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.

Looking into dusting off my Skaven, what with them getting some love from the Battletome (plus I wanted something new to repaint - looking at my hordes of ratmen!)

I've not played AOS at all, but I did play WHFB 8th, and played 40k for a long time too, if anyone wants to use analogies that would compare to that.
Where do I start? What do I need? I want to emphasise need because I know in 40k, a lot of people seem to imply that one "needs" things like the Chapter Approved books, and even Codexes in order to play, and the full rulebook, and I don't necessarily agree with a lot of that (I don't own a single Codex for 40k, but I do have plenty of Indexes).

What is the minimum amount I'd need to play AoS, and have at least a rough form of balance (does AoS have a Power Level system, a la 40k?)

I'm probably going to get the Battletome, and pick up the warscroll cards too, but is the BRB compulsory? The General's Handbook? Other kinds of things?

General’s Handbook 2018 (it’s the main rulebook), Malign Sorcery box (if you have interest in endless spells, realm spells and realm artifacts), and your Battletome for points. And the GHB isn’t even necessary if you have a Battletome that came out after it (like the Skaven one). Just get your hands on the free rules pamphlet, and you’re good. So you can play a points matched game with only a free pamphlet and a Battletome (army book).

 timetowaste85 wrote:
General’s Handbook 2018 (it’s the main rulebook), Malign Sorcery box (if you have interest in endless spells, realm spells and realm artifacts), and your Battletome for points. And the GHB isn’t even necessary if you have a Battletome that came out after it (like the Skaven one). Just get your hands on the free rules pamphlet, and you’re good. So you can play a points matched game with only a free pamphlet and a Battletome (army book).

Sweet - so the only necessary purchase would just be the Battletome and the free basic rules? Thank you!

Yup. There’s really only one additional page you need from the GHB2018, which is the army composition rules: like three battle line units in a 2k army and a max number of leaders/behemoths and artillery...but if you have a baseline 8th edition legal army for 2k, it’s pretty likely it’s legal here too. So free rules (can DL on Warhammer community) and a battletoma is the minimum requirements to play. But you can add supplemental stuff if you want.

Would also recommend the aos app. Not necessary, but the data sheets on there are updated with faq changes and there's a copy of the free rules on it too.

For Skaven you'd need:

1) The Core Rules - free online on the GW website. Also look on ebay as Carrion Empire and other boxed sets have a nice print out of the free rules which you can likely pick up second hand (or get Carrion Empire!)

2) The Skaven Battletome - a no brainer and brand new so its fully up to date and hasn't even got an FAQ or anything!

To get started that's about it.


Other things you will inevitably need/want:
1) Malign Sorcery boxed set. It's cheaper than a getting started set It contains all of the open use (any faction) Endless Spells as well as warscroll cards for each one. The book adds to this by giving you the realm spells and artifacts. In general Endless Spells are pretty universally accepted, Realm artifacts and spells and realm rules is more spotty. Some clubs love them, some don't use them and its mostly a game by game thing.

2) The FAQ and Errata documents for the Main Rules and the Skaven Battletome and Malign Sorcery set.

3) Gnawholes boxed set - these are free for Skaven players and are a very useful item to have as they let you move around the table very fast.

4) The Skaven Endless spells - some powerful spells and the warp lightning storm is already getting really good early use reviews from many skaven users.

5) The Big Rule Book - whilst it doesn't have many more rules and the pages on things like Matched play don't add a vast amount that you won't find intuitive already (though has a few important bits like only being able to use one of any Endless Spell at any one time for your army); it does contain a lot of the core lore and background to the game which you might find of great interest. As a lorebook the main book is very much worth it for reference and for getting a nice feeling on the AoS setting.

There isn't really anything army specific in the Generals Handbook for Skaven as all your points will be fully up to date and the faction abilities in the Battletome replace those from the GHB. That said it does have some neat battleplans that you might want to know of, but if you're gaming at a club there's a good chance you can get those from another persons or even your opponents book.