Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide Review - The Perfect Starter Set

Unless you've been living in a Skaven gnawhole this year, you're likely aware that there's a new 4th edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar! We were lucky enough to get a preview copy of the new Starter Box, Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide, sent to us by Games Workshop - so follow along for our initial thoughts on the box, what's included, a quick review of some of the most impactful new rules, and a glance at Spearhead - Age of Sigmar's new quick-play format.

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide - What's In The Box?

First, let's start off by taking a look at everything included in the new launch box for 4th Edition. This may be one of the largest Starter Boxes (it was certainly one of the heaviest), and includes:

• 272-page Warhammer Age of Sigmar Core Book
• 144-page Spearhead: Fire and Jade rulebook
• 1 double-sided game board
• 36-card Spearhead deck
• 17 General's Handbook cards
• 4 terrain features
• 50 Skaven Miniatures (Including Grey Seer, Warplock Jezzails, and so many Clanrats - among others)
• 24 Stormcast Eternals Miniatures (Including Lord-Vigilant on Gryph-stalker, Reclusians, Liberators and more)

What this all means is that, in addition to the core rules of the game, and two very robust armies, you're also getting terrain to begin your collection, a second rulebook and special cards to play Spearhead (which we'll touch on more in a moment), and a 17-card general's handbook deck of cards to help with your more serious Matched Play games.

Though it will likely carry a hefty price tag, in my opinion there's no getting around the sheer value on display in this box. Core rules, two of the largest armies (especially the Skaven) we've seen in one of these new edition sets from Games Workshop, a new way to play the game (you'll have all the models you need to play both Spearhead armies)... It's a lot to work through, but it's also a lot of game!

Our Favorite 4th Edition New Rule Highlights

While much of Warhammer Age of Sigmar remains the same between 3rd and 4th edition, there are definitely some new rules worth highlighting. First, characters now have a specific Control stat, and this applies to each model in the unit. Previously, models had a control value based on their Wounds characteristic, but now it's all here on the character sheet - replacing a Bravery skill.

I really like how this changes a very core mechanic of the game - there are no longer any kind of Bravery or "battleshock" tests required at the end of a round. While some people might have liked the tactical nuance this provided, I've always preferred game systems where that's not an issue on the field.

There are also several fun new command abilities that players can use, which allow you to shoot a target out in the open (not just one charging toward you), and even charge during your opponent's charge phase! Wizards and Priests also have the ability to spend a command point to cast a spell during your opponent's command phase.

Add to that the very tricky "Power Through" command which - if you're locked in combat with a unit with a lower Health characteristic than you - will dish out D3 mortal wounds and allow you to move a distance up to your unit's Move characteristic. This is wild to me, the fact that for 1 command point you can just auto deal D3 mortal, then keep on trucking through them? Game changing.

I won't spend too much time getting into the nitty gritty here, as I really just wanted to highlight a few rules that all speak to a larger feeling I get playing new games of Age of Sigmar. And that's this: this game is slightly faster, and way, way more interactive. You almost always have something interesting to do during your opponent's turn, and you'll be desperate to spend those command points to make an interrupting impact.

It's this source of interactivity that I feel is really going to continue the work of opening up and making more accessible Warhammer Age of Sigmar. In much the same way the tweaks to the latest edition of Warhammer 40,000 helped sand down some rough edges, this edition of AoS is doing the same.

The Models of Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide

Sigmar bless push fit models! While I know this is a very niche concern, for the busy Tabletop Editor who needs to get this box built as soon as possible, not having to mess with any glue has been an absolute godsend! And while I (mostly) joke about my specific appreciation for push fit models, I do think this mode of model construction -- where every piece is designed to snap into place with each other on a model, is great for newcomers.

I timed myself while building Clanrats (most are two-piece builds), and with an hour of focused snipping, pressing pieces into place, and affixing to bases, I was able to build 30 Clanrats. Sure, I was in the zone, and I never waste time filing or being precise with my snips (much to my playgroup's horror - but hey, I've got deadlines to hit!), but still goes to show how easy it is to put this massive box together - relatively speaking.

It's hard enough that you still have to snip these models from their sprues before assembling, but to have, essentially, a glue-free box of 74 miniatures is huge for introducing people to the hobby. Design wise, I like the look of a lot of these models, though we're not breaking any major new ground. The Stormcast Eternals have their dignified, removed look, and the Skaven are doing their ratty thing.

I do wish, however, that the design would have been pushed a little bit further. Even the Skaven Rat Ogors don't look as twisted up with warpstone power as I'd hoped, and I think a new edition would have been a great chance to take a new look at the Stormcast Eternals and find ways to make the models stand out a bit more.

What is Warhammer Age of Sigmar Spearhead?

Finally, I wanted to take a brief moment to speak about Spearhead here, the newest, fastest way to play Warhammer Age of Sigmar. These small-scale battles are meant to be quick, while still full of tactical nuance. This isn't Warcry, where there's a whole new rulebook and a completely different way to play the game.

Instead, with Spearhead, command points are replaced with tactics cards, and the game is played on a board with pre-set points of interest on it.

Tactics cards add a lot of rich flavor to the game, as each card tempts the player with two different options: you can use it as a way to score a victory point, or you can use the bottom half of the card as though it were a command ability.

Are Warhammer Age of Sigmar Vanguard box sets the same as Spearhead?

Essentially yes! Whether you see a box set of Warhammer Age of Sigmar miniatures called Vanguard or Spearhead, we're talking about the same thing here - a pre-determined batch of miniatures specifically designed and balanced for this game mode.

The Fire and Jade book included in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide starter box includes 25 different Spearhead army lists (including two different ones for Stormcast and two different ones for Skaven).

Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide - Final Thoughts

As I've mentioned throughout my review, this box set is really impressive in the way it introduces new players to the game, the way it incorporates a lot more interactivity, and the sheer amount of product you get in this box.

And while this could have been a big moment for the design team to push the envelope with their miniatures, the fact that they're push-fit also does wonders for new players.

But this isn't just a box set for newcomers -- if you're a long-time fan of the game and somehow don't already have enough Clanrats, you can't do much better than this box - no matter how much it costs where you live!

Should I Buy Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide?

If you and a friend are looking to get into Warhammer Age of Sigmar, or you're willing to foot the bill on this hefty Starter Set, you will absolutely get your money's worth. If, however, the price point is too much to take on - I would wait for either the core rules to be released alone, or pick up the Spearhead rules when they become available. Either way, you should definitely get into the newest edition of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, it's just a personal question you'll have to answer for yourself as to when you want to jump in.

The copy of Warhammer Age of Sigmar Skaventide used in the creation of this review was provided to us by Games Workshop.