In this mega Warband Focus, we’ll be looking at the forces of Order, Destruction and Death! At launch, Warcry will feature 9 fully fledged non-Chaos warbands, each with their own fighters, abilities, campaign quest and warband generation tables. Whether you’re looking for a new way to play your favourite faction, or you’ve always fancied picking up models from another army but not wanted to collect a full force of them, you’ll find these warbands rewarding to collect and play. Each of these warbands has been chosen for a reason and integrated carefully into the narrative of the Eightpoints – here, we’ll be looking at just why they’ve ended up in the heart of Archaon’s dominion, which fighters you’ll be able to use, and how they play in-game.
This article was originally published on the Warhammer-community site.
Stormcast Eternals
What They Want
Despite the risks of a painful – and quite possibly final -– death, the Stormcast Eternals of the Vanguard Auxiliary Chambers scour the Eightpoints for secrets long hidden by the God-King. Guided by astral compasses, they fight in elite bands, hunting for artefacts and treasures reawakened by the Necroquake.
Available Fighters
Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows, Vanguard-Raptors with Hurricane Crossbows, Vanguard-Hunters, Gryph-hounds, Aetherwings
How They Play
Stormcast Eternals warbands are well armoured and well rounded, preferring to keep enemies at arm’s length but more than capable of slicing them up in melee if needs be. Vanguard-Raptors provide you with unparalleled ranged support, while Aetherwings and Gryph-hounds make for fast-moving front-line troops – great for harrying opponents that would otherwise threaten your shooting units. Meanwhile, Vanguard-Hunters strike a balance between both, capable of effectively engaging at any range.
Daughters of Khaine
What They Want
Ferocious and unquestioningly loyal to Morathi, the Daughters of Khaine are well versed in the arts of infiltration and assassination. In the Eightpoints, they pursue distant foes of the High Oracle, every intrigue bringing their dark mistress closer to godhood…
Available Fighters
Blood Sisters, Blood Stalkers, Khinerai Heartrenders, Khinerai Lifetakers,Witch Aelves, Sisters of Slaughter
How They Play
The Daughters of Khaine are a classic “glass hammer” – while they’re fragile, they hit very, very hard. Warbands can lean on hordes of highly points-effective Witch Aelves and Sisters of Slaughter, or use super-elite specialised fighters to accomplish their goals. Few enemies can hope to defeat a Blood Sister in close combat, while the airborne Khinerai Heartenders combine blistering speed with excellent firepower.
Idoneth Deepkin
What They Want
The Eightpoints is rich with powerful souls. While some of the Isharann believe these spirits irreparably tainted by Chaos, many believe that the risk is worth it, slipping into Archaon’s domain through hidden portals on clandestine soul-hunts.
Available Fighters
Namarti Reavers, Namarti Thralls, Ishlaen Guard, Morrsarr Guard
How They Play
Idoneth Deepkin warbands are split between two broad kinds of fighter – Namarti Reavers and Thralls cost a mere handful of points for solid stats, while Ishlaen and Morrsarr Guard are super-elite, super-fast mounted options with incredible stats across the board. You could field a diverse raiding force of Namarti, or a hyper-focused lance of Akhelian Cavalry consisting of only 3-4 models!
Legions of Nagash
What They Want
Nagash works tirelessly to further his aims in the Mortal Realms and beyond. Sometimes, this involves smashing down enemy cities with vast armies of the Undead – but the Great Necromancer can be subtle when he needs to be!* In the Eightpoints, Necromancers work to help keep an eye on Archaon, undermine his plans, and slay any who think that this dark kingdom gives them respite from the God of Death’s wrath…
Available Fighters
Necromancers, Grave Guard, Skeleton Warriors
How They Play
Generally based around a Necromancer (with a Skeleton Champion or Seneschal for support), the Legions of Nagash benefit from being able to field hordes of troops, using abilities to deal most of their damage. Where the Legions of Nagash really shine is in their ability to re-summon fallen fighters, making them incredible in protracted engagements.
