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
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
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)*
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: TunnelMaster
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
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)
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.
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):
Event
Faction
Wins
Losses
Ranking Points
Las Vegas Open 2023
CoS
5
0
264.6
Nova Open
Ser
5
0
228.8
US Open Kansas City
DoK
5
0
223.8
Old Town Throwdown Summer Smash
Ser
5
0
211.2
The Slambo GT
Ser
5
0
193.6
Harambe’s Heroes and Goldmine Games Rumble in the Jungle
DoK
5
0
186.5
Everwinter GT
DoK
4
1
181.4
US Open Chicago
Ser
4
1
169.0
Sooper Seekret Kastell Chon
GG
2.5
2.5
147.1
The Lone Star Grand Tournament
S2D
3
2
146.2
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!
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)***
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)
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.
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):
Event
Faction
Wins
Losses
Ranking Points
The Outlaw Open
DoK
5
0
205.15
Las Vegas Open 2023
BoC
4.5
0.5
184.86
Epic Level Showdown
DoK
4
1
164.12
Nashcon GT 2022
DoK
3
2
134.28
Mighty Meeple AoS GT
DoK
3
1
111.9
Nova Open
DoK
2
3
96.98
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!
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)*
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
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
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)*
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!
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.
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: 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)**
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)
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
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)**
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!
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for Realm of Geddon 2023 that took place on the 4th and 5th February. It involved 14 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
As a reminder, as this tournament has less than 20 players, there won’t be any comments from the Woehammer guys here. This frees up their time for the bugger tournament write ups.
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: Disciples of Tzeentch – Change Coven: Hosts Arcanum – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumphs:
Leaders Kairos Fateweaver (440)** Curseling, Eye of Tzeentch (180)** – General – Command Trait: Cult Demagogue – Lore of Fate: Arcane Suggestion – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Fatemaster (140)* – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of Fate: Shield of Fate Fluxmaster, Herald of Tzeentch on Disc (170)** – Lore of Change: Fold Reality Great Bray-Shaman (100)* – Universal Spell Lore: Ghost-mist
Battleline 10 x Tzaangors (180)** 10 x Tzaangors (180)** 3 x Screamers of Tzeentch (110)** 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)*
Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness – Damned Legion: Despoilers – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (220)* – General – Command Trait: Idolator Lord – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Prayer: Heal Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – The Lore of the Damned: Chaotic Conduit Exalted Hero of Chaos (100)*** – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (195)* – Axe – Wings – Command Trait: Bolstered by Chaos – Artefact: Helm of Many Eyes – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
Battleline 5 x Chaos Knights (230)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 5 x Chaos Knights (230)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne 10 x Splintered Fang (100)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne 10 x Splintered Fang (100)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne 10 x Ungors (65)** – Mauls & Half-Shields
Units 10 x Chaos Chosen (480)*** – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Ensorcelled Banner: The Banner of Screaming Flesh – Reinforced x 1
Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine – Temple: Khailebron – Mortal Realm: Ulgu – Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Melusai Ironscale (120)* – General – Command Trait: Zealous Orator – Artefact: Crown of Woe – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Morathi-Khaine (350)* The Shadow Queen (350)*
Battleline 15 x Blood Stalkers (540)** – Reinforced x 2 10 x Blood Sisters (300)* – Reinforced x 1 10 x Witch Aelves (120)* – Sacrificial Knives and Blade Bucklers
Units 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)** 5 x Khinerai Heartrenders (100)**
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Scottish Lasters that took place in Scotland on the 21st and 22nd of January. It involved 26 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: Hammers of Sigmar (Scions of the Storm) – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: No Place for the Weak – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Knight-Vexillor (120)* – General – Meteoric Standard – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Spell: Celestial Blades Knight-Incantor (120)* – Spell: Azyrite Halo Lord-Commander Bastian Carthalos (300)*
Battleline 2 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (240)* 2 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (240)* 4 x Dracothian Guard Tempestors (440)* – Reinforced x 1 5 x Judicators with Skybolt Bows (200)*
Units 2 x Stormdrake Guard (340)* – Drakerider’s Lance
Another Stormcast with unusual choices, it’s good to see more diversity and a few different heroes. Knight Vexillor is being discussed in Discord a lot lately, but mostly for his teleport potential (Pendant of the Stormbringer). Here he’s been equipped with the Metoric Standard and also provides Celestial Blade support. The Standard gives a once a game Comets Call. Azurite Halo isn’t commonly seen, but on a 6 to save it inflicts a Mortal Wound (MW). Then there is Bastian, a great model with amazing abilities but slow movement. Otherwise, the list is very mobile with Drakes and Draconiths (12” and 10” movement, respectively). Tempestors are seeing a revival just now, short range, but they offer a lot of shots and are pretty tough to boot. Their mounts still have -2 rend 2 damage attacks. And the pairs of Fulminators and Storm Drakes for Mobil threat generation and scoring.
