Allies are an exciting new addition to matched play games. We’ve all had that struggle when building our armies having to choose between focussing on one faction to take advantage of Allegiance Abilities and battleline units, or using the full Grand Alliance to get access to a wider selection of options. Each faction now has a list of other factions it can ally with, fitting the theme of each force; if your army is made up of the multitudinous hordes of the Clans Verminus, you can ally in the specialised troops of the other great clans, while the Deathlords can rule over any of the other Death factions (the clue’s in the name).

We’ll be going deeper into the allies for each Grand Alliance in the coming weeks, but to tide you over, here’s your allied contingent allowances for matched play games:



With between 200 and 500 points, you’ll have plenty of space to experiment – that’s enough for an Aleguzzler Gargant in an army of Ironjawz, a furious Spirit of Durthu aiding a warband of Wanderers, a vicious Chimera alongside the Khorne Bloodbound or a fast moving pack of Vargheists to aid your legion of Deathrattle skeletons.

Allies are particularly useful in light of the new Allegiance Abilities. We’ll be going into these further with future previews, but armies like the Hosts of Slaanesh or the Dispossessed will be able to make full use of powerful unique skills while having a range of choices available when writing lists for matched play. Similarly, you’ll be able to combine powerful allegiance-specific battleline units with allies to make for focused lists made up of the models you want to play.

This is a major change for all matched play games, whether you’re looking to compete at a tournament or just use some new tricks in battles with friends.

We’ll be taking a closer look at Death in the new General’s Handbook tomorrow, so make sure to come back so you don’t miss it.

Cataphract wrote:
No Rotbringers or Deathrattle Allegiances? Battletomes incoming this year?!?

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
Allies seems cool, but I'm worried it will just lead to a new round of exploitative cheese at tournaments.

 Galas wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
Allies seems cool, but I'm worried it will just lead to a new round of exploitative cheese at tournaments.

Literally everything they do will lead to a new round of exploitave cheese at tournaments, because tournamets are all about finding the best cheese and using it for your advantage.
In the other hand, this is good for more "fluffy" players that want to use a giant with their Ironjawz, etc... so for me, its a very good thing.

 Rydria wrote:
There is No alligence abilities for the everchosen, deathlords or warherds off the top of my head.

Commanders of Death armies in Warhammer Age of Sigmar have a lot to look forward to in the new General’s Handbook. Followers of the Great Necromancer can expect updated command traits, artefacts and allegiance abilities. You’ll be able to raise a variety of powerful and versatile armies – from classic hordes of shambling minions to an elite core of ancient necromantic constructs.

Death factions benefit hugely from the new allies system, able to harness powerful allegiance abilities and battleline choices while making full use of the great synergies available within the Grand Alliance. A Deathlords army, for example, can make use of powerful Mortarchs and use a strong core of Morghast Archai while allying in a key monster like the Terrorgheist that would otherwise be difficult to summon. Similarly, many Death factions can add a caster like Arkhan the Black or a handy Necromancer to their forces, providing key magical support; this is great in a force that otherwise lacks wizards, like the Nighthaunts or Deathrattles.



Excitingly, several Death factions are gaining completely new Allegiance Abilities. Flesh-eater Courts armies can now choose a powerful Delusion that applies to the whole force, like The Royal Hunt or Defenders of the Realm, and have command traits and artefacts to further arm your heroes. Your Abhorrant Ghoul Kings just got deadlier.



Nighthaunt forces make powerful and otherworldly armies in the new General’s handbook. They are capable of deploying to the battlefield in the middle of the game or even turning one of their Cairn Wraiths or Tomb Banshees into a Wizard. If you choose the Nighthaunt allegiance, you’ll also be able to benefit from Hexwraiths as battleline units, allowing for a whole army of spectral riders to run down your foes with. Overall, the Nighthaunts are a surprisingly fast and hard hitting army.



Finally, the Soulblight are a versatile elite army, taking advantage of some of the strongest Death heroes, in the form of loads of Vampire Lords, as well as hard-hitting units such as the Blood Knights. You’ll also be able to pick a bloodline for your Vampires indicating if they hail from an ancient clan of Necromancers or a draconic order of knights and giving them powerful traits. We’ll be taking a closer look at these guys in a later preview, so watch this space.



One small but significant change that’s going to be great for Death armies in the new edition is Massive Regiments. This new addition to matched play is aimed at making horde units more viable by offering players a points discount when they take a unit at its full size; you’ll want to take your Skeleton Warriors in units of 40 and your Zombies in units of 60.

 EnTyme wrote:
That bit at the end about Massive Regiments has my interested piqued.

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
I hope they revisit the Seraphon some day as well.

Once we actually see the new Aelves hit retail, whatever they might be, at that point we'll have seen new AOS units for just about every major Order faction, with the exception of the Seraphon.

On topic though, those Death rules are looking pretty sweet. The Delusions and artefacts for the Ghouls means I'll probably seeing my Courts finished a whole lot sooner than later.

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
I hope they revisit the Seraphon some day as well.

Once we actually see the new Aelves hit retail, whatever they might be, at that point we'll have seen new AOS units for just about every major Order faction, with the exception of the Seraphon.

On topic though, those Death rules are looking pretty sweet. The Delusions and artefacts for the Ghouls means I'll probably seeing my Courts finished a whole lot sooner than later.

Seraphon will be getting allegiance abilities too, along with Darkling Covens as I recall. There are a ton of allegiance abilities going out, its great to see.

 unmercifulconker wrote:
For the love of Nagash release a plastic Vampire Lord kit. I need a reason to make an army of Vampires!

Requizen wrote:
Arkhan, Mannfred, and both Morghast types cheaper. Nagash and Neferata more expensive.

I've kind of wanted to make a Mortarch + Morghast army, looks like it'll be easier (especially with Allies) in GHB2017!

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
What is this ghoul patrol battalion you speak of, and how do I go about abusing it and alienating friends and family in the process?

Also, Death really hasn't gotten any new models to speak of yet. All the other Grand Alliance's have got some kind of cohesive new release which works well with all the tiny little subfactions.

Newest Death stuff is leftover End Times Nagash party crew.

 highlord tamburlaine wrote:
What is this ghoul patrol battalion you speak of, and how do I go about abusing it and alienating friends and family in the process?

Also, Death really hasn't gotten any new models to speak of yet. All the other Grand Alliance's have got some kind of cohesive new release which works well with all the tiny little subfactions.

Newest Death stuff is leftover End Times Nagash party crew.