General Speaking, but I think you’ll agree it was worth the wait. I was lucky enough to speak to Daughters of Khaine supremo Joshua Bennett!

We’re also doubly lucky because Josh recently agreed to join the team and feed us some comments for the Daughters of Khaine lists that pop up, as well as doing his own interviews with other big name players around the world.

Our Other General Speaking Articles:

Joshua with his first place award from the Outlaw Open

Josh – The Stats

Events in 22-23 Pitched Battles (Season 1 and 2): 6
Game Wins: 21.5 (Draws counting as 0.5 wins and 0.5 losses)
Game Losses: 7.5
Win Rate: 74.1%
Woehammer Ranking Points: 688.4
North America Woehammer Ranking: 36th
Worldwide Woehammer Ranking: 65th

Events (Sorted by Woehammer Ranking Points):

EventFactionWinsLossesRanking Points
The Outlaw OpenDoK50205.15
Las Vegas Open 2023BoC4.50.5184.86
Epic Level ShowdownDoK41164.12
Nashcon GT 2022DoK32134.28
Mighty Meeple AoS GTDoK31111.9
Nova OpenDoK2396.98

General Speaking

Peter: Thank you for agreeing to the interview! I guess we should start by asking how long you’ve been into wargaming?

Joshua: Hi thank you for having me. I would say that i have been into wargaming for about two years now. was always a video game kinda guy and my little brother begged and begged me to come out and try AOS. I finally went out to a local gaming store in the area, I tried it out and fell in love with it. And me being the type of person that doesn’t just dip my toes into something, I dove all the way into the hobby. I started out just like everyone else, finding an army that I thought looked really cool and getting my butt kicked a lot. Then I started off with local RTT’s and just wanted more.

Peter: So has it been the Daughters of Khaine for you since you started or have you been lured by other factions as well?

Joshua: No actually, I started with Flesh eaters. I really loved the look of them when I first saw them. Turnouts when I started playing them it was the time of the big smash bat . I had so much fun with them. Then I started playing in local RTT’s and actually getting to see different armies. I started to then play Nurgle because I thought they were awesome. I was super excited because I had a really good list that was destroying the local meta. I was going to go to LVO that year with my one drop 55 blight king list…. Covid said no lol…. then the GHB came out and I couldn’t play my blight king list anymore, so I picked up the Daughters because Morathi looked amazing. Turns out I was pretty good with them..

Peter: Pretty good! You’re being modest! Will you be sticking with them for the new GHB?

Joshua: It all depends. For a team format i think DOK is still very strong. But for the GT standpoint i think it looses some of its punch. I have been playing around with Beast of Chaos and then the Dinos. I guess we shall see what we look like after the books.

Joshua’s Daughters of Khaine

Peter: Do you have any lists in mind for the new season? A better question would be, how do you approach list building? Do you focus around units you like or do you look at units that can achieve certain strategies for you? Or perhaps something else?

Joshua: Right not i am working with beast of chaos and dinos. waiting till their new books come out. As far as list building i build a list with the idea of of does best to counter most the current meta. You can build a list to beat everything but if you build a list to counter most then your just hoping for a good dodge of the list that are horrible matchups. When i build list i am not building a 5-0 list because those just don’t exist . 5-0 list are 4-1 list with really good matchups. I go into the event with the knowledge that if i get paired against this list i loose, or really have to outplay my opponent. I also try to design list that do well with most of the missions because they play a big part in the game as well.

Peter: I believe you’re lucky enough to be in the same club as some of the top players in the US? How much do you all discuss the game, tactics and events? Are there any fun rivalries?

Joshua: Yeah we are lucky to have some very top notch players in the club. If you ask my fiancé i discuss the game way to much! hahahaha. We theory craft and list craft everyday, but no so much for us but for the newer players we have in the club. We have a lot of players that are not into the tournament scene as much as other and that want to be competitive. Our club is focused on growing the scene so the more experienced players take a lot of time with coaching games and walk throughs of list. Our goal is for everyone that wants to be at a competitive level can be and we help them achieve their goal. So we put a lot of effort into that then whatever time is let we work on our list for the next event.

Peter: I’ve asked this to a few players now, but what’s your key to maintaining focus over a tournament weekend?

Joshua: Well for me it’s not hard.. I’m a combat vet so I almost hyper focus on anything I do as it is. This game is actually a way I clear my head and it calms me down. People thought I was crazy when I did a invitational,gt and a rtt all in the same weekend….

