Which Age of Sigmar faction should I play?

Which Age of Sigmar Faction Should I Play?

Choosing your first faction in Warhammer Age of Sigmar can feel like a daunting task. The game offers a vibrant array of armies, each with unique playstyles, aesthetics, and lore. The good news is that there’s likely a perfect fit for every player! Ultimately, the best faction for you depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a tabletop wargame experience. However, if you’re seeking a beginner-friendly and all-around strong choice, look no further than the Stormcast Eternals. This faction is intentionally designed to ease new players into the game with its diverse unit selection and straightforward gameplay mechanics.

Stormcast Eternals, the chosen warriors of the God-King Sigmar, provide an excellent starting point. They are a versatile army capable of both melee combat and ranged attacks, giving you an opportunity to learn different aspects of the game. With strong heroes and a variety of units, they offer a forgiving entry for those new to the hobby. Their aesthetic is striking, and they’re readily available, making them a popular choice.

However, if the shining golden warriors don’t appeal to you, don’t worry! There are many other fantastic options. Your choice should be driven by several factors:

  • Playstyle Preference: Do you enjoy aggressive, close-quarters combat, or do you prefer a more strategic approach with ranged dominance or magic? Perhaps you like a horde army that overwhelms your foe, or a smaller, elite force that carefully chooses its engagements?
  • Aesthetic Appeal: The look of your army is crucial, as you’ll be spending a lot of time assembling, painting, and playing with them. Choose a faction you find visually captivating.
  • Lore and Story: The rich narratives and background of each faction can be incredibly engaging. Research the lore and pick a group that sparks your imagination.
  • Budget and Ease of Assembly: Some factions have a larger model count which can be more costly and time consuming to assemble.
  • Complexity of Rules: Certain armies have more complicated mechanics than others, which might not be optimal for absolute beginners.

Understanding Your Options

Before diving into specific recommendations, let’s take a brief look at the broad archetypes of armies found in Age of Sigmar:

  • Order: Often characterized by civilization and powerful warriors, including Stormcast Eternals, Lumineth Realm-lords, and Idoneth Deepkin.
  • Chaos: Twisted forces that embrace the dark gods, featuring armies like the Disciples of Tzeentch, Maggotkin of Nurgle, and Beasts of Chaos.
  • Death: Undead legions and spectral horrors, embodied by factions like the Nighthaunt and Ossiarch Bonereapers.
  • Destruction: Unruly hordes that love to smash, such as the Kruleboyz and Ironjawz.

Exploring Different Factions

While Stormcast Eternals are an excellent starting point, here are a few other options based on different preferences:

  • For Aggressive Melee: Ironjawz (Destruction) are renowned for their incredible toughness and hard-hitting melee units. If you like getting stuck in, they’re a great pick. Alternatively, the Beasts of Chaos (Chaos) offer a bestial horde that can overwhelm with raw power.
  • For Magical Dominance: Lumineth Realm-lords (Order) are masters of magic, utilizing powerful spellcasting and elegant units. Disciples of Tzeentch (Chaos) are another good option, focusing on unpredictable spells and mutating warriors.
  • For Strategic Play: The Seraphon (Order) are dinosaur-riding lizardfolk with a strong emphasis on planning and utilizing powerful monsters. Ossiarch Bonereapers (Death) also favor control, with their elite and disciplined legionnaires.
  • For Unique Playstyles: The Idoneth Deepkin (Order) are a fascinating aquatic faction with hit-and-run tactics and powerful sea creatures. Nighthaunt (Death) are ethereal and ghostly warriors that play very differently from other armies.
  • For a Horde Army: Kruleboyz (Destruction) are cunning, numerous orcs that rely on their sheer numbers and sneaky tactics. Gloomspite Gitz (Destruction) are also a solid choice if you like hordes of squigs and goblins.

The Importance of “Rule of Cool”

Ultimately, the best faction for you is the one that excites you the most. Don’t be afraid to prioritize the look and feel of an army over pure game mechanics. If you love the aesthetic of a particular faction, you’ll be more motivated to build, paint, and play them. The “rule of cool” is a strong principle in the Warhammer hobby – if you think an army looks awesome, you’ll have a more rewarding hobby experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing an Age of Sigmar faction to provide further guidance:

1. Is Age of Sigmar Beginner Friendly?

Yes, compared to earlier editions of Warhammer, Age of Sigmar is significantly easier to get into. The rules are relatively simple to learn, with a focus on streamlined gameplay. The hobby aspect is also more approachable, allowing new players to achieve a good painting standard with less experience.

2. Is Age of Sigmar easier to play than 40K?

While both games share core mechanics, Age of Sigmar offers a more streamlined and simplified system compared to Warhammer 40,000, making it more accessible to new players.

3. What is the easiest Age of Sigmar army to play?

Stormcast Eternals are designed to be the easiest to play with a wide range of unit options and a forgiving playstyle.

4. What is the most popular army in Age of Sigmar?

Stormcast Eternals are the most popular faction, followed by Sylvaneth.

5. How do I choose a Sigmar army?

Choose an army based on your preferred playstyle, aesthetic, and lore. Pick a faction you will enjoy building, painting, and playing with. Consider your budget and time commitment when choosing.

6. Is Age of Sigmar hard to play?

The core rules are simple, making it easy for beginners to learn. However, the game can become very competitive at the highest level, requiring strategic thinking and in-depth knowledge of army rules.

7. Who goes first in Sigmar?

If the roll-off is a tie, then the player who went first in the last battle round can choose who goes first in this one. However, if it is the first battle round, the player that finished setting up their army first chooses who has the first turn.

8. Which faction is best in Warhammer Lore?

In terms of raw power in the lore, several factions stand out, such as the Tyranids and Necrons, but the Aeldari once ruled the galaxy, and Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle, Slaanesh and The Great Horned Rat are among the strongest gods.

9. Which faction is the most “badass” in Warhammer lore?

Many fans consider the Tyranid Hivemind to be the most badass. The Necrons and Orks also make the list.

10. Who are the most powerful characters in Age of Sigmar?

Key characters include Archaon the Everchosen, Nagash, Bastian Carthalos, and Morathi-Khaine, among others.

11. What is the best Warhammer Age of Sigmar book to start with?

Soul Wars is a good place to begin for lore, as is anything featuring Neferata.

12. Is Age of Sigmar connected to Warhammer 40k?

No, Age of Sigmar is a separate setting from Warhammer 40,000, with a different lore and timeline. They are independent games with different themes and stories.

13. Is Sigmar really a god?

Yes, Sigmar is considered a God in Age of Sigmar. He was a mortal man who ascended to godhood.

14. Is Age of Sigmar 3.0 good?

Yes, Age of Sigmar 3.0 is considered very good, with many players enjoying the updated rules and balanced gameplay.

15. What is more popular Warhammer or Warhammer 40k?

Warhammer 40,000 is the most popular tabletop miniature wargame in the world, with a larger following and more established brand. However, Age of Sigmar has gained significant popularity and continues to grow.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a faction you connect with on a personal level. Dive into the lore, admire the models, and pick an army you’re excited to command on the tabletop! Happy wargaming!

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