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First things first: I have no experience with AoS whatsover, other than some general knowledge of the background and the most basic gameplay mechanisms. I still hate GW for killing WHF, and loathe the new background.

Having said that: things move on, and in some rare cases AoS does things with armies that I like. Case in point: Ogres. I love their WHF background, I like the models, but I never liked their rectangle blocks of units. Ogres are one of the armies where I think the "skirmish style" of AoS actually works better in terms of looks on the table. Sooo... what do I want?

I would appreciate a summary on where Ogres are in the grand scheme of things in AoS. I would also appreciate answers to any of the following questions:

What books do I need to play?

Are there any "essential" units for play?

Are there any "useless" units?

Are allies "needed"?

If yes: what would you suggest?

Apart from that I will wait for the new edition in June, but I would still like to hear your opinions on the current state of things. I assume there will be no massive changes - so any advice now will most likely still be solid in a month from now.

Thanks in advance!

I am no expert and I could be wrong but start with the Destruction section in the free Age of Sigmar app. No need to buy anything especially with a new edition coming out in June.

Also take a look at Beastclaw Riders. Once I saw that I just had to get them.

As from that my knowledge is very limited. Hope this helps. Again, no need to buy anything, the AoS app should have all the rules you need to start playing and see what units do what.

I think they came out MUCH better...

I've played against them with orcs, gobbos, Slaneshi cult,
and they are tough, hit hard, and don't evaporate like the old blocks of them did

you should have a good time with them,
even the basic guys are good, and the army seems to have good flavor! (pun?... actually wasn't intentional)

Beast claw raiders are what you ware gonna want when it comes to models for new stuff and they are hilarious

Beast Claw Raiders are what anyone that plays ogres plays because they are the most powerful of the others.

 auticus wrote:
Beast Claw Raiders are what anyone that plays ogres plays because they are the most powerful of the others.

to be fair, they are also really cool models

Aye, Beastclaw Raiders are rather strong on a competitive level. Gutbusters are still pretty good though. They probably won't win you any tournaments, but they're solid, and like a number of Destruction armies they're deceptively fast, when you take them with that one Allegiance ability. Tyrants are tough as nails, and Butchers hand out some nice buffs with that cauldron, as well as having the usual ogre statline. Even Greasus Goldtooth's looking quite nice now that he's become a generic model. Ironguts are, as usual, strong as hell when you take them in a block, and normal bulls are still pretty tough. Leadbelchers are alright, though they did more damage in melee then at range last I checked, hilariously enough. Ironblaster is a decent war machine. Gorgers are eh, have basically no experience with them. Gnoblars make a surprisingly good tarpit though, if you take a couple of maxxed out units of them and it them with the Tyrants command ability. Overall, pretty solid. Not going to stand up to those cheesy tournament list, but not a whole lot does.

As a Gutbuster player I'll give you some of my experience with them.

What books do I need to play?

Just the Generals Handbook although I'd wait for 2.0 as it's coming out soon.

Are there any "essential" units for play?

Ironguts can quite literally melt units. While Ogors are going be your battleline and can hold their own, Ironguts are what you throw at your opponents toughest unit.

Are there any "useless" units?

I wouldn't bother with the Scraplauncher. Ironblaster is good at holding objectives, Gorgers are usefully but I wouldn't use them in units less then 3. Gnoblars can't kill much but the Tyrants command ability can make them immune to battleshock and they are also useful at holding objectives as well.

Are allies "needed"?

Not from my experience but having a unit of Mournfangs gives them a little extra speed, even a Aleguzzler Gargant can be useful as well.

If yes: what would you suggest?

Tyrant
Butcher (With Cauldron if possible)
6 Ogors (preferably with Ironfists)
Ironguts (minimum 6)

after that whatever you like.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about what army to start up again with the new edition due out soon. I've played chaos in the form of Khorne and Nurgle, Fyreslayers and Overlords. My ogres have been on the shelf since 8th edition in which they did very , very well for me. I may have to dust them off and get them back on the battlefield. They haven't had a proper meal in years.