And there you have it, a lot of mobile small threats able to apply pressure centred on Bastian with a large hammer unit that can also perform as an anvil. Ranged MW for chip damage and multiple small units to charge, blunting the effectiveness of Unleash Hell. The icing on the cake is the Judicators, only 10 shots, but the ability to double shoot makes a sizeable difference. JJ scored well throughout and weathered everything thrown at home, proving again that mobility and flexibility are a winning combination.
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Allegiance: Daughters of Khaine – Temple: Zainthar Kai – Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Bloodwrack Medusa (140)* – General – Command Trait: Zealous Orator – Artefact: Shadow Stone – Lore of Shadows: Mindrazor Morathi-Khaine (350)* The Shadow Queen (350)*
UNITS 10 x Witch Aelves (120)* – Sacrificial Knives and Blade Bucklers 10 x Witch Aelves (120)* – Sacrificial Knives and Blade Bucklers 15 x Blood Sisters (450)* 15 x Blood Sisters (450)*
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL: 1980/2000
It’s Morathi and the Stab Sneks in a Zainthar Kai ‘pins and needles’ configuration – guaranteed to stab you even on death! Double the stabs, double the fun.
In all seriousness, it’s at least interesting in the sense that it’s using new points, so we can see a slight squeeze on bonus units such as Khinerai. This list is still going to rip, and tear – 30 Blood Sisters just asks the rather rude question to each opponent of ‘do you prefer an unkillable giant snake or 13 ish MWs per activation’. The question is whether sheer glass-cannon power (the whole army is on a 5+ bar the Morathis) can make up for lesser board control in the meantime?
Losing to the movement and strike/fade shenanigans of Sylvaneth suggests no, to some extent. Beating down on Seraphon, OBR, and Soulblight makes sense – although it’s interesting that Alastair was able to get the win against KO, who are typically able to just utterly neuter the stab-threat with early shooting. My guess based on my own games is that he was able to use Shadow Queen – and potentially Morathi with Steed of Shadows to make her super fast and more importantly fly – to tag the big boats and shut down their game. Certain KO builds are less vulnerable to this but in general, when tagged by a flying unit they lose a lot of their abilities – being one drop, I’d love to have seen whether Alastair dared the KO to come close and used the Witch Aelves to screen best they can, or whether he took first to capitalise on the KO player not deploying quite far away enough.
Either way, gratz on the new points win against some touch matchups.
