This is the top three AoS lists for HAST 2: Who Let the Dogs Out? that took place in Australia on the 29th and 30th of April. It involved 11 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: Idoneth Deepkin – Enclave: Mor’Phann – Mortal Realm: Ghyran – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Akhelian King (250)* – General – Bladed Polearm – Command Trait: Unstoppable Fury – Mount Trait: Voidchill Darkness Lotann, Warden of the Soul Ledgers (110)* Akhelian Thrallmaster (110)*** – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of the Deeps: None Isharann Soulrender (120)* – Artefact: Rune of the Surging Gloomtide – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
Battleline 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)** 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)** 20 x Namarti Thralls (260)*** – Reinforced x 1 20 x Namarti Thralls (260)** – Reinforced x 1
Units 3 x Aetherwings (70)* – Allies
Behemoths Akhelian Leviadon (460) – Mount Trait: Reverberating Carapace
LEADERS Abhorrant Ghoul King on Royal Terrorgheist (450) – Mount Traits: Gruesome Bite – Spells: Blood Feast Abhorrant Archregent (240)* – Artefacts of Power: The Dermal Robe – Spells: Deranged Transformation – Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Abhorrant Ghoul King on Royal Zombie Dragon (430)* – Spells: Flaming Weapon Crypt Haunter Courtier (110)* – General – Command Traits: Dark Acolyte – Spells: Spectral Host
Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers – Legion: Null Myriad – Mortal Realm: Shyish – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (340)** Katakros, Mortarch of the Necropolis (430) Mortisan Boneshaper (110)* – General – Artefact: Artisan’s Key – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master
UNITS 20 x Mortek Guard (280)* – Nadirite Blade and Shield – 2 x Soulcleaver Greatblades 10 x Mortek Guard (140)** – Nadirite Blade and Shield – 1 x Soulcleaver Greatblades 10 x Mortek Guard (140)** – Nadirite Blade and Shield – 1 x Soulcleaver Greatblades
These are the top AoS lists for Adepticon that took place in the USA on the 23rd and 24th of March. It involved 204 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
There was some controversy around the scoring for Adepticon, so we decided as a team to focus on all those lists that went undefeated or were in a tournament winning position (4 wins from 4 after round 4).
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: Guild of Summoners – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Ogroid Thaumaturge (170)* – General – Command Trait: Arcane Sacrifice – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of Fate: Arcane Suggestion Lord of Change (400)* – Artefact: Nine-Eyed Tome – Universal Spell Lore: Ghost-mist Curseling, Eye of Tzeentch (180)* – Lore of Fate: Glimpse of Future – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Magister (120)** – Lore of Fate: Shield of Fate
Battleline 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)** – 7x Cursed Blade & Arcanite Shield – 3x Cursed Glaives 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)** – 7x Cursed Blade & Arcanite Shield – 3x Cursed Glaives 10 x Tzaangors (180)** – 8x Pair of Savage Blade
Behemoths Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)** – Allies – Bound to Magister
Endless Spells & Invocations Umbral Spellportal (80) Purple Sun of Shyish (90) Burning Sigil of Tzeentch (60)
Kaleb returns with a variation on his LVO list. Kairos is replaced with a Lord of Change; the extra 40pts are then used to upgrade the Changecaster to a Curseling and to enable Kaleb to take Burning Sigil instead of Tome of Eyes to get the summoning train rolling. The list goes up from 2 drops to 4 drops to allow the Lord of Change to have a re-roll casts relic to practically guarantee that those casts will go off, most likely Umbral Spellportal and then the Warscroll spell for a consistent 6 mortal wounds or so a turn.
The reason that Umbral Spellportal is the key spell is so you can feed it to the Krondspine. How the combo works is that the Magister successfully casts their first spell and then uses the Destiny Dice to cast a second, with the double killing the Magister, sending the Incarnate wild. Spellportal can then be chucked out near the Krondspine’s charge target. Obviously another spell could be cast through it (or even move the Purple Sun through it) but the main job of the portal is for the Krondspine to be able to charge in and then Devour the endless spell to go up to level 3. It is a slight risk as it goes down a level if it fails, but Kaleb would just need to roll a 4 on 2D6 for it to be successful. With it more than likely being successful, the Krondspine is hanging around for a bit, no matter what it goes into.
If not more important than an indestructible Krondspine is that the Battle Tactics and Grand Strategy for Tzeentch are among the most straightforward to achieve, demonstrated by Kaleb scoring all 5 Battle Tactics every turn and Master of Destiny being arguably the easiest Grand Strategy in the game to complete.
One of those Battle Tactics, the Guild of Summoners specialises in: Call for Change, which is to summon a Lord of Change. Normally these would need 27 fate points, but in Guild of Summoners, the first Lord of Change is only 9 fate points and the first fate point is the auto-cast at the start of the game with Arcane Armies.
Congratulations on another superb showing from Mr Tzeentch himself and very much a trendsetter for several Tzeentch lists doing well in tournaments…
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Allegiance: Big Waaagh! – Grand Strategy: Waaagh! – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Wurrgog Prophet (170)** – Artefact: Glowin’ Tattooz – Lore of the Savage Beast: Gorkamorka’s War Cry – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Snatchaboss on Sludgeraker Beast (290)** – General – Command Trait: Egomaniak – Mount Trait: Fast ‘Un Orruk Warchanter (120)*** – Warbeat: Fixin’ Beat Orruk Megaboss (140)*** – Artefact: Gryph-feather Charm (Galletian Champion) – Aspect of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox Gobsprakk, The Mouth of Mork (260)*** Skragrott, The Loonking (160)** – Allies
Battleline 5 x Orruk Ardboys (80)* 5 x Orruk Ardboys (80)* 5 x Orruk Ardboys (80)*
Other Units 3 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (170)** – Jagged Gore-hackas 3 x Man-skewer Boltboyz (120)*** 24 x Squig Herd (240)* – Allies – Reinforced x 1
Big Waagh is enjoying a kind of thematically Ghurish resurgence, due to their access to great GCs and the simple fact they can also now take some Gitz allies, who, as you may have heard, have enjoyed somewhat of a glow up.
Either way, a 5-0 Waagh is a thing to be celebrated, so let’s dive into how it got there. The compliment of heroes has a few interesting surprises – you have ol’ laser eyes with his 4+ ward, a Warchanter and Megaboss as standard, and Gobsprakk for his anti-magic tech – but we also see here a Snatchaboss. Even though he’ll only be buffing one unit of 3 Boltboyz, he’s a well rounded solo operator, and Rob has slapped Egomaniak on him – I wonder if some of the Ardboyz acted as a bodyguard, making him a relatively fast and very durable monster with MW spike potential.
Then there’s the newly much-more-expensive Skagrott. At 210, I wonder if Ron would still ally him in – but as it stood, he’s an insanely high value allied spellcaster with a nasty, long range MW spell.
The other allies on loan from Gitz are the Squid Herd – a super cheap way to gain access to a high volume of attacks and further mid-range MWs when they fail a battleshock test – although they also have a recursion mechanic, meaning if you don’t kill the whole unit, the pain train keeps on comin’.
Overall, it’s a fantastic hero-hammer Waagh that makes great use of their spicy new allies. The points don’t quite add up anymore, but the fact it took down high profile armies such as Ogors, NH, Slaves, and Gitz themselves speaks to the versatility of the list – and Rob’s prowess of course. The Orruk book as a whole might be a complete bin-fire, but Big Waagh clearly offers the best way to make like an Orruk and slap whatever manic, vaguely green muscle you can lay your hands on into a potent krump!
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Allegiance: Lumineth Realm-lords – Great Nation: Helon – Mortal Realm: Hysh – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Archmage Teclis and Celennar, Spirit of Hysh (700)* – General Scinari Cathallar (110)* – Lore of Hysh: Total Eclipse Scinari Loreseeker (160)* – Artefact: Tuskhelm (Galletian Champion) – Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
Battleline 5 x Hurakan Windchargers (130)* 10 x Vanari Auralan Wardens (150)* – Lore of Hysh: Overwhelming Heat 20 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)* – Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh – Reinforced x 1 10 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (150)* – Lore of Hysh: Overwhelming Heat 10 x Vanari Auralan Sentinels (150)* – Lore of Hysh: Speed of Hysh
I call this list archetype the ‘can’t wait for the next Battlescroll’! Lead designer Matt Rose has highlighted that Helon and Sentinels are in line for an adjustment, for what should by now be fairly obvious reasons.
Tell you what though, it’s quite fun seeing the Tuskhelm on the Loreseeker. Imagine him popping up wherever he wants pre-game, then yeeting himself into you with a flaming weapon like a less sneaky version of the Masque.
Otherwise, there’s not much to say – it’s Sentinels projecting extreme prejudice at range and up close, with Teclis doing Teclis things. The only thing of interest left about this kind of list is how hard it’s going to get hit by the nerf bat!
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Army Faction: Ogor Mawtribes – Army Subfaction: Boulderhead – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Kragnos (720) 1 x Frostlord on Stonehorn (450)* – General – Command Traits: Voice of the Avalanche – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Mount Traits: Rockmane Elder – Spells: Flaming Weapon
BATTLELINE 1 x Stonehorn Beastriders (310)* – Blood Vulture 1 x Stonehorn Beastriders (310)* – Blood Vulture 2 x Mournfang Pack (170)* – Skalg – Culling Clubs and Hackers and Ironfist
TERRAIN 1 x Great Mawpot (0)
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (1960/2000)
Since the Ironblaster points hike, bar the very occasional Stonehorn heavy podium, Ogors have settled comfortably into a ‘top 5’ army, as though they have a nice big dinner early on and then get a bit too sleepy to bother chasing the absolute top spot.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that of course – we don’t want every faction to be Lumineth Slaanesh! Taking down three tanky melee armies, the shooty Ogors and a summoning heavy Tzeentch list for a 5-0 is a great result, either way.
So how did Tony do it? Well, he took Kragnos and a bunch of Stonehorns. The name of the day here is killing stuff on the charge – why risk having to roll attacks? Kragnos is capable of a OHKO of a big monster with the right roll of course, but probably the main thing he offers is a 3d6 charge aura. Given Stonehorns do mortals on a 4+ for dice equal to their unmodified charge roll – which a 3d6 is – you can start to see the appeal.
