, where I discussed faction strengths. The idea was to provide a template of what you can expect to face in a competitive setting. Selecting vanilla armies was the goal. Varieties will always exist but having a starting point helps players evaluate what the meta's like.
I found the summary I made then very useful. I figured I'd try to make a new such post every now and then. It helps me structure my approach to the game and it provides a lot of discussion points. Last time I wrote a meta post the lists were all over the place. I think they have settled down somewhat now. Granted the errata is still very fresh and its implications may indeed change the meta upside down again. If it will not, then maybe Theme Forces will. They are right around the corner after all, and if just a couple of them prove to be as solid as Kingmaker's we can see big power shifts.
Keep in mind that this is from a competitive point of view, obviously my opinion and compressed for the sake of my own sanity. Listing all permutations would take forever and provide little value, therefore I've deliberately omitted a couple of lists here and there.
Since last time Circle and Khador swapped places. This can be summarized as follows: Una2, Karchev's Mad Dogs. Protectorate moved up a notch, because High Reclaimer and Amon/Severius2 make such a strong pairing. It keeps performing well and the lists have been fine-tuned. I also bumped Mercenaries because of how strong Ossrum is. Granted Magnus2 got a bit of a nerf in the shape of no power attacks on friendly models, but Damiano still looks super solid.
Cryx and Legion were bumped a notch. Cryx have one solid pairing in the shape of Deneghra1/Coven. It looks decent into most things. Legion got an implicit buff because they are inherently strong vs Circle and the lack of Mad Dogs means they can make Absylonia2 lists without skewing so hard and thus handle all-comers better.
Trollbloods, Convergence and Skorne fill our bottom tier. In my experience these all have a number of difficult pairings and will often struggle to even have game, especially into the powerhouse casters.
:: Circle ::
(Una2) Una the Skyhunter [+29]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Scarsfell Griffon [8]
- Scarsfell Griffon [8]
- Scarsfell Griffon [8]
- Scarsfell Griffon [8]
- Scarsfell Griffon [8]
- Razorwing Griffon [7]
- Gorax Rager [7]
Shifting Stones [3]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Tharn Bloodtrackers (max) [16]
Blackclad Wayfarer [4]
(Wurmwood) Wurmwood, Tree of Fate [+27]
- Cassius the Oathkeeper
- Feral Warpwolf [18]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Megalith [20]
- Ghetorix [21]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Blackclad Wayfarer [4]
Farrow Bone Grinders (min) [5]
Swamp Gobber Chef [1]
Shifting Stones [3]
Shifting Stones [3]
(Baldur2) Baldur the Stonesoul [+30]
- Feral Warpwolf [18]
- Megalith [20]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
Shifting Stones [3]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Wrong Eye [17]
- Snapjaw
Shifting Stones [3]
Baldur better without Wold. Too clumsy, poor synergy with Rock Wall, vulnerable to alpha. Tanith, Kromac1 and Kromac2 have also been somewhat popular. Una2 and Wurmwood is the obvious pair. Baldur2 is also very strong.
:: Cygnar ::
(Haley2) Major Victoria Haley [+25]
- Ironclad [12]
- Stormwall [39]
- Thorn [13]
- Squire [5]
Storm Lances (min) [12]
Field Mechaniks (min) [3]
Journeyman Warcaster [4]
- Firefly [8]
Ragman [4]
(Haley3) Major Prime Victoria Haley [+25]
- Grenadier [9]
- Grenadier [9]
- Ironclad [12]
- Thorn [13]
Storm Lances (max) [20]
Trencher Infantry (max) [16]
Journeyman Warcaster [4]
- Charger [9]
Ragman [4]
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord [4]
(Sloan) Captain Kara Sloan [+28]
- Hunter [11]
- Hunter [11]
- Hunter [11]
- Hunter [11]
- Hunter [11]
- Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator [4]
Rangers [9]
Trencher Infantry (min) [10]
- Trencher Infantry Officer & Sniper [5]
- Trencher Infantry Rifle Grenadier (3) [6]
Gun Mage Captain Adept [5]
Gun Mage Captain Adept [5]
Captain Arlan Strangewayes [4]
Caine2 might still be legit. In my opinion it's hard to tell how hard the errata really hit him. Haley2 come in many variants, from the Thornwall example above to multiple heavies to Storm Lance spam.
