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Hey Dakka, so I have the AoS starter and was originally gonna use the Stormcast from the box but after assembling I find I enjoy the Khorne Bloodbound models more so I think I want to run them primarily. To this extent I was wondering how the community has been enjoying them so far? Any good tactics? Pairing with other armies? Unit reviews? I wanted to start this thread as a general Khorne topic thread so please post your ideas and game resualts as you see fit

I am a long time 40k player who is just now getting into fantasy so my reviews are not gonna be coming fromm a super experienced point of view but I will post my ideas and game results once I start really getting some good matches under my belt

I'm curious to hear how Bloodbound players are doing against Stormcasts in particular. Pretty much every comp system confirms that the Khorne side of the starter is significantly underpowered compared to the Sigmarine side, yet I suspect that the vast majority of AOS games pit the two sides against each other. Scenarios or otherwise.

- Salvage

 Boss Salvage wrote:
I'm curious to hear how Bloodbound players are doing against Stormcasts in particular. Pretty much every comp system confirms that the Khorne side of the starter is significantly underpowered compared to the Sigmarine side, yet I suspect that the vast majority of AOS games pit the two sides against each other. Scenarios or otherwise.

- Salvage

They are FAR from "significantly underpowered" when compared with the Stormcast.
They do however require you to actually pay attention.

The big downside of the Bloodbound is their Bravery values of 5 and 6 on the Bloodreavers and Blood Warriors. That means you can potentially whiff Battleshock tests, hard, and lose large numbers of models due to it.

Which is why you have to be using the Bloodsecreator's ability, "Portal of Skulls". By opening the Portal of Skulls any models with the "Khorne" keyword within 18 inches of the Bloodsecrator become immune to Battleshock.

That's the biggest tip I can put forth right now, along with Bloodreavers get an absurd bonus when near a Totem(such as the Bloodsecrator) and Wrathmongers. They get an additional 2 attacks per model. Opening the Portal of Skulls grants another attack to them, meaning you are doing 4 attacks per Bloodreaver.

Im surprised they are considered underpowered cause it seems that they can just drown everything in attacks better than most.

I can see though where you really have to play the bravery game to stay in haha

I find Bloodletters are a pretty good addition to this army, as the Khorne characters' abilities work on them too.

 Kanluwen wrote:
That's the biggest tip I can put forth right now, along with Bloodreavers get an absurd bonus when near a Totem(such as the Bloodsecrator) and Wrathmongers. They get an additional 2 attacks per model. Opening the Portal of Skulls grants another attack to them, meaning you are doing 4 attacks per Bloodreaver.

KHORNERGY ACTIVATE

Maybe Bloodbound is re-pointed so low against Stormcast because the re-pointers don't take all the synergistic effects into account? As opposed to the pimp individual stats of the Stormcast. You have started answering a follow up question of mine Kan: what should somebody add to the AOS starter Khorne force? Wrathmongers apparently. Possibly moar Reavers (which happen to be some of the nicest of the new minis). Maybe that new Bloodwhatever character.

- Salvage

Wrathmongers and a Warshrine are really good choices--Wrathmongers grant an additional attack when you have keyword "Khorne" and are within 3" and a Warshrine lets you reroll failed To Hit rolls as long as you have "Mortal" and "Khorne".

If you're planning on using the Realm of Fire rules from the big book, some Daemons would be awesome since you can summon them up via that route.

Bloodthirster of Insensate Rage is metal as all hell. Any Wound rolls of 6+, he causes each enemy units within 8" takes a number of Mortal Wounds equal to a table(3 MW if he's unhurt) in his unit entry...because their flippin' heads just exploded.

Blood warriors are a nice anvil unit with the ability to hit back it killed or when they make a save. In multiple combats you wouldmuch prefer your opponent hit them rather than the some what squishy blood reavers. Although iI'll definitely be stocking up on the blood reavers and totems.

The khorne guys get some of the best synergy so far in the army lists and really reward planning your attacks in waves, using the blood warriors to blunt the opponents attacks before slaming in the reaver hordes.

I've added two units of Chaos Knights.
Their charge with gleves is absolutely brutal.
I've fully eliminated a five men Liberator unit with a five men Knight unit on the charge.

I'm interested in other people's experience with the starter set armies too. My in-house system has the SCEs at 738 points and Khorne at 717, so I guess I'd expect them to be somewhat close over a series of games (I'm still painting mine so haven't played them yet).

