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.

After getting frustrated playing my Flesh-Eater Courts (way too easy to have characters shot off the board and then the army is very weak), I've decided to look at other armies. I am still relatively new to the game and in a very relaxed meta, in that we rarely play scenarios and like to do ad-hoc scenarios (e.g. we'll randomly come up with "Hey we have a castle terrain, how about you try to storm it and I defend?" type of scenarios), and very few people play power lists, at least intentionally (although there are a handful of Sylvaneth players who are extremely strong just by virtue of that army and what they like to take). I found that I dislike the "huge horde" approach of armies, where you have a fethton of chaff troops and try to overwhelm the opponent through sheer dice, and want something a bit more tactically engaging than "Run up every turn until you can charge". Also, my GW tends to prefer playing 1000-1500 points, very rarely 2000 points (in part because we have limited space, we only have one 8x4 table that we split into two 4x4 tables to allow others to use)

I'm torn between the following armies at the moment (will list pros/cons of each):

Fyreslayers
Pros: Cool models, seem to be decent although limited, cool monster (i.e. Magmadroth), seems to not be played at all, narrative can allow for fighting against Order because of oaths/etc. even though they are Order
Cons: Limited models, older Battletome, not a big fan of the plumes, Vulkites seem to want 20+ units (into "horde" territory), I've heard they are weak at < 2k points

Stormcast Eternals
Pros: Like the models, "poster boys" so always will get support from GW, strong elite type army, very strong right now
Cons: Look boring to paint, very hard to justify facing other Order factions, potentially a lot of other players (hate a "Marine vs. Marine" type situation like what comes up in 40k frequently)

Disciples of Tzeentch
Pros: Like the models (seeing a pattern here? ), cool fluff (I like the stuff about the cults), Chaos allows for fighting anyone, even other Chaos (i.e. rival warbands), from a painting perspective I have not really tried painting bright colors so could be fun to try, would be fun to do a Realm of Chaos type warband and come up with fluff
Cons: Not sure of the playstyle, Cultists seem to be close to Ghouls as far as dying to virtually anything, Not interested in daemons as much (mainly cultists and Tzaangor), seems like a lot of rules to remember

I'm having a hell of a time trying to pick one that can work well at smaller points and can hit my bullet points for what I like in an army, which right now is basically not hordes of dudes that die in droves with no hitting power like my Ghouls seem to do all the time.

You could go Tzeentch and take Tzeentch Chaos Warriors as your battle line. You'd still have the Tzeentch keyword so you could take the allegiance abilities.

Only problem is that they're old models that show their age, so you might need to find alternative models or do some conversions.

 Lansirill wrote:
You could go Tzeentch and take Tzeentch Chaos Warriors as your battle line. You'd still have the Tzeentch keyword so you could take the allegiance abilities.

Only problem is that they're old models that show their age, so you might need to find alternative models or do some conversions.

Doesn't that preclude Arcanite though since they are Tzeentch Mortal, but not Tzeentch Arcanite?

You wont enjoy an army, unless you enjoy the models. Start with the rule of cool and you cant ever go wrong.

 Sal4m4nd3r wrote:
You wont enjoy an army, unless you enjoy the models. Start with the rule of cool and you cant ever go wrong.

Problem is I like too many things so now I've moved to try painting. I got the Silver Tower hero box and built the Fyreslayer, building the Knight Venator (annoying model holy feth) and the Magister, see which one I like painting more. But for me playstyle is the most important, because I've had where I like the models and fluff and hate how the army plays (what happened with Flesh-Eater Courts). Especiall with sub-2k games being the norm as some armies work better at a full 2k than less.

Skaven - Clan Skyre

Stormfiends become battle line, weapon teams are cheap in points, avoid there formations as not to become too OP.

How about Icewind Assault? Love the minis. Some of the minis are in Finecast/resin so not sure if that would be an issue for you.

As for Stormcasts being boring to paint, in gold, I agree, it's boring. I tried painting them in different colours and it's not so boring if you are doing a different scheme. Try painting one in blue and white and see how it goes for you.

While I don't know the play style for Tzneetch, I am starting them now. The minis are just too sweet.

Absolutely hate how beastclaws (most destruction actually) looks, sadly.

Wayniac wrote:
Absolutely hate how beastclaws (most destruction actually) looks, sadly.

How about the Ork or is it Orruk on that baby dragon? Sorry forgot the name. Only reason I didn't start that army is because I was and still am sick and tired of the Space Marine theme going on in Age of Sigmar. So to me they look like Orks in Space Marine armour. How does that look to you? While I may not like Orruks look, love the baby dragon.

Davor wrote:

Wayniac wrote:
Absolutely hate how beastclaws (most destruction actually) looks, sadly.

How about the Ork or is it Orruk on that baby dragon? Sorry forgot the name. Only reason I didn't start that army is because I was and still am sick and tired of the Space Marine theme going on in Age of Sigmar. So to me they look like Orks in Space Marine armour. How does that look to you? While I may not like Orruks look, love the baby dragon.

It's a Cabbage Wyvern!

Wayniac out of your options, I'd say go with Tzeentch. The new kits are beautiful to behold and there's some value to be had from a 20-man box of acolytes.

That being said, I'd recommend that you go lean, go mean and above all else, go Green

Even though the old orc boys are dated, they still hold up rather well and their warscroll includes bow options. Add Ironjaws and their massively good value SC! box plus hilarious Cabbage Wyvern, they're decidedly awesome Not to mention the third option- Da natives, in savage orcs. Sure the bow option gets a bit of flak, but you can mix and match said bows with regular orcs if you so wish.

I put forth the Waaagh as orcs is orcs is orruks (which is probably just 'orcs' but belched out) and the army should be a riot, to paint, play and so forth. Not to mention after each victory, you can add some opposing faction bitz and have an ever-lasting remined of who's da biggest an' da strongest of da lot!

