An Age of Sigmar short-story by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Web of Ruin was released in 2023 but re-released in the free ‘Black Library Celebration 2025’ anthology available in English, German & French either from a local Warhammer store or free from Black Library with most purchases.
This coincides with World Book Day (6th March), and as avid readers ourselves we will be marking this occasion by reviewing all 4 stories in the anthology – and encouraging reading of course!
From the book:
The Tarantulos Brood are Slaves to Darkness who seek out mutagenic substances to uplift their mortal forms and grow ever closer to the sacred shape of their spidery god. In order to reach the top of their power structure they must demonstrate that they can wrangle the most deadly arachnids into servitude. Follow as one Broodkin seeks out his Chaos tained prey.
When Warcry was released Warhammer Community put one of the models from the Tarantulos Brood on the Rumour Engine… and all the Gloomspite players thought that we would be getting new spiderfang grots… or something. Because spiders were always a Destruction thing. To say that the Destruction community was ‘not happy’ with a Slaves to Darkness unit taking their spiders would be an under statement.
Well Adrian Tchaikovsky brings us a story from the Tarantulos Brood as they are ambushed (unsuccessfully) by a Grot Shaman and are told of the location of a Arachnarok spider who is close to death. The Brood can’t resist and force the Grot to lead them to his spider… who will emerge victorious.
This is another great short story, and has characters that even those new to Age of Sigmar will be able to understand. There are humans worshippping Chaos via a Spider God and Grots (goblins) trying to ambush them and then stop them reaching their version of a Spider God – and Arachnarok Spider (although Tchaikovsky never uses this term).
Could this be the revenge Destruction want from their false spider brethren, or will Slaves to Darkness arise triumphant?
Whilst this is a good story, I again have to question why it was in the compilation for 2025… a quick look at the Games Workshop website to see Warcry and the game itself is ‘Online only’… oh dear!! but you can’t even buy the Tarantulos Brood – they are discontinued. Weird!
But the star rating is for Adrian Tchaikovsky’s writing, not the strange editing decision.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
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For those that remember such ancient times, Games Workshop stores of the 90s had a specific feel (and smell) to them when you walked in. They also played LOTS of rock music. If you could wrap all of that up into an Age of Sigmar faction, you’d get the Slaves to Darkness (and possibly a little bit of Nurgle…).
UPDATE (07/23/2024): This article has been updated to better reflect the high-performing units in the faction, the strongest manifestation lores, and alternative playstyles.
Playstyle
As befits a faction with such a wide model range, Slaves to Darkness has a variety of playstyles available to it. I believe many players will gravitate to an aggressive playstyle using cavalry units such as Chaos Knights and Varanguard. This is pretty straightforward: you do horrific amounts of damage on the charge, so you charge your opponents and knock them over. The rest of your army is there to support the big scary cavalry by providing buffs, standing on objectives, or scoring Battle Tactics.
The army is also capable of a more defensive/controlling playstyle employing Chaos Chosen and Chaos Warriors to control territory, as well as control pieces such as Be’lakor and the Mindstealer Sphiranx to disrupt your opponent and quality chaff units like Chaos Furies to tie opponents up in melee. This playstyle also employs manifestations extensively to block off sections of the board and engage units that refuse to fight your formidable combat blobs.
Last but not least, the Darkoath part of the army is nominally capable of putting large amounts of troops on the table that can be brought back using the Darkoath Horde Battle Formation, but I find that playstyle to be quite a bit weaker than the two styles mentioned above and won’t talk too much about that one here.
Be’lakor by Luis Mendoza
Battle Traits
Slaves to Darkness only has 2 Battle Traits, but they’re both pretty good ones: Eye of the Gods triggers whenever your units destroy an enemy unit and offers an array of potent buffs. I recommend always taking the re-roll on the table, as it gives you a greater than 50% chance of getting the buff you want. Aggressive units will likely want the +1 to hit first in order to maximize your resource efficiency. Once you have that, target the +1 Rend. Defensive units will likely want to stack those wards.
The Marks of Chaos lets you choose from an array of buffs associated with each Chaos god. Khorne and Nurgle are the standouts in offence and defence, respectively, and they are the ones I would choose from when given a choice. For the units locked to a particular Mark, Undivided is respectable, and Tzeentch is conditional. I don’t see a reason to choose Slaanesh other than the mark-specific prayer on the Chaos Warshrine, which is not enough incentive.
Let’s look at the Nexus Chaotica since it’s a de facto faction ability. Its ability to charge up and grant bonuses to cast is OK, but the benefit I like the most is the ability to generate mortal damage bombs on objectives. Additionally, it somewhat functions as a free screen with its ability to occupy space and absorb damage on your behalf.
Subfaction Traits
We have access to 4 subfactions (known as Battle Formations), but one of them stands head and shoulders above the rest in my opinion. The Godswrath Warband turns an objective that you’re contesting into a mortal damage minefield, and as far we know, it cannot be interacted with further. This extra damage source on objectives can make it difficult for your opponent to retain control of them, which helps you accomplish your primary objective (scoring points) via the thing this army is best at (killing their stuff).