:: Protectorate ::
(High Reclaimer) The High Reclaimer [+32]
- Scourge of Heresy [16]
- Devout [9]
- Dervish [7]
- Hierophant [3]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Flame Bringers (max) [17]
Knights Exemplar [9]
- Knights Exemplar Officer [5]
Knights Exemplar [9]
- Knights Exemplar Officer [5]
The Covenant of Menoth [4]
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]
Wrack [1]
Idrian Skirmishers (min) [9]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [5]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
(Severius2) Hierarch Severius [+26]
- Templar [15]
- Templar [15]
- Templar [15]
- Blessing of Vengeance [13]
- Scourge of Heresy [16]
Daughters of the Flame [10]
Choir of Menoth (max) [6]
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]
Vassal of Menoth [3]
Vassal of Menoth [3]
Wrack [1]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
(Amon) High Allegiant Amon Ad-Raza [+29]
- Devout [9]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Dervish [7]
- Templar [15]
- Templar [15]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]
Wrack [1]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
Anastasia di Bray [3]
Undoubtedly the 3 strongest Protectorate casters at the momemt. Variants of Severius2 with more shooting are common as well.
:: Mercenaries ::
(Ossrum) General Ossrum [+28]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Grundback Gunner [6]
- Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator [4]
Horgenhold Forge Guard (max) [16]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios [7]
Anastasia di Bray [3]
Kell Bailoch [5]
Horgenhold Artillery Corps [6]
Horgenhold Artillery Corps [6]
(Damiano) Captain Damiano [+28]
Theme: The Kingmaker's Army
- Nomad [11]
- Nomad [11]
- Nomad [11]
- Buccaneer [6]
Steelhead Halberdiers (max) [11]
Steelhead Halberdiers (max) [11]
Trencher Infantry (max) [16]
- Trencher Infantry Officer & Sniper [5]
- Trencher Infantry Rifle Grenadier (3) [6]
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry (min) [11]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [0]
Stannis Brocker [0]
Kell Bailoch [0]
Raluk Moorclaw, the Ironmonger [4]
Magnus2 received a bit of an implicit nerf in the errata. Without the ability to throw him up the field for feat jank I think he will be significantly less popular. However he is a solid caster so I expect to still see him. Gorten also feels legit but falls in the shadow of Ossrum. Lastly, Exulon Thexus is an underrated caster and Cephalyx are strong with some interesting good matchups. Maybe we'll also see Bartolo Montador, his ARM-skew can be scary.
:: Khador ::
(Vlad1) Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince - WJ: +28
- Ruin - PC: 17 (Battlegroup Points Used: 17)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
- Juggernaut - PC: 12
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich - PC: 4
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 9 Grunts: 13
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 5 Grunts: 8
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
(Vlad2) Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Champion [+27]
- Conquest [37]
Iron Fang Uhlans (min) [12]
Iron Fang Uhlans (min) [12]
Winter Guard Rifle Corps (max) [13]
- Winter Guard Rocketeer (3) [6]
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich [4]
Man-O-War Drakhun [9]
Man-O-War Drakhun [9]
(Irusk2) Supreme Kommandant Irusk - WJ: +27
- Torch - PC: 18 (Battlegroup Points Used: 18)
- Juggernaut - PC: 12 (Battlegroup Points Used: 9)
Kovnik Jozef Grigorovich - PC: 4
Man-O-War Kovnik - PC: 5
Winter Guard Mortar Crew - Gunner & Grunt: 5
Winter Guard Rifle Corps - Leader & 9 Grunts: 13
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
- Winter Guard Rocketeer - PC: 2
Man-O-War Shocktroopers - Leader & 4 Grunts: 16
- Man-O-War Shocktrooper Officer - PC: 4
Iron Fang Pikemen - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
- Iron Fang Pikemen Officer & Standard - Officer & Standard: 4
Harkevich with triple Kodiak, Butcher1, Butcher3, Sorscha1 and Zerkova1 all show potential as well. Khador simply has a ton of interesting casters to choose from. With Karchev's Mad Dogs dead I expect it will take some time for them to find their new pair(s).
