Slave2Chaos

I’ve got 10 hellstriders that I’ve been waiting for the new book to drop before I assembled them. Im rather underwhelmed, but I think whips may be the better choice. It’s a shame that their ability only triggers on the charge or I could see potential in the seeker cavalcade with slick blades as battleline. do you see potential in them at all? If so how would you build/run them?

What do you think is the likelihood of new Skellies / black knights / grave guard (deathrattle) kits to go along with the release? Will they just be new one off warhammer quest sexy figs or whole new kits? How about Morghasts? Dunno, these seem to have such close ties to Nagash. Doesn't seem very Vampire to me having them around. Zombies seem extremely likely and there is a lot of talk regarding thralls. Basically I'm sitting on some black knights and skellies right now that I debating on trading and I'm just not sure if I want to. I am really hyped for finally having an interest in a death army.

@mrteige Excellent work on the crusher. Gives me gorilla vibes

1. Yes as above 2. It’s due to the old silver tower boxed game. Some of the acolytes found in there had 2 blades. You are correct in noting that the new box set does not have them ... but feel free to convert as suggested above. Per the warscroll “paired blades” allow you to reroll hit rolls 3. Mileage may very. If your avoiding big competitive tournaments and playing friends/local clubs than I’d say your good. In which case , yes, those models would be best represented by paired blades. I would try and Tzeentch up the models somehow. Add one or 2 “instigators” in the unit. while paired blades are probably not the most “competitive” choice I would make sure you at least get a scroll in there. 1 per 10. good luck and good gaming

@Gorthor21 I feel like cities have better shooting options than kurnoth with bows. Although coupled with a Arch Rev they could be a interesting hidden path back field distraction. I am still of the mind that scythes would be the better option. While I realize magnetizing is the safest answer, the additional modeling difficulty plus not losing track of the pieces make this a less than ideal option. @The Red King I do like that Revenants count towards table drops for hidden path while still being extremely mobile after the fact for objective grabbing shenanigan's. Although I do love me some shadow warriors. guess it would depend on the rest of the list composition to determine if the requirements have been met for 1 in 4 Sylvanth and 1 table = 1 hidden path. When Shadow Warriors use their warscroll deepstrike ability they don't count as a table drop for hidden path. Seems like it would be worth having a unit of 5 as an option to play around with. Do you find yourself wanting more than 1 unit of 5? or even larger units? they really don't see that flighty ...

@The Red King. I'm really not keen on getting a bunch of Dryads. Alarielle is a beautiful model that I wouldn't mind getting but I feel like if I do it will be a slippery slope form there. In order to get the most of her I'll end up getting a whole Sylvaneth army, and that's not something I need nor want lol. Currently I'm thinking 6 Kurnoth will be the best investment. Scythes probably. Possibly Drycha ... maybe an Arch-Revenant to buff the kurnoth? I think I want to skip all the treelord variants, seems like they operate vastly better under Sylvaneth allegiance (or need trees) and don't offer Cities much comparatively. Revenants sound interesting but not sure if I really need them when I have shadow warriors competing for a similar deepstrike objective grabber / skirmish annoyer.

Living City and Tempest eye are my preferred cities. As I slowly expand on my leftover end times elves (mainly dark, a few wood and high elf units) I was curious what Sylvaneth units you would want to have available in your collection when list building for the Living City? I really want to avoid collecting an entire army of Sylvaneth but a few units would really appeal to me and offer a very different hobby/paint experience. Drycha seems popular. 6 Kurnoth?

@Skarband Id start with the following and edit to taste based on what you play regularly (your meta) Allegiance: KhorneSlaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)- General- Axe- Command Trait: Hew the Foe- Artefact: Thronebreaker's TorcSlaughterpriest (100)- Blood Blessing: Bronzed FleshSlaughterpriest (100)- Blood Blessing: Killing FrenzyBloodsecrator (120)5 x Blood Warriors (100)10 x Bloodreavers (70)3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)Gore Pilgrims (140)Total: 1000 / 1000Extra Command Points: 1Allies: 0 / 200Wounds: 60 Gore Pilgrims is not necessary and you can lose the battalion for more blood warriors or reavers. With it you have room for one more relic that again will largely be based on what you play against. It will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the battalion as it is a very common basis for mortal lists. If you chose to pursue the skull crushers I would look at picking up a Lord on Juggernaut soon. The model is relatively tanky and not too killy, but it will allow you to create lists with Skullcrushers as battleline. Opening up a very different playstyle that will make use of all those crushers. Good luck.