In the event that you wish to consider something other than Godswrath, the Darkoath Horde has a potent unit revival effect in Rally the Tribes for Darkoath units. I consider the abilities of the Despoilers and Legion of Chaos Battle Formations to be too conditional and not sufficiently impactful to compete with Godswrath or Horde.
Spells
The Lore of the Damned has an obvious all-star spell in Daemonic Speed. While the casting value make it something you can’t necessarily rely on, charging on 3D6″ is quite a potent effect. Spite-Tongue Curse isn’t the strongest spell, but the threat of casting it multiple times in the same turn can make it a decent Hero sniper, and the threat of it can influence your opponent to hide their Heroes. Lastly, Binding Damnation‘s ability to put down the strikes-last debuff can swing a key combat in your favor (though beware of the short range).
Our native manifestation lore (the Manifestations of Malevolence) is nothing to write home about, in my opinion. While the Realmscourge Rupture has a useful conditional debuff in -1 to hit and the Eightfold Doom-Sigil can get you +1 Attack in a turn where you sequence your combats cleverly, I find it to be overall weaker than some of the generic lores. The generic lore par excellence in my opinion is Morbid Conjuration, which has the Purple Sun of Shyish for save penalties, Malevolent Maelstrom as a mortal damage bomb, Suffocating Gravetide as a horde thinner, and Soulsnare Shackles as a movement disruptor that is particularly nasty when cast on your opponent’s turn. I also think Primal Energy is a strong lore for us, as Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws is a durable threat that can’t be banished in one shot and Emerald Lifeswarm meshes well with our high-Health models. A Lore that I have a bit of a soft spot for is Forbidden Power, which has the Soulscream Bridge for moving units (especially slower ones like Warriors and Chosen) around and Horrorghast to provide you with a bit of shooting and the chance to shut down command abilities (disallowing an opponent from using a Counter-charge, for example, is a potentially game-swinging play).
Last but not least, if you’re planning to go light on spells and just want to defend yourself from enemy manifestations, I think the Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur gives you the best bang for your buck.
Nexus Chaotica by PCjourney (Alen)
Enhancements
In the Artefacts section, I think the choice is pretty clear: this is an elite army that will struggle on objectives, and The Conqueror’s Crown helps shore up that weakness. An argument can be made for the Infernal Puppet if you feel that you don’t have enough protection against opposing spellcasters, but the fact that it is once per game and triggers I don’t think it’s enough of a disincentive. The Realmwarper’s Twist-Rune is niche tech at best.
The Heroic Traits section, on the other hand, is a bit trickier. If you have a fightier Hero such as the Chaos Lord on Karkadrak or the Daemon Prince, Deathmonger is a nice way to make them more threatening. Radiance of Dark Glory is good if you have lots of high-Health models, such as Hero Monsters.I rate Favoured of the Pantheon below those options, but it’s hardly bad.
Units
My opinion is that the most efficient warscroll in this army is Chaos Knights. I find that you get a great deal on points for how fast, durable, and damaging they are on the charge, especially if they are marked Khorne (which they should be!). I begin virtually every list with 2 units of 5, and suggest you do the same. Another standout unit is Chaos Furies, who are blazing fast (which makes them excellent for completing Battle Tactics or contesting faraway objectives), and have a retreat ability that makes them very hard to take out in melee. Not every Hero has access to them, but every list should.
The other heavily armored units are also potent. Varanguard are the best overall hammer unit in our army and capable of a terrifying amount of damage, Chaos Warriors are efficiently priced objective grabbers that do more damage than you’d think, and Chaos Chosen can dish it out as well as they take it. If you’re looking for cheaper units, the Darkoath Fellriders have great speed, solid damage to pick off low-save units and small Heroes, and are an efficient source of health that can get revived in the proper Battle Formation. Another option in the cheap unit department is Furies, which perform a useful function as cheap, fast fliers that can waste opposing combat activations.
On the Hero front, Be’lakor strikes me as doing quite a lot for his points, with solid damage, being a Wizard (2) with a good warscroll spell, and powerful abilities such as The Dark Master. Staying with casters, I believe the Chaos Sorcerer Lord on foot and the Gaunt Summoner on foot are both very efficient. The Sorcerer’s Oracular Visions almost feels like a very powerful second spell, and the Gaunt is an actual Wizard (2) with a neat ability for moving some of your slower units (like Chaos Chosen) around. I also think the Chaos Lord on Daemonic Mount is pretty efficiently priced, especially for those cavalry-heavy aggressive lists. Last but not least, Archaon the Everchosen costs a ton of points, but he is also an imposing enough presence on the board to make him running him worth it. He hits hard, moves fast, is incredibly durable, and has great abilities, especially his ability to put down opposing manifestations with ease.
Daniel Patterson’s Slaves to Darkness
Sample List
Here’s a sample list that features some of the premium warscrolls and synergies in the army.
