The Mortal Realms are about to get hotter, louder, and far more dangerous with the arrival of the Helsmiths of Hashut.
This faction is not just a collection of models; it’s a fully realized army that rewards planning, strategy, and precise resource management. From the heavily armoured Bull Centaurs to the destructive Infernal Razers, every unit has a purpose and brings unique tools to the battlefield. If you enjoy armies that thrive on synergy and tactical depth, the Helsmiths are going to make you rethink how you approach the game. With daemonic energy coursing through every engine and infantry squad, your opponents will quickly realize that standing still is not an option.
Beyond the raw tactical advantages, the lore and narrative of the Helsmiths are a joy to explore. The ziggurats across the Mortal Realms—from Forge Anathema in Aqshy to Zharr Vyxa in Shyish—add rich story hooks and conversion inspiration. The way these armies combine duardin engineering with the chaotic energies of Hashut creates a visual and thematic identity that is both intimidating and incredibly fun to paint and model.
How the Helsmiths Play
At their core, the Helsmiths operate like a fortified firebase that projects power across the battlefield. Their signature mechanic, Daemonic Power Points (DPP), fuels their devastating abilities. Conservative play lets you maintain steady pressure, but spending DPP wisely can transform units into annihilators. For example, each DPP point can add +1 Rend to Infernal Razers, boost Bull Centaur charge rolls, or grant a Ward to Infernal Cohorts. DPP lets you react to the battlefield, turning your army into a tactical Swiss Army knife.
The faction’s four battle formations enhance your preferred strategy, powering key units with three DPP for maximum effect. The Daemonsmith Cabal supercharges priests and wizards like Urak Taar, improving casting, unbinding, and banishment rolls. Meanwhile, the Castigation Battery can add an extra attack to your war machines, and the Bullfather’s Horns extend movement for monsters and cavalry units like Bull Centaurs, Anointed Sentinels, and the Infernal Taurus.
Heroic Traits, Artefacts, and Prayers
Helsmith heroes are loaded with tools to manipulate the battlefield. An Eye for Weakness lets you target a visible enemy and gain +1 to wound rolls for your units, while Crucible of Spite grants a massive three DPP to a Daemonsmith, enabling insane-range attacks for war machines like the Deathshrieker Rocket Battery. Hateful Fractures slows enemy units by halving their movement on a 6+, giving your blunderbusses and Immolation Cannons more time to wreak havoc. These options provide strategic flexibility and allow a clever player to chain powers for devastating combos.
Key Units to Watch
Every unit has a purpose and complements a specific playstyle. Hobgrot Vandalz excel at objectives and screening, while War Despots boost control with radius effects tied to DPP. Infernal Cohorts and Hashutite Spears are stalwart frontline units, offering anti-cavalry, anti-charge bonuses, and a 5+ Ward when sufficiently powered.
Dominator Engines shine in melee or ranged setups, and war machines like the Tormentor Bombard and Deathshrieker Rocket Battery rain destruction from a distance. The Deathshrieker’s ability to convert D3+2 damage into flat 5 against Monsters or War Machines makes it a top anti-armour choice. Urak Taar, the First Daemonsmith, is the ultimate leader, manipulating DPP during the Enemy Hero phase, charging with Pitiless Trampling, and devastating priority targets while repositioning units.
Regiments of Renown
Players can integrate Helsmith units into other Chaos factions via two Regiments of Renown. The Curse-Steel Battery offers a Daemonsmith, Tormentor Bombard, and Deathshrieker Rocket Battery, alongside spells like Reinforce Daemonsteel, which mitigates the first damage point to nearby friendly units. These options expand flexibility, allowing Helsmiths to dominate allied Chaos armies with a powerful blend of ranged and melee capabilities.
Closing Thoughts
The Helsmiths of Hashut are a masterclass in combining strategic depth with thematic flair. Every unit interacts meaningfully with DPP, and every battlefield choice feels weighty. Whether you prefer brutal melee charges, devastating artillery, or clever resource juggling, this army accommodates multiple playstyles. Beyond gameplay, the lore and setting provide endless painting and conversion inspiration. The ziggurats, daemon-powered engines, and fiery aesthetic make this faction visually striking and narratively compelling. For players who enjoy careful planning, overwhelming firepower, and unique mechanics, the Helsmiths of Hashut will quickly become an obsession.
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