Whilst talking through list options on the Warclans WhatsApp group a question was raised as to whether a one-drop Ironjawz list would work. As is often the case, the question was also asked by Rob on The Honest Wargamer during his review of the AOS lists, which can be found here.

So, I started writing a list. For those who don’t know what a ‘one drop’ means, it is a force in Age of Sigmar which is deployed all at once. The advantage of it is that the first player to fully deploy gets to chose who goes first… there are also a lot of top-meta armies in the UK at the moment which are 1 or 2 drop. This can only be achieved by use of the Battle Regiment Core Battatlion – what’s that; I’m glad you asked:

This means that in order to be able to have an army that was deployed in go, I would have a maximum of 3 characters (only one at 10 wounds or above), 5 units and a behemoth or artillery. ‘Fortunately’ Ironjawz don’t have either of the last 2, so I was looking at an army with 3 characters and 5 units – this would certainly be a struggle but let’s see what I can do.

Character 1 – Megaboss on Maw-Krusha

There is no way I can reach the points level without an expensive unit and the Megaboss on Maw-Krusha satisfies this. Fortunately he is also a great warscroll and an auto-include in every Ironjawz list I have seen to date. His equipment is easy – a Rip Tooth for a 3+ armour save is this only real option.

I then make his mount a ‘Smelly ‘Un’ which is my go-to option at the moment, as it makes opponents -1 to hit in combat if you don’t charge. Perfect if you plan to alpha strike and then survive an opponent’s turn.

I follow up with Hulking Brute command ability (2+ D3 wounds on charge) to help him clear screens with Stomp & Destructive Bulk, and add the essential Amulet of Destiny for more survive-ability. He’s my General, my spear and the way I plan to kill the enemy’s big bad units early.

Characters 2 & 3 – Warchanters

I really like Hand of Gork because of it’s threat, but the Warchanters are just superb with Violent Fury providing +1 damage and two of them allow to buff the Maw Krusha and one other unit. I give them Fixin’ Beat (healing) and Get ‘Em Beat (3D6″ charge) to give me an option of going second, healing damage done to the Maw Krusha and striking back.

With my characters done, I’m at 710 points, so lots still to get… onto the units

Unit 1 – 6 Gore Gruntas

With the Maw Krusha, I need something that can alongside him if I have to take the turn one (to go after sentinels for example) and these are perfect. I have also never used them and – whilst I have 6 – they are all unassembled. This shocking situation would have to stop.

The intention if I take the first turn is to Mighty Destroyers these and the Maw Krusha and then move, and go for a charge on the enemy’s worst units. The Gore Gruntas go in first, take ‘Unleash Hell’, do mortal wounds and then the Maw Krusha can follow up, do D3 mortal wounds, and then stomp the same screen, allowing triggering of Destructive Bulk to move D6″ and do it all again. At least that’s the plan!

If I give up the first turn, these guys will likely become a mobile counter charge threat under Ironsunz (more on this later), and the Brutes (see below) will get the Mighty Destroyers.

I was asked why it isn’t two units of 3, and that’s because I have 1,290 points left so I need most of my remaining units to be reinforced.

Unit 2, 3 & 4 – 10 Brutes, 10 Brutes, 5 Brutes

25 Brutes, 3 wounds at 4+ save and Jagged Gore-Hackas. These guys can push out some serious damage, can stop 1 wound models counting on objectives (looking at Pink Horrors here!) and can be used as a screen if that is what’s needed. Plus they are great models, and who doesn’t love great models. I have 20 painted, so would only need to add an additional 5 to make this work.

If you’re unsure how Brutes work, you’re also in luck, for there’s an article on this very blog on it. Just here.

Unit 5 – 10 Ardboys

I was really torn on this selection, because I wanted to try to fit in my unit of Rippa’s Snarlfangs…. but the Gore Gruntas do a lot of what Rippa can do – so I went for a solid unit to keep a back objective and, if things start going wrong, get buffed by the Warchanter for a glorious charge. They are also Battleline, so my Grand Strategy makes these a unit that can definitely be hidden to get me those 3 (often crucial) points.

Ironsunz

I’ve chosen Ironsunz because the command ability is superb. Alright, Get ‘Em allows me to charge units in my opponents charge phase either forcing them to charge me, or be counter charged. It’s great for keeping the Maw Krusha in combat.

Grand Strategy & Triumph

For my Triumph I can’t see beyond Inspired (+1 to wound), and at 1,980 points for the army, I may get a few cheeky options for this in a tournament.

My Grand Strategy was equally easy to chose – Hold the Line – and the reason why I have taken 10 Ardboyz at my final unit.

The Final List

Allegiance: Ironjawz
– Warclan: Ironsunz
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired

Leaders
Megaboss on Maw-Krusha (480)*
– General
– Boss Choppa and Rip-tooth fist
– Command Trait: Hulking Brute
– Artefact: Amulet of Destiny (Universal Artefact)
– Mount Trait: Smelly ‘Un
Orruk Warchanter (115)*
– Warbeat: Fixin’ Beat
Orruk Warchanter (115)*
– Warbeat: Get ‘Em Beat

Battleline
10 x Orruk Brutes (320)*
– Jagged Gore-hackas
– 2x Gore Choppas
– Reinforced x 1
10 x Orruk Brutes (320)*
– Jagged Gore-hackas
– 2x Gore Choppas
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Orruk Brutes (160)*
– Jagged Gore-hackas
– 1x Gore Choppas
10 x Orruk Ardboys (170)*
– 1x Gorkamorka Banner Bearers
– Reinforced x 1

Units
6 x Orruk Gore-gruntas (300)*
– Jagged Gore-hackas
– Reinforced x 1

Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment

Total: 1980 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 4 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 155
Drops: 1

155 wounds, most at least at 4+, and 18 at 3+… that’ll take a lot to kill, especially if I chose to Alpha Strike and go after my opponent.

Having thought about this for a few days, I’ve decided to take it to Warfare at Ascot (run by Reading Wargamers). It’s always a fun, relaxed event, so hopefully I haven’t overclocked the army too much.

Let me know what you think and what you would change – it was great fun thinking of a change and abandoning my favourite ‘Warlord’ Battalion.