That’s about all there is to it. Like the Ogors themselves, it’s big and not very clever, but gets the job done.
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Army Faction: Sylvaneth – Subfaction: Gnarlroot – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Bloodthirsty – Seasons of War: The Burgeoning
LEADERS Spirit of Durthu (350) – General – Command Traits: Gnarled Warrior – Artefacts of Power: Greenwood Gladius The Lady of Vines (290) – Spells: Verdant Blessing Alarielle the Everqueen (820)* – Spells: Verdant Blessing
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Spiteswarm Hive (40) 1 x Chronomantic Cogs (70)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000
This list from Joey Trizenberg is so elite and character focused that it might be playable in Marvel Ultimate Crisis. The Lady of Vines and Alarielle’s summoning mechanics bulk out the wound count and utility this list needs with 30 dryads and a unit of tree revenants satisfying most of your objective-sitting needs. The reason such a limited selection of units can get away with this is that both Alarielle and Durthu demand answers, immediately, and can either murder or pin vast quantities of the opponent’s army, limiting their scoring options.
Durthu with the Gladius and Gnarled warrior is a brutal beatstick, and ethereal 3+ keeps him healthy over the game and the gladius makes him hit like a brick. Combine this with a 6+ ward and the number of wounds in this army gets a sneaky boost to keep it in the game. This said, the selection of the Burgeoning as the Season of war requires a 70 point investment in the form of Cogs to make the quantity of spellcasting in this list work, especially so, when you consider that Gnarlroot is being taken for 3d6 casting, messaging that Joey wants to ensure he’s spreading trees and getting up the very important LoV’s 5+ ward spell, which is rather inconsistent when raw-cast as a 7+ on 2d6.
Legitimate analysis aside, I’d pay good money to see this list smack around Sons of Behemat, that’d be a great table to watch. Great work Joey, a great achievement to get an uncommon 5-0 for sylvaneth, let alone with a list that is a major departure from what we usually see.
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Army Faction: Ogor Mawtribes – Subfaction: Meatfist – Grand Strategy: The Day is Ours! – Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Tyrant (150)* – Big Name: Brawlerguts Kragnos (720)* Icebrow Hunter (120)** – General – Command Traits: Touched by the Everwinter – Prayers: Keening Gale Tyrant (150)** – Artefacts of Power: Gryph-feather Charm – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master – Big Name: Brawlerguts Tyrant (150)** – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Flaming Weapon – Big Name: Brawlerguts
Continuing their recent hot-streak of great results is another 4-1 Alarielle finish! Oh how people bemoaned the Everqueen upon the book’s release – and in fairness, she takes a bit of figuring out, as her power doesn’t lie in her melee power but rather in her zoning and revival ability.
She’s backed up here by the standard Arch-Rev with Warsinger to make stuff speedy – make that extra-super speedy when also combined with the Spiteswarm Hive. It’s also nice to see a brace of Dryads as surprisingly effective screens – sure they turn into splinters once hit but, with -1 to hit and wound, the can be like reeds in a breeze…. and a reinforced blob of Seekers for doing Seeker things (namely pinning stuff at speed and just never, ever dying due to their abilities to heal themselves and bring their own models back automatically).
Overall, a nicely balanced list that gives Big Momma and her Fancy Beetle a good run out against a tough variety of opponents.
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Army Faction: Lumineth Realm-lords – Subfaction: Helon – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Archmage Teclis (700)* – Spells: Healing Zephyr Scinari Cathallar (110)* – General – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts of Power: Silver Wand – Spells: Total Eclipse – Aspects of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage
BATTLELINE Hurakan Windchargers (130)* – Windspeaker Seneschal – Standard Bearer Hurakan Windchargers (130)* – Windspeaker Seneschal – Standard Bearer Hurakan Windchargers (130)* – Standard Bearer – Windspeaker Seneschal
OTHER Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)* – High Sentinel – Spells: Overwhelming Heat Vanari Auralan Sentinels (300)* – High Sentinel – Spells: Speed of Hysh
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Umbral Spellportal (80) 1 x Rune of Petrification (60) 1 x Emerald Lifeswarm (60)
TERRAIN 1 x Shrine Luminor (0)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
More LRL! Funnily enough, this list has also opted for Helon, and who cares how many Sentinels. But they also go hard on WIndchargers! A cunning tactical ploy to have slightly fewer shots on slow bodies and slightly more shots on fast bodies. I’m sure the dilemma was agonising.
Since this tournament, and indeed my comments on the 3rd place list, Sentinels, Teclis, and Windchargers have gone up a few points. So lists like this will no longer be able to take quite so many endless spells! I’m sure the effect on their efficacy will be devastating.
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Army Faction: Disciples of Tzeentch – Army Subfaction: Guild of Summoners – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Magister (120)* – Spells: Shield of Fate – Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur 1 x Curseling (180)** – Spells: Glimpse the Future – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master 1 x Ogroid Thaumaturge (170)** – General – Command Traits: Arcane Sacrifice – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Spells: Arcane Suggestion 1 x Lord of Change (400)** – Staff of Tzeentch and Rod of Sorcery – Artefacts: Nine-Eyed Tome – Spells: Ghost-mist
BATTLELINE 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)* – Kairic Adept – Cursed Blade and Arcanite Shield – Scroll of the Dark Arts – Vulcharc – 3 x Cursed Glaive and Arcanite Shield 10 x Kairic Acolytes (120)* – Kairic Adept – Cursed Blade and Arcanite Shield – Scroll of the Dark Arts – Vulcharc – 3 x Cursed Glaive and Arcanite Shield 10 x Tzaangors (180)* – Twistbray – Icon Bearer – Brayhorn Blower – 2 x Tzaangor Mutant – Pair of Savage Blades
BEHEMOTH 1 x Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)*
ENDLESS SPELL 1 x Umbral Spellportal (80) 1 x Burning Sigil Of Tzeentch (60) 1 x Purple Sun of Shyish (90)
Please read the review for Kaleb’s winning list and substitute the word ‘Kaleb’ for ‘Jonathan’! Seriously, I wasn’t kidding about Kaleb’s list being a trendsetter!
I should probably include a few more words on Jonathan’s path to 13th place so that Peter doesn’t get mad at me and assigns me 500 words on each variant of contrast paint. He did fantastically well to get to table 2 in Round 5 but then faced the Kryptonite of many Tzeentch lists: Kragnos and Stonehorns. With the ability to ignore so much magic AND the speed of Tony’s 4th placed list (see above) it was always going to be tricky. While having some monsters to eat would be handy for the Krondspine, Jonathan wouldn’t have been given the time to get the summoning going and so had to settle for a still very impressive 4-1 in the end.
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Army Faction: Ossiarch Bonereapers – Subfaction: Mortis Praetorians – Grand Strategy: Unrelenting Efficiency – Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Arkhan the Black (340) Katakros (430)* Mortisan Soulreaper (100)* – Spells: Protection of Nagash – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master Mortisan Soulreaper (100)* – General – Command Traits: Katakros’ Chosen – Artefacts of Power: Artificer’s Blade – Spells: Drain Vitality
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Nightmare Predator (40)
TERRAIN 1 x Bone-tithe Nexus (0)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
A list reminiscent of classical pre-Stalkers as Battleline lists for Ossiarch Bonereapers. Obviously, this list was before the new battletome so a few things need to be considered. Katakros and Arkhan are the headliners, with Arkhan being one of the few legitimately good units in OBR with his +2 to casting and blazing fast speed. Katakros offers a ton of buffs from stealing a command point on a 4+, -1 to hit on an enemy unit, and giving +1 to hit and to saves for all units within 36″. Mortis Praetorians doesn’t see as much play as Petrifix Elite but if you’re going to run Katakros it’s about the same with his +1 to save aura, though you do lose the -1 Rend from Petrifix Elite. Rounding off the list is two Soulreapers, which while not very good allow him to slip in 2 Galetian Champions at 2000 points.
As for units this list doesnt really have much of a hammer. That’s clearly not the point though, with 60 Mortek Guard you can gum up the board pretty bad, 30 3+ Save, 6+ Ward wounds aren’t easy to cut through if you didn’t bring a Monster to roar them. While they may not hit nearly as hard as Stalkers, they’re not totally impotent either, and can usually win a grind out war over 2-3 turns of combat against nastier things. The Immortis guard are a workhorse unit to protect Arkhan from ranged fire, since an 11 wound 4+ Save Monster makes him a giant red bullseye for enemy fire.
Leaders The Contorted Epitome (240)* – General – Command Trait: Feverish Anticipation – Artefact: Oil of Exultation – Host Option: General – Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Sigvald, Prince of Slaanesh (210)* – Host Option: General Glutos Orscollion, Lord of Gluttony (440)* – Lore of Pain and Pleasure: Battle Rapture Infernal Enrapturess, Herald of Slaanesh (120)* – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of Slaanesh: Born of Damnation
Battleline 22 x Blissbarb Archers (280)** – Reinforced x 1 11 x Blissbarb Archers (140)** 11 x Blissbarb Archers (140)**
As Peter put it the other day, Old Slaanesh (the previous Battletome) was in play. This is a popular “old list” right now. Slaanesh, like all aelves, has always been very difficult to balance, at the moment though they are a bit of a sleeper. Mobile with mad summoning, decent shooting and surprisingly durable with Revel in Pain.
Laron’s doubled down on the Epitome with Fuelled by Ghurish rage on top of Oil (+1 wound) and Flaming Weapon. Glutos, the mobile road block, is here with Sigvald to snipe out annoying Galletian Champions and the Enrapturess to make sure those casts go off. Beyond wards, bravery and damage spells, the army is packing all 3 Hedonite Endless Spells. Mortal wounds for everyone and a fight last as well. Mandatory Blissbarbs and the soon to be extinct Cockatrice (the monster keyword isn’t on the new scroll). The Cockatrice still has a place to generate DP and for their fast movement, letting them score early points.
And that’s the conundrum of facing the chaos aelves – target the Blissbarb, and apart from being stung, you’ll give them a lot of DP (summoning points). And as you kill them, they’ll get harder to kill. Worse, Glutos and the Epitome will be free to act. Target the heroes, and the Blissbarb will make you look like a porcupine. The old HoS book is a dps check. You need to deal with them fast enough that their summoning doesn’t matter. Preferably from range.