Army: Slaves to Darkness – Battle Formation: Godswrath Warband – Manifestation Lore: Primal Energy – Spell Lore: Lore of the Damned – Honour Guard Rule: Priority Target
REGIMENT 1 Hero: Be’lakor (410) – General Unit 1: 6 Varanguard (620) – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Reinforced – Honour Guard Unit 2: 5 Darkoath Fellriders (150) – Broadswords Unit 3: 6 Chaos Furies (100) Unit 4: 6 Chaos Furies (100)
REGIMENT 2 Hero: Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120) – Heroic Trait: Radiance of Dark Glory – Artefact: The Conqueror’s Crown – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch Unit 2: 5 Chaos Knights (250) – Mark of Chaos: Khorne Unit 3: 5 Chaos Knights (250) – Mark of Chaos: Khorne
TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)
Coming in right at 2000 points, this list is an offensive powerhouse. Be’lakor and the Sorcerer Lord need no introduction, Knights and Varanguard bring the pain (especially when the Priority Target rule is live to give them +1 to hit and wound), Chaos Furies are a premier screen and objective grabber, and Fellriders are a somewhat bulkier unit that can harass Heroes and threaten opposing chaff. As this list is very fast and full of beefy multi-Health models, I favor the Primal Energy manifestation lore because of the Emerald Lifeswarm‘s ability to heal your guys as well as Ravenak’s Gnashing Jaws for some extra damage.
This is the top three AoS lists for 2d6 OsloHammer #7 that took place in Norway on the 13th and 14th of April. It saw 24 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three AoS Lists
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Despoilers – Grand Strategy: Dominating Presence – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Command Traits: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Spells: Levitate, Warp Reality Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (150)* – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Command Traits: Radiance of Dark Glory – Daemonic Axe – Wings – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (150)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Command Traits: Bolstered by Chaos – Daemonic Axe – Wings
BATTLELINE Chaos Warriors (360)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Aspiring Champion – Murderous Weapon – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon Corvus Cabal (80)** Untamed Beasts (80)** Untamed Beasts (80)**
OTHER Ogroid Theridons (300)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Thorakon – Goroan Great Axe – 2 x Banner Bearer – 2 x Charge-caller CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment **Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1960/2000
Army Faction: Orruk Warclans – Army Type: Big Waaagh! – Grand Strategy: Waaagh! – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Orruk Warchanter (120)* – Warbeats: Get ’Em Beat Orruk Weirdnob Shaman (90)** – Spells: Da Great Big Green Hand of Gork Killaboss on Great Gnashtoof (110)** – Mount Traits: Fast ’Un Wurrgog Prophet (170)*** – Artefacts of Power: Glowin’ Tattooz – Spells: Hoarfrost Swampcalla Shaman and Pot-grot (100)*** – General – Command Traits: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Spells: Choking Mist
BATTLELINE Orruk Brutes (280)* – Brute Boss – Jagged Gore-hacka – Boss Klaw & Brute Smasha – 2 x Gore-choppa Orruk Brutes (280)* – Brute Boss – Boss Klaw & Brute Smasha – Jagged Gore-hacka – 2 x Gore-choppa Moonclan Stabbas (120)** – Bad Moon Icon Bearer – Gong Basher – 3 Barbed Nets – Pokin’ Spear Gutrippaz (150)** – Gutrippa Banner Bearer – Gutrippa Drummer – Gutrippa Boss – Wicked Stikka
OTHER Orruk Gore-gruntas (340)** – Gore-grunta Boss – Jagged Gore-hacka Man-skewer Boltboyz (240)** – Boltboy Boss
CORE BATTALIONS *Wizard-finders of Andtor **Battle Regiment ***Andtorian Acolytes
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
Allegiance: Stormcast Eternals – Stormhost: Hammers of Sigmar (Scions of the Storm) – Mortal Realm: Ghur – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders Knight-Incantor (120)* – General – Command Trait: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Spell: Lightning Blast Knight-Relictor (90)* – Prayer: Translocation Knight-Vexillor (120)** – Meteoric Standard – Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact) Knight-Vexillor (120)** – Meteoric Standard Knight-Vexillor (120)** – Meteoric Standard
Battleline 4 x Dracothian Guard Tempestors (420)** – Reinforced x 1 2 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (240)** 5 x Liberators (100)* – Heavens-wrought Weapon and Shield – 1x Grandweapons
Units 3 x Evocators on Celestial Dracolines (240)* 5 x Vanguard-Hunters (100)* – Boltstorm Pistols and Shock Handaxes 3 x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (230)**
This is the top three AoS lists for the The Tax Man Cometh that took place in the US on the 13th and 14th of April. It saw 30 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: Sons of Behemat – Tribe: King Brodd’s Stomp – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders King Brodd (520) Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (500) – General – Command Trait: Big Eater – Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact) Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (500) Warstomper Mega-Gargant (440) – Nullstone Adornment: Hand-carved Nullstone Icon