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Allegiance: Disciples of Tzeentch – Change Coven: Eternal Conflaguration – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Kairos Fateweaver (440)* Curseling, Eye of Tzeentch (180)* – General – Command Trait: Cult Demagogue – Lore of Fate: Arcane Suggestion – Lore of Fate: Shield of Fate Fatemaster (140)* – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of Fate: Glimpse of Future – Universal Spell Lore: Levitate
Battleline 20 x Pink Horrors of Tzeentch (500)** – Reinforced x 1 10 x Pink Horrors of Tzeentch (250)** 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)** 6 x Tzaangor Enlightened (180)* – Reinforced x 1
Endless Spells Burning Sigil of Tzeentch (60) Tome of Eyes (40) Soulscream Bridge (80)
Craig’s list of 30 Pink Horrors and support is something I think we’re more likely to see in the new GHB without Bounty Hunters around to split those daemons fast enough to stay on top, but Craig gave them a final run-out with Expert Conquerors and was able to dodge Bounty Hunters in all but one of his matchups (that he still won!). What makes Pinks with Expert Conquerors such a challenge is that the situation on objectives just gets worse the first 20 wounds you do, with the unit going from counting as 60 on an objective to a maximum of 120! It is only at the point of the 81st wound, after killing the 21st Brimstone Horror, that the unit holds an objective less securely than when it started. So, do you bother early game? If you don’t, you might never get through it, but if you do, then you might not be scoring. This is exactly the dilemma that seems to have outfoxed all opponents until the ultimate winner, JJ, essentially passed the DPS check with Fulminators and Dragons at his disposal.
The support casters help buff that big unit up, with the Curseling knowing an extra spell via the Warlord battalion so it can cast Arcane Suggestion for -1 to hit and -1 to wound on the unit most likely to hit the Horrors and then Shield of Fate for a 5+ ward save on them too. The command trait Cult Demagogue is also there, making any cast on a double not only successful and worth two fate points instead of one, but also unable to be unbound. Low Destiny Dice are perfect for this roll, with double 2s or 3s getting the casting value 8 spell Arcane Suggestion off. Kairos will then give you a Destiny Dice back each hero phase and the Fatemaster, who also gives +1 to wound to all Disciples of Tzeentch units wholly within 9”, can cast Glimpse the Future to gain an additional Destiny Dice. Throw in Tome of Eyes for re-rolls, probably on the Curseling, and the key buffs the Pinks need to hang around are very likely to be in place.
Another cool little bit of tech that Craig has included is 6 Tzaangor Enlightened on foot. These hit as hard as their cavalry mounted beast-kin, but are half the price. Included in the list as well is the Soulscream Bridge, probably cast by Kairos, which can get these elites where they need to be, able to make a 9” charge with the Destiny Dice. While some sacrifices have to be made to get this combo off (no Cogs or Portal in the list), the Enlightened can be almost as mobile as the ones on disc for 100pts less – 100pts this army needs elsewhere.
All in all a fantastic result for Craig, spending 4/5 games on the top two tables and just slightly being edged out in the end.
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Allegiance: Fyreslayers – Lodge: Greyfyrd – Mortal Realm: Ulgu – Grand Strategy: Master of the Forge – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Auric Flamekeeper (90)* Auric Runefather on Magmadroth (360)* – General – Command Trait: Blood of the Berzerker – Artefact: Master Rune of Unbreakable Resolve – Magmadroth Trait: Coal-heart Ancient Auric Runemaster (130)* – Artefact: Volatile Brazier – Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal Battlesmith (150)** – Artefact: Nulsidian Icon Auric Runesmiter on Magmadroth (330)** – Runic Iron – Magmadroth Trait: Flame-scale Youngblood – Prayer: Wrath of Vulcatrix
Battleline 10 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (300)** – Poleaxes – Reinforced x 1 10 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (300)** – Broadaxes – Reinforced x 1 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Bladed Slingshields (150)** 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Bladed Slingshields (150)**
Many heroes make light work, at least with Fyreslayers. It is possibly one of the factions that will really take to Galletian Champions and the added mobility from Tunnel Master. Mobility is, of course, their biggest weakness, with most moving only 4″. Magmadroths help (16″), but Fyreslayers units remain pretty close for all of that overlapping buff goodness. Greyfyrd gives 2 extra artefacts, and each hero an extra wound. Sean’s answer to the mobility issue is to make the foot heroes hard as nails and let them buff +heal the infantry (Prayer: heal and 4+ Rally from the Battlesmith) and mitigate incoming spell damage resulting in a solid anvil that hits back. Then he has the Magmadroths tooled for war, the Runefather fights twice (once per battle), and has a 3+ ward (again once per battle). Funny if you trigger both on the same combat phase, normally Turn 2 or 3, to remove a big threat – hits once, weathers the incoming damage on the ward, and then destroys his target. The Magmadroth reduces incoming damage by 1. This is a tanky build.
