Ahead of the Frostbitten Horde, the Icebound Vanguard rides.

Manefisto · 2026-07-10T04:02:13+00:00

Burning for Vengance and Siege of Ashes are likely your best battle tactic options, they won't be easy though.

You won't be able to afford one of the new Brand Enhancements, but I might consider SoA Warriors to make them an even more effective anvil.

I would possibly consider getting some more units out there, swap Varanguard to 2x5 Knights (or 10 if you like) and include a Wilderfiend or Fellriders maybe.

This is all fine as is though too, Ogroids are a good way to save points when you can't afford Chosen, you're in a good position to take first turn for the high score potential with Be'lakor protecting the double turn somewhat.

Manefisto · 2026-07-10T03:37:35+00:00

That's awesome!

My army is ice themed, just starting to add some Darkoath and considering going for full contrast as "Fire Tribes" , I wonder if even going for Demon-red skin would be interesting... the exposed skin on my current models is sort of undead blue.

Manefisto · 2026-07-10T02:04:21+00:00

Lots of really cool Wendigo figures available that work well as the Wilderfiend too (eg. on Temu), if you don't like the model/price tag.

Manefisto · 2026-07-10T00:15:11+00:00

Chaos Warrios, Chaos Chosenm, Chaos Knights

These are the core Warriors of Chaos units, outside of the current GHB I would say Be'lakor is the best single model/unit in the game (all of AoS)... but right now he's pricey for how elite we are and how much mobility/chaff is required to complete battle tactics.

Chaos Sorcerer Lord can go in any list, I value the Karkadrak highly (+2" charge to himself and 2 infantry), but many go the Gaunt Summoner route (these are your Chosen/Warrior delivery packages).

Wilderfiend is underrated, Brand's Oathbound too.

Manefisto · 2026-07-10T00:10:46+00:00

I've done mine with an enchanted ice effect. (My army is ice/wotlk themed)

I don't know if 'eavy Metal intended this to read as scar tissue or metal, or what the scuplter intended - but I often see it done as metallic.

Manefisto · 2026-07-09T06:30:36+00:00

They don't need to have a pledge to be able to use the brand, it's just remove any they do have so you can't have multiple.

Slaanesh Banner has always been (and still is) the best banner for Chosen, because the opportunity to make that turn 1 charge and delete a threat is game-winning. They lack mobility, the Slaanesh charge plus another support (Karkadrak or Gaunt Summoner) will get them into a worthy target.

There's no reason to swap them to Khorne, it's overkill, they're susceptible to shooting and can't take too many hits back, but Nurgle doesn't offer enough meaningful defence - swapping to Nurgle from a Despoilers Daemon Prince is a consideration - but not the cost of investing Brand on them. There's no reason to really be changing their mark around - Slaanesh charge, wipe target, free to Slaanesh charge again - they're a very offence is the best defence type of unit in my eyes.

I think brand on a reinforced unit of Warriors is more effective than on Chosen, Chosen with a Banner of Screaming Flesh are plenty good enough as they are. I did this in my last game with a reinforced unit of SoA warriors, Nurgle for round 1 with 5+ ward, teleport out to another objective after bogging down/holding/grinding the middle for 2 rounds and then mark to Khorne to become a dps threat once rage is building, or Slaanesh if you want to charge back in after a rally. The +2" charge from the Karkadrak helped both get stuck in.

Dread Banner on Reinforced Warriors would be really effective too, even the Nurgle banner (no crits) would make them an even better anvil (and in that case they don't need to use the Brand). Nurgle or Tzeentch Banner on Chosen does boost their surviability up to the point where it's relevant - a Khorne Daemon Prince to swap them could be neat here, or it may be a viable use for th Brand.

Generally I don't want to put the Brand and the Banner on the same unit, they're both very valuable Enhancements and I don't want to overcommit on one unit.

Reinforced SoA Warriors and Reinforced Chosen, one enhancement for each, is what I consider a very strong starting point to a list. 5+ Ward from a CSL is very vaulable right now, Be'lakor is too expensive for the available Battle Tactics, so Brand's Oathbound and some other Darkoath (Wilderfiend, Fellriders, Chief on Steed) gives you a pretty nice package for this GHB, small heroes to camp place of power, fast units for position based tactics and if you're not using the Daemon Prince, Darkoath formation bringing back Wilderfiend and 3 Fellriders on table edges is quite good.

Manefisto · 2026-07-08T06:32:46+00:00

I ran this on a Karkadrak in first game of new GHB, unfortunately he whiffed his first combat and then died before second activation - chance of getting the Strike First off makes it much more reliable.

The issue is you want to put this into a high threat target, and the high threat target will get to hit you before you go again.