Peter: What would your best piece of advice be for someone looking to start in AoS competitively

Joshua: First and foremost, this is a game meant to entertain us. If your not having fun no matter what the outcome then we aren’t doing it right. Secondly just know competitive play is as much about knowing your army (while that’s important). It’s also knowing your opponent’s army. Having the basic idea of what’s coming at you so you can counter.

Peter: You have a high ITC ranking, how much do you take note of various player Rankings and what benefit (if any) do you believe they add to the competitive scene?

Joshua: Itc is really cool. At first i was fixated on it. I wanted to be the top for my faction and was for awhile. But once i started to get to know the top players its started not to matter anymore, and the games became less pressure and more about having fun. but it does spark some very friendly rivalries between friends.

Peter: Joshua thank you so much for you time and agreeing to speak to us. All the best for the coming season!

Top Three AoS Lists for Sydney Salt Smash

This is the top three AoS lists for the Sydney Salt Smash that took place in Australia on the 18th and 19th of February. It involved 28 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: Stormcast Eternals
Stormhost: Astral Templars (Scions of the Storm)
– Mortal Realm: Ghyran
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Bloodthirsty

Leaders
Lord-Veritant (140)**
General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Spell: Thundershock
– Prayer: Translocation
Knight-Zephyros (100)*
Aspect of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox
Celestant-Prime, Hammer of Sigmar (330)*
Lord-Arcanum on Tauralon (250)**
– Mount Trait: Celestial Instincts
– Spell: Starfall

Units
3 x Vanguard-Palladors (200)*
Boltstorm Pistols and Starstrike Javelins
3 x Vanguard-Palladors (200)**
Boltstorm Pistols and Starstrike Javelins
3 x Vanguard-Palladors (200)**
Boltstorm Pistols and Starstrike Javelins
6 x Vanguard-Palladors (400)**
Boltstorm Pistols and Starstrike Javelins
– Reinforced x 1
6 x Gryph-Hounds (90)*
6 x Gryph-Hounds (90)*

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Holy Command: Steadfast March

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 132
Drops: 2

Stormcast are in a tricky place. They have loads and loads of warscrolls, but many of them are sub-optimal. Whilst Games Workshop tries to correct this by tweaking points up and down, the good warscrolls remain good, and the bad remain bad… and so the ‘good warscroll spam’ armies come to the fore. The good news is that there are different versions of them, so you’ll not necessarily play the same one, but the bad news is that it is a lot of repeated Warscrolls.

That’s no criticism of Sean, who has taken this formula and got 5-0 from it. Sure I am going to criticise him for beating up Gloomspite Gitz (booo!) but in all seriousness he’s done very well with an army of Paladors (very quick, some shooting and reasonable combat effectiveness as well).

The Gryph hounds sync in well here with Warning Cry, which allows units to shoot at deep strikers and summoned units. Effectively giving Sean some free shots against enemy units for limited outlay. If you make it through the shooting, you’ll then have to face a deep-striking unit of Sean’s own – the still great Celestant Prime. It’s good to see him representing the book he comes from!

A really thematic list that is likely to give any opponent pause (or just annoy them). Palladors have been overlooked for most of this edition (and 2nd) for a reason. But they are also 5 wound models with 12″ move and a built-in teleport. They are built for scoring, at least when there are this many backed by the Celestant Prime and the Lord Arcanum for the +1 to hit rolls for the closest Pallador. A well thought out dynamic list.

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Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals
Army Type: Scions of the Storm
– Subfaction: Hammers of Sigmar
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumph: Bloodthirsty

LEADERS
Knight-Vexillor (120)*
Meteoric Standard
Knight-Vexillor (120)*
Meteoric Standard
Knight-Vexillor (120)*
Meteoric Standard
Knight-Vexillor (120)**
Meteoric Standard
Lord-Relictor (150)**
General
– Command Traits: Master of Magic
– Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
– Spells: Thundershock
– Prayers: Translocation
Knight-Heraldor (100)**
Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master

BATTLELINE
Dracothian Guard Tempestors (220)*
Dracothian Guard Tempestors (220)*
Dracothian Guard Tempestors (220)**
Dracothian Guard Tempestors (220)**

OTHER
Shadow Warriors (120)*
Shadow Walker
Castigators (90)*
Castigator-Prime
The Farstriders (90)**

ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS
1 x Everblaze Comet (90)

CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000

Back from his Cancon insanity with fewer Vexillors and even more Tempestors. I admire his patience building and painting that them (the armour and arms take a while to eliminate gaps). There are plenty of tricks still, a Knight Heraldor (not often seen or even owned), Shadow Warriors, Castigators, and The Farstriders. All led by a Lord Relictor (with Translocate and Thundershock) who brings Master of Magic to hopefully get Everblaze Comet off. Essentially, this list is trying to deal with SCE mobility issues and damage output in the face of new more serious threats.