The Runesmiter is more of a glass cannon, designed to charge, use Stomp as its monstorous rampage for extra damage, and can fight on its top row with a prayer (Wrath) The Berzerkers are nasty in combination with the Flamekeeper, especially the Poleaxe equipped unit. 2 Mortal Wounds on every 6, and they can be made to fight on death or give an extra attack. It’s a nasty combination to watch for. Really, you want to stay away and make them come to you to try to split up the heroes and the units. You really don’t want them to get into and hold the centre or a key objective because they’ll be very hard to move. With the Magmadroths to pin your screens and that hard centre, it can take serious work or magic/shooting to deal with a list like this. And your archers are likely to have to deal with MW from Zhaggron.
The second round draw is interesting, 2 very slow armies, one with range and the other with Cavalry – in the end, a high scoring draw, it makes me wonder how much fighting there was. The loss was to the winner, and we’ve covered that. That list has multiple units that would take down the elements in this list (Fulminators, Drakes).
I recently asked Baz Norman Jr if he’d care to comment on his list from Blood in the Snow on 14th and 15th of January. I also asked him if he’d like to give a run-down of his games as part of that.
As always Baz’s response blew me away, and I thought it deserved an article in it’s own right. So thank you once again Baz!
Peter! Thank you once again for having me on the site. I attended Mark Ward’s Blood in the Snow at Hull’s Angels Gaming Club on the 14th and 15th January 2023. This was my second two day event already of 2023.
Army Faction: Daughters of Khaine – Subfaction: Khailebron – Grand Strategy: Bloodthirsty Zealots – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Melusai Ironscale (115)* – General – Command Traits: Zealous Orator – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Mindrazor – Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur Morathi-Khaine (680)* The Shadow Queen (680)*
BATTLELINE Witch Aelves (115)* – Hag – Death Pennant Bearer – Hornblower – Paired Sciansá Witch Aelves (115)* – Hag – Death Pennant Bearer – Hornblower – Paired Sciansá Blood Sisters (420)* – Gorgai
BEHEMOTH Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)*
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Horrorghast (40)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1965/2000
I have hit the competitive scene a lot, running Daughters of Khaine (DoK) over the last year so running them again at this event was no surprise to anyone, but what might be a surprise was that it isn’t my usual list.
The list above is a slight variation to the DoK list I ran last weekend on the 7th and 8th January, where I had the absolute pleasure of playing alongside the legends that are Team England at Brotherhood III at Firestorm Games in Cardiff, on Team England’s South team.
So let’s delve into it…
SUB-FACTION – I love my manoeuvrability. I’ve said on previous posts that movement is king, and I wholeheartedly stand by this. Being able to get into positions to threaten enemy units, objectives and push for future turns is huge, so Khailebron was a staple.
GRAND STRATEGY – This list revolves around being in combat, so Bloodthirsty Zealots matched perfectly.
TRIUMPH – At 1,965pts, +1 to wound when I wanted to hit hard just worked.
LEADERS Melusai Ironscale– Having Khailebron as the sub faction doesn’t make Blood Sisters battleline, and knowing I wanted to run 15 of them meant that it would have to be the Melusai Ironscale as general. The Command Trait was a given at Zealous Orator. Who doesn’t love a 4+ rally? My Artefact of power being Arcane Tome and knowing the spell, Mind Razor. The bonding to the Krondspine provides a +1 to cast within domination range.
Morathi – because its Morathi.
BATTLELINE Witch Aelves – Two units of 10. These give a decent screen, but also with the run and charge, reroll failed battleshock test, and buckets of attacks, they can still threaten wounded units or chip wounds off when needed. Not to mention being objective grabbers whilst the rest of the army is doing the heavy lifting.