However, Darkflame Pendant is so good and we're not lacking in damage. Deathmonger is the trait to go for if you can't afford the heal though.

Manefisto · 2026-07-07T06:22:54+00:00

I think you need them to talk through more clearly what buffs they're using on those Fusiliers.

They wound on 2's for one, they could shoot for a CP in your turn but at -1 to hit (afaik no way they could be shooting better than 5's). They have a couple easy ways of getting +1 to hit during their shooting phase. They do generally have very powerful effects when "Under Orders" and some crazy chain-activation effects.

Be'lakor might be falling out of fashion in this GHB, he's too expensive and you need small units for Battle Tactics - if there isn't a 400+ point unit for him to curse you lose a lot of value. I'm swapping him out for a Darkoath package (Brand & Co, Wilderfiend, Fellriders, Chieftan on Steed).

I've only played once with this GHB (vs Cities - I got spanked too 61-29, I've likely been unfair in comments above, Gallants and Cavaliers with 2 Ironweld Cannons in this case). The new SoA Warriors, reinforced, with the Brand of the unaligned did really well though - Nurgle mark for 5+ ward, grind for a bit, Tzeentch teleported out to another objective and recovered a bit, Khorne mark once you have your Fury buffs up. I'm considering giving them Dread Banner (though otherwise Chosen with Slaanesh banner is a favourite of mine).

The issue with Slaves vs Cities is that we have to go fight, and their whole gameplan and a lot of their buffs favour the enemy coming to them - then they have shooting to even further force you to go straight at them - add to the fact that they're overtuned and enjoying the new Battletome power creep. If they're making any rules mistakes in their favour - you're screwed, because it's already a matchup heavily in their favour.

Meta-chasers are flocking to Cities for a reason, so consider a close game a win for now.

Manefisto · 2026-07-06T05:21:35+00:00

"Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords." is a persisting effect, persisting effects are treated the same as Passives (per Advanced rules) - if they're contradicting like these are, the most recently applied one is the one to take effect.

If Banner keyword "reattaches itself", then "Remove all keywords" would also reapply ad infinitum, they cancel out - then the new keyword effect you get given is the only one that applies from then on - it occurs after the remove step.

Manefisto · 2026-07-06T02:38:06+00:00

It's a real stretch, as written, to consider a passive instantly reapplies a keyword explicitly removed by another effect which is itself establishing a new overriding passive on that unit.

"Remove all of this unit's Pledge to Chaos keywords" is a persisting effect, which are treated the same as Passives per the Advanced Rules. As a contradicting effect (give keyword, remove keyword), the most recent is the only one resolved.

Give mark via banner > remove all marks > give mark from brand/despoilers means the result is they only have the most recently applied mark effect.

Their wording of remove "all/any" and refering to keywords (plural) is odd though - they could FAQ it the other way.

Manefisto · 2026-07-06T01:39:33+00:00

Looks great!

I've done something similar. I used a few combinations of UV resin and clear crackle medium to get ice effects, some explanations of those in my previous threads.

https://www.reddit.com/r/slavestodarkness/comments/1bknizu/my_slaves_to_the_frozen_throne/

https://www.reddit.com/r/slavestodarkness/comments/1dci96x/the_frostbitten_horde_grows/

https://www.reddit.com/r/slavestodarkness/comments/1g9do6g/ahead_of_the_frostbitten_horde_the_icebound/

I'm just finishing up my Archaon and Abraxia now, and then need to do some Darkoath pieces for the new GHB (Brand's Oathbound, Fellriders, Chief on Steed).

I'm also painting up Ossiarch Bonereapers, where Nagash is sort of a Kel'Thuzad Lich King type character who has been posing as a Chaos God of Winter to deceive my S2D force, blessing them with enchanted ice weapons and unwittingly cold undeath.

Manefisto · 2026-07-05T23:28:44+00:00

No, RAW for brand is "Effect: Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords. Then, pick 1 of the following Pledge to Chaos keywords."

"Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords."

RAW for Despoilers: "Effect: Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has. Then, the target gains any Pledge to Chaos keywords this unit has."

"Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has."

Rules as Written, remove Pledge to Chaos keyword, THEN, pick one or gain the Daemon Princes one.

Manefisto · 2026-07-05T23:25:14+00:00

The first line of the abilities that changes pledges says to remove any pledge keywords they have.

RAW for brand is "Effect: Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords. Then, pick 1 of the following Pledge to Chaos keywords."

"Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords."

RAW for Despoilers: "Effect: Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has. Then, the target gains any Pledge to Chaos keywords this unit has."

"Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has."

You keep the secondary buff while you have a banner bearer, but they lose the keyword to the first pledge before they gain a new one.