Nighthaunt
What They Want
Not even the Eightpoints could escape the Necroquake. In the aftermath of this arcane cataclysm, vengeful gheists are common around the Bloodwind Spoil. Their attacks initially seemed random – but now, it appears that Nagash is directing his servants to perform some kind of grand scheme.
Available Fighters
Chainrasps, Grimghast Reapers, Spirit Hosts, Glaivewraith Stalkers
How They Play
The Nighthaunt are a relentless warband in Warcry, making up for average offensive characteristics through incredible durability. Indeed, Spirit Hosts, Grimghast Reapers and Glaivewraith Stalkers all boast an impressive Toughness! Rather than dealing explosive damage, they instead excel at longer battles, winnowing the enemy away slowly before eventually overcoming them.
Flesh-eater Courts
What They Want
While the Flesh-eater Courts tend to congregate in great numbers, some particularly eccentric mordants are compelled to undertake strange, deluded quests. Accompanied by others who share their madness, they believe themselves to be noble questing Knights, travelling as far as the Eightpoints to satisfy their twisted honour.
Available Fighters
Crypt Ghouls, Crypt Horrors, Crypt Flayers
Flesh-eater Courts warbands are almost the exact opposite of their skeletal kin. Boasting excellent Movement on all their fighters, they combine the ability to field loads of Crypt Ghouls as a crawling, horrifying “anvil” with ferociously strong units like Crypt Horrors acting as a “hammer”. Our top tip – take at least one Crypt Infernal! Capable of flight and boasting horrifyingly good characteristics (particularly Movement), it’s quite possibly the single strongest fighter in the game.
Ironjawz
What They Want
Nothing keeps an Orruk from a good scrap! The Ironjawz have attacked the Eightpoints in force many times – now, small warbands of survivors dot the landscape, finding the constant warfare, bloodshed and carnage rather agreeable.
Available Fighters
Orruk Brutes, Orruk ‘Ardboyz
How They Play
Ironjawz are a simple-to-play and brutally effective warband in Warcry, boasting excellent Toughness and solid attacks. While slower than some other warbands, they’re easily able to weather heavy damage before krumpin’ the enemy up-close. Excellent Strength means they’re particularly good at battling other heavily armoured warbands, too.
Bonesplitterz
What They Want
Driven by the mad ravings of Wurrgog Prophets, some bands of Bonesplitterz roam as far as the Eightpoints, chasing particularly powerful monsters – or just the voices in their heads. Their motivations in this Chaos-tainted realm are unclear, their effectiveness on the battlefield is not.
Available Fighters
Savage Orruks, Savage Orruk Morboys, Savage Orruk Arrowboys, Savage Big Stabbas
How They Play
Bonesplitterz are excellent generalists in Warcry, boasting a large roster of fighters to choose from, decent characteristics, low points costs and a good mix of ranged and melee attacks. You’ll have the most success with these guys by fielding a mix of models – an Arrowboy or two for supporting fire, Savage Orruks with bone shields for defence.
Gloomspite Gitz
What They Want
Spreading across the Mortal Realms like a fungal infestation, the Gloomspite Gitz can be found everywhere – including the Eightpoints. Quite why any choose to live in the Bloodwind Spoil is unknown, but not even the ever-present taint of Chaos can dampen the enthusiasm these grots have for raiding and pillaging.
Available Fighters
Shootas, Stabbas, Boingrot Bounderz, Squig Hoppers, Squig Herders, Cave Squigs
How They Play
Gloomspite Gitz warbands will easily outnumber their foes in most games, and while one Stabba might not accomplish much, four will make mincemeat of any enemy – or, at the very least, their knees. Boingrot Bounderz and Squig Hoppers, meanwhile, are astoundingly mobile – each has the Fly runemark, representing their bounciness and allowing them to ambush enemies behind cover with ease.
Which of these warbands will YOU be using in Warcry? Let us know on the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Facebook page – and get more tips, tricks and our video guide on the Warcry website.
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