Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

so if I wnated to get back into fantasy (always loved the High Elf and wood elf models), would the Island of Blood be a good choice for the aelf faction?

I say yes.
you can play a nice game of AOS with both sides! Just about the right size too

Have fun!

Thanks
austin

It would be a great choice. You can probably pick up just the Elf side on eBay really cheap (seeing as the rules that come in IoB are now useless, Unless of course you want to play 8th)

Yeah, that's a good idea. Someone watching our AoS game yesterday was looking at the Island of Blood box, and the only reason he didn't buy it was that he already had it. AoS gave him the motivation to paint it.

I know it's still early, but I think a model count of about 30 models, the size of the High Elves half of that box, seems to be the optimal size for AoS. Then you add in more character models, because AoS seems very Herohammer.

Obviously, it'd be most ideal if you find a friend interested in the Skaven to split the costs with.

 Kommissar Waaaghrick wrote:
Yeah, that's a good idea. Someone watching our AoS game yesterday was looking at the Island of Blood box, and the only reason he didn't buy it was that he already had it. AoS gave him the motivation to paint it.

I know it's still early, but I think a model count of about 30 models, the size of the High Elves half of that box, seems to be the optimal size for AoS. Then you add in more character models, because AoS seems very Herohammer.

Obviously, it'd be most ideal if you find a friend interested in the Skaven to split the costs with.

What do you think about 40? That way you could have a unit of 20 a unit of 10 a unit of 5 and some hero's/Monsters?

I heartily recommend buying the box asap.
it gives a great base to play around with.
find a friend!

Have fun

Thanks
Austin

Are you going to be basing them on round bases or square?

 ToxicBox wrote:
What do you think about 40? That way you could have a unit of 20 a unit of 10 a unit of 5 and some hero's/Monsters?

Yeah. In the above answer, I think the High Elves in the Island of Blood set really does have about 30 pretty elite units, then maybe add some things for flavour, for a final count of 35 to 40.

And you raise a good point, I see where you're coming from, here's my own plan going forward.

A 20+ or 30+ of a unit: because most Command powers affect only 1 unit, but gives every single model a buff, so I want just the 1 big blob with maximum models. Many units have some additional buff at the 20+ and 30+ range, so it'll be like you take another few extra to absorb Wounds.

About 5 Heroes: to be Heroes, but also to provide buffs. If you only had 1 or 2, they're obvious targets, so we'll add a few more.

Around 3 to 5 Monsters/Cavalry: to hit any Artillery in the back, because AoS allows you to shoot into units engaged in close combat

(And if you're the one using Artillery: in addition to its crew, you'll maybe want a unit of 10 guys to help defend it)

All up, it gravitates around the 30 to 40 range that many people who tried AoS already mentioned, and this is how I personally calculated that number from when we were test-driving the game. This is fun, relatively easy to keep track, a Forge A Narrative project.

IoB may actually be a better starter for AoS than it was for 8th! You've got a playable, full sized game out of the box (not that you can't go bigger, but the game won't feel small like it did in 8th). Might want to add some more Skaven simply as the Prince on Griffon might be a bit good, but even without that it should be fun!

Stunning minis, and they look even better on round bases!

Yeah, this is actually a really good shout and yes, ironically, Island of Blood works better as an AoS starter as all the models in there are usable and it doesn't require any more purchases.

Like everyone has said IoB is amazing for AoS. The only extras you need are:

1 - some more elite units for the Skaven, as horde heavy isn't good. Perhaps some stormfiends?

2 - Characters, Characters, Characters

The more characters the more fun the game.

3 - lots of terrain

Yes with the caveat that Aelfs will be rebooted as part of Sigmar.