Laron took the list to 4-1 handily defeating several top armies (and Stormcast). Pretty amazing with a list that shouldn’t have a lot of surprises and was at the time running with a 47% win rate. That success should tell you how good the general was.
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Allegiance: Sylvaneth – Glade: Heartwood – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs:
Leaders Alarielle the Everqueen (820)* Arch-Revenant (120)* – General – Command Trait: Warsinger – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of the Deepwood: Verdurous Harmony
Units 10 x Dryads (100)* 10 x Dryads (100)* 3 x Kurnoth Hunters with Kurnoth Greatbows (230)* 5 x Tree-Revenants (110)* 6 x Revenant Seekers (480)* – Reinforced x 1
Continuing the 4-1 with Alarielle trend – which I’m personally happy to see given Momma Nature is such a great model, is this Heartwood list that, well, pretty much follows the template.
Probably the most important synergy in overall playstyle here is the way the Seekers compliment what Alarielle can do. Beetle-bum is much more of a mixed phase zoning piece with her big’ ol….base and surprising speed, so you need something like the Seekers to be able to zoom in on smaller, more versatile bases, do a good amount of damage, and actually stay where they end up – something they’re willing to risk due to their built in healing, 5+ rally and ability to bring a model back. With Dryads and Tree Revs as annoying, teleporty objective grabbers and screens, and the 3 Greatbows doing plinky-plink damage at long range, this kind of list can be very difficult to actually navigate around. And of course, by the time you finally kill Alarielle, she’s liable to come back in later rounds when you no longer have the tools to take her off again.
Losing only to a Gnarlroot Sylvaneth semi-mirror, and taking down a good variety of other lists en route, this new list archetype (I’m calling it Beetle-Momma and the Seekers) clearly has legs/wings/roots…. I’ll leaf it there. Big up to Matthew!
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Allegiance: Idoneth Deepkin – Enclave: Mor’Phann – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Akhelian Thrallmaster (110)* Isharann Soulrender (120)* – Artefact: Rune of the Surging Gloomtide – Aspect of the Champion: Tunnel Master Akhelian King (250)* – General – Bladed Polearm – Command Trait: Unstoppable Fury – Mount Trait: Voidchill Darkness
Battleline 6 x Akhelian Morrsarr Guard (360)* – Reinforced x 1 6 x Akhelian Morrsarr Guard (360)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Namarti Reavers (340)* – Reinforced x 1 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)* 20 x Namarti Thralls (260)* – Reinforced x 1
This list makes use of some of the best Idoneth units avaiable in the book, without relying on Lotann or the Leviadon. Two champs are there to support the Namarti units, both defensively and offensively, and the Artefact allows the Isharann character to summon a Gloomtide Shipwreck at the end of the first movement phase. This is particularly good with Tunnel Master, because the Soulrender can pop up anywhere on the board and drop a large piece of line of sight blocking impassable terrain.
The eels and king can work in tandem to deal a lot of damage. The eels can charge in first, eat the Unleash Hell while still getting their mortal wound bomb off, while the king can pop himself and possibly both eel squads into high tide, creating the possibility of an alpha strike against any enemy who may have deployed too aggressively.
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for God’s of War 3 that took place in Italy on the 11th and 12th of February. It involved 84 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
The rankings for this tournament included other points that played around with the usual order of lists. We therefore decided to base the top 3 lists on the traditional method of wins and then battle points.
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: Idoneth Deepkin – Army Subfaction: Mor’phann – Grand Strategy: Dominion of the Deep Ones – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty LEADER 1 x Isharann Tidecaster (140) – Artefacts: Rune of the Surging Gloomtide – Spells: Steed of Tides – Aspects of the Champion: Tunnel Master 1 x Akhelian Thrallmaster (110)* – General – Command Traits: Lord of Storm and Sea 1 x Isharann Soulrender (120)* 1 x Lotann (110)*
BATTLELINE 20 x Namarti Thralls (260)* – Icon Bearer 20 x Namarti Thralls (260)* – Icon Bearer 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)** – Icon Bearer 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)** – Icon Bearer 10 x Namarti Reavers (170)** – Icon Bearer
BEHEMOTH 1 x Akhelian Leviadon (460)* – Mount Traits: Reverberating Carapace
Just in case it isn’t obvious by the time I finish this segment, I really love Idoneth Deepkin. They are the perfect army full of the best models with no bad builds, and you will never convince me otherwise. Luca’s list shines a spotlight on a handful of excellent units and clearly uses them to their greatest effect.
Let’s start with heroes. Luca has opted to leave the classic Murderking at home to fill in more slots for GCs. They are also focusing their heroes on the ability to buff and support their key units rather than shine by themselves. The Tidecaster brings two Isharann Rituals, the Thrallmaster is remarkably versatile (and has pretty decent solo damage output as well), the Soulrender keeps those Namarti alive, and Lotann provides some amazing buffs when stacked up with other heroes.
The Namarti thralls and reavers are supported by these heroes in key ways. Sticking the Tidecaster in a boat to give Riptide the widest possible reach, then pick your favorite Thrall unit and stick all of the remaining heroes into the middle. At that point the Soulrender is going to be resurrecting 4 to 6 Thralls per battleshock phase, the Thrallmaster is going to provide exploding 6’s to hit, Lotann provides +1 to wound, the Leviadon gives +1 to hit…
You see where this is going. Assuming the chosen unit doesn’t get destroyed on their way to their destination (which obviously didn’t happen, given Luca’s first place win) the 20 thralls will force a massive number of Rend -1 saves. And if it does happen that the thrall unit gets destroyed on the way to their destination, Luca has a backup castle right behind the first. On top of all this, Luca has 30 Sharpshooter Reavers running around the board as fast as (or faster) than other armies’ cavalry all the while able to pick off enemy GCs before they have the chance to score battle tactics.
All-in-all, this is an excellent showing from an army that we don’t get to see in top 3 articles very often, and Luca did an excellent job piloting them to a 5-0 win and first place!
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Allegiance: Nighthaunt – Procession: Scarlet Doom – Grand Strategy: The Day is Ours! – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Guardian of Souls (150)** – Lore of the Underworlds: Seal of Shyish Krulghast Cruciator (150)** – Artefact: Lightshard of the Harvest Moon Lord Executioner (130)*** – General – Command Trait: Hatred of the Living – Artefact: Slitter – Aspect of the Champion: Fuelled by Ghurish Rage Spirit Torment (120)** Spirit Torment (120)
Battleline 10 x Bladegheist Revenants (180)* 10 x Bladegheist Revenants (180)* 20 x Bladegheist Revenants (360)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Bladegheist Revenants (360)* – Reinforced x 1 3 x Spirit Hosts (130)***
No Harridans, no Hexwraiths, just a single-minded focus on some of the most effective murder machines Nighthaunt has. By now, everyone knows the Bladegheist trick, an extra attack on the charge. With Lightshard, that means up to 5 attacks as well as mortal wounds from the charge (Scarlet Doom ability). This is a variation on the 2 blocks of 30 Bladegheist that we saw early in last season. This list deals with one of the weaknesses of the 60 Bladegheist list by giving both more units and a non-trivial screen. The weakness, of course, is only 10 wounds for 180 points. They can issue discorporate on themselves to take advantage of a 5+ ward increased their effective wounds 30%. But even without rend, a 10/13 wound unit is pretty easy to pick up.
Unfortunately unless you have a double pile in/fight rule (Terrorgheist I see you) the unit that removes the screen is really only a trading piece with one of the large units likely to take advantage of your clearing the screen. Elite armies can’t afford that trade too often. The normal buffing heroes are here, Kruleghast gives -1 damage, and Guardian of Souls with 2 Spirit Torments to return models every turn. The Lord Executioner build is cute and very threatening, but with only 5 wounds, he can be removed a bit too easily to rely on. It will take a little effort, though, with his standard wards and once per game 3+ wards.
If combined with the Spirit Hosts, it will take quite a bit to shift him. He’s not a Megaboss but with Slitter (chance to one shot small heroes) and Hatred of the Living he’s a nasty bomb waiting for something to get too close. The points increase cost this list dearly – in Season 2, it costs more than 100 more than Season 1 neatly removing the Purple Sun (and other helpful spells). With a mix of defensive and offensive buffs and choices, this is still a very aggressive list that aims to win by destroying you more than playing for points. Isolated any of the core units are pretty weak. The lower Battlescore (still 5 and 0) reflects that it’s a bit harder to score in Season 2 just by killing your opponent. It’s still fun though.
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Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Chaos Lord on Daemonic Mount (170)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Cursed Warhammer Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Daemonic Speed – Aspects of the Champion: Leadership of the Alpha Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Spells: Chaotic Conduit
BATTLELINE Chaos Knights (230)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Doom Knight – Standard Bearer – Hornblower – Cursed Lance Chaos Knights (460)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Doom Knight – Cursed Lance – 2 x Hornblower – 2 x Standard Bearer – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon Varanguard (290)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – 3 x Ensorcelled Weapon Varanguard (290)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – 3 x Fellspear Varanguard (290)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – 3 x Fellspear
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1970/2000
Slaves to Darkness players (myself included) are quickly finding that the new book has some definite power, even if from a fairly limited selection of warscrolls and allegiance abilities. However, the combos that do work, work.
Meme has kept things simple and leaned into a ‘2e Slaves but with no Archaon’ list, with loads of cavalry in Knights of the Empty Throne, which makes mounted units able to run and charge, and Varanguard battleline. Also, be aware, the 5+ Varanguard rally only applies if the GENERAL is a Varanguard model.
Slaves HQ picks are quickly consolidating to a lean selection of 1-2 Lords, with at least being the Sorcerer as we have here, for access to the fantastic Daemonic Power (+1 to hit and wound) spell, that he can cast on 3d6 thanks to a heroic action – hence the Arcane Tome and Master of Magic – also crucial to getting ‘Daemonic Speed’ off for those 3d6 charges.
Troop wise, Chaos Knights are rapidly showing Nurgle to be their favourite mark, so they can act as durable pinning pieces. Meme has them backed up by 3x msu Khorne Varanguard, as savage guided missiles, with each unit being able to fight twice.
