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Hey!

I've played Warhammer for years, and used an Empire army with the classic gun line approach - a line of handgunners supported by artillery with some melee units across the middle and cavalry on the flanks. Maybe a steam tank in the centre, and some magic support across the line. However now AoS has come along, I have not played it since. I have found it harder to get into and I just wanted to know what other Empire players (or people with experience against the Empire) use as their army tactic? Which units work best? Are ranged units and artillery as effective as before?

Thanks

The Empire play largely the same as in 8th, but gunlines aren't as good anymore as the games revolve around securing objectives.

Firstly you'll want to look at the "State Troop Detachment" battalion and the Freeguild General's Command Ability "Hold The Line" (will sound familiar no doubt). These two abilities will allow you to use similar tactics as you did in 8th - with units in close proximity buffing eachother like the old detachment rules would have done.

When it comes to your Freeguild Guard (State Troopers), Halberdiers are no longer the default go to. Swordsman are very tanky and Spearmen have a 2" range.

Knights and Demigryph Knights aren't as good, dealing out quite low damage really and you'll be looking at a 4+ save rather than the 1+

Artillery is still very good, as are Steamtanks, artillery and Hurricanums. Standalone battlemages don't seem worth it in Matched Play anymore as spells are capped and they don't have access to any uber spells.

As well as choosing a standard gunline, you'll want to make sure you have some Outriders, Steamtanks, Hurricanums and Griffins to contest objectives away from your front line.