With the General’s Handbook 2025–26 bringing sweeping changes to Age of Sigmar—reworked terrain rules, revamped battle tactics, and reimagined mission structures—players everywhere are recalibrating their armies.
Rather than speculating on a still-evolving meta, the veterans from Season of War sat down to share how their favorite armies will evolve in response to the new season. Each insight reflects both deep familiarity and an eye toward future competition.
Jordan – Idoneth Deepkin: Speed Meets Precision
Jordan has played Idoneth Deepkin competitively for six years, and he’s feeling confident about their place in the new landscape. With many armies losing easy access to All-out Attack and All-out Defence, Deepkin stand to benefit. Thanks to Akhelian formations granting native +1 to hit and a general disinterest in defensive buffs due to middling saves, the changes impact their opponents more than themselves.
The Deepkin’s real power lies in their mobility. The new battleplans favor armies that can hit fast and shift pressure across the board, and this is where Idoneth shine. Between teleportation spells, deep strike options, and speedy cavalry like Morrsarr Guard and Allopexes, Jordan believes the Deepkin are ideally placed to capitalize on objectives and force opponents into awkward responses. Despite terrain changes potentially hindering shooting, units like Namarti Reavers and Leviadons still have a tactical role. With army drop counts increasing elsewhere, staying low drop helps maintain control of turn order—a vital element for managing the tides.
In short, Jordan sees Idoneth as a finesse army that rewards forethought and punishes missteps. The new rules play into their hands, and seasoned Deepkin generals will find plenty of opportunities to outmaneuver the opposition.
Fabien – Disciples of Tzeentch: Magic Under Pressure
For Fabien, who has leaned into Daemon-heavy Disciples of Tzeentch lists all season, the new changes present a serious challenge. Obscuring Terrain—especially when granted by Places of Power—threatens the viability of a list built around magical control and ranged dominance. Tzeentch relies on precise spell placement and long-range damage, both now easier to shut down by smart use of terrain. With healing more common, burning debuffs are also less effective.
The new battle tactics system, which locks tactics into lists rather than selecting them turn-by-turn, adds another layer of difficulty. Tzeentch’s strength was in reacting—teleporting a unit to deny a tactic or summoning a Spawn to block movement. Those disruptive plays won’t work as effectively now, and Daemon-heavy lists may find the tougher tactics harder to achieve themselves.
Still, Fabien is optimistic about mortal Tzeentch builds, which bring speed and melee threat into the mix. He’s especially intrigued by Scourge of Ghyran Kairic Acolytes—cheap and deadly with the right buffs—and classic tools like Tzaangor Enlightened on Discs for grabbing objectives. While the faction may not be top-tier out of the gate, its toolbox remains deep. Flexibility and adaptation will be the path forward.
Ridge – Skaven: Chaos and Opportunity
Ridge has been running Skaven since the start of Age of Sigmar, and while the faction’s signature madness remains, the new season demands tighter planning. With a toolkit that includes hordes, artillery, monsters, and endless tricks, Skaven can pivot in many directions. Ridge doesn’t expect sweeping list changes, but the need to pre-select tactics means players will have to build with more intentionality than ever before.
Obscuring Terrain presents the biggest hurdle. Core damage dealers like Jezzails, Ratling Guns, and Warp Lightning Cannons now risk being shut out entirely if they can’t draw line of sight. Yet Skaven mobility remains a potent asset. Gnawholes, Skitterleap, and abilities like Three Clawsteps Ahead allow for unpredictable movement and clever board control—exactly what’s needed on high-objective missions with diverse deployments.
Battle tactic completion, often a strength for Skaven, becomes a bit trickier. But Ridge sees opportunity in units like the new Scourge of GhyraWith the General’s Handbook 2025–26 bringing sweeping changes to Age of Sigmar—reworked terrain rules, revamped battle tactics, and reimagined mission structures—players everywhere are recalibrating their armies. Rather than speculating on a still-evolving meta, the veterans from Season of War sat down to share how their favorite armies will evolve in response to the new season. Each insight reflects both deep familiarity and an eye toward future competition.
Final Thoughts: Adaptation is the New Meta
Across all three armies, the message is clear: the General’s Handbook 2025–26 rewards flexibility, planning, and a strong grasp of your army’s identity. While some tools are dulled—particularly magic and shooting-heavy builds—others are sharpened. Speed, creative positioning, and smart army construction are now more crucial than ever.
Whether you’re a Deepkin raider, a daemon-fueled sorcerer, or a ratman with a dream, your path to victory this season lies not in brute force, but in adapting to the game’s new rhythm.
You can pre-order the new General’s Handbook now and start preparing for a season that promises to challenge veterans and reward innovation.
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