INTRODUCTION
Welcome! Today, we’re delving into a fantastic, mythical world encompassing vast, cosmic realms, home to deities and demons, humans and fantastic beasts. I’m talking about Age of Sigmar (also known as AoS)! If you crave tactical challenges, creative strategizing, and assembling and painting your own army of miniatures, this game is worth exploring. This beginner-friendly guide aims to provide a good understanding of the game, how to start, and some need-to-know tips for your journey in this wondrous tabletop wargaming universe.
WHAT IS AGE OF SIGMAR?
Age of Sigmar, produced by Games Workshop, is a tabletop warfare game set in a lore-rich, high-fantasy universe. It’s the successor to the company’s earlier game, Warhammer (Specifically, Warhammer: Age of Reckoning ), with enhanced mechanics, and an ever-expanding mystical world.
The story unfolds in the Mortal Realms, eight distinct planes of existence molded by magic and the gods. You lead an army, from one of several distinct factions, in epic battles for control of these realms. Similar to games like Warhammer 40,000 or Dungeons and Dragons, Age of Sigmar pampers the creative mind with endless possibilities of painting, role-playing, strategizing, and engaging in thrilling battles.
HOW IT WORKS / HOW TO START
The basic gameplay of Age of Sigmar breaks down into several phases where players move their miniatures across the game board, simulate battles, create magic effects, etc. Here’s an overview of a typical game session:
1. Army Selection: Each player creates an army from miniatures they have amassed and painted. These forces belong to different factions, each with distinctive skills, strengths, weaknesses, and strategic potential.
2. Game Setup: The players set up the game board, placing terrain features and their miniatures. The players then declare their mission or victory objectives.
3. Game Rounds: A game round starts with the Hero phase, where you cast spells and use hero abilities. The following Movement phase allows you to strategically position your troops. The Charging phase sees your troops try to get into close combat positions while avoiding enemy attacks. The Combat phase allows your troops to launch their attacks, hopefully vanquishing their foes. After that, the Battle Shock phase tests the courage of your warriors who have seen their comrades fall.
4. Winning the Game: The players earn victory points based on their accomplishment of the mission’s objectives and on the number of enemy units they successfully destroy. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY (SUPPLIES, GEAR, SETUP)
To get started, you will need a copy of the Age of Sigmar core rulebook, a Start Collecting box which contains an assortment of miniatures for your chosen faction, a set of 6-sided dice, and measuring tools for movement and range calculation. You’ll also need paints, brushes, and glue for assembling and personalizing your army miniatures. Optional gear includes having a game mat and additional terrain features for more complex battlefields.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Start Small: Learning the rules can seem daunting, so start with a small, manageable group of miniatures.
2. Practice Painting: Take time to practice and improve your painting skills; this enhances the visual appeal of the game.
3. Learn the Factions: Each faction has different strategies and abilities. Knowing these can greatly improve your gameplay.
4. Join a Community: Whether a local gaming club or online group, this can provide invaluable guidance and strategic insight.
5. Have Fun: The most important part. Enjoy learning, strategizing, and playing.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
The Warhammer Age of Sigmar app is a useful tool for rules and army building. Websites like ‘Wahapedia’ and ‘1d4chan’ are good for subtle strategies and tactics. The Age of Sigmar subreddit and Discord server are great to meet fellow players and ask questions.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. Wargame: A strategy game that simulates warfare.
2. Miniatures: Small figurines that represent your army.
3. Faction: A group with particular abilities and characteristics that your army belongs to.
4. Dice Roll: Used to determine outcomes of game actions, such as attacking or casting spells.
5. Battleshock: A test for a unit’s courage after it has suffered losses on the battlefield.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
Once you’ve gathered your forces, read through the rules, and gotten the hang of the basics, it’s time to dive into your first game. Start with smaller, manageable battles before progressing to grand confrontations. Explore different factions, refine your strategies, and remember, the most essential part of Age of Sigmar: Have fun!