You can probably see how it works – a wall of super hard to kill knights with run+3d6 charge to box you in, and death squads of Varanguard with – if all the buffs go off – 4 attacks each, 2/2/-3/2!
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Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals – Army Type: Stormkeep – Subfaction: Hallowed Knights – Triumph: Inspired – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Their
LEADERS Lord-Castellant (160)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact of Power: Arcane Tome – Spell: Starfall Gardus Steel Soul (170)*** Knight-Zephyros (100)*** – Artefact of Power: Mirrorshield – Aspect of the Champion: Stubborn as a Rhinox Krondys (550)*** – Spell: Thundershock
BATTLELINE 15 x Vindictors (390)* – Vindictor-Prime – 3 x Azyrite Signifier 5 x Vanquishers (110)** – Vanquisher-Prime 5 x Vanquishers (110)*** – Vanquisher-Prime
OTHER 3 x Aetherwings (70)** 3 x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (240)** – Raptor-Prime
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Everblaze Comet (90)
With the news that small heroes were the focus of Season 2, SCE players rejoiced and began sorting through their 40 heroes for Galletian Champions to take up the challenge. And very quickly realised that despite only average performance, they’d gotten a nerf. The same 3 or 4 foot heroes that were already in the list were there for a reason. However, both the Knight Zephyros and the Knight Azyros. especially the Knight Zephyros, made a return. Only 6″ move, but he can teleport instead of move on top of run and charge. Only 5 wounds but equipped with Mirrorshield (can’t be shot unless you are within 9″) and Subborn as a Rhinox makes him both a great backfield but also a great unguarded objective unit. Really though this is the Krondys show with a supporting cast of heroes.
Both the Castellant and Steel Soul bring useful buffs (+1 to save and a 12″ 5+ ward). While Krondys is the big hammer, the Vindictors are a hammer in their own right. They are part of the Galletian Command battalion with the Castellant. You can expect them to hang around with a 2+ save. You can expect them to do an average of 5 mortal wounds at full strength (15 models), they need to lose 3 models before battleshock is an issue. They also fight on death, so combat is a real concern. They are part of an anti horde approach, including Starfall and the Vanquishers (they get more attacks the more models they face). At the same time, as including a hero that can snipe objectives, Ambrogio included some real snipers.
Aetherwings are not just spotters (+1 to hit for longstrikes if the target is within 12″ of them). They can, of course, take objectives or push scoring opportunities. The Longstrikes are a good choice for sniping out Galletian Champions. A well thought out list with solid scoring opportunities and the ability to apply pressure, including through remote mortal wounds (Raptors, Everblaze Comet, and Starfall) that will punish any horde or army that castles. 13th is low for a 4 and 1 record, demonstrating SCE’s frequent mobility issue and its impact on scoring.
With the release of the Battlescroll: Galletian Reinforcements I’ve been able to go back through the data from the release of the General’s Handbook and tidy everything up. In doing so, I though it may be cool to give you a run-down of how each faction performed under the current General’s Handbook until the Battlescroll took effect.
The data used for analysing these results was taken from 110 Grand Tournaments between 3rd July 2022 and 6th November 2022.
Idoneth Deepkin
Region Comparison – Popularity
Idoneth Deepkin saw their highest popularity in Europe with 4.6% of players choosing the faction for tournament play, while at the opposite end of the world the uptake was only 1.2% in Oceania.
Region Comparison – Win Rates
Oceania had the highest win rate with 80.0% (insane!), while North America had the lowest with 44.0%.
Scandinavia was the only region which didn’t see the Idoneth achieve a 5-0 result.
Subfaction Analysis
Subfaction
Players
Win Rate
Briomdar
7
55.56%
Mor’Phann
30
55.33%
Fuethan
25
51.19%
Ionrach
34
51.18%
Dhom-Hain
9
47.78%
Nautilar
45
41.74%
None/Unknown
18
50.00%
Faction Total
168
49.23%
There appears to be a fairly even spread between 3-4 subfactions, with Mor’Phann being the most successful of those at 55.33% and Nautilar having the least success at 41.74%. These tables often go to show how much difference the subfaction allegiance abilities can make to an army.
Top 10 Idoneth Deepkin Players
You may notice that some players have a better World/Nation ranking than players above them in this table. This is due to players playing with multiple factions. These players have been ranked on their top 4 Idoneth Deepkin results only.
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Epic Level Showdown that took place in Georgia, USA on 24th and 25th September. It involved 35 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: Maggotkin of Nurgle – Subfaction: Drowned Men – Grand Strategy: No Place for the Weak – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (360)* – Allies Lord of Afflictions (210)* – General – Command Trait: Overpowering Stench – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of Malignance: Rancid Visitations
Battleline 10 x Plaguebearers (150)* 2 x Pusgoyle Blightlords (220)* – 1x Dolorous Tocsin 4 x Pusgoyle Blightlords (440)* – 2x Dolorous Tocsin – Reinforced x 1 4 x Pusgoyle Blightlords (440)* – 2x Dolorous Tocsin – Reinforced x 1
Brett: We’ve seen the Nurgle Blightlord’s a lot in Season 1, they deny the missions well more than play them well, but to look at this list and think it’s like that would be a mistake. To start with Be’lakor is heading the list (even if he isn’t the general) and it has Plaguebearers and Nurglings even. That’s right there are Galletian Veteran’s in this list. On top of that we have Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws, the mechanics of this spell are brilliant (roll 3D6 and subtract the target unit’s movement, take the difference as mortal wounds). 3 casts/dispels with Arcane Tome and Rancid Visitations, an anti horde mortal wound spell. Be’lakor is a skill pick, 20% of your army and he can hit really hard but he only has 14 wounds on a 4+ and degrades quickly.
You need to pick your time to commit him and I feel like the durable Blightlords compliment him well. Commit them to the early scoring/battle tactics and bluntening your opponents thrust before swooping in. It might even open up a This One’s Mine which can help a lot with your scoring. The Blightlords are just an effective unit, 8 wounds and 11 attacks each and mortal wounds on the charge and at the end of combat. With disease points they grind units down through a combination of resilience (5+ ward and heal a wound every round) and steady damage. The Nurglings are a natural for either taking an unprotected objective or completing Desecrate the Lands with their Hidden Infestations (they don’t deploy until the end of your first movement phase and must be outside of your deployment).
They arrive 3″ away from Terrain so it will be the next turn before they can do Desecrate. It’s a unique take on a pretty common solution and able to access pretty much all battle tactics (particularly from the GHB). Great work going 5/0 and proving the there is depth to Nurgle.
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Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin – Subfaction: Mor’phann – Grand Strategy: The Creeping Gloomtide – Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS Akhelian King (250)* – General – Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury – Bladed Polearm and Falchion – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness – Spells: Flaming Weapon – Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur Isharann Soulscryer (150)* – Prayers: Curse Isharann Soulrender (120)*
Brett: Another different take on the popular infantry heavy Idoneth list. Instead of a 20 or 30 model units Jon is running his Reavers in 10 model trading units. The Thralls are still in a double reinforced unit. The Soulscryer is one reason for the smaller units, they are much easier to Deep Strike. One can garrison the shipwreck as well. The Soulscryer can take 2 units with him and redeploy at the end of the movement phase within 6″ of the edge of the battlefield and outside of 9″ from an enemy unit. Great for battletactics and sniping important things. The Soulrender is returning units with Lurelight. The King has all of the upgrades which include Unstoppable Fury (+2 attacks for each unit within 3″ in High Tide), Arcane Tome/Flaming Weapon (+1 damage) and Voidchill Darkness (-1 hit to enemy attackers).
Rounding out the list are Krondspine and the Shipwreck.Krondspine is interesting choice but helps before High Tide (turn 3) when Idoneth has fight first available before dropping into Ebb Tide where they can retreat and charge (or shoot). Krondspine gives you an offensive threat that needs to be dealt with. Supported by Reavers and even the King from turn 2 it’s a serious threat, even better if it’s still around in turn 3. The small units of Reavers can make effective use of the Tides of Death, there is less on the line if you run and shoot with a small unit that will most likely be taken out next turn. An interesting take on Idoneth that ran very well and scored well throughout, in the end losing to our winner in the final round. No surprises really, Jon is one of the top ranked players in the world.
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Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Army Type: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Take What’s Theirs
LEADERS Varanguard (560) – General – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Command Traits: Inescapable Doom – Daemonforged Blade and Warpsteel Shield – Artefacts of Power: Grasping Plate Chaos Sorcerer Lord (135)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Spells: Mask of Darkness Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Hellforged Sword and Malefic Talons Chaos Sorcerer Lord on Manticore (270)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Spells: Mask of Darkness – Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur
BATTLELINE Untamed Beasts (70)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch Untamed Beasts (70)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch Untamed Beasts (70)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch
BEHEMOTH Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (400) Chaos Warshrine (215)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Prayers: Heal
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
Brett: Knights of the Empty Throne (without Archaon) being run here by one of the top 10 players in the world (tough crowd in Georgia). Although there is no Archeon it’s still a hero based list and possibly a prelude to what the end of the year may look like with the new book. Only 2 casts/dispels but with both the Krondspine (Endless Spell protection and massive melee threat) and the Warshrine (Behemoth priest). Both Sorcerers know Mask of Darkness (teleport for Mortal units). Everything except the Daemon Prince is Tzeetch marked (reroll save rolls of 1 for everything except the Incarnate and Untamed Beasts) and a 5+ ward against the effects of magic. Varanguard as general with Inescapable Doom (no retreat within 3″) and Grasping Plate (6″ engagement range and 6″ pile in). We’ll assume they are 6th Circle for the extra damage on the charge.
