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So has the new format changed the way that you lay out your terrain? It seems like cramped city style games would be a lot more friendly since troops have more freedom of movement with the demise of the movement tray.

In Warmahordes and most systems the scenery is just Warhammer +2 when it comes to terrain, but now in AoS we've went with the whole narrative thing and decided to build the table with a theme. We've already fought in properly planned villages, on plains, on forest roads - overall AoS with the little amount of cumbersome rules doesn't punish you for having cinematic table, so to speak and, while some will come and yell that it's accidental, the core rules really make up for nice balance for scenery interactions - spear units are great at holding bottleneck passes or on castle walls - overall what normally would be good in choke points, is good at it in AoS.

Next thing I want to try with my friend is an imperial detachment defending a small village in the middle of the table, taking advantage of every choke point and elevation they can against a bigger army. From what I have played so far this game seems to really shine at such cinematic scenarios, especially if you come up with cool, flavour rules that will help you play such battle that both of you will like.

AoS is all about talking it up with the opponent, so the cooler stuff you two come up with, the more fun you will have!

One of the things we where discussing the other day with regards to terrain was sticking down the trees in citadel woods.

For 8th edition having them removable was a necessity otherwise there was no way of moving ranked units through them without precariously balancing them.

For AOS given all models are not bound by a formation having the trees in place makes a huge impact to how you can manoeuvre in a wood and the amount of models that can fit in there.

Think that terrain is really important and the flexibility we have to play on the meme terrain tables is really great.

It's been a long time since we enjoyed putting terrain on our table as much as we do in AoS! Towns, forests, defending bridges...we've got plans that really couldn't be done earlier without limiting the game.

So yeah, definately changed the format for us!

that's awesome guys. I have a feeling that the majority of people out there that are complaining about AOS are missing things like this. it will be cool to play a game on a densely populated table rather than the big open killing field that were used to.

Even hills are important as they still give you plus one save

I'm still very much getting used to the idea that that tree - yes, that one there - is actually there, it's not the idea of a tree or an infinite height volume, it's actually that tree...

...the one that is refusing to block that cannon's line of sight.
Oh, bum.

Building my massive Dwarf keep to slay all the dumb goblin hordes me brother has to come rush me. Beat the kid every time.

I have a rather large collection of medieval fantasy terrain from my years of playing DND, and I am using my mageknight castle more now than I did when mageknight was a serious thing.

I am thoroughly enjoying this game

As several people have said, I'm loving the free-format of the game which has opened up possibilities of playing anything from a dungeon crawler, to street battle skirmishers right up to the clash of mighty armies on field of battle. And all of that requires themed terrain, rather than the usual "plonk down some generic hills and woods for decoration" I got used to doing for too many years.

My first project (after building the actual table) will be to dust off this old thing



And then build them up either in street form on 2x2 sections or individually based for greater flexibility.

Its totally changed it. How can it not. AoS isn't about pitched battles in a field like fantasy was. This is where I laugh at the complaints about a big scrum in the middle of the board. Yes cos you're trying to play old fantasy. If you use the scenery and properly scatter it about there will be no brawl that takes forever in middle as you'll be going round terrain, through it etc

 Motograter wrote:
Its totally changed it. How can it not. AoS isn't about pitched battles in a field like fantasy was. This is where I laugh at the complaints about a big scrum in the middle of the board. Yes cos you're trying to play old fantasy. If you use the scenery and properly scatter it about there will be no brawl that takes forever in middle as you'll be going round terrain, through it etc

Have an exalt, sir.

 Motograter wrote:
Its totally changed it. How can it not. AoS isn't about pitched battles in a field like fantasy was. This is where I laugh at the complaints about a big scrum in the middle of the board. Yes cos you're trying to play old fantasy. If you use the scenery and properly scatter it about there will be no brawl that takes forever in middle as you'll be going round terrain, through it etc

You've just sold me on AOS. I think I love you.

I totally agree. Age of Sigmar is more like a cityfight through a ruined fantasy city. The more terrain the better!

The terrain rules also help change the game... I've seen Tyrion cross through a gate and charge/destroy an opponent's general as well as an entire elite unit get destroyed in the same gate!

In 8th terrain felt like a chore to me more than anything else, and I really like how AoS made it fun and desirable to have. I generally don't use the generation rules/chart in favor of setting up terrain in a thematic or 'natural' looking way. Also been adding in difficult terrain (half movement) as well as dangerous has helped as well. Haven't needed a board filled with mysterious terrain or idols belching fireballs to have terrain affect the battle in a meaningful way. I've played games with more exotic features (like the realmgates) and found those work best as 'centerpiece' items that are in the thick of it.