Blood Sisters – One unit of 15. Yes they’ve only got a 5+ save and the DoK 6+ ward save, but that’s where the negatives stop in my opinion. Three attacks base (+1 for the Gorgai), 3’s to hit, 3’s to wound, -1 rend, damage 1, and then the turned to crystal effect after the unit has fought for the first time in a phase. This attack profile alone is spicy, 46 attacks base from this unit. Now we add in and start tuning this unit to another level. Factor in the blood rites table, run and charge from the Ironscale, all out slaughter, mind razor and Fury of the Shadow Queen ability, this unit can suddenly end up having 61 attacks, 2’s to hit with exploding 6’s, 2’s to wound, -2 rend, and 2 damage a piece, then the crystal touch on top… not much can come away from this to be honest.
BEHEMOTH Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur – You’ve probably all heard about it, 480 pts that can’t be auto killed, doesn’t allow retreats, is good, but not broken as there are some easy ways around it, but is still strong, especially coupled with the units above.
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS Horrorghast – I had points left over, easy to cast, can certainly help finish off units if you’ve fluffed a couple dice rolls and left a few models alive.
CORE BATTALION Battle Regiment – Works for this list, as I normally govern who takes 1st turn.
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Game 1 vs Kruleboyz / Mike Chadderton and Head-on Collision.
Army Faction: Orruk Warclans – Army Type: Kruleboyz – Army Subfaction: Grinnin’ Blades – Grand Strategy: Waaagh! – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof (150) 1 x Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof (150) 1 x Killaboss on Corpse-rippa Vulcha (220)* – General – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Mount Traits: Fast ’Un – Spells: Nasty Hex 1 x Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast (290)** 1 x Swampcalla Shaman and Pot-grot (105)** – Spells: Choking Mist 1 x Swampcalla Shaman and Pot-grot (105)** – Spells: Sneaky Miasma
BATTLELINE 10 x Hobgrot Slittaz (80)* 10 x Hobgrot Slittaz (80)* 10 x Gutrippaz (160)** – Wicked Hacka 10 x Gutrippaz (160)** – Wicked Hacka
OTHER 6 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (240)** 3 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (120)** 3 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (120)**
Mike (of Goonhammer fame – Peter) is a great player, we regularly converse over Twitter and I’ve had the pleasure of playing Mike before at Sheffield Slaughter 2022; one of my first bigger events. The result ended in his favour before, so he had that psychological benefit.
I deployed just over 24” away, and being a gentleman, I gave Mike turn 1.
Mike made a few little movement wiggles, buffed up his units with elixirs from the Swampcalla Shamans ready to receive the DoK threat.
My turn 1, and I moved my whole army up to threaten his position and to give him too many threats to deal with all at once if Mike got the priority for turn 2.
Turn 2 dice off. I won priority.
Taking the turn, I knew this was the opportunity I needed to hit his army hard, so I prepped for it. Mind Razored the Shadow Queen, withered key units, Black horrored a Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof, cast the Horrorghast and then at the end of the movement phase, teleported the 15 Blood Sisters 9” away from his Killaboss on Corpse-rippa Vulcha and a unit of Gutrippaz.
The shooting phase came and went, with a couple more wounds going onto the already wounded Gnashtoof. Big charge phase inbound. Started with Morathi who was 4” away; into the 2 Gnashtoofs. Krondspine going into a unit of Gutrippaz. 9” long bomb charge required for the Blood Sisters, needed 8 on the dice, due to the Blood Rites table, rolled a 9. Big charge phase ticked off.
The combat phase followed, having Morathi curb stomp the already wounded Gnashtoof, killing it, and making room for her to pile round into some tasty Boltboyz. I started the combat phase with the Blood Sisters to ensure maximum damage. The unit was split between the Vulcha and a unit of Gutrippaz, a couple of Blood Sisters went into the Vulcha, chipping 5 wounds off it, whilst the rest went into the Gutrippaz. Turned to Crystal, which is what I was wanting, all went into the Vulcha, killing it. I did take some damage from other units piling in, and with the misplay of the Horrorghast, 12” is huge! I lost 5 Blood Sisters to battleshock…. lesson here for sure lol
The dust settled from that turn and Mike calculated just over 1000pts lifted in one turn. Solid turn for me.