Playing this well takes some considered action, there are 4 solid hammers but they work best with overlapping buffs. Khorne Marked Daemon Prince has the 18″ halve charge and run rolls, he is best close to something important that you don’t want charged. The Krondspine doesn’t benefit from the armies buffs so can act independently but it’s also strong anti endless spell protection. Varanguard are a mobile threat as is the Sorcerer on Manticore but committing them too early could be a mistake. The Untamed Beasts and Sorcerers are mortals and can be teleported with Mask of Darkness. Great for those Battle Tactics. The Sorceror’s can use Eye of the Gods at the end of the turn if they kill a unit. Probably not something to play into, the Sorcerer’s can be removed relatively easily – even the 12 wounds on a 4+, but something to take advantage of
The ideal set up is probably to have the Sorcerer cast Demonic Power (reroll hits and wounds) on the Varanguard before launching them. Keep the Daemon Prince near to the Varanguard to prevent the counter charge. In earlier turns screen with the Untamed Beasts (both the Prince and Manticore fly so can go over the screen if necessary). Initially everything is likely to stay close to the Warshrine for the 6+ ward, particularly if there is much shooting in the enemy’s list. The loss to Lumineth just highlights the issues Slaves have as a melee army that is relatively slow moving with long range mortal wound shooting. Lumineth in particular aren’t likely to push into to you to score giving little room to react to their shooting, 2 turns across open ground is uncomfortable.
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Army Faction: Ogor Mawtribes – Army Type: Boulderhead – Grand Strategy: No Place for the Weak – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADERS Frostlord on Stonehorn (430)* – General – Metalcruncher – Lord of Beasts – Brand of the Svard Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)*
Brett: Do you like a quick movement phase without the distraction of a lot of units (and models)? But Gargants don’t float your boat then get on Ogors, mini, hungrier Gargants looking for their next meal. They also look pretty angry rather than slow witted so that’s something (I always wanted Ogres as a playable race in Warcraft). With a new book coming there is some light at the end of the tunnel, at the moment Ogors are languishing with a 42% winrate with fairly low representation. I’m going with this must have been a Battle Regiment not Bounty Hunters because Bounty Hunters is only 3 units max. Anyone 2 Generals since Kragnos is no one’s servant (he counts as a General).
The Frostlord has Metalcruncher (D6 MW to a unit within 3″ at start of combat) and as a Boulderhead, Lord of Beasts (1″ extra movement) and Brand of Svard (+1 to hit with melee weapons). Kragnos is handing out his 18″ charge with 3D6 rolls. The Gluttons get an extra 2″ move if they are more than 3″ from all enemy units (they’re hungry) and everything does mortal wounds on the charge. Kragnos is unique there where he makes a charge with different profiles if it is against units or a single monster. His Bellowing Roar as he gets wounded is always funny, in a bad way. If you see Ogors you know they are going to concentrate on stomping you, if they are with Kragnos they will be fairly compact.
Michael recovered really well from his early round losses, eventually finishing higher than both of his opponents. As expected scoring was an issue with 6 dropped tactics and 2 dropped Grand Strategies through the weekend. Congratulations on bringing a pretty unique list.
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Game Knight Grand Tournament that took place in London, Ontario, Canada on the 17th and 18th of September. It involved 22 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: Sons of Behemat – Army Type: Breaker Tribe – Grand Strategy: Make the land tremble! – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Gatebreaker (525)* – General – Command Traits: Monstrously Tough – Artefacts: Enchanted Portcullis 1 x Warstomper (470)* – Artefacts: Amulet of Destiny 1 x Gatebreaker (525)** – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Spells: Flaming Weapon 1 x Warstomper (470)**
CORE BATTALIONS: *Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent **Bosses of the Stomp – Magnificent
TOTAL POINTS: (1990/2000)
Brett: Sons of Behemat continuing to benefit from the Season 1 GHB taking out an event this time. Lately we’ve seen a lot of 3 Gatebreaker, Krondspine lists in the podium, this time it’s a more traditional (?) 2 x Gatebreakers and 2 x Warstomper. From the top Breaker Tribe but no loathing shown, and no Mancrushers in the list, with 2 x Bosses of the Stomp for extra artefacts. Grand Strategy is Make the Land Tremble – a unit needs to make a run or charge move every round, very hard to stop. Gatebreaker general with Monstrously Tough (extra 5 wounds) and Enchanted Portcullis (6+ ward). The first Warstomper also has a 6+ ward (Amulet of Destiny) and lastly the other Gatebreaker has Arcane Tome with Flaming Weapon (+1 damage)A tanky build with 2 of the Gargants having more than 40 effective wounds thanks to traits and artefacts.
If you move the Portcullis to another gargant instead of the General there would have been 3 Gargants with more than 40 effective wounds. First round draw against Slaves, the slaves list was running the new Legionnaires and mostly had small units with Be’lakor. Warstompers are less efficient into smaller units with their Titanic Boulder clubs attacks reducing quickly (it caps at 10). The same is true of the Sylvaneth list he faced in round 2. He maxed all of his other rounds including the last against the only other player to max all of his rounds. That match up against Fangs of Sotek would have favoured the Sons with the wards helping against Mortal Wounds and the Warstompers having max attacks against the big Skink blocks. A great run and nice to see a little variation in an army with so few warscrolls.
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Army Faction: Seraphon – Army Type: Starborne – Army Subfaction: Fangs of Sotek – Grand Strategy: The Astromatrix – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Lord Kroak (430)* – General 1 x Skink Starpriest (130)* – Spells: Hand of Glory 1 x Saurus Astrolith Bearer (140)** – Artefacts: Serpent God Dagger 1 x Stegadon with Skink Chief (305)** – Skystreak Bow – Artefacts: Cloak of Feathers – Mount Traits: Celestial Destruction 1 x Skink Priest (90)** – Prayers: Curse
BATTLELINE 30 x Skinks (225)* – Skink Alpha – Boltspitter and Moonstone Club 30 x Skinks (225)* – Skink Alpha – Boltspitter and Moonstone Club 10 x Skinks (75)* – Skink Alpha – Boltspitter – Celestite Dagger and Star-buckler 5 x Saurus Guard (115)* – Saurus Guard Alpha – Stardrake Icon Bearer – Wardrummer
Brett: Seraphon have continued to be strong for a very long time, not least because of the number of builds they can use. I prefer Fangs of Sotek to Thunder Lizard, not that I play Seraphon, but I think it plays to the mission better. And allows you to stop your opponent playing the mission as well. Choosing a named character as General (Kroak) loses you a Command Trait so it’s not often seen. Still 6 casts and Kroak’s unlimited range +2 dispel/unbind magic is going to be in their favour. Saurus guard are acting as body guards, the Skink Chief, Starpriest and Priest are buffing Skinks and the Astrolith Bearer providing a 6+ ward to units within 12″. Lots of leaders but the core of this list is the 2 x 30 Skink units.
They can be teleported within 9″ (with a 16″ weapon), with more than 15 models they have an extra attack (Unleash Hell with 60 attacks before any other buffs). Before being teleported they will be granted +1 to hit (Skink Priest), +1 attack (Skink Chief – melee only), 6s do a mortal wound in addition with at least +1 to their save and likely 6+ ward. If they have their buffs that unit is potentially doing 25 mortal wounds in addition to any other damage. Skinks look inoffensive but in a large group with buffs they are anything but. Rounding out this potential is the Bastilidon with Solar Engine and the Starbourne summoning which makes Descrate Lands and Against the Odds really easy. They can also pick up Barge through Enemy Lines with a teleport and summon.
That is before the 3 wizards inflict Mortals – Kroak can inflict D3 MW on 3 units 4 times a turn (on a 2+). Your best bet is to go first and try to concentrate on removing as many skinks as possible. A bit easier since they are in the large 30 man units rather than say 2 x 20 with 3 x 10 Skink screens. Once they start getting their buffs they become a much bigger threat and even out ranging them isn’t a guarantee. They will potentially pick up a 15 strong unit of Blood Stalkers or Namarti Reavers following a teleport within 9″. Tanky Gargants seem to be a counter otherwise Michael scored maximum points in each of his 4 previous battles to finish with a great, almost perfect 4/1.
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Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin – Army Subfaction: Mor’phann – Grand Strategy: The Creeping Gloomtide – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Akhelian King (250)* – General – Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury – Bladed Polearm and Falchion – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness – Spells: Flaming Weapon 1 x Isharann Soulrender (120)* 1 x Isharann Soulrender (120)*
BATTLELINE 30 x Namarti Reavers (510)* – Icon Bearer 30 x Namarti Thralls (390)* – Icon Bearer 3 x Akhelian Ishlaen Guard (195)* – Lochian Prince – Standard Bearer – Musician 3 x Akhelian Morrsarr Guard (195)* – Standard Bearer – Lochian Prince – Musician 3 x Akhelian Ishlaen Guard (195)* – Lochian Prince – Standard Bearer – Musician
TERRAIN 1 x Gloomtide Shipwreck (0)
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (1975/2000)
Brett: Straight forward Idoneth list anchored on Namarti with eels for extra mobility. Good to see the eels in a podium list. No real spell casting (1 cast/unbind from Arcane tome), as Morphann the Soulrenders can return and additional 3 models when using their Lurelight to return D3 models. That makes the Namarti much harder to clear particularly since the Gloomtide Shipwreck is garrionsable and give a 5+ ward within 6″. All of the Akehlian’s benefit on the charge with additional rend and damage (King and Morrsarr), and saves (Ishalean). The King is the only model with upgrades which include Unstoppable Fury (+2 attacks for each unit within 3″ in High Tide), Arcane Tome/Flaming Weapon (+1 damage) and Voidchill Darkness (-1 hit to enemy attackers).
The Shipwreck is probably central to this list, in combination with Tides of Death. In the first 2 tides the reavers (and thralls) are key units, wearing you down and stopping you getting to the King and Eels. Then in turn 3 and 4 the King and Eels can unleash and take advantage of run and charge/retreat and charge. 2 units of Eels can fit (no they can’t – they have mounts) in the Shipwreck with the Soulrenders to keep those Narmarti coming back. 30 models with a 5+ save and 6+ ward is hard to shift unless you have a lot of rend. His only loss was to Nighthaunt Scarlet Doom, another army that regrows and can retreat and charge in every round. And really important, they ignore rend, ultimately this army is a rend army. 4/1 is a strong performance, it’s great to see Idoneth on a the podium.