@Eorek That is an amazing conversion ... I much prefer it to the standard Tauralon and even the upcoming Teclis. Well done! Looking forward to a painted update

And don’t forget Battleline ...

That is one amazing Colossal Squig. Well done and welcome!

Indeed. If I drop the battalion then the Karkadrak wouldn't be as worthwhile due to the missing artifact. That would leave me 360 points to play with if I Dropped the Karkadrak and Battalion. I feel like I am really lacking in damage output. I could fit a Lord on demonic mount to keep some synergy with the Knights (and fit in a 3rd unit). Belakor is always fun ... More Juggernauts .... Regardless, I have pretty much all chaos options(models) available to me. Any recommendations?

@Hannibal That was something I considered but It all comes down to not having enough points to include all the toys I want. Allegiance: Khorne- Slaughterhost: The Goretide Lord of Khorne on Juggernaut (160)- General- Command Trait: Hew the Foe Slaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)- Axe- Artefact: Thronebreaker's TorcSlaughterpriest (100)Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (230)- Artefact: Gorecleaver6 x Mighty Skullcrushers (320)- Ensorcelled Axes3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)- Ensorcelled Axes3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)- Ensorcelled Axes5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled WeaponsChaos Warshrine (170)Brass Stampede (140)Hexgorger Skulls (40)Total: 2010 / 2000Extra Command Points: 1Allies: 0 / 400Wounds: 133 That puts me 10 points over. Something needs to go ... but what? Easiest drop would be the skulls putting me at 1970, or I could just lose the lone slaughter priest on foot but that leaves me relying on the shrine for all the priestly goodness. If I want to keep the fundamentals of mounted knights and juggers then I could drop the Demonprince but I love his command ability and he is still a fast melee threat. Losing the 3 hounds also loses 3 dispell attempts from the collars in what appears to be growing magic dominant meta. All the Lord on Jugger offers is Juggers as battle line and a somewhat durable body ... Decisions decisions

Another idea ... sensing a theme? Allegiance: Khorne- Slaughterhost: The GoretideSlaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)- General- Axe- Command Trait: Hew the Foe - Artefact: Thronebreaker's Torc Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (230)- Artefact: Gorecleaver Slaughterpriest (100)5 x Flesh Hounds (100)5 x Flesh Hounds (100)5 x Flesh Hounds (100)3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)- Ensorcelled Axes3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)- Ensorcelled Axes3 x Mighty Skullcrushers (160)- Ensorcelled Axes5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled WeaponsChaos Warshrine (170)Brass Stampede (140)Hexgorger Skulls (40)Total: 1990 / 2000Extra Command Points: 1Allies: 0 / 400Wounds: 140

@Salyx to be honest it’s for the extra dispelling powers and magic resistance with stuff like teclis, kroak, tzeentch and all the other magic hype I foresee becoming such a factor in the meta. If I get to use the command ability on the thirster then bonus but I don’t see it as much of a loss when compared to the anti magic powers. On that note I also don’t think that goretide command ability is all that good as reavers and blood warriors end up as blood tithe regardless. They are primarily used as character screens or to sit on home objectives. That command ability gives them speed but they don’t compare to knights with the stoker and karkadrak. I am also apprehensive to use them as screens for the larger bases on the knights as they can jam up my own lines. The knights are already plenty good at that on their own. My other list looks to use the Goretide mortal bonus on objectives with a more Chaos knight focused list.