Battleline
Total: 1960 / 2000
Army Faction: Cities of Sigmar – Subfaction: Vindicarum – Grand Strategy: Banners Held High – Triumph: Inspired
OTHER Freeguild Command Corps (200) Vanguard-Palladors (190)*** – Boltstorm Pistol and Shock Handaxe
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Emerald Lifeswarm (50)
CORE BATTALIONS *Andtorian Acolytes **Wizard-finders of Andtor ***Vanguard
TOTAL POINTS: 1970/2000
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Follow the Path to Glory – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Hoarfrost – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Rupture – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 1 x Sarrakkar Blackwing (180)* – Spells: Spite-tongue Curse, Binding Damnation 1 x Infernal Enrapturess (120)** 1 x Chaos Lord (110)*** – General – Command Traits: Idolater Lord – Reaperblade and Daemonbound Steel – Prayers: Curse – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 1 x Chaos Lord (110)*** – Reaperblade and Daemonbound Steel – Artefacts: The Conqueror’s Crown – Mark of Chaos: Undivided
BATTLELINE 9 x Corvus Cabal (80)* 30 x Chaos Warriors (180)** – Aspiring Champion – 3 x Standard Bearer – 3 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Halberd – Ensorcelled Banner: The Dread Banner – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 30 x Chaos Warriors (180)** – Aspiring Champion – 3 x Standard Bearer – 3 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Halberd – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
ENDLESS SPELL 1 x Eightfold Doom-sigil (30) 1 x Suffocating Gravetide (30)
OTHER 3 x The Gnarlspirit Pack (180)*
CORE BATTALIONS: *Warlord **Wizard-finders of Andtor ***Andtorian Acolytes
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
Army Name – Best LRL list ever – Army Faction: Gloomspite Gitz – Subfaction: Glogg’s Megamob – Grand Strategy: Chasing the Moon – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Dankhold Troggboss (210)* – General – Command Traits: Alpha Trogg – Artefacts of Power: Glowy Howzit Skragrott, the Loonking (230)** Trugg (320)** Madcap Shaman (70)** – Artefacts of Power: Staff of Sneaky Stealin’ – Spells: Blizzard
BATTLELINE Rockgut Troggoths (340)** Rockgut Troggoths (340)** Fellwater Troggoths (170)** Moonclan Stabbas (120)** – Moonclan Boss – Bad Moon Icon Bearer – Gong Basher – Stabba – 3 Barbed Nets
This is the top three AoS lists for The Lords_AOS Tournament 2024-1 that took place in Vietnam on the 13th and 14th of April. It saw 10 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
Before I jump into the Top Three AoS Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three AoS Lists
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Chaotic Conduit – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Artefacts: Chaos Familiar – Spells: Daemonic Speed – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 6 x Varanguard (280)* – General – 6 x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Khorne
BATTLELINE 6 x Varanguard (280)* – 6 x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Khorne 6 x Varanguard (280)* – 6 x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Khorne 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)* – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: (2000/2000)
Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals – Army Type: Stormkeep – Subfaction: Hallowed Knights – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumph: Indomitable
Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals – Army Type: Scions of the Storm – Subfaction: Hammers of Sigmar – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumph: Inspired – Holy Command: Steadfast March
LEADERS Knight-Zephyros (100) Knight-Draconis (300)* – General – Command Traits: Battle-lust – Mount Traits: Celestial Instincts Lord-Relictor (120)* – Prayers: Translocation Knight-Zephyros (100)* – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
Army Faction: Disciples of Tzeentch – Army Subfaction: Guild of Summoners – Grand Strategy: Master of Destiny – Triumphs: Indomitable
LEADER 1 x Curseling (200)* – General – Command Traits: Cult Demagogue – Spells: Merciless Blizzard, Arcane Suggestion 1 x Magister (140)** – Spells: Treacherous Bond, Shield of Fate – Bonding: Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur 1 x Magister (140)** – Spells: Shield of Fate, Glimpse the Future 1 x Lord of Change (380)** – Staff of Tzeentch and Rod of Sorcery – Artefacts: The Eternal Shroud – Spells: Flaming Weapon, 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 Horrors of Tzeentch (Pink) (260)** – Iridescent Horror – Pink Horror Icon Bearer – Pink Horror Hornblower – Split and Split Again
BEHEMOTH 1 x Krondspine Incarnate of Ghur (480)*
ENDLESS SPELL 1 x Daemonic Simulacrum (70) 1 x Shards of Valagharr (40) 1 x Aethervoid Pendulum (50)
This is the top three AoS lists for Scorched Earth Open 2024 that took place in the US on the 6th and 7th of April. It saw 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