Depends on if you use the battle formation scrolls as well. The stormcast deepstrike really helps them get into combat quickly, the khorne one can add more attacks on the reavers in the right situation

Yesterday, I battled Eric with his Skaven, 75 wounds, Toronto supplementery rules, scenario 3 with 3 flags, 6'x4' battle field.

My army was: Might Lord of Khorne, Bloodsecrator, Bloodstoker, 5 Bloodwarriors, 12 Bloodreavers, 2x5 Chaosknights.

At the end, it was a draw. We had a great laugh. The Chaosknights rolled up the flanks while the Bloodreavers and -warriors marched through the centre with the heros behind for buffing or debuffing purposes.

Honestly, a little shooting helps a lot.
I'm adding some mounted marauders (of khorne of course) and eventually a hell cannon or skullcannon to give a little shooting.

Outside of that, knights, skullcrushers and daemons of khorne are all good.

Chosen of khorne add a lot of synergy as well.

 HawaiiMatt wrote:
Honestly, a little shooting helps a lot.
I'm adding some mounted marauders (of khorne of course) and eventually a hell cannon or skullcannon to give a little shooting.

Outside of that, knights, skullcrushers and daemons of khorne are all good.

Chosen of khorne add a lot of synergy as well.

Warmachines can be a great threat especially against monsters.
Whittling down monsters is also beneficial.
Shooting infantry is not worth it for a Khorne army.

I would keep it khorne themed. Get yourself blood reapers, skullcrushers and a warshrine. Those will go a long way. Then add some daemons as you further expand

As for being underpowered compared to the stormcast ha far from it. The khorne side can handle itself very well against them

Remember that per the "Realm of Fire" special rules and Daemon Summoning you can Summon Skullreapers and Skullcrushers.

Yes the realm of fire is particularly good for khorne. Obviously roll dependant but useful.

Other useful units are chaos beastmen ungors with bows, bestigors backing up blood warriors are also good.

That was where I was as going with mine until I decided to change forces

Well, I think about dropping the Bloodreavers and the Bloodstoker and integrating Bloodletters and a Chaos Wizard for obvious reasons.

Why in the world would you drop Bloodreavers?!

Seriously, with a Bloodsecrator nearby they are fething beasts. I'm more scared of Bloodreavers getting Battleshock Immunity via Bloodsecrators or Inspiring Presence than I am Skullcrushers at this point in time.

 Kanluwen wrote:
Why in the world would you drop Bloodreavers?!

Seriously, with a Bloodsecrator nearby they are fething beasts. I'm more scared of Bloodreavers getting Battleshock Immunity via Bloodsecrators or Inspiring Presence than I am Skullcrushers at this point in time.

I playtested Bloodreavers a few times. Not having a save is a downside.
As said, I'll replace them with Bloodletters and the Stoker by a Wizard on steed. The ability to summon a unit of Bloodletters each round is tempting and eventually game breaking.

 wuestenfux wrote:

 Kanluwen wrote:
Why in the world would you drop Bloodreavers?!

Seriously, with a Bloodsecrator nearby they are fething beasts. I'm more scared of Bloodreavers getting Battleshock Immunity via Bloodsecrators or Inspiring Presence than I am Skullcrushers at this point in time.

I playtested Bloodreavers a few times. Not having a save is a downside.
As said, I'll replace them with Bloodletters and the Stoker by a Wizard on steed. The ability to summon a unit of Bloodletters each round is tempting and eventually game breaking.

Bloodreavers have been the overwhelming star of my Khorne Bloodbound army. I do whatever I can to make sure I'm going to get the charge off. Nominating them with a Mighty Lord of Khorne's command ability + whipping them with a Bloodstoker + making sure they have a hornblower gives a move of 6" and a charge range of 6" - 16" with an average 13" threat range. Throw on support from two Bloodsecrators and a 20 man unit of Bloodreavers running into a sufficiently large unit can get 81 attacks. This causes ~20 wounds that need to be saved. This can devastate the unit being charged. Assuming they're in a position to attack back, you'll probably lose some models (no save), but you're immune to battleshock (thanks Mighty Lord!) so you take it like a champ. Your opponent's unit will probably lose more models thanks to battleshock. Bloodreavers are deceptively strong when used (and buffed) properly. Alone, they're underwhelming.

A single Wizard in a Khorne army, on the other hand? Less useful. He'll have a huge target on his forehead and will have issues casting spells if you're using Bloodsecrators within 18". I like the idea of Wizards, and run one in my Khorne army, but don't expect much. In an average game, he summons maybe two units of 10 Bloodletters. Not exactly game breaking.