Here’s 2 lists I want to try out once Covid has subsided and I can get to collecting some more skulls for the skull throne. Appreciate any ideas/input. Especially the second. Many thanks. Allegiance: Khorne- Slaughterhost: Reapers of VengeanceWrath of Khorne Bloodthirster (300)- General- Command Trait: Mage Eater - Artefact: Skullshard Mantle Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (230)- Artefact: Gorecleaver Bloodsecrator (120)Slaughterpriest (100)Slaughterpriest (100)Bloodstoker (80)5 x Blood Warriors (100)- Goreaxes10 x Bloodreavers (70)- Reaver Blades10 x Bloodreavers (70)- Reaver Blades5 x Flesh Hounds (100) 5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled WeaponsGore Pilgrims (140)Hexgorger Skulls (40)Wrath-Axe (60)Total: 1990 / 2000Extra Command Points: 1Allies: 0 / 400Wounds: 130 AND Allegiance: Khorne- Slaughterhost: The GoretideSlaves to Darkness Daemon Prince (210)- General- Axe- Artefact: Thronebreaker's Torc Chaos Lord on Karkadrak (230)- Artefact: Gorecleaver Bloodsecrator (120)Slaughterpriest (100)Slaughterpriest (100)Bloodstoker (80)5 x Blood Warriors (100)- Goreaxes10 x Bloodreavers (70)- Reaver Blades10 x Bloodreavers (70)- Reaver Blades5 x Flesh Hounds (100) 5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled Weapons5 x Chaos Knights (160)- Ensorcelled WeaponsGore Pilgrims (140)Hexgorger Skulls (40)Wrath-Axe (60)Total: 1900 / 2000Extra Command Points: 1Allies: 0 / 400Wounds: 124 100 points to play with, 200 if I drop the hounds altogether ... maybe load up on blood warriors or another 5 knights to throw at my opponent 🤔 and do I really need the stoker ....

Would you care to elaborate on this? Im really interested in running a more dragon ogor focused list and would like any ideas/tactics to get a head start with.

@Grimmlock619 so they only thing I really don’t like about your list is the 10 dreadspears. Maybe switch them out for more free guild or another unit of 10 dark shards? Or more shadow warriors ... sisters of the watch or thorn ... dunno ... I just don’t much like 10 spears by themselves. It will net you 130 points to play around with.

Yeah. Alarielle and Drycha really don’t need to be deployed off the board via hidden path with how fast they are. It will also avoid cumbersome rules arguments. @Grimmlock619 it would give you another fast threat besides Durthu and Drycha (sort of lol). How limited are you on models and is there anything that’s a must have? If this is still in regard to the 9 longstrikes I’m afraid your in for an uphill battle if so as they can reliably snipe off Durthu and Drycha a phase. Maybe try and get lifesurge in there somehow to top off their health in case he has a poor round of shooting. I would actually recommend a tree lord ancient In this situation. He can summon trees to block LoS on those longstrikes. And if Durthu just so happens to be in said trees while swinging his sword then bonus. Give the ancient life surge and he will be best bro’s with Durthu. I wouldn’t bother with hidden path in this case as those trees will make a decent LoS blocker right in the middle of the board.

@Kramer No worries man, honestly I don't even have a list at this point. Just discussing ideas to get my 30 executioners back on the table. @Popisdead had brought up some interesting ideas to do just that. I just hate relying on magic so much so in order to pull it off. The Knight Azyros wasn't mentioned in his original run down. Just wanted to bring it up as another option, which also has the benefit of effecting any shooting that may be targeting nearby enemy units. I honestly think that the biggest weakness in the above tactic is the fact that Cities will rarely get to determine who goes first and thus must deploy accordingly. With such strong alpha strike and magic lists out there it really effects the viability of successfully pulling off that "trick". So I am considering a strong beta strike as it will be more widely applicable. And only requires a sorceress to implement. The Azyros being a little sprinkle of awesome sauce if I can pull it off. Neither of which relies on magic to implement. Essentially I want to minimize the amount of chance in order to be successful. Magic is horrible in this regard. Not only do you have to make a role, your opponent has ways to counter said roll if you do. Unlike for example priest buffs, command traits, and auras. Its just hard to compare apples to pineapples ... just cause they both say apple doesn't mean they taste the same .... Ultimately I am always looking for ways to get my old dark elves on the table and am grateful for executioners to even be a topic of discussion again. I think that their speed when coupled with a sorceress is their best attribute, that and mortals on to hit rolls instead of wounds. So I intend to get them on the table and will report back with my findings .. whenever I start gaming regularly again. Lumineth will also be bringing the ignore -1 rend to the table again so depending on how popular they end up being in your meta that could be a factor.