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Army Faction: Hedonites of Slaanesh – Army Type: Invaders – Subfaction: The Lurid Haze – Grand Strategy: Defend What’s Ours – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Sigvald (205)** – General The Contorted Epitome (245)** – General – Command Traits: Feverish Anticipation – Artefacts of Power: Oil of Exultation – Spells: Hysterical Frenzy Shardspeaker of Slaanesh (135)** – Artefacts of Power: The Rod of Misrule – Spells: Battle Rapture
BATTLELINE Blissbarb Archers (420)*** – High Tempter Blissbarb Archers (140)*** – High Tempter Blissbarb Archers (140)*** – High Tempter
Brett: For our last list we have 4th, Mitch, who really really likes Blissbarb Archers. Fewer Leaders to increase the troops units but Sigvald and the Contorted Epitome are present with the less common Shardspeaker, it’s Twisted Mirror can give the Twinsouls +1 to wound or have the Epitome wounding on 3s. 3 casts/dispels from the Epitome and Shardspeaker. The Epitome gives rerolls to charges to one unit (Feverish Anticipation) and has an extra wound (Oil of Exultation). The Shardspeaker is carrying the Rod of Misrule (generate command points). The spells do Mortal Wounds (Hysterical Frenzy) and Battleshock modifications (Battle Rapture).
The double reinforced Blisbarb unit can move up to 12” and still shoot giving it a 30” threat range. The 2 unreinforced Blissbarbs are trading pieces and even screens. Expert Conquerors strengthens that role by giving the strong objective control. With the twinsouls supporting the Shardspeaker and Blissbarbs this list will generate a lot of depravity points either inflicting or taking wounds. So a Keeper of Secrets isn’t too far away. As we’ve seen a few times Scarlet Doom was his only loss but the list also scored a little lower than others, a symptom of its fragility perhaps.
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for the Texas Masters Grand Tournament that took place in Texas, USA on 16th and 17th July. It involved 32 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5 game tournament. The other thing to note is that this tournament used the 21-22 GHB.
Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three AoS Lists
Army Faction: Orruk Warclans – Army Type: Bonesplitterz – Army Subfaction: Drakkfoot – Grand Strategy: Get Dem Bones! – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER Wurrgog Prophet (150)* – Artefacts: Glowin’ Tattooz – Spells: Gorkamorka’s War Cry Wurrgog Prophet (150)* – Artefacts: Mork’s Boney Bitz – Spells: Gorkamorka’s War Cry Savage Big Boss (65)* – General – Command Traits: Great Hunter
BATTLELINE Savage Orruk Morboys (155) ** Savage Orruk Morboys (155) ** Savage Orruks (165) **
ENDLESS SPELL The Burning Head (20)
OTHER Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80) Savage Big Stabbas (80)*
CORE BATTALIONS: *Warlord **Hunters of heartland
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
Brett: At the start of AoS3 there was talk about how the Bonesplitterz had been left behind with the new Orruk battletome. Well no more, a major GT win going undefeated with one draw against really solid armies is a fantastic performance. And to do it with a list that should bring a smile to anyone’s face (Bonesplitterz are old style orks). Lets take a moment to acknowledge the dedication needed to have 16 big stabbas through any means. GW originals are just 2 per box of Savage Orruks.
It’s pretty clear how this will work, the Savage Big Boss gives the Big Stabbas a pregame 8″ move increasing their first round movement to 13″ before run. That gets them within range of any centre objectives in the first round and charge range of anything forward deployed on most maps. If they go second that might make them exposed but there are a lot of them and each is a separate unit. As well, Bonesplitterzs have a 6+ ward normally and a 4+ if the Waagh is called. So unless you split fire you mightn’t get too many in a turn. For armies like Seraphon that often have a few high quality shots this is a nightmare, with a 6+ save you don’t need Rend to kill Big Stabbas.
But wait there’s more. All of the battleline units are in Hunters of the Heartland, preventing monster Shenanigans. If you are going to attack them then make sure you get in, they like charging (either an extra attack or +1 to wound rolls if they succeed). The Prophet’s can force a unit to fight last but their Mask is the biggest boon. If they stare then on a 3+ it’s D3 Mortal Wounds. That’s enough to drop a Bastilidon out of their top bracket. Of course they can continue to stare and risk blowing themselves up. I’ve heard of up to 20 wounds delivered that way. Their warscroll spell is pretty good, best again big units but still a good alternative to Arcane Bolt. Prophets are a really good reason to look at Bigwaagh lists if you like Ironjawz or Kruleboyz.
Even the artefacts are really well chosen, Glowing Tattoos giving an improved ward save and Boney Bits granting a +1 to casting/dispell for each monster within 24″. In a monster meta that could be interesting. This looks like a skew list but it’s really a balanced army in the crazy Bonesplitterz way. The army may be a result of the Masters format and knowledge of the opponents but this is an incredible effort into very good armies with strong players. Congratulations.
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Allegiance: Maggotkin of Nurgle – Subfaction: Blessed Sons – Grand Strategy: Hold the Line – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders The Glottkin (700) – Lore of Malignance: Rancid Visitations Bloab Rotspawned (300) – General – Lore of Malignance: Plague Squall
Battleline 10 x Putrid Blightkings (500)* – Reinforced x 1 5 x Putrid Blightkings (250)* 5 x Putrid Blightkings (250)*
Brett: Even someone that isn’t a fan has to admire the beautiful simplicity of this army. Playing into the resilience Nurgle is known for with only 22 models but 113 wounds. Starting from the top – Blessed Sons hands out extra mortal wounds, a nice change from the more common Drowned Men. Glottkin is almost half the army but is an enormous threat in his own right as well as being able to hand out mortal wounds if you are close, additional healing to all Nurgle units within 14″, heals himself and is incredibly hard to kill. To effectively kill him you need to generate 60 damage, hard to do in one turn, and he can heal D3 without heroic actions. Packed here with a mortal wound on a 2+ spell.
Bloab is here to hand out MW like candy through his presence as well as his high quality attacks. For extra spice he can hand out additional Disease points. To be clear everyone of these units can put out MW just if you are in engagement range. On top of that if you are in engagement range you are getting disease points and rolling for additional MW at the end of combat. In a meta where the best way to win is get in close fast. Then we come to the Blightkings. Part these on an objective and laugh as your opponent kills him/herself.
They can actively give you disease points, every 6 provides another disease point. The 5 man units will average 4 and the 10 man 8 in a turn at full strength. Their resilence is legendary, bravery 8 and they can increase that to 9 so they aren’t loosing models to Battleshock. The block of 10 is nigh on unkillable, they will soak up nearly 100 D1 R-1 attacks. And they can get healed. Locus of Fecundity is within 14″ not wholly within you can stretch this unit to ensure it’s tagged. It should be easy to cover at least 2 objectives for most of the game. We haven’t even mentioned the summoning or teleporting via the Feculant Gnarlmaw.
I think we will continue to see a lot of Nurgle armies, they play well against the meta and their speed isn’t as punishing. Slow building damage is effective and lets players generate a lot of points in competitions. Great list building and clever play, it’s only a surprise that this didn’t go 5/0 and win. The Bonesplitterz played for keeps.
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Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin – Subfaction: Nautilar – Grand Strategy: Hold the Line – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Akhelian King (250)* – General – Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury – Bladed Polearm and Falchion – Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness Akhelian Thrallmaster (110)* – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome – Spells: Flaming Weapon Lotann (115)*
OTHER Akhelian Allopexes (330)* – Razorshell Harpoon Launcher, Barbed Hooks and Blades
TERRAIN 1 x Gloomtide Shipwreck (0)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment **Hunters of the Heartlands
TOTAL POINTS: 1995/2000
Brett: The first of the 4/1 armies, and with a loss in the first turn a great turn around. An interesting mix of characters including the new Thrallmaster who really works well to buff Namarti Thralls. His way ability lets you change, by choice, between higher quality attacks (into better saves) or exploding hits or better defence. Being able to choose and not have it as a random ability is fantastic. He’s a pretty effective combat character, easily capable of ganking a small hero and Flaming weapon takes that even further. The Akehelian King is carrying the polearm (D3 on the charge) and buffing different parts of the army, Unstoppable Fury to increase attacks under High Tide and a mount trait that improves saves. His Lord of Tides ability is why you bring him potentially giving fight first after running and charging in round 2.
Lotaan is here for his +1 to wound and his Ishraan ability. Most commonly the can’t be shot if over 12″ is chosen but the +1 to run, advance and charge in Flood Tide is pretty common. With the Thralls’ 6″ movement buffing their charges can be important. 2 units in this army are capable of garrisoning a large shipwreck if both pieces are used together giving them a +5 ward. The large 20 man unit is trying to delete everything, they don’t need to lose many models before battleshock is an issue. The Reavers are useful archers, they can of course shoot but they also create an Unleash Hell risk. They can also wound a unit on an objective or important point boosting the effectiveness of the Allopexes. While their range is short they move pretty fast (8″) giving them 26″ effective range and in Flood Tide can run and still shoot (or potential 32″).
Lastly the 2 bigger offensive units. 2 Allopexes bring some solid shooting and good melee potential if you lock them up. The additional attack for Ferocious Bite is worth triggering whenever possible and it’s good play to reduce the melee threat because with a 4+ save they are a little fragile. Keeping them close to the Leviadon helps this (+1 to save) but isn’t always practical. The Leviadon is, as always, terrifying with a combination of mortal wounds, shooting and devestating melee. I find Idoneth a bit confusing because their best ranged units (Allopex and Levidon) are also their best melee but you don’t want them tied up. Either is great for Eye for an Eye though.
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Allegiance: Ossiarch Bonereapers – Legion: Petrifex Elite – Grand Strategy: Hold the line – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Mortisan Boneshaper (115)** – General – Command Trait: Mighty Archaeossian – Artefact: Godbone Armour – Lore of Mortisans: Drain Vitality Mortisan Soulmason (115)** – Artefact: Soul Reservoir – Lore of Mortisans: Arcane Command Arkhan the Black, Mortarch of Sacrament (340)**
Battleline 20 x Mortek Guard (280)* – Nadirite Blade and Shield – Reinforced x 1 20 x Mortek Guard (280)* – Nadirite Blade and Shield – Reinforced x 1 20 x Mortek Guard (280)* – Nadirite Blade and Shield – Reinforced x 1
Brett: We aren’t seeing a lot of Ossiarch Bonereapers
The attacks on the Mortek Guard and even Arkhan are just a bit behind a lot of other units. Poor wound rolls combined with low number of attacks or rend negate a lot of their impact. The Crawler’s can lay down a D5 attack, but it’s only 3 attacks, on average you are going to see two wounding blows only slightly more than you see one before saves. Or you can expect 2 rounds of no damage at all per game. That said this is a 4/1 list and he’s played it very well.