Running a chariot or two flanking my reaver for a charge has been invaluable! Every time, the opponent thinks "oh he thinks he is sneaky with those chariots, im gonna show him" so they either adjust to prep for a chariot assault or move something way powerful that way to counter. Then, like clock work, my bloodreavers charge a gloriously lengthy charge and decimate the intended target and a few times another target aswell. My chariots? safe and sound or pummeling face! with all the boosts, hitting an 8" on the charge with the gorebeast is easy so he simply eats so much!

Might try this with bloodcrushers instead soon but idk, I love my gorebeast chariots

I have been looking at maybe some nurgle to absorb some wounds aswell while my bloodbound move up but that is all theory at the moment.

I think the speed of slaneesh could also be a huge boon, in the end tho one thing is for sure, get Khornes synergy going and its a train that doesnt stop

Out of the contents of the starter box, I use the lord, bloodsecrator and blood warriors. I've gone away from using blood reavers and substituted in bloodletters. In units of 20 to boost hit chances and auto-mortal wounding on hit rolls of 6 (with extra attacks from the bloodsecrator) they are absolutely amazing. Plus, unlike the reavers, they get a save and have higher bravery. Since my friend and I balance by wounds and require a minimum number of classic core units, these are a stronger choice in my opinion.

Blood Warriors perform surprisingly well. The ability to attack once they are killed can come in very handy. My lord has also gathered his share of skulls for Khorne and the bloodsecrator pays his share of the rent with the bonuses he gives. I pretty much only use him for the portal of skulls.

Bloodcrushers have performed decently, but as I only run a minimum sized unit they have not been too impressive. I still like using them though just for the cool factor.

Other than that I've mixed in a vortex beast and chaos sorcerer lord in to my list. Both have proved very useful even without the Khorne synergy. I may add in a gorebeast chariot or two soon, and I finally have a use for a giant. They were pretty underwhelming before when taken for an ogre army.

One thing I am enjoying about AoS is that I can pretty much use all the stuff I like and have it be competitive. The above army weighs in at 75 or so wounds and demolishes eternals...even those assisted by dwarf cannons.

Gridge: exactly my thoughts about Bloodreavers and Bloodletters. 20 Bloodletters cost 15 pts (wounds) according to the Toronto supplementary rules.

However, I'm running Chosen Knights instead of Chariots and Bloodcrushers. However, I understand the usefulness of Gorebeast Chariots. Bloodcrushers have too many wounds for my liking. It hurts a lot if loose one (by battleshock or terrain test).

Instead of the Vortex, I run one or two Khorgorates.

These threads are funny. We effectively have a handful of people who are playing different games discussing the merits of including a specific unit in their army.

Person A: Are Bloodreavers good in AoS?
Person B: Not really. I prefer Bloodletters. They fit better with the wound restrictions.
Person A: What wound restrictions?
Person B: We added some house rules that completely change how you build armies.
Person C: Oh, you mean the Toronto Comp?
Person B: What?
Person D: No, he probably means the Azyr Comp.
Person B: No, no. Just wound restrictions.
Person E: But you are limiting Heroes and Monsters, right?
Person B: Well, of course!
Person C: We do that too!
Person B: We do it different, I think.
Person D: You guys should try Azyr Comp. It's all points based, like our beloved 8th Edition.
Person A: ...
Person A: ...
Person A: I guess I should go ask people who play AoS and not some locally modified version then. Adios, gents.

The answer to whether or not a specific unit is good depends entirely on what game you're playing. Some units are AMAZING in the Azyr Comp model because they're grossly undercosted for what they can do. Other units are AMAZING in a wound count restriction environment because of how much damage they can do compared to their wounds. These units might be mediocre in a core AoS environment where the opponent is allowed to see what you put down and deploy to counter.

 wuestenfux wrote:
Gridge: exactly my thoughts about Bloodreavers and Bloodletters. 20 Bloodletters cost 15 pts (wounds) according to the Toronto supplementary rules.

However, I'm running Chosen Knights instead of Chariots and Bloodcrushers. However, I understand the usefulness of Gorebeast Chariots. Bloodcrushers have too many wounds for my liking. It hurts a lot if loose one (by battleshock or terrain test).

Instead of the Vortex, I run one or two Khorgorates.

