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Hello, I am new to this game and want to buy a starter set on black Friday and learn how to play. I have decided I like Circle because (1) I love the models, and (2) From what I read, they have a lot of tricks up their sleeve and are a pretty tactical faction to play. The only thing that is stopping me from starting them is that every battle report video I have seen, they always lose.....sometimes the games aren't even close. I like watching the video battle reports because it help understand the game better and how the different factions work, but it is very discouraging seeing how Circle gets their models wiped off the board so fast, that the games seem lost by turn 3. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel, or are they just a pretty weak faction to play? I read they can be competitive, but I just don't see it from what I watch.

Circle are quite a strong faction. They are simply a little harder to play properly. Not very forgiving if you make mistakes. Given that if anything manages to catch your stuff they're as good as dead.

I wouldn't go by online battle reports as being any indicator of the state of the Meta. Many of the more high profile channels on Youtube are showing players who are... well... lacking in the skill department. And lets not even start on actually playing correctly.


Unfortunately the Circle battlebox is pretty garbage. Argus beasts are pretty much a bad joke, and nobody needs 2 of them. pKaya is the warlock in the box and she's not the best warlock but she is simpler and easier for someone starting up.

The 2 player battlebox Circle set is much better, especially if you find someone willing to go in for the Legion half. That gets you a little more variety. The Winter Argus is more useful than the basic Argus, plus you get Warpborn Skinwalkers which are amazing when you pick up their UA.


2 player battlebox, a set of Shifting Stones and their UA, and the Warpborn Skinwalker UA will get you a solid start toward learning the game.

After this you'll want to pick up some more stuff. I'd pick up a Warpwolf Stalker and a unit of Bloodtrackers. Maybe try a new Warlock, either of the Morvahnas or Kromac would be a good choice.

Hard faction to use + The general fact that humanity is pretty stupid = Bad factions for Newbies

On the competitive scene they are one of the better factions, easily in the upper half of the tier scale (so top 4~5) factions

So if you have the willingness to learn about how the faction plays, you will have a monster in your hands. If you don't care enough... You will have a weaker faction in your hands.

Play morwahna . units have to die twice , pice trading is awesome , because yours come back .

Makumba wrote:
Play morwahna . units have to die twice , pice trading is awesome , because yours come back .

Well, need to almost die once, then can die again. If they fully die then you are out of luck in regards to bringing them back. But yeah, epic Morvahna looks pretty fun

If you want to play a faction, play it!

Circle does have a pretty good learning curve because of the movement shinanigins that's pretty common. Regardless, while you're learning the rules, don't expect to win much. And I've played against plenty of Circle players who've beat me (even on my good days) so don't think they always lose.

The holiday deal they're doing is great, it gives you two casters and most of the units you'd want to get anyway.

All the factions are playable and pretty balanced. At the highest levels of play some factions may have a slight advantage. But for the 99% player skill is more important than faction.

Circle is strong and wins tournaments as often as the rest.
But the battle box might give you a pretty hard time since it´s quite hard to get the hang out off.

Sixtysix wrote:
Hello, I am new to this game and want to buy a starter set on black Friday and learn how to play. I have decided I like Circle because (1) I love the models, and (2) From what I read, they have a lot of tricks up their sleeve and are a pretty tactical faction to play. The only thing that is stopping me from starting them is that every battle report video I have seen, they always lose.....sometimes the games aren't even close. I like watching the video battle reports because it help understand the game better and how the different factions work, but it is very discouraging seeing how Circle gets their models wiped off the board so fast, that the games seem lost by turn 3. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel, or are they just a pretty weak faction to play? I read they can be competitive, but I just don't see it from what I watch.

You'd be better off actually playing and experiencing the game first hand than doing it via a proxy. Battle reports on the interwebs are, in my book, less than meaningless.

Get the rules, get a buddy, out your pieces on the table and beat the scrap out of each other thats how you do it properly.

Regarding their power level - they're as good as any other faction. Which is to say they're balanced. Leave your perceptions fro.m 40k at home. There is no best army. There is no best list. It's how you play, not what faction you took. But regarding circle, they have a powerful roster. Great casters, where the 'worst' us a discussion that often boils down to preference. Circles casters are great. Their beasts are top tier. Their units are great. Their solos are great. Have no fear, circle are as valid a choice, and as plays or as any other faction. Fact is, they win their fair share of top level events. I'm sorry to say what you've seen is simply not indicative of the faction . Get out and play

Thanks for the responses everyone. It makes me feel a lot better about my decision. I wont let those battle reports get me leery to go ahead and play Circle. As I said in my original post, I just love the models and all the sneaky maneuvering they can do. That is really my kind of game. Ill start with the starter box and maybe buy some Wolves of Orboros to get a start. After that, maybe another Warlock, Stones, Gallows, and a couple heavies. So many choices.

Sixtysix wrote:
As I said in my original post, I just love the models and all the sneaky maneuvering they can do. That is really my kind of game.

See, That if I picked up Circle I definitely would do poorly with it. Especially since I hate that playstyle type.

Glad to see another circle player blossom