Being pinned in by Morathi, Krondspine and the Blood Sisters and losing all those units made it really hard for Mike to come back so he played for points and got what could. With me winning turn 3 priority again, the nail in the coffin. We ended the game 32-5 to DoK. So that’s 1 game a piece now Mike….until next time! 😉
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Game 2 vs Sons of Behemat / Rob Anderson and Battlelines Drawn.
Army Faction: Sons of Behemat – Army Type: Breaker Tribe – Grand Strategy: No Place for the Weak – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Gatebreaker (520)* – Artefacts: Amberbone Totem 1 x Gatebreaker (520)* – General – Command Traits: Monstrously Tough – Artefacts: Vial of Manticore Venom 1 x Warstomper (450)** 1 x Warstomper (450)** – Artefacts: Glowy Shield of Protectiness
CORE BATTALIONS: *Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent **Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent
TOTAL POINTS: (1940/2000)
So no “remove from battlefield and set up again”, but I was playing into the Sons of Behemat; an army that just wants to get in your face and ‘Triple H Pedigree’ slam enemies, which, I am weirdly okay with. I screened out with Morathi-Khaine, the Shadow Queen and the Krondspine. And with the Witch Aelves on the flanks, I gave turn 1 away as before.
Rob moved his 4 big boys up to capture objectives (table quarters in this mission), capped the centre terrain piece with Desecrate and charged one of his Warstompers into a unit of Witch Aelves I had on the flank. He rightfully killed them and chipped 3 wounds off Morathi-Khaine.
My turn 1, I chose Gaining Momentum and committed to lifting the giant that had just slapped Morathi-Khaine and the Witch Aelves. Turn 1 finished, and I had lifted 2 giants.
Turn 2 priority was won by Rob, where he continued with the points increase and reducing Morathi to 6 wounds, and did enough damage to reduce the Krondspine to level 1. Another 5 points for Rob. Seeing the work that happened from the DoK turn 1, turn 2 was no different.
Game 2 finished 26-10 to DoK.
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Game 3 vs Skaven / Duncan Woods and Turf War.
Army Faction: Skaven – Grand Strategy: No Place for the Weak – Triumph: Inspired
Duncan is a loyal member of the GAF gaming group and has been to several of our events run by the Warrior Lodge, and every interaction with Duncs is….how can I describe it….erm….lets just say that he is a character and a gentleman to boot, so I knew this game would be laugh regardless.
Skaven is an army that I’ve not played a lot of to be honest, and with him rocking up with two Warp Lightning Cannons and 6 Stormfiends, I knew I had to be on him asap.
No surprises here when I gave Duncs turn 1 and with me deploying out side of his shooting range, he moved some units up to cap objectives. I was surprised that he didn’t go through the Gnawholes with his 6 Stormfiends and try to shoot off the Blood Sisters turn one….maybe he knew something I didn’t…? My turn 1 was simple, move up, and prep for later turns.
Turn 2 priority went in my favour, meaning that Morathi and the Krondspine could get into position for a charge. I also teleported the Blood Sisters for a supportive charge. Dice rolls went back and forth. Duncs killing his own general and bombardier through Skaven antics finished the game 28-9 to DoK.
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Game 4 vs Hedonites of Slaanesh / James Mackenzie and The Silksteel Nests.
Allegiance: Slaanesh – Host: Lurid Haze Invaders Host (Host of Chaos) – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders The Contorted Epitome (245)* – General – Command Trait: Feverish Anticipation – Artefact: Oil of Exultation – Lore of Slaanesh: Hysterical Frenzy Sigvald, Prince of Slaanesh (205)* Glutos Orscollion, Lord of Gluttony (440)* – Lore of Pain and Pleasure: Battle Rapture
Battleline 22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)** – Reinforced x 1 22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)** – Reinforced x 1 5 x Hellstriders with Hellscourges (135)*
Units 5 x Blissbarb Seekers (220)* 5 x Centigors (85)* 5 x Centigors (85)*
Endless Spells & Invocations The Burning Head (20)
Having not played Hedonites of Slaanesh before, meant I had had to do some homework the previous evening. High manoeuvrability, lots of units, a lot of shots, buffs from Glutos, the hindrance that Sigvald can bring meant this would be new to me, not to mention the 8 available objectives.