Army Faction: Hedonites of Slaanesh – Army Type: Invaders – Grand Strategy: Selfish Desire – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Keeper of Secrets (380)* – General – Command Traits: Hurler of Obscenities – Shining Aegis – Artefacts of Power: Icon of Infinite Excess – Spells: Flaming Weapon Lord of Pain (140)* – General – Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome The Masque (140)** – General Shalaxi Helbane (370)** – General – Shining Aegis – Spells: Lash of Slaanesh Sigvald (200)** – General
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Dreadful Visage (60) 1 x Mesmerising Mirror (60)
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment **Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000
Army Faction: Kharadron Overlords – Army Subfaction: Barak-Nar Honour is Everything (4+ rally) Prosecute Wars Fast (1/turn 2d6 run) No Reward No Risk (1/game 3d6 charge)
LEADER 1 x Aetheric Navigator (110) – Artefacts: Voidstone Orb 1 x Brokk Grungsson (220) 1 x Endrinmaster with Endrinharness (90) – General – Command Traits: Stormcaller – Nullstone Adornments: Pouch of Nulldust
BATTLELINE 10 x Arkanaut Company (90) 9 x Endrinriggers (130) 9 x Endrinriggers (130)
BEHEMOTH 1 x Arkanaut Ironclad (480) – Great Sky Cannon – Great Endrinworks: Prudency Chutes
OTHER 1 x Grundstok Gunhauler (180) – Sky Cannon
Battalion: Battle regiment Triumph: inspired
TOTAL POINTS: (1950/2000)
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Cabalists – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Mark of Chaos: Tzeentch – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Merciless Blizzard, Warp Reality Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Spells: Chaotic Conduit, Hoarfrost Ogroid Myrmidon (110)** – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Artefacts of Power: Helm of the Oppressor – Spells: Merciless Blizzard
BATTLELINE Chaos Warriors (360)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Aspiring Champion – Ensorcelled Halberd – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon Ogroid Theridons (300)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Thorakon – Goroan Great Axe – 2 x Banner Bearer – 2 x Charge-caller Corvus Cabal (80)**
OTHER Ogroid Theridons (300)** – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Thorakon – Goroan Great Axe – 2 x Banner Bearer – 2 x Charge-caller Ogroid Theridons (150)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Thorakon – Banner Bearer – Charge-caller – Goroan Great Axe Ogroid Theridons (150)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Thorakon – Banner Bearer – Charge-caller – Goroan Great Axe Ogroid Theridons (150)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Thorakon – Banner Bearer – Charge-caller – Goroan Great Axe Ogroid Theridons (150)** – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Thorakon – Banner Bearer – Charge-caller – Goroan Great Axe
Army Faction: Fyreslayers – Army Subfaction: Vostarg (vulkites will be +1 to attacks, hit, and wound on the charge) – Grand Strategy: Masters of the Forge (Keep invocation on the field)
LEADER 1 x Auric Runefather on Magmadroth (340) (OPG +1 attacks wholly 12”, 4+ mw reflect) – General – Command Traits: Blood of the Berzerker (OPG fight twice fight last) – Artefacts: Master Rune of Unbreakable Resolve (OPG 3+ ward) – Mount Traits: Coal-heart Ancient (-1 damage) 1 x Auric Flamekeeper (90) (gives +1 damage, FOD unless already fought and/or charge at start of combat) 1 x Auric Flamekeeper (90) (gives +1 damage, FOD unless already fought and/or charge at start of combat) 1 x Battlesmith (140) (4+ rally, 6+ ward, OPG 5+ wholly 12”) – Artefacts: Nulsidian Icon (4+ spell ignore wholly 12”) 1 x Auric Runeson (80) (3+ body guard, 6’s are 3 MW’s to monsters) – Ancestral War-axe – Artefacts: Axe of Grimnir -2 rend 3 damage – Nullstone Adornments: Hand-carved Nullstone Icon 1 x Auric Runemaster (130) (knows prayer lore, extra CP) – Prayers: Curse
BATTLELINE 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160) (FOD OPG) 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160) (FOD OPG) 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160) (FOD OPG) 10 x Vulkite Berzerkers with Fyresteel Handaxes (160) (FOD OPG) 15 x Hearthguard Berzerkers (150) – Flamestrike Poleaxe (6’s are 2 MW’s in addition, 4+ ward)
INVOCATION 1 x Zharrgron Flame-spitter (40) (12 dice 6’s are 1 MW’s, +1 for every 10 models max 4+)
This is the top three AoS lists for Dwellers Below AoS GT that took place in Canada on the 6th and 7th of April. It saw 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: Flesh-eater Courts – Grand Court: Morgaunt – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumphs: Indomitable
Battleline 30 x Cryptguard (420)** – Reinforced x 2 3 x Morbheg Knights (150)*** 3 x Morbheg Knights (150)*** 3 x Morbheg Knights (150)***
Units 20 x Royal Beastflayers (220)** 20 x Royal Beastflayers (220)***
Endless Spells & Invocations Chalice of Ushoran (50)
Core Battalions *Andtorian Acolytes **Wizard-Finders of Andtor ***Battle Regiment
Total: 1990 / 2000
Allegiance: Skaven – Grand Strategy: Arch-corruptors of the Mortal Realms – Triumphs: Who needs em..
