As Games Workshop has been introducing more about the upcoming new Warhammer Age of Sigmar edition, they took the opportunity to introduce the new Age of Sigmar Spearhead mode.
What is Warhammer: Age of Sigmar Spearhead?
Warhammer: Age of Sigmar Spearhead is a new game mode for Warhammer Age of Sigmar being introduced with the Fourth Edition. This mode is designed to be played with the existing Vanguard boxes of miniatures, with streamlined rules. The board is about a quarter of the size of a standard Age of Sigmar battle, with it being 30" x 22.4".
Beyond working with existing Vanguard miniature boxes, there will also be a Spearhead launch box that will include everything you need to play this special version of Warhammer Age of Sigmar Fourth Edition. It will have two complete spearhead forces (the Castelite Company (Cities of Sigmar faction), and Carrion Retainers (Flesh-Eater Courts faction)), terrain, a double-sided board with objectives, and packs of cards for the mode. There is also a hardcover rulebook that will have all the core rules, the Spearhead battle pack, and the rules for every Spearhead faction. The rules will also be available freely online shortly after the launch set.
To balance out the fact that different Vanguard boxes come with different numbers and powers of units, there are new rules and mechanics to balance the factions that are in it. Beyond the Vanguard sets, the Mancrusher Mob set will also become a Spearhead set, allowing the Sons of Behemat faction a way to play in this mode. The Spearhead boxes will also be playable in full Warhammer Age of Sigmar, albeit with a few tweaks.
“This is one of the most play-tested games we’ve ever produced, by virtue of how quick it is to play and how much fun we were all having with it,” explains Ben, Product Developer for Age of Sigmar. “Once you know how to play, you can get through a game during a lunch break. The whole Warhammer Studio was so enthused about it – we had a chart up on the wall listing which factions had played against which other factions and how many times. People couldn’t get enough – we’ve run two huge leagues so far – so we had lots of data to work with.”
Battles in Spearhead always last four rounds, and while units with the Reinforcements ability can be resummoned once, others with the Lightning Strike Arrival ability can't be placed until the third round. Warscrolls in Spearhead are simplified compared to the full game, as Spearhead doesn't make use of the advanced rules that include concepts like command models or advanced magic. This fits with the stated goal of modularity in Warhammer Age of Sigmar 4th edition as the company attempts to make its games more accessible without losing depth.
Some of those concepts will be introduced via abilities or cards. While we don't know much about cards, Games Workshop teases that they are a critical part of Spearhead and that they will introduce the two decks of cards later this week: one that provides a twist each round, and one that lets players use battle tactics or command abilities.
Spearhead is the latest in a line of products that Games Workshop has made for quicker versions of their core products. Warhammer 40k has introduced Kill Team, and the spinoff Necromunda, both of which are designed for shorter battle play than the full war experience or offer somewhat different experiences.