Come to CHAOS!

What work with most Chaos (even lets you use the cool stuff in the new Tzeencth battletome) is taking a core of Slaves to Darkness, mark them appropriately and add whatever smaller faction you want on top of that.

Play sigmarines, they are the poster boys it means

More models
Monthly updates
Best kits
Most well rounded army
Easy to find the models.

It will work out best for ya in the long run.

Chaos has a good mix of ranged/melee and elite/monster/synergy/horde units.

You can pick tanky Nurgle units and move slowly up the board.

Offensive glass cannons like Khorne bloodletters.
Tzeentch is a bit of a mix.

Can you describe what models you like?

I like a ton of things, that's the problem. I even like a lot of the Death armies, but I'm fairly tired of the fact they are extremely subpar and I don't have money to buy Tomb Kings.

I like how Stormcast look, but they seem boring to paint and I am a big narrative player so having like Stormcast. vs. Sylvaneth or something doesn't sit well. I'm not 100% sure of the breakdown of armies at my GW, but I'm sure Order factors heavily, but I'm not sure if there are any serious Stormcast players there.

I don't really like how Ironjawz or Beastclaws look, even if BCR are very powerful and definitely not horde. I think I could force myself to like them better, but not sure if I want to risk doing that.

I like Chaos; I was dead-set on doing Nurgle but a friend who I want to start playing AOS (he plays 40k) decided to do a similar kind of Nurgle force that I was planning, so I canned the idea to let him play something enjoyable, as I'm trying to sell him on the game. I like how the Tzeentch models look as well, but felt a bit confused reading all the things that they can do. I'm not a big fan of Khorne or Slaanesh.

I like how Fyreslayers look for the most part, but they seem limited in scope. I will not play Sylvaneth (don't like the models, there are a lot of players already, and in general I find the army to be crazy broken right now). I am not a big fan of the WHFB-era models.

Finally, I do like death. I liked my Flesh-Eater Courts from a fluff perspective, but find in game they are woefully underpowered even with the ward save. I did have an idea to just expand Death, adding Deathrattle and Nighthaunt as a themed approach, but Death as a whole seems pitifully weak unless you play TK or take a lot of Mournghouls or similar gimmicks and, while I'm not super competitive, I hate playing grossly underpowered things.

My major dilemma is that I like a ton of things, but have a hard time deciding because it seems every time I choose, something else new comes out and the fact that I constantly keep having this voice in my head saying to push the envelope, be uber competitive so I can be "that guy", not in the sense of TFG (i.e. a douche) but the guy that everyone knows is like "the" player to beat, the one who dominates all the local events, etc.

I recommend waiting till the new hotness comes out and jumping on that train. It's probably going to be Duardin, and it's definitely going to be awesome. Choo-Choo!

Giving it more thought I really am tempted by a second death army, even if they are a bit weak. I can't get out of how cool the army background sounds, while everything else seems to be chosen for more of a "This will help me win better" perspective, which for as long as I can remember felt wrong in Warhammer.

The idea I have is the concept: The Forgotten Dead. For every soul Sigmar chooses to become a Stormcast Eternal, hundreds more were left for dead, buried in the ruins of their kingdoms. Now, the spirits and bones of the forgotten dead stir once again and rise from their graves, eager to seek vengeance.

Deathrattle/Nighthaunt mixed army, led by a vampire or some such (which I may flavor to be similar to a WoW Death Knight), lots of skeletons and spirit hosts representing the departed souls of a kingdom hungering for revenge on the living. I could even ally in my Flesh-Eater Courts, and having a somewhat sane protagonist to the story (as opposed to an insane ghoul king) could make for more interesting stories.

You need to sit down and play a proxy game.

Ghouls = zombies/skeletons

GK on Terrorgeist = VLoZD or Manfredd on Dread Abyssal

Horror = Morghasts

Stick something in there as a necromancer,

Borrow any cavalry and make them hexwraiths. (or use something long like lego bricks)

TRY THIS ARMY BEFORE YOU BUY Death 2.0

Wayniac wrote:
Giving it more thought I really am tempted by a second death army, even if they are a bit weak. I can't get out of how cool the army background sounds, while everything else seems to be chosen for more of a "This will help me win better" perspective, which for as long as I can remember felt wrong in Warhammer.

The idea I have is the concept: The Forgotten Dead. For every soul Sigmar chooses to become a Stormcast Eternal, hundreds more were left for dead, buried in the ruins of their kingdoms. Now, the spirits and bones of the forgotten dead stir once again and rise from their graves, eager to seek vengeance.

Deathrattle/Nighthaunt mixed army, led by a vampire or some such (which I may flavor to be similar to a WoW Death Knight), lots of skeletons and spirit hosts representing the departed souls of a kingdom hungering for revenge on the living. I could even ally in my Flesh-Eater Courts, and having a somewhat sane protagonist to the story (as opposed to an insane ghoul king) could make for more interesting stories.

I say go for it the story for my Death army is similar as well a kingdom abandoned by sigmar when he closed his gates. Until nagash/manny swooped them up.

I like The Forgotten Dead idea.

Thing about death is that is extremely lacking in units if you go splinter factions. you must use a little bit of everything.



skellys or zombies is the battle line of choise here cuz it has alot of staying power. If the dice is on your side you cant get rid of them fast enugh if you max out your hero count so you can benefit as mutch as possible from the legion spesific 6+ save, and if you add the wight king you can get a second 6+ save from hes banner.
Add the standard for the unit and you get d6 units back aswell.

vamp lord has a nice death command ability and the necro can be usefull too.

like other have said, find an oponent that agrees to using proxy models and then try everything you want. then when you find something that works for you you buy the actual models.