Leaders Grey Seer (110)* – General – Command Trait: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Artefact: Skavenbrew – Lore of Ruin: Death Frenzy – Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap Grey Seer on Screaming Bell (240)* – Lore of Ruin: Death Frenzy – Lore of Ruin: Skitterleap Master Moulder (80)* – Artefact: Foulhide Plague Priest on Plague Furnace (270)** – Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal Skabbik Plagueseeker (140)** – Noxious Prayers: Rabid-rabid! Plague Priest (100)** – Universal Prayer Scripture: Guidance
Battleline 20 x Clanrats (100)* – Rusty Blade – 1x Standard Bearers – 1x Standard Bell Ringers 20 x Clanrats (100)** – Rusty Blade – 1x Standard Bearers – 1x Standard Bell Ringers 4 x Rat Ogors (260) – Reinforced x 1 4 x Rat Ogors (260) – Reinforced x 1 5 x Plague Censer Bearers (100)
Units 1 x Warp-Grinder (60) Skabbik’s Plaguepack (140)
Behemoths Hell Pit Abomination (180)
Core Battalions *Warlord **Warlord
Additional Enhancements Spell Artefact
Total: 2000 / 2000
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Army Subfaction: Host of the Everchosen – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumphs: Inspired
LEADER 1 x Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Spells: Merciless Blizzard – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Lord (110)* – General – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Reaperblade and Daemonbound Steel – Artefacts: Arcane Tome – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh 1 x Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (150)** – Daemonic Axe – Wings – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
BATTLELINE 10 x Chaos Chosen (230)** – Exalted Champion – 2 x Icon Bearer – 2 x Skull Drummer – Ensorcelled Banner: The Banner of Screaming Flesh – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh 20 x Chaos Warriors (180)** – Aspiring Champion – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Halberd – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Warriors (180)** – Aspiring Champion – Standard Bearer – Hornblower – Murderous Weapon – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 1 x Chaos Chariot (80)** – Chaos Greatblade and Lashing Whip – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle 10 x Chaos Chosen (230)** – Exalted Champion – 2 x Icon Bearer – 2 x Skull Drummer – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle
This is the top three AoS lists for Broken Ranks Q1 2024 that took place in the US on the 5th – 7th of April. It saw 32 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: Ossiarch Bonereapers Subfaction: Mortis Praetorians Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant
LEADERS Katakros (500) Vokmortian (120) Mir Kainan (250) Spells: Drain Vitality Mortisan Boneshaper (140) General Command Traits: Aura of Sterility Artefacts of Power: Artisan’s Key Spells: Blizzard
Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness – Damned Legion: Host of the Everchosen – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumphs:
Leaders Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (340)* – The Lore of the Damned: Binding Damnation Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Command Trait: Master of Magic – Artefact: Chaos Familiar – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Lore of Primal Frost: Hoarfrost
Battleline 9 x The Unmade (80)* 9 x The Unmade (80)* 10 x Chaos Chosen (460)* – Mark of Chaos: Slaanesh – Ensorcelled Banner: The Banner of Screaming Flesh – Reinforced x 1 10 x Chaos Chosen (460)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon – Reinforced x 1
Units 6 x Furies (80)* 6 x Furies (80)* 6 x Ogroid Theridons (300)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Reinforced x 1
Core Battalions *Battle Regiment
Total: 2000 / 2000
Army Faction: Beasts of Chaos – Subfaction: Allherd – Grand Strategy: Desecrating Brayherd – Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS Beasts of Chaos Tzaangor Shaman (120)* – Spells: Hoarfrost, Merciless Blizzard Great Bray-Shaman (100)** – Spells: Merciless Blizzard, Primal Dominance Beasts of Chaos Tzaangor Shaman (120)** – Spells: Merciless Blizzard, Tendrils of Atrophy Great Bray-Shaman (100)** – Spells: Merciless Blizzard, Tendrils of Atrophy Doombull (180)*** – General – Command Traits: Bestial Cunning BATTLELINE Gors (220)* – Paired Hacking Blades Bullgors (420)*** – Cleaving Axe and Bullshield Gors (220)*** – Hacking Blade and Beastshield
BEHEMOTH Chaos Gargant (150)***
OTHER Beasts of Chaos Tzaangor Enlightened (180)* Ungor Raiders (130)**
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Doomblast Dirgehorn (30)
CORE BATTALIONS *Vanguard **Warlord ***Wizard-finders of Andtor
TOTAL POINTS: 1970/2000
Army Faction: Sons of Behemat Army Type: Breaker Tribe Grand Strategy: Make the Land Tremble! Triumph: Inspired Fierce Loathings: Idiots with Flags
LEADERS Kragnos (720) Gatebreaker (500) General Command Traits: Monstrously Tough Artefacts of Power: Amberbone Totem Warstomper (440) Artefacts of Power: Arcane Tome
This is the top three AoS lists for Gran Torneo Huertano por Equipos II Edición that took place in Spain on the 20th and 21st of April. It saw 60 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game team 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: Sylvaneth – Subfaction: Heartwood – Grand Strategy: Spellcasting Savant – Triumph: Inspired – Seasons of War: The Dwindling
LEADERS Spirit of Durthu (350)* – Artefacts of Power: Greenwood Gladius Warsong Revenant (270)** – General – Command Traits: Spellsinger – Artefacts of Power: The Vesperal Gem – Spells: Treesong, Verdant Blessing Knight-Zephyros (100)** Treelord Ancient (330)** – Spells: Regrowth, Verdant Blessing