Scions of the Storm allows half of the units to be held in reserve and arrive in any turn, which prevents first turn shooting, removing a lot of important pieces. In this case, as a 2 drop army so Yangxue is probably deciding who has first turn, toss up whether to keep it or play for the early double. Everyone should know the Vexillor’s trick now. It’s not OP, but it is a 24″ version of the Stormdrake’s shooting attack with an area of effect. It’s once per game, so deciding when to use it is critical, but they remain a solid Galletian Champion for scoring once they are down, just not very mobile. The Knight Herald is here mostly as a quiet scoring piece with his Tunnel Master but can punish units near terrain, chip damage really but good into some armies that like to lurk near terrain. Of the units – Tempestors have been a very common choice in place of Fulminators lately.

Shadow Warriors duplicate the abilities of Scions of the Storm units on their own warscroll. They don’t count as a coalition force, though, because this is a Scions of the Storm army. Farstriders can teleport, and the Castigators are another cheap screen with Unleash Hell potential that can also be teleported by the Relictor. Very good at picking off any objectives that aren’t well covered. So movement is covered, and output, especially in the first turn or 2, is really good. Hit hard early and then outlast them. Unless the opponent is a horde army or has strong heals, this will probably work. Or Trolls, trolls (Troggoths) are probably a counter. They’re damn scary now

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Allegiance: Gloomspite Gitz
– Gittish Horde: King’s Gitz
– Grand Strategy: Chasing The Moon
– Triumphs: Indomitable

Leaders
Dankhold Troggboss (200)**
General
– Command Trait: Loonskin
– Artefact: Speaky-skull Fetish
Fungoid Cave-Shaman (90)*
Artefact: Moonface Mommet
– Lore of the Moonclans: The Hand of Gork
– Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Fungoid Cave-Shaman (90)*
Artefact: Leering Gitshield
– Lore of the Moonclans: Itchy Nuisance
Mollog (130)*

Battleline
9 x Rockgut Troggoths (480)***
Reinforced x 2
6 x Rockgut Troggoths (320)***
Reinforced x 1
3 x Rockgut Troggoths (160)*
6 x Fellwater Troggoths (320)***
Reinforced x 1

Units
1 x Dankhold Troggoths (180)**

Endless Spells & Invocations
Loonskin Malevolent Moon (0)

Core Battalions
*Warlord
**Troggherd Heavies
***Galletian Sharpshooters

Additional Enhancements
Artefact
Artefact

Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 4 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 136
Drops: 9

On the same weekend as Sheffield Slaughter, Ben has guided a Trogg army (Gloomspite Gitz) to a spectacular 4-1. Not bad for an army that was languishing at the bottom of the rankings before the new book. It’s still too early to tell if the book will be above the magical 45%-55% level, but it definitely feels like it should be able to stay away from the mid-thirties it was in during the last incarnation.

The Troggs that Ben has taken also shows the advantage of giving people choices with battalions. Sure, there is only one in the Gitz book, but it is an innovative way of getting people to take Dankhold Troggoths… a great model, but before now, a very weak scroll. The increased regeneration helps here as well, but it comes with a free artefact as well, which is well worth considering for only 180 points. Treat him as a throw-away spear unit and hammer something to death. Just remember he doesn’t come back through the shrine at the end of the turn.

But the Rockguts and Fellwaters do, and with healing now automatic and every hero phase, you’ll need to kill units outright – not an easy thing for the 9 Rockguts.

It’s a great army, and it looks good on the board too – don’t be suckered in by the lack of bodies… these guys will hang around and stick on objectives. My only concern for them would be the mirror into a Squig list, but Ben fought one of those in game 5 and came out on top, so maybe this list can compete long-term.