With the big blocks of Mortek to screen letting the casters and crawlers work over their targets before charging this is an army that will have a strong final 3 turns. He scored well in most rounds apart from the last although his lowest 2 wins were both against Lumineth. Different armies but both had a lot of wardens and the ability to make the Bonereapers have to try to reach them. Mighty job getting this far.
Here are the AoS Meta Stats for all the Grand Tournaments that have taken place between Monday 4th July and Sunday 10th July 2022. These are all the GT’s that I can locate on Tabletop.to or BestCoastPairing, if you know of any others please send me a link and I’ll add them.
Once again, another quiet week, with only 3 Grand Tournaments.
Kingdom of Skrappa Spill – England/UK 28 Players – Generals Handbook: Pitched Battles 2022-23 Season 1
Position
Faction
Subfaction
Result
1st
Cities of Sigmar
Hallowheart
5-0-0
2nd
Daughters of Khaine
Khailebron
4-0-1
3rd
Cities of Sigmar
Hammerhal
4-0-1
4th
Skaven
4-0-1
5th
Maggotkin of Nurgle
3-1-1
6th
Seraphon
Thunder Lizard
3-1-1
7th
Daughters of Khaine
Khailebron
3-0-2
8th
Daughters of Khaine
Hagg Nar
3-0-2
9th
Nighthaunt
3-0-2
Kingdom of Skrappa Spill
Grand Alliance Stats
These stats reflect the last four weeks of GT’s that we’re aware of at Woehammer.
303 players (-182) took part in 12 GT’s (-4) over the last four weeks.
Grand Alliance
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
4+ Wins
Chaos
56.4%
62
20.46%
5
20
Order
51.0%
149
49.17%
4
21
Death
43.8%
50
16.50%
1
6
Destruction
43.8%
42
13.86%
0
3
Chaos continue to lead the way in the win rates, dropping only slightly from 56.7% last week to 56.4% this week. While Order pick up the most number of armies represented and most 4+. Chaos steal the crown this week for most 5-0’s.
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Faction Stats
The below stat show the results for those factions represented by 5 armies or more only.
Faction
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
0-5 Losses
Slaves to Darkness
72.2%
6
1.98%
1
1
Beasts of Chaos
63.1%
13
4.29%
2
0
Nighthaunt
61.3%
17
5.61%
1
0
Blades of Khorne
60.0%
5
1.65%
0
0
Sylvaneth
58.5%
13
4.29%
0
0
Cities of Sigmar
57.1%
17
5.61%
1
1
Seraphon
56.3%
24
7.92%
2
1
Kharadron Overlords
55.0%
6
1.98%
1
1
Big Waaagh!
54.0%
5
1.65%
0
0
Maggotkin of Nurgle
53.8%
21
6.93%
1
2
Bonesplitterz
51.5%
7
2.31%
0
0
Lumineth Realm-Lords
50.0%
12
3.96%
0
0
Daughters of Khaine
50.0%
17
5.61%
0
1
Sons of Behemat
50.0%
8
2.64%
0
0
Idoneth Deepkin
47.8%
18
5.94%
0
0
Sons of Behemat
48.5%
21
4.33%
0
1
Skaven
46.7%
6
1.98%
1
0
Legion of the First Prince
46.7%
6
1.98%
0
1
Stormcast Eternals
45.6%
26
8.58%
0
3
Ogor Mawtribes
44.8%
6
1.98%
0
1
Fyreslayers
43.0%
16
5.28%
0
1
Flesh-eater Courts
40.0%
5
1.65%
0
0
Soulblight Gravelords
37.8%
18
5.94%
0
2
Gloomspite Gitz
33.3%
6
1.98%
0
0
Ironjawz
32.8%
7
2.31%
0
2
Ossiarch Bonereapers
27.0%
10
3.30%
0
2
Slaves to Darkness and Blades of Khorne continue their run of good form in experienced hands. While the new battletomes of Nighthaunt and Sylvaneth can also be seen in the +55% area. Daughters of Khaine are smack in the middle with a perfect 50% win rate. While Skaven are beginning to climb.
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Subfactions
All factions listed below have been represented at tournaments by at least 5 players.
Faction
Subfaction
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
0-5 Losses
Maggotkin of Nurgle
Drowned Men
69.1%
11
3.63%
1
0
Nighthaunt
Scarlet Doom
67.6%
7
2.31%
0
0
Beasts of Chaos
None
61.4%
7
2.31%
1
0
Cities of Sigmar
Living City
57.1%
7
2.31%
0
0
Seraphon
Thunder Lizard
55.7%
21
6.93%
2
1
Sons of Behemat
Breaker Tribe
53.4%
6
1.98%
0
0
Stormcast Eternals
Hallowed Knights
52.9%
7
2.31%
0
0
Fyreslayers
Lofnir
51.7%
6
1.98%
0
0
Nighthaunt
Emerald Host
48.3%
6
1.98%
0
0
Lumineth Realm-Lords
Zaitrec
48.1%
11
3.63%
0
0
Daughters of Khaine
Zainthar Kai
47.1%
7
2.31%
0
1
Legion of the First Prince
46.7%
6
1.98%
0
1
Skaven
46.7%
6
1.98%
1
0
Soulblight Gravelords
Vyrkos Dynasty
43.3%
6
1.98%
0
0
Stormcast Eternals
Hammers of Sigmar
42.3%
15
4.95%
0
3
Soulblight Gravelords
Kastelai Dynasty
38.6%
7
2.31%
0
1
Fyreslayers
Greyfyrd
35.2%
9
2.97%
0
1
Ossiarch Bonereapers
Petrifex Elite
27.5%
8
2.64%
0
1
Drowned Men continue to lead the way with a win rate of 69.1% despite Maggotkin overall only having a win rate of 53.8%. Nighthaunt and Scarlet Doom find themselves near the top now as predicted by Danny some weeks ago. Meanwhile at the bottom of the table Ossiarch Bonereapers/Petrifex Elite are the only subfaction below 30% win rate.
Interestingly Fyreslayers have Lofnir (6 PLayers) with a win rate of 51.7% and the more popular Greyfyrd (9 Players) at 35.2%, are people playing the wrong subfaction?
Next Week
I’ll have graphs. Because nothing says stats like some graphs…..
Here are the AoS Meta Stats for all the Grand Tournaments that have taken place between Monday 27th June and Sunday 3rd July 2022. These are all the GT’s that I can locate on Tabletop.to or BestCoastPairing, if you know of any others please send me a link and I’ll add them.
Once again, another quiet week, with only 3 Grand Tournaments. Two of these were run using the new GHB, while the other was just a little event called the World tSports Champions…..
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Grand Tournaments
Ranked from largest to smallest.
From the Ashes – Scotland/UK 22 Players – Generals Handbook: Pitched Battles 2022-23 Season 1
As promised last week, I’ve changed the stats to reflect the last four weeks of GT’s that we’re aware of at Woehammer. Also if you read all the way to the end of the article I have a little surprise for you!
485 players took part in 16 GT’s over the last four weeks.
Grand Alliance
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
4+ Wins
Chaos
56.7%
94
19.38%
6
27
Order
50.7%
218
44.95%
8
34
Death
45.8%
82
16.91%
2
11
Destruction
45.0%
91
18.76%
0
8
Chaos continue to lead the way in the win rates. While Order pick up the most number of armies represented, most 5-0’s and most 4+. When you compare army share to the number of battletomes each Grand Alliance possess you can see that Order are overrepresented, while Chaos are vastly under represented:
Grand Alliance
Battletomes
Battletome %
Actual Rep %
Order
9
37.50%
44.95%
Chaos
7
29.17%
19.38%
Death
4
16.67%
16.91%
Destruction
4
16.67%
18.76%
What can we take away from this? Perhaps that Order factions are more appealing than Chaos? New players gravitate towards Order? The Chaos range needs updated miniatures? Or all of the above?
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Faction Stats
The below stat show the results for those factions represented by 5 armies or more only.
Faction
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
0-5 Losses
Beasts of Chaos
67.1%
14
2.89%
2
0
Legion of the First Prince
61.5%
13
2.68%
0
0
Slaves to Darkness
61.1%
6
1.24%
0
1
Seraphon
59.7%
30
6.19%
5
2
Blades of Khorne
56.7%
6
1.24%
0
0
Maggotkin of Nurgle
56.6%
35
7.22%
3
2
Bonesplitterz
55.4%
10
2.06%
0
0
Cities of Sigmar
54.2%
24
4.95%
2
1
Daughters of Khaine
52.8%
22
4.54%
0
2
Nighthaunt
52.2%
32
6.60%
1
2
Idoneth Deepkin
51.8%
23
4.74%
1
0
Flesh-eater Courts
51.7%
6
1.24%
0
0
Lumineth Realm-Lords
51.5%
21
4.33%
0
0
Kharadron Overlords
51.4%
7
1.44%
0
1
Sylvaneth
49.1%
11
2.27%
0
1
Sons of Behemat
48.5%
21
4.33%
0
1
Soulblight Gravelords
47.1%
28
5.77%
1
1
Stormcast Eternals
47.1%
60
12.37%
0
4
Ogor Mawtribes
47.1%
28
2.89%
0
1
Ironjawz
44.7%
16
3.30%
0
1
Kruleboyz
44.3%
11
2.27%
0
1
Hedonites of Slaanesh
44.3%
7
1.44%
0
0
Skaven
43.0%
9
1.86%
1
0
Big Waaagh!
41.3%
8
1.65%
0
0
Fyreslayers
39.5%
20
4.12%
0
2
Gloomspite Gitz
30.9%
11
2.27%
0
1
Ossiarch Bonereapers
28.2%
16
3.30%
0
2
Factions in Bold are those with 3rd Edition Battletomes published before or during this time period
I’ve highlighted all those faction win rates in red which are outside of the parameters that players have stated would make the game roughly balanced (45-55%).