Army Faction: Slaves to Darkness – Subfaction: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Command Traits: Master of Magic – Artefacts of Power: Chaos Familiar – Spells: Daemonic Speed Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided – Spells: Daemonic Speed
BATTLELINE Chaos Knights (440)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Doom Knight – Cursed Lance – 2 x Standard Bearer – 2 x Hornblower – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon Varanguard (560)* – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – 6 x Ensorcelled Weapon Corvus Cabal (80)* Corvus Cabal (80)* Varanguard (560)* – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – 6 x Fellspear
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1960/2000
Army Faction: Soulblight Gravelords – Army Type: Legion of Night – Grand Strategy: Lust for Domination – Triumph: Indomitable
LEADERS Necromancer (100)* – General – Command Traits: Unbending Will – Spells: Merciless Blizzard Necromancer (100)* – Spells: Merciless Blizzard Mannfred Von Carstein (400)** – Spells: Waste Away Vampire Lord (150)* – Artefacts of Power: Morbheg’s Claw – Spells: Hoarfrost
BATTLELINE Dire Wolves (150)** – Doom Wolf Dire Wolves (150)** – Doom Wolf Dire Wolves (150)** – Doom Wolf Fell Bats (100)** Dire Wolves (150)* – Doom Wolf Dire Wolves (150)* – Doom Wolf Deathrattle Skeletons (330)* – Skeleton Champion – 3 x Standard Bearer
ENDLESS SPELLS & INVOCATIONS 1 x Aethervoid Pendulum (50)
Army Faction: Nighthaunt – Subfaction: The Scarlet Doom – Grand Strategy: Fright or Flight – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Guardian of Souls (150)* – General – Command Traits: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Chill Blade – Artefacts of Power: Midnight Tome – Spells: Shademist Spirit Torment (120)* Krulghast Cruciator (150)** Lady Olynder (270)** – Spells: Seal of Shyish
This is the top three AoS lists for the VIC GT 2024 that took place in Australia on the 16th and 17th of March. It saw 44 players vying to be crowned champion in a 6-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: Arch-corruptors of the Mortal Realms – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
LEADER 1 x Grey Seer On Screaming Bell (240) – Artefacts: Skavenbrew – Spells: Skitterleap, Death Frenzy 1 x Grey Seer On Screaming Bell (240)* – General – Command Traits: Diabolical Schemer – Spells: Levitate, Death Frenzy 1 x Plague Priest (100)** – Prayers: Rabid-rabid! 1 x Grey Seer (110)*** – Spells: Hoarfrost, Merciless Blizzard 1 x Plague Priest On Plague Furnace (270)*** – Prayers: Disease-disease! 1 x Skabbik Plagueseeker (140)*** – Prayers: Filth-filth!
BATTLELINE 20 x Clanrats (100)* – Rusty Blade 20 x Clanrats (100)* – Rusty Blade 15 x Plague Censer Bearers (300)** 15 x Plague Censer Bearers (300)**
ENDLESS SPELL 1 x Soulscream Bridge (80)
OTHER 5 x Skabbik’s Plaguepack (140)***
CORE BATTALIONS: *Battle Regiment **Wizard-finders of Andtor ***Warlord
TOTAL POINTS: (1980/2000)
Kieren Coates: Now this is my own list so i can provide a bit more insight into this one!
However, variants of this list have been floating around for some time, especially since it ran second place at the GW open in Atlanta – however I was personally destroyed by one of the OG’s of bells in the current meta, Stuart the iron gutsman in a skaven mirror months prior.
With the list facing a 120 point nerf in the recent battlescroll, changes were needed to be made and the most optimal change was reducing one bell down to a seer, but honestly… i think its better
By taking a seer instead, it gives access to both blizzard and hoarfrost which are incredibly pivotal spells, with hoarfrost greatly assisting in two of my wins (Big Waaagh and gargants), and now with the new wizard finders having a 3rd small hero means you have access to warlord, and then using the priest to provide wizard finders to the 30 censors for that critical 5+ spell block.
The concept of the list is simple – with 6 masterclan/pestilence heroes unless the enemy fights you, you have your grand strategy by default. Combined with simple tactics you can very easily score 28 points.
Now, that means if the enemy can do the same, it comes down to who can control the primaries for those critical turns – not only does this list have the bodies to outmuscle most lists, but skabbick’s prayer to automatically take an objective if his squad is on it is brutal in control matchups, game changingly so in some cases.
Sit in the most optimal zone of the board, force the enemy to have to take the risk into you, and if they are unable to piece through the screaming bells, furnaces and clanrats then expect them to be cleared by the powerhouse that is 2×15 censors.
on the charge with prayer, all out attack and skabbicks pack within 18″ its 75 attacks, 2’s, 2’s, rend 1 damage 2
For context thats 70 damage into a 4+ save enemy – thats without adding in hoarfrost, skavenbrew, or death frenzy to further fight again when your models die
Be aware however the list isnt without weakness – if your PCB’s die early by not protecting them, or they are shot down from a distance you will be left with all bodies and no teeth. Against ranged lists you must use smart positioning, soulscream bridge and gnawholes to close the gap and get into threat range while controlling the board with the remaining bodies
While the list has been nerfed by 120 points, it still certainly has its punch and can beat down on most melle armies, but be afraid of the ranged powerhouses that can take out your hammers before they get a chance to engage.