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Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine
Temple: Zainthar Kai
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Hag Queen (120)*
Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Anointed on Frostheart Phoenix (320)
Allies
Slaughter Queen on Cauldron of Blood (300)*
General
– Command Trait: Zealous Orator
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
-Lore of Shadows: Mindrazor

Battleline
15 x Blood Sisters (450)*
Reinforced x 2
10 x Blood Stalkers (360)*
Reinforced x 1
5 x Blood Sisters (150)*

Units
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*
5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)*

Endless Spells & Invocations
Heart of Fury (50)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1950 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 3 / 4
Allies: 320 / 400
Wounds: 100
Drops: 2

It’s always nice to see a Norathi list! Since her price hike, I think they make more sense than ever. Even though it will always be scary not taking the big momma, once you spread those points over more synergistic bodies, you can end up with a surprising amount of redundancy and board control.

And that’s _kinda_ what Liam has gone for here – by replacing the 700 pt Morathi with a Frostheart Phoenix – which is a durable, fast monster at less than half the points, and a newly-bargain priced Slaughter Queen on Cauldron. Between these two pieces, Liam brings to bear overlapping auras of -1 to wound and +1 to save, which, combined with -1 damage from the Heart of Fury, go a long way to making the fragile Daughters able to take a serious punch.

Beyond that, it’s the usual block of 15 stab sneks, but he’s also brought 10 bows – which I think are pointed for the double shoot but still offer decent ranged output – and the usual double khinerai for amazing scoring options.

A really nice balanced list that cleaned up some strong meta opponents, losing only to what is quickly becoming the clearly-over-tuned Gloomspite book!

Final Tournament Placings

Top Three AoS Lists for the Alliance Open Masters GT

This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Allaince Open Masters GT that took place in the Netherlands on the 11th and 12th of February. It involved 52 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: Sylvaneth
– Glade: Oakenbrow
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– Triumphs: Inspired
– Season: the Burgeoning (6+ ward)

Leaders
Arch-Revenant (120)*
Aspect of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox
Spirit of Durthu (350)**
Artefact: Greenwood Gladius
Treelord Ancient (330)*
Lore of the Deepwood: Regrowth
Warsong Revenant (300)**
General
– Command Trait: Spellsinger
– Lore of the Deepwood: Treesong
Battlemage (100)**
Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
– Allies

Battleline
10 x Dryads (100)*
5 x Tree-Revenants (110)*
Treelord (230)**
Treelord (230)**

Endless Spells & Invocations
Chronomantic Cogs (70)
Spiteswarm Hive (40)

Faction Terrain
Awakened Wyldwood

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 100 / 400
Wounds: 94
Drops: 2

Return of the Ents, a list that is seeing widespread use and success right now. Essentially, this list swaps Kurnoth for Tree Lords giving in 4 mini Gargants. In addition to high-quality attacks, they have a 6+ ward and serve in Oakenbrow, meaning they take twice as long to degrade. Combined with Strike and Fade, it can be very hard to take down a Treelord. Doubly for Durthu. With the Battlemage granting +2 to charge and Spiteswarm Hive, which gives either offensive or defensive buffs, there is a strong chance of 2 Treelords charging either 6 or 7″. Very high probability. This list can also drop back and protect the home objective using the Tree-revenants and Dryads or push out and punish exposed units. The Tree-revenants can snipe out objectives easily as well.

Tricky to play well with the overlapping buffs and the need to position Overgrown wildwoods carefully Sylvaneth are a deceptively powerful army. Their commanding spells, strong mortal wound play, and damaging units make them tough opponents if they are allowed to dictate the flow of play. The ability to use woods to travel makes it very difficult to focus fire (not to mention fire and fade). That’s a standout with this particular list. It’s been crafted very tightly to maximise the flexibility of the Treelords and hinge the off the devastation of the Warsong Revenant. The Arch Revenant with Stubborn as a Rhinox is fantastic, 12″ move and counts as 10 models on an objective but it can only be opposed by a Galletian Champion (the mount word is not on it’s warscroll). Down on wounds to a lot of lists, it outscored and out fought off all comers.

Congratulations to Mitchell, a fantastic win in the face of stiff competition.

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Allegiance: Lumineth Realm-lords
Great Nation: Helon
– Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
– 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: Tunnel Master

Battleline
10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)*
– Lore of Hysh: Overwhelming Heat
5 x Hurakan Windchargers (130)*
5 x Hurakan Windchargers (130)*
20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)*
– Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh
– Reinforced x 1
– Champion with the bird

Units
20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)*
Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh
– Reinforced x 1

Endless Spells & Invocations
Umbral Spellportal (80)
The Burning Head (30)
Rune of Petrification (60)

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Terrain
Shrine Luminor

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 91
Drops: 1

Lumineth are back on their bullshit. After a brief period out of the sun as they grappled with Sentinels losing the ability to shoot you without line of sight, Helon lists are back with a vengeance. Turns out that you have to leave your shelter eventually – whereupon many, many sentinels with each unit able to cast Power of Hysh and do MWs on 5s in melee as well as at range will make you wish you’d stayed at home.