@Kramer I don't think magic has to be all or nothing as the only options, you just cant rely on it when there are such power houses and hard counters out there. Its a nifty trick, but I am extremely skeptical at how often it will actually play out. Stems largely from how I approach the game and list building in particular. I always create lists that are looking for a good time at a 1 or 2 day event. I don't expect to get first place with it but I also don't want to be walked over. I want an "all comers" list that just happens to include a model or 2 I painted/converted and fancy looking at lol. We have a large number of players in my gaming group, but rarely know who and what army you'll be facing come game night. Seraphon has been a regular in my gaming group prior to the new book and covid, 1 regular Khorne player, The occasional DoT. Stromcast knight incantor that is commonly found throughout various order armies, oh the Rune Lord from Cities is also quite popular ... Nagash/Arkhan ... I honestly think Destruction is the only group that is lacking in solid magic defense, comparatively speaking. Most commonly I see Mawtribes with Stone Horns or Ironjaws with their strong alphas. So I would be deploying to screen and limit that potential alpha and thus denying my own ability to alpha. Especially since Cities rarely control the first turn decision making process. When playing to counter charge or for the double, you are less reliant on those casting rolls to get off the movement shenanigans. Instead just a command point to run and charge. *possibly 2 command points with lumineth lol. Hopefully my ramblings / train of thought make sense .... Otherwise I don't think there are any other ways to get reroll hits on Executioners to fish for those 6's, at least not that I am ware of. Happy Gaming

1. I have 20 Darkshards, might as well use them. 2. Secondary screen to Eternal Guard 3. With the Sorceress stabbing them every turn, and being ablative wounds for my general they will be dying plenty. 20 keeps them around to perform both functions with the added benefit of keeping their +1 to hit while above 10 models. 4. Lifeswarm is primarily used to keep the eternal guard on the table and replenish sisters as needed. D6 models being returned. If for some reason the Eternal Guard are destroyed, the Dark Shards will be my next line of defense. Keeps the sisters firing longer, especially if I can pull off the 3' Loose Until the Last by keeping them just behind the Eternal Guard or Dark Shards. 5. Phoenix guard would be another route but I am trying to maximize the Wanderer synergies and give Eternal Guard a go.

Exactly how my cities of Sigmar army came into being. It all started with some Dark Elves I had leftover from WHFB, started picking up a few more elves that i liked the looks of then one thing leads to another and now I have a bunch of elves, dwarves, stomrcast, and did you know you can include Sylvaneth and KO thanks to TE and Living City .... buy buy buy ... no humans though ... that's boring lol .. although I am being more and more tempted to use "counts as" ad-mech conversions (inspired by a lot of others) . And now with the new 40k, even more of a reason to do so. Cities is a slippery slope my friend. Good luck.

I am going to have to give something like this a try. Get my 30 Executioners back on the table. So many things would have to go right in order for this to succeed though. I think the biggest "what if" will be the Beast battlemage, unfortunately +1 from the Herricanum just doesn't mean as mush as it use to. More so with Lumineth on the horizon. I also really don't like using cogs ... I've found it tends to hep the enemy just as much if not more. But they are still plenty fast without that particular +2" of movement. Executioners MW being on the to hit roll and not wound has always intrigued me, shame it ends the attack sequence unlike all other great weapons in CoS. A Knight Azyros allowing rerolls of 1 could be a handy force multiplier when fishing for 6's but hard to get in position if your throw the executioners across the field turn 1. Very interesting ... yep, will definitely be playing around with this. Anything to get as much use as possible from all my Dark Elves.

@Popisdead Indeed, the sorceress will be shanking the darkshards for the casting bonus. I am not 100% settled on who will be the retinue but I am leaning towards the darkshards for this as well. I don't want to tax the eternal guard more as they will be holding the line, and the 10 sisters are too fragile for that purpose. An empowered lifeswarm at +2 to cast should allow me to keep the Eternal guard in the fight or replenish my casting bonus as needed. Looking forward to getting it on the table and giving it a go. @schwabbele it really depends on the rest of your list and what your overall goal will be. I've found both to be extremely useful in very different ways but tend not to use shadow warriors in my Living City lists. But in an attempt to be more helpful .... I have never fielded Shadow warriors in units greater than 10. Finding them much more useful as distraction and objective grabbers. Multiple units create more targets and split your opponents attention/recourses. Sisters on the other hand can be fielded in multiple units (and Hidden Path allows them to function similarly to shadow warriors) OR in larger bricks to take more advantage of their outstanding shooting. Keep in mind that leaning too heavily into either can be a trap. Id say 20 of each is the safest and most flexible of options unless you have a very specific list/tactic in mind.