I set up so that each of my 4 objectives, had models touching it and gave James turn 1. He was on me straight away, his Blissbarb Archers being screened by the Centigors lifted both units of Witch Aelves that were on either flank. I had to play super aggressive and hit his key units right from the get go, as I was behind on points. Morathi moved up to just behind a building, being 9” from Glutos and the Krondspine moved up ready to ‘eat’ from Centigors. Charges were made and the Warrior Lodge dice rolled well, meaning that my turn 1, Glutos was dead, the Krondspine was in combat doing its thing.
Turn 2 priority was won by James and he played big for points scoring 7 points his turn 2. Bottom of turn 2 the score was 9 to me, 12 to James…
Turn 3 priority was again won by James and he kept on racking up the points, although he was behind with model count, if he could keep scoring points though, that could see him win overall. Turn 3 finished 15 to me and 18 to James.
Turn 4 priority was won by….James again…I must have used up all my priority rolls on day 1! Again more points racking up in James’s favour finishing turn 4 on 20 to me, 24 to James.
Turn 5 priority came and went….finally in my favour. I managed to get into positions in the previous turns to eventually pin him in and lift the pesky Hedonites which were so quick. Game 4 finished 29-24 to DoK. Phew.
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Game 5 vs Sylvaneth / Peter Twigg on Won’t Back Down.
Army Faction: Sylvaneth – Subfaction: Harvestboon – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS Warsong Revenant (305)* – General – Command Traits: Spellsinger – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Treesong, Verdant Blessing Celestant-Prime (325)*
BATTLELINE Tree-Revenants (110)* Tree-Revenants (110)* Revenant Seekers (705)** – Revenant Soulwarden – 3 x Seeker Banner Bearer – 3 x Seeker Hornblower Spiterider Lancers (420)** – Spiterider Scion – 2 x Spiterider Standard Bearer – 2 x Spiterider Hornblower
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment **Bounty Hunters
TOTAL POINTS: 1975/2000
A little birdy had mentioned to me that Pete wanted revenge from our last meeting from across the table where we were both on table 1, game 5. That last game was also played over Won’t Back Down so things felt similar, even if our lists were different.
Sylvaneth have historically been a challenging match up for me as they’re really nimble and I struggle to pin them down, so knew this match up would be tough, not to mention the fact that Pete had 9 Revenant Seekers and 6 Spiterider Lancers…oh and the Prime!
I did my thing with deployment ensuring that the Witch Aelves were snaked (pun intended!) round the Blood Sisters at 3” just in case the Prime was to come down turn 1, and gave Pete turn 1.
Against the Odds was chosen and he moved units up to threaten, but also to take objectives for a solid 5 VP round.
My turn 1, I did some hero phase shenanigans as usual and ran the buffed Blood Sisters up so they were 5” away from the 9 Revenant Seekers and their pool of 45 wounds. There was no redeploy which I was expecting, even though I had explained the abilities at the start. Charge phase started and the Blood Sisters failed their 5” charge. CP reroll… then I rolled a 8. Here we go! Spending a CP for all out attack and burning my triumph for +1 to wound saw them lift the Revenant Seekers to the wound, nothing more nothing less…. a big dent made.
Turn 2 I got the double turn, which allowed me to move up into position again ready for another charge. The Shadow Queen failed her charge, but the Blood Sisters got another charge off, this time into the 6 Spiterider Lancers but without the Mind Razor buff. Lifting 4 of them meant that Pete could retaliate and then in his turn nip through the woods far away…. Far, far away to the other end of the board…. i.e., my deployment zone lol.
I slowly managed to take the lead with a couple of points difference but at the cost of Morathi dying and we shook hands finishing the game 26-21 to DoK.
Peter: What a result. Thanks again to Baz for sharing his tournament review. Hopefully we can get him on again in the future.