Then there’s Teclis, who doesn’t deign to roll dice to cast his spells, nor to dispel yours. Throw in a couple of fast shooty Windchargers and the Rune of Petrification to slow you down while you eat even more MWs and you have the new and improved recipe for elf cheese.

Look – I know it sounds like I’m hating on Lumineth. I’m not. It’s just that James Workshop seems to have a fundamental difficulty understanding how to make this army competitive without relying on two warscrolls, one of which doesn’t even have to roll dice.

Congrats to Paul for beating the mirror match to take the big W!

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Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine
– Temple: Hagg Nar
– Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots
– Triumphs: Indomitable

Leaders
The Shadow Queen (350)*
Morathi-Khaine (350)*
Melusai Ironscale (120)*
General
– Command Trait: Zealous Orator
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Shadows: Mindrazor
– Aspect: Tunnel Master
– Bonded

Battleline
15 x Blood Sisters (450)*
Reinforced x 2
10 x Witch Aelves (120)*
Pairs of Sacrificial Knives
10 x Witch Aelves (120)*
Pairs of Sacrificial Knives

Behemoths
Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)*
Allies

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1990 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 480 / 400
Wounds: 74
Drops: 1

Morathi and the Spinedog – two timed-unkillable models to pin you down while a giant blob of stab sneks slithers up behind for a 12-ish MW coup de grace. There’s really not much more I can say about this list, other than it’s interesting that it lost to Sylvaneth – which I imagine had the ranged output to whittle things down along with the mobility to avoid being utterly pinned.

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Allegiance: Ogor Mawtribes
Mawtribe: Meatfist
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Take whats theirs
– Triumphs:

Leaders
Tyrant (150)*
– General
– Command Trait: Killer Reputation
– Artefact: Gruesome Trophy Rack
– Big Name: Brawlerguts
– Big Name: Fateseeker
Tyrant (150)**
Big Name: Brawlerguts
– Tunnelmaster

Battleline
6 x Ogor Gluttons (260)*
Paired Ogor Clubs or Bluntblades
6 x Ogor Gluttons (260)*
Paired Ogor Clubs or Bluntblades
6 x Ogor Gluttons (260)*
Paired Ogor Clubs or Bluntblades
6 x Ogor Gluttons (260)*
Paired Ogor Clubs or Bluntblades
4 x Ironguts (270)*
4 x Ironguts (270)**

Units
3 x Icefall Yhetees (120)**

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment

Total: 2000 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 156
Drops: 2

Lots of hungry big lads and not an Ironblaster in sight – you love to see it! Luckily, we love to hear about it from the man himself too.

Dennis says this:

The strength of a Meatfist list lies in trading – and this list trades extremely well into melee armies. Every unit (apart from the Yhetees) can kill other hammer units – and most lists have like 2- 3 hammers, so its totally fine if they come in and kill 6 gluttons because it will always be a bad trade for them.

The second strength of this list lies in impact mortals [Ogors roll dice equal to the charge roll and do MWs on 6s, but with +1 to the roll from the sub-faction, and another +1 for units with 3 or more models].

The biggest problem for most melee armies is screens, and this list just absolutely wrecks screens in the charge phase just by charging. Most games I did between 40-60 mortal wounds just by charging. The yhetees are probably the most important part of my list (which sounds strange) because of their eligibility to fight and pile in within 6″. So what I did in most games was tag an enemy unit on the side, make sure you end the pile in 2,9 inch away from the unit. That way it was only possible for my opponent to get one model in, maybe two. Usually they weren’t able to kill the yhetees so they are stuck in combat for one whole turn.Which buys me time to put pressure elsewhere. Yhetees are imo the best techy unit in the ogor book, never leave home without 3 or 6! Downsides about this list, shooting armies and armies which can prevent me from charging (My game 4 was vs. DoK + Khrondspine) are really hard to beat…

Thanks, Dennis, for the insights and big props for bringing such an off-meta list. Not only that – but for beating Lumineth, two Tzeentch lists, and a shooty Ogor list!

Final Tournament Placings

For the full placings visit PunPun.