We don't employ any of the comp systems out there at the moment...it's a simple wound total comparison and a limitation in the number of certain types of things. Since I have to travel to play with my friends, I can't really drag all my collection along so that I have every counter I may need (especially considering my friend has enough minis lining his shelfs to open up his own GW warehouse). I do understand though, the cost of Bloodcrushers being a bit steep when one considers what could take their place. Two Khorgorates seem like a good choice even though I have yet to use even one. The main reason I run a vortex beast is just how much I like the model...though right now I'm thinking of mixing in some Nurgle units and dropping the mutalith. It may not be the best for synergy but should be entertaining. My old metal Great Unclean One has been retired for a decade or more and I think he needs to air out his festering crevices a bit on the battlefield.

If only folks would get over no points. They're gone get over it. Azyr comp is laughable and if everyone loved 8th as much as they say. Well it would still be here alas its not.

Anyway all units are generally good.what it comes down too is what you take with them. Different hero's help different units, some better than others. Its really down to what hero you bring along

Kriswall wrote:Person A: I guess I should go ask people who play AoS and not some locally modified version then. Adios, gents.

Warhammer's (WHFB + W40k) lasting strength was always its ubiquity. You could travel anywhere and play a game that used the same rules no matter whom you gamed with. Perhaps it says something about AOS that this is not the case, in addition to saying something about those gamers out there who have yet to either embrace what AOS actually offers or move on, as AOS players are want to point out. For the record, I don't know many people personally who have played AOS without using at least a few modifications, and that includes myself and other players who kind of like the game!

But we're not talking about AOS house rules or 8E house rules or Warhammer house rules or house rules at all. We're talking Bloodbound!

Motograter wrote:Anyway all units are generally good.

Bam! There you go Person A.

(To the OP's credit they didn't ask about whether X was better than Y or if Z was any good, they asked about Bloodbound combinations and tactics and such. Which makes a lot more sense from an AOS discussion standpoint.)

- Salvage

100% agreed.

I played a fairly large game last night with Bloodbound on both sides of the table and have some additional points of feedback.

Bloodreavers are fantastic in that they're an almost blank slate on which to write your buffs. Nobody complains about a unit of 20 Bloodreavers... until they're getting 4 attacks each and charging on the highest 2 of 3D6. You can get away with deploying larger blocks. Blood Warriors are a little harder to get away with, but still great. I'd go with 10 models minimum.

Bloodsecrators are normally awesome as they give you extra attacks. They are, however, significantly less awesome when your opponent has Khorne models in range. Khorne cares not from whence the blood flows, after all. I like to run mine forward the first turn with a Bloodstoker whipping him. Then he pretty much plants his banner and stands still for the rest of the game. Kind of backfired when I gave my opponent more extra attacks than I got.

For shooting, I decided to go daemonic and add a Skull Cannon. My best use is to ram it forward into the closest squishy unit. If the maw causes a wound in the combat phase, the cannon gets to make an out of sequence shooting attack at the end of the combat phase. Potentially lets you get 3 shooting attacks per game round instead of 1 if you're killing stuff.

1: As Salvage stated, we are talking about bloodbound here, not whose homegrown rules are better. Just points and counter points on units, tactics, and combos.

2: I havent heard much usage of the goreblade warband formation, have you guys tried it? It seems like it has huge synergy potential and fuels itself off the bloodreavers being wreckless murder packs.I constantly forget about it but I will be running it this weekend hopefully and ill bring back my thoughts.

3: Exalted Deathbringer.....this guy seems like a beast, I just read his warscroll and my first thoughts are

A: Eh as a general I wouldnt bother, his command ability is mediocre and using the bloodsecrators you can avoid battleshock period. So no need to have others use his bravery really.
B: This guy shines as a second hero cause 2 bonus attacks! Just for hanging with his boss! Not to mention the other attack boosts you can get on this guy, he will chomp through so much!
C: As for set up, I really dig the Bloodbite axe and Runmarked shield. 6 attacks, plus 2 for being near his boss standard, then ignoring spell wounds on a 2+, this guy is getting into combat...period haha.
D: The Skullgorger set up has less attacks but wounds more when it does, and the counterblows for D3 mortal wounds is nice but needing a roll of 6 for that is a little hit or miss if it will be consistent enough to make it work.
E; (BONUS) Oddly enough this guy looks like satan but still has the MORTAL keyword....enjoy more synergy buffs

All in all im excited to get one or two and run them with my bloodbound, they seem like an amazing compliment to chopping up anything and everything in my way.