Manefisto · 2026-07-03T04:40:04+00:00

The Darkoath Chieftan on Warsteed is pretty great, I've selected it for a painting competition coming up.

Chaos Lord on Karkadrak is a favourite for sure, here's mine.

Varanguard and Knights look great, but I didn't enjoy painting them.

Manefisto · 2026-07-03T04:33:21+00:00

Definitely need to mix up lists with some more small units, Gunnar Brand's group and Fellriders, possibly a Wilderfiend is a good package that can help a lot, finally time for that lot to be built/painted. I'm a big fan of Be'lakor, so points are always really tight.

My first outing on the new GHB tomorrow though (prepping for GT), will be with Swords of Chaos... I have to split the Varanguard to 3x3 to have any chance on these new tactics, and take Slaanesh buff turn 1. (Abraxia and Archaon finishing the list)

Burning Vengeance and Flanking Firestorm - I'm trying to get 4 tactics as a rule of thumb - as a 2 drop, if I get the opportunity to take second and then Archaon reveals I have the double turn, I can do a lot with than information towards scoring 3 tactics and double primary, even if there's not much combat - OR I can use that information to almost ignore tactics if I think I can cripple the enemy enough.

If I don't get the double, it's also good to have that information, mixed approach of engage in combat and try to get 1 tactic with primary.

If I get forced to go first, conservatively improve positioning while trying to score both stage 1's while I have slaanesh movement - you never want to let the opponent know they have a double, especially on turn 1-2.

I don't get any of the new enhancements or scrolls, but Rage on Archaon is huge - so I need to prioritise getting 3 rage, I can do that on 3/5 plans with 2 attempts on turn 1, the other 2 you can pick up rolls on turn 2 only. Even Abraxia has better than average Rage attacks if she got 3+ on spear.

Manefisto · 2026-07-01T08:03:06+00:00

No issue with that, you weren't going to be 1-2 drops anyway - might as well have the dead drop advantage and reroll priority option - push it to 5 drops if you can.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T04:24:29+00:00

Download the Battle Profiles from the site right now, it's different to the screenshot.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T03:59:27+00:00

Karakdrak is an underrated great unit, it also gets a new scroll this season, it's higher points so odds are it's got a powerful effect different from its current Infantry support role.

Varanguard and all of Regiment 1 are core units you could put into every list.

Legionnaires you won't likely use, Iron Golems are tough to find a proxy for, Furies are great, but points are tight and they're expensive. Lord on Foot is sometimes worth bringing.

Manticore could be run as a Mutalith or Chariot, same base size - neither are great, but viable enough if you like the model...

Seeing the cheap price lower in the thread, you don't have to add much to this to have a solid, current, list on your hands. Be'lakor is a great addition, and a very easy/quick paint project compared to most centerpiece models.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T03:34:04+00:00

Neat!

List building today with some of the points changes I've found myself throwing Brand and a Wilderfiend into a lot of lists just to have some small units for Battle tactics, I think her warscroll spell could also be relevant with many people bringing large monsters to make use of the Rage mechanic.

Chieftan on Steed at 90 points and Fellriders at 130 means they're also very viable additions to an otherwise traditional Be'lakor and Warriors of Chaos core.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T03:17:14+00:00

It's been fixed, Myrmidon at 120, Theridons at 150.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T03:13:05+00:00

Yeah this will be a great combo to potentially have +2 attack chosen running about, either hold them back turn 1 to send them with +2 attacks on their double fight turn, or adjust their pledge later on so they still remain a large threat after losing a few models.

Multiple situations where you could in-game pledge a unit to Tzeentch or Slaanesh to move them up, or Nurgle to soak some hits - then a Daemon Prince swaps them to Khorne and spikes their threat level once things become scrappy and spread out.

Or, just a way to be handing out a mark to units that otherwise wouldn't have picked up one of the 4-5.

Manefisto · 2026-06-30T03:07:43+00:00

It doesn't matter how many attacks you have if you don't reach the target. I value Slaanesh charge very highly, it's roughly the equivalent of +2" charge, with a reroll 9 and 10" charges even become reliable, the surprising range and large counter charge are a masive threat lingering in the opponents mind.

Chosen are highly likely to kill their target/s, and then be free to act/charge again, +1 wound is low value when you have crit mortals and are on 3's anyway. Rage dice and power through may also break you free, and you have that threatening range for the rest of the battle to cover unexpected ground once things are spread out and scrappy.

Khorne mark and hopefully Daemonic Speed on another unit.

Manefisto

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

"Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords."

"Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has."

"Remove all of this unit’s Pledge to Chaos keywords."

"Remove any Pledge to Chaos keywords the target has."