I’m looking at the bottom of the table as I’m writing this, and its hard not to overlook Fyreslayers, Gloomspite Gitz and Ossiarch Bonereapers with win rates of less than 40%! Gloomspite Gitz are getting their new book this year, so hopefully we’ll see that improve. Fyreslayers have been mugged by Games Workshop rules writers, and it just shows how awful that book is. I feel for long term Fyreslayers players…
At the top of the table Beasts of Chaos now currently lead the way with a win rate of 67.1%! They’ve gone from trash tier to S tier in the space of 3 months. Slaves to Darkness are a bit of an anomaly at the top there, and this is primarily driven by a few high level players who vastly our performed the faction this month, much like Anthony Trentanelli did a few weeks ago with Skaven. Maggotkin of Nurgle and Seraphon win rates have both dropped, but its too early to tell why, as the new rules for Seraphon only really came into effect last week.
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Subfaction Stats
Faction
Subfaction
Win Rate
Armies
% Share of Armies
5-0 Wins
0-5 Losses
Beasts of Chaos
None
70.0%
5
1.03%
1
0
Maggotkin of Nurgle
Drowned Men
68.0%
20
4.12%
2
0
Legion of the First Prince
61.5%
13
2.68%
0
0
Nighthaunt
Scarlet Doom
60.0%
11
2.27%
0
0
Beasts of Chaos
Gavespawn
60.0%
6
1.24%
0
0
Seraphon
Thunder Lizard
59.6%
28
5.77%
4
2
Bonesplitterz
Drakkfoot
58.3%
6
1.24%
0
0
Cities of Sigmar
Living City
57.7%
13
2.68%
2
0
Ogor Mawtribes
Boulderhead
56.0%
5
1.03%
0
0
Kharadron Overlords
Barak-Zilfin
53.3%
6
1.24%
0
1
Idoneth Deepkin
Mor’Phann
53.3%
6
1.24%
1
0
Lumineth Realm-Lords
Zaitrec
52.9%
15
3.09%
0
0
Sons of Behemat
Breaker Tribe
52.8%
15
3.09%
0
0
Idoneth Deepkin
Nautilar
51.3%
8
1.65%
0
0
Ironjawz
Ironsunz
50.0%
6
1.24%
0
1
Daughters of Khaine
Hagg Nar
50.0%
7
1.44%
0
1
Stormcast Eternals
Astral Templars
50.0%
6
1.24%
0
0
Daughters of Khaine
Zainthar Kai
49.2%
12
2.47%
0
1
Stormcast Eternals
Hammers of Sigmar
48.8%
33
6.80%
0
2
Soulblight Gravelords
Vyrkos Dynasty
48.0%
10
2.06%
0
0
Soulblight Gravelords
Kastelai Dynasty
45.5%
11
2.27%
0
1
Stormcast Eternals
Hallowed Knights
44.7%
15
3.09%
0
1
Kruleboyz
Big Yellers
43.4%
8
1.65%
0
1
Skaven
43.0%
9
1.86%
1
0
Fyreslayers
Lofnir
42.9%
7
1.44%
0
1
Hedonites of Slaanesh
Lurid Haze
42.0%
5
1.03%
0
0
Ironjawz
Bloodtoofs
41.7%
10
2.06%
0
0
Nighthaunt
Emerald Host
41.5%
13
2.68%
0
2
Big Waaagh!
41.3%
8
1.65%
0
0
Maggotkin of Nurgle
Befouling Host
40.0%
7
1.44%
1
1
Fyreslayers
Greyfyrd
35.8%
12
2.47%
0
1
Ossiarch Bonereapers
Petrifex Elite
28.8%
15
3.09%
0
2
Gloomspite Gitz
25.0%
8
1.65%
0
1
Factions in Bold are those with 3rd Edition Battletomes published before or during this time period
Maggotkin of Nurgle are a bit of a strange faction. While you have one of the meta leading Subfactions inside the tome with Drowned Men (68.0%, at the bottom of the pack you have Befouling Host (40.0%). It’s not an irregularity either as 7 players have played that subfaction and one claimed 5 wins at an event and another 5 losses. This suggests to me that while Drowned Men is a simple list to play, Befouling Host is completely the opposite and requires good memory and skill from the pilot.
After almost a year of publication now, both Stormcast and Orruk Warclan battletomes are beginning to show a little lag behind the other updated factions (apart from Fyreslayers of course). As the first of the Battletomes perhaps this has played into their stats slightly as the rules writers learn from their mistakes (apart from Fyreslayers of course) when writing the newer tomes.
Scarlet Doom shows that its the faction of choice for a reason in the new Nighthaunt battletome (60.0%) however, its still early days for this battletome and the other factions could be more complicated to pick up and play. However 60.0% win rate for any subfaction is too high and so they may need a future nerf at some point.
Going forwards as the weeks go on, I’ll be keeping an eye out for Grinin’ Blades beginning to get some more play with their updated allegiance abilities after not being placed at all due to all the Kruleboyz players choosing Big Yellers – this will change. I expect to see them nearing the 50% mark and above. Likewise with Skaven, I expect them to begin climbing the rankings as their new rules come into effect.
THE SUPRISE
I said I had a surprise, and here it is!
Woehammer will be doing a player ranking system for the new General’s Handbook based on the Elo system used by Chess.
Who gets ranked?
Everyone who takes part in a two day event using the General’s Handbook: Pitched Battles Season 1 2022-23. Each week I’ll update the scores of the players as they happen and post them in a separate rankings post which will be published every Saturday.
All players will begin with a rating of 1,000 at the beginning of the season, player ratings will be carried over into season 2 and beyond in the future.
I’ve included the current rankings below (there’s only been two GT’s using the new Handbook) which includes everyone at present. However, I will limit this to the top 20 as more players are ranked. The full downloadable player rankings will be available on the site to download next weekend.
This is the Top Three AoS Lists for From the Ashes that took place in West Lothian, Scotland on 2nd and 3rd July. It involved 22 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: Skaven Grand Strategy: Defend What’s Ours.
Brett: Immediately showing the impact of the new tome we have Skaven not only back on the top table but taking the tourney. Wins over both DoK and Thunderlizard suggest a shift in the meta is possible as well. Not really a horde list, the clanrats are screening some heavy hitting units while still offering a lot of wounds for anything to work through. The Stormfiends offer both shooting and some heavy melee, particularly good through the mid to late game (once you’ve stomped the rats). The real innovation is the combination of Thanquol with Lauchon the Soulseeker. This increases his threat range to 18″, allowing him to really threaten key units with a 14 wound monster since Lauchon has changed to allow the Wizard to move in the following movement phase. Yes, he can cast the spell, move it, take a mortal wound, then move into range to both shoot and charge. Nice knowing you. The Warp-grinder and Gnawhole offer a lot of mobility to an otherwise slow list. Not an easy list to play well but a very hard list to counter.
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Allegiance: Nighthaunt – Procession: Scarlet Doom – Grand Strategy: Fright or Flight – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Guardian of Souls (150)** – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Midnight Tome – Lore of the Underworlds: Seal of Shyish Spirit Torment (115)** Kurdoss Valentian, the Craven King (210) Krulghast Cruciator (150)** – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of the Underworlds: Shademist
Battleline 20 x Bladegheist Revenants (350)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Bladegheist Revenants (350)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Bladegheist Revenants (350)* – Reinforced x 1 10 x Chainrasps (110)*** 3 x Spirit Hosts (125)***
Brett: Another resurgent faction in Nighthaunt demonstrating some more of the depth of the new battletome. Scarlet Doom is getting a lot of play now and with a list like this it’s potentially adding 5 to 6 mortals every time the Bladegheist charge. That’s on top of the extra attack and, as bounty hunters, +1 damage for their weapons when attacking Galletian Veteran units. That is 60, 2 damage attacks on the charge. The heroes are a typical combination with 2 returning models every turn and Krulghast for his warscroll ability to reduce incoming damage from terrified units as well as shademist. Kurdoss is a bit more unusual but he is a strong melee hero if a bit fragile but the Spirit Hosts are there to lay off some of the incoming damage as well. The triumph is a bit unusual, battleshock isn’t really an issue with Nighthaunt.
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Allegiance: Idoneth Deepkin – Enclave: Mor’Phann – Mortal Realm: Shyish – Grand Strategy: The Creeping Gloomtide – Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders Isharann Soulrender (120)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) – Lore of the Deeps: Steed of Tides Isharann Soulrender (120)*
Battleline 10 x Namarti Thralls (130)* 10 x Namarti Thralls (130)* 20 x Namarti Reavers (340)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Namarti Reavers (340)* – Reinforced x 1 20 x Namarti Reavers (340)* – Reinforced x 1
Behemoths Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (400)* – Allies
Endless Spells & Invocations Purple Sun of Shyish (70)
Brett: This list is a very clever use of the new book, and really is more like a Daughters of Kaine list without Morathi. A stupendous amount of short range shooting (each of the Reaver units is delivering 41 shots) with thin screens and the Incarnate for your opponent to focus on. Each Soulrender is returning between 4 and 6 models each turn. That is through the course of the game they can return 680 to 1020 points combined. The Purple Sun is good again and a great way to force movement from your opponent as well as prevent them focusing too much since it threatens anything it can pass over. Combining this amount of shooting with the Tides would make this a very difficult army to tackle and from round 2 onwards an extremely damaging one.
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Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz – Subfaction: Glogg’s Megamob – Grand Strategy: Show of Dominance – Triumph: Bloodthirsty
LEADERS Breaka-boss on Mirebrute Troggoth (180) Dankhold Troggboss (240)*** – General – Command Traits: Shepherd of Idiotic Destruction – Artefacts of Power: Aetherquartz – Studded Hide Fungoid Cave-Shaman (95)*** – Spells: Itchy Nuisance Madcap Shamans (80)*** – Artefacts of Power: Moonface Mommet – Spells: Levitate
Brett: Good to see the big Troggoths here with his little friends. Did you ever want to be the Stone Troll from Harry Potter or the Black Trolls from Lord of the Rings? This is your list. Slow moving the Troggoths strengths lay in making you come to them and being able to heal damage. They can play take and hold missions very well and hit back hard. They do struggle where there is a lot of shooting and would also suffer if terrified and changed by the Nighthaunt being a low model count army. Good to see them here with some very interesting synergies from Krulboyz Troggoth units. An awesome interesting list for a tournament that would offer something different for many players.
