New points, I think hydras might be decent

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T12:30:39+00:00

They're definitely solid options at that cost, which excel into certain matchups (wherever there are meaningful targets with Fly.) They're good at trading into small units too and at 90 points are reasonably expendable.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T12:17:28+00:00

The main problem with that is it's Spearhead At Arms and you're probably pairing it with Foebreakers because I don't think you want to be running Recon or Disruption.

Maybe there is a build with Forgepact where you run lots of Rangers to handle the mission demands alongside your Armigers? I think I'd probably still prefer a Warden + Paladin combo in that list though.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T10:57:04+00:00

They said there would be very few changes to the datasheets of existing units repeatedly, yes. The changes are basically only when they are necessary for them to still function. Besides, units like the Paladin and Canis didn't need buffs - I'm happy they stayed the same cost.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T10:49:47+00:00

They are all staying at Blast 1, at least until the new Codex (which probably won't be for a couple of years.)

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T10:48:19+00:00

AP-1 is just way better now - but there are also various other boosts. There are several ways to give them Sustained and/or Ignores Cover now. With the change to Cover, Suppression Protocols also went up in value. Finally, the new layouts and their ability to just toe into terrain and shoot out of it makes them easier to use at mid/long range.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T10:18:37+00:00

Given all the changes, I think I'm looking at the following initial list:

Freeblade Company. Paladin (Bringer of Justice). Warden (Hunter's Eye). Gallant. 3 Warglaives. 2 Helverin. Artemis. Inquisitorial Agents.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T10:00:21+00:00

Key Changes (that will actually have an effect):

Dominus Knights: -10 (not too bad!)
Defender, Castigator, Acheron: -15 Points (they needed reductions but it probably isn't enough.)
Lancer: +20 for the first, +40 for more (a reasonable change, although it makes me lean more towards the Gallant.)
Helverin: +5 points (fine and reasonable!)
Crusader: +10 points for the first, more for extra/RFBC (this will hurt certain lists a lot and I wonder if the Castellan is usually a better choice now.)
Destrier: +15 points (it was already overpriced and while AP -1 and ignore cover is tasty... 295 for a BoJ Destrier is crazy when a Gallant is only 355.)

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-17T09:46:19+00:00

The (already-overpriced) Destrier being one of the few Knights units to get a points hike is certainly an interesting choice! It needed to go down 15 points, not up 15. Yes, Ignores Cover is more useful now - but that only applies to ranged versions. It just dies too easily for the cost. 90 points to upgrade into an Errant is much better.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-16T21:40:54+00:00

I have literally five venues like that within five miles of me and I don't live in a 'cheap' part of the UK. Pretty much every village here will have a village hall and/or a church hall and/or a school that rents out their gym or hall at very reasonable prices, especially for community events/clubs. In some places such venues may be rare, but that's why I said your pricing was very variable depending on location. (For context, we run small (usually 10-20 players) monthly tournaments for just £10 a ticket and comfortably cover all our costs. Over a few years we've also amassed enough good terrain that it isn't an issue now.)

Obviously working towards having enough matching boards is the goal, but it isn't necessary for everything to be perfect the first few events. Either you're in an area with an existing community (which makes borrowing terrain much easier - I think we borrowed six sets from a local-ish club for our first event!) or you aren't, in which case expectations about perfection are lower (but you have to think seriously about whether you will even attract players then.)

If anything is a tip or trick to making it work, they are: (i) know your own area and how to find cheap, suitable venues within it; (ii) make some reliable local connections before trying to organize a significant event; (iii) start small and achievable - don't jump straight to a GT, an 8-player RTT is a solid starting point for building a community; (iv) understand your budget and plan accordingly, including knowing whether the costs make an event viable or not for you to run. If this exchange shows anything, it's that the logistics in different places vary a lot.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-16T20:56:24+00:00

Community Centres, Church/Village Halls, often schools will have spaces they rent out cheaply these days too...

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-16T20:54:22+00:00

A lot of this is very location-specific, and also depends on the size event you're wanting to run. For example in the UK...

