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Hi all!

We're starting to kick start AoS again at our LFGS as it's not been played for a long time. To get things going we're doing a tourney using the contents of a start collecting box each, and will have some ready made armies for people to use if they want to test AoS before buying. I used to play Vampire Counts in fantasy and this type of army still appeals to me, so I've grabbed the Skeleton box and will be using that as a basis for a 1750k list. I've only played a couple of AoS games when it first came out, but never since (regrettably sold my AoS/Fantasy armies!).

So the list I want to aim for is below, this obvious uses models from the start collecting box so these will have to stay in the list for now, however, the rest i'll happily take advice on . I tend to prefer melee over magic (I play world eaters in 40k lol!) granted this probably won't be massively competitive, but i'm not really in it for that right now. Mostly friendlies and the odd local tourney.


Allegiance - Grand host of Nagash

Leaders
Mannfred (part of the start collecting box)
Necromancer - Grave sand timeglass. Decrepify

Battleline
15 Grave Guard with Great Wight Blades
40 Skeletons (10 from the Start collecting box)
40 Skeletons

Other
5 Hexwraiths - (start collecting)
2 Morghast Archai

So that's my 1750k however i have 40 points spare. . I thinking of the Archai keeping up with Manfried for the main hammer blow and the battlelines to take up the centre of the board. Necro is there for support, hexwraiths to go hunting back field foes. So what do people think? What would work better? Any advice appreciated before i part with more hard earned cash!

Also what would be people's suggestions to increase this to 2k points once my local groups gets going?

I think your biggest issue will be your lack of heroes. Death is wholly reliant on our leaders. One necro should be hiding in one blob of skellies (keeping it alive and stabbing) but the other, if Mannfred's doing what he does best (smashing face) will quickly crumble. The same principal applies to your other units as well.

Overall though, I like the vibe you're going for and I appreciate a Death list that doesn't just have the obligatory Grimghast Reaper blob plus dogs for battleline. I'd probably look to add at least another hero though.


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Cut 5 Grave Guard and include a White King? You're 40 short. Plus this extra 80 would be enough to get you to 120. Alternatively this could be spent on another necromancer. Either way, this hero should chill out with your other blob of skellies.


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Those 2 heroes should give you enough cover for your Deathrattle. Mannfred can cover your Morghast and potentially your Hexwraiths.

Thanks for the advice Lare2. Yes I've been told that a lack of heros isn't great for a death army so I've taken that into consideration. Also decided to go with Legion of Night to benefit from those rules with Mannfred. So below is what i've come up with, i would welcome any advice on spells and artifacts as i'm still yet to get a game in (Have a 7 week old baby so game time is very low!!).

Leaders
Mannfred - Vile Transference
Necromancer - Decreptify - Curseblade
Wright king with Black Axe

Battleline
5x Dire Wolves (just to fill out the battleline)
40 Skeletons with Spears
40 Skeletons with Spears

Other
20x Grave Guard
5x Hexwraiths

So my plan, setup the wright king and Grave Guard in Ambush, possibly with Mannfred or the Hexwraiths as well. Have the necro attempt to keep both Skeleton blobs up and benefit from "The Bait" before they are in range to charge. Use the wolves and Hexwraiths to hunt long range units.

Next job, expand this into 2k!

You can only set 3 units up in ambush (4 if you have the Command Trait... which you won't as Mannfred would have to be your General) so you couldn't go for all 4 but I've also been toying with the idea of doing this with a big blob of Grave Guard. Those boys popping up behind enemy lines wouldn't be an easy thing to deal with! Make sure you place a Gravesite for when they're up and running.

Vile Transference on Mannfred's a pretty solid choice and will really help keep him alive. I find Mortarchs can be squishy so something like this will help, especially if you roll a natural 9+ to allow it to go off twice. I normally go for Overwhelming Dread with my Necro but any should do. To be honest, he should be spending most turns casting Danse Macabre so the 2nd spell is down to preference.

Do you have access to Malign Sorcery? There are some great artefacts in there. Gryph-feather Charm (-1 to hit in shooting and melee) from Ghur is awesome on a necromancer and can really help keep him (and by extension, your skellies) alive. As the necro's hiding in a blob of skellies, that'd be -2 to hit to shooting and any that do go through can be bounced to the blob... which you'll then heal back up. If you haven't got access, Shard of Night is similar.

Again though, personal preference and the artefact you've chosen is tasty. I love artefacts and see them as a great way to personalise your force.

For 2k, I would definitely recommend you look at Morghast Harbingers for Legion of Night. Their 3d6 charge should easily have them straight into combat from the ambush. Arm them with halberds and watch enemy units crumble.

Hope this all helps and good luck with the new kid!

Thanks for the advice! And thanks, he's certainly got some nurgle taint in his nappies!

Should hopefully get my first game in this weekend so i'll report back on how well the list does!