Allegiance: Sons of Behemat – Tribe: King Brodd’s Stomp – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders King Brodd (520) – General – Command Trait: Big Eater Gatebreaker Mega-Gargant (500) – Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact) Warstomper Mega-Gargant (440)* – Nullstone Adornment: Hand-carved Nullstone Icon
Battleline 1 x Mancrusher Gargants (130)* 1 x Mancrusher Gargants (130)* 1 x Mancrusher Gargants (130)* 1 x Mancrusher Gargants (130)*
Core Battalions *Battle Regiment
Total: 1980 / 2000
Peter: I’ve been lucky enough to know the PlasticCraic team for a while now. So when Joel popped up in the listing, we decided to do something a little different for his list review!
Peter: Thanks for agreeing to do this! We don’t often see Sons topping the tables of events these days. What is it that separates your list from other Sons lists that gave you that little extra zing?
Joel: Funnily enough, the list i took seems to be ‘the’ brodds stomp list getting around at the moment, and I’d be wrong to take the credit for coming up with it. It does play vastly different to a regular sons list. Their biggest flaw was ironically survivability. Megas have been used as the yard stick for damage output since they were released, and in brodds stomp you kind of fix that flaw by getting a 5+ ward on brodds 40 wounds. The extra zing would have to be the kings stomp, which is the brodds stomp specific monstrous action. I used this pretty aggressively to tie up units and snipe out heroes. Throwing terrain is cool and all, but this one takes the cake for me.
Peter: Your only loss came to Kieren and his ratties. Was this just a weight of numbers issue that caused the issue for your megas? Not discounting that Kieren is probably the top Skaven player.
Joel: Kieren had a dream turn 1, applying every buff to 15 plague sensor bearers, including a -3 rend hoarfrost. I didn’t zone out the bridge properly, and he got into my guts, wiping out the warstomper and a mancrusher with a 12″ charge. Safe to say, the 20 attacks a model (sarcasm) comfortably lifted them with ease. Skaven can be a really tough matchup for sons, between the debuffs from the bells and weight of dice from stupidly cheap 2 wound rats. Full credit to Kieren, though. VICGT was his first 5-0, and he deserved the win. I doubt I’m the only one to say that I’m glad to see the back of PCBs leading into 4th!
Peter: So are there any changes you’d make to the lost following VICGT? Or are you looking to have fun with it all for the lame duck period?
Joel: There’s a good chance I’ll be playing sons again for fatal4play, which is a 4-player teams event in June. And after VICGT, I’ll most likely swap out the gatebreaker for a krakeneater. Hitting on 4+s really sucks, and I used the pulverising strike ability more than I’d like to admit. The krakeneater adds some objective kicking, which is always handy, especially when in brodds you dont want to spread out too much and lose the 5+ ward. Krakens do less damage, but atleast they hit on 3+s base and are another good choice to hurl terrain with as you get more milage out of an all out attack, given they come with a decent shooting profile already.
Peter: Thanks Joel!
Army Faction: Idoneth Deepkin – Subfaction: Ionrach – Grand Strategy: The Creeping Gloomtide – Triumph: Inspired
LEADERS Akhelian King (220)* – General – Command Traits: Unstoppable Fury – Bladed Polearm and Falchion – Artefacts of Power: Potion of Hateful Frenzy – Mount Traits: Voidchill Darkness Lotann (110)* Isharann Soulscryer (140)* – Prayers: Curse – Nullstone Adornments: Pouch of Nulldust
BEHEMOTH Akhelian Leviadon (400)* – Mount Traits: Reverberating Carapace
OTHER Akhelian Allopexes (150)* – Razorshell Harpoon Launcher
CORE BATTALIONS *Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 1980/2000
Allegiance: Slaves to Darkness – Damned Legion: Knights of the Empty Throne – Grand Strategy: Overshadow – Triumphs: Bloodthirsty
Leaders Be’Lakor, the Dark Master (340)* – The Lore of the Damned: Binding Damnation Chaos Sorcerer Lord (120)* – General – Command Trait: Shaman of the Chilled Lands – Artefact: Chaos Familiar – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – The Lore of the Damned: Daemonic Speed
Battleline 5 x Chaos Knights (220)* -4x Cursed Lance -plague Flail -standard bearer -hornblower – Mark of Chaos: Nurgle – Ensorcelled Banner: The Eroding Icon 9 x The Unmade (80)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 9 x Untamed Beasts (80)* – Mark of Chaos: Undivided 6 x Varanguard (560)* – 6x Fellspear – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Reinforced x 1 6 x Varanguard (560)* – 3x Fellspear – 3x Daemonforged Blade – Mark of Chaos: Khorne – Reinforced x 1