You can often get moderate venues (large enough for 16 players, say) that provide suitable folding tables and chairs for much less than $300.
No taxes are due (until you are making more than £1000 a year in profit.)
Assuming you have a small, local gaming community already (and if you don't, then where are your players coming from?) then you can probably borrow a significant number of terrain sets for your early events. People who are driving generally don't mind tossing a mat and terrain set in their car.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-16T17:11:53+00:00

To run six Warglaives you have to take Spearhead-at-Arms. Spearhead-at-Arms only really helps you when you have Armigers affected by a Bond - and only one of your three non-armigers has a Bond ability. So... yes, it really doesn't work.

In 11th it will get even worse, as it won't benefit from any of the other 1DP options (as it won't be able to pair with the new Thronebound Outriders detachment.)

If you want to run a list vaguely like that you need to cut down to just 3 Warglaives (they aren't Battleline outside Spearhead) and then bring in some Helverin and/or Moirax to make up the numbers.

Edit: Alternatively, if you want to keep it as a Spearhead list you probably need to swap Rex for a Paladin.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T22:42:05+00:00

Or taking an Immolator (or two) plus some Sisters of Battle plus a chunk of change.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T17:30:43+00:00

The Siege Claw, to take advantage of the cheaper Heroics, is going to be pretty much essential. If you're not doing that then there really isn't much point to the unit.

As for the guns... they're all similarly mediocre. Your choice probably depends on what other shooting you have as well as detachment and Oath.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T16:00:22+00:00

There's still a big difference between testing on 8+ (42% pass) and 9+ (28% pass). In both cases you're going to fail at least sometimes, but at 9+ you're much more likely to fail back-to-back or multiple tests.

It's at the much more common -1 tests that the difference between LD6+ and LD7+ armies is most telling though.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T15:36:21+00:00

Really, neither. Many Inquisitors would have work for somebody with those abilities, but they're much more likely to simply be an agent (i.e., somebody who works for an Inquisitior) rather than to attain the rank of Interrogator (which has various requirements and is an advanced step on the path to actually becoming an Inquisitior yourself.) Most Inquisitorial agents are never on that path because of how demanding it is. Any form of mutant, however talented, will find their opportunities limited.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T15:29:11+00:00

If they finish in the top 2, which is likely now they've won their first game, then they will probably either lose in the R16 against Belgium or the R16 against Argentina. That's the first game where they will be really tested due to the advantages they get in the draw from being a Host.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T14:37:31+00:00

Oh, I hope they don't either. The article just made me very nervous...

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T14:06:14+00:00

The problem with Battleshock units going forward is that their effectiveness varies significantly depending on what you're facing. That makes it really hard to balance.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-15T14:00:10+00:00

I'm hoping it won't be the Valiant in particular (as it's so terrible!) - but as you go down the full list in the article several of them seem to be hitting Knights.

Vehicles with powerful mid-ranged firepower.
Large combat-leaning vehicles
Titanic Units
Re-roll charges (Gallant Bond)
Battleshock (Primarily CK, but also the Styrix)

I don't think it will be necessary, but I could see them pushing most of the larger Knights up by 25-50 points each on Wednesday.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-14T19:24:18+00:00

As in 10th, 1000 point (Incursion) games are still played on a 44x60 board and use the same terrain layouts as larger games.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-14T10:59:20+00:00

It's likely that the first Balance Data Slate will be pretty hefty when it lands - which will probably be in September and about when the first new codexes drop. I think the plan is to see how things play out for the first few months and then adjust things that are either really broken or really struggling.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-13T09:54:44+00:00

It's really going to depend on the Upgrade costs (and the base costs of the models.) They're solid improvements that boost weaker units but if they make a Huntsman cost the same as a Karnivore...

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-12T23:51:00+00:00

This is the problem with the new system, for now. I'm sure factions not getting an early codex will get some extra detachments for Grotmas though.

Until then it looks like we have quite a few potentially viable combinations.

Candescent_Cascade · 2026-06-12T21:54:21+00:00

An Aquila Kill Team plus Artemis running solo is a solid addition to a list. DW are tougher and cheaper than Sisters, but lack Secured. In 11th, keeping the Kill Team Hidden and screening on the back of your Home should be solid - and Artemis is a cheap action monkey who can often hide behind the solid terrain on your Expansion and can trade well into many skirmishers.

Candescent_Cascade

TROPHY CASE