:: Retribution ::
(Issyria) Issyria, Sibyl of Dawn [+29]
- Hyperion [36]
- Phoenix [18]
Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber [4]
- Discordia [18]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Dawnguard Invictors (max) [16]
- Dawnguard Invictor Officer & Standard [4]
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress [4]
(Kaelyssa) Kaelyssa, the Night's Whisper [+29]
- Hyperion [36]
Elara, Tyro of the Third Chamber [4]
- Discordia [18]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Dawnguard Sentinels (max) [18]
- Dawnguard Sentinel Officer & Standard [4]
Dawnguard Sentinels (max) [18]
- Dawnguard Sentinel Officer & Standard [4]
(Vyros2) Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard [+27]
- Imperatus [22]
- Griffon [8]
- Griffon [8]
- Griffon [8]
- Griffon [8]
- Griffon [8]
- Griffon [8]
Dawnguard Sentinels (max) [18]
- Dawnguard Sentinel Officer & Standard [4]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Arcanist Mechanik [2]
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress [4]
Rahn and Helynna seem to be quite popular as well, though meta-dependent. I assume Ossyan is more or less gone due to losing Deadeye. Kaelyssa variants with more shooting and Issyria variants with more melee exist as well.
:: Cryx ::
(Deneghra1) Warwitch Deneghra [+28]
- Nightwretch [7]
- Nightwretch [7]
- Barathrum [15]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]
Satyxis Gunslingers [7]
Satyxis Gunslingers [7]
Pistol Wraith [5]
Wrong Eye [17]
- Snapjaw
Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (max) [19]
(Coven) The Witch Coven of Garlghast [+26]
- Egregore
- Barathrum [15]
- Deathjack [23]
- Deathripper [6]
- Skarlock Thrall [4]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]
Soulhunters (min) [11]
Soulhunters (min) [11]
Bane Warriors (min) [10]
Machine Wraith [2]
Coven and Deneghra1 make a pretty decent pair. Skarre1 is also a commonly seen Cryx caster. Cryx are somewhat rigid and their powerful builds are limited both in terms of caster and unit/warjack choices. This is their main weakness but they sort of make up for it by having a surprising amount of playable matchups against the top dogs.
:: Legion ::
(Lylyth3) Lylyth, Reckoning of Everblight [+29]
- Naga Nightlurker [8]
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower [11]
- Succubus [4]
- Typhon [24]
- Carnivean [19]
- Seraph [14]
Strider Scouts [9]
- Strider Scout Officer & Musician [4]
Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1]
Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1]
The Forsaken [4]
Ogrun Bokur [5]
(Vayl2) Vayl, Consul of Everblight [+28]
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower [11]
- Seraph [14]
- Typhon [24]
- Raek [8]
- Raek [8]
Blighted Nyss Raptors (max) [18]
Hellmouth [6]
Blackfrost Shard [9]
Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1]
The Forsaken [4]
(Absylonia2) Absylonia, Daughter of Everblight - WB: +28
- Proteus - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Raek - PC: 8 (Battlegroup Points Used: 8)
- Raek - PC: 8 (Battlegroup Points Used: 1)
- Seraph - PC: 14
- Shredder - PC: 4
- Shredder - PC: 4
- Carnivean - PC: 19
- Carnivean - PC: 19
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
Spell Martyr - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
Blighted Nyss Shepherd - PC: 1
The Forsaken - PC: 4
In addition to these casters I am curious to see Fyonna2 in the time to come.
