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I played a lot of Warhammer 6th-8th edition, primarily Empire and O&G (not to say I didn't wander). I had reluctantly walked away at the demise of 8th (End Times: Excellent models, but a bit loose for me), and am now considering coming back to AoS as the models that GW pump out have always been excellent, and I need a side game to break up time spent on Flames of War.

The idea of coming back has been bouncing around, and I've just convinced my roommate that this might be a fun idea. But where to start. He is planning Wanderers and Sylvaneth. I was considering Tzeentch but with the obvious NERF! to summoning, I don't think I'll really enjoy that as much as I did back in 40k. So, I come to you for suggestions.

Tactics: I like range. I was Empire gunline, through and through, but dont wan't to just copy that in this game. So, I'd be looking for an army that has decent to excellent ranged capability.
Magic: I like Magic, especially the killy kind. I would need a list that could bring at least some of this to the fight.

I HATE the idea of an army that is "Run forward, smash, repeat". I'd get beyond bored of it, well before the models were ever finished painting. I like being tactically challenged, and having to bring forth a variety of options and tactics to achieve victory. I like playing on HARD MODE.

So, what armies have the ability to be shoot-heavy, decent magical capabilities and be a tactical challenge, ever flowing based on the game at hand? Empire and Khorne are basically the only armies I'm against, and would prefer to not copy my roommates choice in Wanderers/Sylvaneth.

Thanks in advance for all of the help!

You want a shooty magical army? You want the Bonesplittas. They have cheesy levels of shooting and several wizards too.

You'll love AoS by the way. It's a really fun and easy to play game.

I went by my FLGS today on lunch break. I had considered Bonesplintaz, but also Skaven. I know they are semi magically adept from my time in Old Fantasy, with some reasonable shooting as well. Kind of a quirky army as well.

I wouldn't recommend Bonesplitterz. For magic and shooting the obvious choice is Tzeentch. Load up on Skyfires and spell casters! Will be fun to get one of the newest armies too.

With the exception of Skyfires (which on paper don't seem that good), flamers, and basic magic missiles Tzeentch doesn't seem all that promising in shooting. How is their mortal wound output?

 FenrisianStuart21 wrote:
With the exception of Skyfires (which on paper don't seem that good)

Oh boy... I'm not Tzeentch expert but believe me, Skyfires put out a lot of Dakka. The exactly combos and synergis to that, I don't know.

 FenrisianStuart21 wrote:
With the exception of Skyfires (which on paper don't seem that good), flamers, and basic magic missiles Tzeentch doesn't seem all that promising in shooting. How is their mortal wound output?

Lord of Change, Burning Chariots, Exalted Flamers, Flamers, Skyfires, Kairic Acolytes, Pink Horrors, Blue Horrors, and Brimstone Horrors all have shooting attacks, while you have access to 11 different wizards. They have their own magic lores too which adds to the mortal wound output. They are the shootiest, most magical army there is.

Hmm. Is it true shooting, or is it more magical shooting?

They shoot a lot in the shooting phase, if that's what you're asking.

They also bombard in the magic phase.

A lot of them is also hyper mobile.

You can also think of summoning as a form of deepstrike instead of summoning like in 8th ed WHFB and 40k. Sometimes good positioning is all you need.

Skyfires are amazing because each roll of a 6 or more does D3 Mortal Wounds. There's a spell you can give a Shaman I think that gives a +1 to hit, so now they do D3 Mortal Wounds each on a 5. Stick them next to Damned Terrain and now it's on 4's.

That's tasty! :p

Edit - it's not a spell the shaman has to know. the skyfires are automatically buffed if any shamans are within 9" with +1 to hit. Even better! So it'll always be on 5's and can often be increased to 4's. You could also use your Destiny Dice for the shots in tricky situations.

I dont think that is how that works. It sounds like it would just make the 'to hit' roll easier, but not increase the chance of inflicting mortal wounds.

 FenrisianStuart21 wrote:
I dont think that is how that works. It sounds like it would just make the 'to hit' roll easier, but not increase the chance of inflicting mortal wounds.

No, no. How I describe is exactly how it works :-)

 FenrisianStuart21 wrote:
I dont think that is how that works. It sounds like it would just make the 'to hit' roll easier, but not increase the chance of inflicting mortal wounds.

Yeah, Bottle's right. There is no 'making a roll easier' in AoS. Modifiers are applied to the roll of the dice. So a To Hit roll would still be 6+, but a roll of 4 is modified with +2 to a 6. A 6 would be modified to an 8. That's why most abilities say '[...] on a roll of 6 or more [...] (special ability triggers)'

this is also one of the more argued rules that I find in the game lol. (but yes Bottle is 100% correct)

Hmmm, that is very interesting. Thanks!


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I went with Tzeentch. The models are fantastic and the idea of manipulating dice, using lots of chaff, and rolling lots of dice in the hero and shooting phase appeals to me!