:: Minions ::
(Rask) Rask - WB: +27
- Targ - PC: 4
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 16)
- Blackhide Wrastler - PC: 16 (Battlegroup Points Used: 11)
Wrong Eye - Wrong Eye & Snapjaw: 17
- Snapjaw
Dahlia Hallyr - Hallyr & Skarath: 17
- Skarath
Totem Hunter - PC: 6
Bog Trog Mist Speaker - PC: 4
Rorsh - Rorsh & Brine: 15
- Brine
- Battle Boar - PC: 7
Unfortunately I'm still lacking experience vs Minions. Arkadius, Carver and possibly Midas in Thornfall Alliance look interesting.
:: Skorne ::
(Hexeris2) Lord Arbiter Hexeris - WB: +27
- Cyclops Brute - PC: 8
- Cyclops Raider - PC: 9
- Mammoth - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 27)
- Scarab Pack - PC: 10
- Titan Gladiator - PC: 14
Extoller Soulward - PC: 3
Mortitheurge Willbreaker - PC: 4
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Swamp Gobber Chef - PC: 1
Paingiver Beast Handlers - Leader & 5 Grunts: 7
Venator Flayer Cannon Crew - Gunner & Grunt: 5
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew - Leader & 1 Grunt: 2
(Makeda2) Supreme Archdomina Makeda [+24]
- Despoiler [18]
- Basilisk Krea [7]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Tyrant Commander & Standard Bearer [6]
Praetorian Ferox (max) [21]
Praetorian Ferox (max) [21]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Void Spirit [4]
Tyrant Rhadeim [9]
I expect Skorne to change drastically post-errata.
:: Convergence ::
(Lucant) Father Lucant, The Divinity Architect - WJ: +28
- Corollary - PC: 6
- Prime Axiom - PC: 38 (Battlegroup Points Used: 28)
- Inverter - PC: 15
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19
- Permutation Servitors
Transfinite Emergence Projector - PC: 19
- Permutation Servitors
Accretion Servitors - 3 Accretion Servitors: 2
Optifex Directive - Leader & 2 Grunts: 4
Iron Mother Directrix & Exponent Servitors +27
- Prime Axiom 38
- Assimilator 16
- Assimilator 16
- Assimilator 16
- Corollary 6
Attunement Servitors 4
Algorithmic Dispersion Optifex 2
Optifex Directive 4
Lucant is also very popular with heavy spam, leaving the Prime Axiom at home. With his new-found buff back to good old Deceleration I expect him to become a stronger caster by far.
:: Trollbloods ::
(Madrak2) Madrak Ironhide, World Ender - WB: +28
- Mulg the Ancient - PC: 19 (Battlegroup Points Used: 19)
- Troll Axer - PC: 10 (Battlegroup Points Used: 9)
Fell Caller Hero - PC: 5
Fell Caller Hero - PC: 5
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 4
Stone Scribe Chronicler - PC: 4
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - PC: 4
Trollkin Fennblades - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
- Trollkin Fennblade Officer & Drummer - Officer & Drummer: 5
Trollkin Fennblades - Leader & 9 Grunts: 15
- Trollkin Fennblade Officer & Drummer - Officer & Drummer: 5
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 5 Grunts: 9
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3
(Ragnor) Ragnor Skysplitter, the Runemaster - WB: +30
- Trollkin Runebearer - PC: 4
- Mountain King - PC: 36 (Battlegroup Points Used: 30)
- Troll Axer - PC: 10
- Dire Troll Mauler - PC: 15
Janissa Stonetide - PC: 4
Troll Whelps - 5 Whelps: 4
Feralgeist - PC: 2
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress - PC: 3
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 3 Grunts: 6
- Stone Scribe Elder - PC: 3
Trollkin Runeshapers - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
Trollkin Runeshapers - Leader & 2 Grunts: 9
I don't know Trollbloods too well but this seems to be the two most popular ones. Doomie3, Horgle2 and Grim1 also look interesting.
Keep in mind that this post is meant to be an overview, showing vanilla armies where possible. I've tried my best to select lists from tournament participation, preferably successful ones. If you have any input, please leave a reply in the comments below!
